Rapid molecular detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a cost-effective tool for infection control in critical care?

doi:10.1186/cc4855

Critical Care
Volume 10
Issue 2

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Denis O

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Commentary

Rapid molecular detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a cost-effective tool for infection control in critical care?

Marc J Struelens and Olivier Denis

Department of Microbiology, Université Libre de Bruxelles – Hopital Erasme, Brussels, Belgium

author email corresponding author email

Critical Care 2006, 10:128doi:10.1186/cc4855


Published:	14 March 2006

See related research article http://ccforum.com/content/10/1/R25

Abstract

Control strategies for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in critical care remain debated. Timely detection of MRSA carriers is crucial to an effective isolation policy. In this issue, Harbarth and colleagues report rapid MRSA screening among intensive care unit-admitted patients using a PCR assay. Preemptive isolation for all admissions until screened negative for MRSA was associated with a reduction of intensive care unit-acquired MRSA infections in one of two study units. The data provide preliminary evidence to the effectiveness of a MRSA control strategy combining rapid screening by a molecular method and preventive isolation. Further controlled studies are needed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this intervention.