Cepheid Xpert MRSA Cycle Threshold in Discordant Colonization Results and as a Quantitative Measure of Nasal Colonization Burden

• Authors: Edward Stenehjem, Emory University; David Rimland, Emory University; Emily Crispell, Atlanta Research and Education Foundation; Cortney Stafford, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Robert Gaynes, Emory University; Sarah Satola, Emory University
• Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Microbiology
• Volume: Volume 50, Number 6
• Publisher: American Society for Microbiology | 2012-06, Pages 2079-2081
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.06690-11
• Subjects: Biology, Microbiology

Abstract

We analyzed the cycle threshold (CT) of PCR surveillance MRSA swabs obtained from veterans. Lower CT on admission was associated with a positive culture from nasal swabs at discharge. Compared to PCR, direct plating of nasal swabs performed poorly, especially for patients with an elevated CT. The CT is strongly correlated with quantitative nasal cultures. Clinical and infection control applications of the CT have yet to be defined and warrant further evaluation.