Diagnostic accuracy of a novel assay for the detection of MRSA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Determining the diagnostic accuracy of a novel molecular MRSA assay (Bio-Rad Dx MRSA real-time PCR) for the direct detection of Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) from nasal swabs
IRAS ID
129158
Contact name
Simon Goldenberg
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy's & St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
This study is designed to look at the performance (accuracy) of a new test for MRSA (Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). Staphylococcus aureus is a common type of bacteria. It lives on the skin and in the nose of many people without doing any harm. Like many bacteria, staphylococcus aureus only becomes a problem if patients are run down, ill, injured or have had surgery. It can cause infections if it enters the body, such as through wounds or tubes placed in the body.
Meticillin is an antibiotic. Meticillin resistant means that Meticillin and similar antibiotics cannot kill the bacteria and another antibiotic will need to be used. If Meticillin cannot be used to treat staphylococcus aureus, it is called MRSA.
Most patients are tested for MRSA when they come into hospital by obtaining a nose swab. If they are found to be carrying MRSA they may be isolated in a sider room and prescribed creams and lotions to get rid of the MRSA.
There are several different ways of testing for MRSA. This study will investigate whether a new test (Bio-Rad Dx) is as good at detecting MRSA as accurately as the standard methods which involve growing the bacteria.REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/0654
Date of REC Opinion
14 Jun 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion