Comparison of an enrichment broth-enhanced commercial PCR procedure versus bacteriological culture for separating non-colonized from suspected or colonized MRSA individuals.

The aim of the study presented here was to evaluate an enrichment broth-enhanced commercial PCR procedure for excluding the presence of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in patient samples in less than 36 h. In The Netherlands to date, all MRSA epidemics have been successfully controlled with the Dutch search-and-destroy policy. However, PCR facilitates more rapid screening for MRSA than traditional culture.

How useful is the Chlamydia micro-immunofluorescence (MIF) test for the gynaecologist?

Three patients with a chlamydial respiratory tract infection showed significant titre rises for the three chlamydial micro-immunofluorescence tests, performed with Chlamydia pneumoniae, C. psittaci and C. trachomatis.