Correlation of MRSA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nasal swab in ventilator-associated pneumonia, lung abscess, and empyema.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a pathogen empirically covered in pulmonary infections. Limited studies evaluate the relationship between the MRSA PCR nasal swab assays and clinically diagnosed ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), lung abscess, and empyema. This retrospective, single-center study included 161 patients, which aimed to validate the clinical utility of MRSA PCR nasal swabs in VAP, lung abscess, and empyema through sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predicative value (NPV) analysis.

Impact of MRSA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) wound swabs on antibiotic de-escalation in skin and soft tissue infections.

Methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus (MRSA) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is a laboratory test that allows for rapid detection of MRSA and is available to use in skin infections via wound swab. There are limited data demonstrating the utility of MRSA PCR wound swabs on clinical outcomes in skin and soft tissue infections.