[Detection of methicillin resistance and identification of Staphylococcus spp. from positive blood culture bottles using the mecA and nucA genes with the LightCycler System].

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of detecting Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) and of identifying methicillin resistance directly in positive BACTEC blood culture bottles using the LightCycler system.

Methods: One hundred thirty-one positive blood culture bottles in which Gram-positive cocci in cluster were observed after Gram staining and 40 positive bottles with microorganisms other than staphylococci were studied. A molecular assay based on an automated DNA extraction protocol with a MagNA Pure LC instrument was used.

[Blood cultures in the emergency department].

Introduction: Culture of emergency room blood samples is common practice, but open to controversy. As compared to other emergency tests, blood collection requires twice as much time and needs a refined technique to avoid contamination, and the study has no immediate diagnostic utility.

Methods: This prospective study includes consecutive adult patients with positive emergency room blood cultures.