Detection of methicillin/oxacillin resistance in staphylococci.

Methicillin/oxacillin-resistant staphylococci are heterogeneous in their expression of resistance to beta-lactam agents and the test conditions have a major effect on the expression and therefore the detection of resistance. Conflicting recommendations regarding the most reliable method for routine use are partly related to differences between strains and there may be a variable interaction between the factors affecting the expression of resistance, including the agent tested, the medium, the NaCl concentration, the inoculum, temperature and period of incubation and the reading of endpoints. 'Borderline' resistant strains may have altered PBPs or be penicillinase hyperproducers, and these can be difficult to distinguish from resistant strains that carry the mecA gene.

Comparison of PCR detection of mecA with methicillin and oxacillin disc susceptibility testing in coagulase-negative staphylococci.

The provisional BSAC method for the detection of methicillin sensitivity in coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) requires incubation of isolates for 48 h and raises the problem of timely reporting of susceptibility data. The forthcoming withdrawal of methicillin raises another difficulty. We evaluated 42 clinically significant CNS blood culture isolates by PCR, methicillin and oxacillin disc testing and by using methicillin Etests.

Rotavirus infections: guidelines for treatment and prevention.

The classification of rotaviruses as well as the pathogenesis and the diagnosis of rotavirus infections are briefly reviewed. Treatment of rotavirus disease consists mainly of oral or intravenous rehydration, using World Health Organization-recommended oral rehydration solutions or lactated Ringer's solutions, respectively. Specific antivirals have been tried in animal models but are not used for human treatment at present.

Quality assessment of glycopeptide susceptibility tests: a European collaborative study. European Glycopeptide Resistance Group.

The ability of seventy clinical laboratories in nine European countries to detect glycopeptide resistance in Gram-positive bacteria was investigated. Results of routine tests were compared with those on the same strains by a reference method in national co-ordinating laboratories. In addition, control strains were tested by some of the participants.