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Comparative evaluation of two fully-automated real-time PCR methods for MRSA admission screening in a tertiary-care hospital

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Abstract

We evaluated two fully-automated real-time PCR systems, the novel QIAGEN artus MRSA/SA QS-RGQ and the widely used BD MAX MRSA assay, for their diagnostic performance in MRSA admission screening in a tertiary-care university hospital. Two hundred sixteen clinical swabs were analyzed for MRSA DNA using the BD MAX MRSA assay. In parallel, the same specimens were tested with the QIAGEN artus MRSA/SA QS-RGQ. Automated steps included lysis of bacteria, DNA extraction, real-time PCR and interpretation of results. MRSA culture was additionally performed as a reference method for MRSA detection. Sensitivity values were similar for both assays (80 %), while the QIAGEN artus MRSA/SA QS-RGQ reached a slightly higher specificity (95.8 % versus 90.0 %). Positive (PPVs) and negative predictive values (NPVs) were 17.4 % and 99.4 % for the BD MAX MRSA assay and 33.3 % and 99.5 % for the QIAGEN artus MRSA/SA QS-RGQ, respectively. Total turn-around time (TAT) for 24 samples was 3.5 hours for both assays. In conclusion, both assays represent reliable diagnostic tools due to their high negative predictive values, especially for the rapid identification of MRSA negative patients in a low prevalence MRSA area.

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Acknowledgments

N.J.H. and P.W. have received travel support from QIAGEN. G.P. has received speaker’s honoraria from BD and QIAGEN.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University of Cologne, Goldenfelsstrasse 19-21, 50935, Cologne, Germany

    N. J. Hos, P. Wiegel & G. Plum

  2. Cologne Cluster of Excellence in Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 26, 50931, Cologne, Germany

    N. J. Hos

  3. Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany

    J. Fischer

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  1. N. J. Hos
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  2. P. Wiegel
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  3. J. Fischer
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  4. G. Plum
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. J. Hos.

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The authors declare that accepted principles of ethical and professional conduct have been followed.

Funding

QIAGEN has supported this study by providing test kits and devices, but had no influence on data evaluation or manuscript writing.

Conflict of interest

N.J.H. and P.W. have received travel support from QIAGEN. G.P. has received speaker’s honoraria from BD and QIAGEN. QIAGEN has supported this study by providing test kits and devices, but had no influence on data evaluation or manuscript writing.

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Hos, N.J., Wiegel, P., Fischer, J. et al. Comparative evaluation of two fully-automated real-time PCR methods for MRSA admission screening in a tertiary-care hospital. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 35, 1475–1478 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-016-2687-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-016-2687-8

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