Utilization of the chromogenic agar MRSA ID in the surveillance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a low endemic unit for MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most common pathogen responsible for nosocomial infections.Approximately 20% of patients undergoing surgical operations acquires at least one nosocomial infection. Nasal carriers of S. aureus have been identified as one of the populations at major risk to develop this type of infection, particularly, after operations, dialysis, transplants and admission in intensive care unit. Our study was conducted on patients who came from a Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit, where the incidence of MRSA is very low (8%) and where it is very important to identify MRSA carriers in order to adopt measures to avoid transmission.The use of chromogenic agar MRSA ID allowed us to identify green colonies of MRSA within 24 hours and to make a timely and careful diagnosis.