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Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are gram-positive cocci that cause diseases of varying severity, from skin and soft-tissue infections (eg, folliculitis, impetigo, cellulitis, abscesses) to deep-seated infections (eg, endocarditis, osteomyelitis).
Tests generally appear in the order most useful for common clinical situations
| Test name: Staphylococcus Surveillance Culture |
| ARUP #: 0060124 |
| Methodology: Standard reference procedures for aerobic bacterial culture and identification |
| Use: Identify staphylococcal colonization |
| Follow-up: Decolonization has variable success in preventing subsequent infections |
| Test name: Blood Culture |
| ARUP #: 0060102 |
| Methodology: Continuous Monitoring Blood Culture/Identification |
| Use: Evaluate for organism as etiology of infected wound Blood samples from two different anatomic sites required |
| Limitations: Testing is limited to the University of Utah Health Sciences Center only |
| Test name: Wound Culture (Includes Gram Stain 0060101) |
| ARUP #: 0060132 |
| Methodology: Standard reference procedures for bacterial stain, aerobic culture, and identification. Anaerobe Culture is performed on properly collected specimens (Anaerobe culture 0060143). |
| Use: Rule out systemic or deep-seated staphylococcal infection |
| Test name: Antimicrobial Susceptibility - Staphylococcus |
| ARUP #: 0060707 |
| Methodology: Automated Broth Microdilution |
| Use: Identify antimicrobial resistance The following agents may be tested: clindamycin, daptomycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, levofloxacin, linezolid, nitrofurantoin, oxacillin, penicillin, quinupristin/dalfopristin, rifampin, tetracycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and vancomycin Selective reporting based on source |
| Test name: Antimicrobial Susceptibility - mecA Gene by PCR |
| ARUP #: 0060211 |
| Methodology: Qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction |
| Use: Gold standard for detecting oxacillin/nafcillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus Determines presence of gene that confers resistance to nearly all beta-lactam antibiotics Available as a stand-alone test, but typically included with ARUP's full susceptibility panel on staphylococci |
| Limitations: Negative mecA PCR does not exclude oxacillin resistance |
| Test name: Teichoic Acid Antibodies |
| ARUP #: 0050775 |
| Methodology: Semi-Quantitative Immunodiffusion |
| Use: Screen for antibodies to staphylococcal RTA |
| Limitations: Negative result does not exclude staphylococcal disease Positive antibody assay does not denote protection from subsequent infection |