GENEOHM

BD GeneOhm™ Line of Products

BD GeneOhm™ StaphSR Assay

S. aureus is a major cause of nosocomial infections with clinical manifestations ranging from pustules to sepsis and death.(1) Treatment of S. aureus infections has become a real challenge with the emergence of strains resistant to previously effective antimicrobial agents. Methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus are frequently encountered in health-care settings, and represent nearly 60% of isolates from hospital acquired S. aureus in some North American hospitals (2). Timely identification and treatment of these infections has been proven to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. With results in less than two hours, versus 2-3 days with traditional culture, the BD GeneOhm™ StaphSR is the first diagnostic test to simultaneous detect and differentiate methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and S. aureus (SA) directly from positive blood culture. Like the BD GeneOhm™ MRSA Assay, the BD GeneOhm™ StaphSR Assay is a rapid real-time PCR test for MRSA DNA. However, the StaphSR test will go a step further to identify MRSA and SA DNA in clinical specimens. The test is currently available for rapid identification and differentiation of MRSA/SA in positive blood cultures to aid in the prompt and appropriate treatment of BSIs caused by these organisms. Additional specimen claims under development include nasal and wound samples. The nasal claim will be aimed at determination of colonization status. The wound claims will aid in the rapid identification of these patients and allow them to receive the appropriate therapy as quickly as possible.

The StaphSR test helps clinicians in the prevention and control of S. aureus infections in healthcare settings by guiding appropriate therapeutic treatment.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin or soft tissue infection in a state prison. Mississippi, 2000. MMWR 2001; 50:919-922.

2. National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) System Report, data summary from January 1992 to June 2004, issued October 2004. Am J Infect Control. 2004; 32:470-485.2.