Comparison of automated processing of flocked swabs with manual processing of fiber swabs for detection of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus

J Clin Microbiol. 2011 Jul;49(7):2717-8. doi: 10.1128/JCM.00504-11. Epub 2011 Apr 27.

Abstract

The sensitivity of automated culture of Staphylococcus aureus from flocked swabs versus that of manual culture of fiber swabs was prospectively compared using nasal swabs from 867 patients. Automated culture from flocked swabs significantly increased the detection rate, by 13.1% for direct culture and 10.2% for enrichment culture.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Automation / methods*
  • Bacteriological Techniques / methods*
  • Carrier State / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Nasal Mucosa / microbiology*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Specimen Handling / methods*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*