Detection of MecA Gene in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus

Objective To establish a method of polymerose chain reaction(PCR)for identification of clinical staphy lococcal isolates.Methods A total of 161 clinical staphylococcal isolates were tested to identify mecA gene in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus(MRS)by PCR and Oxiacillin disk diffusion method.Results Among the 161 staphylococcal isolates,there were four strains negative for mecA gene by PCR,while resistant by disk diffusion.Three of 161 MRS strains showed border line resistance.All three strains were tested positive for mecA by PCR.The consistence of two methods was 96.89%.Conclusion The technology of PCR to rapid identification of MRS was superior to disk diffusion method especially for borderline-resistant strains.