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. 2001 Jul;39(7):2637-9.
doi: 10.1128/JCM.39.7.2637-2639.2001.

Practical strategies for detecting and confirming vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus: a tertiary-care hospital laboratory's experience

E M Marlowe  1 , M D Cohen, J F Hindler, K W Ward, D A Bruckner
Affiliations

Practical strategies for detecting and confirming vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus: a tertiary-care hospital laboratory's experience

E M Marlowe et al. J Clin Microbiol. 2001 Jul.

Abstract

The clinical microbiology laboratory plays a critical role in the detection of Staphylococcus aureus with decreased susceptibility to vancomycin. Staff education and rapid laboratory response are of utmost importance. We report on our laboratory's experience and provide recommendations for the identification and confirmation of vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus.

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Figures

FIG. 1
FIG. 1
Photo of S. aureus morphotypes from biliary culture. Isolates of S. aureus isolate 1 (MRSA) appear as classical large colonies that are yellow-white and domed with a zone of beta-hemolysis. The smaller colonies were identified as VISA. S. aureus isolate 2a (VISA) appears as a small yellow-white colony with a narrow zone of beta-hemolysis. S. aureus isolate 2b (VISA) appears as a pinpoint grey-white colony with a barely detectable zone of beta-hemolysis. Both isolate 2a and isolate 2b were domed and distinct.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2
Algorithm for detection and confirmation of VISA. This algorithm is a general guideline for workup of VISA isolates in the clinical laboratory. Algorithms should be designed for the specific hospital and patient population. Abbreviations: BHI, brain heart infusion; Vanco, vancomycin.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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