Evaluation of three methods for the rapid identification of Staphylococcus aureus in blood cultures

Abstract

A total of 445 blood cultures containing Gram-positive cocci in clusters were tested for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus with the Accuprobe, heat-stable thermonuclease, and latex agglutination using Staphaurex. The results show that the Accuprobe, thermonuclease, and Staphaurex correctly identified 95, 96, and 62 of the 100 specimens containing S. aureus. The corresponding specificity for the methods was 99.1%, 100%, and 98.5%, respectively.