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Mayo Clinic Laboratories

Test Code M50 MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staph aureus) Culture, Nasal

Infectious

Additional Codes

ALAB: MRSACUL

PowerChart: Culture MRSA Nasal

MA Cerner: Nasal MRSA Culture

Test Method

Broth Enrichment Method; Manual Agar Growth and Biochemical Identificaiton. Methicillin-resistance is determined by the detection of Penicillin-Binding Protein 2 (PBP2).

Specimen Requirement

A nurse or physician collected nasal specimen is required.

Additional Specimen Collection Information

  1. Using a culture swab with transport media, insert the swab 1-2 cm into the nares.
  2. Rotate the swab against the anterior nasal mucosa for 3 seconds.
  3. Using the same swab, repeat for the other nares.
  4. Return the swab to the culture tube and transport the specimen to the laboratory within 24 hours.
  5. Samples collected using nasopharyngeal swabs or Cepheid sample collection device swabs are also acceptable.

Performance

Testing performed Monday through Sunday

72 hours after the specimen arrives at the testing site

Reference Values

No MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staph aureus) isolated.

CPT Code Information

87081 Identification of Microorganisms: Culture, presumptive Pathogenic organisms, screening only

Useful For

Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in nasal specimen.

LOINC Code Information

52969-3 Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus [Presence] In Nose By Organism Specific Culture