Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE)

Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Pure culture.

N/A

Send as growth on culture medium or in transport medium.

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

Patient should have symptoms consistent with infection with MRSA which can include septic arthritis, necrotizing pneumonia, and toxic shock syndrome (TSS).

Completed Antimicrobial Resistance and Nosocomial Infections Requisition.

N/A

Fingerprints are compared to a national database.

10 calendar days.

1. Mulvey, M. R, L. Chui, J. Ismaïl, L. Louie, C. Murphy, N. Chang, M. Alfa, and Canadian Committee for the Standardization of Molecular Methods. 2001. Development of a Canadian Standardized Protocol for Subtyping Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 39:3481-3485.