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Rapid Bacterial Infection Test Differentiates Between MRSA and MSSA in 53 Minutes

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 18 Jul 2023

Image: The Vivalytic MRSA/MSSA Rapid Test provides a quick diagnosis of methicillin resistance at the point of care (Photo courtesy of Randox)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a critical pathogen responsible for numerous hospital-acquired infections, leading to complications and increased mortality rates. The World Health Organization has estimated that patients infected with MRSA experience a mortality rate approximately 50% higher than those affected by non-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, swiftly and accurately determining whether the bacterial strain is methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) or resistant is crucial, particularly in emergency situations. Conducting MRSA/SA screening plays a significant role in mitigating health risks by curtailing contamination, breaking the chain of infection, and combating superbugs and antimicrobial resistance. Now, a rapid test provides differentiation between MRSA and MSSA in 53 minutes at the point of care.

The Vivalytic MRSA/MSSA Rapid Test from Randox Laboratories (Crumlin, UK) is a qualitative RT-PCR diagnostic test capable of identifying and distinguishing MRSA, MSSA, and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci (MRCoNS). Using a single cartridge, the Vivalytic MRSA/MSSA test facilitates a speedy diagnosis of MRSA infections, allowing for the immediate application of suitable antibiotic treatment and prevention of complications. In contrast to the 1-3 days required for traditional culture sampling, the Vivalytic test provides reliable results in less than an hour right at the point of care, making it highly applicable for use in emergency departments.

The Vivalytic analyzer has been designed to be user-friendly, delivering speedy analyses and ease of handling. The patient-to-result process comprises a simple four-step procedure. The test commences when the user scans or inputs sample information and then scans the cartridge code into the integrated Vivalytic software. The sample is then added into the cartridge slot, after which the lid is closed, and the cartridge is inserted into the Vivalytic. The touchscreen display provides a countdown to the completion of the test, and results are shown on the screen. Furthermore, multiple Vivalytic devices can be wirelessly linked, enabling simultaneous control of multiple tests, all reporting to a primary Vivalytic platform.

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