The test uses mass spectrometry to quantify the number of S. aureus organisms in a large number of samples in just a few hours, compared to a day or two for culturing techniques typically used to detect this bacterium.

Developed by scientists from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA, USA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; Atlanta, GA, USA) the new test takes advantage of unique isotopic labeling combined with specific bacteriophage amplification to rapidly identify S.aureus.

Quickly and accurately detecting infections caused by S. aureus is critical because the pathogenic bacterium causes a broad spectrum of infections, ranging from acute to chronic disease, which need to be treated in a prompt manner with the correct antibiotic.

"Our method for detecting staph infections using mass spectrometry will be valuable in a variety of situations, but will be crucial when a large number of people need to be tested very quickly, which will ultimately improve treatment," said Facundo Fernández, an associate professor in the Georgia Tech School of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Details of the new staph infection detection method were published in the January 2012 issue of the journal Molecular and Cellular Proteomics.

Related Links:
Georgia Institute of Technology
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention