Selective mannitol broth saves time and resources by enabling the laboratory to quickly screen out negative samples and concentrate confirmatory tests on presumptive positives
Oxoid has launched a new broth medium for the quick and easy screening of clinical samples for the presence of MRSA.
Available in a convenient, ready-to-use format, Oxoid selective mannitol broth saves time and resources by enabling the laboratory to screen out negative samples.
Samples from patients and hospital staff are simply inoculated into vials containing 5ml selective mannitol broth (order code: EB1016C) and incubated overnight. Selective agents within the medium are designed to inhibit the growth of other organisms, while permitting the MRSA to grow. MRSA are able to ferment the mannitol in the broth.
This acidifies the medium, causing the colour to change from red to yellow, giving a presumptive positive reaction.
All the negative broths can be discarded, while confirmatory tests are performed on isolates from the positive broths only.
Multiple samples from an individual can be pooled (depending on knowledge of their previous MRSA status), reducing the number of tests required, and the ability to screen out negative cultures reduces the number of confirmation tests required.
A recent review of MRSA isolation policies concluded that it should be possible to eradicate an endemic MRSA problem with an effective isolation policy, over time.
In addition, such a policy could result in cost savings by reducing length of stay in the hospital.
Oxoid selective mannitol broth contributes to an effective isolation policy by providing a fast and efficient method for the screening of clinical samples for MRSA.
