Rapid Identification of Methicillin-Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and Simultaneous Species Confirmation Using Real-Time Fluorescence PCR

ABSTRACT A duplex LightCycler PCR assay targeting the mecA gene and a Staphylococcus aureus -specific marker was used to test 165 S. aureus strains and 80 strains of other bacterial species. Within an assay time of 60 min plus 10 min for sample preparation, S. aureus as well as the presence or absence of the mecA gene was correctly identified.