Cepheid Xpert MRSA Cycle Threshold in Discordant Colonization Results and as a Quantitative Measure of Nasal Colonization Burden

摘要

We analyzed the cycle threshold (C_T) of PCR surveillance MRSA swabs obtained from veterans. Lower C_T on admission was associated with a positive culture from nasal swabs at discharge. Compared to PCR, direct plating of nasal swabs performed poorly, especially for patients with an elevated C_T. The C_T is strongly correlated with quantitative nasal cultures. Clinical and infection control applications of the C_T have yet to be defined and warrant further evaluation.