Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus laboratory findings

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Laboratory Findings

• Complete blood count and differential count - low red cell count, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia
• Grams staining - gram positive cocci are seen.
• C reactive protein - elevated
• ESR - elevated

• Aspiration of joint fluid for:

• Cell count
• Grams stain
• Cultures

• Liver function tests - elevated transaminases may be seen (e.g toxic shock syndrome)
• Serum creatinine - elevated

Cultures

Culture of the bacteria is the gold standard test for the diagnosis of MRSA infections. Samples used for culture include blood, urine, joint fluid, sputum, pus from abscesses and boils. Mannitol Salt Agar is used for culture , which is a selective medium (encourages the growth of a group of certain bacteria while inhibiting the growth of others) with 7–9% NaCl that allows S. aureus to grow producing yellow-colored colonies as a result of salt utilization and subsequent drop in the medium's pH.