Nasal MRSA PCR Assay May Be Effective, Rapid Diagnostic Tool For Antibiotic Stewardship In Hospitalized Pediatric Patients, Study Finds

Infectious Disease Advisor (10/15, Basilio) reports, “A nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus polymerase chain reaction (MRSA PCR) assay shows promising signs of being an effective, rapid diagnostic tool for antibiotic stewardship in hospitalized pediatric patients, according to results of a study.” The researchers said, “For most noncritical conditions, [nasal] MRSA PCRs may be incorporated as a reliable and safe de-escalation clinical pathway given low rates of adverse events following early discontinuation [of] anti-MRSA therapy.” The findings were published in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.