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Quality Assurance Unit - Scheme Details

Microbiology
PT Number
PT0026
Scheme title
Staphylococci including MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
Suitable testing methods
Culture/PCR
Reporting format

a) Bacterial species and methicillin-susceptible or resistant at least for all S. aureus isolates and preferably for all isolates.

b) Results for the following tests, where these have been used:

  • Coagulase (method used - tube, slide or kit)
  • Cefoxitin susceptibility (method used, plus quantitative result)
  • PBP2 result
  • mecA result.

c) Whether the isolate is considered to be MRSA. MRSA is defined as S. aureus with methicillin resistance determined by the presense of the altered penicillin binding protein PBP2.

Final report will be published electronically showing all participants results.

Results to be returned within
21 days
Number of samples in each distribution
7 -

In each distribution there will be a panel of 7 staphylococcal isolates, these may include S. aureus, S. pseudintermedius, S. intermedius and coagulase negative staphylococci for species identification, determination of methicillin susceptibility and identification of MRSA.

Sample Type
0.1mL freeze-dried sample in glass vial.
In each distribution there will be a panel of 7 staphylococcal isolates, these may include S. aureus, S. pseudintermedius (formerly called S. intermedius) and coagulase negative staphylococci for identification, determination of methicillin susceptibility and identification of MRSA
Packaging and transport details
UN3373 – Biological substance category B. Courier delivery required which will incur additional charges. Please contact the QA unit for further details.
Number of distributions per year
2
Accreditation Status
ISO/IEC 17043: 2010 Conformity assessment – General requirements for proficiency testing.
Date scheme started
2009
Notes

The scheme has two objectives; to correctly:

  1. identify all staphylococcal strains, determine their methicillin susceptibility.
  2. determine which of the strains are MRSA.

The nomenclature of Staphylococcus intermedius has recently changed and most isolates formerly called S. intermedius from dogs are called S. pseudintermedius (Devriese 2009). For the purposes of the PT exercise, where a S. intermedius is included in the panel, identification of isolates belonging to the S. intermedius group to the level of S. intermedius, S. pseudintermedius and S. delphini is not required and isolates can be identified to the “intermedius complex” level.

For price and schedule of distribution months please see price list or contact: vetqas@apha.gov.uk

Back to PT Schemes Prices & Timetable | Print scheme details | Version 5. April 2018