Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasingly rampant, and its infection spreads almost all over the world.
Together with AIDS and hepatitis B, it has become the three most difficult infectious diseases in the world.
How to prevent and control MRSA has become a problem that we cannot ignore.
The long-term treatment of MRSA infection, in addition to the direct economic burden on patients, will also generate some indirect costs, such as isolation, disinfection and so on.
n response to the prevalence of MRSA, we should propose strict detection and control measures.
MRSA screening is an important part of this.
Medical swabs are one of CellMedical’s specialties. Our goal is to ensure that our swabs give end users what they really need so they can always perform at the highest level.
In this article, we review what MRSA is, why using a nasal swab is the most effective way to test for MRSA, and how to perform a nasal swab test for MRSA.
What is MRSA?
MRSA, known as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
A highly drug-resistant strain of bacteria found mainly in people with long-term chronic diseases.
It is naturally resistant to penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics, and also has varying degrees of resistance to commonly used erythromycin, etimicin, ofloxacin and other drugs.
Mainly seen in patients with bloodstream infection, lung infection and other site infections.
If the treatment effect is not good after a variety of antibiotic anti-infection treatment, it is necessary to consider whether there is mrsa infection. This bacterium is only effective against antibiotics such as vancomycin, teicoplanin, and linezolid.
MRSA is contagious through person-to-person contact and when a contaminated person touches an object or surface and leaves behind germs that can spread.
About 126,000 people are hospitalized and 19,000 die from the bacteria each year.
MRSA Nasal Swab
A nationwide cross-sectional study of MRSA screening in more than 10,000 patients showed that screening sites included the nose, throat, underarm, perineum, and wound or implant sites. Nasal swabs identified only 66% of MRSA carriers, and further swab testing could increase the detection rate.
Nasal and perineal swabs were identified in 82% of patients, with the axilla being the least useful site for carrier identification (8% detection rate).
Standard screening methods should include at least two swabs (nasal swab plus perineal or pharyngeal swab).
According to the American Society for Microbiology, nasal swabs have a higher detection rate of MRSA than traditional swabs. Flocked swabs provide better sample collection because their brush-like tips release more target cells and retain more liquid sample than foam swabs.
Our flocked-Swab sterile swabs are designed for the collection and transport of clinically significant bacteria.
With molded breakpoints, sampling is fast, safe and convenient.
Sterile Medical Specimen Collection Sterile Nylon Flocked Nasopharyngeal Nasal Swab
How to use MRSA Swab?
Once a sampling swab and transfer medium, such as CellMedical’s flocked-Swab media transfer system, has been selected, testers should wash their hands and wear clean gloves.
The process is as follows:
- Remove the nasal swab.
- Measure about 2 cm with a swab and mark with your finger.
- Insert a cotton swab about 2 cm (about 3/4 inch) into one nostril.
- Insert the swab into the nostril perpendicular to the nose (face), rotate the swab against the anterior nasal mucosa for 3 seconds, then gently rotate 3 times. .
- Using the same swab, repeat for the other nostril.
- Place the swab back into the virus delivery medium.
- Place the end of the swab firmly so that the tip of the swab is in contact with the wet swab.
- Tighten the cap of the tube, mark it well, and put it in a plastic bag and seal it.
Still have questions about MRSA swabs or other CellMedical single-use medical products? Contact us today!