Roche's LightCycler test for the detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is now available with the CE Mark, allowing it to be sold for clinical use in the EU to help prevent and control MRSA infections. The qualitative, in vitro diagnostic test detects MRSA nasal colonization and is performed on Roche's LightCycler 2.0 instrument, which uses patented real-time polymerase reaction technology.

MRSA is one of the most frequently isolated bacteria from patients with healthcare-associated infections (HAI), which, according to estimates, cause 37000 deaths each year in the EU. One in ten patients in an EU hospital acquire an HAI and the problem is likely to become more prevalent in the future.

"As more guidelines recommend or require aggressive screening, it is important that healthcare professionals have access to fast, reliable products that can help improve medical outcomes," says Daniel O'Day, Head of Roche Molecular Diagnostics. "This new test will aid infection control programmes and, ultimately, result in better patient care."

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