Roche has received FDA 510(k) clearance for their cobas® MRSA/SA Test for the early, simultaneous detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (SA) directly from nasal specimens. The cobas® MRSA/SA Test detects both organisms from a single specimen, providing accurate and reliable results for effective prevention and control of MRSA/SA infections.

"Numerous successful surveillance programs have led to a significant decrease in the rate of MRSA clinical infection in many organizations, and a dramatic reduction in postoperative surgical infections when screening for SA is done.  Importantly, the fight against healthcare-associated infections continues to advance, as evidenced by this new test that can rapidly detect both MRSA and SA in a single assay” said Lance R. Peterson, MD, Director of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research at NorthShore University HealthSystem and Clinical Professor of Pathology and Medicine at the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine.

“The cobas MRSA/SA Test demonstrated excellent performance in detecting both MRSA and SA strains in samples collected throughout the US. Compared to culture testing, the cobas MRSA/SA Test offers confidence in identifying colonized patients the first time they are evaluated, aiding in the prevention of MRSA disease and post-operative SA surgical infections."

The cobas MRSA/SA is a PCR-based assay that runs on the automated cobas 4800 System, offering labs the most simplified workflow available with a simple de-cap and loading of the primary sample vial onto the cobas 4800 System. This approach requires less hands-on-time, enabling laboratory staff to spend time on other critical tasks. In addition, this streamlined workflow can help labs reduce costs and improve turnaround time.