Development of a High Sensitive Multiplex Lateral Flow Immunoassay (LFIA) System for Rapid Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).

BACKGROUND

Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) has become a worldwide concern as an epidemic bacterium and a cause of nosocomial and community-acquired infections. One of the major problems in the prevention and treatment of infections caused by MRSA strains is their multi-drug resistant trait, which causes the spread of infections and increases the mortality rate. Therefore, a rapid and accurate method is needed to identify MRSA strains, initiate appropriate antibiotic therapy, and control its infection. The aim of this study was to develop a twin lateral flow immunoassay system to detect methicillin-resistant (MRSA).

METHODS

First, BSA blocked AuNPs-anti-peptidoglycan antibody and AuNPs-anti-BSA antibody were used to detect (). Then, AuNPs-anti-PBP2a antibody was used to specifically detect MRSA. Sensitivity, specificity and limit of detection of this twin immunoassay system were assessed using MRSA, methicillin susceptible and clinical samples. Results were compared to those of cefoxitin disc diffusion (FOX30) and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as gold standards.

RESULTS

The Limit of Detection (LOD) of this twin system were 10 and 10 CFU/ for the first and second strips, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of this innovative assay in detecting MRSA were 92.30 and 97.36%, compared to FOX30 and PCR, respectively.

CONCLUSION

High rates of sensitivity and specificity of this initiative system show its high potentials for rapid and accurate detection of MRSA.