Ordering Recommendation

Gold standard for detecting oxacillin/nafcillin resistance in Staphylococcus species. Determine presence of mecA/mecC genes that confer resistance to nearly all beta-lactam antibiotics. For susceptibility panel testing for Staphylococcus spp, order Antimicrobial Susceptibility - Staphylococcus (0060707). For detection of colonization, order Staphylococcus Surveillance Culture (0060124).

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Actively growing Staphylococcus aureus or coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, in pure culture.

Specimen Preparation

Transport sealed container with pure culture on agar slant or in bacterial transport media. Place each specimen in an individually sealed bag.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Room temperature.

Unacceptable Conditions

Mixed cultures or non-viable organisms.

Remarks

Isolate identification and specimen source required.

Stability

Ambient: 1 week; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: Unacceptable

Methodology

Qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-3 days

Reference Interval

Presence or absence (of mecA/mecC genes).

Interpretive Data

Presence of mecA/mecC genes indicates resistance to methicillin/oxacillin and most other beta-lactam antibiotics.

Compliance Category

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Note

An additional processing fee will be billed for all organisms not submitted in pure culture, as indicated in the specimen requirements.

If species identification is not provided, identification will be performed at ARUP. Additional charges apply.

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

87641

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0060211 Susceptibility, mecA/mecC 48813-0
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • beta-lactam antibiotic resistance
  • mecA Gene
  • mecC Gene
  • MRSA
Antimicrobial Susceptibility - mecA/mecC Genes by PCR