Rapid Detection of Antimicrobial-Resistant Organism Carriage: an Unmet Clinical Need

The rates of antimicrobial resistance in the hospital continue to increase and contribute substantially to morbidity, mortality, and health care costs in the United States and worldwide. The two most important resistant organisms in U.S. hospitals are MRSA and VRE, both of which are commonly transmitted from patient to patient. Early and accurate detection of MRSA and VRE carriers is necessary to focus isolation and prevention strategies. While the potential for rapid (real-time) detection of MRSA and VRE now exists, it largely remains an unmet clinical need. Future development of rapid methods for detection of MRSA, VRE, and other epidemiologically important pathogens (e.g., Clostridium difficile and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing gram-negative organisms) should greatly improve our ability to focus prevention and control measures.