A baseline study for the detection of MRSA was conducted in 2008 in the EU (link to the Commission Desicion of 20. December 2007 from EUR-lex).
Approved laboratories to which the national authorities could submit their samples fulfil the following four criteria:
- have an accreditation system in place for their laboratory diagnostic
- have proven experience with isolation of Staphylococcus aureus from animals
- have proven experience with isolation of MRSA
- have proven experience in performing PCR and sequencing, including analysis thereof (if they also want to do the ID and spa-typing)
For the collection of dust samples the EURL do not recommend a specific brand of the swab to be used. Any sterile swab at the recommended size can be used. It is, however, very important that the person collecting the dust uses gloves in order not to contaminate the sample with human skin flora.
Selective enrichment: The suggested volume (100 mL) for the first enrichment with Mueller-Hinton broth with 6.5% NaCl, might not be sufficient to cover the five swabs. The responsible laboratory can if needed increase the volume to ensure that all five swabs are covered.
The agar recommended for the analysis of the MRSA samples is 'Oxoid Brilliance MRSA agar' which has replaced 'Oxoid Chromogenic MRSA agar'.
A PCR protocol for identification of presumptive mecA positive S. aureus can be found here: mecA-PCR protocol (PDF document, 230 KB)
Below you find a provisional list of laboratories experienced in performing such studies.
Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit GmbH
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene
Beethovenstrasse 6
8010 Graz
Austria |
National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
26 Yanko Sakazov Blvd
1504 Sofia
Bulgaria |
Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Center (CODA-CERVA-VAR)
Groeselenberg 99
1180 Brussels
Belgium |
State Veterinary Institute Olomouc
Jakoubka ze Stríbra c.1
779 00 Olomouc
Czech Republic |
The National Food Institute
Bülowsvej 27
DK-1790 Copenhagen V
Denmark |
|
AFSSA Ploufragan – LERAP
Unité Mycoplasmologie-Bactériologie
BP 53
22440 Ploufragan
France |
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)
4Z Centre for Infectiology and Pathogen Characterisation
Diedersdorfer Weg 1
D-12277 Berlin
Germany |
Central Agricultural Office
Veterinary Diagnostical Directorate
Department of Bacteriology
Tábornok u.2. XIV Budapest
Hungary |
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana
Via Appia Nuova 1411
00178 Roma
Italy |
|
Central Institute for Animal Disease Control – Lelystad
P.O.Box 2004
8203 AB Lelystad
The Netherlands
The Animal Health Service
P.O.Box 9
7400 AA Deventer
The Netherlands
Institute for Public health and the Environment
P.O.Box 1
3720 BA Bilthoven
The Netherlands |
National Veterinary Institute
PO Box 8156 Dep.
N-0033 Oslo
Norway |
State Veterinary and Food Institute
Janoskova 1611/58
Dolny Kubin
Slovakia |
National Veterinary Institute
Vet Faculty
Laboratory for Bacteriology and Mycology
Gerbiceva 60
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia |
Laboratorio de Vigilancia Sanitaria VISAVET
Facultad de Veterinaria de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Avenida Puerta de Hierro s/n
28040 Madrid
Spain |
|
National Veterinary Institute (SVA)
Travvägen 20
75189 Uppsala
Sweden |
The Veterinary Laboratory Agency
Bury St. Edmunds, Rougham Hill
Suffolk, IP33 2RX
United Kingdom | | 