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VISA/hVISA Confirmation

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Requisition Forms

Reference Details

Description:

Confirmation of vancomycin intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) or heterogeneous vancomycin intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) by Etest.

Test Category:
Susceptibility Testing
Pathogen:
Staphylococcus aureus
Illnesses and Diseases:
  • Necrotizing pneumonia
  • Skin and soft tissue infections
Specimen:

Pure culture.

Collection Method:

N/A

Specimen Processing, Storage and Shipping:

Send cultures as growth on culture medium or in transport medium. Culture vessel should be leak-proof or sealed appropriately.

Transportation of Dangerous Goods:

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

 

Patient Criteria:

N/A

Accompanying Documentation:

Completed Antimicrobial Resistance and Nosocomial Infections Requisition.

Comments:

Since this combination of tests is not the gold standard for determining VISA status (as PAP-AUC is), it only suggests the organism may be hVISA/VISA if the vancomycin MIC measured by the standard Etest is ≤ 2 mg/L.

Methods and Interpretation of Results:

A combination of standard vancomycin Etest MIC determination and macro & GRD Etests are used to indicate if the organism is a probable hVISA or VISA or not. 

Turnaround Time:

8 calendar days.

Contact:
Phone #: (204) 789-5000
Fax: (204) 789-5020
References:
  1. Walsh TR1, Bolmström AQwärnström AHo PWootton MHowe RAMacGowan APDiekema D. 2001. Evaluation of current methods for detection of staphylococci with reduced susceptibility to glycopeptides. J Clin Microbiol.  Jul;39(7):2439-44.
  2. Yusof A, et al. 2008. Evaluation of a New Etest Vancomycin-Teicoplanin strip for detection of glycopeptide-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (GISA), in particular heterogeneous GISA. J Clin Microbiol 46(9) 3042-3047.
Guidelines:
Related Information: