Hospital's lab is used to detect MRSA

Elmhurst Memorial Hospital's reference laboratory is using a high-tech weapon in the war to stem the spread of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, the so-called "superbug" known as MRSA.

The lab currently uses the most advanced testing available in the United States to detect MRSA, a bacteria resistant to many commonly used antibiotics.

While many people may have the virus without symptoms, serious infections are most common in people with weakened immune systems living in hospitals, nursing homes or other health-care facilities.

Samples are taken by swabbing a patient's nose. The sample then is submitted for polymerase chain reaction testing, which extracts, purifies and replicates a fragment of DNA more than a million times.

The MRSA bacteria's genetic structure can be identified in about two hours using the test, where more traditional testing takes 24 to 48 hours to yield results.

The more advanced test is highly accurate and allows infected patients to be treated in a more timely manner, therefore limiting transmission, says Timothy Caragher, the lab's scientific director.

The Elmhurst lab has made the test available to all hospitals and any other institutions needing rapid results, he added.

For details, call (866) 941-4542 or visit www.emhc.org.