Susceptibility testing for staphylococci other than S. aureus, or SOSA, has become increasingly complicated, as more laboratories use MALDI-TOF to routinely identify these bacteria to the species level. In particular, accurate identification of methicillin resistance has become more complex as the different species are distinguished by the accuracy of different susceptibility testing methods and breakpoints for interpreting MICs and zone sizes.  Some of the questions we’ll discuss include:

• What is the gold standard for detecting methicillin resistance in SOSA?
• How will the recommended breakpoints for detection of methicillin-resistant SOSA change?
• Why should we call these bacteria SOSA instead of coagulase-negative staphylococci?

Guests: Dr. Romney Humphries, Dr. Lars Westblade

Links mentioned:

• Evaluation of Surrogate Tests for the Presence of mecA-Mediated Methicillin Resistance in Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus hominis, and Staphylococcus warneri
• The End of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci? A Micro-Comic Strip

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