Rapid differentiation of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in blood cultures using the STAPH score: a prospective observational study.

ABSTRACT: Rapid and accurate identification of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) in blood culture specimens is crucial for timely clinical intervention. Traditional Gram staining methods, although widely accessible and cost-effective, exhibit variable sensitivities and specificities in the BACTEC system. We aimed to develop and validate the "STAPH score," a novel semi-quantitative scoring system that integrates Gram stain morphology and time to positivity to differentiate SA from coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) in blood cultures. We analyzed 148 blood culture specimens from septic patients. Each specimen was assessed independently by two examiners using Gram staining and the STAPH score, which assigns points based on five parameters: cluster size, time to positivity, aerobic enlargement, pin

SUBMITTER: Hayashi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11448169 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature