CHROMagar™ MRSA Kit, 5000 mL Pack (Base medium + Supplement)

For Isolation and Differentiation of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

CHROMagar™ MRSA is a selective and differential chromogenic culture medium specifically designed for the detection of MRSA colonization from anterior nares, perineal, wound, and other surveillance swabs. Colonies of MRSA appear as distinctive rose to mauve after 18–24 hours of aerobic incubation, providing rapid and visually clear identification.

Introduced in 2002 as the first chromogenic medium for MRSA screening, CHROMagar™ MRSA has since become a global reference in MRSA surveillance, offering high sensitivity and specificity while reducing laboratory workload and improving infection control measures.

🔹 Key Features & Benefits

• ✅ Distinctive Colony Appearance:
  • MRSA = Rose to mauve colonies
  • Easy-to-read contrast for quick detection within 18–24 hours
• ✅ High Sensitivity & Specificity:
  • More sensitive than traditional oxacillin-based media
  • Near-100% specificity and sensitivity in multiple published studies
• ✅ Time-Saving Workflow:
  • No enrichment required
  • Direct inoculation from swabs and primary specimens
  • Ideal for high-volume patient screening programs
• ✅ Trusted Performance:
  • Successfully used worldwide in infection control, ICU screening, and MRSA outbreak management

🔹 Colony Appearance

🔹 Intended Use

CHROMagar™ MRSA is intended for:

• Qualitative detection of MRSA colonization from:
  • Anterior nares swabs
  • Perineal swabs
  • Wound and skin lesion swabs
  • Positive blood cultures
  • Environmental surfaces (optional)
• MRSA surveillance and infection control in:
  • Hospitals and ICUs
  • Long-term care facilities
  • Pre-admission screening programs

⚠️ CHROMagar™ MRSA is not intended for diagnosing MRSA infection or guiding treatment. Positive colonies should be confirmed via susceptibility testing and species ID (e.g., MALDI-TOF, cefoxitin disk, PCR).

🔹 Clinical Background

MRSA is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections, particularly in intensive care units, surgical wards, and immunocompromised patients. Its resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins) complicates treatment, requiring early detection and decolonization strategies.

📌 In the US alone, MRSA contributes to over 370,000 hospitalizations annually, with estimated costs of $2.4 billion (GEN, 2009).

CHROMagar™ MRSA enables fast, reliable screening, helping institutions prevent spread and reduce the burden of treatment.

🔹 Test Procedure

1. Sample Type: Nasal, perineal, wound, or skin swabs
2. Inoculation: Direct streaking onto CHROMagar™ MRSA plate
3. Incubation:
   • Temperature: 35–37 °C
   • Time: 18–24 hours
   • Atmosphere: Aerobic
4. Interpretation:
   • Rose/mauve colonies = Presumptive MRSA
   • Confirm via molecular/phenotypic testing (e.g., cefoxitin disk, mecA PCR)

🔹 Ordering Information

🔹 Storage & Shelf Life

• Storage: 2–8 °C (sealed, dry, protected from light)
• Shelf Life: Up to 24 months from manufacturing date
• Prepared Media: Use within validated expiry period

🔹 Scientific Publications

• Lüthje et al., 2023 – MALDI-TOF MS identification from chromogenic media
• Rio-Tinto et al., 2023 – MRSA colonization among pregnant women during COVID-19 in Brazil
• Koupahi et al., 2023 – Comparison of CHROMagar™ MRSA with cefoxitin disk diffusion (Iran J Med Microbiol)

CHROMagar™ MRSA remains the gold standard chromogenic medium for MRSA screening, offering unmatched clarity, sensitivity, and ease of use. It is the trusted choice for hospitals and microbiology labs seeking to rapidly detect MRSA colonization, contain its spread, and reduce the clinical and financial impact of MRSA infections.