Detecting hVISA

Abstract

Rates of reduced vancomycin susceptibility (RVS) among isolates of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), have increased. Although vancomycin remains the therapeutic mainstay for MRSA, clinical response to vancomycin has been compromised by RVS among our hospital clones. Laboratories need simple procedures to detect these organisms. Whilst routine disc or MIC susceptibility testing is not reliable, some useful screening procedures are available.