Evaluation of the BD Max MRSA XT assay for use with different swab types.

We evaluated the performance of the BD Max MRSA XT assay for use with different swab types. The 90% detection rates (95% confidence intervals) were 387 (97 to 1,551), 877 (238 to 3,230), 986 (183 to 5,287), 1,292 (328 to 5,078), 2,400 (426 to 13,518), and 5,848 (622 to 55,021) CFU/swab for Liquid Stuart, Liquid Amies, dry, Amies Gel without charcoal, ESwab collection, and Amies gel with charcoal swabs (Becton Dickinson), respectively. Amies Gel without charcoal, ESwab collection, and Amies gel with charcoal swabs had a tendency to be less sensitive, but none of the differences was statistically significant.