Laboratory Testing Algorithm Update: April 2004
A sample algorithm that highlights the recommended testing methodologies for detecting VISA/VRSA and actions based on these results.

Laboratory Detection of VISA/VRSA Updated: April 2004
Questions and answers about susceptibility testing, screening, etc. of VISA/VRSA

S.E.A.R.C.H. Confirmatory Reference Testing
A network of voluntary participants who have joined together to report the isolation of S. aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin

Epidemiology
Epidemiological and microbiological characterization of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin, U.S., 1997-2001. Clin Infec Dis 2003 Leave CDC

Public Health Dispatch: Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus - Pennsylvania, 2002 MMWR October 2002

Staphylococcus aureus Resistant to Vancomycin MMWR July 2002

Vancomycin-intermediate and -resistant Staphylococcus aureus: what the infectious disease specialist needs to know. Clin Infect Dis 2001 Leave CDC

Emergence of vancomycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. N Engl J Med 1999 Leave CDC

Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus in a Home Health-Care Patient EID Journal 2001

Staphylococcus aureus with Reduced Susceptibility to Vancomycin---Illinois, 1999. MMWR 2000

Staphylococcus aureus with Reduced Susceptibility to Vancomycin Isolated from a Patient with Fatal Bacteremia.
EID Journal 1999

Update: Staphylococcus aureus with Reduced Susceptibility to Vancomycin - U.S., 1997. MMWR 1997 PDF (265KB)

Staphylococcus aureus with Reduced Susceptibility to Vancomycin - U.S. 1997. MMWR 1997 PDF (273KB)

Reduced Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus to Vancomycin - Japan 1996. MMWR 1997 PDF (86KB)

Laboratory
Cui L., et al. Cell Wall Thickening Is a Common Feature of Vancomycin Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus J Clin Microbiol. 2003;41: 5-14.

Increasing resistance vancomycin and other glycopeptides in Staphylococcus aureus. EID Journal 2001

Laboratory Capacity to Detect Antimicrobial Resistance, 1998. MMWR 2000

Tenover FC, Lancaster MV, Hill BC, et al. Characterization of staphylococci with reduced susceptibilities to vancomycin and other glycopeptides. J Clin Microbiol 1998;36:1020-7. [Erratum, J Clin Microbiol;36:2167.]