Mast Group notes MRSA detection capabilities

Mast Group has explained that it offers molecular technology for the detection of MRSA and PantonValentine Leukocidin (PVL), it has announced.

The organisation made its comments after a healthcare-associated infection expert warned that the H1N1 pandemic, which has already resulted in more than 30 deaths in the UK, could lead to an increase in necrotising pneumonia.

Professor Richard James, director of Nottingham’s Centre for Healthcare Associated Infections, said that this rise could take place in patients with community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) infections, suggesting that NHS labs should increase their surveillance of CA-MRSA to minimise complication risks.

Mast Group stated that CA-MRSA is a pathogen that is becoming "increasingly important" due to virulence factors such as PVL.

Noting that its offerings in this field include the Hain Lifescience GenoType MRSA kit, the firm added: "Mast Group Ltd offer a well-established molecular technology for the simultaneous detection of MRSA and PVL."