# Diagnostic utility of nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus polymerase chain reaction testing in head and neck infection

## TL;DR

This study shows that nasal MRSA PCR testing is highly accurate in predicting infection outcomes in head and neck surgery patients.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value of nasal MRSA PCR compared to operative cultures.

## Key findings

- MRSA nasal PCR had 100% sensitivity in detecting infections.
- The negative predictive value of MRSA nasal PCR was 100%.
- The test could reliably rule out MRSA infection in surgical patients.

## Abstract

In this retrospective study of adult inpatients who underwent an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery with operative cultures and collection of nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we found that MRSA nasal PCR demonstrated 100% sensitivity and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100% when compared to operative cultures.