Evaluation of the eazyplex MRSA assay for the rapid detection of Staphylococcus aureus in pleural and synovial fluid

Highlights • The commercial loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) eazyplex MRSA assay was validated for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates in pleural and synovial fluid. • This new system appropriately detected a quality control panel of pleural/synovial fluid samples with DNA of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), MRSA, and other pathogens. • The limit of detection was established at 6.4 × 103 CFU/ml for S. aureus and 1.0 × 104 CFU/ml for MRSA. • The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity values were 83.3% and 97.8%, respectively, for the detection of S. aureus , while the mean turnaround time was 70 min. • The eazyplex MRSA assay was found to be a useful test for the rapid detection of S. aureus in invasive samples.