Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) – Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE)

Consistent with O. Reg. 671/92 of the French Language Services Act, laboratory testing information on this page is only available in English because it is scientific or technical in nature and is for use only by qualified health care providers and not by members of the public.

*Uncontrolled print copy. Valid only on day of print: 17 May 2025.

Specimen Collection and Handling

Specimen Requirements

Test Requested	Required Requisition(s)	Specimen Type	Minimum Volume	Collection Kit
MRSA PFGE typing¹	General Test Requisition	Pure bacterial culture of pathogen³ (MRSA) in appropriate agar.		N/A

Submission and Collection Notes

MRSA PFGE typing is performed for outbreak investigations and for routine surveillance.

Include the outbreak number and index case if applicable on the requisition.

Include on the requisition the specimen type from which the pathogen is isolated.

Storage and Transport

Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.

Special Instructions

Requisitions and Kit Ordering

Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)

The MRSA PFGE typing is performed daily Monday to Friday.

Turnaround time is up to 13 days from receipt by the PHO laboratory.

Test Methods

All MRSA submissions are confirmed as such prior to PFGE testing.

Reporting

Results are reported to the ordering physician or health care provider as indicated on the requisition.

*Uncontrolled print copy. Valid only on day of print: 17 May 2025.

Contact Laboratory Customer Service

Microbiology and Laboratory Services

customerservicecentre@oahpp.ca

Updated 20 July 2020