NAU, TGen Develop Faster MRSA Test

By Laurel Morales
June 15, 2016

Arizona scientists have developed technology that will make it easier to detect MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant infections.

Now, it’s patented.

Up until now, doctors would have to wait a day or two for test results. Northern Arizona University and the Translational Genomics Research Institute -- or TGen -- developed a rapid test that identifies several antibiotic-resistant infections including staph and MRSA in only an hour.

“The faster we can identify these, the easier it is to identify these, the less risk we have to deal with extremely drug resistant organisms,” said Dave Engelthaler, director of operations for TGen North.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there are 100,000 invasive MRSA infections every year. About 12,000 of those people die.