TABLE 2.

Discrepancy analysis for patients with PCR-positive, culture-negative discordant results based on patient history and testing of control swab specimens

No. of patients	History of MRSA	Control swab result		Decolonization therapya	Conclusion
		PCR	Culture
4	Yes	NDb	ND	Yes	Probable MRSA carrier
3	Yes	+	+	Yes	Probable MRSA carrier
4	Yes	+	+	No	Probable MRSA carrier
9	No	ND	ND	No	Unresolved
3	No	ND	−	No	False positive
2	No	−	−	No	False positive
1	No	+	−	No	False positive

^aDecolonization therapy consisted of daily bathing with chlorhexidine- containing soap and nasal mupirocin.

^bND, not done.