Shortcut method for extraction of Staphylococcus aureus DNA from blood cultures and conventional cultures for use in real-time PCR assays

PCR allows rapid determination of both the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and of methicillin resistance. I present here a simple method for direct extraction from blood cultures or colonies for use in real-time PCR, eliminating tedious, time-consuming methods of DNA extraction which may otherwise deter microbiology labs from offering PCR.