Use of fluorescence in situ hybridization for rapid identification of staphylococci in blood culture samples collected in a Portuguese hospital.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used for the direct identification of staphylococci in blood cultures collected at a Portuguese hospital where staphylococci account for up to 35% of clinically relevant blood cultures. The assay was able to detect the presence/absence of staphylococci and distinguish Staphylococcus aureus from coagulase-negative staphylococci in 4.5 h.