"Introduction:Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a staph bacterium which causesinfection in various body parts. MRSA is identified as ‘superbug’ as it is resistant to most ofthe commonly used antibiotics such as amoxicillin, penicillin, and oxacillin. Health care-associated MRSA and community-associated MRSA are the most common epidemicconditions (1). The clinical manifestations of MRSA associated skin infections are thepresence of swollen, painful bumps and fever. If left untreated they turn into deep, painfulabscesses filled with pus as shown in the figure 1 [8] and it requires surgical draining. Staphylococcus aureus lives in the nares or skin of people and is usually non-pathogenic.However, immunocompromised individuals have a greater risk of MRSA infections. MRSAspreads through direct contact with infected people or the objects used by the infected people.It enters the body through cuts.A patient with MRSA infection causes a serious risk ofinfection to healthy individuals. So, the health care professionals and microbiologist shouldtake precautions while testing and caring the patients with MRSA(7). Broth microdilution testing, cefoxitin disk screen test, latex agglutination test are some of theclinical laboratory tests for MRSA. Catalase and coagulase test differentiates S. aureusbacterium from other species and confirms the presence of S.aureus infection (5). Protocol for Specimen Collection and Testing (2):a)Specimen Collected: Nasal swab b)Collection container: Molecular testing swab (Preferable). Alternate- Copan VenturiTransystem Liquid Stuart single or double swab, Cepheid sample collection device, BBLCultureSwab Liquid Stuarts single or second swab. The expiry date should be checked on thetransport device before usec)Specimen Processing: Specimens containing blood products or excessive nasal secretionsshould be received and tested within 24 hours of collection.d)Transport temperature: 15-30°C or room temperature. A temperature of 2-30°C isacceptablee)Specimen stability: Molecular testing swab and other types of swabs are stable at roomtemperature for less than 24 hours. They are stable for five days at a temperature of 2-8°C. f)Rejection criteria: Specimens that are improperly labeled or identified should be rejected.Samples that exceed their stability limits, expired collection device or swab should bediscarded. Sample with non-approved swabs should be dismissed. Precautions to Prevent Transmission of MRSA: MRSA transmits through direct or indirect contact. So the microbiologist carrying out MRSAdiagnosis test should wear a gown and gloves while collecting and testing the samples (3).Hand hygiene should be performed after touching the patients’ blood, body fluids, andsecretions irrespective of wearing gloves. The professionals must use PPE to protect theirmucous membrane of eyes, nose, and mouth while performing the procedure. Discard thegloves once used do not keep them for reuse. Masks, goggles, face shields should be utilized(6). Methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus: coagulase test:Principle: It helps distinguish Staphylococcus aureus (positive) from Coagulase NegativeStaphylococcus (CONS). S. aureus produces coagulase enzyme, which converts solublefibrinogen to insoluble fibrin. S. aureus produces free coagulase enzyme and bound coagulaseenzyme which is attached to the bacterial cell wall (4). Method: Slide Coagulase Test Procedure: Slide coagulase test method helps to detect the presence ofbound coagulase or clumping factor. Clumping factor causes agglutination by convertingfibrinogen to fibrin.i.Prepare the bacterial suspension by mixing the staphylococcal colony in a drop of wateron a clean glass side. Ensure that the slide is grease free. ii.Follow the same procedure to prepare the suspension of control (positive and negativestrains) iii.Sterilize the inoculation wire by placing it in a flame and then cool itiv.Dip the inoculation wire into undiluted plasma and then the stirring it into the S. aureussuspension present on the slidev.Sterilize the inoculation wire and repeat the procedure for collecting the control sample. Result and Interpretation: Absence of clumping or any reaction for more than 10 seconds isa negative result. Formation of coarse clumping within 10 seconds in coagulated plasma drop and visibility of cocci the naked eye with no clumping in saline or water drop is a positivetest result as shown in the figure 2 [9]. Tube Coagulase Test Procedure: Tube coagulase helps to detect the presence of freecoagulase.i.Prepare diluted plasma by dissolving in 1 ml of plasma in 6 ml ofsaline (0.85% NaCl)ii.Place 1 ml of diluted plasma in the test tube and then add the isolated colonies of S.aureus to the test tube and milk suspensioniii.Incubate the suspension at 37 oCfor 4 hours in the ambient air or water bathiv.Check for the formation of clot in the suspension at 1st, 2ndand 4th hour of test Result and Interpretation: Presence of clot indicates a positive coagulase test. The absenceof clot means a negative coagulase test. The test tube with negative result should be kept atroom temperature overnight and re-examined. "