What is the SAIBOX (Staphylococcus aureus Identification Box) test, also known as the cobas (continuous automated batch) MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)/SA (Staphylococcus aureus) test?

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Last updated: May 26, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Research

The cobas MRSA/SA Test, sometimes referred to as SAIBOX, is performed by collecting a nasal swab specimen and processing it through the cobas automated molecular testing system, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1. To perform this test, first collect a nasal specimen using the appropriate swab by inserting it into each nostril and rotating it against the anterior nasal mucosa.

  • Place the swab in the designated transport medium.
  • In the laboratory, the specimen is loaded into the cobas instrument, which automatically extracts DNA, amplifies target sequences specific to Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and detects these targets through real-time PCR technology.
  • The system then interprets the results and reports whether MRSA, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), or neither is present in the specimen. This test is valuable for rapid identification of MRSA colonization, allowing for prompt implementation of infection control measures and appropriate patient management, as highlighted in a study comparing the effectiveness of daptomycin and vancomycin for MRSA bloodstream infections 1. The entire testing process typically takes about 1-2 hours from specimen loading to result reporting, significantly faster than traditional culture methods which can take 24-48 hours, as noted in a study on the performance of the cobas MRSA/SA Test 2. Key points to consider when performing the cobas MRSA/SA Test include:
  • The test's high sensitivity and specificity for detecting MRSA and MSSA, as reported in a study on the test's performance 2
  • The importance of prompt implementation of infection control measures and appropriate patient management following rapid identification of MRSA colonization, as emphasized in a study on the treatment of MRSA bacteremia 3
  • The potential benefits of early switching from vancomycin to daptomycin in patients with MRSA bloodstream infections, as suggested by a systematic literature review and meta-analysis 1

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