Cepheid has received Food and Drug Administration clearance for Xpert MRSA NxG, a next-generation molecular assay for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that is designed to help with controlling healthcare-associated infections. Cepheid developed the test using an extensive library of MRSA strains collected from around the world in order to maximize strain coverage. The new test features updated polymerase chain reaction primers and probes that detect both mecA and mecC strains that reduce the frequency of false-positive results due to “empty cassette” strains. The assay also takes into account more minor shifts in MRSA strains, such as subtle changes in the SCCmec targets. The test has been validated for use with both ESwab (Copan) and rayon swabs, and delivers results in about an hour. It runs on Cepheid’s GeneXpert system, which already includes a menu of tests for sexual health, critical infectious diseases, and oncology.