We compared 2 chromogenic media (Oxoid Brilliance MRSA 2 agar [Thermo Fisher Scientific] and MRSA-ID [bioMérieux]) for the detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in 1,368 hospital samples. For both media, broth enrichment was essential to obtain satisfactory diagnostic performance. Although with direct cultures only, the diagnostic performance (particularly sensitivity) of Brilliance MRSA 2 agar appears better than that of MRSA-ID, no difference in sensitivity or specificity between the media was detected after inclusion of an enrichment step. R apid and accurate screening of patients for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is essential to control MRSA in hospitals. Several chromogenic selective media have been developed to facilitate such screening. We previously compared the diagnostic performances of two of these media, Brilliance MRSA agar (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and MRSA-ID (bioMérieux, France), for the detection of MRSA in nose and throat samples taken from veterinarians and their household members (1). Although sensitivities were high and similar for both media, the specificity of the Brilliance MRSA agar (88.7%) was substantially less than that of MRSA-ID (98.5%). Since then, the manufacturer of the Brilliance MRSA agar has redeveloped the medium to improve its accuracy, particularly the specificity, which would reduce the number of confirmatory tests required. In the current study, we compared the performances of the new Brilliance MRSA 2 agar and MRSA-ID for the detection of MRSA.The study was conducted in the Laboratory for Microbiology and Infection Control in Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands. In this laboratory, the MRSA-ID medium was used for the routine screening for MRSA, and the Brilliance MRSA 2 agar was included as a comparator for this study. The composition of each chromogenic medium is proprietary. The selective mixture inhibits the growth of methicillin-sensitive staphylococci and most other bacteria and yeasts. Contrary to MRSA-ID medium, the performance of Brilliance MRSA 2 agar is not affected by light exposure, which is a practical advantage in its use. On Brilliance MRSA 2 agar, MRSA forms distinctive blue colonies, while such colonies on the MRSA-ID medium are green.Rectal, throat, and nose swabs were collected between December 2011 and July 2012 using the ESwab transport medium (Copan Diagnostics). ESwab containers were vortexed, and swabs were used to inoculate both MRSA-ID agar and Brilliance MRSA 2 agar plates and a Columbia agar plate with 5% sheep blood (SBA growth control). The order in which samples were inoculated on the 2 chromogenic media was alternated weekly. The fluid remaining from the ESwab container (500 to 1,000 l) was inoculated in Mueller-Hinton broth (6.5% NaCl) that was subcultured after 18 to 24 h of incubation at 36 to 37°C in normal atmosphere on both chromogenic media and on a Columbia agar plate with 5% sheep blood (SBA). The latter was included as a backup to detect the presence of MRSA strains that would r...