Objective Molecular detection of methicillin-resistant S. aureus(MRSA)in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)will be helpful for the control of transmission among patients. Methods Both mecA and femB genes of 233 patients in ICU were examined ICU by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) for the presence of MRSA. Swabs were taken from various sites, such as axilla,nose , skin lesions and throat, and incubated over night in salt broth cultures. Results One hundred and five of patients(45.06％) were positive for mecA gene, twenty six(11. 16％)were femB positive and fifteen (6%) patients were positive for MRSA, and such screening data were available within 6～ 7 h fol- lowing admission. Conclusion Specific PCR approaches is helpful for routine conventional diagnosis of MRSA, mecA/femB PCR detection offers a rapid and specific alternative for screening MRSA from patients in high-risk ar- eas.