You are interested in obtaining Staphylococcus aureus for a study investigating the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the general population. You have received several samples and are ready to start your isolation procedures.

a. Describe the personal protective equipment that would be needed and three different culturing techniques that can be used to obtain organisms to produce pure cultures.
b. State if you use general or selective media and which specific media you would choose.
c. How would you determine if the culture was contaminated?
d. What is the first step you would take if you detected contamination?