Despite its advantages, MSA has some limitations: 1. False Positives/Negatives: Some non-staphylococcal organisms may occasionally grow, and some S. aureus strains may not ferment mannitol. 2. Not Definitive: While MSA is useful for preliminary identification, confirmatory tests (e.g., coagulase test) are needed for definitive identification. 3. Limited Scope: It is primarily useful for staphylococci and not suitable for identifying other pathogens.
