Cepheid gets FDA nod to market test to identify pathogen

April 18 (Reuters) - Cepheid Inc. (CPHD.O) said it got clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market a test that detects a bacterium that is resistant to several common antibiotics.

The pathogen, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, affects those with weakened immune systems and is resistant to antibiotics including methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin, the company said in a statement.

(Reporting by Shikhar Balwani in Bangalore)

((Editing by Jarshad Kakkrakandy; Reuters Messaging: shikhar.balwani.reuters.com@reuters.net; within U.S. +1 646 223 8780; outside U.S. +91 80 4135 5800)) Keywords: CEPHEID FDA/

(C) Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution ofReuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expresslyprohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuterssphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group ofcompanies around the world.nWNAS6623