Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus using vancomycin conjugated silica-based fluorescent nanoprobe

•The development of a fluorescent nanoprobe, FSiNP-Van, for the detection of MRSA is described.•The nanoprobe was derived from geothermal silica incorporated with FITC dye and further immobilized with vancomycin.•The nanoprobe provided a rapid response time of 20 min and a wide linear concentration range of 10–106 CFU/mL with an LoD of 1 CFU/mL.•The nanoprobe also showed selectivity, resulting in limited response when exposed to other Gram positive bacteria.