The Prevalence of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Gene in Staphylococcus Aureus Isolated from Alzahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a Staphylococcus aureus gamma toxin. This toxin targets the outer membrane of polymorphnuclear cells, monocytes and macrophages. This toxin increases the cell membrane permeability that result degradation and necrosis of leukocytes. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of PVL-positive Staphylococcus aureus and also, to determine antibiotic resistance of the isolates.

The total of 130 isolates were isolated and detected as Staphylococcus aureus during the period of 8 months in Alzahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Then, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to detect PVL gene. The antibiotic susceptibility of all isolates to methicillin was determined using disk diffusion and agar screening methods.

Of 130 isolates, 61 (46.92%) were methicillin-resistant and 69 (53.08%) methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus isolates (MRSA and MSSA, respectively). We found that 23.08% of isolates (30/130) were positive for PVL; of them, 11 (36.33%) were of MRSA and 19 (63.67%) were of MSSA isolates.

Despite the existence of PVL genes in MRSA isolates, MSSA isolates can also play an important role in the dissemination of this gene. Since, PVL toxin producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus are of serious threat for health, rapid and accurate detection of gene is necessary. So, it seems that achieving a rapid and repeatable method for medical centers, will help the timely diagnosis and control of PVL-producing strains.