Molecular Detection of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Gene of Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates From Different Hospitals in Khartoum state

Abstract

Abstract Background: S.aureus is a major human pathogen and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a virulence factor produced by some strains of it that causes leukocyte lysis and tissue necrosis. PVL-associated S.aureus (PVL-SA) predominantly causes skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) but can also cause invasive infections such as necrotizing pneumonia. It is carried by both community-associated methicillin susceptible S. aureus (CA-MSSA) and methicillin resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA). This study aims to determine the prevalence of PVL-SA among isolates’ seen at Khartoum hospital. Objectives: Molecular detection of panton-valentine leukocidin gene of S.aureus Clinical isolates from different hospitals in Khartoum state. Methods: The current is descriptive cross sectional laboratory based study was carried in Khartoum from June to December 2022, 100 S.aureus clinical isolates obtained from different samples ,the strain were reidentified using conventional biochemical tests, PCR was used to detect PVL gene, data were recorded and statistical analysis was done by using SPSS software. Result: A total of 100 isolates were included in this study, The PVL - gene was detected in 24% of S.aureus strains of clinical origin, with higher frequency for strains associated with community origin (19%) and lower frequency in strains associated with hospital origin (5%). PVL-toxin gene was significantly associated with community strains (P. value: 0.038), PVL-gene-positive S. aureus is strongly associated with wound (15%) infection and nasopharyngeal infection (4%). Interestingly, the PVL gene has been rarely detected in S. aureus isolates recovered from patients with other infections, including septicemia, ear infection, urinary tract infection, meningitis, vaginal infection and other infection. Their age ranged between 25 days to 77 years with a mean of 32.4 years. The majority of them from age group 20_40 years and of male gender. PVL-toxin gene was significantly none associated with age (P. value: 0.72). Conclusion: The study demonstrated high prevalence and significant association between presence of PVL with patients and samples types but no association with age and gender of patients.