Epidemiology of Panton Valentine Leukocidin in clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates- A prospective study at a tertiary care centre in North India

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a cause of wide range of infections. The pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus is related to a number of virulence factors. Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL), a cytolysin that has the ability of leukocyte destruction and tissue necrosis is one such virulence factor determining the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus infections. This study aims to know the distribution of pvl gene in various clinical speci-mens and associate pvl gene with antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, particularly MRSA. Methods: Consecutive clinical samples including pus, blood, respiratory samples and body fluids received in laboratory, during the study period, which gave growth of Staphylococcus aureus were included in the study. Further antibiotic sensitivity testing was done using CLSI guidelines. Detection of pvl gene was done by extraction of DNA using boiling method followed by conventional PCR. The amplified DNA was analysed by 264 nm wavelength UV transillumination via Gel Electrophoresis. Results: Out of 258 Staphylococcus aureus pvl gene was detected in 24.03%(62/258, p < 0.05). The distribution of PVL in Staphylococcus aureus isolates among various clinical samples was 29.9% in pus samples, 12% blood culture samples, 26.4% in respiratory samples. Only 1 of 5 body fluid Staphylococcus aureus isolate detected PVL. Out of 62 pvl gene positive isolates 79% of were MRSA and 20.9% were Methicillin sensitive. Conclusion: Association with pvl gene was significantly higher in skin and soft tissue infection but it also detected in blood stream infection and pneumonia, which indicate association of pvl gene with invasive infection.