Abstract
Panton–Valentine leukocidin gene is produced by Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates as a pore-forming toxin is largely responsible for skin and soft tissue illnesses. MRSA produces PVL toxins through lukS and lukF proteins causing tissue necrosis by damaging membrane of the defense cells. Presence of PVL toxin was tested from the 54 S. aureus clinical isolates obtained from Thika and Kiambu Level 5 Hospitals, in Kiambu County, Kenya, by Geno Type® MRSA assay (Hain Life Science, Nehren, Germany). DNA was isolated from freshly harvested bacterial cultures by spin column using Geno Type DNA isolation kit. The detection of PVL toxins was performed by amplification of genomic DNA and by reverse hybridization that identifies PVL genes using Geno Type MRSA kit. Out of 138 samples that were collected from patients in Kiambu County, 54 S. aureus isolates were obtained, of which 14 (25.9%; 95% CI = 11.9–38.9) samples had PVL toxins. The isolates that were obtained from the female patients had a higher PVL toxin prevalence of 35.7%, while the isolates collected from the male patients had a lower prevalence of 15.4% (P = 0.09). The pediatrics department had the highest PVL gene prevalence compared to outpatient department and surgical units (P = 0.08). However, the age groups of patients and the hospital attended by patients showed no significant difference in terms of PVL gene prevalence (P = 0.26). Therefore, the patients' gender and hospital units were not significantly associated with PVL gene prevalence (P = 0.08). This study shows that PVL positive isolates occur in the sampled hospitals in the county and female as well as children must be taken into consideration among patients with wound infections when isolating S. aureus.
Highlights
Staphylococcus aureus is a main human pathogen causing community acquired and hospital acquired infections resulting to widespread morbidity and mortality
Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is associated with skin and soft tissue infection carried by both community-associated methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (CA-MSSA) and methicillin resistant S. aureus (CA-methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA)) and largely causes invasive as well as skin and soft tissue infections [10]
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus presently poses a significant threat to public health mediations in both hospital and community settings globally. e results of our study have suggested that the prevalence of PVL carriage in S. aureus might be increasing compared to the levels observed in earlier studies in Kiambu County and the neighbouring Nairobi County
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus is a main human pathogen causing community acquired and hospital acquired infections resulting to widespread morbidity and mortality. S. aureus is a substantial contributor to the overall burden on healthcare systems due to its high mortality rates of around 20–30% [3]. As part of its pathogenesis, S. aureus produces several virulence factors [5]. Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene defined in 1932 by Panton and Valentine is a virulence factor produced by some strains of S. aureus, from two genes (lukS-PV and lukF-PV) encoding two proteins that causes leukocyte lysis and tissue necrosis. PVL is associated with skin and soft tissue infection carried by both community-associated methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (CA-MSSA) and methicillin resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) and largely causes invasive as well as skin and soft tissue infections [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call