Investigation of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Genes and SCC mec Types in Clinical Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Turkey

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is an important virulence determinant of Staphylococcus aureus. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PVL genes in clinical S. aureus isolates and to determine the staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec (SCCmec) types of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains obtained from inpatients and outpatients of two hospitals in Turkey. Of the 304 S. aureus strains (230 hospital acquired [HA] and 74 community-onset [CO]), 261 were MRSA and 43 were methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). PVL positivity was determined in 12 (1 HA and 11 community acquired) strains. Eight were MRSA, and four were MSSA. Seven of the PVL-positive strains were isolated from wound specimens, four from urine, and one from synovial fluid. SCCmec type III (93.78%) was more prevalent among HA-MRSA strains, and SCCmec type IIIB (41.18%) was more prevalent among CO-MRSA strains. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns of the PVL-positive isolates were different. Our results indicate that PVL-positive strains are able to cause infection in nearly every system without the need for additional risk factors. Our PVL-positive CO-MRSA strains carry SCCmec types other than types IV and V. Due to the presence of PVL-positive strains in the hospitals, it is important to establish appropriate infection control measures to prevent their spread in the community and in hospitals.