Association of PVL gene with SCCmec typing in MRSA (both community associated and hospital acquired) from a tertiary care hospital, Lahore

ABSTRACT Introduction: Antibiotic resistance is a major problem in staphylococcal infections. Resistance against methicillin in S. aureus is due to the transfer of mobile cassettes of specific genes in S. aureus called Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec). 13 types of SCCmec have identified till now. Various clinical syndromes are associated with presence of PVL gene. Therefore, the current study was designed to check the prevalence of PVL gene and SCCmec types in CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was done in LGH/PGMI, Lahore. MRSA isolates were phenotypically confirmed by Cefoxitin (30) disc on Mueller- Hinton agar. DNA extraction was done by using Genomic DNA purification kit. Detection of PVl gene and SCCmec types were done with PCR using specific primers. Results: Out of 89 isolates, maximum isolates were from pus swabs (45%), followed by wound swabs (15.5%). It was found that 55 (61.8%) were HA-MRSA isolates while 34 (38.2%) were CA-MRSA isolates. PVl gene was found in 37% isolates. Among PVl positive samples, 36.4% were HA-MRSA while 63.6% were CA-MRSA. Most common SCCmec in HA-MRSA was type III (69%), while in CA-MRSA SCCmec type IVa was predominant (35.4%). Conclusion: The present study provides an insight about the prevalence of PVl gene and different SCCmec types in CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA. Most common SCCmec type linked with HA-MRSA