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Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
14:04

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

Emergence of virulent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains carrying Panton-Valentine leucocidin genes

W J B Wannet1, E Spalburg, M E O C Heck

  • 1National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Diagnostic Laboratory for Infectious Diseases and Perinatal Screening, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands. wim.wannet@rivm.nl

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|July 8, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL)-positive MRSA strains are a global health concern. In The Netherlands, up to 15% of MRSA isolates carried PVL genes, primarily linked to severe skin infections in young individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains producing Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) are a significant global health threat.
  • PVL toxin is associated with severe skin infections and necrotizing pneumonia, affecting even healthy individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and characteristics of PVL-positive MRSA in The Netherlands during two distinct periods (1987-1995 and 2000-2002).
  • To analyze the genetic relatedness and typing of these MRSA strains.

Main Methods:

  • Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and staphylococcal chromosome cassette (SCCmec) typing were employed.
  • Analysis of MRSA isolates from two time frames in The Netherlands.

Main Results:

  • Up to 15% of MRSA isolates in The Netherlands harbored PVL genes.
  • PVL-positive MRSA were predominantly isolated from severe soft tissue infections in younger individuals.
  • The European clone ST80 was the most prevalent (60%), and most isolates carried SCCmec type IV, indicative of community-acquired MRSA.

Conclusions:

  • PVL-positive MRSA strains are present in The Netherlands, with specific clones and genetic markers identified.
  • The findings highlight the importance of surveillance for PVL-MRSA, particularly in community-acquired infections.

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