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Evaluation of the R-Biopharm RIDA®GENE Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) kit for the detection of Staphylococcus
C Bouchiat1, M Bes, C Bouveyron
1Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France, coralie.bouchiat@chu-lyon.fr.
Abstract:
Staphylococcus aureus Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is associated with primary skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTI). We aimed to divert the RIDA®GENE PVL kit (RBiopharm) from its intended use on cultures to the detection of PVL-encoding genes directly from pus samples. Performance was compared with that of the in-house PCR method developed by the French National Reference Centre for Staphylococci. From June 2013 to May 2014, pus samples from S. aureus SSTI were tested. Our in-house PCR was performed on parallel cultures as the gold standard, while the RIDA®GENE PVL assay was used directly on pus samples from the sterile container, or a swab or an Eswab previously dipped in the pus. The kit specificity was also evaluated with pus samples that grew Streptococcus pyogenes. S. aureus reference strains harboring PVL-encoding genes, including known polymorphisms, were also tested. A total of 56 S. aureus-containing pus samples (28 PVL + and 28 PVL-) were collected and analyzed. Sensitivity and specificity of the commercial kit were 96.4 % and 100 % respectively, with equal performance whether tested directly from the sterile container or the Eswab. Sensitivity was lower (67.9 %) when the test was performed from a regular SSTI swab. None of the Streptococcus pyogenes pus samples scored positive (n = 5). Specificity was assessed using reference strains (n = 14); in all strains the PVL gene was correctly detected. This study identified the RIDA®GENE PVL kit as an efficient, sensitive, and specific tool for the rapid detection of PVL-encoding genes in pus samples.
Insights
The RIDA®GENE PVL kit can accurately detect Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes directly from Staphylococcus aureus pus samples. This commercial assay offers a sensitive and specific alternative for diagnosing skin and soft-tissue infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus strains.
- PVL is strongly associated with severe skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTI).
- Accurate and rapid detection of PVL-encoding genes is crucial for clinical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the RIDA®GENE PVL kit for direct detection of PVL genes in pus samples.
- To compare the performance of the commercial kit with an in-house PCR method.
- To assess the kit's utility in diagnosing S. aureus SSTI.
Main Methods:
- Pus samples from S. aureus SSTI were analyzed using the RIDA®GENE PVL kit directly from sterile containers or Eswabs.
- Performance was compared against an in-house PCR assay using parallel cultures as the gold standard.
- Specificity was tested using Streptococcus pyogenes samples and S. aureus reference strains.
Main Results:
- The RIDA®GENE PVL kit demonstrated high sensitivity (96.4%) and 100% specificity.
- The kit performed equally well when tested directly from sterile containers or Eswabs.
- Sensitivity was reduced (67.9%) when using regular SSTI swabs.
Conclusions:
- The RIDA®GENE PVL kit is an effective tool for rapid PVL gene detection in S. aureus pus samples.
- The commercial kit offers a sensitive and specific diagnostic method for SSTI.
- Direct detection from pus samples streamlines the diagnostic process.
