
Use of Triplex PCR for Rapid Detection of PVL and Differentiation of MRSA from
Methicillin Resistant Coagulase
Negative Staphylococci
215-218
Correspondence
Dr. Padma Krishnan,
Assistant Professor, Dept of Microbiology,
Dr. ALM PG Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of
Madras, Taramani, Chennai, India – 113.
Phone: +919840742105, 044 – 24547105
Fax: 044-24540709
E-mail: padma.abpkn@gmail.com
Introduction: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major public health problem in both hospitals and communities. Panton – Valentine Leucocidin (PVL) has been reported to be an important marker for the highly pathogenic community acquired S. aureus infections. A rapid detection of these MRSA is very important for its treatment. The specific detection of MRSA is always a problem due to the prevalence of methicillin resistance among the coagulase negative Staphylococci. Hence, this study was done to develop a rapid triplex PCR for the detection of PVL positive MRSA and for the simultaneous differentiation of MRSA from Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CoNS).
Materials and Methods: We developed a triplex PCR for the specific detection of PVL positive Community Acquired (CA) – MRSA and for its simultaneous differentiation from the coagulase negative Staphylococci. We used PCR for targeting the fem A gene which is specific for S. aureus, mecA which is specific for methicillin-resistance and luk - PV which is specific for the PVL toxin. The method was evaluated with a total of 100 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus spp.
Results: The triplex PCR was successfully standardized by using the reference strains and it was evaluated by using clinical strains. The method was found to be rapid, highly sensitive (100%), specific (99%) and cost effective.
Conclusion: Triplex PCR can be used as a diagnostic tool for the detection of the highly pathogenic strains of CA-MRSA.