Prevalence of MecA Positive Staphylococcus aureus and PVL Gene among Wound Isolates at a Tertiary Hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a prevalent pathogen in both hospital and community settings and is frequently implicated in wound infections. In light of its clinical significance, the research was carried out to determine the prevalence of mec-A positive Staphylococcus aureus and PVL gene carriage among wound isolates at a tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The study involved 150 specimens from different types of wounds such as caesarean section, traumatic wound, surgical wound, scrotal wound, diabetic foot, plastic surgery burns). The specimens were collected and subjected to standard bacteriological procedures for a period of six months. Pure isolates were characterized at the molecular level following the given steps: DNA extraction, PCR amplification, Agarose Gel Electrophoresis, 16S rRNA sequencing, sequence analysis and phylogenic tree construction. Data obtained showed 58 (38.7%) of the wound cases were infected with Staphylococcus aureus isolates. The study also revealed the presence of mecA gene in all the nine (9) isolates screened. The molecular analysis indicated the presence of the PVL (lukS-PV/LukF-PV) gene in 67% of the isolates screened. Data obtained from the study warrants serious public health intervention targeted at for proper antibiotics stewardship and the management of wound cases in clinical settings.