Vali Dad - Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Sarvenaz Esfahani - Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Roya Ahmadrajabi - Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Fereshteh Saffari - Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Introduction and Objectives: Staphyococcus aureus is one of the most common cause of nosocomial infections in burned patients. The ability to produce different toxins as well as antibiotic resistance, make difficulties in treatment of S. aureus infections. Panton- Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) is a pore- forming protein which can kill white blood cells of humans. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of PVL among methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) colonizing burn ward staff. Materials and Methods: Non- duplicated nasal swabs were collected from anterior nares of 159 individuals working at burn ward of Shahid Sadoughi hospital. Detection of S. aureus isolates was performed using conventional biochemical tests. All S. aureus identified isolates were screened for methicillin resistance using cefoxitin disk. Phenotypically methicillin resistant isolates were investigated for the presence of mec (A) gene. PCR experiment was carried out for detection of PVL- encoding gene (pvl).Results: Totally, 37 isolates were identified as MRSA, of which 78.4% (29 of 37) carried pvl gene. Conclusion: according to the results, high prevalence of pvl⁺ MRSA was found. Since these isolates are more virulent compared to pvl⁻ ones, detection of nasal carriers of pvl⁺ MRSA in such high risk burn wards can be helpful in effective reduction of health care associated infections.

MRSA, PVL, nosocomial infection, nasal carriers