Biofilm formation and prevalence of lukF-pv, seb, sec and tst genes among hospital- and community-acquired isolates of some international methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus lineages

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2009 Feb;15(2):203-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2008.02118.x. Epub 2009 Jan 31.

Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important nosocomial agent of biopolymer-associated infections, and isolates of S. aureus can produce different virulence factors, including potent toxins. The biofilm formation and accumulation by certain international MRSA lineages were analysed, and the toxic shock syndrome-associated genes (tst, seb and sec) among these isolates were assessed. In addition, the presence of lukF-pv (encoding the F-subunit of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)) was investigated. Most of the MRSA isolates tested were capable of forming biofilm on polystyrene surfaces, but lacked the superantigen toxin genes that were tested. PVL was rarely detected among the hospital isolates analysed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Toxins / genetics
  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology*
  • Cross Infection / microbiology*
  • Enterotoxins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Leukocidins / genetics
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / genetics*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / physiology*
  • Polystyrenes
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Superantigens / genetics
  • Virulence Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Enterotoxins
  • Leukocidins
  • Polystyrenes
  • Superantigens
  • Virulence Factors
  • enterotoxin F, Staphylococcal
  • LukF protein, Staphylococcus aureus
  • enterotoxin B, staphylococcal
  • enterotoxin C, staphylococcal