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Dissemination of Panton–Valentine leukocidin‐positive methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Okinawa, Japan
Author(s) -
Mine Yoshiko,
Nakasone Isamu,
Yamamoto Yuichi,
Utani Atsushi,
Yamane Nobuhisa,
Uezato Hiroshi,
Takahashi Kenzo
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1346-8138
pISSN - 0385-2407
DOI - 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2012.01569.x
Subject(s) - panton–valentine leukocidin , staphylococcus aureus , leukocidin , multilocus sequence typing , microbiology and biotechnology , sccmec , methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus , genotype , polymerase chain reaction , biology , erythromycin , medicine , virology , antibiotics , gene , bacteria , genetics
Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a pore‐forming cytotoxin that is produced by Staphylococcus aureus closely associated with skin and soft‐tissue infections (SSTI). PVL‐positive S. aureus strains have been identified worldwide, including in the USA; however, few studies have reported the presence of these strains in Japan. In this study, we prospectively investigated the prevalence of PVL in S. aureus strains from outpatients presenting with SSTI in Okinawa and characterized the PVL‐positive S. aureus strains by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). From 2008–2010, 499 clinical samples were obtained from 497 people. S. aureus was identified in 274 samples, and 36% (99 of 274) were methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Seventeen (6.2%) PVL‐positive S. aureus strains were detected by PCR, and 12 of the 17 PVL‐positive strains were MRSA. Most PVL‐positive S. aureus caused furuncles or carbuncles. Nine of the 17 PVL‐positive isolates had an ST8 MRSA genotype and most harbored SCC mec type IVa and the arc A gene of the arginine catabolic mobile element, which is identical to the USA300 clone prevalent in the USA. PVL‐positive S. aureus strains were more likely to be resistant to erythromycin (65%) and levofloxacin (53%). PVL‐positive S. aureus strains have emerged and are spreading as a causative pathogen for SSTI in Okinawa.