Prevalence of mecA, PVL and ica genes in Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from urinary tract infections patients

The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus among urinary tract infections (UTIs) patients has been increasing worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of the mecA, PVL, ica genes in a collection of MRSA urinary isolates by PCR. Methicillin resistance S. aureus (MRSA) is considered to have emerged from S. aureus through the acquisition of staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCCmec), which carries the mecA gene for methicillin resistance. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-producing strains of MRSA appear to be associated with increased risk of transmission, complications and hospitalization. IcaA and icaD genes have been reported to play a significant role in biofilm formation in S. aureus. Out of 50 isolates of S. aureus from UTI patients, 36 (72%) were found to be MRSA by oxacillin screen agar. All these MRSA strains were found to be positive for mecA genes, 9 (25%) were found to be positive for PVL and 23 (64%) were positive for both icaA and icaD genes. MRSA isolated from UTI patients show the presence of mecA, PVL, ica genes, which may have consequences for the treatment of UTIs especially in catheter-associated and nosocomial infections.