title: Multiplex real-time PCR assay for the detection of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Panton-Valentine leukocidin from clinical samples.
abstract: The control and prevention of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major challenge for healthcare establishments, especially as this pathogen continues to evolve. The emergence and spread of community associated MRSA producing Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) causing severe, sometimes fatal, infections in otherwise healthy people is a significant cause of concern. Patient screening to detect MRSA is now widely used as part of an effective control program to limit the spread of this pathogen. Real-time PCR targeting specific MRSA markers offers a rapid alternative to conventional methods enabling earlier intervention, such as patient isolation and decolonization treatment. Herein we describe a multiplex real-time assay that combines primers and probes to detect MRSA and the genes for PVL to provide a rapid and informative assay.
authors.affiliation: Edinburgh Specialist Virology Centre, Directorate of Laboratory Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Renwick
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Templeton
mesh_terms: D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007956:Leukocidins / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000302:isolation & purification; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005098:Exotoxins; D007956:Leukocidins; D009696:Nucleic Acids; C078284:Panton-Valentine leukocidin