Development of a Triplex Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Toxin Genes in Clinical Isolates of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract
Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus harboring Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes is an emerging pathogen. A novel real-time PCR assay for identification of MRSA isolates containing PVL was developed. The PVL assay was used in a triplex format allowing simultaneous amplification of mecA, nuc, and PVL genes in 614 clinical isolates. This assay facilitates the rapid identification of PVL-positive isolates of MRSA.