Development of a triplex real-time PCR assay for detection of Panton-Valentine leukocidin toxin genes in clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

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.