Characterization of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive from skin and soft tissue infections and wounds in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

is a significant pathogen implicated in numerous nosocomial and community-acquired infections. The Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) can be associated with severe necrotizing diseases such as pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI).  : In total, 96 isolates were obtained from patients presenting with wounds (n=48) and soft tissue infections (SSTIs, n=48). These were characterized based on their antimicrobial susceptibility profile, the possession of virulence genes (e.g. capsular type, PVL), accessory gene regulator ( ) type, and the staphylococcal protein A ( ) type. The production of the PVL protein was assessed by western blotting. : All isolates were susceptible to methicillin. The resistance was highest to penicillin (97.9%), followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (85.4%) and tetracycline (10.4%). The PVL gene was found in 83.3% of isolates from SSTIs and in 79.2% of isolates from wound. Of these, 53 (68%) produced PVL as assessed by western blotting. The most prevalent type was the t084 (78.1%, n=75) and, majority of the isolates carried  2 (82.3%, n=79). : Prevalence of antibiotic resistant PVL-positive methicillin susceptible strains has severe implications on PVL mediated infections.