Detection of virulence genes associated with methicillin-resistant staphylococci from animal and human clinical samples

The present research work was undertaken to assess the presence of virulence genes among Methicillin-resistant staphylococci recovered from animal and humans in and round Junagadh, Gujarat. A total of 235 Staphylococcus spp. were isolated and studied from human (nasal swabs) and dairy cattle and buffaloes (pus/exudates, clinical and subclinical mastitis). Of these, 133 Staphylococcal isolates were from animals and 102 Staphylococcal isolates from human who are closely associated farm work. Of these, 16 (12.03%) from animal and 40 (39.21%) isolates from human were having mecA gene which were classified as Methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS). The percentage of the isolates found positive for the presence of all 3 genes (PVL, hla and icaA) from MRS were 18.75% (3/16) for each gene in animal isolates and 17.50% (7/40), 15% (6/40) and 10% (4/40) isolates were found positive for PVL, hla and icaA gene from human. The overall percentage of virulence genes among isolates from animal and human origin revealed that mecA gene accounted for the highest proportion (23.82%), followed by PVL gene (4.26%), hla gene (3.83%) and icaA gene (2.98%) of isolates. The presence of virulence gene including PVL-positive MRS in bovine milk, pus and human nasal cavity remains to be potential health risk to the animal and human.