High frequency of exfoliative toxin genes among Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical specimens in the north of Iran: Alarm for the health of individuals under risk

• Published in: Iranian journal of microbiology 2018-06, Vol.10 (3), p.158-165
• Main Authors: Mohseni, Mojtaba, Rafiei, Fariba, Ghaemi, Ezzat Allah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exfoliative toxin genes; Original; Scalded skin syndrome; Staphylococcus aureus
• ISSN: 2008-3289; 2008-4447

Exfoliative toxins (ETs) of are the main reason of scalded skin syndrome in infants and young children. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and genes in A total of 150 isolates were collected from clinical specimens during the years 2014 to 2016 in the north of Iran. After confirmation of the species using standard diagnostic procedures, polymerase chain reaction was used for detection of the and genes among the isolates. Overall, 131 (87.3%) isolates were positive for at least one of the ET genes; 115 (76.7%), 25 (16.7%) and 81 (54%) of the isolates carried the and genes, respectively. Although and genes were present in all types of clinical samples, was found only in the wound, synovial fluid, sputum and tracheal aspirate. Overall, 7 toxin genotypes were observed, among which the genotypes and predominated at rates of 35.3%, 26.7% and 9.3%, respectively. Detection of the high rate of prevalence of ET genes in the current study is considered as a serious problem because it is likely to spread and transfer these genes between strains. Furthermore, these isolates circulating in the community, particularly from infants, old people and immunocompromised patients, are important health-wise.