Rapid detection of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive Staphylococcus aureus by real-time PCR targeting the lukS-PV gene.

In order to assess the speed and accuracy of a real-time PCR assay targeting the lukS-PV gene of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive Staphylococcus aureus, 700 S. aureus strains were tested and the results were compared to those achieved with block cycler PCR. Cross-reactivity was tested with 166 other bacterial species. Using this homogeneous real-time PCR assay format, the presence or absence of genetic information for PVL, which is also found in community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus, was correctly identified from pure culture and directly in various types of clinical specimens.