Analyzing the Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus Virulence Factor Panton-Valentine Leukocidin in North Carolina Livestock Worker Community

One issue associated with Staphylococcus aureus is the development of drug resistance. A recently emerged strain of MRSA, ST398, has been identified as livestock-associated and transmission has been found between animal and human. In the U.S., ST398 has been identified in livestock workers in Iowa and North Carolina. The development of virulence factors in S. aureus is also an issue. The virulence factor Panton-Valentine leukocidin increases the pathogenicity of a specific S. aureus infection. The goal of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of pvl in S. aureus isolates collected from a community of North Carolina livestock workers. PCR was utilized to identify pvl carriage. All S. aureus isolates examined have been negative for pvl. In order to achieve a better understanding of the isolates, more research can be done looking at the prevalence of other virulence factors.Bachelor of Scienc