Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: Enterotoxins and toxic shock syndrome toxin–1 (TSST-1) are an important virulence factor of S. aureus. The purpose of this study was to analyze the presence of S. aureus enterotoxin (sea-see) and tst genes in the samples that collected from different sources with PCR method.

Methods: During 5 months from 150 collected samples, 80 strains were identified as S. aureus. PCR reaction was used for investigation on the presence of genes for staphylococcal enterotoxins (A-E) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1).

Results: Fifty three samples (66.25%) out of 80 samples were positive for one or more ETs and TSST-1 genes. of these positive strains, 17 (32.07%) were positive for sea 39 (73.58%) for seb, 30 (56.6%) for sec, 2 (3.7%) for sed, 21 (39.62%) for see, and 14 (26.41%) for tst. Enterotoxins and tst in 40 samples (75.47%) observed.

Conclusion: In this study, high prevalence of S. aureus, its enterotoxin, and tst genes were observed in clinical samples, food samples, and healthy people. This fact emphasizes on the role of human as original source and carrier of S. aureus. Also, use of PCR reaction for detection of these genes in S. aureus that isolated from various sources is recommended.