Molecular Detection of Pvl and MecA Gene in Cefoxitin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Emergency Units of Selected Hospitals in Abuja Municipal Area, Nigeria

Aims: This study investigates the molecular detection of of PVL and mecA gene in cefoxitin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) from Emergency Units of selected Hospitals in Abuja Municipal Area, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi between February 2025 and August 2025. Methodology: A total of 23 cefoxitin resistant S. aureus isolates from our previous investigation were used for DNA extraction and detection of PVL and mecA gene using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. Results: Twenty three (23) Cefoxitin-resistant S. aureus isolates were considered, and the PVL and mecA genes were detected in 17 (73.9%) and 13 (56.5%) isolates, respectively. Among the PVL-positive isolates, the co-carriage of the mecA gene was observed in 9 (52.9%) cases. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between the presence of the PVL gene and mecA gene carriage (χ² = 0.011; P = 0.917). These findings indicate a high prevalence of S. aureus isolates harboring both virulence (PVL) and methicillin resistance (mecA) genes on fomites within the Emergency Units of the studied hospitals. Conclusion: The study reveals a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant and virulent S. aureus strains contaminating fomites in Emergency Units of selected Hospitals in Abuja. The significant co-occurrence of the PVL virulence gene and the mecA methicillin-resistance gene poses a serious public health threat, potentially leading to severe, difficult-to-treat infections in a critical healthcare setting. The lack of a significant statistical association between the two genes suggests they are independently prevalent, compounding the risk. These findings underscore an urgent need for enhanced infection prevention and control protocols in these hospitals to mitigate the spread of these dangerous.