Background and Aim:Staphylococcus aureus is known as the main nosocomial pathogen due to its ability to generate a wide range of virulence factors such as extracellular protein toxins and resistance to antimicrobial compounds. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome refers to a spectrum of blistering skin diseases caused by S. aureus exfoliative toxins A and B. The eta gene has a chromosomal origin that is integrated by prophage, whereas the etb gene is a plasmid gene. Virulent strains of these bacteria produce exfoliative toxins (ETs) that cause the loss of keratinocyte cell-cell adhesion in the superficial epidermis. The aims of this study to investigate the prevalence of eta and etb genes in S. aureus isolated from clinical specimens. Methods:In this descriptive study, 137 clinical samples were collected from hospitals in Sari and Babol. Then by performing standard tests, 120 samples were identified as S. aureus. polymerase chain reaction was used for detection of the eta and etb genes among the isolates. Results:The frequency of genes eta, etb in studied strains was 10% and 6.6%, respectively. Conclusion:The results of this study indicate that importance of these isolates circulating among community especially immunocompromised adults. there is also likely to spread and transfer these genes between strains.
