Pathotype and susceptibility profile of a community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain responsible for a case of severe pneumonia

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2009 Jan;63(1):100-4. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2008.09.012.

Abstract

Recent articles have described an increasing number of infections due to Panton-Valentine leukocidin PVL-positive community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) worldwide. We report a case of necrotizing pneumonia successfully treated with levofloxacin in Italy, sustained by a PVL-positive CA-MRSA, belonging to ST88 and carrying a staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec type V. Further molecular characterization of isolates revealed that they were PVL positive, belonged to the agr IV allele, possessed a capsular type 8, and had an almost complete pathotype composed of leukocidins and numerous adhesins. In addition, the strains were strong biofilm producers.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Toxins / genetics
  • Community-Acquired Infections / diagnosis
  • Community-Acquired Infections / drug therapy
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology*
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Exotoxins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Leukocidins / genetics
  • Levofloxacin
  • Male
  • Methicillin Resistance / genetics*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / genetics*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / pathogenicity
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Ofloxacin / therapeutic use
  • Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / microbiology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Serotyping

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • DNA Primers
  • Exotoxins
  • Leukocidins
  • Panton-Valentine leukocidin
  • Levofloxacin
  • Ofloxacin