Fatal necrotizing pneumonia caused by Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing hospital-acquired Staphylococcus aureus: a case report

Jpn J Infect Dis. 2011;64(1):58-60.

Abstract

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin which causes leukocyte destruction and tissue necrosis. Although it is produced by fewer than 5% of Staphylococcus aureus strains, PVL-producing S. aureus is emerging as a serious problem worldwide. There has been a marked increase in the incidence of necrotizing lung infections with a very high mortality associated with these strains. This report describes a fatal case of hospital-acquired necrotizing pneumonia caused by PVL-positive methicillin-susceptible S. aureus in a patient with a brain tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Toxins / biosynthesis*
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications
  • Cross Infection / microbiology*
  • Exotoxins / biosynthesis*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Leukocidins / biosynthesis*
  • Male
  • Methicillin / pharmacology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / microbiology*
  • Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / pathology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / complications
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Staphylococcus aureus / metabolism*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / pathogenicity

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Exotoxins
  • Leukocidins
  • Panton-Valentine leukocidin
  • Methicillin