Community‐acquired skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus: What is the role of the Panton‐Valentine leukocidin toxin?

Abstract

In our study the PVL status of S. aureus isolated from skin infections was neither correlated with methicillin-resistance nor with the severity of disease. Remarkably, PVL-positive S. aureus strains appeared to be more frequent in younger than in older patients. Our results demonstrate that routine determination of PVL status is not required since the outcome has no diagnostic or therapeutic consequences in daily dermatological practice.

Recurrent mucocutaneous infections caused by PVL‐positive Staphylococcus aureus strains: a challenge in clinical practice

“…Between 2005 and 2006, the National Reference Center for Staphylococci and Enterococci at the Robert Koch Institute (section Wernigerode) identified 117 PVL‐positive MRSA isolates from a total of 4815 MRSA isolates [8]. Although there is an upward trend in the identification of this pathogen , the clinical relevance of rising numbers of PVL‐positive S. aureus isolates is unclear . For one, there may be asymptomatic carriers, or chronic wounds may become colonized secondarily .…”

Rezidivierende mukokutane Infektionen durch PVL‐positive Staphylococcus aureus‐Stämme: Eine Herausforderung im klinischen Alltag

“…Die Tendenz wird als steigend berichtet . Die klinische Relevanz der steigenden Zahlen an PVL‐positiven S. aureus‐ Isolaten ist jedoch im Moment unklar . Möglicherweise existieren auch asymptomatische Keimträger oder es kommt zu einer sekundären Besiedlung von chronischen Wunden .…”

Europe importation of Panton–Valentine leukocidin‐positive Staphylococcus aureus: a case report of recurrent furunculosis

“…It is a virulent factor independent from methicilin sensitivity. 1,2 PVL-positive SA are endemic in Africa, but rare in Europe. 3 This virulence factor is mainly community-acquired and can lead to recurrent and potentially serious skin and soft tissue infections and necrotising pneumonia in otherwise healthy young people.…”

“…In recent years, it has been demonstrated that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in psoriasis patients is increased up to three times compared to the general population. 1 The risk of associated conditions, including dyslipidaemia, visceral obesity and diabetes in psoriasis patients positively correlates with the severity of the skin disease. 2 Moreover, it is well known that male obesity is associated with hypogonadism, partially due to elevated P450 aromatase activity in fatty tissue, responsible for metabolizing testosterone into oestrogen.…”