Current status of Panton–Valentine leukocidin‐positive methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients with skin and soft tissue infections in Japan

Abstract

The USA300 clone, which produces Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL), is a major pathogenic community‐acquired methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA‐MRSA) clone that causes intractable skin infections. Recently, PVL‐positive CA‐MRSA, including USA300 clones, have emerged in both communities and hospitals in Japan. To prevent an outbreak of PVL‐positive MRSA, infected patients should be treated with effective antimicrobial agents at community clinics. Herein, we investigate molecular epidemiological characteristics of PVL‐positive MRSA isolated from outpatients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), which are common community‐onset infectious diseases. The detection rate of MRSA was 24.9% (362 strains) out of 1455 S. aureus strains isolated between 2013 and 2017. Among the MRSA strains, 15.5% (56 strains) were PVL‐positive strains and associated with deep‐seated skin infections. Molecular epidemiological analyses of PVL‐positive MRSA showed that USA300 was the predominant clone (53.6%, 30 strains) and was identified in Kanto (18 strains), Kagawa (nine strains), Tohoku (two strains) and Hokkaido (one strain). Notably, minocycline and fusidic acid were effective against all PVL‐positive MRSA strains. Hence, our data reveals the current status of PVL‐positive MRSA isolated from patients with SSTI in Japan. Continuous surveillance of CA‐MRSA is necessary to monitor latest prevalence rates and identify effective antimicrobial agents for PVL‐positive MRSA strains.

Familial infections caused by nasal colonization of Panton–Valentine leukocidin‐positive methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 clone

“…2 In Japan, although PVL-negative MRSA clones were once more prevalent, the number of reports of the SSTI caused by the USA300 clone has been increasing. 3 We herein report for the first time in Japan that a family case of three patients with multiple folliculitis and furunculosis caused by the USA300 clone colonized on their nasal cavity.…”

Recurrent furunculosis by Panton‐Valentine leukocidin‐positive methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 clone in Tokyo: A report of two cases

“…In Japan, the PVL-negative strains were previously considered to be the most common CA-MRSA clones, 3 but the number of SSTIs caused by the USA300 clone has been increasing. 4 Here, we report two cases of recurrent furunculosis in different areas of Tokyo caused by the USA300 clone. These cases occurred at approximately the same time in individuals without overt underlying diseases.…”

A family case of community‐acquired methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection with USA300 clone

“…With the antimicrobial susceptibility test (EIKEN InoculaterΣ192), all isolates were resistant to quinolone but susceptible to minocycline and fosfomycin (FOM) as same as previous reports. 1 We show the result in 1h). We performed a culture inspection of each nasal cavity before and after treatment, but MRSA that included USA300 clone was not detected.…”

“…Dear Editor, USA300 clone is known as a community-acquired methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) clone, causing skin and soft tissue infections. 1,2 It is one of the highest pathogenic and global epidemic CA-MRSA clones and positive for the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME).…”