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[Panton-Valentine leukocidin positive Staphylococcus aureus isolated from blood in Korea]

Jae Seok Kim1, Jeong Su Park, Wonkeun Song

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine1, Seoul, Korea.

The Korean Journal of Laboratory Medicine
|December 21, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive Staphylococcus aureus strains, including MRSA, were found in Korean patients. These PVL-positive strains can cause severe skin and soft-tissue infections, similar to those seen in Europe and the USA.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a toxin produced by certain Staphylococcus aureus strains.
  • PVL-producing S. aureus strains are linked to severe skin infections and community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) outbreaks.
  • This study aimed to identify PVL-positive S. aureus and associated infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of PVL-positive S. aureus in Korea.
  • To identify the types of infections caused by these strains.
  • To characterize PVL-positive MRSA isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Analyzed 573 S. aureus blood isolates from 2002-2005.
  • Used PCR to detect PVL genes.
  • Examined other staphylococcal toxin genes and SCCmec typing for MRSA isolates.

Main Results:

  • PVL genes were detected in 5 (0.9%) S. aureus isolates (1 MRSA, 4 MSSA).
  • The PVL-positive MRSA isolate was SCCmec type IV, common in community-acquired MRSA.
  • Three bacteremia cases were preceded by skin and soft-tissue infections.

Conclusions:

  • PVL-positive S. aureus bacteremia occurred in 5 Korean patients, some with severe skin infections.
  • A PVL-positive MRSA strain (SCCmec type IV) found in Korea is similar to those causing infections in the USA and Europe.
  • These findings highlight the presence and potential severity of PVL-positive S. aureus infections in Korea.

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