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[Soft-tissue pyogenic infection in neonates caused by Staphylococcus aureus carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin

Fang-you Yu1, Cun-li Liu, Xue-qing Zhang

  • 1Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, China.

Zhonghua Er Ke Za Zhi = Chinese Journal of Pediatrics
|December 23, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

A specific clone of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carrying Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes caused soft-tissue infections in three neonates. This finding highlights the importance of identifying specific MRSA strains in neonatal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Neonatal Infectious Diseases
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Neonatal soft-tissue pyogenic infections require prompt identification of causative pathogens.
  • Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of bacterial infections in neonates.

Observation:

  • Four isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were identified from three neonates with soft-tissue pyogenic infections.
  • All isolates were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and carried Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes.
  • The MRSA isolates belonged to sequence type 88 (ST88) and carried SCCmec type IIIA.

Findings:

  • The study identified a single clone of PVL-positive MRSA (ST88, SCCmec IIIA) as the causative agent in three neonatal soft-tissue pyogenic infections.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed consistent resistance patterns among the isolates, with variations noted for erythromycin.

Implications:

  • This research underscores the role of specific MRSA clones, particularly PVL-producing strains, in neonatal infections.
  • Understanding the genetic characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of these clones is crucial for effective treatment and infection control strategies in neonatal intensive care units.

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