Global distribution and evolution of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus

Jean-Philippe Rasigade1, Frederic Laurent, Gerard Lina

  • 1Université Lyon 1, Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U851, Institut Fédératif de Recherche 128, Lyon, France. jean-philippe.rasigade@chu-lyon.fr

Abstract

Insights

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) shares molecular epidemiology with community-acquired MRSA. PVL-positive MSSA may act as a reservoir for MRSA strains, influencing severe S. aureus infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) are linked to severe infections like necrotizing pneumonia.
  • While the epidemiology of PVL-positive community-acquired (CA) MRSA is well-documented, data on PVL-positive MSSA remain scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the global population structure of PVL-positive MSSA.
  • To compare the population structure of PVL-positive MSSA with that of CA-MRSA.
  • To elucidate the phylogenetic relationship between these two types of S. aureus.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of agr types, multilocus sequence types (MLST), and toxin gene profiles.
  • Inclusion of 211 PVL-positive MSSA clinical isolates.
  • Data collection spanning 1981 to 2007 from 19 countries worldwide.

Main Results:

  • Predominant PVL-positive MSSA lineages identified: agr3/ST30, agr4/ST121, agr3/ST1, agr2/ST5, and agr3/ST80.
  • Most identified MSSA lineages are also prevalent in CA-MRSA, with the exception of agr4/ST121.
  • PVL-positive MSSA strains genetically related to CA-MRSA have increasingly replaced other lineages over the last two decades.

Conclusions:

  • The molecular epidemiology of PVL-positive MSSA and CA-MRSA are interconnected.
  • PVL-positive MSSA may serve as a reservoir for PVL-positive CA-MRSA.
  • Understanding these relationships is crucial for managing severe Staphylococcus aureus infections.

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