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Updated: May 10, 2026

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Staphylococcus aureus abscesses: methicillin-resistance or Panton-Valentine leukocidin presence?

Marta Barrios López1, Carmen Gómez González, M Ángeles Orellana

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Universitario12 de Octubre de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. mbarrioslopez@yahoo.es

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|June 4, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is common in pediatric Staphylococcus aureus skin infections. PVL presence, not methicillin resistance, increases abscess risk and need for drainage.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a key virulence factor in Staphylococcus aureus.
  • PVL is associated with both community-associated methicillin-resistant S aureus (CA-MRSA) and community-associated methicillin-susceptible S aureus (CA-MSSA) strains.
  • Understanding PVL prevalence and impact is crucial for managing S aureus skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of PVL in pediatric community-onset S aureus SSTIs.
  • To analyze the influence of methicillin resistance and PVL on clinical characteristics of these infections.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective enrollment of children with S aureus SSTIs presenting to a tertiary hospital emergency department (2007-2009).
  • Identification and characterization of S aureus isolates for PVL and methicillin resistance.
  • Analysis of clinical data, including infection type, need for incision and drainage, and hospital admission.

Main Results:

  • 142 S aureus SSTIs were identified; 46% were PVL positive.
  • PVL-positive infections were more frequently abscesses (63% vs 39%) and required more incision and drainage and hospital admission.
  • While MRSA was associated with abscesses, PVL remained the independent predictor (OR 2.33) for abscess formation in multivariable analysis.

Conclusions:

  • A high prevalence of PVL was observed in pediatric S aureus SSTIs in Spain.
  • PVL is significantly associated with increased abscess formation, irrespective of methicillin resistance.
  • PVL presence is a critical factor in the severity and management of pediatric S aureus SSTIs.
Keywords:
Infectious DiseasesMicrobiologyPaediatrics

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