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Community-acquired infections due to Staphylococcus argenteus lineage isolates harbouring the Panton-Valentine

C Dupieux1, R Blondé, C Bouchiat

  • 1Centre National de Reference des Staphylocoques, Centre de Biologie et de Pathologie Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France.

Euro Surveillance : Bulletin Europeen Sur Les Maladies Transmissibles = European Communicable Disease Bulletin
|June 19, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Two cases of Staphylococcus argenteus (formerly CC75) infections were identified in France, linked to Mayotte. This study shows Staphylococcus argenteus can acquire virulence factors like PVL, causing severe community-acquired infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus clonal complex (CC) 75, now classified as Staphylococcus argenteus, was previously considered less virulent.
  • Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) is a key virulence factor associated with severe Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Observation:

  • Two sporadic, community-acquired infections caused by Staphylococcus argenteus harbouring the PVL toxin were identified in France in 2014.
  • Both cases had a clear epidemiological link to Mayotte, a French overseas department.

Findings:

  • This report demonstrates that Staphylococcus argenteus can acquire significant virulence factors, including PVL.
  • Contrary to prior understanding, S. argenteus strains are capable of causing severe human infections.

Implications:

  • The findings challenge the established view of S. argenteus as a non-pathogenic or less virulent species.
  • This highlights the need for enhanced surveillance and diagnostic awareness for PVL-positive S. argenteus in clinical settings.
  • Understanding the acquisition of virulence factors by S. argenteus is crucial for predicting and managing future infectious disease outbreaks.

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