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Disseminated Panton-Valentine Leukocidin-Positive Staphylococcus aureus infection in a child

Arzu Karli1, Keramettin Yanik2, Muhammet S Paksu3

  • 1Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Tıp Fakültesi, Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi (OMÜ), Atakum/Samsun, 55270, Turkey. drarzukarli@yahoo.com.

Archivos Argentinos De Pediatria
|April 16, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) from Staphylococcus aureus caused severe necrotizing pneumonia and multiple abscesses in a healthy adolescent. This case highlights PVL-positive methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) as a significant threat, even without MRSA.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a key virulence factor produced by Staphylococcus aureus.
  • PVL-positive S. aureus infections are associated with severe soft tissue and necrotizing pneumonia, particularly in adolescents.
  • These infections carry a high mortality rate.

Observation:

  • A 12-year-old male presented with fever, respiratory distress, and hip pain.
  • The patient was diagnosed with necrotizing pneumonia, septic pulmonary embolism, psoas abscess, cellulitis, and osteomyelitis.
  • PVL-positive methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) was identified in the patient's blood culture.

Findings:

  • The case demonstrates a severe, invasive infection caused by PVL-positive MSSA.
  • The patient experienced multiple, rapidly progressing complications including pneumonia, sepsis, and deep tissue abscesses.
  • This underscores the virulence of PVL even in non-multidrug-resistant strains.

Implications:

  • PVL-positive MSSA should be considered a significant pathogen capable of causing severe invasive disease.
  • Early recognition and aggressive management are crucial for improving outcomes in such cases.
  • This case highlights the need for awareness of PVL-associated infections in pediatric populations, regardless of antibiotic resistance patterns.

Keywords:
Necrotizing pneumoniaPanton-Valentine leukocidinSepsisStaphylococcus aureus

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