Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026
Development and Assessment of Intracellular Infection Models for Staphylococcus aureus
Published on: January 17, 2025
Two-case cluster of rapidly progressive influenza B and Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia with one death
Caopei Zheng1, Yulin Zhang2, Yu Wang3
1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Objectives:
To report a cluster of two epidemiologically linked construction workers with fulminant necrotizing pneumonia associated with co-infection by Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and influenza B virus.
Methods:
Clinical characteristics, imaging findings, and microbiological results were retrospectively reviewed. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was performed on sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after conventional diagnostic tests failed to identify the causative pathogens.
Results:
Following shared occupational exposure, both patients developed severe pneumonia. One patient experienced rapid progression and died. For the second patient, mNGS successfully identified co-infection with PVL-positive sequence type 22 MSSA and influenza B virus, prompting a timely shift to targeted antimicrobial therapy that led to survival after prolonged intensive care.
Conclusion:
This report demonstrates the extreme virulence of PVL-positive MSSA-influenza co-infection, highlights the diagnostic value of mNGS in severe treatment-refractory pneumonia, and emphasizes the need for effective respiratory protection in high-risk occupational environments.
Insights
Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive Staphylococcus aureus and influenza virus co-infection can cause severe pneumonia. Metagenomic sequencing aided diagnosis and treatment in two construction workers.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) co-infection with influenza virus can lead to severe necrotizing pneumonia.
- A cluster of two epidemiologically linked construction workers presented with severe pneumonia following shared occupational exposure.
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