“Panton-Valentine leukocidin”- producing Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen of purulent skin and soft-tissue infections
Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colonises the skin, nose or throat in 20% to 30% of the adult population and is the most common pathogen causing mild to moderate skin infections. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is an important virulence factor for S. aureus and plays a potential role in the pathogenesis of dermal necrosis.
PVL is strongly associated with recurrent purulent skin infections and frequent need for surgical drainage. It is comparatively less common in colonisation and invasive infections (such as pneumonia, musculoskeletal disease and bacteraemia).
The number of community-acquired PVLP-SA clones in Belgium remains stable since 2014. PVL-toxin detection in Belgium is limited to the National Reference Centre for S. aureus (LHUB-ULB, Brussels). Because of the limited indications for toxin testing and lack of impact on antibiotic therapy, there is currently no need for PVL-toxin detection outside the reference laboratory.
On the other hand, increased awareness can lead to more efficient and systematic decolonisation policies and thereby reduce the risk of recurrent skin infections or outbreaks in (healthcare) institutions.
In this case report followed by a literature review, we would like to inform all interested and involved clinicians (general practitioners, dermatologists, internists, paediatricians) about the national guidelines for PVL-toxin detection and the associated approach.
The Panton–Valentine leukocidin vaccine protects mice against lung and skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus USA300