Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive Staphylococcus aureus strains are associated with follicular skin infections

Dermatology. 2011;222(2):167-70. doi: 10.1159/000324044. Epub 2011 Feb 22.

Abstract

Background/aims: Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive Staphylococcus aureus have been associated with suppurative infections; however, their precise role in skin infections has not been elucidated. We studied the rate of PVL-positive S. aureus in the different types of skin infections and compared follicular to nonfollicular skin infections.

Methods: In our institution, patients with a skin infection caused by S. aureus were enrolled in a prospective, observational cohort study (from July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2010). We studied the rate of PVL-positive S. aureus in the different clinical types of skin infections and compared the rate of PVL-positive S. aureus in follicular infections to that in nonfollicular infections.

Results: A total 229 skin infections were included: 97 (42.5%) were caused by PVL-positive strains. Thirty-nine of the 53 (74%) follicular infections [8 of the 17 (47%) with folliculitis, 30 of the 35 (85.5%) with furuncles and 1 with a carbuncle (100%)] were caused by PVL-positive S. aureus, compared to 16 of the 131 (12%) nonfollicular infections (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: PVL-positive S. aureus strains are mainly associated with follicular skin infections.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Toxins / analysis*
  • Exotoxins / analysis*
  • Hair Diseases / microbiology*
  • Hair Follicle / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Leukocidins / analysis*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / microbiology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Exotoxins
  • Leukocidins
  • Panton-Valentine leukocidin