Brain abscess due to Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive Staphylococcus aureus

Infection. 2009 Aug;37(4):365-7. doi: 10.1007/s15010-008-7364-0. Epub 2008 Aug 25.

Abstract

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus that exhibits highly specific lytic activity against polymorphonuclear cells, monocytes, and macrophages. A 34-year-old man admitted for right parietal brain abscess and thickened dura mater in close proximity to a lytic bone lesion is presented. The abscess culture yielded methicillin-sensitive S. aureus that produced PVL. The patient did well after surgery and antibiotic treatment. A hematogenous infection, route of bone infection with progression to dura mater and brain parenchyma was hypothesized. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of a brain abscess due to PVL-positive S. aureus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacterial Toxins / biosynthesis*
  • Bacterial Toxins / genetics
  • Brain Abscess / drug therapy
  • Brain Abscess / microbiology*
  • Brain Abscess / surgery
  • Drainage
  • Exotoxins / biosynthesis*
  • Exotoxins / genetics
  • Head / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Leukocidins / biosynthesis*
  • Leukocidins / genetics
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Staphylococcal Infections / complications*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / surgery
  • Staphylococcus aureus / genetics
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*

Substances

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