Abstract
Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin which causes leukocyte destruction and tissue necrosis. Although it is produced by fewer than 5% of Staphylococcus aureus strains, PVL-producing S. aureus is emerging as a serious problem worldwide. There has been a marked increase in the incidence of necrotizing lung infections with a very high mortality associated with these strains. This report describes a fatal case of hospital-acquired necrotizing pneumonia caused by PVL-positive methicillin-susceptible S. aureus in a patient with a brain tumor.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
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Bacterial Toxins / biosynthesis*
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Brain Neoplasms / complications
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Cross Infection / microbiology*
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Exotoxins / biosynthesis*
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Fatal Outcome
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Humans
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Leukocidins / biosynthesis*
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Male
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Methicillin / pharmacology
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Microbial Sensitivity Tests
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Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / microbiology*
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Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / pathology
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Staphylococcal Infections / complications
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Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
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Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
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Staphylococcus aureus / metabolism*
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Staphylococcus aureus / pathogenicity
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Bacterial Toxins
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Exotoxins
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Leukocidins
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Panton-Valentine leukocidin
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Methicillin