Favorable outcome of pneumonia due to Panton–Valentine leukocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus associated with hematogenous origin and absence of flu-like illness

• DOI: 10.1007/s10096-005-0029-3
• Publication Date: 2005-11-21T09:24:18Z
• Authors: C. Alonso-Tarrés; M. L. Villegas; F. J. Gispert; M. C. Cortés-Lletget; A. Rovira Plarromaní; J. Etienne
• Keywords: Adult; Male; 0301 basic medicine; Staphylococcus aureus; 0303 health sciences; Bacterial Toxins; Exotoxins; Bacteremia; 3. Good health; Community-Acquired Infections; 03 medical and health sciences; Treatment Outcome; Leukocidins; Spain; Influenza, Human; Pneumonia, Staphylococcal; Humans; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Reported here is what is believed to be the first case of community-acquired pneumonia caused by a Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing strain of Staphylococcus aureus in Spain. Although lung infections caused by S. aureus strains carrying this powerful leukocidin gene are associated with necrotizing pneumonia and high mortality, the previously healthy 28-year-old male reported here experienced a good clinical course and recovery. It is thought that the hematogenous origin of the infection, the patient's lack of any previous respiratory viral infection and prompt initiation of therapy may explain the satisfactory evolution in this case.