Severity and intractableness of skin infections caused by Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Cases of skin infections caused by Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), particularly USA300 clone, have been increasing in Japan. We report that clinical findings of 5 patients with PVL-positive MRSA and compared to those of four patients with PVL-negative MRSA. Severities of patients with PVL-positive MRSA were significantly higher than those of patients with PVL-negative MRSA. Average durations of antimicrobial therapy for patients with PVL-positive MRSA were 3.4-fold longer than those for patients with PVL-negative MRSA. Our data suggest that PVL-positive MRSA should be deal with a causative agent for intractable skin infections in Japan likewise other countries.