Pediatr Infect Vaccine.  2023 Dec;30(3):152-158. 10.14776/piv.2023.30.e20.

The First Neonatal Case of PantonValentine Leukocidin-Positive Staphylococcus aureus Causing Severe Soft Tissue Infection in Korea

• Kim YH
• Shin SH
• Seok H
• Park DW
• Park YH
• Yoon Y
• Kim YK

• KMID: 2551465
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14776/piv.2023.30.e20

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a common cause of skin and soft tissue infections. PantonValentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin-producing strain of SA has been discovered worldwide and is known to cause serious infections. However, reports of neonatal infections caused by PVL-positive SA are rare. Here, we report a case of severe skin and soft tissue infection caused by PVL-positive SA in a 7-day-old neonate. The patient was admitted to the emergency room with a history of fever for one day, tenderness, and sensation of buttocks heating. The infant presented with fever, tachycardia, poor general health, progressive tenderness, and edema of the buttocks on the day of admission. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed necrotizing fasciitis involving the skin, soft tissue, and muscles. Specimens drained from the buttock lesions confirmed the presence of PVL-positive methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA), and there was no bacteremia. She recovered after one month of intravenous antibiotics and surgical drainages. One month after discharge, she was rehospitalized for otitis externa and was infected with MRSA again. Considering the PVL-positive strain, the patient was treated with intravenous linezolid and dressing. The patient underwent decolonization therapy in a 0.5% chlorhexidine bath and recovered completely without sequelae. This case suggests that aggressive drainage and antibiotic treatment are essential for PVL-producing MRSA infections, and additional decolonization is needed to prevent recurrence and community spread.

Keyword

Panton-valentine leukocidin (PVL); Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); Fasciitis; Soft tissue infection