A Life-saving Case of Lung Abscess Caused by Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL)-positive Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) at the Sixth Day of Life

Abstract

We reported a case of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) lung abscess at the sixth day of life. The patient was a newborn with 36 weeks of gestation and a birth weight of 2,724 grams. There were no signs of maternal infection, and no easily infected patients with asplenia or hypogammaglobulinemia were observed. At the sixth day of life, he developed rapid respiratory and general deterioration. He was diagnosed with lung abscess and treated with Meropenem and Vancomycin for severe necrotizing pneumonia. Pleural fluid culture revealed MSSA, and toxin-producing strains such as PVL were suspected from the response to treatment. Detailed analysis revealed PVL-positive MSSA of sequence type (ST) 30, which is a common community genotype isolated in Japan. Antimicrobial therapy was completed on day 34, and the patient was discharged.

Since MSSA is often found in the nasal cavity and skin of healthy individuals, there is concern about the transmission of PVL-positive MSSA within families and in the community. Therefore, when treating neonatal lung abscess caused by Staphylococci, it is necessary to prevent the spread of the disease by checking the infection status of the patient and family members, and by ensuring the proper use of antibiotics and contact precautions.