Three Severe Skin Infections Caused by Panton-Valentine Leukocidin-positive Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the Middle-aged and Elderly Patients in Hyogo, Japan

Abstract

Three middle-aged and elderly patients with skin infections without underlying disease presented to our hospital during a 3-month period in 2021. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains were detected in all three patients, two of which were highly pathogenic USA300 clones. The mean age of patients with skin infections caused by PVL-positive organisms was lower than that of those with infections caused by PVL-negative organisms (20. 8 years vs. 48. 0 years). The prevalence of PVL-positive MRSA is low in the Kansai area. Our study suggests that PVLpositive MRSA is spreading not only among young patients but also middle-aged and elderly patients. We consider that skin infections caused by PVL-positive MRSA should be paid attention in the Kansai area. Skin Research, 21 : 333-337, 2022