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Pleuropulmonary complications of PVL‐positive Staphylococcus aureus infection in children
Author(s) -
Thomas Biju,
Pugalenthi Arun,
Chilvers Mark
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01293.x
Subject(s) - medicine , empyema , staphylococcus aureus , pleural effusion , pneumonia , leukocidin , panton–valentine leukocidin , abscess , lung abscess , paralysis , methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus , surgery , lung , genetics , bacteria , biology
It is increasingly recognized world‐wide that Panton‐Valentine leukocidin (PVL)‐positive Staphylococcus aureus (PVL‐SA) is associated with a highly aggressive and often fatal form of community‐acquired pneumonia. We report four children who presented with severe pleuropulmonary complications due to infection by community‐acquired methicillin‐sensitive
S. aureus (CA‐MSSA), producing PVL toxin. The complications included bilateral multilobular infiltrates, pneumatocoeles, recurrent pneumothoraces, pleural effusion, empyema, lung abscess and diaphragmatic paralysis. This case series highlights the diverse pleuropulmonary manifestations of this potentially lethal infection and the importance of heightened awareness, early recognition and aggressive therapy. Conclusion: Complicated pneumonia in a previously fit young patient with a history of preceding ‘flu‐like’ illness or skin/soft tissue infection should raise the suspicion of infection by PVL‐positive Staphylococcus aureus (PVL‐SA). Severe pleuropulmonary complications are a feature of this disease.