Staphylococcus aureus panton-valentine leukocidin targets muscle tissues in a child with myositis and necrotizing fasciitis

Abstract

The incidence of myositis has been increasing since the advent of the epidemic of community-associated methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus infection, and Panton-Valentine leukocidin has been implicated as a factor contributing to more-severe muscle injury.We report a case of severe myositis accompanying septic osteomyelitis and necrotizing fasciitis caused by a Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive S. aureus strain. Immunostaining showed strong binding of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin toxin to necrotic muscle tissues. © 2009 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.