Severity and intractableness of skin infections caused by Panton–Valentine leukocidin‐positive methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract Cases of skin infections caused by Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL)‐positive methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), particularly USA300 clone, have been increasing in Japan. We report that clinical findings of 5 patients with PVL‐positive MRSA and compared to those of four patients with PVL‐negative MRSA. Severities of patients with PVL‐positive MRSA were significantly higher than those of patients with PVL‐negative MRSA. Average durations of antimicrobial therapy for patients with PVL‐positive MRSA were 3.4‐fold longer than those for patients with PVL‐negative MRSA. Our data suggest that PVL‐positive MRSA should be deal with a causative agent for intractable skin infections in Japan likewise other countries.