Global distribution and evolution of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, 1981-2007.
BACKGROUND
Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MSSA and MRSA, respectively) are both associated with severe infections, such as necrotizing pneumonia. The epidemiological profile of PVL-positive community-acquired (CA) MRSA has been extensively studied, but few corresponding data on PVL-positive MSSA are available.


OBJECTIVE
The objectives of the study were to investigate the global population structure of PVL-positive MSSA, to compare it with that reported for CA-MRSA, and thus to examine the phylogenetic relationship between these pathogens.


METHODS
We determined the agr types, multilocus sequence types, and toxin gene profiles of 211 PVL-positive MSSA clinical isolates collected in 19 countries throughout the world between 1981 and 2007.


RESULTS
The predominant lineages of PVL-positive MSSA were agr3/ST30, agr4/ST121, agr3/ST1, agr2/ST5, and agr3/ST80. Except for agr4/ST121, these lineages are also reported to be prevalent among CA-MRSA. PVL-positive MSSA lineages that are genetically related to CA-MRSA have gradually replaced other lineages (especially agr4/ST121) over the past 2 decades. Within a given sequence type, the toxin gene content of PVL-positive MSSA strains was very similar to that of PVL-positive CA-MRSA.


CONCLUSIONS
The molecular epidemiological profiles of PVL-positive MSSA and CA-MRSA are dynamically interrelated, with the former appearing to constitute a reservoir for the latter.
Rasigade
Jean-Philippe
JP
Université Lyon 1, Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U851, Institut Fédératif de Recherche 128, Lyon, France. jean-philippe.rasigade@chu-lyon.fr
Laurent
Frederic
F
Lina
Gerard
G
Meugnier
Helene
H
Bes
Michele
M
Vandenesch
François
F
Etienne
Jerome
J
Tristan
Anne
A
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D007956:Leukocidins / Q000235:genetics*; D008712:Methicillin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D005098:Exotoxins; D007956:Leukocidins; C078284:Panton-Valentine leukocidin; D008712:Methicillin