Outbreak Of PVL-positive Community-associated MRSA, UK
PVL-producing strains of MRSA have been seen in the UK before - however, the small numbers of cases reported have usually been in the community rather than a hospital setting. This outbreak is the first time transmission and deaths due to this strain are known to have occurred in a healthcare setting in England and Wales.
PVL-producing strains are more commonly contracted in the community and generally affect previously healthy young children and young adults - this contrasts with the so called 'hospital-associated MRSA' strains which do not produce PVL and are more commonly associated with causing wound infections and blood-poisoning in more elderly hospitalised patients.
Dr Angela Kearns, an MRSA expert with the Health Protection Agency, said: “When people contract PVL-producing strains of MRSA, they usually experience a skin infection such as a boil or abscess. Most infections can be treated successfully with everyday antibiotics but occasionally a more severe infection may occur.â€
“The Health Protection Agency is advising the hospital on outbreak control measures, and will continue to monitor MRSA infection nationally.â€
1. The infections are caused by strains of S. aureus which carry a toxin (PVL) that destroys white blood cells. The toxin is carried by less than 2% of S. aureus and can be carried by both those that are methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and those that are methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). To date the majority of PVL-related infections in the UK have been caused by MSSA.
2. Infections caused by PVL-positive strains of S. aureus normally cause pus-producing skin infections (eg abscesses or boils) and occasionally cellulitis or tissue necrosis. However they can cause more severe invasive infections such as septic arthritis, bacteraemia (blood poisoning) or community-acquired necrotising pneumonia.
3. To see the full article on this outbreak in the Communicable Disease Report weekly publication, click here.
Health Protection Agency (UK)
Focar de PVL-pozitive asociate SAMR-comunitare, Marea Britanie - Outbreak Of PVL-positive Community-associated MRSA, UK - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate