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Brain Abscess due to Panton–Valentine Leukocidin-Positive Staphylococcus aureus

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Abstract

Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus that exhibits highly specific lytic activity against polymorphonuclear cells, monocytes, and macrophages. A 34-year-old man admitted for right parietal brain abscess and thickened dura mater in close proximity to a lytic bone lesion is presented. The abscess culture yielded methicillin-sensitive S. aureus that produced PVL. The patient did well after surgery and antibiotic treatment. A hematogenous infection, route of bone infection with progression to dura mater and brain parenchyma was hypothesized. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of a brain abscess due to PVL-positive S. aureus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Internal Medicine (Infectious Diseases Unit), REIPI (Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Disease), Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, San Martin de Porres no 4, 28050, Madrid, Spain

    A. Ramos & E. Muñez

  2. Dept. of Neurosurgery, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    L. Ley

  3. National Center of Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain

    A. Videl

  4. Dept. of Microbiology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    I. Sánchez

Authors
  1. A. Ramos
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  2. L. Ley
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  3. E. Muñez
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  4. A. Videl
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  5. I. Sánchez
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Correspondence to A. Ramos.

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Ramos, A., Ley, L., Muñez, E. et al. Brain Abscess due to Panton–Valentine Leukocidin-Positive Staphylococcus aureus . Infection 37, 365–367 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-008-7364-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-008-7364-0

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