![]()
Background Recently, an association between lethal pneumonia in young immunocompetent patients (median age 14.8 years) and the presence of Staphylococcus aureus strains carrying the gene for Panton-Valentine leukocidine (PVL) was described. Patient Here we report on a 12-year old girl, who was admitted to the hospital 3 days after the onset of a febrile infection with tachydyspnea. Leukopenia was found haematologically. Radiologically, pleural effusion and pulmonary infiltrates were demonstrated. The progression of the disease was rapid, leading to cerebral death within 10 days of diagnosis.Results A PVL-positive S. aureus strain was cultured from relevant samples both pre and post mortem. |
