Difference between revisions of "Panton-Valentine leukocidin"

Latest revision as of 20:33, 20 September 2010

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin—one of the β-pore-forming toxins. The presence of PVL is associated with increased virulence of certain strains (isolates) of Staphylococcus aureus. It is present in the majority ^[1] of community-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) isolates studied^[2][3] and is the cause of necrotic lesions involving the skin or mucosa, including necrotic hemorrhagic pneumonia. PVL creates pores in the membranes of infected cells. PVL is produced from the genetic material of a bacteriophage that infects Staphylococcus aureus, making it more virulent.^[4]

History

It was initially discovered by Van deVelde in 1894 due to its ability to lyse leukocytes. It was named after Sir Philip Noel Panton and Francis Valentine when they associated it with soft tissue infections in 1932. ^{[5] [6]}

Mechanism of action

Exotoxins such as PVL constitute essential components of the virulence mechanisms of S. aureus. Nearly all strains secrete lethal factors that convert host tissues into nutrients required for bacterial growth.^[7]

PVL is a member of the synergohymenotropic toxin family that induces pores in the membranes of cells.^[8] The PVL factor is encoded in a prophage—designated as Φ-PVL—which is a virus integrated into the S. aureus bacterial chromosome. Its genes secrete two proteins—toxins designated LukS-PV and LukF-PV, 33 and 34 kDa in size. These act together as subunits, assembling in the membrane of host defense cells, in particular, white blood cells, monocytes, and macrophages.^[9] The subunits fit together and form a ring with a central pore through which cell contents leak and which acts as a superantigen.^[8][10]

Clinical effects

PVL causes leukocyte destruction and necrotizing pneumonia, an aggressive condition that often kills patients within 72 hours.^[11] Comparing cases of staphylococcal necrotizing pneumonia, 85% of community-acquired (CAP) cases were PVL-positive, while none of the hospital-acquired cases were. CAP afflicted younger and healthier patients and yet had a worse outcome (>40% mortality.) ^[8] It has played a role in a number of outbreaks of fatal bacterial infections.^[12] PVL may increase the expression of staphylococcal protein A, a key pro-inflammatory factor for pneumonia.^[13]

Epidemiology

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is one of many toxins associated with S. aureus infection. Because it can be found in virtually all CA-MRSA strains that cause soft-tissue infections, it was long described as a key virulence factor, allowing the bacteria to target and kill specific white blood cells known as neutrophils. This view was challenged, however, when it was shown that removal of PVL from the two major epidemic CA-MRSA strains resulted in no loss of infectivity or destruction of neutrophils in a mouse model.^[14][15]

Genetic analysis shows that PVL CA-MRSA has emerged several times, on different continents, rather than being the worldwide spread of a single clone.^[16]

References

External links

• MeSH Panton-Valentine+leukocidin

1. ↑ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2007-20-24). CA-MRSA "Community-Associated Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA)" Check |url= value (help). Retrieved 2007-11-01.  Check date values in: |date= (help)
2. ↑ Szmiegielski S, Prevost G, Monteil H; et al. (1999;). "Leukocidal toxins of staphylococci". Zentralbl Bakteriol. 289:: 185–201.  Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: Explicit use of et al. (link) CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
3. ↑ Kaneko J, Kamio Y. (2004). "Bacterial two-component and hetero-heptameric pore-forming cytolytic toxins: structures, pore-forming mechanism, and organization of the genes". Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 68 (5): 981–1003. doi:10.1271/bbb.68.981. PMID 15170101. 
4. ↑ Lina G, Piémont Y, Godail-Gamot F, Bes M, Peter M, Gauduchon V, Vandenesch F, Etienne J (1999). "Involvement of Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus in primary skin infections and pneumonia". Clin Infect Dis. 29 (5): 1128–32. doi:10.1086/313461. PMID 10524952.  |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
5. ↑ Panton, P.N., Came, M.B., Valentine, F.C.O., Lond, M.R.C.P. (1932-03). "Staphylococcal Toxin" (pdf). The Lancet. 1: 506–8. Retrieved 2007-12-06.  Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
6. ↑ Boyle-Vavra S, Daum RS (2007). "Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: the role of Panton–Valentine leukocidin". Lab Invest. 87 (1): 3–9. doi:10.1038/labinvest.3700501. PMID 17146447. 
7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Citation/CS1/Suggestions' not found.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2} Suzanne F. Bradley (2006-02-22). "The Role of Toxins in the Changing Epidemiology and Clinical Presentation of Staphylococcal Pneumonia". p. 6. Retrieved 2007-12-08. 
9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Citation/CS1/Suggestions' not found.
10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Citation/CS1/Suggestions' not found.
11. ↑ "Staph Toxin Can Trigger Deadly Pneumonia". Forbes. 2007-10-18. Retrieved 2007-10-18. 
12. ↑ Nigel Hawkes. "Baby's death linked to hospital bug". Retrieved December 22, 2006. 
13. ↑ "Staphylococcus aureus Toxin Can Cause Necrotizing Pneumonia". Medscape. 2007-01-18. Retrieved 2007-01-18. 
14. ↑ MRSA Toxin Acquitted: Study Clears Suspected Key to Severe Bacterial Illness, NIH news release, Nov. 6, 2006
15. ↑ Voyich JM, Otto M, Mathema B; et al. (2006). "Is Panton-Valentine leukocidin the major virulence determinant in community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus disease?". J. Infect. Dis. 194 (12): 1761–70. doi:10.1086/509506. PMID 17109350. Retrieved 2007-12-06. CS1 maint: Explicit use of et al. (link) CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)
16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Citation/CS1/Suggestions' not found.