Staphylococcus aureus Panton-Valentine leukocidin targets muscle tissues in a child with myositis and necrotizing fasciitis.

The incidence of myositis has been increasing since the advent of the epidemic of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection, and Panton-Valentine leukocidin has been implicated as a factor contributing to more-severe muscle injury. We report a case of severe myositis accompanying septic osteomyelitis and necrotizing fasciitis caused by a Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive S. aureus strain. Immunostaining showed strong binding of the Panton-Valentine leukocidin toxin to necrotic muscle tissues.