Bone and joint infections with Staphylococcus aureus strains producing Panton-Valentine Leukocidin in French Guiana

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features of bone and joint infections (BJI) due to Panton-Valentine Leukocidin producing (PVL+) Staphylococcus aureus (SA) in French Guiana. A multicenter study that consists of a retrospective charts review of children admitted for PVL+ S. aureus BJI between January 2010 and December 2015. Six patients with SA-PVLBJI were identified during the study period: 2 osteomyelitis, 1 septic arthritis, and 3 disseminated BJI. The median age was 11 years old (4-14 years), and fever lasted for 3.2 days (2-5 days) before diagnosis. An open skin wound preceded the BJI in 5/6 patients. One patient presented with a septic thrombophlebitis of the femoral-popliteal vein on admission. Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) were identified for all patients. Three patients had complications: 2 cases of necrotizing pneumonia and 2 pericarditis, with 1 death caused by cardiac tamponade. SA-PVL BJI was not frequent. Strains were susceptible to methicillin, but responsible of severe BJI. Early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary management of these infections are essential to prevent further complications.