Abstract
ObjectivesWe report on an outbreak of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) among kindergarten families. We analyzed the transmission route and aimed to control the outbreak.MethodsThe transmission route was investigated by nasal screening for Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-producing Staphylococcus aureus (PVL-SA), subsequent microbiological investigation including whole genome sequencing and a questionnaire-based analysis of epidemiological information. The control measures included distribution of outbreak information to all individuals at risk and implementation of a Staphylococcus aureus decontamination protocol.ResultsIndividuals from 7 of 19 families were either colonized or showed signs of SSTI such as massive abscesses or eye lid infections. We found 10 PVL-SA isolates in 9 individuals. In the WGS-analysis all isolates were found identical with a maximum of 17 allele difference. The clones were methicillin-susceptible but cotrimoxazole resistant. In comparison to PVL-SAs from an international strain collection, the outbreak clone showed close genetical relatedness to PVL-SAs from a non-European country. The questionnaire results showed frequent travels of one family to this area. The results also demonstrated likely transmission via direct contact between families. After initiation of Staphylococcus aureus decontamination no further case was detected.ConclusionsOur outbreak investigation showed the introduction of a PVL-SA strain into a kindergarten likely as a result of international travel and further transmission by direct contact. The implementation of a Staphylococcus aureus decontamination protocol was able to control the outbreak.
Highlights
Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of community-acquired skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) [1]
We found 10 Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-SA isolates in 9 individuals
In the whole genome sequencing (WGS)-analysis all isolates were found identical with a maximum of 17 allele difference
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of community-acquired skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) [1]. The development of massive skin abscesses in otherwise healthy individuals is associated with certain strains of community-acquired S. aureus [2, 3]. These strains very often carry a gene-encoding Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL). In the USA, most isolates from outbreaks resulting from community-acquired Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) carry the PVL gene. In Europe, similar outbreaks are often associated with strains of Methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (CA-MSSA) [5]. Both types of outbreaks occur within similar settings. We report an outbreak of pyoderma resulting from PVL-positive MSSA and its control among children in an urban kindergarten and their families in Berlin, Germany
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