Introduction of surveillance of infections with Staphylococcus aureus containing the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin gene in the Netherlands

The National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in the Netherlands has begun surveillance of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains with the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) gene in the Netherlands. This PVL gene is known to produce a potent toxin causing severe skin infections and necrotising pneumonia in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. About 60% of PVL positive isolates in the Netherlands belonged to ‘cluster 28’, which is an epidemic strain in the European mainland, but which has not yet caused large outbreaks in the Netherlands.