Panton-Valentine leukocidin and staphyloccoccal skin infections in schoolchildren

The Panton-Valentine leukocidin is associated with staphylococcal skin and pulmonary infections. We describe a school outbreak of skin infections and the public health response to it. Nasal carriage of a Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive Staphylococcus aureus clone was detected only in previously ill classmates and their family members.