Empyema thoracis secondary to community-acquired Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) methicillin-resistant (MRSA) infection.

We report a case of a previously fit middle-aged man presenting to the outpatient setting with unilateral pleural effusion, with minimal symptoms. On subsequent investigations, he was diagnosed with empyema thoracis secondary to Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-toxin positive community-acquired methicillin-resistant (MRSA). The patient was treated with prolonged antibiotics and pleural drainage, and he remained haemodynamically stable throughout hospital admission. PVL is a cytolytic exotoxin produced by some strains of Such strains often cause recurrent skin and soft tissue infections, usually in previously fit and healthy individuals. Less commonly, invasive infections occur; these carry a high mortality rate if associated with necrotising pneumonia or septic shock. PVL genes are present in approximately 2% of clinical isolates of in the UK. PVL-producing MRSA infections are on the rise and present significant clinical and public health challenges.