leucocidin BrE
leukocidin AmE

A leukocidin is a type of cytotoxin created by some types of bacteria.

One type is Panton-Valentine leukocidin.

S. aureus can host phages, such as Panton-Valentine leukocidin, that increase its virulence.

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin-one of the β-pore-forming toxins.

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is one of many toxins associated with S. aureus infection.

The bicomponent toxin Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is associated with severe necrotizing pneumonia in children.

X-ray crystallographic structures have revealed some commonalities: α-hemolysin and Panton-Valentine leukocidin S are structurally related, as are aerolysin and Clostridial Epsilon-toxin.

C. perfringens beta toxin shows 28% homology with S. aureus alpha toxin and similar homology to S. aureus gamma-toxin and leukocidin.

Especially the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes are of interest because they are a unique feature of CA-MRSA.

The deadly toxin produced by the strain of MRSA found in U.S. communities, Panton-Valentine leukocidin, is thought to destroy the membranes of white blood cells, damaging the body's primary defense against the microbe.

"It's part natural evolution, but we're speeding it up by our behaviors," said Nicole Coffin, a spokeswoman for the C.D.C. Unlike the resistant staph seen in hospitals, many of the strains being reported elsewhere can release a toxin, Panton-Valentine leukocidin, or P.V.L., that kills white blood cells.

The two MRSA clones in the United States most closely associated with community outbreaks, USA400 (MW2 strain, ST1 lineage) and USA300, often contain Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes and, more frequently, have been associated with skin and soft tissue infections.

In the United States, most cases of CA-MRSA are caused by a CC8 strain designated ST8:USA300, which carries SCCmec type IV, Panton-Valentine leukocidin, PSM-alpha and enterotoxins Q and K, and ST1:USA400.