Health agency reveals MRSA bug increase

A 10-fold rise in reported cases of a toxin produced by bacteria associated with MRSA has been revealed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Feb 2011, 06:00 BST

The agency encouraged better reporting of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) after it was linked to several deaths in the UK.

The strain can cause inflammation of layers under the skin and painful skin infections, such as abscesses and boils.

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HPA data shows that over the last six years, cases have risen from 224 in 2005 to 2,227 in 2010.

The HPA believes this rise could be down to better reporting and increased vigilance as previously many cases of PVL were unidentified infections.

PVL is treatable with antibiotics, but can become drug-resistant.