Determinants for the spread of Panton-Valentine leukocidin positive Staphylococcus aureus in Africa
Staphylococcus aureus can produce the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL), which is associated with severe skin and soft tissue infections. In Europe, PVL is rarely found in S. aureus, but in Africa more than half of all S. aureus isolates produce this toxin. Together with our African cooperation partners, we now want to find out why PVL is so common in Africa. We are looking at the interaction of PVL with human cells (granulocytes, monocytes) and the humoral immune system at the molecular level. The project is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SCHA 1994/5-1).