CA-MRSA isolates express many virulence factors [7, 8] , including several cytolysins: α-toxin, γ-toxin, Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs), δ-toxin and, unlike traditional hospital-associated (HA-MRSA) isolates, may express superantigens such as TSST-1 [9] . These bacterial components can stimulate massive cytokine release and lead to septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and death. It is likely that strategies designed to modulate the excessive and prolonged host inflammatory response could improve the outcome of fulminant MRSA infections.