We examined the antibody responses of pediatric patients infected with community-associated Staphylococcus aureus isolates. The data show that patients infected with Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive strains developed a dominant immunoglobulin G anti-PVL antibody response that correlates with markers of inflammation.

A student epidemiology response team can be developed that fulfills the need of public health students to gain field experiences and to introduce them to the workings of local and state health departments. Strategies must be developed to sustain the program within the academic institution and build collaborations with health departments. The development and maintenance of this response team enables students to gain important field experiences in public health, while also creating a well-trained group that is capable of serving as surge capacity for Arizona health departments.