C Braulke

Publications of C Braulke

• Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST8 ("USA300") in an HIV-positive patient in Cologne, Germany, February 2008.

  Authors: W Witte, C Braulke, B Strommenger

  Euro surveillance : bulletin européen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin. 04/2008; 13(13).

• Multiplex PCR for rapid detection of Staphylococcus aureus isolates suspected to represent community-acquired strains.

  Authors: B Strommenger, C Braulke, B Pasemann, C Schmidt, W Witte

  Journal of clinical microbiology. 03/2008; 46(2):582-7.

  The continuous spread of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (caMRSA) and the introduction of these highly virulent isolates into hospitals represent increasing threats.The continuous spread of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (caMRSA) and the introduction of these highly virulent isolates into hospitals represent increasing threats. The timely recognition of caMRSA strains is crucial for infection control purposes. Thus, we developed a PCR-based assay for the easy and rapid determination of those caMRSA clones that currently are the most prevalent in Germany and Central Europe. This assay was able to correctly identify the majority of the isolates as caMRSA of sequence type 80 (ST80), clonal complex 1 (USA400), and ST8 (USA300). In combination with spa typing-BURP (based upon repeat pattern) analysis and resistance typing, it provides a means for the extensive characterization of suspicious isolates. Thus, this assay represents a reliable tool for monitoring the emergence and spread of different caMRSA clones. The resulting information, in combination with careful interpretation of the epidemiological records, might help to prevent the further spread of those highly virulent caMRSA clones.

• spa Typing of Staphylococcus aureus as a frontline tool in epidemiological typing.

  Authors: B Strommenger, C Braulke, D Heuck, C Schmidt, B Pasemann, U Nübel, W Witte

  Journal of clinical microbiology. 03/2008; 46(2):574-81.

  We determined the value of spa typing in combination with BURP (based upon repeat pattern) grouping analysis as a frontline tool in the epidemiological typing of Staphylococcus aureus, based on aWe determined the value of spa typing in combination with BURP (based upon repeat pattern) grouping analysis as a frontline tool in the epidemiological typing of Staphylococcus aureus, based on a random collection of 1,459 clinical isolates sent to the German Reference Centre for Staphylococci within a 6-month period. The application was found to be helpful for the classification of isolates into the particular clonal lineages currently prevalent in Germany. Due to its major advantages because of the ease of interpretation and the exchangeability of the results, the use of spa typing greatly simplifies communication between laboratories on both the national and the international levels. Thus, it is an excellent tool for national and international surveillance of S. aureus as well as for analysis of the short-term local epidemiology. However, to overcome the limitations of the BURP grouping method in terms of typing accuracy and discriminatory power, the results of the default BURP grouping method must be interpreted with caution. Additional markers, like staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec, lineage-specific genes, or alternative DNA polymorphisms, are indispensable. They should be selected by dependence on the clonal lineage indicated by spa typing and subsequent BURP analysis as well as on the basis of the particular question to be addressed.

• Emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes in central Europe.

  Authors: W Witte, C Braulke, C Cuny, B Strommenger, G Werner, D Heuck, U Jappe, C Wendt, H J Linde, D Harmsen

  European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology. 02/2005; 24(1):1-5.

  The aim of the present study was to investigate strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for the presence of the lukS-lukF determinant of Panton-Valentine leukocidin and toThe aim of the present study was to investigate strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for the presence of the lukS-lukF determinant of Panton-Valentine leukocidin and to further characterize strains found to contain the genes. During the past 2 years, MRSA containing the lukS-lukF genes for Panton-Valentine leukocidin, particularly those emerging outside of hospitals, have become of interest. MRSA strains sent to the national reference center in Germany were investigated for lukS-lukF by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). If the presence of lukS-lukF was demonstrated, strains were further characterized by molecular typing (determination of SmaI pattern, spa sequence, and multilocus sequence type), PCR demonstration of resistance genes, and characterization of the SCCmec element. Since the end of 2002, MRSA containing Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes have been demonstrated as the causative agent of 28 cases of infection (9 community-acquired cases, 19 sporadic nosocomial cases) in different areas of Germany. Twenty-seven of these 28 isolates exhibited a unique pattern of genomic typing: all exhibited multilocus sequence type 80, spa sequence type 44, and a SmaI macrorestriction pattern that corresponds to a community-acquired strain of MRSA from France and Switzerland. In addition to resistance to oxacillin, the strains exhibited resistance to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline (tetM), and fusidic acid, the last of which is encoded by the far-1 gene. The far-1 gene was shown to be located on the plasmid. One isolate corresponded to community MRSA (cMRSA) of multilocus sequence type 1 from the USA.

• Emergence of a new community acquired MRSA strain in Germany.

  Authors: W Witte, C Cuny, B Strommenger, C Braulke, D Heuck

  Euro surveillance : bulletin européen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin. 02/2004; 9(1):16-8.

  Analysis of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (c-MRSA) from Germany producing the Panton-Valentine leukocidin revealed a unique SmaI-macrorestriction pattern, differentAnalysis of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (c-MRSA) from Germany producing the Panton-Valentine leukocidin revealed a unique SmaI-macrorestriction pattern, different from epidemic nosocomial strains. This molecular pattern corresponds to those shown in c-MRSA strains from other countries in the European Union. All isolates exhibited resistance to fusidic acid, which is coded by the far-1 gene. From data on geographical dissemination and time of occurrence, this strain appears to have emerged in Germany in the second half of 2002, and so an already wider dissemination is likely. The emergence of MRSA with resistance to fusidic acid is a first sign of the emergence of a PVL-positive MRSA clone.

• Changing pattern of antibiotic resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from German hospitals.

  Authors: W Witte, C Braulke, C Cuny, D Heuck, M Kresken

  Infection control and hospital epidemiology : the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America. 12/2001; 22(11):683-6.

  OBJECTIVE: To investigate the background of changes of resistance phenotypes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from nosocomial infections in German hospitals by molecular typingOBJECTIVE: To investigate the background of changes of resistance phenotypes in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from nosocomial infections in German hospitals by molecular typing and identification of particular resistance genes. METHODS: Isolates from the network for monitoring the spread of MRSA in Germany were subjected to quantitative susceptibility testing, to molecular typing, and to polymerase chain reaction identification of resistance genes. PARTICIPANTS: The network consists of 175 German clinical microbiological laboratories collaborating with the German Reference Center for Staphylococci, which performs typing of staphylococcal isolates from nosocomial infections and data analysis. RESULTS: During the past 5 years, MRSA susceptible to other antibiotics such as oxytetracycline, erythromycin, and gentamicin became more frequent. The proportion of epidemic MRSA clones that had been disseminated in the past and that exhibited broad resistance phenotypes decreased, whereas the proportion of recently emerging MRSA carrying only a few other resistance determinants has increased (1994, 11.5%; 1998, 39%). CONCLUSIONS: The changing pattern of resistance phenotypes of MRSA from nosocomial infections in Germany is mainly due to the spread of recently emerging epidemic strains that are less frequently resistant to antibacterials other than oxacillin. The observed changes cannot simply be attributed to overall antibiotic consumption.

• Characteristics of a new epidemic MRSA in Germany ancestral to United Kingdom EMRSA 15.

  Authors: W Witte, M Enright, F J Schmitz, C Cuny, C Braulke, D Heuck

  International journal of medical microbiology : IJMM. 04/2001; 290(8):677-82.

  In 1996 a new epidemic MRSA emerged in three hospitals North of Berlin. This strain, Barnim epidemic MRSA, was isolated in 15 hospitals in Northern Germany in 1997 and 29 hospitals throughout GermanyIn 1996 a new epidemic MRSA emerged in three hospitals North of Berlin. This strain, Barnim epidemic MRSA, was isolated in 15 hospitals in Northern Germany in 1997 and 29 hospitals throughout Germany in 1998. Isolates of this clone are non-typeable by phages, its resistance phenotype is PEN, OXA, ERY, CLI, CIP (genotype: mecA, ermC, mutations in grlA and gyrA). The Sma I macrorestriction pattern corresponds to particular phage group II strains which is confirmed by the 16S-23S rRNA gene spacer pattern. Isolates of this clone differ by less than three Sma I macrorestriction fragments from isolates of the EMRSA15 clone from the United Kingdom, the most common epidemic MRSA isolates in the United Kingdom in recent years. Both epidemic strains produce enterotoxin C and possess the sec determinant for this toxin, the configuration of the mec regulon is mecI-, mecRB+, mecRC+. Both share the same Alu I pattern of PCR amplimers of the 3' end region of the coagulase gene. EMRSA 15 and Barnim EMRSA share a common multilocus sequence type indicating a recent, shared evolutionary origin.

• Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in German hospitals develop narrower patterns of antimicrobial resistance.

  Authors: W Witte, C Braulke, D Heuck, C Cuny

  Euro surveillance : bulletin europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin. 04/2000; 5(3):31-34.

  The prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in German hospitals has continued to increase, but the range of anti-microbials to which they are resistant has decreased. TheThe prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in German hospitals has continued to increase, but the range of anti-microbials to which they are resistant has decreased. The trend cannot be attributed to changes in antibiotic consump

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus exhibiting genomic fingerprints of phage group I strains in a hospital and in a nurse's family.

  Authors: C Windmeier, C Cuny, C Braulke, D Heuck, W Witte

  European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology. 03/1999; 18(2):156-8.

• Widespread dissemination of epidemic MRSA in German hospitals.

  Authors: W Witte, C Cuny, C Braulke, D Heuck, I Klare

  Euro surveillance : bulletin europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin. 05/1997; 2(4):25-28.

  Strains of Staphylococcus aureusresistant to multiple antibiotics, including those resistant to methicillin (MRSA), present a major problem in the control of hospital acquired infections. SomeStrains of Staphylococcus aureusresistant to multiple antibiotics, including those resistant to methicillin (MRSA), present a major problem in the control of hospital acquired infections. Some strains show a definite capacity for spread once introduced in

• [Transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains by foreign patients--measures for treating patients and preventing a nosocomial infection]

  Authors: S Neifer, C Markoff, C Braulke, W Witte

  Zentralblatt für Chirurgie. 02/1997; 122(7):595-6.

• [Analysis and conclusions regarding the epidemic spread of methicillin resistant S. aureus]

  Authors: D Heuck, C Braulke, H Lauf, W Witte

  Zentralblatt für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin = International journal of hygiene and environmental medicine. 11/1995; 198(1):57-71.

  Increasing dissemination of Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) calls for a more consequent examination of the causal mechanisms. Experiences and results of analysis of three different outbreaksIncreasing dissemination of Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) calls for a more consequent examination of the causal mechanisms. Experiences and results of analysis of three different outbreaks caused by MRSA are described. In summary it is shown that MRSA are especially epidemic virulent and persist over a long range of time in a care unit. Main reasons for these outbreaks obviously were mistakes in hospital hygiene and an inappropriate antibiotic prophylaxis. Predisposed inpatients suffer from severe infections. Interregional dissemination of MRSA observed is mainly due to the transfer of patients between hospitals. Optimization of hospital hygiene especially isolated or cohort nursing of affected patients as well as restriction of antibiotic prophylaxis and therapy are crucial measures against the dissemination of MRSA. For success of these measures information and motivation of staff are necessary.

• Clonal dissemination of two MRSA strains in Germany.

  Authors: W Witte, C Cuny, C Braulke, D Heuck

  Epidemiology and infection. 09/1994; 113(1):67-73.

  Clonal dissemination of two different MRSA strains, both clumping factor negative, has been observed in Germany for more than a year. Both strains possess the mec-A determinant and each exhibits aClonal dissemination of two different MRSA strains, both clumping factor negative, has been observed in Germany for more than a year. Both strains possess the mec-A determinant and each exhibits a characteristic genomic DNA fragment pattern. One strain has spread in the north, the other in the south-west of Germany. Intensive care units are mainly affected by MRSA-infections and probably play a special role in further intra- and inter-hospital spread.

• Analysis of nosocomial outbreaks with multiply and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Germany: implications for hospital hygiene.

  Authors: W Witte, C Braulke, D Heuck, C Cuny

  Infection. 02/1994; 22 Suppl 2:S128-34.

  Two outbreaks of nosocomial infections with MRSA, one in a urological unit in connection with transurethral prostatectomy and the other in an orthopaedic clinic with infections after implantation ofTwo outbreaks of nosocomial infections with MRSA, one in a urological unit in connection with transurethral prostatectomy and the other in an orthopaedic clinic with infections after implantation of prosthetic hips, have been analyzed on the basis of typing MRSA by phage-patterns, plasmid profiles and genomic DNA fragment patterns. Main reasons for these outbreaks were obviously mistakes in hospital hygiene and an inappropriate antibiotic prophylaxis (in the first outbreak a quinolone over about 7 days, in the second a third generation cephalosporin). Both outbreaks could be stopped by measures of hospital hygiene including isolated or cohort nursing of affected patients, and change in antibiotic prophylaxis. Intensive care units (ICUs) are more often affected by MRSA than other clinical settings. As described by the example of an outbreak with MRSA in a municipal hospital, ICUs can play a special role in intrahospital spread of MRSA. The recently observed inter-regional clonal interhospital dissemination of MRSA in Germany is mainly due to a transfer of patients between hospitals; prewarning of the hospital of destination and a number of hygiene measures can prevent further spread.

• Susceptibility to desferrioxamines and other chelators of coagulase-negative staphylococci.

  Authors: D Heuck, W Witte, C Braulke, R Reissbrodt

  Zentralblatt für Bakteriologie : international journal of medical microbiology. 02/1994; 280(3):304-11.

  A total of 233 staphylococci and micrococci belonging to 17 species were tested for their susceptibility to desferrioxamines B, G and E, respectively. Using an agar diffusion method on iron poorA total of 233 staphylococci and micrococci belonging to 17 species were tested for their susceptibility to desferrioxamines B, G and E, respectively. Using an agar diffusion method on iron poor media, all of the S. epidermidis, 12 out of 22 S. hominis and 5 out of 22 S. capitis strains were susceptible to desferrioxamines. Among the S. capitis strains tested, two of them were susceptible to desferrioxamine E and resistant to desferrioxamines B and G. All other staphylococci and micrococci tested were resistant to desferrioxamines B, G and E. Different susceptibility to 5 mM ethylenediaminedi-(o-phenylacetic acid) as an artificial chelator demonstrated the existence of additional iron-supplying systems in staphylococci and micrococci.

• Typing of multiple isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci from blood cultures and cerebrospinal fluid in neonates and children: an approach to discriminate contaminants.

  Authors: W Witte, C Braulke, E Halle, F B Spencker, W Handrick

  Zentralblatt für Bakteriologie : international journal of medical microbiology. 01/1991; 274(3):382-9.

  From eight neonates and children suspicious for suffering from septicemia and/or meningitis, coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) were isolated from multiple blood cultures and from cerebrospinalFrom eight neonates and children suspicious for suffering from septicemia and/or meningitis, coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) were isolated from multiple blood cultures and from cerebrospinal fluids originating from different punctures. S. epidermidis was the predominant species. By a further typing using plasmid-profiles and exoprotein patterns besides the resistance phenotype, contaminants could be discriminated from the isolates as the probable etiologic agent exhibiting unique reaction patterns. CNS isolated from cases of septicemia together with other bacterial pathogens or from cases of presumed but not confirmed septicemia revealed as different.

• Multiply- and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated in the German Democratic Republic in 1985 and 1986.

  Authors: W Witte, C Braulke

  Epidemiology and infection. 01/1988; 99(3):603-12.

  Multiply- and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains have been isolated from five small outbreaks of nosocomial infection in five different hospitals. The MRSA were typed by phageMultiply- and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains have been isolated from five small outbreaks of nosocomial infection in five different hospitals. The MRSA were typed by phage patterns, biochemical traits, resistance phenotypes and plasmid patterns. Three different groups of strains can be distinguished. The MRSA from three outbreaks in one country share identical characters. Phage typing by the use of the International Basic Set for Phage Typing staphylococci as well as experimental phages does not completely discriminate between the strains. Attribution of several resistance determinants to plasmids in two of the described strain groups proved valuable for strain differentiation. These multiply-resistant strains are sensitive to vancomycin and to rifampicin.