W Witte

Publications of W Witte

• Evaluation of adding a second marker to overcome Staphylococcus aureus spa-typing homoplasies.

  Authors: P Basset, U Nübel, W Witte, D S Blanc

  Journal of clinical microbiology. 01/2012;

  The utility of sequencing a second highly variable locus in addition to the spa gene (e.g. DLST) was investigated to overcome limitations of a Staphylococcus aureus single-locus typing method.The utility of sequencing a second highly variable locus in addition to the spa gene (e.g. DLST) was investigated to overcome limitations of a Staphylococcus aureus single-locus typing method. Although adding a second locus seemed to increase discriminatory power, it was not sufficient to definitely infer evolutionary relationships within a single multilocus sequence type (ST-5).

• Recognition of Clostridium difficile PCR-ribotypes 001, 027 and 126/078 using an extended MALDI-TOF MS system.

  Authors: M Reil, M Erhard, E J Kuijper, M Kist, H Zaiss, W Witte, H Gruber, S Borgmann

  European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology. 04/2011; 30(11):1431-6.

  During the last decade, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) increased markedly inside as well as outside of hospitals. In association with the occurrence of new hypervirulent C. difficile strains,During the last decade, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) increased markedly inside as well as outside of hospitals. In association with the occurrence of new hypervirulent C. difficile strains, CDI became more important. Until now typing of C. difficile strains has been enabled by PCR-ribotyping. However, this method is restricted to specialized laboratories combined with high maintenance cost. Therefore, we tested MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for typing of C. difficile to provide a fast method for surveillance of CDI. Using a standard set of 25 different C. difficile PCR ribotypes a database was made by different mass spectra recorded in the SARAMIS software (AnagnosTec, Zossen, Germany). The database was validated with 355 C. difficile strains belonging to 29 different PCR ribotypes collected prospectively from all submitted feces samples in 2009. The most frequent PCR ribotypes were type 001 (70%), 027 (4.8%) and 078/126 (4.7%). All three types were recognized by MALDI-TOF MS. We conclude that an extended MALDI-TOF system was capable to recognize specific markers for ribotypes 001, 027 and 078/126 allowing an effective identification of these strains.

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): burden of disease and control challenges in Europe.

  Authors: R Köck, K Becker, B Cookson, J E van Gemert-Pijnen, S Harbarth, J Kluytmans, M Mielke, G Peters, R L Skov, M J Struelens, E Tacconelli, A Navarro Torné, W Witte, A W Friedrich

  Euro surveillance : bulletin européen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin. 01/2010; 15(41):19688.

  Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isa major cause of healthcare- and community-associated infections worldwide. Within the healthcare setting alone, MRSA infections are estimated toMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isa major cause of healthcare- and community-associated infections worldwide. Within the healthcare setting alone, MRSA infections are estimated to affect more than 150,000 patients annually in the European Union (EU), resulting in attributable extra in-hospital costs of EUR 380 million for EU healthcare systems. Pan-European surveillance data on bloodstream infections show marked variability among EU Member States in the proportion of S. aureus that are methicillin-resistant, ranging from less than 1% to more than 50%. In the past five years, the MRSA bacteraemia rates have decreased significantly in 10 EU countries with higher endemic rates of MRSA infections. In addition to healthcare-associated infections, new MRSA strains have recently emerged as community and livestock-associated human pathogens in most EU Member States. The prevention and control of MRSA have therefore been identified as public health priorities in the EU. In this review, we describe the current burden of MRSA infections in healthcare and community settings across Europe and outline the main threats caused by recent changes in the epidemiology of MRSA. Thereby, we aim at identifying unmet needs of surveillance, prevention and control of MRSA in Europe.

• Prevalence and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among pigs on German farms and import of livestock-related MRSA into hospitals.

  Authors: R Köck, J. Harlizius, N. Bressan, R. Laerberg, L Wieler, W Witte, R Deurenberg, A Voss, K Becker, A Friedrich

  European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology. 09/2009;

  The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among pigs and estimate the impact of this animal reservoir onThe aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among pigs and estimate the impact of this animal reservoir on human healthcare. Nasal swabs were derived from 1,600 pigs at 40 German farms. The MRSA were characterized using S. aureus protein A (spa) typing, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and detection of toxin genes. In a retrospective case control study, we compared risk factors for the carriage of MRSA between patients carrying spa types found among regional pigs and patients with other MRSA molecular types. Pigs carrying MRSA were identified on 70% of the farms (spa types t011, t034, t108, t1451 and t2510, all associated with MLST sequence type ST398). Contact to pigs and cattle were independent risk factors for the carriage of these spa types in patients at hospital admission. Our results indicate that livestock represents a relevant reservoir for the import of MRSA into regional German hospitals.

• Laboratory tools and strategies for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus screening, surveillance and typing: state of the art and unmet needs.

  Authors: M J Struelens, P M Hawkey, G L French, W Witte, E Tacconelli

  Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 03/2009; 15(2):112-9.

  The public health burden caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections is now widely recognized, and is a cause of public alarm. Effective MRSA risk management in theThe public health burden caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections is now widely recognized, and is a cause of public alarm. Effective MRSA risk management in the healthcare system as well as in the community should rely on accurate detection of reservoirs and sources of transmission, as well as on close monitoring of the impact of interventions on disease incidence and bacterial dissemination. MRSA carrier screening and disease surveillance, coupled with molecular typing, are key information tools for integrated MRSA control and individual risk assessment. These tools should be tailored to the distinct needs of local interventions and national prevention programmes. Surveillance schemes should primarily inform local staff and serve as quality assurance about MRSA risk management. New technologies, including the use of selective culture media and real-time PCR assays, allow faster detection of MRSA carriers upon admission or during stay in healthcare institutions. More research is needed to ascertain their cost-effectiveness for MRSA control. Likewise, tremendous progress has been made concerning molecular typing methods, with optimization and standardization of sequence-based technologies offering broad applicability and high throughput. However, no single S. aureus typing method is yet providing fully reliable information within the range of discrimination needed for public health action. Further refinement of genotyping methods and international harmonization of surveillance and typing schemes must be achieved to facilitate global MRSA control.

• Emergence and spread of vancomycin resistance among enterococci in Europe.

  Authors: G Werner, Tm Coque, Am Hammerum, R Hope, W Hryniewicz, A Johnson, I Klare, Kg Kristinsson, R Leclercq, Ch Lester [......] C Novais, B. Olsson-Liljequist, Lv Peixe, E Sadowy, Gs Simonsen, J. Top, J Vuopio-Varkila, Rj Willems, W Witte, N Woodford

  Euro surveillance : bulletin européen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin. 12/2008; 13(47).

  Nowadays, six types of acquired vancomycin resistance in enterococci are known; however, only VanA and to a lesser extent VanB are widely prevalent. Various genes encode acquired vancomycinNowadays, six types of acquired vancomycin resistance in enterococci are known; however, only VanA and to a lesser extent VanB are widely prevalent. Various genes encode acquired vancomycin resistance and these are typically associated with mobile genetic elements which allow resistance to spread clonally and laterally.

• A European laboratory network for sequence-based typing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as a communication platform between human and veterinary medicine--an update on SeqNet.org.

  Authors: A W Friedrich, W Witte, H de Lencastre, W Hryniewicz, J Scheres, H Westh

  Euro surveillance : bulletin européen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin. 06/2008; 13(19).

• [Occurrence of MRSA in pigs and in humans involved in pig production--preliminary results of a study in the northwest of Germany]

  Authors: D Meemken, C Cuny, W Witte, U Eichler, R Staudt, T Blaha

  DTW. Deutsche tierärztliche Wochenschrift. 05/2008; 115(4):132-9.

  In 2007, 678 pigs of all age groups out of 347 different farms from Lower Saxony and Northrhine-Westphalia and 86 persons occupationally exposed to pigs were investigated for their nasal colonisationIn 2007, 678 pigs of all age groups out of 347 different farms from Lower Saxony and Northrhine-Westphalia and 86 persons occupationally exposed to pigs were investigated for their nasal colonisation with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus areus (MRSA) by the Field Station for Epidemiology of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover and the Robert Koch-Institute. At the individual animal level, a frequency of positive results of 13% (n = 85 positive animals) and at the herd level, a frequency of positive results of 18% (n = 62 positive herds) were found. All isolates were assigned to the Multilocus Sequence Typing Type ST398. Within MRSA-positive herds, there were more MRSA-negative than MRSA-positive animals. Among the occupationally exposed persons (veterinarians, laboratory personnel and meat inspection personnel), 20 persons (23%) showed a nasal colonisation with MRSA ST398. A quite strong association between the intensity of the contact to pigs with the frequency of nasal colonisation in the occupationally exposed persons was detected. None of the animals or the humans nasally colonised by MRSA ST398 showed any clinical symptoms of a staphylococcal infection. Conclusions are drawn on the herd and intra-herd prevalence of the nasal colonisation of pigs with MRSA ST398 in pigs, but especially on which questions need to be addressed by further research.

• 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.

• Management of a large healthcare-associated outbreak of Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Germany.

  Authors: F M E Wagenlehner, K G Naber, E Bambl, U Raab, C Wagenlehner, D Kahlau, C Höller, W Witte, W Weidner, N Lehn, S Harbarth, H J Linde

  The Journal of hospital infection. 11/2007; 67(2):114-20.

  We report the largest documented healthcare-associated outbreak of Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (PVL(+) MRSA) in Europe. Six index patients fromWe report the largest documented healthcare-associated outbreak of Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (PVL(+) MRSA) in Europe. Six index patients from three long-term care facilities (LTCFs) were screened positive for PVL(+) MRSA in 2004 on admission to a community hospital in Germany. The purpose of this prospective study was to describe the prevalence of PVL(+) MRSA in the LTCFs before and after infection control interventions. Screening for MRSA with or without PVL was performed in all three LTCFs in 2004 [453 residents, 240 healthcare workers (HCWs)] and 2005 (440 residents, 192 HCWs). Swabs from anterior nares and wounds, if applicable, were collected. Colonised residents and staff were treated with mupirocin nasal ointment and topical antiseptics, and staff were provided with hygiene education. Total MRSA carrier rate of residents and HCWs in 2004 was 11.3% (PVL(+) MRSA 9.1%, PVL(-) MRSA 2.2%). There were comparable carrier rates between residents and HCWs in each LTCF. All PVL(+) MRSA isolates were of clonal origin (MLST 22) representing a novel spa sequence type t310. A decrease in total MRSA prevalence (from 11.3 to 5.5%) and PVL(+) MRSA (from 9.1 to 3.3%) was observed in 2005. The rate of PVL(-) MRSA remained unaffected. No symptomatic skin infections were noted among residents or HCWs. In this outbreak incomplete control of PVL(+) MRSA presumably resulted from difficult and delayed detection and decolonisation of carriers, incomplete compliance with control measures and lack of enforcement by public health authorities.

• Clonal distribution of superantigen genes in clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates.

  Authors: S Holtfreter, D Grumann, M Schmudde, H T T Nguyen, P Eichler, B Strommenger, K Kopron, J Kolata, S Giedrys-Kalemba, I Steinmetz, W Witte, B M Bröker

  Journal of clinical microbiology. 09/2007; 45(8):2669-80.

  Staphylococcus aureus is both a successful human commensal and a major pathogen. The elucidation of the molecular determinants of virulence, in particular assessment of the contributions of theStaphylococcus aureus is both a successful human commensal and a major pathogen. The elucidation of the molecular determinants of virulence, in particular assessment of the contributions of the genetic background versus those of mobile genetic elements (MGEs), has proved difficult in this variable species. To address this, we simultaneously determined the genetic backgrounds (spa typing) and the distributions of all 19 known superantigens and the exfoliative toxins A and D (multiplex PCR) as markers for MGEs. Methicillin- sensitive S. aureus strains from Pomerania, 107 nasal and 88 blood culture isolates, were investigated. All superantigen-encoding MGEs were linked more or less tightly to the genetic background. Thus, each S. aureus clonal complex was characterized by a typical repertoire of superantigen and exfoliative toxin genes. However, within each S. aureus clonal complex and even within the same spa type, virulence gene profiles varied remarkably. Therefore, virulence genes of nasal and blood culture isolates were separately compared in each clonal complex. The results indicated a role in infection for the MGE harboring the exfoliative toxin D gene. In contrast, there was no association of superantigen genes with bloodstream invasion. In summary, we show here that the simultaneous assessment of virulence gene profiles and the genetic background increases the discriminatory power of genetic investigations into the mechanisms of S. aureus pathogenesis.

• Detection of low-level oxacillin resistance in mecA-positive Staphylococcus aureus.

  Authors: W Witte, B Pasemann, C Cuny

  Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 04/2007; 13(4):408-12.

  Detection of low-level oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a problem that needs special attention, particularly in relation to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains in the communityDetection of low-level oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a problem that needs special attention, particularly in relation to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains in the community that belong to clonal lineage ST80. This study compared different phenotypic methods for the detection of 74 low-level oxacillin-resistant S. aureus strains (oxacillin MIC <or=1 mg/L), 46 MRSA strains (oxacillin MIC >or=2 mg/L) and 117 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus strains. Determination of microbroth dilution MICs for oxacillin was wholly unsatisfactory, and gave a limited specificity for cefoxitin. The sensitivity of disk-diffusion performed according to CLSI recommendations was 92% with an oxacillin 1-microg disk, and 96% with a cefoxitin 30-microg disk; use of a 10-microg cefoxitin disk and a semi-confluent inoculum (breakpoint for resistance <18 mm zone diameter) gave a sensitivity of 97%. When disk-diffusion was performed on IsoSensitest agar with a zone diameter breakpoint for resistance of <22 mm (as recommended by the Swedish Reference Group for Antibiotics), the sensitivity was 95%.

• Direct detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in clinical specimens by a nucleic acid-based hybridisation assay.

  Authors: M Holfelder, U Eigner, A-M Turnwald, W Witte, M Weizenegger, A Fahr

  Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 01/2007; 12(12):1163-7.

  The occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is still increasing worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and hospital costs. Screening for MRSA playsThe occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is still increasing worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and hospital costs. Screening for MRSA plays a key role in limiting further nosocomial spread of this organism. Control measures require a rapid and sensitive test for direct detection of MRSA carriage. This study evaluated an easy-to-use PCR-hybridisation assay for the direct detection of MRSA in clinical swab specimens. In total, 508 pairs of swabs from 242 patients at risk for MRSA carriage were analysed by the standard culture method and the PCR assay. One swab was used for PCR and culture, while the second was used for culture only. Of the 508 pairs tested, 37 were positive by culture and 35 were positive by PCR. Among the 471 culture-negative specimens, 465 were negative by PCR and six were PCR-positive. The PCR assay had a sensitivity of 94.59%, a specificity of 98.73%, a positive predictive value of 85.37%, and a negative predictive value of 99.57%. The PCR-hybridisation assay enabled reliable detection of MRSA carriage in c. 4 h, thereby allowing its effective use in an MRSA control strategy.

• Assignment of Staphylococcus isolates to groups by spa typing, SmaI macrorestriction analysis, and multilocus sequence typing.

  Authors: B Strommenger, C Kettlitz, T Weniger, D Harmsen, A W Friedrich, W Witte

  Journal of clinical microbiology. 08/2006; 44(7):2533-40.

  The implementation of the new clustering algorithm Based Upon Repeat Pattern (BURP) into the Ridom StaphType software tool enables clustering based on spa typing data for Staphylococcus aureus. WeThe implementation of the new clustering algorithm Based Upon Repeat Pattern (BURP) into the Ridom StaphType software tool enables clustering based on spa typing data for Staphylococcus aureus. We compared clustering results obtained by spa typing/BURP to those obtained by currently well-established methods, i.e., SmaI macrorestriction analysis and multilocus sequence typing/eBURST. A total of 99 clinical S. aureus strains, including MRSA and representing major clonal lineages associated with important kinds of infections which have been prevalent in Germany and Central Europe during the last 10 years, were used for comparison. SmaI macrorestriction analysis revealed the highest discriminatory power, and clustering results for all three methods resulted in concordance values ranging from 96.8% between the two sequence-based methods to 93.4% between spa typing/BURP and SmaI macrorestriction/cluster analysis. The results of this study indicate that spa typing, together with BURP clustering, is a useful tool in S. aureus epidemiology, especially because of ease of use and the advantages of unambiguous sequence analysis as well as reproducibility and exchange of typing data.

• [Control of methicillin-resistant S. aureus by active surveillance. Results of a workshop held by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie]

  Authors: A Kola, I F Chaberny, F Mattner, U Reischl, R-P Vonberg, K Weist, C Wendt, W Witte, S Ziesing, S Suerbaum, P Gastmeier

  Der Anaesthesist. 07/2006; 55(7):778-83.

  In Germany, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is increasing continuously. To control the spread of MRSA, active surveillance and admission screening are recommended. In most cases, screeningIn Germany, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is increasing continuously. To control the spread of MRSA, active surveillance and admission screening are recommended. In most cases, screening cultures of patients at risk for MRSA will be sufficient. Screening of all patients admitted to an ICU is cost-effective when the incidence of MRSA and nosocomial MRSA infections is high (>2 cases/100 patients and 0.3 MRSA infections/100 patients, respectively): Under these circumstances, a decrease in the incidence of nosocomial MRSA infections of 50% leads to cost-effectiveness at costs of 16 Euro/sample (including subsequent costs). If the incidence of nosocomial MRSA infections decreases by 75%, costs of 24 Euro/sample (including subsequent costs) are cost-effective. If the incidence of MRSA is high, screening by PCR may be cost-effective for patients at high risk for MRSA, especially if they are isolated prophylactically. Recently, PCR methods have been developed which allow the specific identification of MRSA even from nasal swabs.

• Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

  Authors: D Orth, K Grif, L Erdenechimeg, C Battogtokh, T Hosbayar, B Strommenger, C Cuny, G Walder, C Lass-Flörl, M P Dierich, W Witte

  European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology. 03/2006; 25(2):104-7.

  In order to expand current knowledge of the types of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains circulating in central Asia, six MRSA strains collected from hospitals in Ulaanbaatar,In order to expand current knowledge of the types of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains circulating in central Asia, six MRSA strains collected from hospitals in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia during 2000-2002 were examined. Three strains possessed a staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) element of type IV c, were sequence type (ST) 154 according to multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and contained lukS-lukF (Panton-Valentine leukocidin). Another three strains contained a SCCmec element of type III and were MLST type ST 239. Using automated ribotyping, the six MRSA strains were divided into four different EcoRI ribotypes, and two groups of isolates were distinguished by means of SmaI-macrorestriction patterns. In comparison to other countries, the incidence of MRSA in Mongolia is low.

• High interlaboratory reproducibility of DNA sequence-based typing of bacteria in a multicenter study.

  Authors: M Aires de Sousa, K Boye, H de Lencastre, A Deplano, M C Enright, J Etienne, A Friedrich, D Harmsen, A Holmes, X.W. Huijsdens [......] J K Rasheed, E. Spalburg, B Strommenger, M J Struelens, F C Tenover, J Thomas, U Vogel, H Westh, J Xu, W Witte

  Journal of clinical microbiology. 03/2006; 44(2):619-21.

  Current DNA amplification-based typing methods for bacterial pathogens often lack interlaboratory reproducibility. In this international study, DNA sequence-based typing of the Staphylococcus aureusCurrent DNA amplification-based typing methods for bacterial pathogens often lack interlaboratory reproducibility. In this international study, DNA sequence-based typing of the Staphylococcus aureus protein A gene (spa, 110 to 422 bp) showed 100% intra- and interlaboratory reproducibility without extensive harmonization of protocols for 30 blind-coded S. aureus DNA samples sent to 10 laboratories. Specialized software for automated sequence analysis ensured a common typing nomenclature.

• Emergence of MRSA infections in horses in a veterinary hospital: strain characterisation and comparison with MRSA from humans.

  Authors: C Cuny, J Kuemmerle, C Stanek, B Willey, B Strommenger, W Witte

  Euro surveillance : bulletin européen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin. 02/2006; 11(1):44-7.

  Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has become an emerging public health problem worldwide, no longer only associated with healthcare-associated infections. With the exception of some recentMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus has become an emerging public health problem worldwide, no longer only associated with healthcare-associated infections. With the exception of some recent reports concerning infections in cats, dogs and horses, infections with MRSA in companion animals have been infrequently reported. Here we submit findings for MRSA infections in horses in a central European university hospital.