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Healthcare-associated outbreaks and community-acquired infections due to MRSA carrying the Panton-Valentine leucocidin gene in southeastern Germany

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Abstract

In response to several isolations of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carrying the Panton-Valentine leucocidin gene (PVL-MRSA), the present study was conducted to document the spread of infection in a small region of southeastern Germany. During a 9-month period, two healthcare-associated outbreaks with PVL-MRSA occurred, affecting 83 patients, personnel and contacts of personnel, and 34 additional cases were detected in the community. The clinical spectrum ranged from colonization to skin infection and necrotizing pneumonia. The findings represent the largest number of PVL-MRSA cases detected in Germany so far, and demonstrate the potential of this emerging pathogen to spread within the community and in healthcare institutions.

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Acknowledgments

We thank E. Kleingütl (Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany) and D. Döring (Altenheim Pro-Seniore, Straubing, Germany) for assistance in the screening of outbreak I. We thank Dr. med. F. Buchwald (synlab, Weiden, Germany), Dr. med. J. Huber (Klinikum Deggendorf, Deggendorf, Germany) and Dr. med. J. Matthes (Miclab GmbH, Neuötting, Germany) for provision of isolates. We thank M. Werkmann (Mikrobiologisches Labor, Klinikum Straubing, Germany) for laboratory assistance in the screening of outbreak I

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93049, Regensburg, Germany

    H. Linde, U. Reischl, U. Raab & N. Lehn

  2. Urologische Klinik, Klinikum St. Elisabeth, St.-Elisabethstraße 23, 94315, Straubing, Germany

    F. Wagenlehner & K. G. Naber

  3. Nationales Referenzzentrum für Staphylokokken, Robert-Koch-Institut, Postfach, 38843, Wernigerode, Germany

    B. Strommenger & W. Witte

  4. Hygieneabteilung, Klinikum Fürth, Jakob-Henle-Straße 1, 90766, Fürth, Germany

    I. Drubel

  5. Seniorenheim St. Nikola, Pfauenstraße 8, 94315, Straubing, Germany

    J. Tanzer

  6. Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit – LGL, Veterinärstraße 2, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany

    C. Höller

  7. Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Abteilung für Innere Medizin I, Infektiologie, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93049, Regensburg, Germany

    F. Hanses & B. Salzberger

Authors
  1. H. Linde
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  2. F. Wagenlehner
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  3. B. Strommenger
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  4. I. Drubel
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  5. J. Tanzer
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  6. U. Reischl
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  7. U. Raab
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  8. C. Höller
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  9. K. G. Naber
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  10. W. Witte
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  11. F. Hanses
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  12. B. Salzberger
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  13. N. Lehn
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Linde.

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Linde, H., Wagenlehner, F., Strommenger, B. et al. Healthcare-associated outbreaks and community-acquired infections due to MRSA carrying the Panton-Valentine leucocidin gene in southeastern Germany. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 24, 419–422 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-005-1341-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-005-1341-7

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