Diversity of SCCmec Elements in Staphylococcus aureus as Observed in South-Eastern Germany.

SCCmec elements are very important mobile genetic elements in Staphylococci that carry beta-lactam resistance genes mecA/mecC, recombinase genes and a variety of accessory genes. Twelve main types and a couple of variants have yet been described. In addition, there are also other SCC elements harbouring other markers.

[Cologne Statement for Medical Care of Refugees].

The Cologne statement resulted from both regional and nationwide controversial discussions about meaning and purpose of an initial examination for infectious diseases of refugees with respect to limited time, personnel and financial resources. Refugees per se are no increased infection risk factors for the general population as well as aiders, when the aiders comply with general hygiene rules and are vaccinated according to the recommendations of the German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO). This is supported by our own data.

[Medical Care for Refugees by the Public Health Services: Always Ready--But for How Much Longer?].

Refugees continue seeking sanctuary in Germany and it can reasonably be expected that their health will be affected by the conditions they lived in before and during flight. Ensuring nationwide care for refugees should be demand oriented, effective and efficient, which requires tackling mostly similar challenges a community level in a consistent manner. The aim must be providing adequate medical care based on the principle of respect for human dignity and ensuring public health standards.

DNA microarray-based typing of Streptococcus agalactiae isolates.

Streptococcus agalactiae frequently colonizes the urogenital tract, and it is a major cause of bacterial septicemia, meningitis, and pneumonia in newborns. For typing purposes, a microarray targeting group B streptococcus (GBS) virulence-associated markers and resistance genes was designed and validated with reference strains, as well as clinical and veterinary isolates. Selected isolates were also subjected to multilocus sequence typing.

[Sexual health in Germany: indicators as instruments for describing, planning and evaluating : indicators of the German STI society].

In June 2012 the "Sexual Health" section of the German STI Society (DSTIG) adopted a set of indicators for sexual health in order to depict the sexual health status of people in Germany, as well as to plan and evaluate activities for the improvement of sexual health as a whole. The compiled indicators are measures for determining sexual health in Germany. A logical, convincingly conclusive and yet manageable list of indicators is presented on the basis of the draft submittals of the World Health Organization (WHO).

[Observing migration and deficiencies in health care - STD center at the Cologne Municipal Health Department].

Background: In spite of the compulsory health insurance in Germany, many people only have limited access to medical services. This has serious consequences, especially in the field of sexual health. The affected people are not only undocumented migrants, but also many people from the new European Union countries who are temporarily living in Germany.

Molecular epidemiology and characterisation of MRSA isolates from Trinidad and Tobago.

Eighty methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from three hospitals in Trinidad and Tobago were collected and genotyped using microarray hybridisation. They were found to belong to three distinct MRSA strains. Of the 80 isolates, 76 were assigned to ST239-MRSA-III.

[Are we testing the right people? Results of a patient questionnaire in the STD and HIV counselling office of the local health authority in the city of Cologne].

Background: HIV testing and counselling is offered free of charge in most local health offices in Germany. During 2003, a survey was performed among German-speaking clients of the Cologne local health office to look at socio-demographic background, reasons for testing and sexual risk behaviour.

Methods: All German-speaking clients attending the HIV counselling office from March to July 2003 were asked to fill in an anonymous standardised questionnaire.

[Anonymous STD counselling versus mandatory checks for prostitutes--what is effective in STD prevention?].

Background: When in 2001 in Germany the new act for control of infectious diseases came into force, mandatory checks for prostitutes were abolished. The consequences of this paradigm shift in STD prevention are being judged controversially even today. The public health department of the city of Cologne, like others, adapted its programme, staff, equipment, and diagnostic procedures to the new requirements.

[Effect of plasmapheresis treatment on immunoglobulin and immune complex levels in patients following kidney transplantation].

Five patients who received cadaver kidneys between May 1982 and January 1983 in the Kidney Transplant Centre in Berlin were subjected to two plasmapheresis (= pph.) treatments in addition to basic immunosuppression with Prednisolone and Azathioprine. The decision to use pph.

[1st results with the Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA) test in blood stains].

Bloodstains were produced from probationers who had had syphilis at some time in their lives and from others whose anamnesis had no indication of syphilis. After storage the stain eluates underwent the treponema-pallidum-haemagglutination (TPHA) test, with the eluates' IgG content being adapted to a concentration adequate to the test conditions. The results received from the stain eluates of the previous syphilis patients corresponded in 85% of the cases with the serum findings of these probationers.