title: Staphylococcal disease in Africa: another neglected 'tropical' disease.
abstract: The term 'neglected tropical diseases' predominantly refers to single-entity, mostly parasitic diseases. However, a considerable morbidity and mortality burden is carried by patients infected with Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative bacilli that are prevalent all over the world, yet have impact in tropical and developing countries, particularly in children, with much higher incidence rates than those reported from developed countries. Staphylococcus aureus is among these pathogens. The African-German StaphNet consortium uses microbiological characterization of African S. aureus isolates, including identification of virulence factors, alongside the gathering of epidemiological and clinical data in an innovative research network between a European country (Germany) and several African partners. By creating an accessible strain repository and by implementing personnel training and capacity building, this network aims to put staphylococcal disease on the international agenda as a truly neglected condition with a major global impact on public health.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology & Hygiene, University of Saarland Medical Center, Homburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: Salim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdullah
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alabi
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: Alexander W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.forename: Günther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fuhr
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Germann
authors.forename: Winfried V
authors.initials: WV
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Kremsner
authors.forename: Inacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mandomando
authors.forename: Alexander C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Mellmann
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pluschke
authors.forename: Siegbert
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rieg
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ruffing
authors.forename: Frieder
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schaumburg
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanner
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Hagen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: von Briesen
authors.forename: Christof
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: von Eiff
authors.forename: Lutz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: von Müller
authors.forename: Martin P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Grobusch
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D058069:Neglected Diseases; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D014330:Tropical Medicine