Staphylococcus Aureus Colonization Study

Title: Colonization by Staphylococcus aureus Among Ugandan Adults: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Lead Investigator: Curtis J. Donskey, MD

Co-Investigators: Shelley Chang, BS, Achilles Katamba, MBChB, DSc, PhD, Stephen Asiimwe, MBchB, MS, Ajay K. Sethi, PhD, MHS

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) among Ugandan adults and to specifically examine risk factors for MRSA carriage, involvement in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI), and the impact of HIV status on MRSA carriage and/or clinical involvement.

Specific Aims

  1. To determine the prevalence of nasal colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in healthcare seeking population, their family, and healthcare workers at two clinics in Uganda and to determine the proportion of MRSA due to community-acquired (CA) MRSA versus healthcare-acquired (HA) strains.
  2. To determine A) the prevalence of CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA isolated from skin and wounds and immediate environments of patients presenting with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) and wounds, B) the antibiotic susceptibility of isolates and appropriateness of empiric treatments prescribed, and to C) identify clinical risk factors for MRSA involvement that can be used to guide empiric therapy in patients with SSTI.
  3. To determine whether there is an association A) between HIV status and MRSA nasal carriage among general health seeking population B) between HIV status and body sites colonized by MRSA among patients presenting with SSTI and wounds.