What is the Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Presenting to the Emergency Departments of a Canadian Academic Health Care Center?

NCT00736554 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: R-08-17313871E
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 152
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacteria responsible for skin, bone, and muscle infections. Recent studies from the United States have suggested that a type of this bacterium called methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has become dramatically more common, especially the community strain. However, Canadian data is still largely lacking. This study aims to determine the prevalence of community acquired (CA) MRSA among patients presenting with skin and soft tissue infections to the Urgent Care Center and Emergency Departments in London, Ontario. This will be determined by taking swabs at enrollment from patient's noses, throats, and sites of infection. Patients will be asked to complete a health questionnaire with the goal of identifying risk factors associated with CA-MRSA. Through follow-up swabs of participants' noses and throats at one and three months, the effects of treatment on patient's carrying MRSA will be determined. Results may be used to form guidelines for empirical S aureus treatment in the region, reducing possible morbidity and mortality from delayed or suboptimal treatment of CA-MRSA infections. Improved understanding of risk factors associated with MRSA infection in a Canadian setting, may also change the practice of physicians considering empiric antibiotic therapy for skin and soft tissue infections.

Conditions

Bacterial Infections; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Staphylococcal Infections

Keywords

Staphylococcus aureus; CA-MRSA; skin and soft tissue infections; resistance; emergency department

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Selection of Participants: The objective of this prospective study is to determine the prevalence of MRSA and community acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) in adult patients (\>17 yrs old) presenting with skin or soft tissue infections to the emergency departments (EDs) of an academic health care setting in London, Ontario.

You may qualify if:

• All adult patients (\> 17 years) whose chief complaint is consistent with skin or soft tissue infection (cellulitis, necrotizing soft tissue infection, wound infection, ulcer, septic bursitis, abscess including furuncle/carbuncle/superficial skin abscess, paronychia, hordeolum, pilonidal abscess, acute lymphadenitis, pilonidal cyst without abscess, and impetigo).

You may not qualify if:

• Patients will be excluded if they refuse to participate or written, informed consent is not obtained.
• Additionally, patients with Bartholin cysts, odontogenic infections and perianal abscesses will be excluded.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's: lead
• Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

London Health Sciences Centre

London, Ontario, N6A 5W9, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bacterial Infections; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Staphylococcal Infections; Soft Tissue Infections; Emergencies

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Bacterial Infections and Mycoses; Infections; Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Christopher MB Fernandes, FRCP, FACEP, MD

  The University of Western Ontario

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 14, 2008
• First Posted: August 18, 2008
• Study Start: July 1, 2008
• Primary Completion: September 1, 2008
• Study Completion: November 1, 2008
• Last Updated: January 5, 2011

Record last verified: 2011-01

Locations

CA (1)