Extrait

Background and study aims Staphylococcus aureus is a germ (bacterium) that lives on the skin and in the nose of approximately 30 in 100 people. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of S.aureus that has become resistant to penicillin and similar antibiotics. Over the past few decades the incidence of MRSA infections has increased and certain strains of MRSA have become dominant in hospitals. The UK Department of Health has instituted mandatory surveillance of MRSA blood stream infections (bacteraemias) and this has resulted in a reduction in MRSA bacteraemia. However, MRSA continues to cause a considerable burden of illness and death. One of the problems in controlling MRSA infection is that we do not understand why certain MRSA strains are more successful than others or exactly how they are transmitted between patients and between hospitals. Understanding these factors will help us to identify potential control points for intervention. Who can participate? All individuals with MRSA carriage or infection admitted to the study hospitals may participate in the study. Participants may be any age and male or female. What does the study involve? We are conducting a study to look at genetic diversity and geographical distribution of MRSA in the UK. This will be achieved by collecting clinical and laboratory information and bacterial isolates from 3,300 patients with MRSA carriage and infection. We are collecting bacterial samples from these patients and performing genetic tests (whole genome sequencing) to determine the genetic differences between strains. We are examining patient movements within a hospital and between hospitals in the UK. By combining this information we hope to learn more about genetic differences in MRSA and transmission pathways. All clinical data and bacterial samples are being collected as part of routine clinical care. There are no study-specific interventions although all patients will receive treatment for MRSA colonisation or infection as part of routine clinical care. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? There are no benefits to the individual patient in taking part. However, information that is obtained from the study may help to inform local infection control practices and public health policy. The risks of participation are negligible as no additional samples will be taken and no additional procedures will be performed. Where is the study run from? The study is being conducted by the University of Cambridge. The lead site will be the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and additional sites have been identified in England. Bacterial isolates are being sequenced at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? The study started in April 2012 and is expected to run for 2 years. Who is funding the study? The study is being funded by UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) Translational Infection Research Initiative, the Health Protection Agency and the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (UK). Who is the main contact? Professor Sharon Peacock [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Liens

• ictrp
• isrctn