This application for a K23 Career Development Award proposes a four-year program to provide the candidate with mentored training in patient-oriented research, protected time, and coursework in advanced epidemiology, biostatistics, and community-based participatory research. The long- term goals of the candidate are to become an independent physician-scientist at an academic medical center, investigating the epidemiology of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA- MRSA) and the molecular mechanisms driving staphylococcal transmission, leading to the development of novel methods for the prevention and treatment of CA-MRSA infections. The proposed work will be performed at Washington University and St. Louis Children's Hospital under the mentorship of Victoria Fraser, M.D., an accomplished clinical investigator in infectious diseases epidemiology. A faculty advisory committee consisting of experienced clinical and basic researchers will facilitate the candidate's research and career development. Epidemic strains of CA-MRSA cause significant morbidity and mortality among immunocompetent individuals, especially children, ranging from superficial cutaneous abscesses to invasive infections. CA- MRSA infections have been observed to cluster in households. However, the interplay of household colonization pressure and transmission, hygiene and behavioral risk factors, and environmental contamination influencing CA-MRSA colonization and infection has not been specified. These risk factors must be defined to develop evidence-based guidelines to interrupt CA-MRSA transmission and prevent infections. Understanding the impact of these variables will inform practice to improve health and decrease the burden of CA-MRSA colonization and disease. Preliminary studies demonstrate that household members of index patients with CA-MRSA infection and colonization are also colonized with CA-MRSA. A one-year prospective cohort study of 135 pediatric patients with CA-MRSA infection and their household members will be performed. Using mixed effects logistic regression modeling, the relationships among risk factors at multiple levels (including household colonization pressure, host behavioral practices, and contamination of household surfaces) will be elucidated to identify factors conferring the greatest risks for CA-MRSA colonization, infection, and transmission. Three integrated specific aims are proposed: 1) Define the transmission dynamics of CA-MRSA colonization and infection among pediatric index patients and their household contacts over one year, and determine the contribution of CA-MRSA colonization to subsequent CA-MRSA infection;2) Identify hygiene and behavioral practices contributing to CA-MRSA transmission, colonization, and infection within households;and 3) Determine the role of environmental contamination and household characteristics in household CA-MRSA transmission. PROJECT NARRATIVE: Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is a significant public health problem causing infections in healthy people. The proposed research will define how CA-MRSA is transmitted within households and identify risk factors for colonization and infection. The results will be used to design interventions to prevent CA-MRSA infections.

Public Health Relevance

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is a significant public health problem causing infections in healthy people. The proposed research will define how CA-MRSA is transmitted within households and identify risk factors for colonization and infection. The results will be used to design interventions to prevent CA-MRSA infections.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
5K23AI091690-03
Application #
8475541
Study Section
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases B Subcommittee (MID)
Program Officer
Huntley, Clayton C
Project Start
2011-07-01
Project End
2015-06-30
Budget Start
2013-07-01
Budget End
2014-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$126,506
Indirect Cost
$9,223
Name
Washington University
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Hogan, Patrick G; Mork, Ryan L; Boyle, Mary G et al. (2018) Interplay of personal, pet, and environmental colonization in households affected by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. J Infect :
Parrish, Katelyn L; Hogan, Patrick G; Clemons 2nd, Arvon A et al. (2018) Spatial relationships among public places frequented by families plagued by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. BMC Res Notes 11:692
Muenks, Carol E; Hogan, Patrick G; Burnham, Carey-Ann D et al. (2018) Comparing the Yield of Staphylococcus aureus Recovery with Static versus Agitated Broth Incubation. J Pathog 2018:1462671
Muenks, Carol E; Sewell, Whitney C; Hogan, Patrick G et al. (2018) Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: The Effects Are More Than Skin Deep. J Pediatr 199:158-165
Mork, Ryan L; Hogan, Patrick G; Muenks, Carol E et al. (2018) Comprehensive modeling reveals proximity, seasonality, and hygiene practices as key determinants of MRSA colonization in exposed households. Pediatr Res 84:668-676
Burnham, C A; Hogan, Patrick G; Wallace, Meghan A et al. (2016) Topical Decolonization Does Not Eradicate the Skin Microbiota of Community-Dwelling or Hospitalized Adults. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 60:7303-7312
Muenks, Carol E; Hogan, Patrick G; Wang, Jeffrey W et al. (2016) Diversity of Staphylococcus aureus strains colonizing various niches of the human body. J Infect 72:698-705
Reich, P J; Boyle, M G; Hogan, P G et al. (2016) Emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains in the neonatal intensive care unit: an infection prevention and patient safety challenge. Clin Microbiol Infect 22:645.e1-8
Wang, Jeffrey W; Hogan, Patrick G; Hunstad, David A et al. (2015) Vitamin D sufficiency and Staphylococcus aureus infection in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 34:544-5
Rodriguez, Marcela; Hogan, Patrick G; Satola, Sarah W et al. (2015) Discriminatory Indices of Typing Methods for Epidemiologic Analysis of Contemporary Staphylococcus aureus Strains. Medicine (Baltimore) 94:e1534

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