This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.Researchers are evaluating places on the body where the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria live. This research study is being conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina by Dr. Sandra Fowler. About 30 volunteers will be studied. Staphylococcus aureus, also known as 'staph' is a bacteria that commonly causes infections such as boils and abscess of the skin, bone and joint infections, pneumonia, and infection of the valves of the heart. A new strain has emerged in the past few years, known as Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphyloccus aureus (CA-MRSA). CA-MRSA are resistant to some antibiotics commonly used to treat staph infections, and are especially prone to cause skin abscesses and boils. This strain has caused outbreaks of infections in athletic teams and other groups with close personal contact, including families. The staph bacteria can also live in the nose or on the skin without necessarily causing any infections. This is called colonization. Persons who are colonized with staph are sometimes called staph 'carriers.' The purpose of this study is to learn where CA-MRSA live on body surfaces and to evaluate other factors that could be associated with developing infection. The PI would like to learn why some people who are colonized with CA-MRSA get infections and why some do not. The PI would also like to learn about how this bacteria is transmitted in households.
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