Analysis of CA-MRSA Transmission: An ED Population Sampling Strategy

Molecular Epidemiology and Phylodynamic and Phylogeographic Analysis of Community-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA) Transmission: An Emergency Department Population Sampling Strategy

Given that the Emergency Department (ED) has become the entry way for large populations of patients into the health care system, a strategy of sampling MRSA isolates in ED populations and merging this information with patient-level data may present a window to hypothesize and investigate CA-MRSA transmission within the community and its impact on hospital-acquired infections.

Prospective cross-sectional study involving 500 patients enrolled over a one year period at the UFHealth Shands Hospital's Adult and Pediatric Emergency Department. The collected information will serve as pilot data for a future large comprehensive multi-site study.

Patients will have a wound culture and a nasal swab obtained as part of the study, which will be assessed for MRSA isolates using next-generation whole genome sequencing. The principal investigator or PI designee will also survey participants and review hospital records.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient or Legally Authorized Representative (LAR) must have voluntarily signed an Institutional Review Board-approved informed consent form before initiation of any study procedures
• Patient presents with an acute abscess or a non-post-operative skin/soft tissue infection
• Patient presents through the UFHealth Shands Emergency Department

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who are employed by UFHealth and provide direct patient care
• Patients who have previously been enrolled in the study
• Patients who are not suitable for the study in the opinion of the investigator