Suchergebnisse

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) is a common cause of skin and soft-tissue infection (SSTI). MSSA genomic epidemiology data are limited. We used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to examine MSSA strain diversity among military trainees, a group known to be at high risk for S. aureus infection and carriage. METHODS: From July 2012 to December 2014, we conducted a prospective SSTI case–control study among US Army trainees at Fort Benning, GA. Thereafter, we identified MSSA SSTI clusters within select military training classes and performed WGS on clinical and colonizing isolates. We analyzed epidemiologic, clinical, genomic, and phylogenetic data in order to evaluate MSSA strain diversity and patterns of disease transmission. RESULTS: A total of 67 SSTI cases from 15 training classes were identified. The median (range) number of cases per class was 4 (3–10). Cases presented for care after a median of 39 (6–101) days of training. Of the 67 cases, 42 (63%) were colonized with MSSA at ≥1 anatomic site. A total of 78 MSSA colonizing isolates were identified at the time trainees presented for clinical care; colonizing isolates were found in the nares (37%), throat (31%), inguinal region (21%), and perianal region (12%). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) assigned 128 (88%) isolates to 20 known types and 17 isolates to novel types. Among clinical isolates, 60 (90%) were assigned to known types. Sequence Type (ST) 8 was the most frequent type, accounting for 45% and 35% of clinical and colonizing isolates, respectively. The phylogenetic tree of isolates revealed seven major clusters, some of which were composed of a diversity of training classes, specimen types, and STs. These major clusters were further segregated into 15 sub-clusters where there was considerable diversity in intrahost variation. CONCLUSION: Genomic characterization of MSSA infection and colonization isolates among congregate military trainees revealed a broad diversity of strains. There was a clear clonal origin and ...

Differences in childhood sexual abuse (CSA) between Black women and White women are explored in a community sample of 290 women raised in two-parent families.A selfadministered questionnaire and a face-to-face interview assessed CSA characteristics, aftermath, and prevalence as well as family structure and other childhood variables. Siblings served as collateral informants for the occurrence of CSA. Overall, comparisons of the nature, severity, and aftermath of CSA showed similarities by race; some differences, for example, in age of onset, are potentially relevant for the planning of prevention programs. Logistic regression models examined effects of childhood variables on CSA prevalence. Initial analyses showed a higher CSA prevalence among Black women (34.1% [45] of Black women vs. 22.8% [36] of White women) that was attenuated when family structure (e.g., living with two biological parents throughout childhood or not) and social class were considered. Of interest, differences in family structure remained important even among these two-parent families. Understanding the dynamics of abuse by race and family structure will facilitate the design of more targeted CSA prevention programs.

A total of 102 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates collected from 50 injured service members (June 2009 to December 2011) at U.S. military treatment facilities were analyzed for the conventional mecA gene and mecC homologue by using standard PCR-based methods. The prevalence of the mecC homologue was zero.

INTRODUCTION: Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) are an important cause of infectious disease morbidity among military populations. Due to the high direct and indirect costs associated with SSTIs, particularly with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, there remains a critical need for the development and evaluation of SSTI prevention strategies among high-risk military personnel. Herein, we review efforts of the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program (IDCRP) related to the prevention of SSTIs in the military. METHODS: The IDCRP of the Uniformed Services University has conducted clinical research protocols on SSTI epidemiology and prevention among military personnel since 2009. Observational studies have examined the epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus colonization and SSTI in training and deployment settings. Two randomized controlled trials of personal hygiene strategies for SSTI prevention at Marine Corps Base Quantico (Virginia) and Fort Benning (Georgia) were performed. Lastly, two vaccine trials have been conducted by the IDCRP, including a Phase 2 S. aureus vaccine trial (currently ongoing) among military trainees. RESULTS: Military recruits and deployed personnel experience an intense and prolonged exposure to S. aureus, the major causative agent of SSTI. The burden of S. aureus colonization and SSTI is particularly high in military trainees. Hygiene-based trials for S. aureus decolonization among military trainees were not effective in reducing rates of SSTI. In January 2018, the IDCRP initiated a Phase 2 S. aureus vaccine trial among the US Army Infantry training population at Fort Benning. CONCLUSIONS: In the military, a disproportionate burden of SSTIs is borne by the recruit population. Strategies relying upon routine application of agents for S. aureus decolonization have not been effective in preventing SSTIs. A novel S. aureus vaccine candidate is being currently evaluated in a military training population and may represent a new opportunity to prevent SSTIs ...

Military personnel in congregate settings are at increased risk for acute gastroenteritis.1,2 Personal hygiene (eg, frequent hand washing, hand sanitizers, etc.) remains a central strategy. A skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) prevention trial was conducted among military trainees.3 Trainees were randomized to 1 of 3 groups with incrementally increasing education- and hygiene-based measures. The principal components were promotion of hand washing in addition to a once-weekly application of a chlorhexidine-based body wash. Herein, we report the trial's impact on acute gastroenteritis.

In this prospective cluster-randomized trial among high-risk military trainees, personal hygiene and education measures, including once-weekly use of chlorhexidine body wash, did not prevent overall skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus SSTI.

Whole genome sequencing of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from military trainees with skin and soft tissue infection revealed patterns of intra- and interclass disease transmission. A phylogenetic cluster stemming from 2 training classes separated by 1 year suggested a long-term reservoir for MRSA

Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Some S. aureus strains harbor plasmids that carry genes that affect resistance to biocides. Among these genes, qacA encodes the QacA Multidrug Efflux Pump that imparts decreased susceptibility to chlorhexidine, a biocide used ubiquitously in healthcare facilities. Furthermore, chlorhexidine has been considered as a S. aureus decolonization strategy in community settings. We previously conducted a chlorhexidine-based SSTI prevention trial among Ft. Benning Army trainees. Analysis of a clinical isolate (C02) from that trial identified a novel qacA-positive plasmid, pC02. Prior characterization of qacA-containing plasmids is limited and conjugative transfer of those plasmids has not been demonstrated. Given the implications of increased biocide resistance, herein we characterized pC02. In silico analysis identified genes typically associated with conjugative plasmids. Moreover, pC02 was efficiently transferred to numerous S. aureus strains and to Staphylococcus epidermidis. We screened additional qacA-positive S. aureus clinical isolates and pC02 was present in 27% of those strains; other unique qacA-harboring plasmids were also identified. Ten strains were subjected to whole genome sequencing. Sequence analysis combined with plasmid screening studies suggest that qacA-containing strains are transmitted among military personnel at Ft. Benning and that strains carrying qacA are associated with SSTIs within this population. The identification of a novel mechanism of qacA conjugative transfer among Staphylococcal strains suggests a possible future increase in the prevalence of antiseptic tolerant bacterial strains, and an increase in the rate of infections in settings where these agents are commonly used.