Immunologic Predisposition of HIV Patients to Develop Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Colonization and Infection

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of T helper 17 cells (Th17) in the pathogenesis of MRSA infections.

Official Title
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Immunologic Predisposition of HIV Patients to Develop Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Colonization and Infection

Conditions
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HIV Infections, Staphylococcal Infections

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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All participant inclusion criteria: Greater or equal to 18 years of age Willingness to undergo blood draw. Skin biopsy will be requested, but is optional -AND- HIV-positive and MRSA-negative Group: Documented positive HIV test result Negative colonization swabs for S. aureus within 14 days of enrollment No evidence of skin/soft tissue infection HIV-positive and MRSA-Colonization Group: Documented positive HIV test result History of of colonization with MRSA w/in 14 days of study enrollment HIV-positive and MRSA Infection Group: Documented positive HIV test result Skin/soft tissue infection with a positive wound culture showing MRSA within 7 days of enrollment MRSA infection is not associated with an intravenous catheter or other nosocomial procedure HIV Negative groups: Same criteria used for the HIV-negative groups as listed above. No history of HIV infection. Willing to undergo an HIV blood test, which must have a negative result. Exclusion Criteria: Women with positive urine pregnancy test within 7 days of study enrollment Women who are within 6 months of being postpartum or who are currently breastfeeding Subjects unable or unwilling to complete questionnaires and blood draw.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| 1<br>HIV-positive and MRSA negative | |
| 2<br>HIV-positive and MRSA infected (skin/soft tissue) | |
| 3<br>HIV-positive and MRSA colonized | |
| 4<br>HIV-negative and MRSA negative | |
| 5<br>HIV-negative and MRSA infected (skin/soft tissue) | |
| 6<br>HIV-negative and MRSA colonized | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To compare distribution of Th17 cells and their functionality, in the peripheral blood of HIV-positive patients who are infected with MRSA with that of HIV-positive patients who are not colonized or infected with Staphylococcus aureus. |  | 1 year | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Compare distribution of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood of groups of HIV-positive and HIV-negative participants who are colonized with MRSA as well as those who have a MRSA infection. |  | 1 year | 
| Examine distribution of T cells, B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, defensins, and IL-17 in T cell subsets in the skin |  | 1 year | 
| Compare Th17 cells in peripheral blood of HIV-negative participants with MRSA infection with that of HIV-negative subjects not colonized of infected with Staph aureus. |  | 1 year | 
| Collect information on factors that may play a role in development of MRSA colonization/infection. Includes demographic, hygienic, exercise-related, and sexual factors which may contribute to MRSA. |  | 1 year | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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HIV, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), HIV and Staphylococcus aureus infection