Conditions: Human Microbiome
Keywords: intranasal mupirocin topical chlorhexidine
Allocation: NA | Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Enrollment: 58
Healthy volunteers: yes

Brief summary:
The investigators propose to study the microbiome of the nose, throat and three skin sites in a population without current exposure to the healthcare environment: 80 community dwelling adults. We will characterize the microbial communities in these body sites (nose, throat, perirectal and three skin sites) over time using culture-independent techniques. The investigators will then "decolonize" the subjects. Subjects will receive intranasal mupirocin and topical chlorhexidine. The investigators will then compare the microbial communities at baseline and after decolonization within individuals. Our overall hypothesis is that the microbial composition of these sites and the response to decolonization is influenced by the healthcare environment and that decolonization leads to re-colonization with an increasing proportion of Gram-negative bacilli.

Detailed description:

Arms:
arm 1: Antimicrobial antiseptic skin cleanser (4% chlorhexidine) for daily use on Day 1, 3 and 5 of Week 8 of the study. BACTROBAN NASAL ointment (mupirocin calcium ointment, 2%) for use intranasally twice-daily on Day 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Week 8 of the study.

Interventions: intervention 1: Mupirocin calcium ointment, 2% intervention 2: Topical Chlorhexidine, 4%
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Mupirocin nasal ointment is used to treat or prevent infections in the nose due to certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. This medicine works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. intervention 2: Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic that fights bacteria.

Topical chlorhexidine is used to clean the skin to prevent infection that may be caused by surgery, injection, or skin injury.

Protocol document: