MRSA Treatment Studies

Several studies are being conducted to understand new treatments and better antibiotic options.

A study is being conducted nationwide to determine the best treatment for community-acquired MRSA and Temple University Department of Emergency Medicine will participate, according to Medical News Today.

This particular study will determine the best outpatient therapy in otherwise healthy individuals who have MRSA.

The research study will be led by David Karras, a professor and associate chair of emergency medicine at the School of Medicine and Hospital at Temple University.

Temple is to receive $1.8 million in funding for the study.

There is a $9 million, five-year study, involving 5-centers that are funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, called STOP MRSA.

Current treatments for MRSA involve using different antibiotics, draining any abscesses and keeping any wounds clean and covered.

The Temple study also has a goal to gain approval from the Food and Drug Administration to use generic antibiotics to treat MRSA infections so that patients could have a low-cost alternative as a treatment option.

MRSA infections have been around for decades but for the most part it was considered an uncommon infection. Then in 1996 infections were on the rise and otherwise healthy children were coming down with MRSA infections for unknown reasons. It was understood that many individuals carried the MRSA bacteria in their nose without actually developing an infection. Most people mistakenly think they have an infected spider bite, only to discover that they have MRSA. Because so many patients are showing up at Emergency Rooms for treatment, emergency medicine has been at the front lines of the issue of community-acquired MRSA and the prevention and treatment of MRSA.

There is a study currently looking for patients to participate in the study. The study is Vancomycin Vs. Vancomycin Plus Gentamycin in Treatment of MRSA Infection. The study is being conducted by the VA Medical Cetner in Houston and Sponsors and Collaborators are VA Medical Center, Houston and Baylor College of Medicine.

There will be a total enrollment of 160. Eligibility of age for the study is between 18 and 64. Both genders will be accepted. To be accepted into the study patients must have positive MRSA blood cultures.

It is important to conduct and fund studies concerning MRSA so that the medical community can better understand an infection that is having such a profound impact on so many lives.