HOME2 Study: Household Versus Personalized Decolonization in Households of Children With Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Skin and Soft Tissue Infection-A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: A household approach to decolonization decreases skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) incidence, though this is burdensome and costly. As prior SSTI increases risk for SSTI, we hypothesized that the effectiveness of decolonization measures to prevent SSTI when targeted to household members with prior year SSTI would be noninferior to decolonizing all household members. METHODS: Upon completion of our 12-month observational Household Observation of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the Environment (HOME) study, 102 households were enrolled in HOME2, a 12-month, randomized noninferiority trial. Pediatric index patients with community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) SSTI, their household contacts, and pets were enrolled. Households were randomized 1:1 to the personalized (decolonization performed only by household members who experienced SSTI during the HOME study) or household (decolonization performed by all household members) approaches. The 5-day regimen included hygiene education, twice-daily intranasal mupirocin, and daily bleach-water baths. At 5 follow-up visits in participants' homes, swabs to detect S. aureus were collected from participants, environmental surfaces, and pets; incident SSTIs were ascertained. RESULTS: Noninferiority of the personalized approach was established for the primary outcome 3-month cumulative SSTI: 23 of 212 (10.8%) participants reported SSTI in household approach households, while 23 of 236 (9.7%) participants reported SSTI in personalized approach households (difference in proportions, -1.1% [95% confidence interval, -6.7% to 4.5%]). In multivariable analyses, prior year SSTI and baseline MRSA colonization were associated with cumulative SSTI. CONCLUSIONS: The personalized approach was noninferior to the household approach in preventing SSTI. Future studies should interrogate longer durations of decolonization and/or decontamination of the household environment to reduce household MRSA burden. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT01814371.

Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Risk of Surgical Complications and Posthysterectomy Hospitalization among Women Undergoing Hysterectomy for Benign Conditions.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Evaluate whether 30- and 90-day surgical complication and postoperative hospitalization rates after hysterectomy for benign conditions differ by race/ethnicity and whether the differences remain after controlling for patient, hospital, and surgical characteristics. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using administrative data. The exposure was race/ethnicity. The outcomes included 5 different surgical complications/categories and posthysterectomy inpatient hospitalization, all identified through 30 and 90 days after hysterectomy hospital discharge, with the exception of hemorrhage/hematoma, which was only identified through 30 days. To examine the association between race/ethnicity and each outcome, we used logistic regression with clustering of procedures within hospitals, adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics and surgical approach. SETTING: Multistate, including Florida and New York. PATIENTS: Women aged ≥18 years who underwent hysterectomy for benign conditions using State Inpatient Databases and State Ambulatory Surgery Databases. INTERVENTIONS: Hysterectomy for benign conditions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We included 183 697 women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions from January 2011 to September 2014. In analysis, adjusting for surgery route and other factors, black race was associated with increased risk of 30-day digestive system complications (multivariable adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.78-2.21), surgical-site infection (aOR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.18-1.53), posthysterectomy hospitalization (aOR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.22-1.40), and urologic complications (aOR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01-1.34) compared with white race. Asian/Pacific Islander race was associated with increased risk of 30-day urologic complications (aOR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.08-2.03), intraoperative injury to abdominal/pelvic organs (aOR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.23-1.75), and hemorrhage/hematoma (aOR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.06-1.67) compared with white race. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with increased risk of 30-day posthysterectomy hospitalization (aOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20) compared with white race. All findings were similar at 90 days. CONCLUSION: Black and Asian/Pacific Islander women had higher risk of some 30- and 90-day surgical complications after hysterectomy than white women. Black and Hispanic women had higher risk of posthysterectomy hospitalization. Intervention strategies aimed at identifying and better managing disparities in pre-existing conditions/comorbidities could reduce racial/ethnic differences in outcomes.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities/Differences in Hysterectomy Route in Women Likely Eligible for Minimally Invasive Surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Evaluate racial/ethnic variation in hysterectomy surgical route in women likely eligible for minimally invasive hysterectomy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Multistate including Colorado, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. PATIENTS: Women aged ≥18 years without diagnoses of leiomyomas, obesity, or previous abdominopelvic surgery who underwent hysterectomy for benign conditions from the State Inpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Databases, 2010-2014. INTERVENTIONS: None. Primary exposure is race/ethnicity. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Racial/ethnic variation in annual hysterectomy rates and surgical route. To calculate hysterectomy rates per 100 000 women/year, denominators were adjusted for the proportion of women with previous hysterectomy. A marginal structural log binomial regression model was used to estimate adjusted standardized prevalence ratios (aPRs) for vaginal or laparoscopic vs abdominal hysterectomy, controlling for clustering within hospitals. In addition, hospitals were stratified into quintiles to examine surgical route in hospitals that serve a higher vs lower proportion of African American patients. A total of 133 082 adult women underwent hysterectomy for benign conditions from 2010 to 2014. Annual laparoscopic rates increased more slowly for African Americans (1.6-fold) than for whites (1.8-fold) and Hispanics (1.9-fold). African American and Hispanic women were less likely to undergo vaginal (aPR = 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90-0.96 and aPR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.93-0.97, respectively) and laparoscopic hysterectomy (aPR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.87-0.94 and aPR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92-0.98, respectively) than white women; Asian/Pacific Islander women were less likely to undergo vaginal hysterectomy (aPR = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81-0.96). Hospitals serving a higher proportion of African American persons performed more abdominal and fewer vaginal procedures across all groups, and more racial/ethnic minority women sought care at those hospitals than white women. CONCLUSION: African American, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander women eligible for minimally invasive hysterectomy were more likely than white women to receive abdominal hysterectomy. The proportion of all women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy was highest at hospitals serving higher proportions of African American persons. This difference in treatment type can lead to disparities in outcomes, in part owing to their association with complications.

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: The Effects Are More Than Skin Deep.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the psychosocial effects of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) diagnosis on the households of children with MRSA skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI). STUDY DESIGN: We constructed and administered an interview to the primary caregiver within the home of a child with a history of MRSA SSTI. RESULTS: Seventy-six households were enrolled. Survey responses were analyzed and grouped into 4 themes: health behavior changes, disclosure, social interactions, and knowledge/awareness. The most common theme was disclosure; 91% of participants reported sharing their child's MRSA diagnosis with someone outside of the household. Forty-two percent of respondents reported a change in the manner in which household contacts interacted as a result of the index patient's MRSA diagnosis, including isolating the index patient from other children in the household. Many households reported adopting enhanced personal hygiene behaviors and environmental cleaning routines. Thirty-eight percent of participating households reported altering how they interact with people outside of their home, largely to avoid spreading MRSA to vulnerable individuals. In addition, many participants perceived that others regarded them with caution, especially at daycare, whereas other affected households were excluded from family gatherings. CONCLUSION: Primary caregivers of children with MRSA SSTI reported changing their health behaviors, altering their interactions with people outside of their home, and feeling isolated by others in response to their child's MRSA diagnosis. The findings of our study highlight a need for community interventions and education to prevent the negative psychosocial repercussions associated with MRSA.

Comprehensive modeling reveals proximity, seasonality, and hygiene practices as key determinants of MRSA colonization in exposed households.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus is the leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). To develop interventions to prevent recurrent infections, household attributes and individual practices influencing S. aureus colonization must be discerned. METHODS: Households of healthy children with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) SSTI (n = 150; 671 participants) were interviewed regarding health history, activities, and hygiene practices. S. aureus colonization was assessed in household members, and recovered isolates were typed by repetitive sequence-based PCR. RESULTS: The number of unique strain types in a household (median 1, range 0-7) correlated with the number of colonized individuals (p < 0.001). The MRSA infecting strain type colonized a household member in 57% of 91 households with an available infecting strain, and was the most common strain type recovered in 45% of these households. In multivariable models, household MRSA colonization burden (p < 0.001), sharing a bedroom with MRSA-colonized individuals (p = 0.03), renting dwelling (p = 0.048), and warmer seasons (p = 0.02) were associated with increased MRSA colonization. Increasing age (p = 0.02), bathing at least daily (p = 0.01), and antibacterial soap use (p = 0.03) correlated with reduced MRSA colonization. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified practices that correlate with MRSA colonization, which will inform physician counseling and multifaceted interventions among MRSA-affected households to mitigate MRSA in the community.

Longitudinal, strain-specific Staphylococcus aureus introduction and transmission events in households of children with community-associated meticillin-resistant S aureus skin and soft tissue infection: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Devising effective, targeted approaches to prevent recurrent meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infection requires an understanding of factors driving MRSA acquisition. We comprehensively defined household longitudinal, strain-level S aureus transmission dynamics in households of children with community-associated MRSA skin and soft tissue infection. METHODS: From 2012-15, otherwise healthy paediatric patients with culture-confirmed, community-onset MRSA infections were recruited for the Household Observation of MRSA in the Environment (HOME) prospective cohort study from hospitals and community practices in metropolitan St Louis (MO, USA). Children with health-care-related risk factors were excluded, as determined by evidence of recent hospital admission, an invasive medical device, or residence in a long-term care facility. Household contacts (individuals sleeping in the home ≥four nights per week) and indoor dogs and cats were also enrolled. A baseline visit took place at the index patient's primary home, followed by four quarterly visits over 12 months. At each visit, interviews were done and serial cultures were collected, to detect S aureus from three anatomic sites of household members, two anatomic sites on dogs and cats, and 21 environmental surfaces. Molecular typing was done by repetitive-sequence PCR to define distinct S aureus strains within each household. Longitudinal, multivariable generalised mixed-effects logistic regression models identified factors associated with S aureus acquisition. FINDINGS: Across household members, pets, and environmental surfaces, 1267 strain acquisition events were observed. Acquisitions were driven equally by 510 introductions of novel strains into households and 602 transmissions within households, each associated with distinct factors. Frequent handwashing decreased the likelihood of novel strain introduction into the household (odds ratio [OR] 0·86, credible interval [CrI] 0·74-1·01). Transmission recipients were less likely to own their homes (OR 0·77, CrI 0·63-0·94) and were more likely to share bedrooms with strain-colonised individuals (OR 1·33, CrI 1·12-1·58), live in homes with higher environmental S aureus contamination burden (OR 3·97, CrI 1·96-8·20), and report interval skin and soft tissue infection (OR 1·32, CrI 1·07-1·64). Transmission sources were more likely to share bath towels (OR 1·25, CrI 1·01-1·57). Pets were often transmission recipients, but rarely the sole transmission source. INTERPRETATION: The household environment plays a key role in transmission, a factor associated with skin and soft tissue infection. Future interventions should inclusively target household members and the environment, focusing on straightforward changes in hand hygiene and household sharing behaviours. FUNDING: National Institutes of Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Children's Discovery Institute, Burroughs Wellcome Foundation, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Environmental Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Contamination, Persistent Colonization, and Subsequent Skin and Soft Tissue Infection.

Importance: The longitudinal association among persistent Staphylococcus aureus colonization, household environmental contamination, and recurrent skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) is largely unexplored to date. Objectives: To identify factors associated with persistent S aureus colonization and recurrent SSTI in households with children with community-associated methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) SSTI. Design, Setting, and Participants: This 12-month prospective cohort study included 150 children with community-associated MRSA SSTI, 542 household contacts, and 154 pets enrolled from January 3, 2012, through October 20, 2015. A total of 5 quarterly home visits were made to 150 households in the St Louis, Missouri, region. Statistical analysis was performed from September 18, 2018, to January 7, 2020. Exposures: Covariates used in S aureus strain persistence and interval SSTI models included S aureus colonization and contamination measures, personal hygiene and sharing habits, health history, activities external to the home, and household characteristics (eg, cleanliness, crowding, home ownership, and pets). Serial samples to detect S aureus were collected from household members at 3 anatomic sites, from pets at 2 anatomic sites, and from environmental surfaces at 21 sites. Main Outcomes and Measures: Molecular epidemiologic findings of S aureus isolates were assessed via repetitive-sequence polymerase chain reaction. Individual persistent colonization was defined as colonization by an identical strain for 2 consecutive samplings. Longitudinal, multivariable generalized mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with persistent S aureus personal colonization, environmental contamination, and interval SSTI. Results: Among 692 household members in 150 households, 326 (47%) were male and 366 (53%) were female, with a median age of 14.82 years (range, 0.05-82.25 years). Of 540 participants completing all 5 samplings, 213 (39%) were persistently colonized with S aureus, most often in the nares and with the strain infecting the index patient at enrollment. Nine pets (8%) were persistently colonized with S aureus. Participants reporting interval intranasal mupirocin application were less likely to experience persistent colonization (odds ratio [OR], 0.44; 95% credible interval [CrI], 0.30-0.66), whereas increasing strain-specific environmental contamination pressure was associated with increased individual persistent colonization (OR, 1.17; 95% CrI, 1.06-1.30). Strains with higher colonization pressure (OR, 1.47; 95% CrI, 1.25-1.71) and MRSA strains (OR, 1.57; 95% CrI, 1.16-2.19) were more likely to persist. Seventy-six index patients (53%) and 101 household contacts (19%) reported interval SSTIs. Individuals persistently colonized with MRSA (OR, 1.56; 95% CrI, 1.17-2.11), those with a history of SSTI (OR, 2.55; 95% CrI, 1.88-3.47), and index patients (OR, 1.54; 95% CrI, 1.07-2.23) were more likely to report an interval SSTI. Conclusions and Relevance: The study findings suggest that recurrent SSTI is associated with persistent MRSA colonization of household members and contamination of environmental surfaces. Future studies may elucidate the effectiveness of specific combinations of personal decolonization and environmental decontamination efforts in eradicating persistent strains and mitigating recurrent SSTIs.

Interplay of personal, pet, and environmental colonization in households affected by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the prevalence, molecular epidemiology, and factors associated with Staphylococcus aureus environmental surface and pet colonization in households of children with community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) infection. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2015, 150 children with CA-MRSA infections and their household contacts and pets were enrolled in this cross-sectional study in metropolitan Saint Louis, MO. Cultures to detect S. aureus were collected from 3 anatomic sites of household members, 2 dog/cat sites, and 21 environmental surfaces in each household. Molecular epidemiology of S. aureus isolates was determined via repetitive-sequence PCR. Generalized linear models were developed to identify factors associated with S. aureus/MRSA household contamination. RESULTS: MRSA was recovered from environmental surfaces in 69 (46%) households (median 2 surfaces [range 1-18]). The enrollment infecting strain type was the most common strain recovered from the environment in most (64%) households. In generalized linear models, factors associated with a higher proportion of MRSA-contaminated environmental surfaces were household member MRSA colonization burden, MRSA as the dominant S. aureus strain colonizing household members, more strain types per household member, index case African-American race, and renting (vs. owning) the home. Of 132 pets, 14% were colonized with MRSA. Pets whose primary caretaker was MRSA-colonized were more likely to be MRSA-colonized than pets whose primary caretaker was not MRSA-colonized (50% vs. 4%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Household environments and pet dogs and cats serve as reservoirs of MRSA. Household member MRSA colonization burden predicts environmental MRSA contamination. Longitudinal studies will inform the directionality of household transmission.

Leadership, Literacy, and Translational Expertise in Genomics: Challenges and Opportunities for Social Work.

The transdisciplinary field of genomics is revolutionizing conceptualizations of health, mental health, family formation, and public policy. Many professions must rapidly acquire genomic expertise to maintain state-of-the-art knowledge in their practice. Calls for social workers to build genomic capacity come regularly, yet social work education has not prepared practitioners to join the genomics workforce in providing socially just, ethically informed care to all clients, particularly those from vulnerable and marginalized groups. The authors suggest a set of action steps for bringing social work skills and practice into the 21st century. They propose that good genomic practice entails bringing social work values, skills, and behaviors to genomics. With education and training, social workers may facilitate socially just dissemination of genomic knowledge and services across practice domains. Increased genomic literacy will support the profession's mission to address disparities in health, health care access, and mortality.