Active clinical trials for "Furunculosis"

The goal of this study is to demonstrate safety and tolerability of a novel antimicrobial wound dressing, Antimicrobial TheraGauze. The unique microvillous structure of TheraGauze is ideal for the development of an antimicrobial wound dressing. In vitro testing has demonstrated that tobramycin is an ideal compound for integration into TheraGauze providing excellent killing of MRSA and other organisms that commonly cause wound infections. Tobramycin is a non-absorbable aminoglycoside that will be contained solely to the wound bed preventing any potential for systemic toxicities. In vivo testing of tobramycin-impregnated TheraGauze used in mouse wound models has confirmed no systemic absorption of tobramycin as demonstrated by undetectable blood levels. TheraGauze has been commercially available for 10 years as a wound dressing. Tobramycin has been available for many years as a topical antibiotic as eyedrops and as an inhaled antibiotic for patients with cystic fibrosis, demonstrating excellent safety in both cases. This Phase I trial will test Antimicrobial TheraGauze (ATG) as an antimicrobial wound packing for patients presenting to an Emergency Department with skin abscess (furunculosis). Subjects will either receive ATG or standard of care wound packing (cotton wick or iodoform wick). Subjects will return to the ED in 2 days for wound packing removal and reassessment of their wounds and symptomatology. A final followup will be performed by a physician and study coordinator in an outpatient setting on day 7.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether measures to eliminate the Staph germ from the skin of the index patient (with a special ointment and soap) are more effective when performed by everyone in the household rather than the patient alone, and whether these methods are effective in preventing future Staph infections. The investigators hypothesize that there will be a greater number of households who are successful in eradicating the staph germ from the index patient when all members of the household participate than households where only the index patient is treated.

The purpose of this study is to determine the natural history of community-associated Staphylococcus aureus infections in both adult and pediatric patients by monitoring the rate of recurrent infections in those colonized with S. aureus. In addition, this study will evaluate the efficiency of commonly prescribed decolonization measures in patients presenting with S. aureus skin and soft tissue infections.

The purpose of this research study is to compare the effectiveness of commonly used decolonization treatments (application of mupirocin antibiotic ointment to the nose and bleach baths) when performed by individuals with a history of skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) in the prior year (individualized approach) in comparison to decolonization of all household members (household approach) in an attempt to prevent Staphylococcus aureus skin infections. The investigators hypothesize an individualized decolonization approach will be equally as effective as a household approach to prevent SSTI.