Community-Assoc. S. Aureus Colonization and Recurrent Infection in Pts With Uncomplicated S. Aureus Skin Abscesses

Infections due to S. aureus are a major healthcare burden. Currently there is not an effective way to prevent S. aureus infection. Treatment failure can happen in up to 20% of patients with SSTI and mean additional cost per patient can be over $1500. Antibiotics are often prescribed for the treatment of CA-S. aureus SSTI. Current IDSA CA-MRSA guidelines suggest that incision and drainage alone may be adequate for management of uncomplicated CA-S. aureus skin abscesses and there is uncertainty about the need of antibiotics. It is not known whether antibiotics are helpful in decreasing S. aureus colonization rates or preventing future S. aureus infections. Though resolution of acute abscess after drainage may be unchanged by antibiotic administration, the impact of managing S. aureus abscess without antibiotics on ongoing S. aureus colonization and recurrent infection requires further study. This study seeks to examine whether the management of initial S. aureus abscesses with incision and drainage in addition to antibiotic therapy is an effective means of preventing recurrent infection. The prolonged longitudinal follow-up of this study is another unique characteristic that will enable the investigators to capture data about recurrences of infections.