Antibiotic consumption & Klebsiella colonisation in hospital patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Antibiotic consumption and Klebsiella colonisation in hospitalised patients. A pilot for the Home Guard study: An investigation into the role of skin bacteria in defending against Klebsiella colonisation.
IRAS ID
158402
Contact name
Andrew Kirby
Contact email
Research summary
Klebsiella are a type of bacteria that cause infections in hospitalised patients.
Bacteria live on all surfaces of the human body, including the skin. Following admission to hospital and treatment with certain antibiotics the types of bacteria found on the skin change. Some studies have shown the changes to the bacteria found include an increased rate of Klebsiella. Klebsiella can cause inections, and Klebsiella can be antibiotic resistant. Therefore we want to look at all bacteria on the skin of patients who do and do not get treated with antibiotics while in hospital.
The aim of this pilot study is to find out if antibiotics are a risk factor for an increase in rates of Klebsiella on the skin of hospitalised patients. To do this we plan to swab patients on admission to the hospital and again on day seven of their hospitalisation to see if the bacteria found on their skin change. We will also gather clinical information such as antibiotic use to see if there is a relationship between the detection of Klebsiella and antibiotic use. Scientists in the laboratory will test skin swabs taken from patients and identify the bacteria present on the different days.
This study is a pilot project to gather information on Klebsiella on the skin. If antibiotics do increase the detection of Klebsiella on the skin we will carry out another study to look in detail at changes to bacteria on the skin when patients are treated with antibiotics.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1072
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion