Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program
This multifaceted program encourages the exchange of scientific ideas and works to fight emerging health challenges, such as avian flu.
The Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program (IDCRP) is a collaborative research effort with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Established at USU in 2005, this unique program aims to strengthen infectious disease clinical research in the U.S. It brings together a network of clinical scientists at military treatment facilities who are focused on conducting patient-based research on a wide range of infectious diseases relevant to the military and the broader medical communities. This tri-service program is conducted in collaboration with USU and HJF, in partnership with NIAID.
This cooperative relationship utilizes the DoD’s extensive health care and research infrastructure. Research is focused on clinically important infectious disease threats to the military community, including methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other multiple drug-resistant organisms (MDRO). IDCRP scientists are also working to address infectious complications of war wounds, travel and tropical diseases and HIV and related conditions.
Enhancing Infectious Disease Research
One of several ongoing studies focuses on staphylococcal bacteria—common causes of skin infections, surgical wound infections, pneumonia and bloodstream infections. MRSA is a type of antibiotic-resistant staph that occurs in hospitals and other health care settings, but is also becoming more common in community settings. Because they live and interact in close quarters, military recruits are at increased risk for community-acquired MRSA infections (CA-MRSA). In a study at Quantico Marine Base, IDCRP researchers are looking at methods to decrease the risk of infections due to CA-MRSA using accepted de-colonization strategies, such as topical preventives.
Fighting Drug-resistant Pneumonia
Another study addresses the need for effective therapies for highly resistant strains of pneumonia. Warfighters returning from battle with serious injuries also may suffer from lung injury and infection, often with highly resistant bacteria. In order to improve outcomes, IDCRP researchers plan to study the inhaled antibiotic colistin to determine its safety and efficacy in treating such infections.
Biostatistical Support Center
IDCRP recently developed and enhanced its research support functions, including establishing a Biostatistical Support Center. To increase and strengthen clinicians’ abilities to conduct quality research, the program is also developing a new clinical research education program at USU.
Tri-Service AIDS Clinical Consortium
A key component of IDCRP is the Tri-Service AIDS Clinical Consortium (TACC). TACC is comprised of Army, Navy and Air Force investigators representing seven major military treatment facilities (MTFs) who conduct HIV research in the DoD. The consortium’s executive committee includes senior infectious diseases specialists with extensive experience in HIV treatment and research.
TACC’s mission is to provide HIV clinical expertise within the military medical system, and to provide a means through which DoD experts in clinical HIV care and research can prioritize efforts to improve the quality of clinical HIV research within the military. An additional critical role is to act as long-term stewards for the valuable collection of samples and data represented in the Natural History Study Repository.