Background:
Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) are bacteria that can make people sick. Sometimes, an S. aureus infection can develop inside the spine; these infections can lead to paralysis and death. Researchers do not know how S. aureus interacts with a person s cells to cause infections in the spine.
Objective:
To learn how S. aureus interacts with cells in the body using tissues from tonsils discarded after standard surgery to remove them.
Eligibility:
People aged 2 years and older who are scheduled to have their tonsils removed.
Design:
Researchers will select participants for the study based on review of their existing medical records, including results of blood tests; any imaging scans, including x-rays; and reports about tissue specimens.
Participants will answer questionnaires about their health and past infections. They can do this online or on paper.
Participants will collect a nasal swab 1 week before their surgery. They will be given a tool that looks like a long cotton swab. They will twirl it around inside their nose. The swab will pick up cells and fluids that will be used for research.
After their surgery, the participant s surgeon will save samples of tonsil tissue. The surgeon will send these tissue samples and the nasal swab to researchers at the NIH.
These tissues and the swab will be used in studies to help researchers understand how S. aureus interacts with cells in the body. They hope these studies will help them find better ways to treat S. aureus infections.
Aged >=2 yrs.
Undergoing tonsillectomy as part of their clinical care.
Able to provide informed consent (for ages >=18 years) or has a parent or guardian who can provide informed consent on their behalf (for ages <18 yrs).
Willing to allow samples and data to be stored and shared for future secondary research.
Active infection.
Active tonsilitis.
Pregnant.
Diagnosed with an immunosuppressive condition or currently taking immunosuppressive medications.