Research Groups Affiliated With This Department:

1. Canadian Bacterial Surveillance Network (CBSN) The Canadian Bacterial Surveillance Network monitors the prevalence, mechanisms and epidemiology of antibiotic resistance in Canada. 2. Toronto Invasive Bacterial Diseases Network (TIBDN) The Toronto Invasive Bacterial Diseases Network (TIBDN) is a collaborative network of hospitals and microbiology laboratories serving the population of Metropolitan Toronto and Peel Region.

Current Research Studies

1. Predictors of Influenza in Older Adults Now Recruiting
   A study looking to compare the characteristics of older adults who have influenza with those who do not.
2. Merck – Clinical Trial of Varicella-Zoster (Shingles) Vaccine in Immunocompromised Adults Now Recruiting
   This clinical trial is designed to find out whether the study vaccine will provide protection against shingles and determine how well the vaccine is tolerated by people with weakened immunity.
3. GlaxoSmithKline - Clinical Trials of IV Zanamivir for treatment of Influenza for hospitalized patients Now Recruiting
   This clinical trials is designed to assess the efficacy of treatment with 300 mg or 600 mg of intravenous (IV) Zanamivir twice daily compared to 75 mg of oral Oseltamivir twice daily for in-patients with Influenza.
4. Influenza Cohort Study Recruitment complete, data collection ongoing
   A study of looking at the risk factors for influenza and other respiratory viruses - in people working in acute care hospitals and other working adults (18-69 years old).
5. Influenza Vaccine Trial for Seniors Recruitment complete, data collection ongoing
   If you (or someone you love) is 65 years or older and interested helping us learn whether one influenza vaccine works better than others, click on the link to check out the details.
6. Influenza Cohort Study for Seniors Recruitment complete, data collection ongoing
   A study looking at the risk factors for influenza and other respiratory viruses - in independent-living seniors (65 years & older) - who have daily internet access.
7. CaMPOS Study Data collection ongoing
   This study (principal investigator, Dr. Andrew Simor, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre) is a chart review of patients in Canadian hospitals who have been diagnosed with respiratory infections caused by MRSA.
8. Active surveillance of adverse events following influenza vaccination Data collection complete
   A study of to provide rapid "active" surveillance for the safety of the influenza vaccine - for people attending the influenza vaccine clinics at Mount Sinai Hospital or SickKids (Toronto) and several other hospitals across Canada (investigator: Dr. Gaston DeSerres).
9. Hand Hygiene Research Project: Implementing Effective Hand Hygiene Programs in Healthcare
   The purpose of this CIHR-funded Hand Hygiene Research Project is to provide guidance to decision makers throughout the health care system with the understanding and tools necessary for the development and successful implementation of hand hygiene improvement programs in healthcare.
10. ARO Prevalence Study Data collection complete
    This study (principal investigator, Dr. Andrew Simor, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto) is a one-day prevalence survey of antibiotic resistant organisms (MRSA, VRE, C. difficile) in Canadian acute care hospitals with more than 50 beds. The survey will be carried out in November, 2010. The protocol and data forms can be downloaded here. For more information, contact Dr. Simor at andrew.simor@sunnybrook.ca.
11. RCT of self- versus nurse-administered influenza vaccine Data collection complete
    The purpose is to find out whether self-administration using a new delivery system for influenza vaccine is as effective in stimulating the production of antibodies against influenza as nurse-administered influenza vaccine.
12. Influenza Cohort Study for 2009-10 Data collection complete
    The purpose of this study is to describe the number of cases of influenza infection, how ill people become with their illness, and whether personal factors such as age or existing chronic conditions make a person more likely to become ill with influenza.
13. RCT of the effect of seasonal influenza vaccination on the incidence of 2009pdm H1N1 influenza Data collection complete
    A randomized control trial that looks at whether regular seasonal influenza vaccination has any effect on the risk of developing influenza due to the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus.
14. Prevalence of infection with H1N1 influenza in adults who travelled to Mexico Data collection complete
    The overall objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of immunity to 2009 A (H1N1) influenza in persons who travelled to Mexico between February and April of 2009, inclusive.
15. STOP FLU pilot studies - Vaccine vs Preventative Antiviral Research Studies Data collection complete
    This study is a pilot study for a larger randomized controlled trial that is planned for the next year in which the influenza strain used in the annual vaccine does not match the strain that is circulating in our area.
    Reports/Publications
    • Respiratory illnesses in Canadian health care workers: a pilot study of influenza vaccine and oseltamivir prophylaxis during the 2007/2008 influenza season
    • Self-collected mid-turbinate swabs for the detection of respiratory viruses in adults with acute respiratory illnesses
16. Ontario Group A Streptococcus Study
    The purpose of this study is to develop a system that allows the Public Health Agency of Canada to rapidly collect detailed information on common side effects of influenza vaccination, and on the immune response to vaccination. This will help to ensure the safety of each annual vaccine. More importantly, it will facilitate rapid safety and efficacy testing of vaccines developed to protect Canadians during the next influenza pandemic.
17. Ontario Well Water Study
    The purpose of this study is to find out whether well water is a potential source of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. It will also investigate if people using well water with antibiotic-resistant bacteria are more likely to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their intestinal tract.
    Reports/Publications
    • The role of drinking water in the transmission of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli.
    • Biological specimens for community-based surveillance studies: Method of recruitment matters
18. Population-based surveillance for influenza requiring ICU admission in Toronto, Canada

---

Section Index

• Publications and Presentations - Search for Articles and Conferences
  This is a listing of selected journal articles and conference abstracts that have been written as a result of our research. Publications are searchable by topic, title, and author. Newletters, brochures, and other published materials can be found in this section as well.
• Data from Research and Surveillance
  This is a collection of charts and tables generated from the our research projects. Surveillance data from CBSN and TIBDN are contained in this section.
• Forms for Participants
  These forms are made conveniently available for research study participants. If you are a study participant (or considering to participate in a study) and have any questions/concerns, please e-mail microweb@mtsinai.on.ca.
• Research Highlights
  A summary of our research findings and highlights.
• Research Resources
  A listing of research related resources. Links to libraries, databanks, research groups, research funding sources, and journal websites.
• Google Scholar
  Search across many disciplines and sources: peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, abstracts and articles, from academic publishers, professional societies, preprint repositories, universities and other organizations.