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. ARO Prevalence Study (New)
   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.
2. Influenza Cohort Study (ICS)
   We are studying the incidence of symptomatic infection, severity of illness and rate of hospitalization, risk factors for infection, and incubation period by the H1N1 strain of influenza. We are also trying to determine if people working in an acute care hospital are at higher risk of contracting influenza than other healthy adults.
3. Prevalence of infection with H1N1 influenza in adults who travelled to Mexico
   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.
4. STOP FLU 2 - Vaccine vs Preventitive Antiviral Research Study
   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.
5. Public Health Agency of Canada - Influenza Vaccine Safety and Immunogenicity Surveillance Studies
   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.
6. Merck – Clinical Trial of Varicella-Zoster (Shingles) Vaccine in Immunocompromised Adults
   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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Population-based surveillance for influenza requiring ICU admission in Toronto, Canada

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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.