Immunologic Predisposition of HIV Patients to Develop Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Colonization and Infection

All participant inclusion criteria:

- Greater or equal to 18 years of age

- Willingness to undergo blood draw. Skin biopsy will be requested, but is optional

-AND-

HIV-positive and MRSA-negative Group:

- Documented positive HIV test result

- Negative colonization swabs for S. aureus within 14 days of enrollment

- No evidence of skin/soft tissue infection

HIV-positive and MRSA-Colonization Group:

- Documented positive HIV test result

- History of of colonization with MRSA w/in 14 days of study enrollment

HIV-positive and MRSA Infection Group:

- Documented positive HIV test result

- Skin/soft tissue infection with a positive wound culture showing MRSA within 7 days
of enrollment

- MRSA infection is not associated with an intravenous catheter or other nosocomial
procedure

HIV Negative groups:

- Same criteria used for the HIV-negative groups as listed above.

- No history of HIV infection.

- Willing to undergo an HIV blood test, which must have a negative result.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Women with positive urine pregnancy test within 7 days of study enrollment

- Women who are within 6 months of being postpartum or who are currently breastfeeding

- Subjects unable or unwilling to complete questionnaires and blood draw.