Investigating injection-related wounds and infections among people who inject drugs in North Carolina
Official title: A Growing Crisis of Novel Injection-Related Wounds and Skin & Soft Tissue Infections among People Who Inject Drugs: A Community-Based, Longitudinal Investigation in North Carolina
Funded at Research Triangle Institute · NIH-10977935 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into the skin infections and wounds that can happen to people who use injectable drugs, aiming to learn more about why they occur and how to treat and prevent them better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $661,013 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DA059457-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10977935 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who inject drugs and are experiencing or at risk for injection-related wounds and infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not inject drugs or have no history of injection-related wounds or infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the increasing problem of injection-related wounds and skin and soft tissue infections (IWSSTIs) among individuals who inject drugs. By employing a community-based, longitudinal approach, the study will gather data through case reports and ethnographic interviews to identify the characteristics and causes of these infections. The goal is to better understand how these infections develop and how they can be effectively treated and prevented. This research aims to address a significant public health crisis that has been exacerbated by the rise of synthetic drugs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment and prevention strategies for injection-related infections, ultimately reducing hospitalizations and improving health outcomes for affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on injection-related infections, this specific focus on the emerging crisis and its unique characteristics represents a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zibbell, Jon Eric — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Zibbell, Jon Eric
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.