Investigating injection-related wounds and infections among people who inject drugs in North Carolina

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

NIH-funded research Research Triangle Institute · NIH-10977935

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionResearch Triangle Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States)
Project IDNIH-10977935 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who inject drugs and are experiencing or at risk for injection-related wounds and infections.

Not a fit: Patients who do not inject drugs or have no history of injection-related wounds or infections may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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 Park, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.