Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis - Fungal Determinants Of Invasion Of The CNS
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$587,634.00
Summary
Meningitis and brain infection (meningoencephalitis) due to the fungus Cryptococcus, affect over 1 million patients with AIDS annually, especially in developing countries; with more than 600,000 deaths. It is not known how Cryptococci cross from the blood stream into the brain; this must be elucidated in order to prevent and/or control this devastating infection. This project will determine how cryptococci influence host blood cells to act as “Trojan horses” and/or release products that initiate ....Meningitis and brain infection (meningoencephalitis) due to the fungus Cryptococcus, affect over 1 million patients with AIDS annually, especially in developing countries; with more than 600,000 deaths. It is not known how Cryptococci cross from the blood stream into the brain; this must be elucidated in order to prevent and/or control this devastating infection. This project will determine how cryptococci influence host blood cells to act as “Trojan horses” and/or release products that initiate invasion of brain tissue and meningitis.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Lipooligosaccharide Phosphoethanolamine Transferases In The Pathogenesis Of Neisseria Meningitidis And N. Gonorrhoeae
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$574,890.00
Summary
Neisseria meningitidis is the causative agent of meningococcal disease, a rapidly transmissible form of fatal sepsis. The related pathogen, N. gonorrhoeae, causes the sexually transmitted gonorrhoeae and is implicated in the loss of fertility in 10% of patients. This project will analyse the function of a protein necessary for the ability of the both pathogens to cause disease. We will further characterize the function of this protein and determine whether it is a viable candidate for the develo ....Neisseria meningitidis is the causative agent of meningococcal disease, a rapidly transmissible form of fatal sepsis. The related pathogen, N. gonorrhoeae, causes the sexually transmitted gonorrhoeae and is implicated in the loss of fertility in 10% of patients. This project will analyse the function of a protein necessary for the ability of the both pathogens to cause disease. We will further characterize the function of this protein and determine whether it is a viable candidate for the development of drug therapy.Read moreRead less