Viral Load, HIV Treatment, And HIV Transmission In Serodiscordant Male Homosexual Couples
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,452,298.00
Summary
HIV treatment reduces the concentration of HIV in the body. In heterosexuals, current studies will determine the effectiveness of HIV treatment in preventing onwards HIV transmission. In contrast, there has been very little such research in homosexual men, who comprise 70% or more of people with HIV in Australia. This study will follow for four years over 200 male homosexual couples in which one is HIV positive and the other negative, to investigate the role of HIV treatment in HIV prevention.
Understanding The Likely Population Impact Of New And Improved Influenza Vaccines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,678.00
Summary
Influenza causes a large burden of death and disease each year, as well as disruptive pandemics. Vaccines that could protect against more than one season�s flu strains (including new pandemic viruses) would be highly desirable, and may be on the horizon. Our aim is to understand the likely impact of these new vaccines on the way flu viruses spread between people, and change from one season to the next. This information is needed to justify their introduction, and inform their best use.
The Interaction Between Sexually Transmissible Infections And Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection In Homosexual Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$635,931.00
Summary
This project examines the inter-relationship between HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in homosexual men. The overall goal of the projet is to inform the development of STI prevention and treatment strategies which may be important in reducing HIV incidence in this population. Homosexual men comprise over 80% of people diagnosed with HIV infecton in Australia, and in many developed nations are one of the largest groups affected by HIV. Rates of other STIs are also increase ....This project examines the inter-relationship between HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in homosexual men. The overall goal of the projet is to inform the development of STI prevention and treatment strategies which may be important in reducing HIV incidence in this population. Homosexual men comprise over 80% of people diagnosed with HIV infecton in Australia, and in many developed nations are one of the largest groups affected by HIV. Rates of other STIs are also increased in homosexual men. Currently, HIV rates are increasing in Australia and in many developed countries. We are in need of new and effective methods of HIV prevention. Data in heterosexuals suggest that where STIs are common, the early detection and treatment of these infections may help reduce HIV incidence. There are few data on this relationship in homosexual men. We propose to utilise an existing Sydney cohort of homosexual men to collect data on biologic tests for STIs, history of recent diagnosis of STIs, and symptoms, to allow a comprehensive description of the epidemiology of STIs and their overlap with HIV. The quality of data on the interaction between HIV and STIs in this cohort will be superior to any previously collected in homosexual men, as it will include data on self-reported doctor diagnosed illness, state of the art biologic testing, and symptom data, for the full spectrum of important STIs. The results of this study will be helpful in determining strategies for HIV and STI screening, education and control in the population which comprises the great majority of cases of HIV infection in Australia, and one of the largest risk groups for HIV infection in the developed world. Screening coupled with treatment of asymptomatic STIs may be an effective new approach to HIV prevention in this population.Read moreRead less
Genomics Dissection And Prevention Of Bacterial Transmission Events
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$891,290.00
Summary
This project aims at improving public health capacity to limit the spread of infectious diseases in hospital and community settings. The multi-disciplinary team of investigators will link epidemiological data with the finest resolution data from bacterial genomes in order to pinpoint events of infection transmission between individuals. Two high-burden pathogens (golden staph and food-borne Salmonella) will be used as exemplars of infectious diseases with different biology and modes of spread.
Risk Factors For Long-term Chronic Disease Events In HIV-positive Persons: The D:A:D Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$925,659.00
Summary
The D:A:D Study is a large, international study assessing risk factors for chronic disease events in HIV-positive patients. We know these events, such as heart attacks and cancers, increase with age. And we also know that these events are more common in HIV-positive people. Over the next five years, D:A:D will assess risk factors for chronic disease events in HIV-positive people as they age, and help optimise patient monitoring and management.
HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis In Men Who Have Sex With Men: Investigating Impacts On HIV Incidence And Novel Methods Of Engagement
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
HIV infections are increasing in gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Australia and Indonesia. A promising new HIV prevention strategy is HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which involves HIV-negative individuals taking one pill containing HIV treatments per day to prevent infection. PrEP is highly effective when taken correctly. Access to PrEP is currently very limited. Studies to investigate the best ways to implement PrEP services are required in Australia and Indonesia.
Tuberculosis In The Asia-Pacific: Identification And Comparison Of Transmission Hot Spots
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$120,253.00
Summary
The Asia-Pacific is home to 60% of the global burden of tuberculosis and an increasing proportion of Australia's immigrant population. Although most targets relating to this disease are likely to be achieved, patterns of tuberculosis transmission in the Asia-Pacific are not fully understood and the possibility of regional hotspots exists. We aim to use mathematical techniques to examine the way in which tuberculosis is transmitted from person to person in populations within our region.