Acute Respiratory Illness In Indigenous And Non-Indigenous Australian Children And The Pathways To Chronic Lung Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
Dr Kerry-Ann O'Grady aims to establish a comprehensive research program addressing acute and chronic respiratory infections in Australian children in urban, rural and remote areas. Drawing on national and international collaborations, Dr O'Grady will undertake a range of epidemiological and clinical studies that will address burden, risk, pathways to chronic lung disease and novel interventions aimed at improving lung health.
Perinatal Microbe-host Interactions Regulate Neonatal Dendritic Cell Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,293,576.00
Summary
Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) are the leading cause of childhood mortality globally, and increase the risk of chronic lung diseases in later-life. Diverse communities of microorganisms - the microbiome - assemble in infancy and support immune development. In this study, we will explore the relationship between the microbiome and its metabolites, and the expression of an important hormone that regulates the development of the immune system to confer protection against ALRI.
Reducing The Community Burden Of Respiratory Infections In Indigenous Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
Lower respiratory infections are the leading cause of preventable mortality among Indigenous children in the Northern Territory. Streptococcus pneumoniae remain one of the major paediatric respiratory pathogens. In this proposal I will describe the impact of past and present pneumococcal vaccination strategies on the burden of infant respiratory infections in this region.
Extending The MIS BAIR Randomised Trial Of BCG To Prevent Childhood Allergy And Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$939,504.00
Summary
BCG (used till recently to prevent tuberculosis) is a potential low cost and readily available vaccine which could reduce the rates of allergy and infection in Australian children. We propose to extend our existing NHMRC-funded trial, which studies whether BCG vaccinatinon given at birth prevents the development food allergy, eczema and infection in the 1st year of life, to see if this effect continues until 5yrs of age. At this age, we can also see if BCG vaccination at birth prevents asthma.
Mechanism/s Of Disease Caused By Respiratory Viral Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$479,517.00
Summary
A newly discovered respiratory virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), causes clinical disease that is very similar to human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and co-circulates with RSV. Human RSV is a major cause of morbidity and life-threatening respiratory tract disease in infants and young children worldwide, and is recognised as an important respiratory pathogen in elderly adults and immune compromised patients. The recent isolation of HMPV from children hospitalised with respiratory tract ill ....A newly discovered respiratory virus, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), causes clinical disease that is very similar to human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and co-circulates with RSV. Human RSV is a major cause of morbidity and life-threatening respiratory tract disease in infants and young children worldwide, and is recognised as an important respiratory pathogen in elderly adults and immune compromised patients. The recent isolation of HMPV from children hospitalised with respiratory tract illness similar to RSV, but with an unknown etiology, suggests that HMPV may mediate similar clinical pathology. Nothing is currently known about the immune response to HMPV, or the association of these responses with lung disease. The objectives of this proposal are to elucidate the mechanisms of immunity and disease pathogenesis associated with human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and to investigate the use of a novel vaccine to protect against HMPV infection. Once this data is obtained, the study will provide the foundation for further research in the development of vaccines or therapeutic protocols to treat HMPV. It will also provide valuable information for understanding the disease in humans. Also,it is likely that HMPV, like hRSV, may prove to be an agent associated with long-term decreased pulmonary function and airflow limitation perhaps developing to asthma.Read moreRead less
RNAi Therapeutic Intervention Of Human Viral Respiratory Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$584,117.00
Summary
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV), causes clinical disease that is very similar to human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and co-circulates with RSV. HMPV is emerging as a major cause of morbidity and life-threatening respiratory tract disease in infants, young children and the elderly worldwide. No treatment is currently available. The objectives of this proposal are to develop novel antiviral drugs that silence the expression of viral genes and to examine protection against the disease.
CHARACTERISATION OF NOVEL PICORNAVIRUS-LIKE VIRUSES IDENTIFIED FROM PATIENTS WITH ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$366,998.00
Summary
The common cold and serious chest colds are usually due to viral infections, and mostly occur in children. Unfortunately we can only be certain of the virus causing this illness in as little as 15% of cases. We intend to address this lack of research by examining, in detail, a new virus we recently identified in a child with serious respiratory illness that required admission to hospital. Testing by our laboratory suggests that the new virus is related to picornaviruses (which cause some common ....The common cold and serious chest colds are usually due to viral infections, and mostly occur in children. Unfortunately we can only be certain of the virus causing this illness in as little as 15% of cases. We intend to address this lack of research by examining, in detail, a new virus we recently identified in a child with serious respiratory illness that required admission to hospital. Testing by our laboratory suggests that the new virus is related to picornaviruses (which cause some common colds) but seems to be present in children with far more serious illness. Our study plans to more completely identify the new picornavirus-like virus (PLV) using the tools of molecular biology and the expertise of a senior team of Australian scientists and clinicians who have recently made several virus discoveries in Australia, demonstrating that Australian virus research is capable of achieving highly competitive results that benefit our hospitals and especially their young patients. Our studies will develop extremely sensitive tests which rely on the detection of very small amounts of the viral genome. We can use these tests to determine what the whole virus looks like, when it might occur during the year and whether the PLV are found worldwide. Our studies will also produce viral proteins in the laboratory and use these to make new tests for stored blood samples. If a blood sample comes from a patient who has previously been infected by PLV, their blood will contain specific antibodies which we will then be able to detect. We also intend to determine whether some strains of PLV are more or less likely to cause serious illness than others. Improved understanding of these and other viruses minimises the chance of illness spreading within a hospital, helps scientists to decide against which viruses to design vaccines and drugs and aids medical doctors to better identify what once went undiagnosed.Read moreRead less
I am a paediatrician and respiratory physician with a passion in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and evidence-based clinical practice. My research is built upon a philosophy that encompasses linkages between research, quality clinical work an