Developing A Vaccine To Protect Against Hypervirulent Strains Of Group A Streptococcus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$536,850.00
Summary
Epidemic invasive GAS disease is associated with the emergence of the globally disseminated M1T1 clone and is linked to the mutation in the CovR/S regulator. This mutation leads to over- expression of SpyCEP and inhibits recruitment of neutrophils to the site of infection. Inclusion of an immunogenic fragment of SpyCEP into our current vaccine would enhance its efficacy and lead to the development of a vaccine with a wider coverage and better protective efficacy against hypervirulent GAS strains
Investigation Of The Localisation, Transport And Vaccine Potential Of Group A Streptococcal Cell Surface Proteins.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$505,523.00
Summary
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus; GAS) is a bacterium that causes human skin and throat infections as well as highly invasive diseases including necrotising fasciitis. Additionally, serious sequeale, including rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis, may result following repeated infection. We have recently examined the GAS cell wall and identified 23 proteins that are surface exposed, 20 of which are novel. We hypothesise that a number of these surface exposed proteins represe ....Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus; GAS) is a bacterium that causes human skin and throat infections as well as highly invasive diseases including necrotising fasciitis. Additionally, serious sequeale, including rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis, may result following repeated infection. We have recently examined the GAS cell wall and identified 23 proteins that are surface exposed, 20 of which are novel. We hypothesise that a number of these surface exposed proteins represent candidate vaccine antigens capable of conferring protective immunity. We therefore propose to examine these surface proteins as components of experimental vaccines against GAS.Read moreRead less
Utilisation Of The Human Plasminogen Activation System By Group A Streptococci: Contribution To Virulence And Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$254,250.00
Summary
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci; GAS) is a bacterium which causes human skin and throat infections as well as highly invasive diseases including the flesh eating disease necrotising fasciitis. Additionally, serious sequelae, including rheumatic fever and acute glomeulonephritis, may result following infection. Such diseases cause high morbidity and mortality in Aboriginal populations and are a continual significant drain on the national health fund. An important mode of invasion by ....Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci; GAS) is a bacterium which causes human skin and throat infections as well as highly invasive diseases including the flesh eating disease necrotising fasciitis. Additionally, serious sequelae, including rheumatic fever and acute glomeulonephritis, may result following infection. Such diseases cause high morbidity and mortality in Aboriginal populations and are a continual significant drain on the national health fund. An important mode of invasion by GAS may be related to their ability to capture and activate host plasminogen via surface-associated or secreted plasminogen binding proteins (receptors). Plasminogen can be activated by host activators or secreted GAS streptokinase to the potent enzyme plasmin which is responsible for the degradation of tissue barriers. Thus, GAS may utilise plasmin to destroy tissue barriers and invade host tissues. The characterisation of the interaction between GAS and the plasminogen activation system would clarify the role of this system in invasive disease and provide potential targets for therapeutic intervention.Read moreRead less
Role Of The Host Fibrinolytic System In Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$531,444.00
Summary
The flesh-eating bacterium group A streptococcus (GAS) is estimated to cause 700 million cases of self-limiting disease, and 600,000 cases of serious invasive disease each year. Approximately 25% of invasive infections are fatal. We have shown that GAS are able to hijack the host fibrinolytoc system to cause severe invasive infections. We plan to further examine the details of how this contributes to GAS disease. This research may contribute to the future devlopment of new therapeutics.