Skin Disease Control In Remote Aboriginal Children: Translating Evidence Into Practice With A Cluster Randomised, Stepped Wedge Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,818,581.00
Summary
At any one time, almost one in two children living in remote Indigenous Australian communities have skin sores and one in three have scabies . Despite this high burden, skin infections are under-recognised. Increasing community and health care provider knowledge and access to the best available treatments will be evaluated with the goal of halving the burden of skin infection over five years and implementing the strategies, resources and knowledge to sustain this.
Cluster Randomised Trial Comparing One Versus Two Doses Of Ivermectin For Mass Drug Administration To Control Scabies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,512.00
Summary
Scabies is a common skin disease in developing countries, in particular in the Pacific region. In the Western Province of Solomon Islands, one in two children suffer from the infestation, and 20% of the population. We know that mass drug administration with two doses of oral ivermectin is effective to reduce the burden of scabies in the community. We now propose a study to determine whether one single dose is as effective. This would have major public health benefits.
The Efficacy Of Mass Drug Administration Strategies To Control Scabies In A Highly Endemic Population.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$705,396.00
Summary
Globally there are an estimated 300 million scabies cases annually. Many Pacific countries, including Fiji, have among the highest rates in the world. This island based study in Fiji will compare the short and long term efficacy of two mass treatment protocols using oral ivermectin or topical permethrin against conventional treatment. This study will be the first population-wide treatment trial for scabies that compares new interventions to standard of care treatment.
Does Mass Drug Administration For Scabies Result In Control Of Serious Bacterial Complications? A Proof Of Concept Towards Global Elimination.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$883,760.00
Summary
Scabies is common skin disease in developing countries, in particular in the Pacific region. In Fiji, one in two children suffer from the infestation, which affects over 20% of the population. A recent study conducted in Fiji on 2000 people showed that mass drug administration (MDA) with oral ivermectin is a safe and effective way to reduce the burden of scabies in the community. We will expand the MDA program to 100,000 people, the largest study of MDA ivermectin for scabies ever undertaken.
Optimising Intervention Strategies To Reduce The Burden Of Group A Streptococcus In Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$856,896.00
Summary
Skin sores are highly prevalent in remote Australian Indigenous communities and can lead to invasive infections and rheumatic heart disease. We will develop mathematical models to understand the transmission of skin sores, allowing us to define the optimal extent (household, community, region), timing and triggers for interventions to interrupt transmission. This will guide public health policy in reducing the prevalence of skin sores and scabies, and their accompanying disease burden.
Infection With The Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Among Indigenous Australian Residents Of Remote Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$902,865.00
Summary
The Human T Lymphotropic Virus type 1 is endemic to Aboriginal communities in WA, SA and the NT. HTLV-1 Infection is associated with life-threatening sequelae including leukaemia and chronic lung disease. This project will determine rates of HTLV-1 infection and of HTLV-1 associated conditions in a remote community setting.
INSIDE THE SKIN: UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT HOST RESPONSES IN SCABIES
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$499,095.00
Summary
Scabies is an underlying cause of poor health in indigenous communities worldwide. Crusted scabies is a poorly understood, life-threatening form of the disease compromising the success of community control strategies. This research compares the immune response in the skin of scabies patients, and in a world-first animal model of human scabies. This will reveal specific immune defects predisposing to disease, ultimately resulting in improved skin health for disadvantaged communities
A Targeted Molecular Approach To Treating Scabies And Associated Bacterial Infections.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$518,334.00
Summary
Chronic infestation of human skin with parasitic scabies mites is a severe health burden in Australian Indigenous communities and other disadvantaged communities around the world. Secondary infections with bacteria exacerbate this skin problem, with long-term, systemic and often fatal consequences including rheumatic heart disease. Analyses of the scabies mite genome and associated bacteria will accelerate biomedical research toward improved treatment and control of this neglected disease.
Scabies Mite Intestinal Proteases As Targets For Novel Therapeutics.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$672,533.00
Summary
Scabies causes bacterial disease affecting poor people worldwide. Available therapies are limited and drug resistance is emerging. We investigate molecules that the mite needs to infest the skin, to guide the formulation and the testing of novel drugs. This will provide improved treatment of affected individuals and their families, thereby reducing the spread of scabies and bacterial infections and their devastating sequelae, particularly in Australian Indigenous communities.