Vitamin D And Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (ALRI) In Indigenous Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,669.00
Summary
Australian Indigenous children experience extreme rates of acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) that medical interventions have failed to reduce. Vitamin D is an important immunoregulatory molecule of the respiratory system that remains uncharacterised in this population. We propose that deficiency contributes to the persistent rates of ALRI. This study will characterise vitamin D levels in a cohort of Indigenous children with and without ALRI. The results will guide future intervention.
Randomised Controlled Trial Of Azithromycin To Reduce The Morbidity Of Severe Bronchiolitis In Indigenous Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,456,802.00
Summary
Acute lower respiratory infections are the commonest cause of hospitalisations and retrievals from remote communities. Early severe respiratory infections likely impair lung growth. We will examine whether azithromycin (antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties) should be used to treat infants hospitalised with bronchiolitis to reduce the severity of bronchiolitis and prevent rehospitalisation. The study potentially improves acute clinical care as well as prevents future respiratory illness.
Studies On The Effects Of RSV Infection During Infancy On Aeroallergen-specific T-cell Immunity And Lung Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$130,475.00
Summary
Many infants who develop transient severe wheezing in association with respiratory infections, go on to develop asthma which can persist throughout childhood and some times into adult life. It is not known whether the respiratory infections are a direct cause of later asthma, or whether they simply function as flag which identifies children who have a genetic predisposition to wheeze e.g. because they have abnormally narrow airways. This project will compare the effects of respiratory infection ....Many infants who develop transient severe wheezing in association with respiratory infections, go on to develop asthma which can persist throughout childhood and some times into adult life. It is not known whether the respiratory infections are a direct cause of later asthma, or whether they simply function as flag which identifies children who have a genetic predisposition to wheeze e.g. because they have abnormally narrow airways. This project will compare the effects of respiratory infection in infants with the RSV virus, who contract the disease at different ages, and who have varying levels of genetic risk for respiratory allergies. In particular, it will examine the possibility that in certain cases, infection of genetically susceptible individuals during early infancy will boost the development of allergies to airborne environmental allergens (such as house dust mite) which are known to trigger asthma attacks in older children and adults.Read moreRead less
The Immunoregulatory Domains And Binding Interactions Of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Non-structural Proteins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$484,051.00
Summary
Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract disease in infants and yet there are no vaccines available. HRSV exacerbates disease by interfering with the innate immune response. We aim to establish the mechanism by which this occurs by identifying the cellular-viral protein interactions involved, and by identifying the specific regions of the viral proteins responsible. This information will allow targeted vaccines and antivirals to be developed.
Characterization Of Cellular Inflammatory Responses Underlying Acute Viral Bronchiolitis In Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$583,224.00
Summary
This project seeks to characterize the inflammatory mechanisms triggered during severe respiratory virus infections that result in hospitalization of infants. These are associated with later development of asthma. We aim to identify new molecular targets for anti-inflammatory drug development, with the long term goals of improving treatment for acute disease, and prevention of subsequent asthma.
Pneumovirus Infection In Infancy Affects The Development Of Life-long Adaptive Immunity.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,469.00
Summary
Respiratory syncytial virus is the most important cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection (RTI) in young children worldwide. Hospital admission rates in Western societies for RTIs are around 3% for children younger than 1 year. A vaccine to RSV is not yet available and repeat infections occur thoughout life, suggesting that the immune response does not develop correctly. In this project we are exploring the mechanisms that underpin disease development and promote incomplete immunity.
Improved Early Respiratory Support Of Infants And Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$645,205.00
Summary
Worldwide respiratory disease in children has the highest health care burden on society. Children aged <5 years in particular, are increasing in hospital admissions and to intensive care where the cost is elevated. New ways of oxygen therapy have been studied and shown that we can reduce ICU admission if a therapy known as Nasal High Flow (NHF) therapy is applied earlier in the progression of the disease. Further research is needed in NHF therapy and to improve upon our patient outcomes.
High Flow Cannula Therapy In Bronchiolitis, A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,283,342.00
Summary
Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of paediatric hospitalisation in Australia. Despite multiple research studies the outcome has not changed. Our recent studies supported by other international studies have shown that the use of high flow nasal cannula oxygen may reduce the severity and prevent progression of the disease. We aim to investigate if HFNC in regional hospitals can reduce the number of infants transferred to specialist children’s hospitals and reduce the socio-economic burden.
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.
Elucidating Sub-clinical Pathways To Chronic Rejection In Lung Transplantation And Therapeutic Implications
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$416,587.00
Summary
Organ transplantation has become a feasible option for many end-stage clinical conditions, including advanced lung disease. However, despite often dramatic short term successful outcomes, late graft dysfunction due to chronic rejection remains a major obstacle to long-term success. This is particularly the case in lung transplantation despite the use of potent broad spectrum immunosuppressive agents. The three major risk factors that have been identified for chronic rejection following lung tran ....Organ transplantation has become a feasible option for many end-stage clinical conditions, including advanced lung disease. However, despite often dramatic short term successful outcomes, late graft dysfunction due to chronic rejection remains a major obstacle to long-term success. This is particularly the case in lung transplantation despite the use of potent broad spectrum immunosuppressive agents. The three major risk factors that have been identified for chronic rejection following lung transplantation are acute rejection episodes diagnosed on lung biopsy, reactivation of the ubiquitous human DNA virus CMV and persistent lymphocytosis in the transplanted lung suggesting that potent broad spectrum immunosuppression may have both beneficial and harmful effects in lung transplant recipients. This proposal will apply sensitive new immunological techniques to detect and quantitate each of these risk factors at a sub-clinical level with a view to delineating their relationship with each other and with the development of chronic rejection following lung transplantation. This information will help unravel the pathogenesis of chronic rejection in lung transplant recipients and improve clinical management decisions in these patients and therefore long term health outcomes.Read moreRead less