Metabolism-driven Interactions Of Non-typeable Haemophilus Influenzae And Its Host: A Critical Factor In Infection?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$474,932.00
Summary
Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is the underlying cause of many severe acute and chronic respiratory infections, which represent a significant burden to the healthcare system. As NTHi is unable to survive outside the human host, it is is highly adapted to survival in the body niches it colonizes. We are investigating how NTHI is able to survive in the presence of tissue inflammation, and whether it contributes to the inflammatory process through some of its metabolic products.
Impact Of Phasevarions Of Non-typeable Haemophilus Influenzae On Otitis Media Pathobiology And Vaccine Development.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,124.00
Summary
Otitis media (OM), or middle ear infection, is a prevalent pediatric disease worldwide. Haemophilus influenzae causes 40% of acute OM cases, and most chronic OM and recurrent OM. There is a urgent need for vaccines to prevent OM. Our discovery of a novel genetic switch gives new insights into OM and the change from asymptomatic colonization to OM. The role of this switch on virulence in several dominant strains, and the impact on current and future candidates will be studied.
Evaluation Of Haemophilus Haemolyticus As A Preventative Therapy For NTHi Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,659.00
Summary
Middle ear infections are the most common reason for a child to be given antibiotics and undergo surgery. This project will investigate whether a harmless bacterium found in the respiratory tract of children can be used as a probiotic to prevent bacterial ear infections. Benefits from reducing ear infections include fewer children undergoing surgery, fewer GP visits and antibiotic prescriptions, less time off work for parents, reduced hearing loss in children, and improved educational outcomes.
Novel Epigenetic Regulatory Mechanisms In Moraxella Catarrhalis And Non-typeable Haemophilus Influenzae: Impact On Vaccine Development And Role In Pathobiology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$626,979.00
Summary
Moraxella catarrhalis (Mcat) and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) are two major causes of middle ear infections in children, and respiratory disease in adults. This project aims to characterise novel regulatory mechanisms associated with disease isolates of these bacteria. This research will aid vaccine development by defining the repertoire of stably expressed potential vaccine targets of Mcat and NTHi, and will improve our understanding of host-pathogen interactions.
Phase Variable Protein Glycosylation In Bacteria Mucosal Pathogens And Its Role In Immune Evasion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$409,728.00
Summary
The bacterium Haemophilus influenzae is a leading cause of ear infections. Hearing loss from these infections can seriously affect literacy and educational performance. As no vaccine is available, we will research how the bacterium makes the HMW protein that is important in infection. We will study how sugars are added to the surface of this protein so that the bacterium can escape the immune system, its role in related bacteria and how it may be used in a vaccine.
Understanding Respiratory Infections To Improve Vaccines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$268,497.00
Summary
Indigenous children have the highest rates of ear disease (OM) and associated hearing loss in the world. Papua New Guinea has the highest child mortality rates in the Western Pacific Region with 23% of deaths from pneumonia. OM and pneumonia vaccines can be improved through broadening their coverage of disease-causing pathogens. This study will identify the pathogens that currently cause OM in Indigenous children and pneumonia in PNG, and will measure the immune responses to these pathogens, in ....Indigenous children have the highest rates of ear disease (OM) and associated hearing loss in the world. Papua New Guinea has the highest child mortality rates in the Western Pacific Region with 23% of deaths from pneumonia. OM and pneumonia vaccines can be improved through broadening their coverage of disease-causing pathogens. This study will identify the pathogens that currently cause OM in Indigenous children and pneumonia in PNG, and will measure the immune responses to these pathogens, in order to develop improved vaccines.Read moreRead less