Immunological Prevention Of Hydatid Disease And Cysticercosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,340.00
Summary
This project seeks to develop practical vaccines to control the transmission of cysticercosis and hydatid disease. These diseases are caused by infection with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites which have a worldwide distribution and cause substantial human morbidity and mortality. The parasites are transmitted to humans from animals. Methods for control of transmission of infection currently rely on public education and anthelmintic treatment of animals. These measures are often ineffectiv ....This project seeks to develop practical vaccines to control the transmission of cysticercosis and hydatid disease. These diseases are caused by infection with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites which have a worldwide distribution and cause substantial human morbidity and mortality. The parasites are transmitted to humans from animals. Methods for control of transmission of infection currently rely on public education and anthelmintic treatment of animals. These measures are often ineffective and there is an urgent need for new tools to help control transmission of these important diseases. Previous research has shown that the animal hosts of these parasites can be protected from infection by vaccination. Prevention of infection in the parasites' animal hosts has the effect of breaking the parasite life cycle and indirectly removes the source of infection for humans. This project will further develop an existing vaccine against hydatid disease, will develop a new vaccine against cysticercosis and will participate in initial international parasite control campaigns based on application of these vaccines.Read moreRead less
Immunological Prevention Of Cysticercosis And Hydatid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,109.00
Summary
Cysticercosis and hydatid disease are caused by infections with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites. They are zoonotic diseases, transmitted to humans from animals. This project aims to develop practical vaccines to assist with the prevention of these diseases in humans. We will vaccinate the parasites' natural animal hosts and, thereby, break the parasite life-cycles, indirectly and inexpensively preventing the diseases being passed to humans.
Immunological Prevention Of Cysticercosis And Hydatid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$802,685.00
Summary
Professor Lightowlers’ has developed the world’s most effective vaccines against diseases caused by parasites. The vaccines prevent transmission of parasites from livestock animals to humans. During the next 5 years the vaccines will be produced on a large scale and evaluated in field trials. The products of this research program will make a major contribution to reducing the number of people suffering from parasitic cysts.
A Helminth-derived Peptide Is A Novel Prophylactic And Therapeutic Treatment For Autoimmune Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$658,778.00
Summary
Parasitic worms (helminths) secrete molecules that possess a remarkable ability to skew the mammalian immune system towards anti-inflammatory responses. We have expoited a novel peptide secreted by helminths, which offers tremendous potential for the development of novel prophylactic and therapeutic treatments for a range of immune-mediated conditions. The overarching aim of this project is to further elucidate the mechanism of action and to determine the peptide’s clinical application.
Immunological Prevention Of Cysticercosis And Hydatid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,868.00
Summary
Cysticercosis and hydatid disease are caused by infections with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites. They are life-threatening zoonotic diseases, transmitted to humans from animals and are most common in people living in poor countries. This project aims to develop practical vaccines to assist with the prevention of these diseases in humans. We will vaccinate the parasites' natural animal hosts and break the parasite life-cycles, thereby indirectly and inexpensively preventing the diseases b ....Cysticercosis and hydatid disease are caused by infections with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites. They are life-threatening zoonotic diseases, transmitted to humans from animals and are most common in people living in poor countries. This project aims to develop practical vaccines to assist with the prevention of these diseases in humans. We will vaccinate the parasites' natural animal hosts and break the parasite life-cycles, thereby indirectly and inexpensively preventing the diseases being passed to humans.Read moreRead less
Regulation Of Immune Mechanisms By Pathogen Cysteine Proteases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$424,676.00
Summary
To survive, parasites have evolved many strategies to control the human immune system. We have identified an enzyme secreted by parasites that can manipulate cells of the immune system, subsequently preventing the development of inflammatory responses. We will investigate the mechanism involved and determine whether this enzyme could be exploited for therapeutic purposes to switch off inflammation in autoimmune disease such as type-1 diabetes.
Therapeutic Potential Of Hookworm Secreted Molecules For The Treatment Of Human Autoimmune Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$93,597.00
Summary
In developed countries, the increased incidence of allergic and autoimmune diseases has been related to the decreased prevalence of parasitic infections. The present research will explore the role that parasite molecules play in mechanisms that regulate the immune response of their vertebrate hosts and test their potential to become novel therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Immunological Control Of Cysticercosis And Hydatid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$828,300.00
Summary
In this project the world’s most effective vaccines against diseases caused by parasites will be translated from the laboratory to the clinic. The vaccines prevent transmission of parasites from livestock animals to humans. During the next 5 years the vaccines will be produced on a large scale and evaluated in field trials. The products of this research program will make a major contribution to reducing the number of people suffering from parasitic cysts.
Immunological Prevention Of Cysticercosis And Hydatid Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,000.00
Summary
Cysticercosis and hydatid disease are caused by infections with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites. These infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality throughout the world, but particularly in developing countries. They are zoonotic diseases, being transmitted to humans from animals. This project aims to develop practical vaccines to assist with the prevention of both cysticercosis and hydatid disease in humans. The vaccines will be used in the parasites' natural animal hosts, there ....Cysticercosis and hydatid disease are caused by infections with the larval stages of tapeworm parasites. These infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality throughout the world, but particularly in developing countries. They are zoonotic diseases, being transmitted to humans from animals. This project aims to develop practical vaccines to assist with the prevention of both cysticercosis and hydatid disease in humans. The vaccines will be used in the parasites' natural animal hosts, thereby breaking the parasite life-cycle and preventing the diseases being passed to humans. Substantial preliminary research has been undertaken by the applicant, including completion of successful preliminary vaccine trials. This project will optimise the vaccines and complete initial field trials in countries with high rates of disease transmission.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of In Vivo Modulation Of Granulomatous Inflammation In Human Schistosomiasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,598.00
Summary
Schistosomiasis is a serious parasitic disease responsible for up to 300,000 deaths annually. The cause are blood flukes that produce considerable disease severity, resulting from host inflammation against the parasite eggs lodging in the liver, giving rise to fibrosis, liver damage, enlarged spleen and death. The pathogenesis is regulated by molecules called cytokines and this project will unravel the mechanisms that regulate disease progression to the severe forms of chronic schistosomiasis.