Molecular Typing And Epidemiology Of Bordetella Pertussis In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,662.00
Summary
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is an acute respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. Despite more than half a century of vaccination, pertussis has remained endemic in Australia, causing epidemic outbreaks every 3 to 4 years. Indeed the incidence has been increasing in recent years with over 11,000 cases notified in 2005.Pertussis is the commonest of all vaccine preventable diseases targeted by the Australian standard vaccination schedule. To control pertussis, appropriat ....Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is an acute respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. Despite more than half a century of vaccination, pertussis has remained endemic in Australia, causing epidemic outbreaks every 3 to 4 years. Indeed the incidence has been increasing in recent years with over 11,000 cases notified in 2005.Pertussis is the commonest of all vaccine preventable diseases targeted by the Australian standard vaccination schedule. To control pertussis, appropriate epidemiological surveillance must be implemented to monitor the circulating B. pertussis strains and emergence of any new strains, in particular those that escape the protection by vaccines. This project will use a novel genomic comparison approach to find variation known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) present around the genome. We will use these SNPs to analyse a large collection of Australian and worldwide isolates to identify those SNPs most suitable for typing and determine the optimal number of SNPs needed for discrimination. A standardized, consistent and reliable typing method for strain identification will be established. We will further develop an integrated method for detecting known variation in the genes encoding the five acellular vaccine antigens. A combined method for strain identification and detection of antigenic variation will then be developed for culture-independent typing, enabling identification of the strain infecting an individual directly from a clinical sample without the need for culture. This study will establish molecular methods for surveillance of pertussis in Australia, essential for further improvement of acellular pertussis vaccines and public health control measures.Read moreRead less
RV3 Rotavirus Vaccine: Phase I And II Clinical Trials Of A Human Neonatal Rotavirus Vaccine For The Global Community
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,099,123.00
Summary
Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of gastroenteritis responsible for over 600,000 deaths each year in children less than 5 years. Although 2 commercial vaccines are now available in Australia, the high cost and concern about the risk of side effects are barriers to widespread vaccine introduction. The goal of this study is to develop an effective rotavirus vaccine, administered to newborns that is affordable for the global community, able to be introduced cheaply in developing countries w ....Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of gastroenteritis responsible for over 600,000 deaths each year in children less than 5 years. Although 2 commercial vaccines are now available in Australia, the high cost and concern about the risk of side effects are barriers to widespread vaccine introduction. The goal of this study is to develop an effective rotavirus vaccine, administered to newborns that is affordable for the global community, able to be introduced cheaply in developing countries where the burden of morbidity and mortality is greatest.Read moreRead less
Impact Of Influenza A Infection On T Cell-mediated Immunity To Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$488,058.00
Summary
Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death worldwide and there is an urgent need to develop better anti-TB vaccines. Infection with respiratory viruses may reduce memory T cell responses to M. tuberculosis (Mtb). This project will investigate if Influenza A infection reduces memory anti-tuberculosis T cell responses in mice previously exposed to Mtb or BCG. We will then use influenza viruses engineered to carry parts of Mtb proteins to boost anti-Mtb T cell responses and the protective effect of B ....Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death worldwide and there is an urgent need to develop better anti-TB vaccines. Infection with respiratory viruses may reduce memory T cell responses to M. tuberculosis (Mtb). This project will investigate if Influenza A infection reduces memory anti-tuberculosis T cell responses in mice previously exposed to Mtb or BCG. We will then use influenza viruses engineered to carry parts of Mtb proteins to boost anti-Mtb T cell responses and the protective effect of BCG.Read moreRead less
Clinical Trial Of Intravitreal Injections Of Dexamethasone Vs Bevacizumab In Diabetic Foveal Oedema Resistant To Laser
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$336,398.00
Summary
Diabetic macular oedema (swelling in the back of the eye) occurs in 20% of patients who have had diabetes for 10 years, and causes progressive vision loss. This project aims to determine whether there may be a difference between treatment with bevaciumab -VEGF inhibitor- and steroids used as eye injections inpatients with diabetic macular oedema losing vision despite standard laser treatment.
Development Of Improved Vaccine Strategies For Measles Using Plant-derived Edible Vaccines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$331,980.00
Summary
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that is contracted via the respiratory tract. Severe infection may lead to complications such as otitis media, pneumonia, encephalitis. Despite our current vaccination strategy outbreaks still occur in Australia and measles is a major problem in developing countries. In developing nations the case fatality rate of measles is several hundred times that of developed nations. Over 800,000 children still die each year due to measles. Problems with the cur ....Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that is contracted via the respiratory tract. Severe infection may lead to complications such as otitis media, pneumonia, encephalitis. Despite our current vaccination strategy outbreaks still occur in Australia and measles is a major problem in developing countries. In developing nations the case fatality rate of measles is several hundred times that of developed nations. Over 800,000 children still die each year due to measles. Problems with the current vaccination strategy are: a) doesn't work in children less than 1 year of age, b) must be kept cold c) must be given by injection. We believe that a plant derived edible vaccine for measles will address the limitations of currently available vaccine i.e. we can give it children under the age of 1 year, it can be eaten and doesn't have to be kept cold.Read moreRead less
Do Respiratory Viruses Explain High Rates Of Acute Otitis Media With Perforation In Young Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$207,159.00
Summary
Aboriginal children living in remote communities have very high rates of acute otitis media with perforation. Antibiotics can prevent about half these episodes but long courses are needed. No studies have assessed the potential contribution of respiratory viruses to this burden. This study will use samples (already stored in freezers) from children with perforation and children without perforation to screen for respiratory viruses. Direct clinical and research implications are anticipated.
RV3 Rotavirus Vaccine: A Human Neonatal Rotavirus Vaccine For The Asia-Pacific Region
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,264,330.00
Summary
Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of severe dehydrating gastroenteritis responsible for ~600,000 deaths per year in children <5 years of age worldwide. In this proposal we outline plans for the development of a human neonatal rotavirus vaccine in Indonesia. The goal is a safe and effective rotavirus vaccine affordable for children within the Asia-Pacific region and worldwide.
Both hearing and balance are vulnerable during ear surgery, and the loss of either carries a heavy personal, social and economic cost. We will develop new ways of protecting the ear during surgery, though the local delivery of medication to the inner ear. The protocol will be developed in the laboratory and tested in a clinical trial. This research will stand to benefit all people undergoing major operation on their ear, and especially cochlear implant candidates with residual hearing.
Aetiology, Burden And Causal Pathways Of Acute Lower Respiratory Infections Using Population Linked Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,476.00
Summary
Lower respiratory, or chest infections, are a problem for many children. This project will investigate the impact of chest infections on hospitals and emergency departments, the viruses and bacteria that cause them, identify those children who are at an increased risk of having chest infections and investigate the impact of routine immunisations on specific types of infections. This project will greatly add to our understanding of chest infections so appropriate interventions can be developed.