Modelling The Interaction Between Sexually Transmitted Infections And HIV Transmission To Inform Public Health Policy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$543,624.00
Summary
Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increase the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV. Using mathematical models the population level effects of this increased risk will be investigated. This work will inform the design of effective and efficient STI treatment programs that aim to reduce the number of HIV infections in Australian gay men, prevent HIV epidemics in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities, and slow the growth of HIV in Papua New Guinea.
Randomised Trial To Determine The Safety And Efficacy Of Early Vs Deferred Treatment Of HIV
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,070,331.00
Summary
Treatments for HIV represent a miraculous achievement of medical research. Global use of antiretroviral drugs has prevented substantial morbidity and mortality. However, it is unclear if these drugs should be used in people who are HIV positive with early HIV disease but no clinical symptoms. The START trial will result in a precise estimate of the risk-benefit for earlier versus later use of these treatments. It will immediately affect treatment guidelines around the world and inform future res ....Treatments for HIV represent a miraculous achievement of medical research. Global use of antiretroviral drugs has prevented substantial morbidity and mortality. However, it is unclear if these drugs should be used in people who are HIV positive with early HIV disease but no clinical symptoms. The START trial will result in a precise estimate of the risk-benefit for earlier versus later use of these treatments. It will immediately affect treatment guidelines around the world and inform future research for many years to come.Read moreRead less
Randomised Trial To Determine The Safety And Efficacy Of Early Versus Deferred Treatment Of Adult HIV Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,254.00
Summary
The purpose of this randomised study is to determine whether the use of combination antiviral drugs during early stages of HIV disease is superior to later use in adults with HIV infection. Superiority is defined in terms of reducing the number of serious diseases and deaths that are associated with HIV infection.
AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Long-term HIV infection leads to increased incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma, AIDS dementia complex, and immune dysfunctions. The HIV-1 Tat protein has been linked to disease progression. However, Tat is predominantly found in the cell nucleus while measurable levels in patient serum. This is not believed to be a passive event caused by dying cells. Here we will investigate how Tat is released by HIV-1 infected cells.
HOST CELL FACTORS INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF HIV-1 REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$636,919.00
Summary
We have found that when human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects a cell, it uses functions of the host to better infect. At this point, we do not know the identity of the host cell factors involved. If we are able to identify the factors we might be able to specifically target them without affecting normal cell functions. This approach has the advantage that it minimises the opportunities for the virus to develop drug resitance, which is increasingly a problem with HIV.
Whole Human Genone Expression Analysis In CD4+ CD8+ T Cells And Monocytes At Various Stages Of HIV Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$380,558.00
Summary
HIV is an important global problem and what happens to human gene machinery at the level of different cell types upon contact with HIV remains unclear. We have a novel approach of analysing whole human genome expression in relation to HIV in diverse blood cell types. Identification and understanding of key genes will provide insights into how restoration of the host immune system could be achieved in the future in combating HIV infection and possible cure.
Consequences Of Disulfide Exchange In CD4 For Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$332,580.00
Summary
CD4 is a particular type of receptor on the surface of immune cells that participates in our response to infection. CD4 is also the primary receptor for the HIV virus which causes AIDS. We have discovered that a particular type of chemistry is occurring in CD4. This chemistry, which is known as redox chemistry, changes the shape of CD4. The shape change appears to be controlled by the immune cell. We have suggested that the redox chemistry in CD4 is important for controlling how immune cells res ....CD4 is a particular type of receptor on the surface of immune cells that participates in our response to infection. CD4 is also the primary receptor for the HIV virus which causes AIDS. We have discovered that a particular type of chemistry is occurring in CD4. This chemistry, which is known as redox chemistry, changes the shape of CD4. The shape change appears to be controlled by the immune cell. We have suggested that the redox chemistry in CD4 is important for controlling how immune cells respond to infection and how the HIV virus infects immune cells. Moreover, we have designed a small synthetic compound that blocks the redox chemistry in CD4 and prevents HIV infection in the test tube. We propose to investigate how the redox chemistry in CD4 controls the function of immune cells and infection by HIV.Read moreRead less
Epidemiology Of Unexplained Antepartum Fetal Death In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,350.00
Summary
The death of a baby before birth is a devastating event for the parents and families. In the vast number of these deaths, no cause can be found leaving no clues for parents and care providers struggling with decisions about future pregnancies and how the risk may be reduced for all women in pregnancy. Fetal death before the onset of labour without an apparent cause (Unexplained Antepartum Fetal Death (UAFD) constitutes the most common cause of fetal death. In Australia, the rate of UAFD is appro ....The death of a baby before birth is a devastating event for the parents and families. In the vast number of these deaths, no cause can be found leaving no clues for parents and care providers struggling with decisions about future pregnancies and how the risk may be reduced for all women in pregnancy. Fetal death before the onset of labour without an apparent cause (Unexplained Antepartum Fetal Death (UAFD) constitutes the most common cause of fetal death. In Australia, the rate of UAFD is approximately 2 per 1 000 births, contributing 30% to all fetal deaths. The rate of UAFD is over three times the current rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in Australia. Despite this, little research has been undertaken in this area. The research which has been undertaken suggests that factors which are present during pregnancy may identify women who are at risk. However, the results of these studies are not consistent, largely due to the problems with study design, and therefore the available information is not sufficiently reliable to assist in identification of women at risk. Well designed, large scale studies are urgently needed to determine, from the reported list of risk factors, those factors which truly identify a woman at increased risk in the antenatal period where appropriate care can be provided to decrease the likelihood of fetal death. Recently, a collaborative effort involving clinicians and consumers in Australia has commenced to support and undertake research and related activities and to collaborate with international groups in reducing the risk of UAFD (ANZ Fetal Death Collaborative Group). This study forms the basis for this work within Australia. This study is designed to identify women who are at risk of unexplained antepartum fetal death. The study involves a review of 800 unexplained antepartum fetal deaths in three States of Australia and an analysis of information on all births in Australia which is routinely collected by Health Departments.Read moreRead less