REDUcing The Burden Of Dialysis Catheter ComplicaTIOns: A National Approach (REDUCCTION)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,192,237.00
Summary
REDUCCTION will form the basis of national action to reduce the burden of dialysis catheter associated bacteraemia, the most expensive healthcare acquired infection in the highest risk patient group, and drive savings of life and money.
Understanding The Disease Burden And Antibiotic Resistance In Patients With Bloodstream Infections Caused By Enterobacteriaceae In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$135,285.00
Summary
This study aims to establish the epidemiology of bloodstream infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae (enteric or gut bacteria) in Australia, by examining infection rates, types of antibiotic resistance present, and which treatments optimise clinical outcomes.
Understanding Virulence Of Invasive Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,711.00
Summary
Staph aureus (Golden staph) is a major cause of disease in humans. In this project we will use state-of-the-art molecular biology and genomics to fully understand the mechanisms of virulence in this pathogen. This information will inform future approaches to development of therapeutics, as well as the use of genomics in clinical microbiology and disease management.
Invasive Staphylococcus Aureus Disease In Children; Epidemiology, Treatment And Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$124,676.00
Summary
This project will involve a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCT) on the treatment Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) as well as a local WA retrospective review to quantify disease burden, trends and outcome. A prospective 2-year multicentre Australian review will then identify variables that can predict complicated and uncomplicated SAB. This information will then be used to design a RCT protocol on risk-stratified treatment approaches for SAB in paediatrics.
Forensic Approach For Reservoir Identification For Serious S. Aureus Infections In Top End Dialysis Clients
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$850,832.00
Summary
Indigenous Australians suffer from kidney disease at a much higher rate than non-Indigenous Australians and are far more likely to require dialysis treatment. Infections with the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (Golden Staph) further reduce the quality of life for these patients, causing serious disease and even death. We aim to identify exactly where these Golden Staph infections are coming from so that we can design targeted procedures to reduce the chance of infections occurring.
Intracellular Survival Of Burkholderia Pseudomallei And Evasion Of Autophagy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,799.00
Summary
Melioidosis is a disease with high mortality that is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Autophagy is a natural part of the mammalian immune system. This project seeks to explain how Burkholderia pseudomallei avoids killing by host autophagy and identify the bacterial factors necessary for its survival within cells. The identified genes will be future targets for medical intervention.
Development And Evaluation Of Novel Antibacterial Coatings For The Prevention Of Infection On Biomedical Devices
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$284,402.00
Summary
This project aims to develop infection-resistant coatings that can be applied to a wide range of biomedical devices used in human health care. Novel antibacterial compounds from Australian plants (genus Eremophila) will be coated as thin layers onto model materials used for biomedical device fabrication, then onto real-life biomedical products and evaluated for ability to deter colonization by biofilm-forming human pathogenic bacteria.
Central Venous Catheter-associated Bloodstream Infections In Patients With Cancer: A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$88,218.00
Summary
Patients with cancer often require prolonged access to the bloodstream via a central venous access device in order to deliver chemotherapy treatments as well as associated supportive and symptomatic therapies. A common serious side-effect of having this device is the development of an infection in the blood. This research will investigate whether insertion of the device into the non-dominant side of the body will reduce the likelihood of developing a bloodstream infection.
The Economics Of Reducing The Risk Of Healthcare-acquired Intravascular Device Related Bloodstream Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$119,500.00
Summary
Approximately one in ten patients will acquire an infection after admission to hospital. Patients will have their hospital stay prolonged during which time they will employ scarce health care resources that might otherwise have been made available to others in need, they will suffer additional pain and anxiety, they will take longer to recuperate after discharge using primary care and outpatient services more intensively and there is a sevenfold increase in the chance of dying in hospital as a r ....Approximately one in ten patients will acquire an infection after admission to hospital. Patients will have their hospital stay prolonged during which time they will employ scarce health care resources that might otherwise have been made available to others in need, they will suffer additional pain and anxiety, they will take longer to recuperate after discharge using primary care and outpatient services more intensively and there is a sevenfold increase in the chance of dying in hospital as a result of an infection. There will be other social costs as those affected take longer to return to their normal economic activities. The aggregate economic burdens imposed by healthcare-associated infection in the US are valued at $AU 11.3 Billion and $AU 3.1 in the UK. Research in currently underway to estimate the economic costs to Australia. One type of hospital infection are those that affect the blood and many are caused by invasive devices. At least 3,500 patients are affected each year in the Australia. The human and financial costs of these particular infections are significant. These infections can be prevented but the preventive activities are costly. The purpose of this research is to systematically evaluate the cost and effectiveness of all known infection control interventions to identify those which offer the best value for money. Furthermore we propose to identify the efficient investment in infection control activities, a point where the economic benefit is equalised with economic cost. This research will identify how much to invest in infection control and the specific interventions to which these investments should be directed. Efficient infection control will save lives, improve outcomes for patients, reduce the period of recuperation, and reduce the significant economic costs to both the patient and the health care system.Read moreRead less
Characterising The Role Of Streptokinase Polymorphism In Invasive Pathogenesis Of Streptococcus Pyogenes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$480,535.00
Summary
Invasive bacterial pathogens such as Streptococcus pyogenes, can hijack host proteins and use them to facilitate the disease process. S. pyogenes secrete streptokinase to activate a host protease (plasminogen) which is used by the bacterium to invade through host tissue. This project will characterise the molecular mechanisms involved in streptokinase mediated activation of plasminogen which will assist the generation of novel therapeutics to treat invasive diseases.