Some of the world's most important diseases, including important diseases of indigenous chilren and the hospitalised elderly are caused by bacteria that carry a surface coating called a capsule. It is not clear how this capsule is retained by bacteria. Resolution of this question could lead to the development of new disinfectants that will stop hospital-acquired infections, to new reagents that can be incoporated into medical devices where bacteria frequently grow, and new antibiotics.
The Molecular Physiology Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae During Sepsis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$232,504.00
Summary
The project will determine the way in which pneumococcus changes its properties when it invades the bloodstream of the human host. Since these changes are linked to sepsis then this new understanding will provide information that can be used to manage and control acute pneumococcal infection.
The Epidemiology And Treatment Of Infections Due To Multiresistant Gram Negative Bacteria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$274,946.00
Summary
This fellowship application deals with the treatment of infections due to antibiotic resistant bacteria. The World Economic Forum recently discussed threats to our modern way of life. The highest ranked threats were climate change, terrorism and antibiotic resistance. During this Fellowship, two large clinical trials of treatment strategies for antibiotic resistant bacteria will be supervised by Professor Paterson.
Copper And Its Antibacterial Action: An Emerging Aspect Of Host Defence Against Bacterial Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$454,858.00
Summary
This project will determine the way in which copper is used as an antimicrobial agent to kill Salmonella that reside inside the macrophage (white blood cell) of the host and also determine how Salmonella defends against copper-dependent killing. It will also determine the role of copper in the killing of extra-intestinal pathogens during sepsis. These results will provide information that can be used to manage and control infections intracellular and extracellular bacterial pathogens.
Genomic Analysis Of Host Response To Influenza A Infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$168,530.00
Summary
Influenza virus infects millions of people globally. However, it remains poorly understood why some infected individuals succumb to life threatening complications whilst others recovered relatively unaffected. This study use advance molecular technique to study influenza infection. It aims to identify the key steps in our immune systems that are progressively disrupted during influenza infection and how this process lead to a break down in our natural defence against the virus.
Protecting Hyposplenic Children And Adults: Identifying Optimal Immunisation Regimens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$472,044.00
Summary
Children and adults without normal spleen function are at massively increased risk of overwhelming infection with the pneumococcus bacteria, with 200 times the risk of death from sepsis compared with the normal community. Poor spleen function can be due to an absent spleen (eg after surgery following a car accident) or an underlying medical condition (eg thalassaemia or cancer therapy). Thousands of Australians are affected by this condition and need extra protection from daily antibiotics and a ....Children and adults without normal spleen function are at massively increased risk of overwhelming infection with the pneumococcus bacteria, with 200 times the risk of death from sepsis compared with the normal community. Poor spleen function can be due to an absent spleen (eg after surgery following a car accident) or an underlying medical condition (eg thalassaemia or cancer therapy). Thousands of Australians are affected by this condition and need extra protection from daily antibiotics and additional immunsiations against pneumococcus. A new vaccine against pneumococcus was introduced for Australian infants routinely in 2005 and has prevented many from developing pneumococcal meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia. We wish to see whether this new vaccine, when used with the older existing pneumococcal vaccine, will better protect older children and adults with poor spleen function from the devastating effects of pneumococcus. We will compare different ways of using these vaccines to try to identify the most protective vaccination plan for this vulnerable group of Australians.Read moreRead less