Characterisation Of Community Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus And Their Control In Remote Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,777.00
Summary
Before the introduction of antibiotics Staphylococcus aureus, the golden staph , was the major cause of infections in hospitals. Although the introduction of antibiotics helped control the organism it has gradually acquired resistance until strains have emerged which can only be treated with vancomycin. Consequently staphs have again emerged as a major hospital pathogen. The emergence of these multiply resistant strains corresponded to them acquiring methicillin resistance and consequently they ....Before the introduction of antibiotics Staphylococcus aureus, the golden staph , was the major cause of infections in hospitals. Although the introduction of antibiotics helped control the organism it has gradually acquired resistance until strains have emerged which can only be treated with vancomycin. Consequently staphs have again emerged as a major hospital pathogen. The emergence of these multiply resistant strains corresponded to them acquiring methicillin resistance and consequently they have come to be known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. Soon after the emergence of MRSA the hospitals of Western Australia (WA) developed a policy to prevent introduced MRSA from becoming established in its hospitals. Although this has been successful the policy is now under threat with the emergence of MRSA in remote WA Aboriginal communities. Aboriginals in these communities have a large number of infections which are usually treated empirically. This can result in the selection of antibiotic resistant bacteria if they are present. Consequently, it is planned to regularly screen Aboriginal communities which are known to have a high prevalence of MRSA and recommend antibiotic prescribing which will not select for any resistant staphylococci carried by a person. This is possible because the community MRSA are still susceptible to some anti-staphylococcal drugs. If this program is shown to reduce the prevalence of MRSA in the communities then the program will be extended to other communities. Community MRSA are now being reported from other Australian states and it is planned to study these to see if they are related to the WA strains. The community isolates will be studied to assess their potential to acquire additional antibiotic resistances. As some strains are known to be more of a threat to hospitals than others methods will be investigated to develop rapid methods for detecting them.Read moreRead less
ROLE OF PROTEASE ACTIVATED RECEPTORS IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS LUNG PATHOLOGY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$176,521.00
Summary
Cystic fibrosis is a major debilitating disease which eventually kills those with the genetic defect. The lungs of patients become infected with the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Burkolderia cepacia which initiate a chronic and vicious cycle of inflammation resulting in lung failure. Proteases released by the organisms as well as host cells (neutrophils) involved in clearing the infections play a major role in this cycle by causing the release of molecules (cytokines and mediators) from the ....Cystic fibrosis is a major debilitating disease which eventually kills those with the genetic defect. The lungs of patients become infected with the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Burkolderia cepacia which initiate a chronic and vicious cycle of inflammation resulting in lung failure. Proteases released by the organisms as well as host cells (neutrophils) involved in clearing the infections play a major role in this cycle by causing the release of molecules (cytokines and mediators) from the respiratory epithelium. These, in turn, stimulate the movement of neutrophils from the blood to the lung where damage then ensues. How these proteases stimulate release is unclear but studies suggest other proteases involved in inflammation induce release through their interaction with a novel group of protease activated receptors (PAR). In this study, we wish to determine whether PAR are activated or inactivated by host and bacterial proteases commonly seen in the lungs of CF patients. If PAR are activated, it may be possible to develop antagonists which target specific PARS to modulate respiratory epithelial cell function. If inactivated, preservation by adjunct protease inhibitor treatment may be highly beneficial. We will use in vitro technology and cells derived from non-CF and CF patients. This study has great potential in the development of adjunct anti-inflammatory therapy for the treatment of both CF and other inflammatory lung diseases.Read moreRead less