Improving Outcomes In Patients With Community-acquired Severe Sepsis: The Role Of Pre-hospital Antibiotics.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$265,138.00
Summary
Severe sepsis occurs when infection causes organ dysfunction. If not treated early, outcomes remain poor. Foremost in effectively treating this condition is the initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics. This Fellowship will assess the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of pre-hospital antibiotics administered by paramedics to patients with suspected community-acquired severe-sepsis, as a means to improve patient outcomes in this highly vulnerable group.
Severe sepsis is characterised by organ dysfunction secondary to infection, typically bacterial. We will quantify bacteria in the bloodstream of patients with septic shock, the most severe form of sepsis, to determine the relationship between bacterial load and clinical outcomes. We hypothesise that the bacterial load on presentation and the change in bacterial load over time determines survival and the evolution of organ failure in patients with septic shock.
Optimising Patient Outcomes Following Surgery: Bridging The Fields Of Antimicrobial Stewardship, Microbiology And Infection Prevention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,000.00
Summary
Over 2.4 million surgeries are performed yearly in Australia. Up to 15% of procedures are complicated by infection leading to patient suffering. These infections are also implicated in the emergence of antibiotic resistance. My research will help us understand how infections develop, how to prevent these infections and how to incorporate best-practice into patient care. My research will bridge these key areas to help improve outcomes for patients undergoing surgical procedures.
The Primary HIV Combined United Database (PCUD) is the largest database of patients with primary HIV infection in Australia. Dating back to 1983, it collects data from people with HIV seroconversion. Primary HIV infection, or seroconversion provides a unique opportunity to study HIV throughout its natural history. This study aims to link data on long term health outcomes such as AIDS, cancer and cardiovascular disease in this cohort, which can then be used to understand the determinants of progr ....The Primary HIV Combined United Database (PCUD) is the largest database of patients with primary HIV infection in Australia. Dating back to 1983, it collects data from people with HIV seroconversion. Primary HIV infection, or seroconversion provides a unique opportunity to study HIV throughout its natural history. This study aims to link data on long term health outcomes such as AIDS, cancer and cardiovascular disease in this cohort, which can then be used to understand the determinants of progression and complications of HIV infection.Read moreRead less
Risk Prediction For Surgical Site Infections Following Prosthetic Joint Replacement Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,449.00
Summary
With an ageing population the number of patients undergoing total joint replacement surgery is rapidly increasing. Surgical site infections are one of the most devastating complications of this surgery and are associated with patient suffering and significant healthcare costs. This research aims to identify those patients at greatest risk of infection and to investigate strategies to aid clinical judgment for early diagnosis of surgical site infection.
The Arthroplasty Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis (ASAP) Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,509,985.00
Summary
The demand for total joint replacement surgery will double over the next decade. Infection involving the surgical wound is a devastating complication of this surgery. Half of all infections are due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus (such as MRSA) and Enterococcus. This multicentre randomised controlled trial aims to investigate whether the addition of vancomycin at the time of surgery reduces the incidence of surgical wound infections; is safe and is cost-effective.
The MetaFIND (Metagenomics For INfectious Diseases) Project: Developing Clinical Metagenomics To Improve The Healthcare Of Patients With Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$303,014.00
Summary
The MetaFIND (Metagenomics For INfectious Diseases) project is a combined laboratory and clinical study that aims to develop and investigate the use of cutting-edge genome sequencing technology to improve the healthcare of patients with severe infections. It involves developing and optimising a method to determine the cause of an infection by analysing all the DNA present in a clinical sample – a promising “one-stop-shop” test to help improve diagnosis and subsequent treatment of infections.
Enhancing The Cascade Of HIV Care To Maximise The Prevention Benefits Of Antiretroviral Therapy For Populations Living With HIV
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,644.00
Summary
Antiretroviral drugs are effective at preventing death and illness for populations with HIV and preventing HIV transmission. I will undertake a series of studies to measure the impact of current antiretroviral treatment to prevent both illness and new infections in Australia. I will also undertake a series of studies to increase HIV testing, diagnose HIV earlier, and improve people’s linkage and retention HIV in care and evaluate the impact of these interventions on HIV transmission.
A Randomised Open-label Study Comparing The Safety And Efficacy Of Two Alternative Treatment Options In The Management Of HIV-1 Infected Participants Who Have Virologically Failed A Standard First-line Combination ART Regimen
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$457,676.00
Summary
For the past decade there has been an unprecedented international effort to provide access to care for all HIV-infected people as a basic human right. Most of these people are treated with a simple combination of drugs that are well proven to control HIV. However, what to do when this first drug combination stops working is unknown. This study aims to fill that knowledge gap so that patients failing the first drug combination can be offered a second combination with a maximal chance of success.