Encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain tissue, is a complex disease and children are the most commonly affected. The Australian Childhood Encephalitis (ACE) Study, a national surveillance study, aims to describe the burden and characteristics of this disease in Australian children. The Discovery of Infectious aetiologies in Cryptic Encephalitis (DICE) study aims to perform cutting edge diagnostic tests and provide a new understanding of the infectious basis to encephalitis in Australia.
The Role Of Subgenomic Non-coding Viral RNA In Flavivirus Pathogenicity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,325.00
Summary
Flaviviruses are transmitted by insects and pose a serious health threat to the Australian population. They can cause fever syndromes, encephalitis and death. We aim at better understanding of how these viruses cause disease. We are particularly interested in elucidating the role of small non-coding nucleic acid produced by flaviviruses in the viral pathogenicity. Ultimately, this deeper understanding should lead to the development of effective vaccines and antiviral therapies.
Immunopathological Role Of Monocyte-macrophages In Flavivirus Encephalitis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$445,011.00
Summary
Viral encephalitis is a life-threatening infection of the brain for which there are no reliable treatments. White cells called monocytes enter the brain from the blood and although important in the immune response that destroys the virus, can also damage the brain. Our work focuses on determining how monocytes migrate into the brain in viral infection, what functions they have once inside the brain, and how to exclude a certain types of monocytes that we have found to be particularly damaging.
Lipocalin 2 In Host Defence Of The Central Nervous System
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$575,014.00
Summary
Lipocalin 2 is a protein that is involved in protection of the host organism against bacterial infections. We have found that high levels of lipocalin 2 are produced by a variety of cells in the brain in response to not only bacterial products but also to infection with West Nile virus (WNV). WNV is a dangerous virus known to cause lethal encephalitis. This project will determine the role of lipocalin 2 in the defence of the host against WNV encephalitis.
We seek to gain a detailed understanding of how interactions between the West Nile virus proteins and host factors involved in the IFN response determine the outcome of virus infection. Better understanding of the mechanisms employed by this highly pathogenic virus to disable the mammalian host's IFN response will have wider implications for our understanding of other human diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity and provide new avenues for design of efficient antiviral and anticancer therapies.