Long-term Implications And Outcomes Of Anti Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Treatment In HIV-HBV Co-infection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$293,931.00
Summary
Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection may cause serious liver disease in some people, including liver failure or liver cancer. Being infected with both HBV and HIV increases the chances of these complications occurring and the rate they develop. The optimal long term management of HIV-HBV co-infection remains unclear; and the effects of antiretroviral therapy on liver disease progression outcome is unknown in the setting of HIV-HBV co-infection.
A Prospective, Randomised, Double-blind Trial Of Extended- Versus Bolus-infusion ?-lactam Therapy In Infective Exacerbations Of Cystic Fibrosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$148,431.00
Summary
I am an infectious diseases physician focused on the most effective way to use antibiotics to treat infections. People with cystic fibrosis often get lung infections and the bacteria that causes this, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can be difficult to treat. I will be investigating whether infusing antibiotics over a prolonged period of time is more effective than standard therapy in treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Understanding And Preventing Airborne Transmission Of Infectious Respiratory Aerosols
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$393,894.00
Summary
This project aims to significantly advance our understanding of how infectious bacteria are transmitted through the air, and what basic control measures are most effective at preventing this. This research is focused on persons with cystic fibrosis (CF), as they may be particularly susceptible to such transmission, but our results will also help us better understand how other infections are spread through the air. This is especially important given the recent global influenza pandemic.
Genetic Dissection Of Biofilm Development By Non-typeable Haemophilus Influenzae
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,516.00
Summary
The bacterial pathogen non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a common cause of chronic infections of the middle ear and of the airways of patients suffering cystic fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These infections are associated with bacterial biofilms that are significantly resistant to both antibiotics and immune defences. This project aims to characterise the process of NTHi biofilm development so that novel diagnostic tools and therapeutics can be developed.
Characterisation Of Extracellular DNases Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa And Their Contribution To Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$418,516.00
Summary
The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes a number of serious diseases of humans particularly of immunocompromised patients. We have found that this bacterium secretes enzymes that have the ability to digest DNA. This proposal aims to work out how this bacterium uses these enzymes to infect human tissues and escape killing by immune cells. The results from this study will help to determine if these proteins may be used as targets for the development of new anti-infective drugs.