MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF VIRULENCE FACTORS OF GROUP B STREPTOCOCCI
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$211,527.00
Summary
Streptococcus agalactiae, more commonly referred to as group B streptococcus (GBS), is the commonest cause of life-threatening infection (specifically bacteraemia, pneumonia and meningitis) in neonates. Mortality is high even in developed countries where antimicrobial therapy is readily available. In spite of the importance of GBS disease, the precise molecular mechanisms whereby the organism colonizes, invades and damages host tissues are poorly understood. The long term goal of this project is ....Streptococcus agalactiae, more commonly referred to as group B streptococcus (GBS), is the commonest cause of life-threatening infection (specifically bacteraemia, pneumonia and meningitis) in neonates. Mortality is high even in developed countries where antimicrobial therapy is readily available. In spite of the importance of GBS disease, the precise molecular mechanisms whereby the organism colonizes, invades and damages host tissues are poorly understood. The long term goal of this project is to gain a complete understanding of the pathogenesis of GBS disease and to apply this to development of improved preventative strategies. We propose to carry out a comprehensive molecular characterization of genes encoding putative GBS virulence determinants, with particular reference to those which encode the capacity to adhere to and invade host cells. GBS carrying defined mutations in these genes will be constructed and their virulence will be compared with that of the otherwise isogenic parental GBS. This will enable us to determine the precise contribution of each putative virulence factor to the pathogenesis of disease. Moreover, proteins shown to be important in this process will be tested for vaccine potential.Read moreRead less
Characterisation Of Immune Responses To Sarcoptes Scabiei Cysteine Proteases, Group 1 Allergen Homologues, In Scabies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$465,750.00
Summary
Scabies, a parasitic skin infestation by the 'itch' mite Sarcoptes scabiei, causes significant health problems for children and adults in many remote Aboriginal communities in Australia. Scabies is often the underlying cause of streptococcal skin infections which can cause serious complications such as kidney and heart disease. Although diagnosed scabies cases can be successfully treated, individuals have often already transmitted the disease to others prior to receiving therapy. A particularly ....Scabies, a parasitic skin infestation by the 'itch' mite Sarcoptes scabiei, causes significant health problems for children and adults in many remote Aboriginal communities in Australia. Scabies is often the underlying cause of streptococcal skin infections which can cause serious complications such as kidney and heart disease. Although diagnosed scabies cases can be successfully treated, individuals have often already transmitted the disease to others prior to receiving therapy. A particularly dreadful form of scabies, known as crusted scabies, can develop in a minority of people, in which mites multiply in their millions and the affected person develops severe crusting of the skin. This has resulted in death within 5 years for up to 50% of people with this form of scabies. Scabies mites are scientifically very similar to house dust mites, and they produce cross reactive proteins. Molecular studies in our laboratory have enabled the identification and cloning of a number of scabies molecules with considerable similarity to known house dust mite proteins that cause allergic disease. In this study we propose to focus on a group of scabies proteins with significant identity to the extensively studied Group 1 house dust mite allergens, reported to cause an immune response in 90% of mite allergic people. We propose to use these scabies mite molecules to characterise the immune response in ordinary scabies and compare it to the more severe and debilitating crusted form of the disease. Characterisation of the immune response in scabies will ultimately aid in the development of new treatment for crusted scabies based on immunotherapy. Studies will also investigate for any cross reactivity with the house dust mite group 1 molecules and enable the design of specific immunodiagnositics to distinguish house dust mite allergy from scabies infestation and thus facilitate early diagnosis of scabies carriers and better control of the infestation in endemic communities.Read moreRead less
New Boron and Gadolinium Agents for Neutron Capture Therapy. The development of new drugs and treatments for cancer is highly important for improved health outcomes and the well-being of the community. This research has the potential to result in the development of new anticancer pharmaceuticals that will dramatically expand the clinical efficacy of a promising treatment for highly aggressive tumours. The innovative nature of this research will also contribute to Australia's science knowledge ....New Boron and Gadolinium Agents for Neutron Capture Therapy. The development of new drugs and treatments for cancer is highly important for improved health outcomes and the well-being of the community. This research has the potential to result in the development of new anticancer pharmaceuticals that will dramatically expand the clinical efficacy of a promising treatment for highly aggressive tumours. The innovative nature of this research will also contribute to Australia's science knowledge base, a key element in its future economic prosperity, and it will provide excellent training of young researchers for employment in the rapidly expanding field of drug design and development.Read moreRead less
A vaccine against the bacteria Group A streptococcus (‘strep’) could prevent common minor infections like sore throat and school sores as well as deadly ones like necrotising fasciitis (‘flesh eating disease’). It would also reduce long-term heart (rheumatic heart disease) and kidney problems. We are going to try and deliberately give a sore throat to adult volunteers under very close medical supervision so that we can learn more about immunity to strep and to help make and test new vaccines.