Finally New Tools Are Available To Combat Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, But How Do We Make Them Work? Models To Determine Effective Implementation Strategies In Australia And Our Region
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,562,250.00
Summary
The risk of drug resistance in tuberculosis (MDR TB) is thwarting control efforts and must be addressed. Potential strategies being considered are; treating MDR TB in the latent phase, using new short-course treatment for active TB and using new vaccines. My work develops simulation models to test strategies before they are implemented, to maximise impact and avoid costly or low-impact interventions. I will examine strategies in Australia and in high burden countries in Australia’s region.
A Study Of Artemisinin Combination Therapy Given At Delivery To Prevent Postpartum Malaria And To Young Infants To Treat Uncomplicated Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$788,850.00
Summary
The proposed studies will investigate the preventive value of a course of combination antimalarial treatment at delivery in pregnant women in malarial areas. The transfer of this treatment into breast milk and to the suckling infant will be investigated since this may protect the infant against malaria but also cause drug-related side-effects. These data will be used, with a study of combination treatment in infants with malaria, to optimise dose regimens in this vulnerable group.
Physiologically-based Pharmacokinetics And Pharmacodynamics Of Therapeutic Stem Cells For Liver Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$848,710.00
Summary
This project focuses on the challenging area of effective and optimal dosing cell-based therapy for liver diseases. We will investigate the fate and therapeutic effects of natural, modified and artificial therapeutic cells in the body and in liver regions using a physiologically-based kinetic model. Our key goal is advance cell therapy by providing a better understanding and dosing guidelines.
Optimisation Of Antimicrobial Therapy For Severe Bacterial Infections In Neonates And Young Children In Papua New Guinea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$943,865.00
Summary
This study aims to provide important information on the way young Papua New Guinean children with serious bacterial infections handle antibiotics, including newer agents that may be required if bacterial resistance is confirmed or increases. The data will be used to optimise treatment, thus reducing mortality and potential adverse drug effects, in PNG nad other tropical countries, and may have implications for the developed world as well.
Centre For REdefining Antibiotic Use To ReDUce ResistanCE And Prolong The Lives Of Antibiotics (REDUCE)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,158,296.00
Summary
Ineffective dosing of antimicrobials has contributed to the escalation of antimicrobial resistance which now pervades the healthcare system. Patients in the intensive care unit and post-transplant are examples of patients who commonly have infections, are more likely to fail treatment and have resistant microbes emerge. In these studies we will characterise the doses of antimicrobials that should be used in these difficult-to-treat patients and rapidly share these for routine clinical use.
Targeting NDM-producing ‘superbugs’: Optimising Novel Combinations With ‘old’ Polymyxins Using Pharmacological, Molecular Imaging And Systems Biology Approaches
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,732.00
Summary
Rapid global spread of so-called NDM-producing bacterial ‘superbugs’ is presenting a major medical challenge. Without new antibiotics under development, polymyxin is becoming the only effective antibiotic. Unfortunately we recently revealed that treatment with polymyxin alone can rapidly lead to resistance in NDM-producing ‘superbugs’. This project will employ new tools to optimise rational polymyxin combinations, thereby providing urgently needed information to clinicians for treating these ver ....Rapid global spread of so-called NDM-producing bacterial ‘superbugs’ is presenting a major medical challenge. Without new antibiotics under development, polymyxin is becoming the only effective antibiotic. Unfortunately we recently revealed that treatment with polymyxin alone can rapidly lead to resistance in NDM-producing ‘superbugs’. This project will employ new tools to optimise rational polymyxin combinations, thereby providing urgently needed information to clinicians for treating these very problematic infections.Read moreRead less