A Serotype-independent, Broad Spectrum Pneumococcal Vaccine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$955,585.00
Summary
Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is the world’s most formidable bacterial pathogen, causing 1-2 million deaths each year. Existing vaccines provide protection against only a limited proportion of strains and their widespread use is increasing the prevalence of strains against which the vaccines provide no protection. This project aims to translate a novel broadly protective pneumococcal vaccine into the commercial development pipeline.
Optimising Prevention And Vaccination Policy For Pneumococcal Disease, Influenza And RSV In Indigenous Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$174,933.00
Summary
Despite recommending pneumococcal vaccine in the Northern Territory since 2000 for Indigenous Australians from 15 years of age, and increasing vaccination coverage, a corresponding reduction in disease has not been observed. This study will provide an evidence base for future vaccination policy by examining whether there is an adequate immune response to pneumococcal vaccination in Indigenous Australians, and whether prior vaccination could reduce the immune response to revaccination.
Alternative Pneumococcal Vaccination Schedules For Infants In Fiji And Pneumococcal Epidemiology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$50,214.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to find a safe and epidemiologically appropriate pneumococcal vaccination strategy for resource poor countries. A single, blind open-label randomized Phase II study is underway in Fiji documenting the safety, immunogenicity and impact on pneumococcal carriage of various pneumococcal vaccination regimens combining 1, 2, or 3 doses of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in infancy followed by a single booster dose of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.
Pneumococcal disease is one of the biggest killers of children under 5 years of age worldwide, mostly in developing countries. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are highly effective at reducing pneumococcal disease however the duration of protection and the immune factors involved is unknown, particularly when fewer than the recommended number of doses are used. My fellowship aims to examine the key immune factors that provide long-term protection following pneumococcal vaccination.
The Immunogenicity Of 7-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine In Sick Elderly People For Whom Vaccine Is Not Registered
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,800.00
Summary
The bacteria pneumococcus (also known as streptococcus pneumoniae) is the most common cause of pneumonia in the community, and a major cause of illness and death in the elderly. Rates of antibiotic resistance are also increasing. The pneumococcus is a complex bacteria, with over 80 known serotypes. Most human disease in Australia is caused by 23 of these serotypes. Australia has an ageing population. The health and wellbeing of the elderly has been identified as a national priority. Vaccination ....The bacteria pneumococcus (also known as streptococcus pneumoniae) is the most common cause of pneumonia in the community, and a major cause of illness and death in the elderly. Rates of antibiotic resistance are also increasing. The pneumococcus is a complex bacteria, with over 80 known serotypes. Most human disease in Australia is caused by 23 of these serotypes. Australia has an ageing population. The health and wellbeing of the elderly has been identified as a national priority. Vaccination and prevention of serious infections, a common cause of illness in the elderly, is an achievable public health goal. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia recommends that adults aged 65 years and over should be immunised with 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (PPV). PPV has been available long term in Australia, but the dilemma associated with its use is that it is least effective in those at greatest risk of pneumococcal disease and its complications, the sick elderly population. A new 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) has been available since the end of 2000, but is currently indicated only for children, because it has never been tested in adults. This vaccine uses different technology, and is conjugated to a protein to make it more effective. Clinicals trials of PCV7 have largely been limited to children aged 0-4 years, and have shown it protects 93.9% of children under 2 years of age against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Our study aims to look at the efficacy of this new vaccine, currently only registered for children, in the sub-group of the population who are at highest risk for pneumococcal disease - hospitalised elderly. We will vaccinate hospitalised elderly people with PCV or PPV and compare their immune response to the two different vaccines. If PCV is more effective than PPV, this has implications for the development and use of conjuagated pneumococcal vaccines for adults.Read moreRead less
Implications Of Bacterial Load For Vaccine Efficacy And Antibiotic Treatment Outcomes In High-risk Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,000.00
Summary
Otitis media (middle ear disease) is a common childhood infection, and a major concern in remote Aboriginal communities of the Northern Territory. For these children, otitis media commences within the first few weeks of life and progresses to perforation of the ear drum in 60% of children by 12 months of age. Few children in remote Aboriginal communities have normal ear status or normal hearing and many have conductive hearing loss, affecting language development and education. Otitis media in t ....Otitis media (middle ear disease) is a common childhood infection, and a major concern in remote Aboriginal communities of the Northern Territory. For these children, otitis media commences within the first few weeks of life and progresses to perforation of the ear drum in 60% of children by 12 months of age. Few children in remote Aboriginal communities have normal ear status or normal hearing and many have conductive hearing loss, affecting language development and education. Otitis media in these children results from infection with the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and-or Moraxella catarrhalis. Therefore the types of interventions we are using to combat the high prevalence of ear disease are antibiotic therapy, Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccination, and hygiene interventions. However we fear that the high load of bacteria carried by these children compromises the treatment and prevention strategies. The current proposal will test this hypothesis, and if found to be true, there will be implications for the management of otitis media. For example, dose, frequency and choice of antibiotic treatment, and vaccine schedule changes including an early dose or a booster dose.Read moreRead less
Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is an important human pathogen, which is responsible for the deaths of millions of children each year in developing countries. The high morbidity and mortality associated with pneumococcal disease is also being exacerbated by the rate at which this organism is acquiring resistance to multiple antibiotics. Existing pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines are poorly immunogenic in young children and only provide cover against a limited range of serotypes. S ....Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is an important human pathogen, which is responsible for the deaths of millions of children each year in developing countries. The high morbidity and mortality associated with pneumococcal disease is also being exacerbated by the rate at which this organism is acquiring resistance to multiple antibiotics. Existing pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines are poorly immunogenic in young children and only provide cover against a limited range of serotypes. Serotype coverage is even lower in the more immunogenic conjugate vaccines currently being developed; these will also be very expensive, thereby limiting their use in developing countries, where the need for effective paediatric vaccines is greatest. Pneumococci produce a variety of proteins which are important in causing disease, but the relative contribution of these factors at each stage of the infection process remain to be determined. Moreover, virtually nothing is known of the mechanism whereby these virulence factors are regulated in response to the external environment of the bacterium. In view of this, we are conducting a comprehensive examination of the mechanisms of pathogenesis of pneumococcal disease, with particular reference to the role of putative virulence proteins. This information is being used to develop cheap and effective vaccines based on pneumococcal protein antigens common to all serotypes.Read moreRead less
Understanding Respiratory Infections To Improve Vaccines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$268,497.00
Summary
Indigenous children have the highest rates of ear disease (OM) and associated hearing loss in the world. Papua New Guinea has the highest child mortality rates in the Western Pacific Region with 23% of deaths from pneumonia. OM and pneumonia vaccines can be improved through broadening their coverage of disease-causing pathogens. This study will identify the pathogens that currently cause OM in Indigenous children and pneumonia in PNG, and will measure the immune responses to these pathogens, in ....Indigenous children have the highest rates of ear disease (OM) and associated hearing loss in the world. Papua New Guinea has the highest child mortality rates in the Western Pacific Region with 23% of deaths from pneumonia. OM and pneumonia vaccines can be improved through broadening their coverage of disease-causing pathogens. This study will identify the pathogens that currently cause OM in Indigenous children and pneumonia in PNG, and will measure the immune responses to these pathogens, in order to develop improved vaccines.Read moreRead less