Addressing Important Evidence Gaps In The Management Of Severe Infectious Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$256,839.00
Summary
There are currently large gaps in the evidence base for management of common severe bacterial infections. My research plan focuses on the most common of these: Staphylococcus aureus infections, bone and joint infections, skin infections, and severe sepsis. In order to both generate important evidence to inform practice, as well as to develop my own skills and experience as an expert in clinical trials, I have initiated randomised controlled trials in each of these areas.
Optimising Interventions For Staphylococcus Aureus And Skin Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,381.00
Summary
Staphylococcal and streptococcal infections are major causes of illness and death, particularly in Indigenous Australians. These include invasive bloodstream infections and skin infections that lead to chronic kidney and heart disease. I will conduct clinical trials to optimise the management of staphylococcal bloodstream infections using novel trial methods, and use genomics and mathematical modelling to understand and reduce the burden of skin infections in Indigenous communities.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Alternative Treatments To Intramuscular Penicillin For Impetigo In Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,326,182.00
Summary
We will conduct clinical trials to find an effective, simple and cheap oral alternative to injected penicillin for skin sores which could become the universal standard of care whether the patient is in Melbourne or Milingimbi. It would also likely be adopted by the World Health Organization as a standard of care for developing countries. This would lead directly to a reduced burden of skin sores and their complications. It would also open the way for studies to explore even simpler regimens.
Visualisation Of Gamma-delta T Cell Responses In Cutaneous Inflammation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,876.00
Summary
Mycobacterial infections remain a major burden of modern society. This proposal aims to define the role of an understudied immune cell subset, gamma-delta T cells, in the response against mycobacteria. We will use cutting-edge multi-photon imaging to track these cells in real-time directly within infected tissues. This will facilitate generating a new vista of anti-mycobacterial immune responses and may aid the development of improved vaccines.
Understanding The Biosynthesis Of Complex Polyketide Lipid Toxins In Pathogenic Mycobacteria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$298,898.00
Summary
Some major infectious diseases such as tuberculosis are caused by bacteria that make very unusual lipids (fats) that can kill human cells or interfere with the human immune system. The aim of this project is to work out how bacteria make these lipids. This knowledge will open up new avenues for treatments to stop bacterial lipid production and prevent disease. There are also potential applications in harnessing the bacterial lipid machinery to make new drugs and a wide range of other chemicals.
Scabies is caused by microscopic mites burrowing through the skin, causing intense itching and providing prime breeding sites for bacteria. The resulting skin sores are very common among Aboriginal children in Australia leading to extreme levels of rheumatic fever-heart disease and renal failure in Indigenous communities. We have discovered mite products termed Serpins which interfere with the patients defence against the mites and the bacteria and aim to develop therapeutics.