Group A Streptococcal Human Challenge Study: Accelerating Vaccine Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,018,741.00
Summary
Infection with group A streptococcus (GAS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, including in the Aboriginal population of Australia. Concerted efforts for vaccine development have been hampered by the absence of a suitable animal model. To address this critical knowledge gap we propose to develop a controlled human infection model of GAS infection. This model will provide a direct pathway for the future appraisal of novel GAS vaccines.
Evidence-driven Strategies To Reduce The Burden Of Infections Among Indigenous Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$267,859.00
Summary
Dr Asha Bowen will be building the evidence to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in Australia's Indigenous children during her early career fellowship. This will include a randomised controlled trial on the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in the Northern Territory and developing new strategies to reduce the burden of skin infections in children living in remote communities.
Towards The Elimination Of Tuberculosis And Rheumatic Heart Disease In Northern Australia And Our Region
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$258,600.00
Summary
My research program addresses tuberculosis and rheumatic heart disease, which are leading challenges for Northern Australia and our region. Both are diseases caused by infections with long-term complications. They cause illness and death in young Aboriginal people and neighbouring Southeast Asian populations. There are many gaps in our ability to effectively detect and prevent these diseases. My research targets these gaps, from cutting-edge science to translation of guidelines into practice.
The Molecular Physiology Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae During Sepsis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$232,504.00
Summary
The project will determine the way in which pneumococcus changes its properties when it invades the bloodstream of the human host. Since these changes are linked to sepsis then this new understanding will provide information that can be used to manage and control acute pneumococcal infection.
Targeting The Human Immune Response To Bacterial Superantigens.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$165,424.00
Summary
This research investigates the human immune response to infection with toxin producing bacteria. Toxins activate the human immune system which can lead to serious illness or the development of disease that can progress rapidly and be associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Investigating the harmful effects of infection with toxin producing bacteria in humans and the damage caused by their toxins is essential for the development of effective therapeutic strategies.
PrtFII, A Streptococcus Pyogenes Fibronectin Binding Protein, And Invasive Diseases.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$296,540.00
Summary
Our recent work revealed that, in the Aboriginal population, young age is a risk factor for severe invasive diseases caused by group A streptococcus. For group A streptococcus infection to occur, bacterial attachment is the first step. The bacterium attaches to host cells through interactions involving host fibronectin and the pathogen's fibronectin-binding proteins. We have found that streptococcal strains from severe disease cases are more likely to have the gene for PrtFII, a fibronectin bind ....Our recent work revealed that, in the Aboriginal population, young age is a risk factor for severe invasive diseases caused by group A streptococcus. For group A streptococcus infection to occur, bacterial attachment is the first step. The bacterium attaches to host cells through interactions involving host fibronectin and the pathogen's fibronectin-binding proteins. We have found that streptococcal strains from severe disease cases are more likely to have the gene for PrtFII, a fibronectin binding protein, than those from uncomplicated skin sores. In this application we propose to extend this observation and compare biochemical properties of PrtFII from strains belonging to the above two sets of collections. We hypothesise that PrtFII from invasive strains bind to fibronectin more tightly than the proteins from strains that cause uncomplicated infection. We also will test whether sera from invasive disease cases have lower titre of antibodies to the conserved region of PrtFII than sera from uncomplicated cases. A streptococcal vaccine by necessity has to be a multi-component vaccine to cover a wide spectrum of diseases and epidemiological differences. The study proposed here may provide a basis to argue whether or not to include PrtFII in such a multi-component vaccine.Read moreRead less
Determination Of Disease Specific Epitopes In Rheumatic Heart Disease In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,817.00
Summary
Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RF-RHD) remain a significant cause of illness in Aboriginal communities in Australia. RF-RHD is a complication which follows infection with a specific bacterium. The purpose of this study is to compare the body's response and find out the patterns of antibody and immune cell reactivity to the bacterium and body proteins in RF-RHD patients and controls. It will also enable us to study the mechanisms that initiate the disease process.
I am a physician-scientist whose research involves the role of monocyte-macrophages in HIV pathogenesis and low cost methods for monitoring HIV infection in resource-constrained countries