Molecular Mechanisms Of Ivermectin Resistance In The Ectoparasitic Mite, Sarcoptes Scabiei
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$289,561.00
Summary
A largely neglected parasitic disease, scabies is a significant disease of children, particularly in remote Aboriginal communities in northern Australia. The recent emergence of ivermectin resistance threatens future control of scabies. This research explores the genetic basis of ivermectin resistance in the scabies mite, developing molecular markers to identify the emergence of resistance in the community, leading to improved tools for resistance management and sustainable treatment strategies.
Prevention Of Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis In A High Prevalence Setting: ‘Connecting The DOTS’ In Vietnam
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,382,020.00
Summary
The close contacts of people with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) have a high risk of developing the disease. The V-QUIN MDR-TB Trial will evaluate the effectiveness of an oral antibiotic (levofloxacin) in preventing drug resistant TB among infected household contacts of TB patients. Household contacts from 10 Provinces in Vietnam will be randomly allocated to receive six-months of either levofloxacin or a placebo, and then followed for two years to see if they develop tuberculosis.
Screening Agents Active Against The Late-stage Inflammatory Cytokines For Activity Against Influenza Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$241,409.00
Summary
Infection with a virulent influenza virus that the body has never encountered before, particularly H5N1, sends the immune system into overdrive, and causes a massive release of proteins (inflammatory cytokines), known as a cytokine storm, that in and of itself leads to death. The object of this research is to screen, in a mouse influenza model, agents known to prevent this occurring and antagonise it once it has occurred. This will be done with and without Tamiflu, a standard anti-influenza drug ....Infection with a virulent influenza virus that the body has never encountered before, particularly H5N1, sends the immune system into overdrive, and causes a massive release of proteins (inflammatory cytokines), known as a cytokine storm, that in and of itself leads to death. The object of this research is to screen, in a mouse influenza model, agents known to prevent this occurring and antagonise it once it has occurred. This will be done with and without Tamiflu, a standard anti-influenza drug.Read moreRead less
Development Of A New Class Of Broad-Stage Antimalarial Agents
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$729,037.00
Summary
In 2017, there were almost 220 million cases of malaria across 90 different countries, associated with 435,000 deaths, and with 65-70% of all malaria deaths tragically being children under the age of 5 years old. No significant progress in reducing global malaria cases has been made over the last 4 years and the need for new and better treatments remains dire. In this research and development plan, we will develop novel and safer drugs for the treatment of drug resistant malaria.
The Epidemiology Of Staphylococcus Aureus And Antibiotic Resistance In Community-acquired Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,267,784.00
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus infections range from boils to life-threatening diseases and are increasingly resistant to antibiotics and difficult to treat. This study follows patients with community-acquired S. aureus infections, and close contacts, for 24 months to see if they carry S. aureus (nose swabs) or develop infection. Our data on risk factors for colonisation and infection will help doctors decide whether to trace and treat contacts of patients to protect households from further infection.
Genetic Analysis Of Drug Resistance In Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$227,036.00
Summary
Treatment for childhood leukaemia fails in approximately 25% of children owing to resistance to the drugs being used. Our recent evidence suggests that only a few rare leukaemic cells are initially resistant at the commencement of treatment. This project aims to isolate these rare cells and to look for genetic changes in them which might account for their resistance. Hopefully an understanding of the genetic basis for drug resistance will lead to better means of overcoming it.