I am a clinician-scientist in infectious and tropical diseases, working towards the better understanding of the pathophysiology of malaria and other tropical diseases of public health importance in our region, and new ways of prevention and treatment.
Malaria And Infectious Diseases In The Asia-Pacific: Drugs, Vaccines And Diagnostics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$210,873.00
Summary
Dr Karunajeewa is an expert in the treatment of malaria and other infectious diseases that have a major impact on the health of people living in developing countries of the tropical zone of the Asia-Pacific region. His ongoing research aims to develop better ways of diagnosing these infections, defining their relative importance in terms of overall burden of disease, finding optimal drug treatments and testing the effectiveness of new vaccines for their prevention.
Improving Health Outcomes In The Tropical North: A Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,997,916.00
Summary
Improving Health Outcomes in the Tropical North will strengthen partnerships with research institutions in the NT, Qld, WA, NSW, Vic and SA, by undertaking a research agenda that will help close the gap in Indigenous health disadvantage, protect the north from emerging infectious threats and engage regional neighbours. We will establish a northern Australian network that incorporates Indigenous engagement, mentoring and knowledge translation, and facilitates collaboration with southern partners.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of L-arginine And-or Vitamin D To Improve Outcomes In Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$942,297.00
Summary
Two nutrients, arginine and vitamin D, are used by defence cells in our lungs to kill the tuberculosis bacteria. We will test whether giving arginine and-or vitamin D to people with TB (in addition to their usual TB medications) will help them recover faster and cause less long-term lung damage. We will also check whether these nutrients make them less infectious to other people.
Early Diagnosis And Prognosis Of Severe Dengue In Vietnamese Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$689,323.00
Summary
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection. Tropical Australia has experienced multiple outbreaks of dengue in the last decade. This project, conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, will define the accuracy of a rapid diagnostic test for the early diagnosis of severe dengue. In doing so, we will also derive an algorithm using simple laboratory and clinical findings that can help identify those patients at greatest risk of severe complications, with benefits for both patients and hospitals.
This Fellowship will provide support for the Marshall Centre which is providing research and research training in the fields of bacteriology, epidemiology and vaccinology. It has significant regional collaborative links. Molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori, the stomach bacteria which causes ulcers and for which Warren and Marshall won the 2005 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Development of animal models to study the immune response so that the new bacterium can be used as a v ....This Fellowship will provide support for the Marshall Centre which is providing research and research training in the fields of bacteriology, epidemiology and vaccinology. It has significant regional collaborative links. Molecular epidemiology and pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori, the stomach bacteria which causes ulcers and for which Warren and Marshall won the 2005 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Development of animal models to study the immune response so that the new bacterium can be used as a vaccine delivery agent.Read moreRead less
Endothelial Dysfunction As A Therapeutic Target In Severe Malaria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$842,329.00
Summary
Even with very best drugs to kill malaria parasites, over 15% of patients with severe malaria still die. Their blood vessels are clogged up by malaria parasites. We have shown that the cells lining their blood vessels can't make enough nitric oxide to keep them non-sticky and allow blood through. We want to test whether giving arginine can 1) increase nitric oxide, 2) open up the clogged blood vessels and 3) dampen down other processes that clog up blood vessels in severe malaria.
Diversity And Virulence Determinants Among 1000 Clinical And Environmental Isolates Of Burkholderia Pseudomallei
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$517,639.00
Summary
Melioidosis is an important infection in tropical northern Australia. It is a common cause of fatal pneumonia and blood infection in the region. Melioidosis results from infection with a soil bacterium. This project builds on the existing melioidosis collaboration between researchers in northern Australia and overseas to determine how the melioidosis bacterium can be so virulent and whether only a subset of the melioidosis bacteria found in the environment are capable of infecting humans.
Immune Correlates Of Early Corticosteroid Therapy In Vietnamese Children And Young Adults With Dengue
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,073.00
Summary
Dengue is a globally important infectious disease. This study will seek to understand how corticosteroids, an immune modulating class of drug, effect the immune responses in children with dengue. The basis for this study is a randomised controlled trial at a large hospital in Viet Nam that treats many patients with dengue. We expect to obtain the laboratory evidence needed to support further clinical trials of this drug and in doing so we will improve our understanding of dengue.