The Pathogenesis Of Melioidosis: The Interaction Of Burkholderia Pseudomallei With Host Cells.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,375.00
Summary
Melioidosis is an often fatal disease of mainly tropical Australia and SE Asia caused by a bacterium which is found in soil and water. Infection occurs via wounds or by inhalation. Melioidosis has recently become endemic in south-west Western Australia and south-eastern Queensland, and could represent an emerging disease worldwide. Melioidosis disproportionately affects Aboriginal Australians. Melioidosis has many forms including septicemia with damage to most organs, particularly lung, spleen a ....Melioidosis is an often fatal disease of mainly tropical Australia and SE Asia caused by a bacterium which is found in soil and water. Infection occurs via wounds or by inhalation. Melioidosis has recently become endemic in south-west Western Australia and south-eastern Queensland, and could represent an emerging disease worldwide. Melioidosis disproportionately affects Aboriginal Australians. Melioidosis has many forms including septicemia with damage to most organs, particularly lung, spleen and liver, acute localised suppurative infection and pneumonia. Melioidosis may also become latent, and later develop into an acute and fatal infection. It is important to understand, at the molecular level, how and why the causative bacterium is able to cause disease. Only with such an understanding can measures be undertaken to prevent the disease, or novel methods developed to control the disease. Colonisation of a host is a first step in the disease process for all bacteria which cause disease. Large protein molecules located on the surface of disease-causing bacteria are usually neccessary for colonisation of the host since they allow adherence to the surface of host cells. We have previously undertaken a basic study of adherence. This study will build on this research with the aim of identifying molecules which mediate adherence to host cells, using in vivo and in vitro methods, including the techniques of molecular biology. This study will inevitably lead to the development of vaccine candidates which is important to the management of melioidosis, particularly in high risk groups. It may also allow the development of novel antimicrobial compounds.Read moreRead less
The RgpA-Kgp Proteinase-adhesin Complex And Virulence Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$527,310.00
Summary
Periodontitis is a bacterial-associated inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth which can result in tooth loss. The disease is a major public health problem with a large economic burden. A bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis has now been identified as a major causative agent of chronic periodontitis. We have identified a major virulence factor of P. gingivalis. This virulence factor is a complex of proteins, encoded by two genes, and is involved in binding and destruction of h ....Periodontitis is a bacterial-associated inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth which can result in tooth loss. The disease is a major public health problem with a large economic burden. A bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis has now been identified as a major causative agent of chronic periodontitis. We have identified a major virulence factor of P. gingivalis. This virulence factor is a complex of proteins, encoded by two genes, and is involved in binding and destruction of host tissue. When used as a vaccine in animal models the protein complex protects against P. gingivalis infection. Animal protective sera recognises a segment of the protein complex involved in binding to host substrates. The aim of this project is to continue this work on the characterisation of this complex and its role in virulence in an approach to ultimately develop a defined vaccine against P. gingivalis based on this protein complex, in particular the sequences involved in binding. The expected outcome of this research is the further biochemical characterisation of the RgpA-Kgp protein complex and its role in virulence as well as development of a defined vaccine prepared using recombinant DNA and chemical synthesis techniques that protects against P. gingivalis infection in animal models of disease.Read moreRead less