Optimisation Of Antimicrobial Therapy For Severe Bacterial Infections In Neonates And Young Children In Papua New Guinea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$943,865.00
Summary
This study aims to provide important information on the way young Papua New Guinean children with serious bacterial infections handle antibiotics, including newer agents that may be required if bacterial resistance is confirmed or increases. The data will be used to optimise treatment, thus reducing mortality and potential adverse drug effects, in PNG nad other tropical countries, and may have implications for the developed world as well.
A specialised set of T lymphocytes called Mucosal Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells react against bacteria and yeast, and reside at mucosal sites where the body's immune defences are most easily breached, e.g. respiratory tract and intestinal mucosa. This study investigates the role of MAIT cells in both protection and pathology in bacterial infections. Controlling MAIT cells could help in treating these conditions.
Diseases caused by the pneumococcus represent the largest cause of vaccine preventable death in the world today, mainly pneumonia and meningitis. In 2011, 16 developing countries will introduce pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, none in east Asia. Lack of research has been a major barrier to their use in the region. We have established an international centre of excellence in the field and we seek support to extend the capacity of this group and to transfer the technology to Vietnam.