Using Mathematical Models Of Infection To Inform The Design And Analysis Of Epidemiologic Studies.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$387,489.00
Summary
Childhood immunisation has been enormously successful at preventing death and disease. Not all vaccines provide life-long protection, however, and booster doses may be required for older children or even adults. Deciding when and how often doses are required depends on how a particular infection is spread within families and the community both before and after vaccine use. We want to understand more about this process and its implications for the ongoing effectiveness of vaccine programs.
Understanding And Preventing Gastroenteritis And Foodborne Disease In Elderly Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,684.00
Summary
Foodborne and gastrointestinal diseases amongst older people are an emerging concern for the Australian public and an overstretched health care system. In this study, I will undertake research to understand the pattern of disease among elderly people using data from national surveys of gastroenteritis and surveillance of infectious diseases. This study will provide evidence for strategies to control foodborne disease and gastroenteritis in elderly people and aged care homes.
Estimating The Burden Of Group A Streptococcal Diseases In Victoria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,760.00
Summary
Despite the considerable advances in the diagnosis and treatment of group A streptococcal (GAS) diseases made during the last century, the impressive spectrum of infections caused by this organism continues to have a significant impact in developed countries. This spectrum includes diseases that are mild but common (e.g. sore throat, skin sores), rare but very severe (e.g. bloodstream infections, flesh-eating bacteria) and those that are more common in developing countries and the Aboriginal pop ....Despite the considerable advances in the diagnosis and treatment of group A streptococcal (GAS) diseases made during the last century, the impressive spectrum of infections caused by this organism continues to have a significant impact in developed countries. This spectrum includes diseases that are mild but common (e.g. sore throat, skin sores), rare but very severe (e.g. bloodstream infections, flesh-eating bacteria) and those that are more common in developing countries and the Aboriginal population (e.g. rheumatic fever, kidney disease). Streptococcal sore throat remains one of the most common childhood infections, and severe group A streptococcal diseases are thought to be increasing in incidence in Australia. Yet, there are no accurate data on the incidence and costs of these or other GAS diseases in non-Aboriginal Australians, or in most other populations around the world. It is becoming more urgent to collect this data as numerous vaccine candidates are entering human trials, new approaches to the treatment of sore throat are emerging, and new strategies to treat and control the spread of severe disease are being developed. We propose a comprehensive strategy to measure the incidence, prevalence and costs of each group of GAS diseases. We will follow a group of families for 12 months to detect cases of GAS sore throat and skin sores and measure the impact on the family. We will survey children in schools to estimate the prevalence of skin sores. We will check hospital records to calculate the number of cases of rheumatic fever and kidney disease. And we will maintain surveillance for severe diseases by checking hospital and laboratory records. We will also check to see if family members of people with severe disease have the GAS bacterium in their throats. We will then compile these data into a comprehensive estimate of the burden of disease in Victoria, and estimate the cost-effectiveness of different treatment and prevention strategies.Read moreRead less