Improving Outcomes Of Severe Bacterial Infections In Northern Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$217,274.00
Summary
Severe infections such as pneumonia can cause failure of vital organs (severe sepsis) and subsequent death. 30-40% of people who develop severe sepsis die, even with the best modern therapies. Sepsis is five times more common in northern Australia than elsewhere. In this program of research, we plan to test new therapies for sepsis; to determine the causes of and risk factors for severe pneumonia in northern Australia; and to use this information to inform new guidelines for the management of se ....Severe infections such as pneumonia can cause failure of vital organs (severe sepsis) and subsequent death. 30-40% of people who develop severe sepsis die, even with the best modern therapies. Sepsis is five times more common in northern Australia than elsewhere. In this program of research, we plan to test new therapies for sepsis; to determine the causes of and risk factors for severe pneumonia in northern Australia; and to use this information to inform new guidelines for the management of sepsis and pneumonia in northern Australia.Read moreRead less
The Arthroplasty Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis (ASAP) Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,509,985.00
Summary
The demand for total joint replacement surgery will double over the next decade. Infection involving the surgical wound is a devastating complication of this surgery. Half of all infections are due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus (such as MRSA) and Enterococcus. This multicentre randomised controlled trial aims to investigate whether the addition of vancomycin at the time of surgery reduces the incidence of surgical wound infections; is safe and is cost-effective.
Randomised Trial To Determine The Safety And Efficacy Of Early Vs Deferred Treatment Of HIV
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,070,331.00
Summary
Treatments for HIV represent a miraculous achievement of medical research. Global use of antiretroviral drugs has prevented substantial morbidity and mortality. However, it is unclear if these drugs should be used in people who are HIV positive with early HIV disease but no clinical symptoms. The START trial will result in a precise estimate of the risk-benefit for earlier versus later use of these treatments. It will immediately affect treatment guidelines around the world and inform future res ....Treatments for HIV represent a miraculous achievement of medical research. Global use of antiretroviral drugs has prevented substantial morbidity and mortality. However, it is unclear if these drugs should be used in people who are HIV positive with early HIV disease but no clinical symptoms. The START trial will result in a precise estimate of the risk-benefit for earlier versus later use of these treatments. It will immediately affect treatment guidelines around the world and inform future research for many years to come.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Alternative Treatments To Intramuscular Penicillin For Impetigo In Aboriginal Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,326,182.00
Summary
We will conduct clinical trials to find an effective, simple and cheap oral alternative to injected penicillin for skin sores which could become the universal standard of care whether the patient is in Melbourne or Milingimbi. It would also likely be adopted by the World Health Organization as a standard of care for developing countries. This would lead directly to a reduced burden of skin sores and their complications. It would also open the way for studies to explore even simpler regimens.
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.
A Randomised Trial To Compare Dolutegravir+darunavir/r Versus Recommended Standard Of Care Antiretroviral Regimens In Patients With HIV Infection Who Have Failed Recommended First Line Therapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,323,209.00
Summary
Public sector programs for provision of antiretroviral drugs in developing countries need regimens of therapy that are safe, effective and simple to administer. The evidence base to support first line therapy is strong. This contrasts with a relative paucity of evidence for second regimens of therapy once first line effectiveness has been lost. This trial will address that evidential deficit and support evidence-based recommendations for global health.
Novel Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies For Children Exposed To High Transmission Of Multiple Plasmodium Species
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,378,408.00
Summary
We recently found that the WHO-recommended combination antimalarial therapy artemether-lumefantrine and the candidate regimen dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine were not fully effective for both falciparum and vivax malaria in young PNG children, a group at risk of complications and death. We plan to study two new combinations (artesunate-pyronaridine and artemisinin-naphthoquine) and hypothesise that at least one will prove superior and be used as first-line treatment in PNG and similar countries.
A Study Of Factors That May Influence The Neurocognitive Health Of HIV+ Populations: For Better- Early Antiretroviral Therapy? For Worse- Cardiovascular Risk Factors And Disease?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$362,123.00
Summary
Cognitive health is of primary importance to HIV affected communities. Recently high blood pressure and high cholesterol have been associated with poor cognitive performance in middle aged HIV+ patients. We plan to study whether HIV+ patients with cardiovascular risk factors have faster and more frequent cognitive decline than HIV+ and HIV- patients without these risk factors. In another study we plan to determine the potential benefits of early versus deferred HIV antiretroviral therapy upon ne ....Cognitive health is of primary importance to HIV affected communities. Recently high blood pressure and high cholesterol have been associated with poor cognitive performance in middle aged HIV+ patients. We plan to study whether HIV+ patients with cardiovascular risk factors have faster and more frequent cognitive decline than HIV+ and HIV- patients without these risk factors. In another study we plan to determine the potential benefits of early versus deferred HIV antiretroviral therapy upon neurocognitive performance.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Trial To Control Sexually Transmitted Infections In Remote Aboriginal Communities.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,847,403.00
Summary
This project will trial strategies for attaining clinical best practice in sexual health with an overall objective of reducing the high rates of sexually transmitted infection in remote Aboriginal communities in central and northern Australia. The trial will take place in 21 communities of which seven will be randomly assigned in each of the three years of the trial. This trial will determine whether strengthening primary health services can reduce the level of these infections.