Multiple Antibiotic Resistance In An Acinetobacter Baumannii Global Clone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$606,580.00
Summary
Antibiotic resistant bacteria that cause infections in hospitals can originate anywhere, then spread world wide. They start off resistant to a few antibiotics, then become resistant to new antibiotics that are introduced to treat them. This project will investigate how resistance to antibiotics was acquired by Acinetobacter baumannii which is now resistant to most antibiotics, and why the old resistance genes are not being lost. This will help track these bacteria moving into and around Australi ....Antibiotic resistant bacteria that cause infections in hospitals can originate anywhere, then spread world wide. They start off resistant to a few antibiotics, then become resistant to new antibiotics that are introduced to treat them. This project will investigate how resistance to antibiotics was acquired by Acinetobacter baumannii which is now resistant to most antibiotics, and why the old resistance genes are not being lost. This will help track these bacteria moving into and around Australia.Read moreRead less
Genetic Determinants Of Interleukin-10 Response After Infectious Stimuli
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$276,000.00
Summary
Interleukin-10 is a key protein in the immune defense against infection, being the principal brake for the immune response. An diminished production of interleukin-10 has been implicated as a major cause of a number of devestating medical conditions including septic shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome. An excessive production of interleukin-10 may also be very harmful, and may be the primary cause of the reduction in immune function in many critically ill patients that leads to hospita ....Interleukin-10 is a key protein in the immune defense against infection, being the principal brake for the immune response. An diminished production of interleukin-10 has been implicated as a major cause of a number of devestating medical conditions including septic shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome. An excessive production of interleukin-10 may also be very harmful, and may be the primary cause of the reduction in immune function in many critically ill patients that leads to hospital acquired infections. These potential key roles of interleukin-10 in seriously ill patients makes it an attractive candidate to target for immune therapies. However, past experience with trials of immune-based therapies such as tumor necrosis factor alpha have taught us that we need to be much better at predicting individual immune responses if we are to 'interfere' with the immune system successfully. In the case of interleukin-10 there is substantial individual variation in the amount produced, with studies suggesting up to 70% of this variation is due to genetic differences. This project will establish the basis for this genetic variation by identiying both the genetic markers of high and low interleukin-10 response and the mechanisms by which these genetic markers change interleukin-10 production. This information will not only enable us to better target patients who may need an 'adjustment' of their immune function, but may also lead to novel therapeutic targets or therapeutic agents.Read moreRead less
Genomic Approaches To Understand And Control The Emergence Of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus Faecium (VREfm) In Australia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$756,163.00
Summary
VRE is a serious hospital superbug that has been increasing in many major hospitals around Australia, while at the same time MRSA (Golden Staph) infections have been decreasing. This project will find out why VRE is increasing by examining what happens to patients at a major Australian hospital from their time of admission to the onset of infection with VRE. At the end of the project we will have the first real understanding of how VRE is transmitted so we can develop effective infection control ....VRE is a serious hospital superbug that has been increasing in many major hospitals around Australia, while at the same time MRSA (Golden Staph) infections have been decreasing. This project will find out why VRE is increasing by examining what happens to patients at a major Australian hospital from their time of admission to the onset of infection with VRE. At the end of the project we will have the first real understanding of how VRE is transmitted so we can develop effective infection control measures.Read moreRead less
Harnessing The Type VI Secretion System ‘combat’ Arsenal Of A. Baumannii As A Source Of New Antimicrobials And Antimicrobial Targets
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$521,557.00
Summary
Infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria represent one of the greatest threats to human health. There is an urgent need to develop novel drugs and treatment strategies to combat infections by these drug-resistant organisms. We have shown that the bacteria A. baumannii uses a needle-like system to deliver lethal toxins into competitors. We will characterize these toxins so that we can manipulate them as weapons for controlling infections with multi-drug resistant bacteria.
Pathways To Extensive And Pan Antibiotic Resistance In The Globally Disseminated Acinetobacter Baumannii GC2 Clone
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$865,004.00
Summary
The project will study the evolution of a Acinetobacter baumannii clone that is found all around the world, and has become resistant to most or all of the currently available antibiotics. Resistance has been acquired in a series of steps, and the resistance genes present and the events involved will be used to understand the globalization process. The increased understanding of resistance development should assist in controlling untreatable infections and in preserving antibiotics.
Do Rapid Detection & Isolation Of Colonised Patients Reduce MRSA Spread? An Epidemiological, Economic & Modelling Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$354,299.00
Summary
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the antibiotic resistant form of Golden Staph. It is one of the most common causes of hospital acquired infection. Despite the presence of MRSA for more than 40 years in our hospitals, the most efficient ways of controlling it are still debated. Some experts recommend swabbing all high risk patients for MRSA, isolating those found to be carriers it in single rooms or with other carriers and using special precautions, such as gowns and gloves, ....Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the antibiotic resistant form of Golden Staph. It is one of the most common causes of hospital acquired infection. Despite the presence of MRSA for more than 40 years in our hospitals, the most efficient ways of controlling it are still debated. Some experts recommend swabbing all high risk patients for MRSA, isolating those found to be carriers it in single rooms or with other carriers and using special precautions, such as gowns and gloves, when in contact with these patients. One of the problems with this approach is that it takes 2-3 days to detect MRSA from swabs using the usual culture methods in the microbiology laboratory. This means that there are delays in instituting control measures, which may reduce their effectiveness. We plan to test whether use of isolation and special precautions is better than our current practices in preventing the spread of MRSA from patient to patient in the Royal Melbourne Hospital intensive care unit. Patients will be swabbed several times during their admission to see if they are carrying MRSA. We will use new, rapid laboratory methods that can detect MRSA within hours from these patient specimens. This will mean that if patients are found to be carriers, isolation and special precautions can be implemented early. We will compare how many people get MRSA in the time when we are not using any special precautions with how many get it in the time when we are. We are also going to undertake an economic analysis to see whether, even if these new diagnostic methods are more expensive that standard methods, they may still be worth the cost if we can prevent infections in patients. This study will help infection control practitioners to decide whether patients should be isolated with special precautions if they are MRSA carriers. The results of this study will contribute to better patient outcomes, lower hospital costs and more efficient use of resources.Read moreRead less
Risk Prediction For Surgical Site Infections Following Prosthetic Joint Replacement Surgery
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,449.00
Summary
With an ageing population the number of patients undergoing total joint replacement surgery is rapidly increasing. Surgical site infections are one of the most devastating complications of this surgery and are associated with patient suffering and significant healthcare costs. This research aims to identify those patients at greatest risk of infection and to investigate strategies to aid clinical judgment for early diagnosis of surgical site infection.