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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.
Copper And Its Antibacterial Action: An Emerging Aspect Of Host Defence Against Bacterial Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$454,858.00
Summary
This project will determine the way in which copper is used as an antimicrobial agent to kill Salmonella that reside inside the macrophage (white blood cell) of the host and also determine how Salmonella defends against copper-dependent killing. It will also determine the role of copper in the killing of extra-intestinal pathogens during sepsis. These results will provide information that can be used to manage and control infections intracellular and extracellular bacterial pathogens.
The Ongoing Evolution Of Class 1 Integrons And The Recruitment Of New Resistance And Virulence Genes Into Pathogens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$526,878.00
Summary
Bacteria are remarkably adaptive and evolve in ways that plants and animals do not. One of these ways is Lateral Gene Transfer (LGT), a process allowing one bacterial cell in a community to give genes that have been developed or acquired to other members of the community. This is a process that has led to the problem of multi drug resistance. This project aims to understand and thereby limit the movement of resistance genes from harmless bacteria into those that cause disease in humans.
Inhibition Of Histidine Kinase Signal Sensing: A Novel Paradigm For Antimicrobial Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$464,144.00
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus (Golden staph) has been termed a superbug because of its remarkable ability to acquire resistance to virtually all antibiotics. Until recently, Golden Staph infections were almost always acquired in hospitals, but the increasing incidence of community-acquired S. aureus infections has rendered it a major public health threat in Australia. The aim of this research is to develop antimicrobial agents to combat antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus.
We seek to gain a detailed understanding of how interactions between the West Nile virus proteins and host factors involved in the IFN response determine the outcome of virus infection. Better understanding of the mechanisms employed by this highly pathogenic virus to disable the mammalian host's IFN response will have wider implications for our understanding of other human diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity and provide new avenues for design of efficient antiviral and anticancer therapies.
Addressing Important Evidence Gaps In The Management Of Severe Infectious Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$256,839.00
Summary
There are currently large gaps in the evidence base for management of common severe bacterial infections. My research plan focuses on the most common of these: Staphylococcus aureus infections, bone and joint infections, skin infections, and severe sepsis. In order to both generate important evidence to inform practice, as well as to develop my own skills and experience as an expert in clinical trials, I have initiated randomised controlled trials in each of these areas.