Nasopharyngeal Metagenomics In Indigenous Children: Correlations With Otitis Media Aetiology And Treatment Failure.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$82,420.00
Summary
Indigenous children experience excessive rates of otitis media. The disease is caused by many different bacteria. Previously, researchers have only been able to examine one bacterium at a time. Metagenomics is a new science which allows study of numerous bacteria simultaneously. Using metagenomic methods, we aim to understand how otitis media develops and why some children do not respond to therapy. This will allow design of better interventions to improve ear health for Indigenous children.
GENETIC ANALYSIS OF POLYSACCHARIDE CAPSULE BIOSYNTHESIS AND REGULATION IN STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$377,036.00
Summary
Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is an important cause of invasive diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and bacteraemia in humans. Many people carry this organism in the nasopharynx asymptomatically. However, in a small proportion, the organism overcomes host defences and invades the body causing life-threatening disease. An essential virulence factor of the pneumococcus is the polysaccharide capsule which protects it from the immune defences of the host during an infection. Until r ....Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is an important cause of invasive diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and bacteraemia in humans. Many people carry this organism in the nasopharynx asymptomatically. However, in a small proportion, the organism overcomes host defences and invades the body causing life-threatening disease. An essential virulence factor of the pneumococcus is the polysaccharide capsule which protects it from the immune defences of the host during an infection. Until recently, very little was known of the pneumococcal genes involved in production of this antigen. This project aims to continue characterization of these genes, and examination of the factors which regulate their expression. This regulatory mechanism may be very important, because production of increased levels of the polysaccharide capsule is believed to be an crucial step in the transition from carriage to invasion. An understanding of the molecular events involved in biosynthesis and regulation of capsule production will improve our understanding of the disease process and identify alternative targets for antimicrobial therapy.Read moreRead less
Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is an important human pathogen, which is responsible for the deaths of millions of children each year in developing countries. The high morbidity and mortality associated with pneumococcal disease is also being exacerbated by the rate at which this organism is acquiring resistance to multiple antibiotics. Existing pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines are poorly immunogenic in young children and only provide cover against a limited range of serotypes. S ....Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is an important human pathogen, which is responsible for the deaths of millions of children each year in developing countries. The high morbidity and mortality associated with pneumococcal disease is also being exacerbated by the rate at which this organism is acquiring resistance to multiple antibiotics. Existing pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines are poorly immunogenic in young children and only provide cover against a limited range of serotypes. Serotype coverage is even lower in the more immunogenic conjugate vaccines currently being developed; these will also be very expensive, thereby limiting their use in developing countries, where the need for effective paediatric vaccines is greatest. Pneumococci produce a variety of proteins which are important in causing disease, but the relative contribution of these factors at each stage of the infection process remain to be determined. Moreover, virtually nothing is known of the mechanism whereby these virulence factors are regulated in response to the external environment of the bacterium. In view of this, we are conducting a comprehensive examination of the mechanisms of pathogenesis of pneumococcal disease, with particular reference to the role of putative virulence proteins. This information is being used to develop cheap and effective vaccines based on pneumococcal protein antigens common to all serotypes.Read moreRead less