The Epidemiology Of Staphylococcus Aureus And Antibiotic Resistance In Community-acquired Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,267,784.00
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus infections range from boils to life-threatening diseases and are increasingly resistant to antibiotics and difficult to treat. This study follows patients with community-acquired S. aureus infections, and close contacts, for 24 months to see if they carry S. aureus (nose swabs) or develop infection. Our data on risk factors for colonisation and infection will help doctors decide whether to trace and treat contacts of patients to protect households from further infection.
Characterisation Of The Host Response In A Mouse Model Of Staphylococcus Aureus Keratitis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$248,850.00
Summary
Staphylococcus is the most common cause of bacterial eye infections (microbial keratitis) . This ocular infection is associated with severe pain, redness, discharge and frequently results in the loss of vision or blindness. Predisposing factors for this disease include contact lens wear and immunocompromised individuals such as those with HIV, diabetes or aged populations. S. aureus keratitis is difficult to treat using conventional antibiotics as although bacteria may be eliminated, vision loss ....Staphylococcus is the most common cause of bacterial eye infections (microbial keratitis) . This ocular infection is associated with severe pain, redness, discharge and frequently results in the loss of vision or blindness. Predisposing factors for this disease include contact lens wear and immunocompromised individuals such as those with HIV, diabetes or aged populations. S. aureus keratitis is difficult to treat using conventional antibiotics as although bacteria may be eliminated, vision loss may still result from scarring. S. aureus also causes a wide range of hospital associated infections such as pneumonia, endocarditis, bacteremia, wound infections, osteomyelitis and septic arthritis. In recent times strains of S. aureus have emerged which are multi-drug resistant including methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). These may only be treated with the drug Vancomycin. However, vancomycin resistant S. aureus have been reported in both Japan and the USA. Now, the search for new treatments for this bacterium is of vital importance. This project will utilise the novel S.aureus mouse model for keratitis, which we have developed in our laboratories. Our model will enable us to investigate the host responses to bacterial infection. Existing models in the rabbit do not allow such detailed studies due to the lack of existing molecular probes and antibodies. Insights into potential adjunct therapies will also be gained. This research could lead to the development of novel therapeutic measures aimed at manipulating the host response to reduce scarring and consequent blindness. This information may also be important for the development of prophylactic treatments for those patients at high risk, such as diabetics and immunocompromised individuals of developing this disease.Read moreRead less
Molecular Mechanisms Of Low-level Vancomycin Resistance In Clinical Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$437,916.00
Summary
The common bacteria Staphylococcus aureus causes many infections in humans, and is becoming more resistant to antibiotic treatments, especially in hospitals. This project will determine how this bacteria is developing resistance to some of our last available antibiotics. This will provide an important basis for detecting and preventing this antibiotic resistance problem in future.
Characterisation Of Community Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus And Their Control In Remote Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,777.00
Summary
Before the introduction of antibiotics Staphylococcus aureus, the golden staph , was the major cause of infections in hospitals. Although the introduction of antibiotics helped control the organism it has gradually acquired resistance until strains have emerged which can only be treated with vancomycin. Consequently staphs have again emerged as a major hospital pathogen. The emergence of these multiply resistant strains corresponded to them acquiring methicillin resistance and consequently they ....Before the introduction of antibiotics Staphylococcus aureus, the golden staph , was the major cause of infections in hospitals. Although the introduction of antibiotics helped control the organism it has gradually acquired resistance until strains have emerged which can only be treated with vancomycin. Consequently staphs have again emerged as a major hospital pathogen. The emergence of these multiply resistant strains corresponded to them acquiring methicillin resistance and consequently they have come to be known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA. Soon after the emergence of MRSA the hospitals of Western Australia (WA) developed a policy to prevent introduced MRSA from becoming established in its hospitals. Although this has been successful the policy is now under threat with the emergence of MRSA in remote WA Aboriginal communities. Aboriginals in these communities have a large number of infections which are usually treated empirically. This can result in the selection of antibiotic resistant bacteria if they are present. Consequently, it is planned to regularly screen Aboriginal communities which are known to have a high prevalence of MRSA and recommend antibiotic prescribing which will not select for any resistant staphylococci carried by a person. This is possible because the community MRSA are still susceptible to some anti-staphylococcal drugs. If this program is shown to reduce the prevalence of MRSA in the communities then the program will be extended to other communities. Community MRSA are now being reported from other Australian states and it is planned to study these to see if they are related to the WA strains. The community isolates will be studied to assess their potential to acquire additional antibiotic resistances. As some strains are known to be more of a threat to hospitals than others methods will be investigated to develop rapid methods for detecting them.Read moreRead less
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.
Understanding Virulence In Staphylococcus Aureus And Impacts On Host Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$574,890.00
Summary
Golden Staph remains an important cause of serious infections in Australian patients. New strategies to combat this disease require a better understanding of how Golden Staph causes disease and escapes the natural human response to infection. This study will provide new insights into how Golden Staph causes disease, and provide a platform for developing new strategies to prevent and treat Golden Staph infections.
Molecular Basis For The Emergence Of Community Acquired Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$427,518.00
Summary
Golden Staph is a major problem in our hospitals but serious Golden Staph infections are increasingly common in the community, among otherwise healthy people who have had no contact with hospitals. This project will find out how Golden Staph is evolving to become more likely to cause disease in the community. This knowledge can then be used to design new strategies for early detection, prevention and treatment.
Zinc: The Molecular Basis Of It�s Toxicity To Gram-positive Pathogens And It�s Exploitation By The Innate Immune Response
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$588,398.00
Summary
Zinc in excess is toxic to bacteria, and the release of zinc is an important part of the immune response. Dietary zinc deficiency leads to increased susceptibility to pathogenic bacteria. How zinc affords protection has remained a mystery. We have identified a novel mechanism in 2 priority human pathogens by which zinc competes for the essential metal ion manganese. We will elucidate the molecular details of this mechanism and how it is harnessed by the immune system.
Molecular Characterization Of The Role Of FtsK In Chromosome Unlinking And Segregation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$471,022.00
Summary
Bacterial pathogens, especially those associated with multiple drug resistances, are becoming increasingly serious health problems. This project will investigate the key protein FtsK and the role it plays in co-ordinating bacterial chromosome segregation and cell division. FtsK from three specific pathogens, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, will be characterized to better understand its vital role, and to inform and focus future drug design.