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.
Evidence-driven Strategies To Reduce The Burden Of Infections Among Indigenous Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$267,859.00
Summary
Dr Asha Bowen will be building the evidence to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in Australia's Indigenous children during her early career fellowship. This will include a randomised controlled trial on the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in the Northern Territory and developing new strategies to reduce the burden of skin infections in children living in remote communities.
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 The Importance Of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Production In Australian Isolates Of Staphylococcus Aureus.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$118,796.00
Summary
New strains of the superbug methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have emerged in the community, causing severe, sometimes fatal infections in otherwise healthy people. These strains, called community-acquired MRSA produce a toxin (Panton-Valentine leukocidin). This project will provide important information about how this toxin promotes disease, and how the immune system responds to the toxin, providing the basis for the development of immunotherapies against this new superbug.
Optimising Interventions For Staphylococcus Aureus And Skin Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$338,381.00
Summary
Staphylococcal and streptococcal infections are major causes of illness and death, particularly in Indigenous Australians. These include invasive bloodstream infections and skin infections that lead to chronic kidney and heart disease. I will conduct clinical trials to optimise the management of staphylococcal bloodstream infections using novel trial methods, and use genomics and mathematical modelling to understand and reduce the burden of skin infections in Indigenous communities.
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
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