Investigating The Altered Landscape Of Enteric Viruses Causing Severe Gastroenteritis In Australian Children Following Rotavirus Vaccine Introduction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
The rotavirus vaccines were introduced in Australia in 2007, decreasing rotavirus disease. Rotavirus strains naturally evolve during replication, however, high vaccine coverage in the population creates a new environment with different evolutionary pressures where strains not protected by the vaccines may emerge and become dominant. The diminished circulation of rotavirus may create an environment where other viruses capable of causing childhood gastroenteritis may increase.
Hepatitis B Virus Drug Resistance: Impact On The Immunisation Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,322.00
Summary
ñAntiviral drug-associated vaccine escape mutantsî have the potential to jeopardize the hepatitis B immunization program. Which particular viral mutations or combination of mutations that can directly affect the clinical outcome of infection, especially in the context of vaccine induced immunity, are not known. In this study we will identify the clinical sequelae and public health consequences arising from the selection of these mutants.
Treatment Of Chronic Proteinuric Renal Disease With DNA Vaccines Against TCR Subsets Of Effector T Cells And Chemokines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$282,750.00
Summary
Current treatments for chronic kidney disease are non specific and frequently ineffective. As a consequence, kidney failure progresses to the stage where patients require dialysis or transplantation to remain alive. Every year about 1700 Australians commence dialysis for this reason, and many more die of kidney failure or its complications. This project will develop and test a novel therapeutic strategy of DNA vaccination targeted specifically at groups of white cells, and specific regulatory mo ....Current treatments for chronic kidney disease are non specific and frequently ineffective. As a consequence, kidney failure progresses to the stage where patients require dialysis or transplantation to remain alive. Every year about 1700 Australians commence dialysis for this reason, and many more die of kidney failure or its complications. This project will develop and test a novel therapeutic strategy of DNA vaccination targeted specifically at groups of white cells, and specific regulatory molecules in order to prevent chronic kidney disease (CPRD). In chronic kidney diseases of all types, the kidney filters and surrounding tissue becomes infiltrated with inflammatory cells. The amount of inflammation in the filters and the tissues has an important bearing on the severity of kidney failure, and the rate at which kidney disease progresses. There are a range of different cells that invade the inflamed kidney, some worsen the disease while some may protect against it. Current treatments are non-selective and may, by suppressing inflammation, prevent both repair and protection. We have established a central role for two groups of white cells called macrophages and T lymphocytes in two animal models of kidney disease. In one of these models, we used DNA vaccination, which represents a novel means of switching off these disease-causing T cells. The results showed that DNA vaccination against T cell subsets was protective in our model. This raises the real and exiting possibility that DNA vaccination directed at specific disease-causing cells, and their products are much more likely to be specific and effective therapy for chronic kidney diseases. Eventually, such DNA vaccination may be used as a more effective and safer therapy for human kidney disease.Read moreRead less
Understanding Dendritic Cell Dysfunction And Apoptosis In Malaria In Endemic Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,179.00
Summary
The Asia-Pacific has 40% of the global malaria burden, and both major malaria species (falciparum & vivax) cause disease and death. To eliminate malaria we need to understand how malaria parasites prevent our body making new immune responses. Our experienced team will measure how and when the two major malaria parasites switch off and kill specialised immune cells, when immune cells recover after antimalarial therapy and may suggest the need for malaria drugs to be given before immunisations.
DNA Vaccination Using Chemokine And Costimulatory Pathways As A Treatment For Chronic Kidney Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,390.00
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a great burden on Australia. Treatments are mostly ineffective. Our DNA vaccination against mediators of inflammation can protect against CKD. On the basis of ongoing studies we have identified 5 candidate molecules involved in recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells. We outline studies to generate DNA vaccines to these molecules, enhance their efficacy, and test them in models that represent the 3 most important causes of human CKD.
Informing Vaccination Strategies For Pregnant Women Through Linked Population Health Data
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
Vaccination during pregnancy has health benefits for mothers and their infants; however, it is a relatively new area of research, and the immediate and long-term consequences for children are currently not well understood. As part of this fellowship, I plan to conduct research into the long-term health impacts of vaccination during pregnancy. This fellowship will build my career as a perinatal epidemiologist and establish expertise in Australia related to vaccines given during pregnancy.
Asia-Pacific Pneumococcal Disease Control In The Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Era
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,500,000.00
Summary
Pneumonia is one of the commonest causes of childhood death worldwide. PCV is a vaccine that prevents pneumonia but it is costly; and causes an increase in disease from strains which are not in the vaccine. Our CRE will address 2 outstanding issues: when to switch from a 3 to 2 dose PCV schedule to make it more affordable; and create new understanding of the non-vaccine strains’ impact on disease in low- and middle-income countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Links2HealthierBubs: Influenza And Pertussis Vaccine Effectiveness And Safety In Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$676,333.00
Summary
Vaccination during pregnancy can offer protection against severe respiratory disease for infants in the first six months of life. For this reason, influenza and pertussis vaccines are routinely recommended during each pregnancy. Unfortunately, little is known about the ‘real world’ effect of both vaccines. We plan to conduct the largest and most comprehensive study to date to evaluate all vaccines routinely recommended in pregnancy in Australia.
Expression Of Malaria Parasite Invasion Associated Proteins In The Sporozoite Novel Vaccination Strategy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$202,000.00
Summary
Efforts to develop vaccines against malaria still represent a substantial focus of current research activities. Antigens present in the erythrocytic pathogenic stages of the infection account for the majority of targets investigated for potential vaccines. Experimental vaccines targeting the pre-erythrocytic stages [the sporozoite injected by the mosquito, and the hepatic stage parasite) have encompassed a lesser diversity of parasite antigens]. This is the case despite the fact that experimenta ....Efforts to develop vaccines against malaria still represent a substantial focus of current research activities. Antigens present in the erythrocytic pathogenic stages of the infection account for the majority of targets investigated for potential vaccines. Experimental vaccines targeting the pre-erythrocytic stages [the sporozoite injected by the mosquito, and the hepatic stage parasite) have encompassed a lesser diversity of parasite antigens]. This is the case despite the fact that experimentally induced sterile long-lasting immunity in humans has so far only been achieved through exposure to irradiated sporozoites. The acquisition and maintenance of this immunity depends on the use of invasive sporozoites and on the presence of developmentally arrested hepatic stage parasites.Read moreRead less
Diseases caused by the pneumococcus represent the largest cause of vaccine preventable death in the world today, mainly pneumonia and meningitis. In 2011, 16 developing countries will introduce pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, none in east Asia. Lack of research has been a major barrier to their use in the region. We have established an international centre of excellence in the field and we seek support to extend the capacity of this group and to transfer the technology to Vietnam.