Molecular Typing And Epidemiology Of Bordetella Pertussis In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,662.00
Summary
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is an acute respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. Despite more than half a century of vaccination, pertussis has remained endemic in Australia, causing epidemic outbreaks every 3 to 4 years. Indeed the incidence has been increasing in recent years with over 11,000 cases notified in 2005.Pertussis is the commonest of all vaccine preventable diseases targeted by the Australian standard vaccination schedule. To control pertussis, appropriat ....Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is an acute respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. Despite more than half a century of vaccination, pertussis has remained endemic in Australia, causing epidemic outbreaks every 3 to 4 years. Indeed the incidence has been increasing in recent years with over 11,000 cases notified in 2005.Pertussis is the commonest of all vaccine preventable diseases targeted by the Australian standard vaccination schedule. To control pertussis, appropriate epidemiological surveillance must be implemented to monitor the circulating B. pertussis strains and emergence of any new strains, in particular those that escape the protection by vaccines. This project will use a novel genomic comparison approach to find variation known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) present around the genome. We will use these SNPs to analyse a large collection of Australian and worldwide isolates to identify those SNPs most suitable for typing and determine the optimal number of SNPs needed for discrimination. A standardized, consistent and reliable typing method for strain identification will be established. We will further develop an integrated method for detecting known variation in the genes encoding the five acellular vaccine antigens. A combined method for strain identification and detection of antigenic variation will then be developed for culture-independent typing, enabling identification of the strain infecting an individual directly from a clinical sample without the need for culture. This study will establish molecular methods for surveillance of pertussis in Australia, essential for further improvement of acellular pertussis vaccines and public health control measures.Read moreRead less
Identification Of Brain Regions Involved In The Regulation Of Coughing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$431,146.00
Summary
Cough is a symptom of more than 100 clinical conditions of the respiratory system, and is the most common reason that people seek medical advice. However, currently available cough suppresant drugs are at best only modestly effective at treating cough disorders. In this study we aim to better understand how the brain regulates coughing in the hope to identify new therapeutic targets for relieving cough.
Gabapentin In The Treatment Of Idiopathic Chronic Cough: A Randomised Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$331,229.00
Summary
Better treatment approaches are needed to address the significant quality of life impairment associated with chronic cough. We propose to conduct a double-blind, placebo controlled study comparing the efficacy (and safety) of oral gabapentin therapy on cough reflex severity and cough-specific quality of life in people with idiopathic cough. The advantages are a strong design, use of objective assessment techniques, and investigation of a new treatment modality for cough.
Dissecting The Central Organisation Of Cough Neural Networks
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$880,928.00
Summary
Cough is the most prevalent symptom of lung disease and the most common reason for people to seek medical advice. However, cough neural processes are poorly defined and as a result current cough therapies are largely ineffective making cough a significant unmet clinical problem. This project will novel viral strategies to dissect and manipulate cough neural pathways in the brain, providing insights into the neural processing of airway sensations and coughing.
Pregabalin And Speech Pathology Treatment For Refractory Chronic Cough With Laryngeal Hypersensitivity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$155,747.00
Summary
Persistent cough that does not respond to medical treatment is debilitating and frustrating for the sufferer and very expensive for the Australian government. This research will provide a new and effective treatment option and extend our current reputation as the world leader in the identification and treatment of refractory chronic cough. This treatment strategy has not been trialled before and the findings will change current medical practice and significantly reduce community health costs.
Improving Children's Respiratory Health Through Better Evidence And Knowledge
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$568,892.00
Summary
Prevention and/or early treatment potentially change the child’s life trajectory for lung health as adults. This is particularly important in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as respiratory illness is very common with long term consequences. In my fellowship, I will undertake appropriate clinical studies (treatment and preventative) that are most likely to improve lung health outcomes, particularly in conditions relevant in Indigenous children.