Is Mycobacterium Ulcerans A Zoonotic Agent Spread By Mosquitoes?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$335,853.00
Summary
Last year record numbers of a mysterious flesh-eating bacterial disease called Buruli ulcer were reported in Australia. Wild animals such as possums and rats harbour the bacteria in their guts but we don't know how the disease is transmitted to humans. In this project we will work out how the bacteria survives in the guts of animals and how people contract Buruli ulcer. With this information we can stop the spread of this debilitating disease.
Specificity Of Chlamydia Pneumoniae For Humans : Analysis Of Previous Cross-host Transmission Events And The Role Of Tryptophan Availability In Host Specificity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,568.00
Summary
Chlamydia are major causes of sexually transmitted disease but they also cause respiratory disease (Chlamydia pneumoniae) which is widespread across Australia and indeed the whole world (80% of people have been infected at some time in their life). Recent results suggest that the respiratory infections in humans came from animals and in this project we aim to identify which animals might have transmitted this infection to humans and determine if there is a continuing risk. We also plan to determ ....Chlamydia are major causes of sexually transmitted disease but they also cause respiratory disease (Chlamydia pneumoniae) which is widespread across Australia and indeed the whole world (80% of people have been infected at some time in their life). Recent results suggest that the respiratory infections in humans came from animals and in this project we aim to identify which animals might have transmitted this infection to humans and determine if there is a continuing risk. We also plan to determine what defines animal versus human infections.Read moreRead less
Molecular Epidemiology Of Antibiotic Resistant Salmonella Enterica Strains Causing Human Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,767.00
Summary
Salmonella infections are responsible for a substantial proportion of reported food poisoning cases caused by bacteria and many of these infections are due to antibiotic resistant strains. Infections caused by antibiotic resistant organisms are hard to treat and generally more severe, of longer duration, and result in longer hospital stays. These strains are mostly acquired from foods, e.g. meats, dairy products, poultry, eggs, and other contaminated food products but can also be derived from ot ....Salmonella infections are responsible for a substantial proportion of reported food poisoning cases caused by bacteria and many of these infections are due to antibiotic resistant strains. Infections caused by antibiotic resistant organisms are hard to treat and generally more severe, of longer duration, and result in longer hospital stays. These strains are mostly acquired from foods, e.g. meats, dairy products, poultry, eggs, and other contaminated food products but can also be derived from other sources. Salmonella strains harboured by food-producing animals are the source of most of the food contamination.Tracing the source of individual resistant strains is essential for eradication and as there are many Salmonella types, some of which are found associated only with specific animals or birds, accurate identification is needed. The proposed work will make this process more accurate by using molecular techniques to unequivocally establish suspected connections and reveal further ones that are difficult to discern using current data and methods. This should decrease the number of infections due to resistant strains.Read moreRead less