A5086405597- Streptococcal Infections and Treatments
- Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus
- Neonatal and Maternal Infections
- Toxin Mechanisms and Immunotoxins
- Burkholderia infections and melioidosis
- Infective Endocarditis Diagnosis and Management
- Immune Response and Inflammation
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
- Malaria Research and Control
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Biochemical and Structural Characterization
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Otolaryngology and Infectious Diseases
- Inflammasome and immune disorders
- Kawasaki Disease and Coronary Complications
- Bacterial Infections and Vaccines
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Glycosylation and Glycoproteins Research
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Advanced Drug Delivery Systems
Griffith University
2015-2024
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
2008-2024
Queensland Theological College
2013
The University of Melbourne
2008-2009
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
2009
Charles Darwin University
2008
Menzies School of Health Research
2004-2008
The University of Queensland
2004-2008
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
2008
Ministry Of Health
2008
A conformationally constrained, minimally conserved peptide from the M protein of group streptococcus (GAS) has been defined. It consists 12 amino acids C-repeat region within a non-M helix-forming sequence and is referred to as "J8." Here, we investigate immunogenicity J8-diphtheria toxoid (DT) conjugate adjuvanted with human-compatible adjuvants, SBAS2 alum, demonstrate that it capable inducing opsonic antibodies can protect outbred mice virulent challenge. In range experiments, protection...
Special delivery: An effective group A streptococci vaccine is formed from a delivery device consisting of well-defined dendritic structures with nanoscale dimensions (see picture). The are designed to display multiple copies the minimal B-cell epitopes, which were in optimal conformation on surface nanoparticles. nanoparticles can be administered without aid an adjuvant.
Background Impetigo and scabies are endemic diseases in many tropical countries; however the epidemiology of these is poorly understood areas, particularly Pacific. Methodology/Principal Findings We conducted three epidemiological studies 2006 2007 to determine burden disease due impetigo children Fiji using simple easily reproducible methodology. Two were performed primary school (one study was a cross-sectional other prospective cohort over ten months) one infants (cross-sectional). The...
To be optimally effective, peptide-based vaccines need to administered with adjuvants. Many currently available adjuvants are toxic, not biodegradable; they invariably invoke adverse reactions, including allergic responses and excessive inflammation. A nontoxic, biodegradable, biocompatible, self-adjuvanting vaccine delivery system is urgently needed. Herein, we report a potent fulfilling the above requirements. peptide antigen was coupled poly-hydrophobic amino acid sequences serving as...
Abstract Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) is an emerging cause of human infection with invasive disease incidence and clinical manifestations comparable to the closely related species, pyogenes . Through systematic genomic analyses 501 disseminated SDSE strains, we demonstrate extensive overlap between genomes S. More than 75% core genes are shared two species one third demonstrating evidence cross-species recombination. Twenty-five percent mobile genetic element (MGE)...
Vaccine development for the blood stages of malaria has focused on induction antibodies to parasite surface antigens, most which are highly polymorphic. An alternate strategy evolved from observations that low-density infections can induce antibody-independent immunity different strains. To test this strategy, we treated parasitized red cells rodent Plasmodium chabaudi with seco-cyclopropyl pyrrolo indole analogs. These drugs irreversibly alkylate DNA, blocking their ability replicate. After...
ABSTRACT Melioidosis is a potentially fatal disease that endemic to tropical northern Australia and Southeast Asia, with mortality rate of 14 50%. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei the causative agent which infects numerous parts human body, including brain, results in neurological manifestation melioidosis. olfactory nerve constitutes direct conduit from nasal cavity into we have previously reported B. can colonize this mice. We now investigated detail mechanism by bacteria penetrate...
Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a serious human pathogen that affects people of different ages and socio-economic levels. Although vaccination potentially one the most effective methods to control GAS infection its sequelae, few prototype vaccines have been investigated in humans. In this study, we report safety immunogenicity novel acetylated peptide-protein conjugate vaccine candidate MJ8VAX (J8-DT), when delivered intramuscularly healthy adults.A randomized, double-blinded, controlled...
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections account for an estimated 500,000 deaths every year. This bacterial pathogen is responsible a variety of mild and life-threatening the triggering chronic autoimmune sequelae. Pharyngitis caused by group (GAS), but not asymptomatic GAS carriage, prerequisite acute rheumatic fever (ARF). Repeated bouts ARF may trigger heart disease (RHD), major cause failure stroke accounting 275,000 annually. vaccine that prevents pharyngitis would markedly reduce...
To develop an oral nanovaccine delivery system for lipopeptide-based vaccine candidate against group A Streptococcus.Lipid-core peptide-1-loaded nanoliposomes were prepared as a template and coated with opposite-charged polyelectrolytes to produce particles size <200 nm. Efficacy of this was evaluated in mice model.Polymer-coated liposomes produced significantly higher antigen-specific mucosal IgA systemic IgG titers comparison formulated strong adjuvant upon immunization mice. Moreover,...
BackgroundStreptococcus pyogenes is a leading cause of infection-related morbidity and mortality. A reinvigorated vaccine development effort calls for new clinically relevant human S experimental infection models to support proof concept evaluation candidate vaccines. We describe the initial Controlled Human Infection Vaccination Against (CHIVAS-M75) study, in which we aimed identify dose emm75 that causes acute pharyngitis at least 60% volunteers when applied pharynx by swab.MethodsThis...
Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, is generally considered to be acquired via inhalation dust or water droplets from environment. In this study, we show that infection nasal mucosa potentially an important portal entry in melioidosis.After intranasal inoculation mice, was monitored by bioluminescence imaging and immunohistological analysis coronal sections. The bacterial loads organ tissue specimens were also monitored.Bioluminescence showed colonization...
ABSTRACT Streptococcus pyogenes (group A [GAS]) causes ~700 million human infections/year, resulting in >500,000 deaths. There is no commercial GAS vaccine available. The surface protein arginine deiminase (ADI) protects mice against a lethal challenge. ADI an enzyme that converts to citrulline and ammonia. Administration of preparation containing wild-type ADI, with inherent enzymatic activity, may present safety risk. In approach intended maximize the X-ray crystallography structural...
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is an important human pathogen responsible for both superficial infections and invasive diseases. Autoimmune sequelae may occur upon repeated infection. For this reason, development of a vaccine against GAS represents major challenge, since certain components trigger autoimmunity. We formulated three combination vaccines containing the following: (i) streptolysin O (SLO), interleukin 8 (IL-8) protease (Streptococcus pyogenes cell envelope proteinase [SpyCEP]),...
Infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (group A [GAS]) are highly prevalent in the tropics, developing countries, and Indigenous populations of developed countries. These infections their sequelae responsible for almost 500,000 lives lost prematurely each year. synthetic peptide vaccine (J8-DT) from conserved region M protein has shown efficacy against disease that follows i.p. inoculation bacteria. By a murine model infection closely mimics human skin infection, we show can protect...
Subunit vaccines offer a means to produce safer, more defined compared traditional whole microorganism approaches. antigens, however, exhibit weak immunity, which is normally overcome through coadministration with adjuvants. Enhanced vaccine properties (e.g., improved potency) can be obtained by linking antigen and adjuvant, as observed for synthetic peptide antigens Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) ligands. As few protective have been reported, protein we sought extend the utility of this...