A5060034335- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Malaria Research and Control
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Dermatological diseases and infestations
- Complement system in diseases
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Insect and Pesticide Research
The University of Melbourne
2019-2021
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
2015-2021
Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine
2010-2015
James Cook University
2010-2015
Successful mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns have brought several countries near the point of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) elimination. A diagnostic tool is needed to determine when prevalence levels decreased a that MDA can be discontinued without threat recrudescence. six-country study was conducted assessing performance seven tests, including tests for microfilariae (blood smear, PCR), parasite antigen (ICT, Og4C3) and antifilarial antibody (Bm14, PanLF, Urine SXP). One community...
Antibody tests are useful for mapping the distribution of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in countries and regions monitoring progress elimination programs based on mass drug administration (MDA). Prior antibody have suffered from poor sensitivity and/or specificity or a lack standardization. We conducted multicenter evaluation new commercial ELISA that detects IgG4 antibodies to recombinant filarial antigen Bm14. Four laboratories tested shared panel coded serum plasma samples included 55 people...
Abstract Background Skin infections are a common public health problem in developing countries; however, they rarely managed using population based approach. Recent data on the burden of skin Timor-Leste limited. Our survey appears to be only widespread conducted more than 30 years and was designed determine baseline prevalence some Timor-Leste. Methods We cross sectional 14 sites including community clinics, schools hospitals within four different geographical regions. Participants were...
Ongoing transmission of lymphatic filariasis (LF) was assessed in five Samoan villages by measuring microfilaraemia (Mf), circulating filarial antigen (CFA) and antibody prevalence. Compared to the other villages, Fasitoo-Tai had a significantly higher Mf prevalence (3·2%), CFA (14·6%) children (62·0%) (P<0·05). Puapua lower (2·5%), no detectable Mf-positive individuals low (7·9%) Siufaga, previously believed be LF-free, recorded >1% high (46·6%). Overall, appeared reflect dynamics and,...
Successful elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) requires accurate identification residual foci transmission and stringent surveillance strategies to combat potential resurgence. This is challenging in areas where the day-biting Aedes polynesiensis endemic, such as Samoa, since previous studies no geographical clustering infection has been demonstrated. Another challenge for this low prevalence phase choice diagnostic assay testing circulating filarial antigen (CFA) or microfilariae (Mf)...
Elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Samoa continues to be challenging despite multiple annual mass drug campaigns aimed at stopping transmission by reducing the prevalence and density microfilaraemia. The persistence may partly related highly efficient Aedes vectors. assessment pathogen mosquito vectors vector control relies on ability capture mosquitoes efficiently. aims this study are compare trapping methods LF-infected determine role species area.Fasitoo-Tai village was chosen...
The efficacy of the BG-Sentinel (BGS) and BG-Mosquitito (BGM) mosquito traps for sampling populations important filariasis dengue vector Aedes (Stegomyia) polynesiensis (Marks) was evaluated in French Polynesia against human bait collections (HBC) using a modified Centers Disease Control Prevention backpack aspirator. Traps were baited with BG-Lure (a combination lactic acid, ammonia, caproic acid) or carbon dioxide plus octenol (1-octen-3-ol) known as attractants to aedine mosquitoes....
Demonstration of successful elimination lymphatic filariasis (LF) in endemic countries requires sensitive diagnostics for accurate definitions endpoints and future surveillance. There has been interest complementing available with antibody serology testing children, since negative would correspond cessation LF transmission. The Filariasis CELISA detects antifilarial favourable results serum samples but field application an easier sampling method. Ninety-four paired plasma filter paper were...
Vanuatu was formerly highly endemic for lymphatic filariasis (LF), caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and transmitted Anopheles mosquitoes. After a baseline survey showing 4.8% antigen prevalence in 1998, the country conducted nationwide (in one implementation unit) annual mass drug administration (MDA) with albendazole diethylcarbamazine citrate from 2000 to 2004 achieved of 0.2% 2006 representative cluster among all age groups. Post MDA surveillance 2012. MDA, divided into three evaluation...
Elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICT) has been defined as <0.1% circulating filarial antigen (CFA) prevalence children born after implementation successful mass drug administrations (MDAs). This research assessed feasibility CFA antibody testing three countries; Tonga, Vanuatu, Samoa. Transmission is interrupted Vanuatu Tonga evidenced by no positive a low titre. ongoing Samoa with microfilaraemic (Mf) high Furthermore, areas...
Abstract Background Lymphatic filariasis (LF) due to Wuchereria bancrofti is being eliminated from Oceania under the Pacific Elimination of Filariasis Programme. LF was endemic in Solomon Islands but 2010-2020 Strategic Plan Global Programme Eliminate LF, listed as non-endemic for LF. In countries now declared free an important question what monitoring strategy should be used detect any residual foci LF? This paper describes how a new case elephantiasis post-elimination setting may trigger...
Malaria remains a significant worldwide public health problem. To address biological questions, researchers rely on the experimental murine model. For decades, chloroquine (CQ) and pyrimethamine (Pyr) have been used to clear Plasmodium infections in animals using standardised accepted protocols and, because of this, drug-treated controls are rarely included. However, there is limited data available modulation anti-malarial immunity, including generation memory B cells, when these drugs...
As the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis declines, it becomes crucial to adequately eliminate residual areas endemicity and implement surveillance. To this end, serological assays have been developed, including Bm14 Filariasis CELISA which recommends a specific optical density cut-off level. We used mixture modelling assess positive cut-offs serology in children Vanuatu using historical OD (Optical Density) ELISA values collected from transmission assessment survey (2005) targeted child...
A long-standing challenge in malaria is the limited understanding of B cell immunity, previously hampered by lack tools to phenotype rare antigen-specific cells. Our aim was develop a method for identifying carbohydrate-specific cells within lymphocyte populations and determine whether candidate vaccine generated functional memory (MBCs) that reactivated upon with Plasmodium (pRBCs). To this end, new flow cytometric probe validated used kinetics activation against...