Search
Research
Molecular diagnosis of scabies using a novel probe-based polymerase chain reaction assay targeting high-copy number repetitive sequences in the sarcoptes scabiei genomeThe suboptimal sensitivity and specificity of available diagnostic methods for scabies hampers clinical management, trials of new therapies and epidemiologic studies. Additionally, parasitologic diagnosis by microscopic examination of skin scrapings requires sample collection with a sharp scalpel blade, causing discomfort to patients and difficulty in children. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assays, combined with non-invasive sampling methods, represent an attractive approach.
Research
OPTIMUM study protocol: an adaptive randomised controlled trial of a mixed whole-cell/acellular pertussis vaccine scheduleCombination vaccines containing whole-cell pertussis antigens were phased out from the Australian national immunisation programme between 1997 and 1999 and replaced by the less reactogenic acellular pertussis (aP) antigens. In a large case-control study of Australian children born during the transition period, those with allergist diagnosed IgE-mediated food allergy were less likely to have received whole-cell vaccine in early infancy than matched population controls (OR: 0.77 (95% CI, 0.62 to 0.95)). We hypothesise that a single dose of whole-cell vaccine in early infancy is protective against IgE-mediated food allergy.
Research
Djaalinj Waakinj (listening talking): Rationale, cultural governance, methods, population characteristics–an urban Aboriginal birth cohort study of otitis mediaThe majority of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter referred to as “Aboriginal”) people live in urban centres. Otitis media (OM) occurs at a younger age, prevalence is higher and hearing loss and other serious complications are more common in Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal children. Despite this, data on the burden of OM and hearing loss in urban Aboriginal children are limited.
Research
Estimation of the force of infection and infectious period of skin sores in remote Australian communities using interval-censored dataPrevalence of impetigo (skin sores) remains high in remote Australian Aboriginal communities, Fiji, and other areas of socio-economic disadvantage. Skin sore infections, driven primarily in these settings by Group A Streptococcus (GAS) contribute substantially to the disease burden in these areas. Despite this, estimates for the force of infection, infectious period and basic reproductive ratio-all necessary for the construction of dynamic transmission models-have not been obtained.
News & Events
National guideline to tackle record rates of skin infectionResearchers have developed the first National Healthy Skin Guideline to address record rates of skin infections in Australia’s Indigenous communities.
News & Events
Co-ordinated approach urgently required to slow progression of antibiotic resistanceAboriginal mum and child
News & Events
Outstanding mentor named Eureka prize finalistLeading infectious diseases researcher, Clinical Associate Professor Deborah Lehmann AO, has been named a finalist for the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes for her work training and mentoring a new generation of researchers.
News & Events
Pneumococcal vaccine sees hospital admissions for deadly pneumonia slashed by halfThousands of children born in Papua New Guinea (PNG) no longer face a future cut short by severe pneumonia, thanks to the introduction of pneumococcal vaccination as part of the country’s National Immunisation Program.
News & Events
Study finds Covid-19 severity reduced for childrenAn international study examining Covid-19 severity on hospitalised children and adolescents has found that as the virus became more infectious, intensive care admissions dropped across multiple age groups regardless of vaccination status.
News & Events
Clinical trial recruiting babies for RSV and hMPV vaccine studyMEDIA ENQUIRIES Discover. Prevent. Cure. Mailing list Media contacts About The Kids Be Inspired Please direct general enquiries to our reception on (