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Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and is a leading cause of death. BCG is the only licensed TB vaccine. Preclinical studies have shown that in adults, intravenous administration of BCG improves protection against TB. We hypothesize that intradermal administration of BCG to the human newborn leads to low-grade BCG bacteremia and that this systemic dissemination improves protection against Mtb infection. This hypothesis is based on supporting observations including animal and human studies. It is a testable hypothesis and offers to deliver immediately actionable insight to advance the global efforts against TB.

Acute rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disorder resulting from Group A Streptococcus pharyngitis or impetigo in children and adolescents, which may evolve to rheumatic heart disease (RHD) with persistent cardiac valve damage. RHD causes substantial mortality and morbidity globally, predominantly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, with an interplay of social determinants of health and genetic factors determining overall risk.

The Wesfarmers Centre has established the Deborah Lehmann Research Award to acknowledge the significant contribution that Clinical Associate Professor Deborah Lehmann AO has made to paediatric infectious disease research.

Dr Janessa Pickering is a research microbiologist with expertise in the molecular diagnostics and host pathogen interactions of upper respiratory tract pathogens that cause disease in children.

Program Manager

An alarming number of Strep A infections are going unnoticed throughout classrooms in Broome and Derby according to a major study by The Kids Research Institute Australia aiming to reduce the burden of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD).

Valuable support from the Raine Medical Research Foundation’s 2025 grant round will power four new research projects at The Kids Research Institute Australia.

Efforts to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal children have been accelerated thanks to almost $1 million in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funds awarded to skin health researchers at The Kids Research Institute Australia.

Researchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia will share in almost $4 million in grants to continue groundbreaking research to tackle childhood cancer, asthma, respiratory viral infections and more.

Researchers developing a nasal therapy to prevent childhood ear infections and reduce overuse of antibiotics have received $300,000 in top-up funding.