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Research
Substrate-dependent metabolomic signatures of myeloperoxidase activity in airway epithelial cells: Implications for early cystic fibrosis lung diseaseMyeloperoxidase is released by neutrophils in inflamed tissues. MPO oxidizes chloride, bromide, and thiocyanate to produce hypochlorous acid, hypobromous acid, and hypothiocyanous acid, respectively. These oxidants are toxic to pathogens, but may also react with host cells to elicit biological activity and potential toxicity. In cystic fibrosis and related diseases, increased neutrophil inflammation leads to increased airway MPO and airway epithelial cell exposure to its oxidants.
Research
Comparison of group A streptococcal titres in healthy children and those with pharyngitis and skin infectionsRates of acute rheumatic fever, a sequelae of group A Streptococcal (GAS) infection, remain unacceptably high in Indigenous Māori and Pacific children in New Zealand. This prospective study aimed to describe GAS antibody titres in healthy children (5–14 years) by ethnicity, and to determine how paired titres vary with GAS culture positive and negative pharyngitis, and GAS skin infections.
Research
Lentiviral vector gene therapy and CFTR modulators show comparable effectiveness in cystic fibrosis rat airway modelsMutation-agnostic treatments such as airway gene therapy have the potential to treat any individual with cystic fibrosis (CF), irrespective of their CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene variants. The aim of this study was to employ two CF rat models, Phe508del and CFTR knockout to assess the comparative effectiveness of CFTR modulators and lentiviral vector-mediated gene therapy.
Research
Clindamycin adjunctive therapy for severe Staphylococcus aureus treatment evaluation (CASSETTE)-an open-labelled pilot randomized controlled trialCombination antibiotic therapy with an antitoxin agent, such as clindamycin, is included in some guidelines for severe, toxin-mediated Staphylococcus aureus infections. The evidence to support this practice is currently limited to in vitro, animal and observational human case-series data, with no previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
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Prevention of bacterial complications of scabies using mass drug administration: A population-based, before-after trial in Fiji, 2018–2020Scabies is an important predisposing factor of impetigo which can lead to serious bacterial complications. Ivermectin-based mass drug administration can substantially reduce scabies and impetigo prevalence in endemic settings, but the impact on serious bacterial complications is not known.
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Phage therapy to treat cystic fibrosis Burkholderia cepacia complex lung infections: perspectives and challengesgeBurkholderia cepacia complex is a cause of serious lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis, exhibiting extremely high levels of antimicrobial resistance. These infections are difficult to treat and are associated with high morbidity and mortality.
Research
Risk factors for bronchiectasis in children with cystic fibrosisWe sought to determine risk factors for the onset of bronchiectasis, using data collected by the Australian Respiratory Early Surveillance Team for Cystic...
Research
Progression of early structural lung disease in young children with cystic fibrosis assessed using CTCross-sectional studies implicate neutrophilic inflammation and pulmonary infection as risk factors for early structural lung disease in infants and young...
Research
Small macrophages are present in early childhood respiratory diseaseRecently, an established "small macrophage" phenotype has been observed in the sputum of patients with CF and COPD. However, little is known about the...
News & Events
Phage power: Researchers awarded fellowships to tackle cystic fibrosis infectionsTwo researchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia’s Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre have secured lucrative fellowships to advance cutting-edge phage therapy research for people living with cystic fibrosis (CF).
News & Events
Watershed approach to improve cystic fibrosis treatmentThe Kids researchers are pioneering an exciting new approach to clinical trials, which aims to fast-track the best treatments for people with rare and complex diseases.
Research
In vitro antibacterial activity of Western Australian honeys, and manuka honey, against bacteria implicated in impetigoImpetigo is a contagious skin disease caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Without treatment, impetigo may be recurrent, develop into severe disease, or have serious, life-threatening sequelae. Standard treatment consists of topical or systemic antibiotic therapy (depending on severity), however, due to antibiotic resistance some therapies are increasingly ineffective.
News & Events
Triple triumph for The Kids at 2025 Premier’s Science AwardsThree researchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia were recognised as being among Western Australia’s brightest and most innovative scientific minds at last night’s 24th Premier's Science Awards.
News & Events
Born with cystic fibrosis, now research is her life’s workWhen Ingrid Laing was born, the outlook for kids with cystic fibrosis was bleak. Her parents were told she might make it to 20 if she was lucky.