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Haemophilus influenzae remains the predominant otitis media pathogen in Australian children undergoing ventilation tube insertion in the PCV13 era

Understanding patterns of bacterial carriage and otitis media (OM) microbiology is crucial for assessing vaccine impact and informing policy. The microbiology of OM can vary with geography, time, and interventions like pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). We evaluated the microbiology of nasopharyngeal and middle ear effusions in children living in Western Australia, 11 years following the introduction of PCV13.

Australian Aboriginal Otitis-Prone Children Produce High-Quality Serum IgG to Putative Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Vaccine Antigens at Lower Titres Compared to Non-Aboriginal Children

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is the most common bacterial otopathogen associated with otitis media (OM). NTHi persists in biofilms within the middle ears of children with chronic and recurrent OM. Australian Aboriginal children suffer exceptionally high rates of chronic and recurrent OM compared to non-Aboriginal children.

Elucidating the interaction of CF airway epithelial cells and rhinovirus: Using the host-pathogen relationship to identify future therapeutic strategies

A better understanding of the innate immune responses by CF airway epithelial cells is needed to identify why viral infections are more severe in CF

Finding the cellular explanation for recurrent asthma exacerbations

This study is designed to identify the specific unique immune cell response that occurs in these children with recurrent disease.

Mucus accumulation in the lungs precedes structural changes and infection in children with cystic fibrosis.

Mucus accumulation in the lungs precedes structural changes and infection in children with cystic fibrosis. Abstract Although destructive airway

New Co-directors for the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases

Dr Lea-Ann Kirkham and Dr Chris Blyth have been appointed as Co-Directors

An infant mouse model of influenza-driven nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae colonization and acute otitis media suitable for preclinical testing of novel therapies

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a major otitis media (OM) pathogen, with colonization a prerequisite for disease development. Most acute OM is in children <5 years old, with recurrent and chronic OM impacting hearing and learning. Therapies to prevent NTHi colonization and/or disease are needed, especially for young children. Respiratory viruses are implicated in driving the development of bacterial OM in children.

Role of viral and bacterial pathogens in causing pneumonia among Western Australian children: A case-control study protocol

We aim to determine the contribute of bacteria and virus to childhood CAP to inform further development of effective strategies.

PneumoWA: A case-control study of the role of viral and bacterial pathogens in causing pneumonia among Western Australian children

Christopher Elke Jennifer Peter Tom Blyth Seppanen Kent Richmond Snelling MBBS (Hons) DCH FRACP FRCPA PhD BSc PhD RN MBBS MRCP(UK) FRACP BMBS DTMH

Simplified bedside assessment of pulmonary gas exchange in very preterm infants at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age

We aimed to develop and validate a prediction table for a simplified measure of rightward shift of the fetal oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SpO2) versus inspired oxygen pressure (P IO2) curve as an objective marker of lung disease severity in very preterm infants, independent of unit altitude or oxygen prescribing policies.