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Research
Immunogenicity and Safety of a 2 + 1 DTPa Priming Schedule in Australian Infants and the Impact of Maternally Derived Antibodies on Pertussis Antibody Responses up to 4 Years of AgeWe assessed the impact of maternally derived pertussis antibodies on infant responses to a 2 + 1 vaccine schedule (6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 12 months). Infants with baseline antibodies showed lower IgG responses following the primary vaccination series, but this did not impair booster responses at 4 years of age.
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Pathogens on the rise: is impaired immunity the cause of chronic ear and chest infections?Ruth Elke Peter Thornton Seppanen Richmond PhD BSc PhD MBBS MRCP(UK) FRACP Co-head, Bacterial Respiratory Infectious Disease Group (BRIDG) Program
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Role of viral and bacterial pathogens in causing pneumonia among Western Australian children: A case-control study protocolWe aim to determine the contribute of bacteria and virus to childhood CAP to inform further development of effective strategies.
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Rationale and methods of a randomized controlled trial of immunogenicity, safety and impact on carriage of pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines in infants in Papua New GuineaVaccination trials in high endemicity areas are needed to provide evidence and guidance on idea strategies to protect children in these areas against infections
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Bacillus licheniformis in geogenic dust induces inflammation in respiratory epitheliumWe have previously demonstrated that mice exposed to geogenic dust PM10 experienced an exacerbation of inflammatory responses to influenza A virus.
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High concentrations of middle ear antimicrobial peptides and proteins are associated with detection of middle ear pathogens in children with recurrent acute otitis mediaElevated antimicrobial proteins and peptides and cytokines in middle ear effusion are a marker of inflammation and bacterial persistence

The Bacterial Respiratory Infectious Disease Group (BRIDG) has a major focus ear and lung disease involving Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.

People
Associate Professor Lea-Ann KirkhamCo-Head, Bacterial Respiratory Infectious Disease Group; Microbiology Lead, Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases

Research
Development of molecular tools for accurate diagnosis and disease surveillance (including vaccine impact)Janessa Lea-Ann Peter Ruth Pickering Kirkham Richmond Thornton BSc PhD PhD MBBS MRCP(UK) FRACP PhD Senior Research Fellow (currently HOT NORTH Early