University of Tasmania, Australia

Description

Research Overview

Haemophilus influenzae is a significant respiratory pathogen with a recognised role in bronchitis, pneumonia and middle ear infections. These conditions are frequently treated with antibiotics so antibiotic resistance in this organism is a cause for concern.

My major areas of interest are:

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• The origin, evolution and dissenination of B-Lactimase resistance genes in H. influenzae These genes are important because they produce resistance to some of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics.
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• The correlation between standard phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility tests with genetic determination of the presence of antibiotic resistance genes Most pathology laboratories determine which antibiotic will be best for infections using phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility tests. When these do not correlate with the answers determined using genetic tests, patients may be given the wrong antibiotic. In this work, we hope to make the necessary adjustments to the phenotrypic tests to ensure they provide the correct answer.
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• The role of H. influenzae in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condiditon that ultimately leads to chronic respiratory tract infections, and is particularly common in Tasmania. The role of H. influenzae may be underestimated because of problems in detecting the organism in these patients. Our work in this area has established a new method of detection, and we hope to be able to examine strains of H. influenzae from CF patients to determine their role in disease. More information

Current and Past Collaborators

Methods

The microbiology and molecular biology research laboratories are well equipped to conduct a wide range of routine and specialized tests and investigations. Examples of investigations currently in use include real time and standard PCR, plamid isolatin and analysis, bacterial transformation, gene sequencing, phenotypic susceptibiltiy testing and culture media development and evaluation.

Funding

Research has been funded by the Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust.

Past and current research students and associated projects

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• 2002. Rebecca Hawes: "Genetics of the TEM B-lactimases in Haemophilus influenzae and the implications for the emergence of resistance to the third generation Cephalosportins".
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• 2003. Julian Souprounov: "The relative effect of TEM Promotor Type on H.influenzae and E.coli".
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• 2005. Scott Nichols: "A comparison of the ROB-1 and TEM-1 B lactamases of H. influenzae".
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• 2006. Jonathon Burdach: "Inhibitor Resisant TEM B-lactamases of H. influenzae".
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• 2007. Ahron Rahel: "The selective isolation of H. influenzae from the sputa of Cystic Fibrosis patients".
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• 2008. Rachael Littlejohn: "Characterisation of ROB-1 producing strains of H. influenzae".

Link to Publications and Current Projects (via WARP): http://rmdb.research.utas.edu.au/public/rmdb?indiv_detail_warp_trans+20036

Contact

For further information on current and/or future projects, please contact Mr Stephen Tristram (Email: Stephen Tristram@utas.edu.au, or phone: +61 3 6324 5469).