Strain-specific immune responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae in Northern Territory children with bronchiectasis
Chief Investigator:
Dr Susan Pizzutto
Funding Amount:
$74,798
Recipient:
Menzies School of Health Research
Overview:
The prevalence of bronchiectasis (BE), a lung disease characterised by chronic infection, in Northern Territory (NT) Indigenous children is one of the highest on record. Despite a comprehensive immunisation strategy for pneumococcal disease (caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae; Spn), pneumonia accounts for > 60% of BE cases in NT children. Some Spn vaccine strains are associated with lung infection, suggesting suboptimal strain-specific immune responses. This study investigates the contribution of Spn strain-specific immune responses to BE in children, and will inform management strategies.