Bacterial Respiratory Infectious Disease Group (BRIDG)

The Bacterial Respiratory Infectious Disease Group (BRIDG) is a team of research microbiologists and immunologists who work closely with clinicians to:

1. understand bacterial infections of the respiratory tract,
2. assess the effectiveness of current therapies i.e. vaccines in reducing disease,
3. develop improved treatments to reduce the burden of bacterial respiratory infections.

We have a major focus ear and lung disease involving Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Despite availability of antibiotics and improved vaccines, these pathogens are still the most significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality from bacterial respiratory disease.

Over 1 million children die from pneumonia each year; with children in low-income countries and Indigenous Australians at greatest risk of disease. Otitis media (OM; middle ear infection) is responsible for the highest number of GP visits, antibiotic prescriptions and surgical procedures for children, with a global estimate of 740 million cases per year, including 31 million cases of chronic OM and 21 thousand deaths due to OM complications.

Indigenous children have the highest rates of chronic OM in the world, described by the WHO as “a massive public health problem requiring urgent attention”. Our current research will inform vaccine policy, advance vaccine development, and has the potential to translate to commercialisation of new treatments and tests to reduce the high global burden of bacterial respiratory infections.