Enteric Viruses

Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program

The Enteric Virus group runs the Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program, which conducts a nationwide study on the rotavirus types circulating in children around Australia. This program undertakes molecular epidemiological studies on the rotavirus strains prevalent in Australia, which allows the researchers to track seasonal changes in rotavirus strains causing severe disease. In addition, the laboratory is also the WHO regional rotavirus reference laboratory and a WHO Collaborating Centre, and is involved with a range of molecular epidemiological studies to characterise the wildtype rotavirus strain population in several countries throughout the Western Pacific Region. The introduction and implementation of the national rotavirus vaccine program across Australia will increase the selective pressures on circulating wildtype strains, and may result in the emergence of new rotavirus strains. If this happens, these strains will likely impact vaccination programs. Understanding how vaccine introduction has impacted the circulating rotavirus population by altering the prevalence of common genotypes, selection of antigenic variants and emergence of new or novel types causing disease is the focus the group’s research. The genetic and biological mechanisms underlying vaccine escape will be studied, providing critical information about the circulating rotavirus population that will help maintain a successful ongoing rotavirus vaccine program.

 Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease has a complex etiology, where microbial factors are crucial in disease activation in individuals with a specific genetic predisposition. Emerging evidence suggests an increasingly important role of the gut microbiome in maintaining a healthy state. Disturbances of the gut microbial community underpin a number of diseases, including obesity, type II diabetes and colorectal cancer. Our research program will define the virome and bacterial microbiome of children with Crohn’s disease, using next generation sequence approaches. Metagenomic comparisons of the gut microbiome at disease onset, disease remission and disease recurrence will provide a unique opportunity to define specific microbial compositions and functions crucial in promoting gut health.