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Diagnostics

Mahi Tahi: Decreasing transmission and improving diagnosis of Tuberculosis to reduce health inequities

This collaborative project brings together internationally recognised TB-research leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand to focus on TB prevention (through public health measures, vaccination and improving treatment options for antimicrobial resistant organisms) and diagnosis.

The research team will develop a strong, integrated, multi-faceted programme dedicated to reducing inequities in TB outcomes for Māori and Pacific people, who are disproportionately affected by the disease.

Jo Kirman flowchart v14
Principal Investigator
Assoc Prof Jo Kirman
University of Otago
Public Contact
Kim Thomas
teniwhacomms@otago.ac.nz
Project Timeframe/Status
-
In Process

Whakarāpopoto Rangahau Summary of Research

This collaborative proposal brings together four University of Otago-based tuberculosis (TB) research teams, with expertise covering the areas of microbiology, immunology, bioinformatics, diagnostics, surveillance, public health and social science. Together, these teams will undertake research to decrease transmission of the infectious disease by:

  • integrating economic and social network analyses to inform appropriate public health measures to eliminate TB 
  • improving diagnostics and antimicrobial resistant M. tuberculosis surveillance in the Pacific and understanding links to Aotearoa New Zealand
  • improving measurements of protective immunity to infection with M. tuberculosis that will aid in vaccine efficacy testing 
  • developing an artificial intelligence framework to combat antimicrobial resistance.

The project consists of four parts:

Part A: TB transmission and economic analysis

  • in-depth Māori social network research to identify epidemiological patterns of transmission
  • economic analysis of the TB elimination approach to inform policy decisions 

Part B: TB diagnostics and surveillance in Pacific peoples in the Pacific and Aotearoa New Zealand 

  • explore TB transmission in the Pacific and how this is linked to TB cases in Māori and Pasifika communities in Aotearoa
  • diagnose drug-resistance patterns and lineages of M. tuberculosis in Aotearoa and the Pacific
  • develop real time genotypic resistance testing of M. tuberculosis


Part C: Signatures of vaccine-induced protection against TB: a bench-to-bedside approach

  • identify BCG vaccine-induced markers of immune protection that can be easily measured in the clinic
  • understand how Lineage 2 strains of M. tuberculosis can evade BCG-induced protection

Part D: Developing an Artificial Intelligence framework to combat antimicrobial resistance

  • generate an open access repository showing how genes, proteins and metabolites are differentially regulated across drug-susceptible and resistant clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis
  • develop a machine-learning-framework to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities in M. tuberculosis strains 

Te Hiranga a Rangahau Research Impact

This collaborative proposal brings together internationally recognised TB-research leaders in Aotearoa to focus on TB prevention (through public health measures, vaccination and improving treatment options for antimicrobial resistant organisms) and diagnosis.

The main outcomes of this project are to:

  • Develop culturally-appropriate strategies to combat TB transmission
  • Improve diagnosis of TB in Aotearoa New Zealand]
  • Develop improved vaccines and increase uptake of these preventative measures
  • Understand the best treatment options for TB

The research leaders involved in this proposal have proven track records providing critical guidance and direction at a national and international level during the COVID-19 pandemic and will be mentoring the next generation of infectious diseases research leaders, including postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students.

Presently, there are very few Aotearoa-based Māori or Pacific TB senior researchers in this field. The research team is committed to mentoring future Māori and Pacific research leaders to build capability for infectious diseases research and pandemic preparedness.

Te Niwha

Kairangahau Research Personnel

Assoc Prof Jo Kirman
University of Otago
Programme Leader / Science Leader

Prof James Ussher
University of Otago
Science Leader

Dr Gergely Toldi
University of Auckland
Science Leader

Dr Matthew McNeill
University of Otago
Science Leader

Dr Htin Lin Aung
University of Otago
Science Leader

Dr Sue McAllister
Centre for International Health, University of Otago
Science Leader

Prof Philip Hill
University of Otago
Science Leader

Prof Matt Roskruge
Massey University
Social Science Researcher

Assoc Prof Paul Gardner
University of Otago
Key Researcher

Dr Donald Wilson
Fiji National University
Key Researcher

Sakiusa Baleivanualala
Fiji National University, University of Otago
Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr Naomi Daniels
University of Otago
Research Fellow

Dr Cecilia Wang
University of Otago
Postdoctoral Fellow

Darelle Toki
University of Otago
Student

Riya Shajumon
University of Otago
Student