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Departmental Overview
The Department of Allergy, Immunology and Dermatology is engaged in a wide range of clinical and translational research projects to improve the prevention, diagnosis and management of immune and dermatological disorders. The Department has close collaborations with Telethon Kids Institute, the University of Western Australia, and other local and interstate clinical and academic centres, as well as with community-based health professionals and consumers to broaden the reach and impact of our research activities.
Research Projects
Some of the key research projects are:
Peanut Allergy Treatment Projects (PPOIT, PEOPLE, EPITOPE)
In collaboration with Telethon Kids Institute and the University of Western Australia, these projects seek to investigate the efficacy of available treatments for peanut allergy (PI Michael O’Sullivan). Current studies within this project include:
- The PPOIT study, a world-first multi-centre NHMRC funded trial (lead site Murdoch Children’s Research Institute) of a combined peanut and probiotic oral immunotherapy treatment, for which results are expect in early 2020.
- The PEOPLE and EPITOPE studies, investigating a peanut patch that has been developed by DBV Technologies. We are still actively recruiting children aged 1-3 years with a peanut allergy to participate.
- Upcoming research also includes the development of a consumer reference group to conduct a discreet choice experiment, which will inform priorities for future food allergy treatment trials
Antibiotic De-labelling Projects (CHAD Study, SPECIAL)
Led by Michaela Lucas, these projects seek to evaluate the best approach to investigation and ultimately de-labelling of children with suspected antibiotic allergies. The majority of children labelled as antibiotic-allergic may not have a true allergy, and these unnecessary labels may lead to less-than-ideal treatment of infections and ultimately result in poorer patient outcomes. An ongoing randomised controlled trial will assess the impact of antibiotic de-labelling on patient outcomes and healthcare associated costs.
Infant feeding implementation projects
(PIPPA Project: Promoting Introduction to Prevent Peanut Allergy; SmartStart Allergy: Active real-time surveillance of food introduction): Led by Michael O’Sullivan these studies aim to promote and measure the uptake of the current infant feeding guidelines in the community for the prevention of food allergy. PIPPA will inform a novel community based clinical service for the early introduction of peanut in high risk infants. SmartStartAllergy, developed in collaboration with the creators of the SmartVax vaccine surveillance tool, is a smartphone application that delivers real-time surveillance data of food introduction and associated parent reported allergic reactions in the community. Both of these studies are still active.
Optimising diagnostic tools for food allergy (BAT Study: Basophil Activation Tests)
Led by Grace Gong in collaboration with the PathWest Immunology Laboratory this study aims to investigate the efficacy of BAT testing for accurately diagnosing nut allergies, potentially avoiding the need for children to undertake oral food challenges. This study is actively recruiting participants.
Introducing electronic patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) into the dermatology clinic
Dr Stephanie Weston is leading a trial to pilot the implementation of PROMs, commonly used in clinical trials but rarely in routine practice, into the dermatology clinic with an aim to improve the efficiency and quality of care provided to children in one of PCH’s busiest outpatient services.
Australian Genomics Health Alliance Genetic Immunology Flagship
This national, multi-institutional study, led at PCH by Andrew McLean-Tooke, seeks to demonstrate the benefits that flow from obtaining early genetic diagnoses for patients with primary immunodeficiencies, and to enhance our chances of resolving cases in which known disease-associated mutations are not identified.