Suellen Nicholson

Kiribati – improving access to care and treatment of Viral Hepatitis in Kiribati

As a World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Reference Laboratory for Hepatitis B Virus Suellen’s group along with the VIDRL Molecular Microbiology laboratory is involved in a collaborative project with Tungaru Central Hospital, the national referral hospital in Kiribati. Serum samples from HBsAg positive patients are collected and transported to VIDRL  for confirmatory laboratory testing for Hepatitis B and D viruses. From the enrolled patients, a treatment cohort will be established according to WHO criteria. The planned enrolment is 1,000 HBsAg positive patients. By identifying and initiating treatment for those with advanced disease this study will reduce the burden due to HBV infection in Kiribati.

Kiribati – confirmatory testing for Hepatitis B using dried blood spots

This is an additional component of the Kiribati project. Suellen’s group is involved in the development and evaluation of a laboratory method for hepatitis B virus confirmation using dried blood spot (DBS) filter paper testing as an alternative method to venous blood collection. Matched DBS are being collected along with serum samples from 100 individuals. These are being analysed to determine if the DBS technology is a feasible method of sample collection in Kiribati.

Estimating HIV incidence in Victoria

As the Victorian State HIV Reference Laboratory, Suellen’s group is involved in a collaborative project with the Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health, Monash University and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.

The aims of this study are: 

1. to assess the HIV incidence in Victoria, annually, between 2012 and 2018
2. to determine if there was a decline in incident HIV notifications since the implementation of PrEPX in Victoria in 2016 
3. to determine if there was a decline in incident HIV notifications among gay and bisexual men and other populations at risk of HIV infection since the implementation of PrEPX in Victoria in 2016.

The Burnet Institute – assessment of a novel blood separator device

The Burnet Institute has recently developed a novel low cost, lateral flow Blood Separator Device (BSD). The preliminary studies have only been conducted and further studies are required to assess its application to various infectious diseases and its utility under conditions suitable for resource-poor settings. Suellen’s group is involved in assess its utility for serological diagnosis of infectious diseases. The BSD will be compared with current collection methods including dried blood spot and whole blood samples.

The distribution of Strongyloides stercoralis in Australia – the Serology Mapping Project

Selected Victorian population data for whom a medical practitioner has ordered a test for Strongyloidiasis and the test was positive has been collected and supplied for the Strongyloides Serology Mapping project. The aim of the project is to document the extent of the geographical distribution of places in Australia where Strongyloides stercoralis occurs. This evidence will enable appropriate steps to be taken towards the eradication of the disease strogyloidiasis, caused by these parasites.