Clinical Studies and Surveillance

Mission

The mission of the Department of Clinical Studies and Surveillance is:

  • to conduct clinical evaluations of antimalarial drugs and vaccines against vector borne diseases (VBD)
  • to monitor and evaluate the occurrence of VBD in order to optimise the protection of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel against these diseases.

Objectives

  • Conduct clinical research activity on antimalarial drugs
  • Conduct clinical research activity on vaccines against Japanese encephalitis and dengue
  • Maintain the Central Malaria Register
  • Provide clinical advice on VBD to ADF personnel
  • Conduct epidemiological surveys of VBD

Current projects

  • Evaluation of tafenoquine for short duration deployments
  • Comparative evaluation of the safety and tolerability of different courses of primaquine for post exposure prophylaxis of malaria
  • Evaluation of "risk perception" by ADF personnel on compliance with primaquine post exposure prophylaxis of malaria
  • Evaluation of safety and tolerability of malarone for malaria prophylaxis in an operational setting
  • Randomised, double blind, phase 2 study of the safety, immunogenicity and duration of immunity of Chimerivax - JE, live attenuated vaccine
  • Safety and immunogenicity of JESPECT® inactivated Japanese Encephalitis Virus vaccine in healthy adults previously vaccinated with JE-VAX®
  • Evaluation of promising candidate dengue vaccines for trial by the ADF
  • Upgrade the existing Central Malaria Register to facilitate remote reporting of malaria cases in the ADF
  • Provide scientific integrity, logistical organisation, field support, data collection, reporting and control for Pacific Malaria Initiative activities in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu

Recently Completed Activities

  • 2000-2002 Tafenoquine Eradication studies, East Timor.
  • 2000-2001: Tafenoquine Prophylaxis studies, East Timor.
  • 2000-2001: Tafenoquine treatment of recurring vivax malaria, Australia.
  • 2001-2002: Mefloquine prophylaxis trials, East Timor.
  • 2002-2003: Primaquine eradication studies, Australia.
  • 2005-2006 PNQ Defence Force Health Survey
  • 2003-2008 Chimerivax-JE Phase III vaccine trials
  • 2009 Primaquine dosing studies, Timor Leste
  • 2007-2009 Malaria surveys in Tanna, Vanuatu and Temotu and Isabel Provinces in the Solomon Islands

Collaborators

Australian

  • Pacific Malaria Initiative Support Centre
  • Queensland Institute of Medical Research
  • University of Queensland
  • Centre for Military and Veterans Health

International

  • Solomon Islands and Vanuatu Ministries of Health
  • Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, USA
  • Centre for Vaccine Development, Mahidol University, Thailand
  • Acambis Research, UK and USA
  • Sanofi Pasteur
  • Papua New Guinea Defence Force Health Services