Location:
Berg Family Foundation Seminar Room, Level 6, Wallace Wurth Building, Kensington Campus, UNSW Sydney
Cost
Free
Kirby Institute Seminar Series presents
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Infectious Diseases Physician, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne and NHMRC Early Career Fellow, Monash University |
About your speaker
Dr Christina Chang is an Infectious Diseases Physician at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne and NHMRC Early Career Fellow at Monash University. She continues to expand work derived from her PhD where she established a clinical cohort of HIV-infected patients co-infected with cryptococcal meningitis (CM) in Durban, South Africa, exploring the immunopathogenesis of cryptococcosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (C-IRIS). She will discuss clinical, immunological, and mycological aspects of CM and C-IRIS and also update on new insights in IRIS more generally. A clinician scientist, Christina enjoys a mix of clinical and laboratory research in a broad range of areas including HIV pathogenesis, circadian biology and fungal infections but derives most joy from her patients.
Abstract
Cryptococcal meningitis is a serious fungal brain infection with a predilection for persons with weakened immune systems. Driven by the HIV epidemic, cryptococcal meningitis is the most common cause of adult meningitis; untreated all die within 6 months. Even with adequate antifungal therapy and anti-HIV-medications, patients often represent with yet another episode of neurological deterioration mimicking their previously treated brain infection – many of these episodes are caused by a phenomenon called cryptococcosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (C-IRIS). A high fungal load and a dysregulated immune system are likely to be the main drivers. Understanding why, when and whom are likely to experience C-IRIS is critical for risk-stratification and treatment strategies.
Dr Chang continues to expand work derived from her PhD where she established a clinical cohort of HIV-infected patients co-infected with cryptococcal meningitis in Durban, South Africa, exploring the immunopathogenesis of cryptococcosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (C-IRIS). She will discuss clinical, immunological, and mycological aspects of CM and C-IRIS and also update on new insights in IRIS more generally.
A catered lunch will be provided at 12:30pm. Please RSVP to recpt@kirby.unsw.edu.au by COB Friday 1 September.