The transcription factor STAT3 (red) is activated and translocates to the nucleus (blue) in HCV-infected cells (green). Courtesy of Erin McCartney, The University of Adelaide, ADELAIDE SA AUSTRALIA

Infection of Human T cells infected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1. Surface of the T cell showing HIV Viral particles at various stages of morphogenesis. Both fully matured viral particle and budding viral particles (dark and dense membrane protrusions on cell surface). The T cells were infected by HIV strain 979. Courtesy of Nitin Saksena, Ross Boadle, Monica Miranda, Bin Wang, Megan Steain (Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research, WESTMEAD NSW AUSTRALIA)

Confocal microscopic analysis of the localization of HBsAg (red) and HBcAg (green) in Huh-7 cells that harbour active hepatitis B virus replication. Co-localization of HBsAg and HBcAg appears yellow. Courtesy of Nicholas Eyre, The University of Adelaide, ADELAIDE SA AUSTRALIA

3D model of gp120 highlighting the shield of glycans that protect it from neutralizing antibodies (blue). Courtesy of Andy Poumbourios, Burnet Institute, MELBOURNE VIC AUSTRALIA

Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research (ACH²)

The Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research (ACH²) is one of Australia’s four national centres for HIV and Hepatitis research and is funded by the Commonwealth Government as represented by the Department of Health. The purpose of the Centre is to deliver virological and immunological research outcomes of significance to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HIV and HCV in Australia and in a broader regional and international context.

WHAT IS ACH²?

ACH² represents a continuum in research from basic virology and immunology, through to clinical and social research. The Centre encourages basic scientists, including virology and immunology researchers in HIV and hepatitis fields to translate biomedical discoveries into health care and biotechnology outcomes, and to support clinical research. The Centre has three major activities: a regular expression of interest funding round for strategic projects; the Immunovirology Research Network (IVRN) for nationwide research specimen collection and redistribution for strategic research; an Annual Scientific Workshop to facilitate research collaborations.

AIMS

The Centre’s ultimate aim is to generate outcomes that will enable Australia to combat the impact of HIV, HCV and HBV locally and in the SE Asia/Pacific region. To achieve its aims, the Centre has established close relationships with the Australian Centre for Hepatitis Virology (ACHV) the Kirby Institute, and also with the Australian Liver Association.

Furthermore, the Centre operates as a virtual institute with open access to all HIV and hepatitis researchers in Australia.

AUSTRALIAN SNAPSHOT OF HIV – 2018

An estimated 27,545 people were living with HIV in Australia. There was a total of 963 HIV newly diagnosed infections, the lowest number of notifications since 2010. HIV continued to be primarily transmitted amongst male-to-male sex – 63%, with a further 25% of cases attributed to heterosexual sex, 5% to sexual contact between men and injecting drug use, and 3% to injecting drug use only.

AUSTRALIAN SNAPSHOT OF HEPATITIS C – 2018

An estimated 182,144 people were living with chronic hepatitis C infection in Australia, of whom 145,294 people had early to moderate fibrosis, 25,261 severe fibrosis and 9,833 had hepatitis C-related cirrhosis. There was a total of 10,537 newly diagnosed infections. The sharing of needles and syringes is a major risk factor for transmission of hepatitis C.

AUSTRALIAN SNAPSHOT OF HEPATITIS B – 2018

An estimated 233,947 people were living with chronic hepatitis B infection in Australia, of whom 26,241 (11%) were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There was a total of 6,102 newly diagnosed hepatitis B infections. Hepatitis B transmission continued to occur predominantly amongst people with a recent history of injecting drug use and sexual contact, with higher rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people than in non-Indigenous.

Source: Annual Surveillance Report 2018, Kirby Institute

CURRENT NEWS

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there have been delays in the release of data usually reported by the Kirby Institute, in the HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections in Australia: Annual Surveillance Report. Summary data is available on the Kirby Institute’s website.

Funded Expressions of Interest

Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research (ACH2)

WHAT IS ACH2?