Posted: February 2025

Overview

NRL’s Dr. Melissa John has been awarded $50,000 from the Department of Health and Aged Care through ACH4 to support the development of a fingerstick blood collection device for HTLV-1 diagnostics. This project aims to enhance accessibility and accuracy in HTLV-1 testing, particularly in remote and resource-limited settings. In collaboration with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), the team will explore cost-effective methods to support NRL’s validated HTLV-1 proviral load assay, a Class 3 in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) test designed for clinical monitoring. This initiative aligns with NRL’s broader efforts in HTLV-1 research, including participation in a major longitudinal study and the development of Australia’s first HTLV-1 clinical guidelines.

 

Check out our R&D team!

  • Funding for Innovation

    Dr. Melissa John has been awarded $50,000 from the Department of Health and Aged Care through the Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research (ACH4). This funding will support the development of a blood collection device with potential use in diagnosing human T lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection.

    Understanding HTLV-1

    HTLV-1 is associated with an aggressive form of leukemia and serious chronic inflammatory diseases in a small proportion of long-term infections. In Australia, high levels of HTLV-1 have been identified in many remote Aboriginal communities in Central Australia.

    Advancing Proviral Load Testing

    SVI’s National (Serology) Reference Laboratory (NRL) has developed and validated a Class 3 in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) test designed to accurately quantify HTLV-1 proviral load in infected individuals. This test has potential applications in clinical management and prevention of onward transmission.

    Exploring Fingerstick Blood Collection

    In collaboration with Professor David Anderson from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), the team will investigate cost-effective fingerstick blood collection devices. These devices aim to provide sufficient genomic DNA for use with the NRL HTLV-1 proviral load test.

    “This approach aims to simplify and broaden testing capabilities, especially in remote or resource-limited settings where transportation of blood samples is challenging,” said Dr. John. “We’re delighted to receive this support from ACH4 and believe that our project can make a difference in improving health outcomes.”

    Ongoing Research and Partnerships

    NRL is a key partner in the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care’s longitudinal study of over 1,200 individuals, seeking to better understand the impact of HTLV-1 infection on health in Central Australia. This study is conducted in collaboration with research institutes and Aboriginal community-controlled health services in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

    Developing National Clinical Guidelines

    NRL is working closely with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), ASHM Health, and the Department of Health and Aged Care to develop Australia’s first HTLV-1 clinical guidelines. These guidelines will address testing, treatment, prevention, communication, and education, particularly in regional and remote healthcare settings.

    Global Recognition in Diagnostics

    NRL is designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Collaborating Centre for diagnostics and laboratory support for blood-borne infections. It is one of only 14 laboratories worldwide formally designated to evaluate diagnostic assays for infectious diseases.