RPH Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

The Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Department provides a laboratory service to support: 

  • Infectious diseases, including returned travellers' and tropical infectious diseases
  • Hospital in the Home (HITH) IV antibiotic service 
  • HIV (in collaboration with Clinical Immunology) 
  • Sexual health (in collaboration with the Sexual Health Clinic) 
  • Viral hepatitis (in collaboration with Hepatology/Infectious Diseases)
  • Multidisciplinary Foot Ulcer Clinic (in collaboration with Endocrinology and Podiatry) 
  • Mycobacterial diseases (including Hansen's disease) and migrant health
  • Infection control and staff occupational health and safety 
  • Infections in patients with major trauma - Royal Perth Hospital is one of three Western Australian metropolitan teaching hospitals providing adult renal (nephrology) services.

Research interests and focus 

We are very active in both clinical and laboratory-based research, and we are accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians for advanced training in infectious diseases, and by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia College for advanced training in clinical microbiology. 

Example projects 

Randomised Arthroplasty infection worldwide Multidomain Adaptive Platform trial (ROADMAP)
CPI A/Prof Owen Robinson
AI Dr Paul Ingram, Dr Alison Keed, Dr Nick Calvert (orthopedic surgeon)
EMHS contact: Owen Robinson@health.wa.gov.au

 

International National Antibiotic Allergy Network study
PI: RPH Maryam Sherkat Masoum (Pharmacist), Armadale Hospital Dr David New 
AI: RPH Dr Claire Italiano
EMHS contact: David.New@health.wa.gov.au 
The Australian group on antimicrobial resistance national surveillance program
CPI: CPI A/Prof Owen Robinson
EMHS contact: Owen.Robinson@health.wa.gov.au 
Combination Antibiotic treatment for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus CAMERA 2
CPI: CPI A/Prof Owen Robinson
EMHS contact: Owen Robinson@health.wa.gov.au 
Australasian COVID-19 Trial (ASCOT) ADAptive Platform Trial
CPI: CPI A/Prof Owen Robinson
AI: Dr Claire Italiano
EMHS contact: Owen.Robinson@health.wa.gov.au 
Staphylococcus aureus Network Adaptive Platform trial (SNAP)
CPI: CPI A/Prof Owen Robinson
AI: Dr Timothy Whitemore, Dr Alison Keed
EMHS contact: Owen.Robinson@health.wa.gov.au 
Invasive non-Aspergillus mould (NAM) infections: a multi-centre observational study
CPI: CPI Dr Shu Tan
EMHS contact: Shu.Tan@health.wa.gov.au 
Finding the optimal regimen for M abscessus treatment
CPI: CPI Dr Timothy Whitmore
EMHS contact: Tim.whitemore@health.wa.gov.au 

 

Last Updated: 28/04/2025