Overview
Background
Professor Rachel Thomson is a Head of the Greenslopes Clinical Unit, Thoracic Physician and clinical researcher working at Greenslopes Private Hospital.
She has an international reputation in the area of Pulmonary Nontuberculous mycobacterial disease. She has published widely in the area and is regularly invited to speak at international and national meetings.https://medical-school.uq.edu.au/research/ntm-research-group
Her current research focuses on immunological and environmental aspects of susceptibility to NTM infection, characteristics of the lung and gut microbiome in NTM, and improving treatment outcomes.
In a clinical capacity, Professor Thomson is able to offer patients expert management of their disease at Pulmedica, Greenslopes Private Hospital, at public clinics at The Prince Charles Hospital and the MetroSouth Clinical TB service of the Princess Alexandra Hospital and via telehealth for patients across Australia. Patients can also access novel treatments through clinical trials in both the private and public sector.
Prof Thomson also has a special interest in respiratory problems of the elite athlete. This includes asthma management, vocal cord dysfunction, and the requirements of national and international doping organisations for asthma medications.
Availability
- Professor Rachel Thomson is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Research interests
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Pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease
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Genetic relatedness of mycobacterial strains
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Environmental ecology of mycobacteria
Works
Search Professor Rachel Thomson’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
A pilot study to assess the effect of intermittent inhaled nitric oxide as treatment of nontuberculous mycobacteria lung infection
Thomson, Rachel M., Burke, Andrew J., Morgan, Lucy C. and Colin, Andrew A. (2025). A pilot study to assess the effect of intermittent inhaled nitric oxide as treatment of nontuberculous mycobacteria lung infection. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. doi: 10.1513/annalsats.202407-745rl
2025
Journal Article
Infection by clonally related Mycobacterium abscessus isolates: the role of drinking water
Thomson, Rachel M., Wheeler, Nicole, Stockwell, Rebecca E., Bryant, Josephine, Taylor, Steven L, Leong, Lex E. X., Le, Trieu, Rogers, Geraint B, Carter, Robyn, Sherrard, Laura J, Powell, Harry, Simpson, Graham, Patterson-Fahy, Kirby, Wainwright, Claire E., Floto, R. Andres, Parkhill, Julian and Bell, Scott C. (2025). Infection by clonally related Mycobacterium abscessus isolates: the role of drinking water. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 211 (5), 842-853. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202409-1824oc
2025
Conference Publication
The aetiology and epidemiology of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Australians with CF
Duplancic, C., Alene, K., Thomson, R., Wainwright, C., Rogers, G., Clements, A., Floto, A. and Bell, S. (2025). The aetiology and epidemiology of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Australians with CF. TSANZSRS Annual Scientific meeting 2025, Adelaide, SA Australia, 21-25 March 2025. Richmond, VIC Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
2025
Conference Publication
Adverse events related to study drugs in finding the optimal regimen for mycobacterium abscessus treatment (format) trial
Hicks, D., Rice, M., Jong, T., Gailer, N., Joshi, S., Wang, X., Thomson, R., Burke, A., Grimwood, K., Bell, S., Clark, J. and Wainwright, C. (2025). Adverse events related to study drugs in finding the optimal regimen for mycobacterium abscessus treatment (format) trial. TSANZSRS Annual Scientific meeting 2025, Adelaide, SA Australia, 21-25 March 2025. Richmond, VIC Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
2024
Journal Article
Pediatric physiotherapy management of airway clearance therapy and exercise: Data from the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry
Webb, Elizabeth M., Holland, Anne E., Chang, Anne B., Middleton, Peter G., Thomson, Rachel, Wong, Conroy, Jayaram, Lata, Holmes‐Liew, Chien‐Li, Morgan, Lucy and Lee, Annemarie L. (2024). Pediatric physiotherapy management of airway clearance therapy and exercise: Data from the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry. Pediatric Pulmonology, 60 (1) e27370, e27370. doi: 10.1002/ppul.27370
2024
Journal Article
Current physiotherapy practice for adults with bronchiectasis: data from the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry
Webb, Elizabeth M., Holland, Anne E., Chang, Anne B., Burr, Lucy, Holmes-Liew, Chien-Li, King, Paul T., Middleton, Peter G., Morgan, Lucy, Thomson, Rachel M., Wong, Conroy and Lee, Annemarie L. (2024). Current physiotherapy practice for adults with bronchiectasis: data from the Australian Bronchiectasis Registry. Respiratory Medicine, 233 107777, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2024.107777
2024
Journal Article
Inhaled colistimethate sodium in patients with bronchiectasis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: results of PROMIS-I and PROMIS-II, two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trials assessing safety and efficacy over 12 months
Haworth, Charles S., Shteinberg, Michal, Winthrop, Kevin, Barker, Alan, Blasi, Francesco, Dimakou, Katerina, Morgan, Lucy C., O'Donnell, Anne E., Ringshausen, Felix C., Sibila, Oriol, Thomson, Rachel M., Carroll, Kevin J., Pontenani, Federica, Castellani, Paola, Chalmers, James and PROMIS Trial Investigators, (2024). Inhaled colistimethate sodium in patients with bronchiectasis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: results of PROMIS-I and PROMIS-II, two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trials assessing safety and efficacy over 12 months. Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 12 (10), 787-798. doi: 10.1016/-2600(24)00225-X
2024
Conference Publication
RCT Abstract - Inhaled colistimethate sodium in patients with bronchiectasis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: Results of two randomized double-blind placebo-controlled phase 3 trials assessing safety and efficacy over 12 months
Haworth, Charles, Shteinberg, Michal, Winthrop, Kevin, Barker, Alan, Blasi, Francesco, Dimakou, Katerina, Morgan, Lucy, O'Donnell, Anne, Ringhausen, Felix, Sibila, Oriol, Thomson, Rachel, Carroll, Kevin, Pontenani, Federica, Castellani, Paola and Chalmers, James (2024). RCT Abstract - Inhaled colistimethate sodium in patients with bronchiectasis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: Results of two randomized double-blind placebo-controlled phase 3 trials assessing safety and efficacy over 12 months. European Respiratory Society. doi: 10.1183/13993003.congress-2024.rct5390
2024
Journal Article
Inhaled colistimethate sodium in patients with bronchiectasis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: results of PROMIS-I and PROMIS-II, two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trials assessing safety and efficacy over 12 months
Haworth, Charles S, Shteinberg, Michal, Winthrop, Kevin, Barker, Alan, Blasi, Francesco, Dimakou, Katerina, Morgan, Lucy C, O'Donnell, Anne E, Ringshausen, Felix C, Sibila, Oriol, Thomson, Rachel M, Carroll, Kevin J, Pontenani, Federica, Castellani, Paola and Chalmers, James D (2024). Inhaled colistimethate sodium in patients with bronchiectasis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: results of PROMIS-I and PROMIS-II, two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trials assessing safety and efficacy over 12 months. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 12 (10), 787-798. doi: 10.1016/s2213-2600(24)00225-x
2024
Conference Publication
Developing a pharmacovigilance framework for an investigator led, non-commercial international adaptive platform trial
Rice, Megan, Hicks, Daniel, Jong, Tiffany, Gailer, Nicolas, Joshi, Sri, Stevens, Luke, Lee, Kate, Thomson, Rachel, Burke, Andrew, Grimwood, Keith, Bell, Scott, Clark, Julia and Wainwright, Claire E. (2024). Developing a pharmacovigilance framework for an investigator led, non-commercial international adaptive platform trial. 15th Australasian Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 2–4 August 2024. Richmond, VIC, Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
2024
Conference Publication
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Australians with cystic fibrosis (CF): A national study
Duplancic, Christine, Wainwright, Claire, Thomson, Rachel, Rogers, Geraint, Clements, Archie, Floto, Andre and Bell, Scott (2024). Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Australians with cystic fibrosis (CF): A national study. 15th Australasian Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 2–4 August 2024. Richmond, VIC, Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
2024
Conference Publication
Developing a pharmacovigilance framework for an investigator-led, non-commercial platform trial – finding the optimal regimen for Mycobacterium abscessus treatment (FORMaT)
Hicks, D., Jong, T., Rice, M., Gailer, N., Joshi, S., Stevens, L., Lee, K., Thomson, R., Burke, A., Grimwood, K., Bell, S., Clark, J. and Wainwright, C.E. (2024). Developing a pharmacovigilance framework for an investigator-led, non-commercial platform trial – finding the optimal regimen for Mycobacterium abscessus treatment (FORMaT). 47th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 5-8 June 2024. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s1569-1993(24)00244-3
2024
Conference Publication
Validation of the BACES Severity Scoring System in an Australian Cohort of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease (NTM-PD) Patients
Mishiro, K., Ballard, E., Goh, F. and Thomson, R. (2024). Validation of the BACES Severity Scoring System in an Australian Cohort of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease (NTM-PD) Patients . American Thoracic Society International Conference 2024, San Diego, CA United States, 17-22 May 2024. New York, NY United States: American Thoracic Society. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2024.209.1_meetingabstracts.a3158
2024
Journal Article
OPTIMA: an open-label, non-comparative pilot trial of inhaled molgramostim in pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infection
Thomson, Rachel M., Loebinger, Michael R., Burke, Andrew J., Morgan, Lucy C., Waterer, Grant W. and Ganslandt, Cecilia (2024). OPTIMA: an open-label, non-comparative pilot trial of inhaled molgramostim in pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infection. Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 21 (4), 568-576. doi: 10.1513/annalsats.202306-532oc
2024
Conference Publication
Mycobacteria acquisition from potable water
Ramsay, K., Smith, K., Carter, R., Clayton, M., Thomson, R. and Bell, S. (2024). Mycobacteria acquisition from potable water. TSANZSRS 2024 The Australia & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (ANZSRS/TSANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting for Leaders in Lung Health & Respiratory Science,, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 22-26 March 2024. Richmond, VIC, Australia: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1111/resp.14673
2024
Conference Publication
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Australians with cystic fibrosis (CF): A national study
Duplancic, C., Wainwright, C., Thomson, R., Rogers, G., Clements, A., Floto, R. and Bell, S. (2024). Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Australians with cystic fibrosis (CF): A national study. TSANZSRS 2024 The Australia & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (ANZSRS/TSANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting for Leaders in Lung Health & Respiratory Science, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 22–26 March 2024. Richmond, VIC, Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
2024
Conference Publication
Identification of Staphylococcus aureus hypermutator strain through metagenomic sputum analysis
Taylor, S., Bryant, J., Kyany'a, C., Duplancic, C., Sims, S., Elms, L., Thomson, R., Rogers, G., Bell, S. and Investigators, A. (2024). Identification of Staphylococcus aureus hypermutator strain through metagenomic sputum analysis. TSANZSRS 2024 The Australia & New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science and The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (ANZSRS/TSANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting for Leaders in Lung Health & Respiratory Science, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 22–26 March 2024. Richmond, VIC, Australia: John Wiley & Sons.
2023
Journal Article
Extended water stagnation in buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic increases the risks posed by opportunistic pathogens
Huang, Casey K., Weerasekara, Anjani, Lu, Ji, Carter, Robyn, Weynberg, Karen D., Thomson, Rachel, Bell, Scott and Guo, Jianhua (2023). Extended water stagnation in buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic increases the risks posed by opportunistic pathogens. Water Research: X, 21 100201, 100201. doi: 10.1016/j.wroa.2023.100201
2023
Journal Article
Things They Are a Changing in the Field of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
Kasperbauer, Shannon and Thomson, Rachel (2023). Things They Are a Changing in the Field of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria. Clinics in Chest Medicine, 44 (4), xiii-xiv. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2023.09.001
2023
Journal Article
In vitro susceptibility testing of imipenem- relebactam and tedizolid against 102 Mycobacterium abscessus isolates
Burke, Andrew, Carter, Robyn, Tolson, Carla, Congdon, Jacob, Duplancic, Christine, Bursle, Evan, Bell, Scott C., Roberts, Jason A. and Thomson, Rachel (2023). In vitro susceptibility testing of imipenem- relebactam and tedizolid against 102 Mycobacterium abscessus isolates. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 62 (4) 106938, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106938
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Rachel Thomson is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
The nature of the relationship between patient and environmental isolates of Mycobacterium intracellulare in Queensland.
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
The Gut-Lung axis in Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease (NTM-PD)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Morrison, Professor Antje Blumenthal
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Doctor Philosophy
Transmission dynamics of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis amongst immune suppressed patients exposed to an infectious case
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor John Upham, Professor Antje Blumenthal
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Doctor Philosophy
Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections associated with climate change and major weather events: enhancing surveillance and mitigation strategies.
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Risk and mitigation of cough aerosols for people with cystic fibrosis.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Scott Bell
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Doctor Philosophy
Pharmacokinetics of anti-mycobacterial drugs in patients with cystic fibrosis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Scott Bell, Professor Jason Roberts
Completed supervision
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2017
Master Philosophy
Environmental transmission factors and host genetic polymorphisms influencing NTM infection in patients with no overt immunodeficiency
Principal Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Rachel Thomson directly for media enquiries about:
- Mycobacterial diseases
- mycobacterial infections
- Pulmonary Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections
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