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Trends in penicillin dispensing during an acute rheumatic fever prevention programmeAcute rheumatic fever (ARF), a serious inflammatory condition, often leads to rheumatic heart disease. Between 2011 and 2016, Aotearoa New Zealand implemented a rheumatic fever prevention programme to reduce high rates of ARF through improved community access to timely diagnosis and early treatment of group A streptococcal pharyngitis, which has been shown to prevent subsequent ARF.
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Qualitative assessment of healthy volunteer experience receiving subcutaneous infusions of high-dose benzathine penicillin G (SCIP) provides insights into design of late phase clinical studiesSecondary prophylaxis to prevent rheumatic heart disease (RHD) progression, in the form of four-weekly intramuscular benzathine benzylpenicillin G (BPG) injections, has remained unchanged since 1955. Qualitative investigations into patient preference have highlighted the need for long-acting penicillins to be delivered less frequently, ideally with reduced pain.
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The -308 bp TNF gene polymorphism influences tumor necrosis factor expression in leprosy patients in Bahia State, BrazilTNF mRNA expression was higher in leprosy patients compared to endemic controls, but did not differ significantly between clinical subgroups
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State transitions across the Strep A disease spectrum: scoping review and evidence gapsThe spectrum of diseases caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) ranges from superficial to serious life-threatening invasive infections. We conducted a scoping review of published articles between 1980 and 2021 to synthesize evidence of state transitions across the Strep A disease spectrum. We identified 175 articles reporting 262 distinct observations of Strep A disease state transitions.
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Timing of excision after a non-severe burn has a significant impact on the subsequent immune response in a murine modelEarly excision of the wound, during the phase of immune down-regulation initiated by the burn, maintains an innate and adaptive immune cell response
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Temporal trends in cerebral palsy by impairment severity and birth gestationRates of cerebral palsy in Victoria decreased between the mid-1990s and 2009 for neonatal survivors of all birth gestations
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N-3 fatty acid supplementation and leukocyte telomere length in patients with chronic kidney diseaseReducing oxidative stress, could modify telomere erosion during cell replication, and cardiovascular disease risk in patients with chronic kidney disease
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Asbestos exposure: Challenges for Australian cliniciansAnxiety and the inability to reduce MM risk following exposure or to halt progression of established asbestosis result in significant health care problems
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Relationship between family quality of life and day occupations of young people with Down syndromeThis study aimed to explore relationships between family quality of life, day occupations and activities of daily living of young persons with Down syndrome.
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Genetic Research and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander AustraliansHuman genetic research promises to deliver a range of health benefits to the population. Here we consider how the different levels of Indigenous research...
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Deborah Lehmann Research Award OpportunityThe Deborah Lehmann Research Award in Paediatric Infectious Disease Research is a funding mechanism to support the training and development of early- to mid-career researchers (EMCR) or Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students who are nationals from the Pacific Region working in or outside their hom
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Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for 291 diseases and injuries in 21 regions, 1990-2010: A systematic analysisMeasuring disease and injury burden in populations requires a composite metric that captures both premature mortality and the prevalence and severity of...
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Formative evaluation of a community-based approach to reduce the incidence of Strep A infections and acute rheumatic feverWe explore the acceptability of a novel, outreached-based approach to improve primary and primordial prevention of Strep A skin sores, sore throats and acute rheumatic fever in remote Aboriginal communities. A comprehensive prevention program delivered by trained Aboriginal Community Workers was evaluated using approximately fortnightly household surveys about health and housing and clinical records.
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Early development and regression in Rett syndromeOur findings provide additional insight into the early clinical profile of Rett syndrome.
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Priorities for improved management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart diseaseThe results suggest that timely injection and patient education are priorities for managing ARF and RHD, particularly focusing on child-to-adult transition care.
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Prevalence of group A Streptococcal infection in Africa to inform GAS vaccines for rheumatic heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysisThe prevalence of group A streptococcal disease remains high among symptomatic individuals residing in Africa
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Active Case Finding for Rheumatic Fever in an Endemic CountryAsha Jonathan Bowen Carapetis AM BA MBBS DCH FRACP PhD GAICD FAHMS OAM AM MBBS FRACP FAFPHM PhD FAHMS Head, Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Executive
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Rheumatic Heart Disease Control Programs, Registers, and Access to CareThis chapter outlines the evidence and evolution of RHD control programs and draws conclusions about priorities following the 2018 World Health Organization Global Resolution on rheumatic fever and RHD.
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The high prevalence and impact of rheumatic heart disease in pregnancy in First Nations populations in a high-income setting: a prospective cohort studyRheumatic heart disease in pregnancy persists in First Nations people in Australia and New Zealand and is associated with major cardiac and perinatal morbidity