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Research
Burden of disease and barriers to comprehensive care for rheumatic heart disease in South Africa: an updated systematic review protocolRheumatic heart disease (RHD) is responsible for a significant burden of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and remains the most common cause of acquired heart disease among children and young adults in low-income and middle-income countries. Additionally, the global COVID-19 pandemic has forced the emergency restructuring of many health systems, which has had a broad impact on health in general, including cardiovascular disease.
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Penicillin G concentrations required for prophylaxis against Group A Streptococcus infection evaluated using a hollow fibre model and mathematical modellingAcute rheumatic fever (ARF), an autoimmune reaction to Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes; Strep A) infection, can cause rheumatic heart disease (RHD). New formulations of long-acting penicillins are being developed for secondary prophylaxis of ARF and RHD.
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Invasive group A Streptococcus disease in Australian children: 2016 to 2018 - a descriptive cohort studyOur aims were to describe the epidemiological distribution of paediatric invasive group A Streptococcus disease in Australia and correlate this with influenza notifications
News & Events
Isla's Invasive Strep A Story"I had never heard of invasive Streptococcus A disease before, and I was shocked to hear that it is actually three times more common than meningococcal disease and just as deadly yet there is no vaccine to protect against it."
Latest news & events at the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases.
Research
A Systematic Framework for Prioritizing Burden of Disease Data Required for Vaccine Development and Implementation: The Case for Group A Streptococcal DiseasesVaccine development and implementation decisions need to be guided by accurate and robust burden of disease data. We developed an innovative systematic framework outlining the properties of such data that are needed to advance vaccine development and evaluation, and prioritize research and surveillance activities.
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The global burden of sore throat and group A Streptococcus pharyngitis: A systematic review and meta-analysisContemporary data for the global burden of sore throat and group A Streptococcus (Strep A) pharyngitis are required to understand the frequency of disease and develop value propositions for Strep A vaccines.
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Whole genome sequencing and molecular epidemiology of paediatric Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemiaThe role Staphylococcus aureus antimicrobial resistance genes and toxins play in disease severity, management and outcome in childhood is an emerging field requiring further exploration.
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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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Prospective surveillance for invasive Staphylococcus aureus and group A Streptococcus infections in a setting with high community burden of scabies and impetigoInvasive Staphylococcus aureus (iSA) and group A Streptococcus (iGAS) impose significant health burdens globally. Both bacteria commonly cause skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), which can result in invasive disease. Understanding of the incidence of iSA and iGAS remains limited in settings with a high SSTI burden.