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Streptococcus pyogenes Surveillance Through Surface Swab Samples to Track the Emergence of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome in Rural Japan

Japan recently experienced a record surge in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Our environmental surveillance study reveals that Streptococcus pyogenes persists seasonally, peaking in autumn and winter in rural Japan. The dominant emm1 M1UK sublineage and csrS mutations heighten virulence, highlighting the urgent need for targeted surveillance and interventions.

Challenges and insights in self-swab surveillance for asymptomatic Streptococcus pyogenes carriage

Asymptomatic carriage of Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) may contribute to transmission, yet its role remains poorly understood and evidence on optimal detection methods is limited. While self-collected throat swabs are used in infectious disease surveillance, their value for identifying asymptomatic Strep A carriage in adults is uncertain. This pilot prospective cohort study, conducted at a Perth medical research institute between August and October 2024, assessed feasibility and acceptability of self-collection, with sensitivity as a secondary objective. 

The application of environmental health assessment strategies to detect Streptococcus pyogenes in Kimberley school classrooms

Children spend almost one-third of their waking hours at school. Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) is a common childhood bacterial infection that can progress to causing serious disease. We aimed to detect Strep A in classrooms by using environmental settle plates and swabbing of high-touch surfaces in two remote schools in the Kimberley, Western Australia.

Burden of skin disease in two remote primary healthcare centres in northern and central Australia

Skin infections are an under-appreciated and dominant reason for presentation to primary healthcare centres in these indigenous communities

Ascertaining infectious disease burden through primary care clinic attendance among young Aboriginal children living in four remote communities in Western Australia

Improved public health measures targeting bacterial skin infections are needed to reduce this high burden of skin infections in Western Australia

Scabies and risk of skin sores in remote Australian Aboriginal communities: A self-controlled case series study

The association between scabies and skin sores is highly significant and indicates a causal relationship

Scabies and impetigo in Timor-Leste: A school screening study in two districts

Scabies and impetigo are common in Timor-Leste, with very high prevalence of scabies in the rural district of Ermera

Calculation of the age of the first infection for skin sores and scabies in five remote communities in northern Australia

Prevalence of skin sores and scabies in remote Australian Aboriginal communities remains unacceptably high, with Group A Streptococcus (GAS) the dominant pathogen. We aim to better understand the drivers of GAS transmission using mathematical models.

Hospital admissions for skin infections among Western Australian children and adolescents from 1996 to 2012

Skin infections are a significant cause of severe disease, requiring hospitalization in Western Australian children, particularly with Aboriginal children

Are scabies and impetigo “normalised”? A cross-sectional comparative study of hospitalised children in northern Australia assessing clinical recognition

Scabies and impetigo infections are under-recognised and hence under-treated by clinicians