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An update on the burden of group A streptococcal diseases in Australia and vaccine development

Asha Jeffrey Bowen Cannon BA MBBS DCH FRACP PhD GAICD FAHMS OAM BSc(Hons) BBus PhD Head, Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Health Economist

Formative evaluation of a community-based approach to reduce the incidence of Strep A infections and acute rheumatic fever

We 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.

Circulating Epithelial Cell Cytokines Are Associated With Early-Onset Atopic Dermatitis

Debbie Susan Palmer Prescott BSc BND PhD MBBS BMedSci PhD FRACP Head, Nutrition in Early Life Honorary Research Fellow debbie.palmer@uwa.edu.au

Molecular diagnosis of scabies using a novel probe-based polymerase chain reaction assay targeting high-copy number repetitive sequences in the sarcoptes scabiei genome

The suboptimal sensitivity and specificity of available diagnostic methods for scabies hampers clinical management, trials of new therapies and epidemiologic studies. Additionally, parasitologic diagnosis by microscopic examination of skin scrapings requires sample collection with a sharp scalpel blade, causing discomfort to patients and difficulty in children. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assays, combined with non-invasive sampling methods, represent an attractive approach.

Continued challenge of rheumatic heart disease: The gap of understanding or the gap of implementation?

We still do not have a RF vaccine, although the recent announcement that the Australian and New Zealand governments are jointly sponsoring a program to fast...

Clinic attendances during the first 12 months of life for Aboriginal children in five remote communities of northern Australia

The median number of presentations per child in the first year of life was 21 with multiple reasons for presentation.

Swimming pools in remote Aboriginal communities

Providing remote communities with access to chlorinated swimming pools has been considered as a possible strategy for reducing ear and skin infection rates...

Berrembi Jarragboo-Boorroo Wajawoorroo Men'Gawoom Gijam (Gija Healthy Skin Story): Two-Way Learning for Healthy Skin

Remote-living Aboriginal children in Australia contend with higher rates of skin infections than non-Indigenous children. This work was embedded within a stepped-wedge, cluster randomised controlled trial aiming to halve the rate of skin infections in remote Kimberley communities. It outlines and reflects upon the co-development of a health promotion resource in partnership with the East Kimberley community of Warmun, whilst understanding community perceptions of its impact.

Finding the optimal regimen for Mycobacteroides abscessus treatment (FORMaT) in people with Mycobacteroides abscessus pulmonary disease

Mycobacteroides abscessus (MABS) is within the non-tuberculous mycobacteria family. It inhabits soil and water, exhibits multi-antibiotic resistance and causes opportunistic lung infections, which may progress to symptomatic MABS-pulmonary disease (MABS-PD) associated with substantial morbidity, increased healthcare utilisation, impaired quality of life and increased mortality. 

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.