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Call for Group A streptococcal infections to become notifiable diseasesResearchers at The Kids Research Institute Australia say Group A Streptococcus should become a nationally notifiable disease in Australia.
Research
Outcomes of latent rheumatic heart disease: External validation of a simplified score in patients with and without secondary prophylaxisSecondary antibiotic prophylaxis reduces progression of latent rheumatic heart disease (RHD) but not all children benefit. Improved risk stratification could refine recommendations following positive screening. We aimed to evaluate the performance of a previously developed echocardiographic risk score to predict mid-term outcomes among children with latent RHD.
Research
The stark reality of rheumatic heart diseaseThis editorial refers to ‘Characteristics, complications, and gaps in evidence-based interventions in rheumatic heart disease: the Global Rheumatic Heart...
Research
The case for global investment in rheumatic heart-disease controlThe review built a case for extending simple and cost–effective measures to all countries. Had these recommendations been put into action, significant...
Research
Group A streptococcal vaccines: Paving a path for accelerated developmentVaccine prevention of GAS infections and their immunological complications has been a goal of researchers for decades.
Research
Progress toward a global group a streptococcal vaccineThe desire for an effective vaccine arises from the large burden of disease caused by the bacterium, particularly rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
Research
A national prospective surveillance study of acute rheumatic fever in Australian childrenAcute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an important cause of heart disease in Indigenous people of northern and central Australia.
News & Events
Warm Welcome for the Neonatal Infection and Immunity TeamClinical Professor Tobias Strunk, Dr Andrew Currie and their Neonatal Infection and Immunity Team have become the newest members of the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases.
Research
Left ventricular remodelling in rheumatic heart disease – trends over time and implications for follow-up in childhoodRheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the most common form of acquired heart disease worldwide. In RHD, volume loading from mitral regurgitation leads to left ventricular (LV) dilatation, increased wall stress, and ultimately LV dysfunction. Improved understanding of LV dynamics may contribute to refined timing of intervention.
Research
Development of a sustained release implant of benzathine penicillin G for secondary prophylaxis of rheumatic heart diseaseRegular intramuscular (i.m.) benzathine penicillin G (BPG) injections have been the cornerstone of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) secondary prophylaxis since the 1950s. Patient adherence to IM BPG is poor, largely due to pain, the need for regular injections every 3-4 weeks and health sector delivery challenges in resource-limited settings. There is an urgent need for new approaches for secondary prophylaxis, such as an implant which could provide sustained penicillin concentrations for more than 6 months.