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Mitchell E, Tavui A, Andersson S, Lake S, Koroivueti A, Koroivueta J, Kaurasi R, Bechu V, Kaldor J, Steer A, Romani L. Acceptability of a nationwide scabies mass drug administration (MDA) program in Fiji: a qualitative interview-based study. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2024; 51:101194. [PMID: 39295851 PMCID: PMC11408017 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2024.101194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024]
Abstract
Background Fiji has among the highest global reported prevalence of scabies. Mass drug administration (MDA) has been identified as a potentially effective strategy to control scabies, but acceptability of MDA from the perspectives of people receiving and delivering scabies MDA programs remains underexplored in Fiji and globally. Methods A qualitative study was conducted after completion of the national MDA campaign. Participants included 44 community members and 12 key informants across the Central and Western Divisions of Fiji. Semi-structured face-to-face and virtual interviews were conducted in August and September 2023. An interpretive research approach was adopted, and data were analysed using deductive and inductive techniques. Findings We identified several barriers and facilitators to scabies MDA acceptability. Facilitators included prior experiences of scabies and knowledge of the potential health benefit of MDA, community attitudes to MDA and neighbours' adherence practices, endorsement of MDA by community leaders, community consultation and exposure to community sensitisation, and involvement of local key informants during planning and implementation. Barriers included a lack of trust in MDA campaigns, religious beliefs, limited reach of community sensitisation, and challenges to implementing MDA in urban locations. Interpretation This is the first qualitative study documenting acceptability of a nationwide scabies-MDA globally. It identified diverse socio-structural factors that influenced MDA implementation and acceptability. Future MDA programs could benefit from widespread community sensitisation, tailored approaches to urban and rural MDA design and delivery, and the inclusion of communities in the co-design and implementation of MDA programs. Funding The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) investigator grant-LR and the Macquarie Group Foundation 50th Celebration Awards-AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Mitchell
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Heath, Melbourne University, Australia
| | - Aminiasi Tavui
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Susanna Lake
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Aminiasi Koroivueti
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Fiji
| | | | | | | | - John Kaldor
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrew Steer
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lucia Romani
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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Armitage EP, de Crombrugghe G, Keeley AJ, Senghore E, Camara FE, Jammeh M, Bittaye A, Ceesay H, Ceesay I, Samateh B, Manneh M, Kampmann B, Turner CE, Kucharski A, Botteaux A, Smeesters PR, de Silva TI, Marks M. Streptococcus pyogenes carriage and infection within households in The Gambia: a longitudinal cohort study. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2024; 5:679-688. [PMID: 38735305 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(24)00046-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Streptococcus pyogenes causes more than 500 000 deaths per year globally, which occur disproportionately in low-income and middle-income countries. The roles of S pyogenes skin and pharyngeal carriage in transmission are unclear. We aimed to investigate the clinical epidemiology and household transmission dynamics of both S pyogenes asymptomatic carriage and infection in a high-burden setting. METHODS We did a 1-year prospective, longitudinal, household cohort study, recruiting healthy participants from households in Sukuta, The Gambia. Households were eligible if they comprised at least three members, including one child younger than 18 years, and were excluded if more than half of household members declined to participate. Households were identified by random GPS coordinates derived from census data. At monthly visits, pharyngeal and normal skin swabs were collected for S pyogenes culture, and sociodemographic data were recorded by interview. Incident pharyngitis and pyoderma infections were captured. Cultured isolates underwent emm genotyping. The primary outcome measures were incidence of S pyogenes carriage and disease. Additional outcomes were prevalence of S pyogenes skin and pharyngeal carriage, S pyogenes skin and pharyngeal clearance time, S pyogenes emm type, risk factors for carriage and disease events, household secondary attack rate, and emm-linked household transmission events. The study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05117528. FINDINGS Between July 27, 2021, and Sept 28, 2022, 442 participants were enrolled from 44 households. The median age was 15 years (IQR 6-28) and 233 (53%) were female. We identified 17 pharyngitis and 99 pyoderma events and 49 pharyngeal and 39 skin S pyogenes carriage acquisition events. Mean monthly prevalence was 1·4% (95% CI 1·1-1·9) for S pyogenes pharyngeal carriage and 1·2% (0·9-1·6) for S pyogenes skin carriage. Incidence was 120 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 87-166) for S pyogenes pharyngeal carriage, 124 per 1000 person-years (90-170) for S pyogenes skin carriage, 51 per 1000 person-years (31-84) for S pyogenes pharyngitis, and 263 per 1000 person-years (212-327) for S pyogenes pyoderma. Pharyngeal carriage risk was higher during the rainy season (HR 5·67, 95% CI 2·19-14·69) and in larger households (per additional person: 1·03, 1·00-1·05), as was pharyngitis risk (rainy season: 3·00, 1·10-8·22; household size: 1·04, 1·02-1·07). Skin carriage risk was not affected by season or household size, but was lower in female than in male participants (0·45, 0·22-0·92) and highest in children younger than 5 years compared with adults (22·69, 3·08-167·21), with similar findings for pyoderma (female sex: 0·34, 0·19-0·61; age <5 years: 7·00, 2·78-17·64). Median clearance time after carriage acquisition was 4·0 days for both skin (IQR 3·5-7·0) and pharynx (3·5-7·3). The mean household secondary attack rate was 4·9 (95% CI 3·5-6·3) for epidemiologically linked S pyogenes events and 0·74 (0·3-1·2) for emm-linked S pyogenes events. Of the 204 carriage and disease events, emm types were available for 179 (88%). Only 18 emm-linked between-visit household transmission events were identified. Pyoderma was the most common source of S pyogenes household transmissions in 11 (61%) of 18 emm-linked transmissions. Both pharynx to skin and skin to pharynx transmission events were observed. INTERPRETATION S pyogenes carriage and infection are common in The Gambia, particularly in children. Most events are non-household acquisitions, but skin carriage and pyoderma have an important role in S pyogenes household transmission and bidirectional transmission between skin and pharynx occurs. FUNDING Wellcome Trust, Chadwick Trust, Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (Belgium), European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases, and Medical Research Council (UK).
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin P Armitage
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia; Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Gabrielle de Crombrugghe
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Paediatrics, Brussels University Hospital, Academic Children Hospital Queen Fabiola, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alexander J Keeley
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia; Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; The Florey Institute of Infection, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Elina Senghore
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Fatoumata E Camara
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Musukoi Jammeh
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Amat Bittaye
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Haddy Ceesay
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Isatou Ceesay
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Bunja Samateh
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Muhammed Manneh
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Beate Kampmann
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia; Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Centre for Global Health and Institut für Internationale Gesundheit, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claire E Turner
- The Florey Institute of Infection, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Adam Kucharski
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Anne Botteaux
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre R Smeesters
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Paediatrics, Brussels University Hospital, Academic Children Hospital Queen Fabiola, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Thushan I de Silva
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Banjul, The Gambia; Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; The Florey Institute of Infection, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Michael Marks
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospital, London, UK; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
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Cooper J, Enkel SL, Moodley D, Dobinson H, Andersen E, Kado JH, Barr RK, Salman S, Baker MG, Carapetis JR, Manning L, Anderson A, Bennett J. "Hurts less, lasts longer"; a qualitative study on experiences of young people receiving high-dose subcutaneous injections of benzathine penicillin G to prevent rheumatic heart disease in New Zealand. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302493. [PMID: 38743745 PMCID: PMC11093343 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Four-weekly intramuscular (IM) benzathine penicillin G (BPG) injections to prevent acute rheumatic fever (ARF) progression have remained unchanged since 1955. A Phase-I trial in healthy volunteers demonstrated the safety and tolerability of high-dose subcutaneous infusions of BPG which resulted in a much longer effective penicillin exposure, and fewer injections. Here we describe the experiences of young people living with ARF participating in a Phase-II trial of SubCutaneous Injections of BPG (SCIP). METHODOLOGY Participants (n = 20) attended a clinic in Wellington, New Zealand (NZ). After a physical examination, participants received 2% lignocaine followed by 13.8mL to 20.7mL of BPG (Bicillin-LA®; determined by weight), into the abdominal subcutaneous tissue. A Kaupapa Māori consistent methodology was used to explore experiences of SCIP, through semi-structured interviews and observations taken during/after the injection, and on days 28 and 70. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Low levels of pain were reported on needle insertion, during and following the injection. Some participants experienced discomfort and bruising on days one and two post dose; however, the pain was reported to be less severe than their usual IM BPG. Participants were 'relieved' to only need injections quarterly and the majority (95%) reported a preference for SCIP over IM BPG. CONCLUSIONS Participants preferred SCIP over their usual regimen, reporting less pain and a preference for the longer time gap between treatments. Recommending SCIP as standard of care for most patients needing long-term prophylaxis has the potential to transform secondary prophylaxis of ARF/RHD in NZ and globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Cooper
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - Dhevindri Moodley
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Hazel Dobinson
- Te Whatu Ora, Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley, Newtown, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Erik Andersen
- Te Whatu Ora, Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley, Newtown, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Joseph H. Kado
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Renae K. Barr
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Sam Salman
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, PathWest, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Internal Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Michael G. Baker
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan R. Carapetis
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Laurens Manning
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Internal Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
- Fiona Stanley Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Anneka Anderson
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Julie Bennett
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
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Smeesters PR, de Crombrugghe G, Tsoi SK, Leclercq C, Baker C, Osowicki J, Verhoeven C, Botteaux A, Steer AC. Global Streptococcus pyogenes strain diversity, disease associations, and implications for vaccine development: a systematic review. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2024; 5:e181-e193. [PMID: 38070538 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00318-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The high strain diversity of Streptococcus pyogenes serves as a major obstacle to vaccine development against this leading global pathogen. We did a systematic review of studies in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase that reported the global distribution of S pyogenes emm-types and emm-clusters from Jan 1, 1990, to Feb 23, 2023. 212 datasets were included from 55 countries, encompassing 74 468 bacterial isolates belonging to 211 emm-types. Globally, an inverse correlation was observed between strain diversity and the UNDP Human Development Index (HDI; r=-0·72; p<0·0001), which remained consistent upon subanalysis by global region and site of infection. Greater strain diversity was associated with a lower HDI, suggesting the role of social determinants in diseases caused by S pyogenes. We used a population-weighted analysis to adjust for the disproportionate number of epidemiological studies from high-income countries and identified 15 key representative isolates as vaccine targets. Strong strain type associations were observed between the site of infection (invasive, skin, and throat) and several streptococcal lineages. In conclusion, the development of a truly global vaccine to reduce the immense burden of diseases caused by S pyogenes should consider the multidimensional diversity of the pathogen, including its social and environmental context, and not merely its geographical distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre R Smeesters
- Department of Paediatrics, Brussels University Hospital, Academic Children Hospital Queen Fabiola, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Gabrielle de Crombrugghe
- Department of Paediatrics, Brussels University Hospital, Academic Children Hospital Queen Fabiola, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Shu Ki Tsoi
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Céline Leclercq
- Department of Paediatrics, Brussels University Hospital, Academic Children Hospital Queen Fabiola, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ciara Baker
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Joshua Osowicki
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Caroline Verhoeven
- Laboratoire d'enseignement des Mathématiques, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anne Botteaux
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, European Plotkin Institute for Vaccinology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Andrew C Steer
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Yirgu R, Middleton J, Fekadu A, Davey G, Bremner S, Jones CI, Cassell JA. No secondary impact of ivermectin mass drug administration for onchocerciasis elimination on the prevalence of scabies in northwestern Ethiopia. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2024; 118:110-117. [PMID: 37665766 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trad061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mass drug administration (MDA) is among the five major strategies that are currently in use to control, eliminate or eradicate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Optimising MDA to control multiple NTDs maximises impact. The objective of this study is to estimate the secondary impact of ivermectin MDA for onchocerciasis on the prevalence of scabies. METHODS This quasi-experimental study was conducted in Ayu Guagusa district, northwestern Ethiopia. Scabies prevalence was estimated in surveys before the MDA, at 6 and 12 months afterwards. The sample size was 1437 people from a panel of 381 randomly selected study households. Multistage sampling was employed in randomly selecting six kebeles (the lowest administrative unit) with respective gotes (small villages) and households. All members of the selected households were invited to participate in the study and participants who were available in all three surveys formed a cohort. RESULTS Scabies prevalence was similar prior to the MDA (13.4%, 95% CI 11.7 to 15.2%) and 6 months after (11.7%, 95% CI 10.1 to 13.2%) but was substantially greater at 12 months (22.1%, 95% CI 20.1 to 24.1%). The 6-month incidence and disappearance rates were 10.8% (95% CI 8.8 to 13.2%) and 82.6% (95% CI 75.0 to 88.6%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Ivermectin MDA for onchocerciasis was not observed to have a secondary impact on the prevalence of scabies over the follow-up period of 12 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robel Yirgu
- NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Neglected Tropical Diseases, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK
- School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, 9086, Ethiopia
- Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT)-Africa, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, 9086, Ethiopia
| | - Jo Middleton
- NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Neglected Tropical Diseases, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, UK
| | - Abebaw Fekadu
- NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Neglected Tropical Diseases, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, UK
- Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT)-Africa, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, 9086, Ethiopia
| | - Gail Davey
- NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Neglected Tropical Diseases, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK
- School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, 9086, Ethiopia
| | - Stephen Bremner
- NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Neglected Tropical Diseases, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, UK
| | - Christopher Iain Jones
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, UK
| | - Jackie A Cassell
- NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Neglected Tropical Diseases, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PX, UK
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Falmer, UK
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Ayele A, Adane M, Adane B, Berihun G, Gebrehiwot M, Woretaw L, Berhanu L, Atanaw G, Feleke H, Moges M, Tegegne E, Azanaw J, Malede A. Living in a large family and low daily water consumption substantially expose for human scabies in rural Ethiopia: a matched analysis. JOURNAL OF HEALTH, POPULATION, AND NUTRITION 2023; 42:134. [PMID: 38017554 PMCID: PMC10685524 DOI: 10.1186/s41043-023-00471-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scabies has been added to the neglected tropical diseases portfolio for large-scale disease control action since 2017 and is part of the WHO roadmap for NTDs 2021-2030, targeted at ending the neglect to achieve the sustainable development goals. Previous studies have not fitted matched analysis to identify predictors of scabies infestation in Ethiopia. Information is also scarce about predictors of scabies infestation in this area. Therefore, this study aimed to identify predictors of scabies infestation in rural Aneded District, northwest Ethiopia. METHODS A community-based matched case-control study involving 183 cases and 549 controls was undertaken from March 1 to May 31, 2021, in rural Aneded District. A two-stage sampling technique with a house-to-house census for the screening of scabies cases was employed. A structured questionnaire with questions on sociodemographics, behavior, water supply, sanitation, and hygiene, and delivery of scabies-specific interventions was used. Pretesting, training of data collectors and supervisors, and supervision were applied to keep the data quality. A multivariable conditional logistic regression model was fitted to identify predictors of scabies. RESULTS Unmarried individuals or those in separated families (adjusted matched odds ratio (AmOR = 2.71; 95% CI 1.30-5.65); those unable to read and write or in illiterate families (AmOR = 5.10; 95% CI 1.81-14.36); those in large families (AmOR = 6.67; 95% CI 2.83-15.73); households that had longer travel times for water collection (AmOR = 2.27; 95% CI 1.08-4.76); those that had low daily water consumption (AmOR = 6.69; 95% CI 2.91-15.37); households that disposed of solid wastes in open fields (AmOR = 5.60; 95% CI 2.53-12.40); and households that did not receive scabies-specific interventions (AmOR = 2.98; 95% CI 1.39-6.39) had increased odds of scabies. CONCLUSIONS Being unmarried, illiteracy, large family, long travel time for water collection, low daily water consumption, open dumping of solid wastes, and inaccessibility of scabies-specific interventions are predictors of scabies. This information is instrumental for redesigning improved scabies-specific interventions that consider educational status, marital status, family size, water collection time, daily water consumption, solid waste disposal, and equity and optimization in delivering existing interventions in rural Ethiopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agernesh Ayele
- Department of Environmental Health, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Metadel Adane
- Department of Environmental Health, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Balew Adane
- Department of Environmental Health, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Gete Berihun
- Department of Environmental Health, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Mesfin Gebrehiwot
- Department of Environmental Health, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Lebasie Woretaw
- Department of Environmental Health, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Leykun Berhanu
- Department of Environmental Health, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Getu Atanaw
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Hailemariam Feleke
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Mekonnen Moges
- Department of Environmental Health, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Eniyew Tegegne
- Department of Environmental Health, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia
| | - Jember Azanaw
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Asmamaw Malede
- Department of Environmental Health, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
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7
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Rwebembera J, Cannon JW, Sanyahumbi A, Sotoodehnia N, Taubert K, Yilgwan CS, Bukhman G, Masterson M, Bruno FP, Bowen A, Dale JB, Engel ME, Beaton A, Van Beneden C. Research opportunities for the primary prevention and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute workshop report. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012356. [PMID: 37914184 PMCID: PMC10619102 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary prevention of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) encompasses the timely diagnosis and adequate treatment of the superficial group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections pharyngitis and impetigo. GAS is the only known inciting agent in the pathophysiology of the disease. However, sufficient evidence indicates that the uptake and delivery of primary prevention approaches in RHD-endemic regions are significantly suboptimal. This report presents expert deliberations on priority research and implementation opportunities for primary prevention of ARF/RHD that were developed as part of a workshop convened by the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in November 2021. The opportunities identified by the Primary Prevention Working Group encompass epidemiological, laboratory, clinical, implementation and dissemination research domains and are anchored on five pillars including: (A) to gain a better understanding of superficial GAS infection epidemiology to guide programmes and policies; (B) to improve diagnosis of superficial GAS infections in RHD endemic settings; (C) to develop scalable and sustainable models for delivery of primary prevention; (D) to understand potential downstream effects of the scale-up of primary prevention and (E) to develop and conduct economic evaluations of primary prevention strategies in RHD endemic settings. In view of the multisectoral stakeholders in primary prevention strategies, we emphasise the need for community co-design and government engagement, especially in the implementation and dissemination research arena. We present these opportunities as a reference point for research organisations and sponsors who aim to contribute to the increasing momentum towards the global control and prevention of RHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joselyn Rwebembera
- Division of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute Ltd, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jeffrey W Cannon
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amy Sanyahumbi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nona Sotoodehnia
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kathryn Taubert
- American Heart Association International, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Physiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Christopher Sabo Yilgwan
- Departments of Paediatrics and West African Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Jos/Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Gene Bukhman
- Center for Integration Science in Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Global Noncommunicable Diseases and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mary Masterson
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Fernando P Bruno
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Asha Bowen
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - James B Dale
- Department of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Mark E Engel
- AFROStrep Research Initiative, Cape Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrea Beaton
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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8
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Cannon JW, Wyber R. Modalities of group A streptococcal prevention and treatment and their economic justification. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:59. [PMID: 37087467 PMCID: PMC10122086 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00649-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection by group A Streptococcus (Strep A) results in a diverse range of clinical conditions, including pharyngitis, impetigo, cellulitis, necrotising fasciitis, and rheumatic heart disease. In this article, we outline the recommended strategies for Strep A treatment and prevention and review the literature for economic evaluations of competing treatment and prevention strategies. We find that most economic evaluations focus on reducing the duration of illness or risk of rheumatic fever among people presenting with sore throat through diagnostic and/or treatment strategies. Few studies have evaluated strategies to reduce the burden of Strep A infection among the general population, nor have they considered the local capacity to finance and implement strategies. Evaluation of validated costs and consequences for a more diverse range of Strep A interventions are needed to ensure policies maximise patient outcomes under budget constraints. This should include attention to basic public health strategies and emerging strategies such as vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey W Cannon
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Rosemary Wyber
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU College of Health & Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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9
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One versus two doses of ivermectin-based mass drug administration for the control of scabies: A cluster randomised non-inferiority trial. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011207. [PMID: 36930667 PMCID: PMC10058081 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mass drug administration (MDA) based on two doses of ivermectin, one week apart, substantially reduces prevalence of both scabies and impetigo. The Regimens of Ivermectin for Scabies Elimination (RISE) trial assessed whether one-dose ivermectin-based MDA would be as effective. METHODS RISE was a cluster-randomised trial in Solomon Islands. We assigned 20 villages in a 1:1 ratio to one- or two-dose ivermectin-based MDA. We planned to test whether the impact of one dose on scabies prevalence at 12 and 24 months was non-inferior to two, at a 5% non-inferiority margin. RESULTS We deferred endpoint assessment to 21 months due to COVID-19. We enrolled 5239 participants in 20 villages at baseline and 3369 at 21 months from an estimated population of 5500. At baseline scabies prevalence was similar in the two arms (one-dose 17·2%; two-dose 13·2%). At 21 months, there was no reduction in scabies prevalence (one-dose 18·7%; two-dose 13·4%), and the confidence interval around the difference included values substantially greater than 5%. There was however a reduction in prevalence among those who had been present at the baseline assessment (one-dose 15·9%; two-dose 10·8%). Additionally, we found a reduction in both scabies severity and impetigo prevalence in both arms, to a similar degree. CONCLUSIONS There was no indication of an overall decline in scabies prevalence in either arm. The reduction in scabies prevalence in those present at baseline suggests that the unexpectedly high influx of people into the trial villages, likely related to the COVID-19 pandemic, may have compromised the effectiveness of the MDA. Despite the lack of effect there are important lessons to be learnt from this trial about conducting MDA for scabies in high prevalence settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION Registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001086257.
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Ararsa G, Merdassa E, Shibiru T, Etafa W. Prevalence of scabies and associated factors among children aged 5-14 years in Meta Robi District, Ethiopia. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0277912. [PMID: 36595503 PMCID: PMC9810185 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scabies is a public health problem that affects children and elders predominantly. Its burden is higher in resource-poor settings, and scabies has a significant impact on the long-term health of children. In Ethiopia, there is limited information about scabies in children. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of scabies and its associated factors among children aged 5-14 years in Meta Robi District, Ethiopia. METHODS A community-based cross-sectional study design using a multistage sampling technique was used to collect data from 457 participants by systematic random sampling. Scabies was diagnosed based on the clinical criteria set by the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS, 2020). FINDINGS The prevalence of scabies among children aged 5-14 years old was 19.26% (95%CI: 17.20-22.52). In addition, over half (54.6%) of identified cases of scabies were of moderate severity. Factors like families' low income (aOR = 2.72; 95%CI: 1.32-5.59), being a male child (aOR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.61-4.01), using only water for hand washing (aOR = 2.01, 95%CI: 1.84-4.79), having a contact history of scabies/skin lesions (aOR = 4.15, 95%CI: 2.02-13.67), and sharing sleeping beds (aOR = 6.33, 95%CI: 2.09-19.13) were significantly associated with scabies. CONCLUSION The study highlights a high prevalence of scabies among children aged 5-14 years in the district. Provision of adequate health education for the community and children about the scabies and delivering mass drug administration to the district is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemechu Ararsa
- Gemechu Ararsa, West Shoa Zone Health Bureau, Oromia Region, Ambo, Ethiopia
| | - Emiru Merdassa
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Wallaga University, Nekemte, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfaye Shibiru
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, Wallaga University, Nekemte, Ethiopia
| | - Werku Etafa
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, Institute of Health Sciences, Wallaga University, Nekemte, Ethiopia
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Baker MG, Gurney J, Moreland NJ, Bennett J, Oliver J, Williamson DA, Pierse N, Wilson N, Merriman TR, Percival T, Jackson C, Edwards R, Mow FC, Thomson WM, Zhang J, Lennon D. Risk factors for acute rheumatic fever: A case-control study. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2022; 26:100508. [PMID: 36213134 PMCID: PMC9535428 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remain an inequitable cause of avoidable suffering and early death in many countries, including among Indigenous Māori and Pacific populations in New Zealand. There is a lack of robust evidence on interventions to prevent ARF. This study aimed to identify modifiable risk factors, with the goal of producing evidence to support policies and programs to decrease rates of ARF. METHODS A case-control study was undertaken in New Zealand using hospitalised, first episode ARF cases meeting a standard case-definition. Population controls (ratio of 3:1) were matched by age, ethnicity, socioeconomic deprivation, location, sex, and recruitment month. A comprehensive, pre-tested questionnaire was administered face-to-face by trained interviewers. FINDINGS The study included 124 cases and 372 controls. Multivariable analysis identified strong associations between ARF and household crowding (OR 3·88; 95%CI 1·68-8·98) and barriers to accessing primary health care (OR 2·07; 95% CI 1·08-4·00), as well as a high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR 2·00; 1·13-3·54). There was a marked five-fold higher ARF risk for those with a family history of ARF (OR 4·97; 95% CI 2·53-9·77). ARF risk was elevated following self-reported skin infection (aOR 2·53; 1·44-4·42) and sore throat (aOR 2·33; 1·49-3·62). INTERPRETATION These globally relevant findings direct attention to the critical importance of household crowding and access to primary health care as strong modifiable causal factors in the development of ARF. They also support a greater focus on the role of managing skin infections in ARF prevention. FUNDING This research was funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) Rheumatic Fever Research Partnership (supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Health, Te Puni Kōkiri, Cure Kids, Heart Foundation, and HRC) award number 13/959.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G. Baker
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jason Gurney
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Nicole J. Moreland
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Julie Bennett
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jane Oliver
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deborah A. Williamson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nevil Pierse
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Nigel Wilson
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Green Lane Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tony R. Merriman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, United States of America
| | - Teuila Percival
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Moana Research, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Richard Edwards
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Jane Zhang
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Diana Lennon
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Ralph AP, Kelly A, Lee AM, Mungatopi VL, Babui SR, Budhathoki NK, Wade V, de Dassel JL, Wyber R. Evaluation of a Community-Led Program for Primordial and Primary Prevention of Rheumatic Fever in Remote Northern Australia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10215. [PMID: 36011846 PMCID: PMC9407981 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Environmental factors including household crowding and inadequate washing facilities underpin recurrent streptococcal infections in childhood that cause acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and subsequent rheumatic heart disease (RHD). No community-based 'primordial'-level interventions to reduce streptococcal infection and ARF rates have been reported from Australia previously. We conducted a study at three Australian Aboriginal communities aiming to reduce infections including skin sores and sore throats, usually caused by Group A Streptococci, and ARF. Data were collected for primary care diagnoses consistent with likely or potential streptococcal infection, relating to ARF or RHD or related to environmental living conditions. Rates of these diagnoses during a one-year Baseline Phase were compared with a three-year Activity Phase. Participants were children or adults receiving penicillin prophylaxis for ARF. Aboriginal community members were trained and employed to share knowledge about ARF prevention, support reporting and repairs of faulty health-hardware including showers and provide healthcare navigation for families focusing on skin sores, sore throat and ARF. We hypothesized that infection-related diagnoses would increase through greater recognition, then decrease. We enrolled 29 participants and their families. Overall infection-related diagnosis rates increased from Baseline (mean rate per-person-year 1.69 [95% CI 1.10-2.28]) to Year One (2.12 [95% CI 1.17-3.07]) then decreased (Year Three: 0.72 [95% CI 0.29-1.15]) but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.064). Annual numbers of first-known ARF decreased, but numbers were small: there were six cases of first-known ARF during Baseline, then five, 1, 0 over the next three years respectively. There was a relationship between household occupancy and numbers (p = 0.018), but not rates (p = 0.447) of infections. This first Australian ARF primordial prevention study provides a feasible model with encouraging findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna P. Ralph
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
- Division of Medicine, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin 0810, Australia
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Australia, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin 0810, Australia
| | - Angela Kelly
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
| | - Anne-Marie Lee
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
- Sunrise Health Corporation, Katherine 0850, Australia
| | - Valerina L. Mungatopi
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
| | - Segora R. Babui
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
| | - Nanda Kaji Budhathoki
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
| | - Vicki Wade
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Australia, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin 0810, Australia
| | | | - Rosemary Wyber
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth 6000, Australia
- George Institute for Global Health, Sydney 2000, Australia
- Australian National University, Canberra 2610, Australia
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Tait JR, Barnett TC, Rogers KE, Lee WL, Page-Sharp M, Manning L, Boyd BJ, Carapetis JR, Nation RL, Landersdorfer CB. Penicillin G concentrations required for prophylaxis against Group A Streptococcus infection evaluated using a hollow fibre model and mathematical modelling. J Antimicrob Chemother 2022; 77:1923-1930. [PMID: 35470370 PMCID: PMC9244232 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkac124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute 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. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the penicillin G concentrations required to suppress growth of Strep A. METHODS Broth microdilution MIC and MBC for Strep A strains M75611024, M1T15448 and M18MGAS8232 were determined. All strains were studied in a hollow fibre model (initial inoculum 4 log10 cfu/mL). Constant penicillin G concentrations of 0.008, 0.016 and 0.05 mg/L were examined against all strains, plus 0.012 mg/L against M18MGAS8232. Viable counts were determined over 144 h. Subsequently, all penicillin G-treated cartridges were emptied, reinoculated with 5 log10 cfu/mL and counts determined over a further 144 h. Mathematical modelling was performed. RESULTS MIC and MBC were 0.008 mg/L for all strains; small subpopulations of M75611024 and M1T15448, but not M18MGAS8232, grew at 1× MIC. Following the first inoculation, 0.008 mg/L achieved limited killing and/or stasis against M75611024 and M1T15448, with subsequent growth to ∼6 log10 cfu/mL. Following both inocula, concentrations ≥0.016 mg/L suppressed M75611024 and M1T15448 to <1 log10 cfu/mL from 6 h onwards with eradication. Concentrations ≥0.008 mg/L suppressed M18MGAS8232 to <1 log10 cfu/mL from 24 h onwards with eradication after both inoculations. Mathematical modelling well described all strains using a single set of parameter estimates, except for different maximum bacterial concentrations and proportions of bacteria growing at 1× MIC. CONCLUSIONS In the absence of validated animal and human challenge models, the study provides guidance on penicillin G target concentrations for development of new penicillin formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Tait
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Timothy C Barnett
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kate E Rogers
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wee Leng Lee
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Madhu Page-Sharp
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Laurens Manning
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ben J Boyd
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jonathan R Carapetis
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Perth Children’s Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Roger L Nation
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cornelia B Landersdorfer
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Thean LJ, Romani L, Engelman D, Wand H, Jenney A, Mani J, Paka J, Cua T, Taole S, Silai M, Ashwini K, Sahukhan A, Kama M, Tuicakau M, Kado J, Parnaby M, Carvalho N, Whitfeld M, Kaldor J, Steer AC. Prevention of bacterial complications of scabies using mass drug administration: A population-based, before-after trial in Fiji, 2018-2020. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2022; 22:100433. [PMID: 35345391 PMCID: PMC8956868 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scabies is an important predisposing factor of impetigo which can lead to serious bacterial complications. Ivermectin-based mass drug administration can substantially reduce scabies and impetigo prevalence in endemic settings, but the impact on serious bacterial complications is not known. METHODS We conducted a before-after trial in the Northern Division of Fiji (population: 131,914) of mass drug administration for scabies control. Prospective surveillance was conducted from 2018 to 2020. Mass drug administration took place in 2019, involving two doses of oral ivermectin or topical permethrin, delivered alongside diethylcarbamazine and albendazole for lymphatic filariasis. The primary outcomes were incidence of hospitalisations with skin and soft tissue infections, and childhood invasive infections and post-streptococcal sequelae. Secondary outcomes included presentations to primary healthcare with skin infections and community prevalence of scabies and impetigo. FINDINGS The incidence of hospitalisations with skin and soft tissue infections was 17% lower after the intervention compared to baseline (388 vs 467 per 100,000 person-years; incidence rate ratio 0.83, 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.94; P = 0.002). There was no difference in incidence of childhood invasive infections and post-streptococcal sequelae. Incidence of primary healthcare presentations with scabies and skin infections was 21% lower (89.2 vs 108 per 1000 person-years, incidence rate ratio, IRR 0.79, 95% CI, 0.78 to 0.82). Crude community prevalence of scabies declined from 14.2% to 7.7% (cluster-adjusted prevalence 12.5% to 8.9%; prevalence ratio 0.71, 95% CI, 0.28 to 1.17). Cluster-adjusted prevalence of impetigo declined from 15.3% to 6.1% (prevalence ratio 0.4, 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.86). INTERPRETATION Mass drug administration for scabies control was associated with a substantial reduction in hospitalisations for skin and soft tissue infections. FUNDING National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and Scobie and Claire Mackinnon Trust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Jun Thean
- Tropical Diseases Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Lucia Romani
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Daniel Engelman
- Tropical Diseases Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Children's Global Health, Melbourne Children's Campus, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, 3052 Australia
| | - Handan Wand
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Adam Jenney
- College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
| | - Jyotishna Mani
- Tropical Diseases Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Jessica Paka
- Tropical Diseases Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Tuliana Cua
- Tropical Diseases Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Sera Taole
- Tropical Diseases Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Maciu Silai
- Tropical Diseases Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Komal Ashwini
- Tropical Diseases Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | | | - Mike Kama
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Suva, Fiji
| | | | - Joseph Kado
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Suva, Fiji
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Matthew Parnaby
- Tropical Diseases Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Natalie Carvalho
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia
| | - Margot Whitfeld
- Department of Dermatology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - John Kaldor
- College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
| | - Andrew C. Steer
- Tropical Diseases Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Melbourne Children's Global Health, Melbourne Children's Campus, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, 3052 Australia
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15
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Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease: Highlighting the Role of Group A Streptococcus in the Global Burden of Cardiovascular Disease. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11050496. [PMID: 35631018 PMCID: PMC9145486 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes superficial and invasive infections and immune mediated post-infectious sequalae (including acute rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease). Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are important determinants of global cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. ARF is a multiorgan inflammatory disease that is triggered by GAS infection that activates the innate immune system. In susceptible hosts the response against GAS elicits autoimmune reactions targeting the heart, joints, brain, skin, and subcutaneous tissue. Repeated episodes of ARF—undetected, subclinical, or diagnosed—may progressively lead to RHD, unless prevented by periodic administration of penicillin. The recently modified Duckett Jones criteria with stratification by population risk remains relevant for the diagnosis of ARF and includes subclinical carditis detected by echocardiography as a major criterion. Chronic RHD is defined by valve regurgitation and/or stenosis that presents with complications such as arrhythmias, systemic embolism, infective endocarditis, pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and death. RHD predominantly affects children, adolescents, and young adults in LMICs. National programs with compulsory notification of ARF/RHD are needed to highlight the role of GAS in the global burden of cardiovascular disease and to allow prioritisation of these diseases aimed at reducing health inequalities and to achieve universal health coverage.
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Rwebembera J, Nascimento BR, Minja NW, de Loizaga S, Aliku T, dos Santos LPA, Galdino BF, Corte LS, Silva VR, Chang AY, Dutra WO, Nunes MCP, Beaton AZ. Recent Advances in the Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Continuum. Pathogens 2022; 11:179. [PMID: 35215123 PMCID: PMC8878614 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly a century after rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) was eradicated from the developed world, the disease remains endemic in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with grim health and socioeconomic impacts. The neglect of RHD which persisted for a semi-centennial was further driven by competing infectious diseases, particularly the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic. However, over the last two-decades, slowly at first but with building momentum, there has been a resurgence of interest in RF/RHD. In this narrative review, we present the advances that have been made in the RF/RHD continuum over the past two decades since the re-awakening of interest, with a more concise focus on the last decade's achievements. Such primary advances include understanding the genetic predisposition to RHD, group A Streptococcus (GAS) vaccine development, and improved diagnostic strategies for GAS pharyngitis. Echocardiographic screening for RHD has been a major advance which has unearthed the prevailing high burden of RHD and the recent demonstration of benefit of secondary antibiotic prophylaxis on halting progression of latent RHD is a major step forward. Multiple befitting advances in tertiary management of RHD have also been realized. Finally, we summarize the research gaps and provide illumination on profitable future directions towards global eradication of RHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joselyn Rwebembera
- Department of Adult Cardiology (JR), Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala 37392, Uganda
| | - Bruno Ramos Nascimento
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
- Servico de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardiovascular e Centro de Telessaude, Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena 110, 1st Floor, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Neema W. Minja
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Research Collaborative in Uganda, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala 37392, Uganda;
| | - Sarah de Loizaga
- School of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (S.d.L.); (A.Z.B.)
| | - Twalib Aliku
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology (TA), Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala 37392, Uganda;
| | - Luiza Pereira Afonso dos Santos
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Bruno Fernandes Galdino
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Luiza Silame Corte
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Vicente Rezende Silva
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Andrew Young Chang
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Walderez Ornelas Dutra
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil;
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Tropical Diseases (INCT-DT), Salvador 40170-970, BA, Brazil
| | - Maria Carmo Pereira Nunes
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
- Servico de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardiovascular e Centro de Telessaude, Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena 110, 1st Floor, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Andrea Zawacki Beaton
- School of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (S.d.L.); (A.Z.B.)
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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17
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Barbieri E, Porcu G, Dona' D, Falsetto N, Biava M, Scamarcia A, Cantarutti L, Cantarutti A, Giaquinto C. Non-bullous Impetigo: Incidence, Prevalence, and Treatment in the Pediatric Primary Care Setting in Italy. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:753694. [PMID: 35433549 PMCID: PMC9008221 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.753694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Impetigo is a common skin infection in children. The worldwide prevalence in children is estimated to be 12%, but this may be lower since high-income countries are under-represented. This research aims to evaluate the incidence, prevalence, and management of children with non-bullous impetigo (NBI) residing in Italy. This retrospective cohort study included children up to 14 years of age enrolled in the Pedianet database from January 2004 to June 2018. Events were identified searching ICD9-CM codes (684 and 694.3) and free text fields for a diagnosis of NBI reported during a primary care visit. Diagnoses were manually validated, and events registered within 30-days after the index date were considered follow-ups. Incidence (IR) and prevalence (PR) rates of NBI were stratified by sex, age group, and calendar year. Topical and systemic antibiotic treatments were grouped based on ATC codes. 15,136 NBI episodes occurred in a total cohort of 225,979 children. The overall IR of NBI was 9.5 per 1,000 person-years, and children aged 1-4 years had the highest IR (13.2 per 1,000 person-years). A significant decrease in NBI IR from 13 per 1,000 person-years in 2004 to 7.46 per 1,000 person-years in 2018 (p < 0.0001) was noted. Most of the episodes were treated; systemic antibiotics were preferred over topical. CONCLUSION The prevalence of NBI in children in Italy is less than one third than the global estimate and the trend in time is decreasing. Over prescriptions of systemic antibiotics pose a threat to the diffusion of antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Barbieri
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department for Woman and Child Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gloria Porcu
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Dona'
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department for Woman and Child Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Anna Cantarutti
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,National Centre for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,Società Servizi Telematici - Pedianet, Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Giaquinto
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department for Woman and Child Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Società Servizi Telematici - Pedianet, Padua, Italy
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18
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Whitcombe AL, McGregor R, Bennett J, Gurney JK, Williamson DA, Baker MG, Moreland NJ. OUP accepted manuscript. J Infect Dis 2022; 226:167-176. [PMID: 35134931 PMCID: PMC9373162 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes superficial pharyngitis and skin infections as well as serious autoimmune sequelae such as acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and subsequent rheumatic heart disease. ARF pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Immune priming by repeated GAS infections is thought to trigger ARF, and there is growing evidence for the role of skin infections in this process. Methods We utilized our recently developed 8-plex immunoassay, comprising antigens used in clinical serology for diagnosis of ARF (SLO, DNase B, SpnA), and 5 conserved putative GAS vaccine antigens (Spy0843, SCPA, SpyCEP, SpyAD, Group A carbohydrate), to characterize antibody responses in sera from New Zealand children with a range of clinically diagnosed GAS disease: ARF (n = 79), GAS-positive pharyngitis (n = 94), GAS-positive skin infection (n = 51), and matched healthy controls (n = 90). Results The magnitude and breadth of antibodies in ARF was very high, giving rise to a distinct serological profile. An average of 6.5 antigen-specific reactivities per individual was observed in ARF, compared to 4.2 in skin infections and 3.3 in pharyngitis. Conclusions ARF patients have a unique serological profile, which may be the result of repeated precursor pharyngitis and skin infections that progressively boost antibody breadth and magnitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana L Whitcombe
- School of Medical Sciences and Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Reuben McGregor
- School of Medical Sciences and Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Julie Bennett
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jason K Gurney
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael G Baker
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Nicole J Moreland
- Correspondence: Nicole J. Moreland, BSc, PhD, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand ()
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19
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Oliver J, Upton A, Jack SJ, Pierse N, Williamson DA, Baker MG. Distribution of Streptococcal Pharyngitis and Acute Rheumatic Fever, Auckland, New Zealand, 2010-2016. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 26:1113-1121. [PMID: 32441618 PMCID: PMC7258449 DOI: 10.3201/eid2606.181462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis is a key initiator of acute rheumatic fever (ARF). In New Zealand, ARF cases occur more frequently among persons of certain ethnic and socioeconomic groups. We compared GAS pharyngitis estimates (1,257,058 throat swab samples) with ARF incidence (792 hospitalizations) in Auckland during 2010–2016. Among children 5–14 years of age in primary healthcare clinics, GAS pharyngitis was detected in similar proportions across ethnic groups (≈19%). Relative risk for GAS pharyngitis was moderately elevated among children of Pacific Islander and Māori ethnicities compared with those of European/other ethnicities, but risk for ARF was highly elevated for children of Pacific Islander and Māori ethnicity compared with those of European/other ethnicity. That ethnic disparities are much higher among children with ARF than among those with GAS pharyngitis implies that ARF is driven by factors other than rate of GAS pharyngitis alone.
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20
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Abstract
Scabies is an infestation of the skin caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. In 2017, scabies was recognised by the World Health Organisation as a disease of public importance and was consequently added to the list of neglected tropical diseases. An estimated 200 million people currently have scabies worldwide. Scabies is endemic in many developing countries, with the highest prevalence being in hot, humid climates such as the Pacific and Latin American regions. Scabies causes a host immune response which is intensely itchy. Scratching of the lesions can lead to secondary bacterial infections of the skin, such as impetigo, most commonly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus. This can have fatal consequences, such as septicaemia, glomerulonephritis, and rheumatic heart disease. Advances over the past 5 years indicate that mass drug administration is an effective strategy to treat scabies. This review will outline advances in the mite biology, epidemiological understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of scabies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Welch
- St Vincent’s Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Margot J Whitfeld
- St Vincent’s Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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21
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Tyrrell GJ. Does group A strep have any skin in the ARF game? THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2021; 8:100114. [PMID: 34327432 PMCID: PMC8315609 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
•The observation that indigenous populations of New Zealand have high rates of GAS skin infections as well as high rates of ARF suggest the two diseases are linked.•It is therefore important to screen skin infections for GAS in all populations but especially in individuals of Māori and Pacific Islander heritage in New Zealand and treat those that are positive.•Failure to adequately treat GAS skin infections could potentially lead more serious skin infection manifestations and possibly invasive disease as well as ARF in vulnerable groups such as the Māroi and Pacific Islanders.•More work needs to be done to show GAS skin infections can lead to ARF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J. Tyrrell
- Division of Diagnostic and Applied Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Alberta Precision Laboratories, Public Health–Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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22
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Ozberk V, Reynolds S, Huo Y, Calcutt A, Eskandari S, Dooley J, Mills JL, Rasmussen IS, Dietrich J, Pandey M, Good MF. Prime-Pull Immunization with a Bivalent M-Protein and Spy-CEP Peptide Vaccine Adjuvanted with CAF®01 Liposomes Induces Both Mucosal and Peripheral Protection from covR/S Mutant Streptococcus pyogenes. mBio 2021; 12:e03537-20. [PMID: 33622722 PMCID: PMC8545125 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03537-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections with Streptococcus pyogenes and their sequelae are responsible for an estimated 18 million cases of serious disease with >700 million new primary cases and 500,000 deaths per year. Despite the burden of disease, there is currently no vaccine available for this organism. Here, we define a combination vaccine P*17/K4S2 comprising of 20-mer B-cell peptide epitopes, p*17 (a mutant derived from the highly conserved C3-repeat region of the M-protein), and K4S2 (derived from the streptococcal anti-neutrophil factor, Spy-CEP). The peptides are chemically conjugated to either diphtheria toxoid (DT) or a nontoxic mutant form of diphtheria toxin, CRM197. We demonstrate that a prime-pull immunization regimen involving two intramuscular inoculations with P*17/K4S2 adjuvanted with a two-component liposomal adjuvant system (CAF01; developed by Statens Serum Institut [SSI], Denmark), followed by an intranasal inoculation of unadjuvanted vaccine (in Tris) induces peptide- and S. pyogenes-binding antibodies and protects from mucosal and skin infection with hypervirulent covR/S mutant organisms. Prior vaccination with DT does not diminish the response to the conjugate peptide vaccines. Detailed Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) toxicological evaluation in male and female rats did not reveal any gross or histopathological adverse effects.IMPORTANCE A vaccine to control S. pyogenes infection is desperately warranted. S. pyogenes colonizes the upper respiratory tract (URT) and skin, from where it can progress to invasive and immune-mediated diseases. Global mortality estimates for S. pyogenes-associated diseases exceeds 500,000 deaths per year. S. pyogenes utilizes antigenic variation as a defense mechanism to circumvent host immune responses and thus a successful vaccine needs to provide strain-transcending and multicompartment (mucosal and skin) immunity. By defining highly conserved and protective epitopes from two critical virulence factors (M-protein and Spy-CEP) and combining them with a potent immunostimulant, CAF®01, we are addressing an unmet clinical need for a mucosally and skin-active subunit vaccine. We demonstrate that prime-pull immunization (2× intramuscular injections followed by intranasal immunization) promotes high sustained antibody levels in the airway mucosa and serum and protects against URT and invasive disease.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial/blood
- Antigens, Bacterial/genetics
- Antigens, Bacterial/immunology
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/administration & dosage
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/immunology
- Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Female
- Immunity, Mucosal
- Immunization/methods
- Liposomes/administration & dosage
- Liposomes/chemistry
- Male
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Streptococcal Infections/prevention & control
- Streptococcal Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Streptococcal Vaccines/immunology
- Streptococcus pyogenes/genetics
- Streptococcus pyogenes/immunology
- Vaccines, Subunit/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Ozberk
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Simone Reynolds
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Yongbao Huo
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Ainslie Calcutt
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | | | - Jessica Dooley
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Jamie-Lee Mills
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Ida S Rasmussen
- Center for Vaccine Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jes Dietrich
- Center for Vaccine Research, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Manisha Pandey
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Michael F Good
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
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23
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Thomas S, Bennett J, Jack S, Oliver J, Purdie G, Upton A, Baker MG. Descriptive analysis of group A Streptococcus in skin swabs and acute rheumatic fever, Auckland, New Zealand, 2010-2016. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC 2021; 8:100101. [PMID: 34327427 PMCID: PMC8315459 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Group A Streptococcus (GAS) can trigger an immune-mediated response resulting in acute rheumatic fever (ARF). Historically, ARF has been considered a consequence of preceding GAS pharyngitis, but increasing evidence suggests that GAS skin infections may be a driver. Data on the primary care burden of GAS skin infection are limited. This paper aims to describe and compare the prevalence and distribution of GAS detection in skin swabs and ARF rates in the Auckland population. Methods This cross-sectional study used all laboratory skin swab data from people who had a skin swab taken as a result of a consultation with a health professional in the Auckland region (2010–2016). Initial primary hospitalisations for ARF were identified and all data were linked using unique patient identifiers to patient's age, prioritised ethnicity, sex, and socio-economic status. Findings 377,410 skin swabs from 239,494 individuals were included. 12·8% of swabs were GAS positive, an annual incidence of 4·8 per 1,000 person-years. Māori and Pacific Peoples under 20 years of age had markedly higher GAS detection in skin swabs (RR 4·0; 95% CI 3·9–4·2: RR 6·8; 95% CI 6·6–7·0) and significantly higher ARF rates (RR 30·3; 95% CI 19·5–46·9: RR 69·7 95% CI 45·8–106·1) compared with European/Other ethnicities. Interpretation The observation that GAS detection was markedly higher in Māori and Pacific Peoples provides a potential explanation for the marked ethnic differences in ARF. These findings support a greater focus on addressing the burden of skin infection in NZ, including as ARF prevention. Funding The first author received a training stipend from the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine (NZCPHM) during her Masters of Public Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Thomas
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, 23a Mein Street, Newtown 6021, Wellington, 6021, New Zealand
| | - Julie Bennett
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, 23a Mein Street, Newtown 6021, Wellington, 6021, New Zealand
| | - Susan Jack
- Southern District Health Board, 201 Great Kind Street, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand.,Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, 18 Frederick Street, North Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 New Zealand
| | - Jane Oliver
- Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, 792 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Gordon Purdie
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, 23a Mein Street, Newtown 6021, Wellington, 6021, New Zealand
| | - Arlo Upton
- Southern Community Laboratories, Plunket House, 472 George Street Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Michael G Baker
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, 23a Mein Street, Newtown 6021, Wellington, 6021, New Zealand
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24
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Lake SJ, Engelman D, Sokana O, Nasi T, Boara D, Grobler AC, Osti MH, Andrews R, Marks M, Whitfeld MJ, Romani L, Kaldor JM, Steer AC. Defining the need for public health control of scabies in Solomon Islands. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009142. [PMID: 33617544 PMCID: PMC7932527 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pacific Island countries have a high burden of scabies and impetigo. Understanding of the epidemiology of these diseases is needed to target public health interventions such as mass drug administration (MDA). The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of scabies and impetigo in Solomon Islands as well as the relationship between them and their distribution. We conducted a prevalence study in 20 villages in Western Province in Solomon Islands. All residents of the village were eligible to participate. Nurses conducted clinical assessments including history features and skin examination. Diagnosis of scabies was made using the 2020 International Alliance for the Control of Scabies diagnostic criteria. Assessments were completed on 5239 participants across 20 villages. Overall scabies prevalence was 15.0% (95%CI 11.8-19.1). There was considerable variation by village with a range of 3.3% to 42.6%. There was a higher prevalence of scabies in males (16.7%) than females (13.5%, adjusted relative risk 1.2, 95%CI 1.1-1.4). Children aged under two years had the highest prevalence (27%). Overall impetigo prevalence was 5.6% (95%CI 4.2-7.3), ranging from 1.4% to 19% by village. The population attributable risk of impetigo associated with scabies was 16.1% (95% CI 9.8-22.4). The prevalence of scabies in our study is comparable to previous studies in Solomon Islands, highlighting a persistent high burden of disease in the country, and the need for public health strategies for disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna J. Lake
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne Children’s Global Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Daniel Engelman
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne Children’s Global Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Oliver Sokana
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara Solomon Islands
| | - Titus Nasi
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara Solomon Islands
| | - Dickson Boara
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara Solomon Islands
| | - Anneke C. Grobler
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Millicent H. Osti
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ross Andrews
- Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Michael Marks
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lucia Romani
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - John M. Kaldor
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrew C. Steer
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne Children’s Global Health, Melbourne, Australia
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25
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Hempenstall A, Howell E, Kang K, Chau KWT, Browne AL, Kris E, Wapau H, Pilot P, Smith S, Reeves B, Hanson J. Echocardiographic Screening Detects Rheumatic Heart Disease and Missed Opportunities in the Treatment of Group A Streptococcal Infections in Australian Torres Strait Islander Children. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:1211-1214. [PMID: 33432909 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is almost entirely preventable, but the incidence in indigenous Australians remains one of the highest in the world. A community-based echocardiogram screening program of 862 Torres Strait Islander children identified 25 (2.9%) new cases of RHD. Among these 25 children, 5/7 (71%) prior acute rheumatic fever presentations had not been recognized. There was a history of microbiologically confirmed group A Streptococcus infection in 17/25 (68%) children with RHD compared with 9/25 (36%) controls (odds ratio [OR] [95% CI]: 3.78 [1.17-12.19], P = 0.03). This was more likely to be a skin swab (16/25 [64%] cases versus 6/25 [24%] controls) than a throat swab (1/25 [4%] cases versus 3/25 [12%] controls) (OR [95% CI]: 5.33 [1.51-18.90] [P = 0.01]), supporting a role for skin infection in RHD pathogenesis. Household crowding and unemployment were common in the cohort, emphasizing the need for prioritizing strategies that address the social determinants of health. This study explores the burden of rheumatic heart disease diagnosed during an echocardiogram screening program in the Torres Strait Islands in tropical Australia and highlights the importance of primordial and primary prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Hempenstall
- James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.,Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Thursday Island, Australia
| | - Erin Howell
- Cairns Hospital and Hinterland Health Service, Cairns, Australia
| | - Katherine Kang
- Cairns Hospital and Hinterland Health Service, Cairns, Australia
| | - Ken W T Chau
- Cairns Hospital and Hinterland Health Service, Cairns, Australia
| | - Amy-Lou Browne
- Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Thursday Island, Australia
| | - Ella Kris
- James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.,Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Thursday Island, Australia
| | - Hylda Wapau
- Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Thursday Island, Australia
| | - Pelista Pilot
- Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Thursday Island, Australia
| | - Simon Smith
- Cairns Hospital and Hinterland Health Service, Cairns, Australia
| | - Benjamin Reeves
- Cairns Hospital and Hinterland Health Service, Cairns, Australia
| | - Josh Hanson
- The Kirby Institute, Sydney, Australia.,Cairns Hospital and Hinterland Health Service, Cairns, Australia
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26
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de Crombrugghe G, Baroux N, Botteaux A, Moreland NJ, Williamson DA, Steer AC, Smeesters PR. The Limitations of the Rheumatogenic Concept for Group A Streptococcus: Systematic Review and Genetic Analysis. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 70:1453-1460. [PMID: 31334754 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The concept that a minority of group A streptococcus (GAS) emm types are more "rheumatogenic" than others has been widely disseminated. We aimed to provide a comprehensive list of acute rheumatic fever-associated GAS isolates and assess the presence of associated rheumatogenic motifs. METHODS Articles reporting GAS emm-type or emm-type-specific antibody responses associated with rheumatic fever were identified from 1 January 1944 to 31 July 2018. The revised Jones criteria were used to define rheumatic fever with a maximum period of 4 weeks between disease onset and microbiological characterization. A database of 175 representative M-protein sequences was used to analyze the protein diversity of rheumatic fever-associated strains in a phylogenetic tree and to identify the presence of 10 previously recognized rheumatogenic motifs. RESULTS We included 411 cases of rheumatic fever, for which microbiological characterization identified 73 different emm types associated with the disease. The classic rheumatogenic emm types represented only 12.3% of the 73 emm types and were responsible for 31.6% of the 411 clinical cases. Rheumatic fever-associated emm types were disseminated throughout the phylogeny, suggesting they belong to various genetic backgrounds. Rheumatic fever-associated motifs were present in only 15.1% of the rheumatic fever-associated emm types and only 24.8% of clinical cases. CONCLUSIONS The concept of rheumatogenicity should be extended to include strains other than those classically described. Our results highlight significant knowledge gaps in the understanding of rheumatic fever pathogenesis and suggest that a GAS vaccine candidate should offer broad coverage against a variety of GAS genetic variants in order to protect against this serious sequela.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle de Crombrugghe
- Academic Children Hospital Queen Fabiola, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Noemie Baroux
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anne Botteaux
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nicole J Moreland
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew C Steer
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for International Child Health, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Pierre R Smeesters
- Academic Children Hospital Queen Fabiola, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for International Child Health, University of Melbourne, Australia
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Taiaroa G, Matalavea B, Tafuna'i M, Lacey JA, Price DJ, Isaia L, Leaupepe H, Viali S, Lee D, Gorrie CL, Williamson DA, Jack S. Scabies and impetigo in Samoa: A school-based clinical and molecular epidemiological study. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC 2020; 6:100081. [PMID: 34327410 PMCID: PMC8315614 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2020.100081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Common infections of the skin such as impetigo and scabies represent a large burden of disease globally, being particularly prevalent in tropical and resource-limited settings. Efforts to address these infections through mass drug administrations have recently been shown as efficacious and safe. In Samoa, a Pacific Island nation, there is a marked lack of epidemiological data for these neglected tropical diseases, or appreciation of their drivers in this setting. Methods An observational, cross-sectional survey of children aged between 4 and 15 years attending primary schools in rural areas of Upolu Island, Samoa was carried out to assess the prevalence of impetigo and scabies in schoolchildren residing in rural Samoa, integrated with descriptive epidemiological and microbial genomic data. A phylogenetic assessment of local Staphylococcus aureus isolated from Samoan schoolchildren was performed to estimate putative community transmission. Findings In this survey, the prevalence of impetigo observed in Samoan schoolchildren was one of the highest described globally (57•1%, 95% CI [53•8-60•5%], 476/833). Associations between active impetigo and age and gender were noted, with younger children and males more commonly affected (aOR2•8 [1•8-4•7]and aOR1•8 [1•3-2•5], respectively). The prevalence of scabies was similar to that seen in other South Pacific island countries (14•4%, 95% CI [12•2-17•0%], 120/833). Transmission of S. aureus was predicted, primarily between those children attending the same school. Carriage of S. pyogenes was notably low, with pharyngeal carriage observed in less than 2% of schoolchildren, consistent with earlier studies from Samoa. Interpretation This study describes a considerable burden of disease attributed to impetigo and scabies in Samoa. These findings will be valuable in addressing the public health challenge posed by these conditions, providing baseline prevalence data and highlighting practical strategies to reduce transmission of relevant microbes and parasites in this setting. Tala Tomua O a'afiaga o le pa'u i fa'ama'i o le po'u (impetigo) ma le utu o le pa'u (scabies), ua tele naua le fanau ua maua ai i le pasefika, ma le lalolagi atoa. O fuafuaga vaai mamao ma polokalame e fofoina ai nei faafitauli, e aofia ai le inumaga o fualaau e tapeina ai nei fa'ama'i, ua aliali mai ai e mafai ona faatamaia nei fa'ama'i. E le o tele ni tusitusiga ma faamaumauga i totonu o Samoa, pe ta'atele nei fa'amai o le pa'u pe leai. Ona o le le faatauaina o nei fa'ama'i, e le o iloa fo'i ni mafuaga ma nisi tulaga e faateleina ai nei fa'ama'i o le pa'u i Samoa. Faatinoina o le suesuega O le suesuega faasaenisi i le fanau aoga i le va o le 4 ma le 15 tausaga o loo ao'oga i le tulaga lua i nisi o nu'u i tua i Upolu, na faatinoina ai suesuega lea, ia suesueina ai le aotelega ma fainumera o le fanau ua maua i fa'ama'I o le po'u (impetigo) ma le utu o le pa'u (scabies). O lenei foi suesuega, na fia iloa ai fo'i po'o a ituaiga siama eseese o loo maua i luga o pa'u ma tino o le fanau aoga, ina ia iloa ai foi auala ua pipisi ai nei siama mai le isi tamaitiiti i le isi, ona mafua ai lea o nei fa'ama'i o le pa'u. Tanuuga o le suesuega Ua faailoa mai i le suesuega, le ta'atele o le fa'ama'i o le po'u (impetigo) ua maua ai le fanau aoga (57%), i aoga na faia ai le suesuega. O se fainumera ua maualuga tele i le lalolagi atoa. E toatele atu nisi o le fanau laiti (younger) ma tama (male) e maua i le po'u nai lo isi tamaiti. O le fainumera o le utu o le pa'u (scabies) (14·4%) e tai tutusa lava ma isi motu o le Pasefika. O le feaveaina o le siama faapitoa (staph aureus) ua tupu lea i le fanau ua ao'oga i le aoga e tasi. E le toatele foi nisi o le fanau (2%) na maua i le siama faapitoa o le fa'ai (strep pyogenes) e ona mafua ai le fiva rumatika. O lenei fainumera ua tai tutusa ma suesuega faasaenisi na fai muamua i Samoa. Aotelega O le aotelega la o lenei suesuega faasaenisi, ua faailoaina mai ai le tele naua o le fa'ama'i o le pa'u, o po'u (impetigo) ma le utu o le pa'u (scabies) i Samoa nei. O nei foi suesuega o le a aoga tele ini polokalame ma ni fuafuaga mamao e fa'afoisia ai nei faafitauli i le soifua maloloina o le fanau i Samoa. O le a avea foi nei fainumera e faamaumauina mo le silafia e le atunuu ma le soifua maloloina, le ta'atele o nei fa'amai o le pa'u, mo le tapenaina o ni fofo talafeagai ise taimi o i luma, ina ia faaitiitina ai le pipisi o nei siami i fanau ao'oga i Samoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Taiaroa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ben Matalavea
- Faculty of Medicine, National University of Samoa, Apia, Samoa.,National Kidney Foundation of Samoa, Apia, Samoa
| | - Malama Tafuna'i
- Centre for Pacific Health, Division of Health Sciences, The University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jake A Lacey
- Doherty Department at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David J Price
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory Epidemiology Unit, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lupeoletalalelei Isaia
- Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole National Hospital Laboratory, Samoa Ministry of Health, Apia, Samoa
| | - Hinauri Leaupepe
- Tupua Tamasese Mea'ole National Hospital Laboratory, Samoa Ministry of Health, Apia, Samoa
| | | | - Darren Lee
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Claire L Gorrie
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia.,Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susan Jack
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand.,Public Health Unit, Southern District Health Board, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Norrby-Teglund A, Siemens N. Is It Time to Reconsider the Group A Streptococcal Rheumatogenic Concept? Clin Infect Dis 2020; 70:1461-1462. [PMID: 31334751 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Norrby-Teglund
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Nikolai Siemens
- Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes, Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, University of Greifswald, Germany
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29
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A scabies outbreak in the North East Region of Ghana: The necessity for prompt intervention. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008902. [PMID: 33351803 PMCID: PMC7787682 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is a dearth of data on scabies from Ghana. In September 2019, local health authorities in the East Mamprusi district of northern Ghana received reports of scabies from many parts of the district. Due to on-going reports of more cases, an assessment team visited the communities to assess the effect of the earlier individual treatment on the outbreak. The assessment team furthermore aimed to contribute to the data on scabies burden in Ghana and to demonstrate the use of the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) diagnostic tool in a field survey in a resource limited setting. Methodology/Principal findings This was a cross sectional study. Demographic information and medical history was collected on all participants using a REDCap questionnaire. A standardised skin examination of exposed regions of the body was performed on all participants. Scabies was diagnosed based on the criteria of the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS). Participants were mostly female (61.5%) and had a median age of 18.8 years (IQR 13–25). Two hundred out of 283 (71%) of participants had scabies with most (47%) presenting with moderate disease. Impetigo was found in 22% of participants with scabies and 10.8% of those without scabies [RR 2.27 (95% CI 1.21–4.27)]. 119 participants who received scabies treatment in the past months still had clinical evidence of the disease. 97% of participants reported a recent scabies contact. Scabies was commoner in participants ≤16 years compared to those >16 years [RR 3.06 (95% CI 1.73–5.45)]. Conclusion/Significance The prevalence of scabies was extremely high. The lack of a systematic approach to scabies treatment led to recurrence and ongoing community spread. The IACS criteria was useful in this outbreak assessment in Ghana. Alternative strategies such as Mass drug administration may be required to contain outbreaks early in such settings. Scabies, recently categorised as a Neglected Tropical Disease by the WHO is caused by infestation with Sarcoptes scabiei and is characterised by intense pruritus and rash that typically involves the genitalia and the web spaces of the fingers and toes. It has a large global burden and is associated with significant morbidity and socio-economic burden. Secondary bacterial infections following scabies can lead to significant complications including chronic kidney disease from glomerulonephritis and possibly rheumatic heart disease. An outbreak of scabies was reported in Ghana’s East Mamprusi district in September 2019. Despite earlier treatment of individual cases, scabies prevalence was 71%. About 19% of participants had impetigo which was mostly mild in severity. Absence of a systematic approach to treat scabies led to recurrence and ongoing community spread. The recently published IACS criteria for diagnosing scabies proved useful in this outbreak assessment in Ghana. Alternative strategies such as Mass drug administration may be required to contain outbreaks in such settings.
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30
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Abrha S, Tesfaye W, Thomas J. Intolerable Burden of Impetigo in Endemic Settings: A Review of the Current State of Play and Future Directions for Alternative Treatments. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:E909. [PMID: 33333955 PMCID: PMC7765423 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9120909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Impetigo (school sores) is a common superficial bacterial skin infection affecting around 162 million children worldwide, with the highest burden in Australian Aboriginal children. While impetigo itself is treatable, if left untreated, it can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as chronic heart and kidney diseases. Topical antibiotics are often considered the treatment of choice for impetigo, but the clinical efficacy of these treatments is declining at an alarming rate due to the rapid emergence and spread of resistant bacteria. In remote settings in Australia, topical antibiotics are no longer used for impetigo due to the troubling rise of antimicrobial resistance, demanding the use of oral and injectable antibiotic therapies. However, widespread use of these agents not only contributes to existing resistance, but also associated with adverse consequences for individuals and communities. These underscore the urgent need to reinvigorate the antibiotic discovery and alternative impetigo therapies in these settings. This review discusses the current impetigo treatment challenges in endemic settings in Australia and explores potential alternative antimicrobial therapies. The goals are to promote intensified research programs to facilitate effective use of currently available treatments, as well as developing new alternatives for impetigo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Abrha
- Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia; (S.A.); (W.T.)
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle 7000, Ethiopia
| | - Wubshet Tesfaye
- Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia; (S.A.); (W.T.)
| | - Jackson Thomas
- Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia; (S.A.); (W.T.)
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31
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Dooley LM, Ahmad TB, Pandey M, Good MF, Kotiw M. Rheumatic heart disease: A review of the current status of global research activity. Autoimmun Rev 2020; 20:102740. [PMID: 33333234 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a serious and long-term consequence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), an autoimmune sequela of a mucosal infection by Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus, Strep A). The pathogenesis of ARF and RHD is complex and not fully understood but involves host and bacterial factors, molecular mimicry, and aberrant host innate and adaptive immune responses that result in loss of self-tolerance and subsequent cross-reactivity with host tissues. RHD is entirely preventable yet claims an estimated 320 000 lives annually. The major burden of disease is carried by developing nations and Indigenous populations within developed nations, including Australia. This review will focus on the epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment of ARF and RHD in Australia, where: streptococcal pyoderma, rather than streptococcal pharyngitis, and Group C and Group G Streptococcus, have been implicated as antecedents to ARF; the rates of RHD in remote Indigenous communities are persistently among the highest in the world; government register-based programs coordinate disease screening and delivery of prophylaxis with variable success; and researchers are making significant progress in the development of a broad-spectrum vaccine against Strep A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne M Dooley
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia; Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Tarek B Ahmad
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia; Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Manisha Pandey
- The Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Michael F Good
- The Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Michael Kotiw
- School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia; Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
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32
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Engelman D, Yoshizumi J, Hay R, Osti M, Micali G, Norton S, Walton S, Boralevi F, Bernigaud C, Bowen A, Chang A, Chosidow O, Estrada‐Chavez G, Feldmeier H, Ishii N, Lacarrubba F, Mahé A, Maurer T, Mahdi M, Murdoch M, Pariser D, Nair P, Rehmus W, Romani L, Tilakaratne D, Tuicakau M, Walker S, Wanat K, Whitfeld M, Yotsu R, Steer A, Fuller L. The 2020 International Alliance for the Control of Scabies Consensus Criteria for the Diagnosis of Scabies. Br J Dermatol 2020; 183:808-820. [PMID: 32034956 PMCID: PMC7687112 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.18943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scabies is a common parasitic skin condition that causes considerable morbidity globally. Clinical and epidemiological research for scabies has been limited by a lack of standardization of diagnostic methods. OBJECTIVES To develop consensus criteria for the diagnosis of common scabies that could be implemented in a variety of settings. METHODS Consensus diagnostic criteria were developed through a Delphi study with international experts. Detailed recommendations were collected from the expert panel to define the criteria features and guide their implementation. These comments were then combined with a comprehensive review of the available literature and the opinion of an expanded group of international experts to develop detailed, evidence-based definitions and diagnostic methods. RESULTS The 2020 International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) Consensus Criteria for the Diagnosis of Scabies include three levels of diagnostic certainty and eight subcategories. Confirmed scabies (level A) requires direct visualization of the mite or its products. Clinical scabies (level B) and suspected scabies (level C) rely on clinical assessment of signs and symptoms. Evidence-based, consensus methods for microscopy, visualization and clinical symptoms and signs were developed, along with a media library. CONCLUSIONS The 2020 IACS Criteria represent a pragmatic yet robust set of diagnostic features and methods. The criteria may be implemented in a range of research, public health and clinical settings by selecting the appropriate diagnostic levels and subcategories. These criteria may provide greater consistency and standardization for scabies diagnosis. Validation studies, development of training materials and development of survey methods are now required. What is already known about this topic? The diagnosis of scabies is limited by the lack of accurate, objective tests. Microscopy of skin scrapings can confirm the diagnosis, but it is insensitive, invasive and often impractical. Diagnosis usually relies on clinical assessment, although visualization using dermoscopy is becoming increasingly common. These diagnostic methods have not been standardized, hampering the interpretation of findings from clinical research and epidemiological surveys, and the development of scabies control strategies. What does this study add? International consensus diagnostic criteria for common scabies were developed through a Delphi study with global experts. The 2020 International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) Criteria categorize diagnosis at three levels of diagnostic certainty (confirmed, clinical and suspected scabies) and eight subcategories, and can be adapted to a range of research and public health settings. Detailed definitions and figures are included to aid training and implementation. The 2020 IACS Criteria may facilitate the standardization of scabies diagnosis.
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Beaton A, Kamalembo FB, Dale J, Kado JH, Karthikeyan G, Kazi DS, Longenecker CT, Mwangi J, Okello E, Ribeiro ALP, Taubert KA, Watkins DA, Wyber R, Zimmerman M, Carapetis J. The American Heart Association's Call to Action for Reducing the Global Burden of Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2020; 142:e358-e368. [PMID: 33070654 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000000922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) affects ≈40 million people and claims nearly 300 000 lives each year. The historic passing of a World Health Assembly resolution on RHD in 2018 now mandates a coordinated global response. The American Heart Association is committed to serving as a global champion and leader in RHD care and prevention. Here, we pledge support in 5 key areas: (1) professional healthcare worker education and training, (2) technical support for the implementation of evidence-based strategies for rheumatic fever/RHD prevention, (3) access to essential medications and technologies, (4) research, and (5) advocacy to increase global awareness, resources, and capacity for RHD control. In bolstering the efforts of the American Heart Association to combat RHD, we hope to inspire others to collaborate, communicate, and contribute.
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34
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Vekemans J, Gouvea-Reis F, Kim JH, Excler JL, Smeesters PR, O'Brien KL, Van Beneden CA, Steer AC, Carapetis JR, Kaslow DC. The Path to Group A Streptococcus Vaccines: World Health Organization Research and Development Technology Roadmap and Preferred Product Characteristics. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 69:877-883. [PMID: 30624673 PMCID: PMC6695511 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy1143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections result in a considerable underappreciated burden of acute and chronic disease globally. A 2018 World Health Assembly resolution calls for better control and prevention. Providing guidance on global health research needs is an important World Health Organization (WHO) activity, influencing prioritization of investments. Here, the role, status, and directions in GAS vaccines research are discussed. WHO preferred product characteristics and a research and development technology roadmap, briefly presented, offer an actionable framework for vaccine development to regulatory and policy decision making, availability, and use. GAS vaccines should be considered for global prevention of the range of clinical manifestations and associated antibiotic use. Impediments related to antigen diversity, safety concerns, and the difficulty to establish vaccine efficacy against rheumatic heart disease are discussed. Demonstration of vaccine efficacy against pharyngitis and skin infections constitutes a key near-term strategic goal. Investments and collaborative partnerships to diversify and advance vaccine candidates are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Vekemans
- Initiative for Vaccine Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Jerome H Kim
- International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Pierre R Smeesters
- Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles.,Department of Pediatrics, Academic Children Hospital Queen Fabiola, Brussels, Belgium.,Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute.,Centre for International Child Health, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Chris A Van Beneden
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Andrew C Steer
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne.,Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne
| | - Jonathan R Carapetis
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia and Perth Children's Hospital, Australia
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35
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Oliver J, Osowicki J, Cordell B, Hardy M, Engelman D, Steer AC. Incidence of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Melbourne, Australia from 1937 to 2013. J Paediatr Child Health 2020; 56:1408-1413. [PMID: 32640123 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.14950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) most commonly presents in children aged 5-14 years old. Lifelong rheumatic heart disease (RHD) can result. This study investigated time trends in ARF and RHD using inpatient data from the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne (RCH). METHODS A retrospective cohort study covering the period 1937-2013 was conducted using records from RCH, a quaternary paediatric hospital in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Patient data were identified using RCH classification of diseases coding for ARF or RHD for years <1952. For the period 1952-1987, this system was used in addition to identifying International Classification of Disease (ICD) discharge codes that corresponded to ARF or RHD. From 1988-2013, only ICD codes were used to identify patient data. Descriptive epidemiological analyses were performed, including incidence rate calculations using historical census population denominator data. Analyses focussed on children in the peak age group. RESULTS Among children aged five to 14 years, a total of 4337 RCH admissions with ARF/RHD occurred for 3015 patients. A sharp decline in first ARF/RHD hospitalisations at RCH occurred from 1959, following a peak mean annual incidence rate during 1944-1947 of 40.1/100 000 children (95% confidence interval (CI): 36.6-43.9; P < 0.05). Over 1996-2013, the mean annual incidence rate was 1.6/100 000 (95% CI: 1.3-1.8) and reached 2.3/100 000 (95% CI: 1.3-3.7) in 2005. CONCLUSION The burden of ARF and RHD treated at RCH declined following the 1940s, mirroring changes seen in North America and Europe. Despite this, inpatient treatment for these conditions continued to be provided right up until the end of the study period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Oliver
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joshua Osowicki
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Billie Cordell
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Myra Hardy
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel Engelman
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew C Steer
- Tropical Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Lake SJ, Phelan SL, Engelman D, Sokana O, Nasi T, Boara D, Gorae C, Schuster T, Grobler AC, Osti MH, Andrews R, Marks M, Whitfeld MJ, Romani L, Kaldor J, Steer A. Protocol for a cluster-randomised non-inferiority trial of one versus two doses of ivermectin for the control of scabies using a mass drug administration strategy (the RISE study). BMJ Open 2020; 10:e037305. [PMID: 32868360 PMCID: PMC7462236 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Scabies is a significant contributor to global morbidity, affecting approximately 200 million people at any time. Scabies is endemic in many resource-limited tropical settings. Bacterial skin infection (impetigo) frequently complicates scabies infestation in these settings. Community-wide ivermectin-based mass drug administration (MDA) is an effective control strategy for scabies in island settings, with a single round of MDA reducing population prevalence by around 90%. However, current two-dose regimens present a number of barriers to programmatic MDA implementation. We designed the Regimens of Ivermectin for Scabies Elimination (RISE) trial to investigate whether one-dose MDA may be as effective as two-dose MDA in controlling scabies in high-prevalence settings. METHODS AND ANALYSIS RISE is a cluster-randomised non-inferiority trial. The study will be conducted in 20 isolated villages in Western Province of Solomon Islands where population prevalence of scabies is approximately 20%. Villages will be randomly allocated to receive either one dose or two doses of ivermectin-based MDA in a 1:1 ratio. The primary objective of the study is to determine if ivermectin-based MDA with one dose is as effective as MDA with two doses in reducing the prevalence of scabies after 12 months. Secondary objectives include the effect of ivermectin-based MDA on impetigo prevalence after 12 and 24 months, the prevalence of scabies at 24 months after the intervention, the impact on presentation to health facilities with scabies and impetigo, and the safety of one-dose and two-dose MDA. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This trial has been approved by the ethics review committees of the Solomon Islands and the Royal Children's Hospital, Australia. Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and in meetings with the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services and participating communities. TRIAL REGISTRATION DETAILS Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12618001086257. Date registered: 28 June 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna J Lake
- Tropical Disease Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sophie L Phelan
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Daniel Engelman
- Tropical Disease Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Oliver Sokana
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Titus Nasi
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Dickson Boara
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Christina Gorae
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Tibor Schuster
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anneke C Grobler
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Millicent H Osti
- Tropical Disease Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ross Andrews
- Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, UK
| | - Margot J Whitfeld
- Department of Dermatology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lucia Romani
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Kaldor
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Andrew Steer
- Tropical Disease Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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37
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Acute and Chronic Complications of Rheumatic Heart Disease. CASE 2020; 4:208-211. [PMID: 32875183 PMCID: PMC7451928 DOI: 10.1016/j.case.2020.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Acute rheumatic fever. Long-term complications of treated rheumatic heart disease. A rare complication: thrombosed mechanical tricuspid valve.
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38
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Macleod CK, Bright P, Steer AC, Kim J, Mabey D, Parks T. Neglecting the neglected: the objective evidence of underfunding in rheumatic heart disease. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2020; 113:287-290. [PMID: 30927004 PMCID: PMC6515896 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trz014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the substantial global burden of disease, rheumatic heart disease research receives little funding globally. METHODS Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study and funding from the G-FINDER database, we propose a novel logarithmic disability neglect index (DNI) to describe disease burden using disability-adjusted life years relative to funding for 16 major tropical diseases. RESULTS Across a range of diseases, rheumatic heart disease received the least funding relative to disease burden (DNI=3.83). Other diseases facing similar underfunding include cysticercosis (DNI=2.71) and soil-transmitted helminths (DNI=2.41). CONCLUSIONS Rheumatic heart disease remains severely underfunded relative to disease burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin K Macleod
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - Philip Bright
- Department of Immunology, Royal Free Hospital, 10 Pond St, Hampstead, London, UK
| | - Andrew C Steer
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Rd, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jerome Kim
- International Vaccine Institute, SNU Research Park, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - David Mabey
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
| | - Tom Parks
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
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Padovese V, Dassoni F, Morrone A. Scabies coexisting with other dermatoses: the importance of recognizing multiple pathologies in resource‐poor settings. Int J Dermatol 2020; 59:1502-1505. [DOI: 10.1111/ijd.15023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Valeska Padovese
- Department of Dematology and Venerology Genito‐Urinary Clinic Mater Dei Hospital Msida Malta
- Ayder Referral Hospital Mekelle Ethiopia
| | | | - Aldo Morrone
- San Gallicano Dermatological Institute Rome Italy
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40
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Qian J, Xie J, Lakshmipriya T, Gopinath SCB, Xu H. Heart Infection Prognosis Analysis by Two-dimensional Spot Tracking Imaging. Curr Med Imaging 2020; 16:534-544. [PMID: 32484087 DOI: 10.2174/1573405615666190130164037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular death is one of the leading causes worldwide; an accurate identification followed by diagnosing the cardiovascular disease increases the chance of a better recovery. Among different demonstrated strategies, imaging on cardiac infections yields a visible result and highly reliable compared to other analytical methods. Two-dimensional spot tracking imaging is the emerging new technology that has been used to study the function and structure of the heart and test the deformation and movement of the myocardium. Particularly, it helps to capture the images of each segment in different directions of myocardial strain values, such as valves of radial strain, longitudinal strain, and circumferential strain. In this overview, we discussed the imaging of infections in the heart by using the two-dimensional spot tracking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Qian
- Department of ICU, Shuyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shuyang, Suqian, Jiangsu 223600, China
| | - Jing Xie
- Department of ICU, Shuyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shuyang, Suqian, Jiangsu 223600, China
| | - Thangavel Lakshmipriya
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Kangar 01000, Perlis, Malaysia
| | - Subash C B Gopinath
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Kangar 01000, Perlis, Malaysia.,School of Bioprocess Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Arau 02600, Perlis, Malaysia
| | - Huaigang Xu
- Department of ICU, Shuyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shuyang, Suqian, Jiangsu 223600, China
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41
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Marks M, Toloka H, Baker C, Kositz C, Asugeni J, Puiahi E, Asugeni R, Azzopardi K, Diau J, Kaldor JM, Romani L, Redman-MacLaren M, MacLaren D, Solomon AW, Mabey DCW, Steer AC. Randomized Trial of Community Treatment With Azithromycin and Ivermectin Mass Drug Administration for Control of Scabies and Impetigo. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 68:927-933. [PMID: 29985978 PMCID: PMC6399435 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Scabies is a public health problem in many countries, with impetigo and its complications important consequences. Ivermectin based mass drug administration (MDA) reduces the prevalence of scabies and, to a lesser extent, impetigo. We studied the impact of co-administering azithromycin on the prevalence of impetigo and antimicrobial resistance. Methods Six communities were randomized to receive either ivermectin-based MDA or ivermectin-based MDA co-administered with azithromycin. We measured scabies and impetigo prevalence at baseline and 12 months. We collected impetigo lesions swabs at baseline, 3 and 12 months to detect antimicrobial resistance. Results At baseline, scabies and impetigo prevalences were 11.8% and 10.1% in the ivermectin-only arm and 9.2% and 12.1% in the combined treatment arm. At 12 months, the prevalences had fallen to 1.0% and 2.5% in the ivermectin-only arm and 0.7% and 3.3% in the combined treatment arm. The proportion of impetigo lesions containing Staphylococcus aureus detected did not change (80% at baseline vs 86% at 12 months; no significant difference between arms) but the proportion containing pyogenic streptococci fell significantly (63% vs 23%, P < .01). At 3 months, 53% (8/15) of S. aureus isolates were macrolide-resistant in the combined treatment arm, but no resistant strains (0/13) were detected at 12 months. Conclusions Co-administration of azithromycin with ivermectin led to similar decreases in scabies and impetigo prevalence compared to ivermectin alone. The proportion of impetigo lesions containing pyogenic streptococci declined following MDA. There was a transient increase in the proportion of macrolide-resistant S. aureus strains following azithromycin MDA. Clinical Trials Registration clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02775617).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.,Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Hilary Toloka
- Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands
| | - Ciara Baker
- Group A Streptococcal Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christian Kositz
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - James Asugeni
- Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands
| | - Elliot Puiahi
- National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Rowena Asugeni
- Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands
| | - Kristy Azzopardi
- Group A Streptococcal Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jason Diau
- Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands
| | - John M Kaldor
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney
| | - Lucia Romani
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney
| | | | - David MacLaren
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anthony W Solomon
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.,Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom
| | - David C W Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom.,Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew C Steer
- National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands.,Centre for International Child Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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42
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Anderson A, Spray J. Beyond awareness: Towards a critically conscious health promotion for rheumatic fever in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Soc Sci Med 2020; 247:112798. [PMID: 32007766 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.112798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Since 2014, the Rheumatic Fever Prevention Programme has targeted communities in Aotearoa, New Zealand affected by high rates of rheumatic fever (RF): namely, Māori and Pacific families. Initiated with the aim of reducing ethnic health disparities, the Health Promotion Agency attempted to use culturally appropriate approaches by engaging in consultative processes with Māori and Pacific communities and health leaders in developing the intervention. However, these consultations largely focused on evaluating strategies for reaching "priority" audiences with the message to get sore throats checked and on changing health-seeking behaviours. There was little regard for what the structural roots of RF in Aotearoa might suggest about equitable interventions, nor for the potentially harmful effects of the messages and their presentation. The concept of structural violence can be a useful analytical tool to critically evaluate such interventions which attempt to address health disparities but do not meaningfully attend to equity. Drawing on three ethnographic studies with: 1) Northland Māori families (Anderson et al., 2015); 2) North Island Māori and Pacific families (Anderson et al., 2017); and 3) Māori and Pacific children at a South Auckland school (Spray, 2020), we show how recategorising RF disparities as expressions of violence reveals how, despite including cultural consultation, interventions may still inequitably distribute responsibility. In particular, by responsibilising communities affected with the highest rates of RF, the intervention creates collateral damage of stigma, internalised blame, emotional suffering and hypervigilance that reproduces structural violence. We suggest that attending to how families experience public health messaging in the context of their daily lives may guide a more critical and culturally safe health promotion that looks beyond awareness and behaviour and towards equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneka Anderson
- Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
| | - Julie Spray
- Anthropology, School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
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Analysis of Global Collection of Group A Streptococcus Genomes Reveals that the Majority Encode a Trio of M and M-Like Proteins. mSphere 2020; 5:5/1/e00806-19. [PMID: 31915226 PMCID: PMC6952200 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00806-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
While the GAS M protein has been the leading vaccine target for decades, the bacteria encode many other virulence factors of interest for vaccine development. In this work, we show that emm-like genes are encoded in a remarkable majority of GAS genomes and expressed at a level similar to that for the emm gene. In collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, we developed molecular definitions of the different emm and emm-like gene families. This clarification should abrogate mistyping of strains, especially in the area of whole-genome typing. We have also updated the emm-typing collection by removing emm-like gene sequences and provided in-depth analysis of Mrp and Enn protein sequence structure and diversity. The core Mga (multiple gene activator) regulon of group A Streptococcus (GAS) contains genes encoding proteins involved in adhesion and immune evasion. While all GAS genomes contain genes for Mga and C5a peptidase, the intervening genes encoding M and M-like proteins vary between strains. The genetic make-up of the Mga regulon of GAS was characterized by utilizing a collection of 1,688 GAS genomes that are representative of the global GAS population. Sequence variations were examined with multiple alignments, and the expression of all core Mga regulon genes was examined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR in a representative strain collection. In 85.2% of the sampled genomes, the Mga locus contained genes encoding Mga, Mrp, M, Enn, and C5a peptidase proteins. These isolates account for 53% of global infections. Only 9.1% of genomes did not contain either an mrp or an enn gene. The pairwise identity within Enn (68.6%) and Mrp (83.2%) protein sequences was higher than within M proteins (44.7%). Gene expression varied between strains tested, but high expression was recorded for all genes in at least one strain. Previous nomenclature issues were clarified with molecular gene definitions. Our findings support a shift in focus in the GAS research field to further consider the role of Mrp and Enn in virulence and vaccine development. IMPORTANCE While the GAS M protein has been the leading vaccine target for decades, the bacteria encode many other virulence factors of interest for vaccine development. In this work, we show that emm-like genes are encoded in a remarkable majority of GAS genomes and expressed at a level similar to that for the emm gene. In collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, we developed molecular definitions of the different emm and emm-like gene families. This clarification should abrogate mistyping of strains, especially in the area of whole-genome typing. We have also updated the emm-typing collection by removing emm-like gene sequences and provided in-depth analysis of Mrp and Enn protein sequence structure and diversity.
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Anderson A, Brown R, Wheeler J, Jansen RM. Pacific Fono: a community-based initiative to improve rheumatic fever service delivery for Pacific Peoples in South Auckland. J Prim Health Care 2020; 12:384-390. [PMID: 33349328 DOI: 10.1071/hc20022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT Rheumatic fever inequitably affects Māori and Pacific children in New Zealand. School-based throat swabbing services, such as the South Auckland Mana Kidz programme, are a key element of rheumatic fever prevention interventions. ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM Counties Manukau has the highest national rates of rheumatic fever (4.7 per 100,000 for first recorded rates). Given these disparities, Mana Kidz undertook an exploratory, community-based initiative to improve its service delivery for Pacific Peoples. RESULTS Mana Kidz held a Pacific Leaders' Fono (meeting) to discuss initiatives to improve rheumatic fever outcomes in South Auckland focused around challenges and solutions for addressing rheumatic fever, effective engagement strategies and leadership qualities needed to drive initiatives. Oral and written responses from 66 attendees were collected and thematically analysed. Four key themes were identified around challenges and solutions for rheumatic fever: social determinants of health; cultural responsiveness; health system challenges; and education, promotion and literacy. Three effective engagement strategies were identified: by Pacific for Pacific; developing a rheumatic fever campaign; improving health services. Three key leadership attributes were identified: culturally responsive leaders; having specific expertise and skills; youth-driven leadership. STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT Mana Kidz has now created Pacific leadership roles in rheumatic fever governance groups, promotes Pacific workforce development and endorses Pacific-led initiatives and partnerships. LESSONS Recognising the value of critical reflection and the importance of good governance and collaborative, right-based partnerships in health services.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anneka Anderson
- PO Box 104221, Lincoln North, Auckland 0654, New Zealand; and Corresponding author: Anneka Anderson.
| | - Rachel Brown
- PO Box 104221, Lincoln North, Auckland 0654, New Zealand
| | - Jadene Wheeler
- PO Box 104221, Lincoln North, Auckland 0654, New Zealand
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Chang AY, Scheel A, Dewyer A, Hovis IW, Sarnacki R, Aliku T, Okello E, Bwanga F, Sable C, Maurer TA, Beaton AZ. Prevalence, Clinical Features and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Group A Streptococcal Skin Infections in School Children in Urban Western and Northern Uganda. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2019; 38:1183-1188. [PMID: 31568247 PMCID: PMC10495073 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000002467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Group A Streptococcus (GAS) skin infections can lead to invasive sepsis, poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, and potentially rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Within a study to identify predisposing factors of RHD in Ugandan schoolchildren, we determined the prevalence of skin infections and assessed the clinical features and antibiotic susceptibility of GAS skin infection. METHODS Cross-sectional study conducted at 3 urban primary schools in Western and Northern Uganda in March 2017. A dermatologist rendered clinical diagnoses and obtained a skin swab specimen from lesions with signs of bacterial infection. Beta-hemolytic colonies underwent Lancefield grouping, species identification by polymerase chain reaction and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. RESULTS From 3265 schoolchildren, we observed 32% with ≥1 fungal, 1.8% with ≥1 bacterial, 0.9% with ≥1 viral, and 0.2% with ≥1 ectoparasitic infection. Of 79, 25 (32%) specimens were GAS-positive, of which one-third demonstrated tetracycline resistance. Of 17 impetigo cases, 13 (76%) were located on the leg/foot and 3 (18%) on the head/neck. Prevalence of GAS skin infection was 0.8% (25 of 3265). In Northern Uganda, where subclinical definite RHD prevalence is 1.1%, GAS skin infection prevalence was 1.2% (4 of 343) and 0.9% (3 of 352). CONCLUSION This study identifies tetracycline-resistant GAS in Ugandan communities, suggests modified skin examination of exposed anatomic locations may be appropriate for population-based GAS skin infection studies, and underscores need for clear case definitions of GAS skin infection. Future studies are needed to evaluate the role of GAS skin infection in development of RHD in Ugandan communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen Y. Chang
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Dermatology, San Francisco, USA
| | - Amy Scheel
- Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alyssa Dewyer
- Children’s National Health System, Division of Cardiology, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Ian W. Hovis
- Children’s National Health System, Division of Cardiology, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Rachel Sarnacki
- Children’s National Health System, Division of Cardiology, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Twalib Aliku
- Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Emmy Okello
- Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Freddie Bwanga
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Craig Sable
- Children’s National Health System, Division of Cardiology, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Toby A. Maurer
- Department of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Andrea Z. Beaton
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, USA
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, USA
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Baker MG, Gurney J, Oliver J, Moreland NJ, Williamson DA, Pierse N, Wilson N, Merriman TR, Percival T, Murray C, Jackson C, Edwards R, Foster Page L, Chan Mow F, Chong A, Gribben B, Lennon D. Risk Factors for Acute Rheumatic Fever: Literature Review and Protocol for a Case-Control Study in New Zealand. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E4515. [PMID: 31731673 PMCID: PMC6888501 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16224515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and its sequela, rheumatic heart disease (RHD), have largely disappeared from high-income countries. However, in New Zealand (NZ), rates remain unacceptably high in indigenous Māori and Pacific populations. The goal of this study is to identify potentially modifiable risk factors for ARF to support effective disease prevention policies and programmes. A case-control design is used. Cases are those meeting the standard NZ case-definition for ARF, recruited within four weeks of hospitalisation for a first episode of ARF, aged less than 20 years, and residing in the North Island of NZ. This study aims to recruit at least 120 cases and 360 controls matched by age, ethnicity, gender, deprivation, district, and time period. For data collection, a comprehensive pre-tested questionnaire focussed on exposures during the four weeks prior to illness or interview will be used. Linked data include previous hospitalisations, dental records, and school characteristics. Specimen collection includes a throat swab (Group A Streptococcus), a nasal swab (Staphylococcus aureus), blood (vitamin D, ferritin, DNA for genetic testing, immune-profiling), and head hair (nicotine). A major strength of this study is its comprehensive focus covering organism, host and environmental factors. Having closely matched controls enables the examination of a wide range of specific environmental risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Baker
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6021, New Zealand; (J.G.); (J.O.); (N.P.); (R.E.)
| | - Jason Gurney
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6021, New Zealand; (J.G.); (J.O.); (N.P.); (R.E.)
| | - Jane Oliver
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6021, New Zealand; (J.G.); (J.O.); (N.P.); (R.E.)
| | - Nicole J Moreland
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand;
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Melbourne at The Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne 3010, Australia;
| | - Nevil Pierse
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6021, New Zealand; (J.G.); (J.O.); (N.P.); (R.E.)
| | - Nigel Wilson
- Green Lane Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services, Starship Children’s Hospital, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland 1023; New Zealand;
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand;
| | - Tony R Merriman
- Biochemistry Department, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand;
| | - Teuila Percival
- School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand;
- KidzFirst Children’s Hospital, Auckland 1640, New Zealand;
| | - Colleen Murray
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand (L.F.P.)
| | - Catherine Jackson
- Auckland Regional Public Health Service, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland 0622, New Zealand;
| | - Richard Edwards
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6021, New Zealand; (J.G.); (J.O.); (N.P.); (R.E.)
| | - Lyndie Foster Page
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand (L.F.P.)
| | | | - Angela Chong
- CBG Health Research Ltd, Auckland 0651, New Zealand; (A.C.); (B.G.)
| | - Barry Gribben
- CBG Health Research Ltd, Auckland 0651, New Zealand; (A.C.); (B.G.)
| | - Diana Lennon
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand;
- KidzFirst Children’s Hospital, Auckland 1640, New Zealand;
- Starship Children’s Hospital, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
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47
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Shayegan LH, Richards LE, Morel KD, Levin LE. Punched-out erosions with scalloped borders: Group A Streptococcal pustulosis. Pediatr Dermatol 2019; 36:995-996. [PMID: 31410890 DOI: 10.1111/pde.13956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
We present a case of an infant with severe atopic dermatitis infected with Streptococcus pyogenes who presented with pustules, honey-colored crusts, and punched-out erosions with scalloped borders mimicking eczema herpeticum or eczema coxsackium. We draw attention to this case to highlight the similar clinical appearance between bacterial and viral infections in the setting of atopic dermatitis and the importance of a broad workup and coverage while awaiting results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila H Shayegan
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | | | - Kimberly D Morel
- Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Laura E Levin
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, New York, New York
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48
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Marks M, Sammut T, Cabral MG, Teixeira da Silva E, Goncalves A, Rodrigues A, Manjuba C, Nakutum J, Ca J, D’Alessandro U, Achan J, Logan J, Bailey R, Mabey D, Last A, Walker SL. The prevalence of scabies, pyoderma and other communicable dermatoses in the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007820. [PMID: 31738757 PMCID: PMC6886863 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Skin diseases represent a significant public health problem in most low and middle income settings. Nevertheless, there is a relative paucity of high-quality epidemiological data on the prevalence of these conditions. MATERIALS/METHODS We conducted two cross-sectional population-based skin-surveys of children (6 months to 9 years old) in the Bijagós Archipelago of Guinea-Bissau during the dry season (February-March 2018) and the wet season (June-July 2018). Following a period of training, a nurse performed a standardised examination for communicable dermatoses for each participant. We calculated the prevalence of each skin condition and investigated demographic associations. RESULTS 1062 children were enrolled in the dry season survey of whom 318 (29.9%) had at least one skin diseases. The most common diagnosis was tinea capitis (154/1062, 14.5% - 95% CI 12.5-16.8%) followed by tinea corporis (84/1062, 7.9% - 95% CI 6.4-9.7%), pyoderma (82/1062, 7.7% - 95% CI 6.2-9.5%) and scabies (56/1062. 5.2% - 95%CI 4.0-6.8%). 320 children were enrolled in the wet season survey of whom 121 (37.8%) had at least one skin problem. Tinea capitis remained the most common diagnosis (79/320, 24.7% - 95% CI 20.1-29.9%), followed by pyoderma (38/320, 11.9% - 95% CI 8.6-16.1%), tinea corporis (23/320, 7.2% - 95% 4.7-10.7%) and scabies (6/320, 1.9% - 95% CI 0.8-4.2%). CONCLUSIONS Our study, which utilised robust population-based cluster random sampling methodology, demonstrates the substantial disease burden caused by common communicable dermatoses in this setting. Given these findings, there is a need to consider common dermatoses as part of Universal Health Coverage to deliver 'skin-health for all'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Marks
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Thomas Sammut
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Adriana Goncalves
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Jose Nakutum
- Region Sanitaria Bolama-Bijagós, Bubaque, Guinea Bissau
| | - Janete Ca
- Region Sanitaria Bolama-Bijagós, Bubaque, Guinea Bissau
| | - Umberto D’Alessandro
- MRC The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Fajara, Gambia
| | - Jane Achan
- MRC The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Fajara, Gambia
| | - James Logan
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin Bailey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Last
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen L. Walker
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Dermatology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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49
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Davidson L, Knight J, Bowen AC. Skin infections in Australian Aboriginal children: a narrative review. Med J Aust 2019; 212:231-237. [PMID: 31630410 PMCID: PMC9543154 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.50361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Impetigo, scabies, cellulitis and abscesses are common in Australian Aboriginal children. These conditions adversely affect wellbeing and are associated with serious long term sequelae, including invasive infection and post‐infectious complications, such as acute post‐streptococcal glomerulonephritis and acute rheumatic fever, which occurs at the highest documented rates in the world in remote Aboriginal communities. Observational research in remote communities in northern Australia has demonstrated a high concurrent burden of scabies and impetigo and their post‐infectious complications. Few data are available for other Australian states, especially for urban Aboriginal children; however, nationwide hospital data indicate that the disparity between Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal children in skin infection prevalence also exists in urban settings. The Australian National Healthy Skin Guideline summarises evidence‐based treatment of impetigo, scabies and fungal infections in high burden settings such as remote Aboriginal communities. It recommends systemic antibiotics for children with impetigo, and either topical permethrin or oral ivermectin (second line) for the individual and their contacts as equally efficacious treatments for scabies. β‐Lactams are the treatment of choice and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole and clindamycin are effective alternatives for treatment of paediatric cellulitis. Abscesses require incision and drainage and a 5‐day course of trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole or clindamycin. Addressing normalisation of skin infections and the social determinants of skin health are key challenges for the clinician. Research is underway on community‐wide skin health programs and the role for mass drug administration which will guide future management of these common, treatable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica Knight
- University of Western Australia, Perth, WA.,Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA
| | - Asha C Bowen
- University of Western Australia, Perth, WA.,Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA.,Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, WA
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50
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Sikder S, Rush CM, Govan BL, Alim MA, Ketheesan N. Anti-streptococcal antibody and T-cell interactions with vascular endothelial cells initiate the development of rheumatic carditis. J Leukoc Biol 2019; 107:263-271. [PMID: 31617241 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.4ma0919-096rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of group A streptococcal and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis M-protein specific Abs and T-cells in endothelial cell activation was investigated using cultured rat aortic endothelial cells, and in a rat model of autoimmune valvulitis. Heat inactivated serum and mononuclear cells from streptococcal M-protein immunized rats independently induced upregulation of the endothelial cell adhesion molecules, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in cultured cells. We also observed T-cell migration across endothelial cell monolayers incubated with serum from M-protein-immunized rats. Furthermore, we observed VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression in the myocardium of rats injected with M-protein compared to control animals. These observations support the contention that initial interactions between streptococcal M-protein specific Abs and/or T-cells with the heart endothelium lead to endothelial cell activation followed by transmigration of M-protein specific T-cells into heart tissue leading to an inflammatory process that leads to carditis in rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchandan Sikder
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.,Current affiliation: Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi, Chattogram, Bangladesh.,Current affiliation: School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
| | - Catherine M Rush
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Brenda L Govan
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Md A Alim
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.,Current affiliation: Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Khulshi, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Natkunam Ketheesan
- School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
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