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Chauhan A, Lalor T, Watson S, Adams D, Farrah TE, Anand A, Kimmitt R, Mills NL, Webb DJ, Dhaun N, Kalla R, Adams A, Vatn S, Bonfliglio F, Nimmo E, Kennedy N, Ventham N, Vatn M, Ricanek P, Halfvarson J, Soderhollm J, Pierik M, Torkvist L, Gomollon F, Gut I, Jahnsen J, Satsangi J, Body R, Almashali M, McDowell G, Taylor P, Lacey A, Rees A, Dayan C, Lazarus J, Nelson S, Okosieme O, Corcoran D, Young R, Ciadella P, McCartney P, Bajrangee A, Hennigan B, Collison D, Carrick D, Shaukat A, Good R, Watkins S, McEntegart M, Watt J, Welsh P, Sattar N, McConnachie A, Oldroyd K, Berry C, Parks T, Auckland K, Mentzer AJ, Kado J, Mirabel MM, Kauwe JK, Robson KJ, Mittal B, Steer AC, Hill AVS, Akbar M, Forrester M, Virlan AT, Gilmour A, Wallace C, Paterson C, Reid D, Siebert S, Porter D, Liversidge J, McInnes I, Goodyear C, Athwal V, Pritchett J, Zaitoun A, Irving W, Guha IN, Hanley NA, Hanley KP, Briggs T, Reynolds J, Rice G, Bondet V, Bruce E, Crow Y, Duffy D, Parker B, Bruce I, Martin K, Pritchett J, Aoibheann Mullan M, Llewellyn J, Athwal V, Zeef L, Farrow S, Streuli C, Henderson N, Friedman S, Hanley N, Hanley KP. Scientific Business Abstracts of the 112th Annual Meeting of the Association of Physicians of Great Britain and Ireland. QJM 2018; 111:920-924. [PMID: 31222346 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcy193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - T Lalor
- From the University of Birmingham
| | - S Watson
- From the University of Birmingham
| | - D Adams
- From the University of Birmingham
| | - T E Farrah
- From the University/British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Edinburgh
| | - A Anand
- From the University/British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Edinburgh
| | - R Kimmitt
- From the University/British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Edinburgh
| | - N L Mills
- From the University/British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Edinburgh
| | - D J Webb
- From the University/British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Edinburgh
| | - N Dhaun
- From the University/British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Edinburgh
| | - R Kalla
- From the University of Edinburgh
| | - A Adams
- From the University of Edinburgh
| | - S Vatn
- Akerhshus University Hospital
| | | | - E Nimmo
- From the University of Edinburgh
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - M Pierik
- Maastricht University Medical Centre
| | | | | | | | | | | | - R Body
- From the University of Manchester
| | - M Almashali
- Manchester University Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust
| | | | | | | | - A Rees
- From the Cardiff University
| | | | | | | | | | - D Corcoran
- From the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Glasgow
| | - R Young
- Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow
| | - P Ciadella
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital
| | - P McCartney
- From the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Glasgow
| | - A Bajrangee
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital
| | - B Hennigan
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital
| | - D Collison
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital
| | - D Carrick
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital
| | - A Shaukat
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital
| | - R Good
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital
| | - S Watkins
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital
| | - M McEntegart
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital
| | - J Watt
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital
| | - P Welsh
- From the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Glasgow
| | - N Sattar
- From the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Glasgow
| | - A McConnachie
- Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow
| | - K Oldroyd
- West of Scotland Heart and Lung Centre, Golden Jubilee National Hospital
| | - C Berry
- From the British Heart Foundation (BHF), Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Glasgow
| | - T Parks
- From the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
- University of Oxford
| | | | | | - J Kado
- Fiji Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services
| | - M M Mirabel
- French National Institute of Health and Medical Research
| | | | | | - B Mittal
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University
| | - A C Steer
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute
| | | | - M Akbar
- From the Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow
| | - M Forrester
- Division of Applied Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen
| | - A T Virlan
- From the Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow
| | - A Gilmour
- From the Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow
| | - C Wallace
- Division of Applied Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen
| | - C Paterson
- From the Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow
| | - D Reid
- Division of Applied Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen
| | - S Siebert
- From the Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow
| | - D Porter
- From the Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow
| | - J Liversidge
- Division of Applied Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen
| | - I McInnes
- From the Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow
| | - C Goodyear
- From the Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Glasgow
| | - V Athwal
- From the Manchester University Foundation NHS Trust
- University of Manchester
| | | | | | | | | | - N A Hanley
- From the Manchester University Foundation NHS Trust
- University of Manchester
| | | | - T Briggs
- From the Manchester Centre of Genomic Medicine, University of Manchester
| | - J Reynolds
- Division of Musculoskeletal & Dermatological Sciences, University of Manchester
| | - G Rice
- From the Manchester Centre of Genomic Medicine, University of Manchester
| | - V Bondet
- Immunobiology of Dendritic Cells, Institut Pasteur
| | - E Bruce
- Division of Musculoskeletal & Dermatological Sciences, University of Manchester
| | - Y Crow
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Neuroinflammation, INSERM UMR1163, Institut Imagine
| | - D Duffy
- Immunobiology of Dendritic Cells, Institut Pasteur
| | - B Parker
- Division of Musculoskeletal & Dermatological Sciences, University of Manchester
| | - I Bruce
- Division of Musculoskeletal & Dermatological Sciences, University of Manchester
| | - K Martin
- From the University of Manchester
| | | | | | | | - V Athwal
- From the University of Manchester
| | - L Zeef
- From the University of Manchester
| | - S Farrow
- From the University of Manchester
- Respiratory Therapy Area, GlaxoSmithKline
| | | | | | | | - N Hanley
- From the University of Manchester
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Lydeamore MJ, Campbell PT, Regan DG, Tong SYC, Andrews RM, Steer AC, Romani L, Kaldor JM, McVernon J, McCaw JM. A biological model of scabies infection dynamics and treatment informs mass drug administration strategies to increase the likelihood of elimination. Math Biosci 2018; 309:163-173. [PMID: 30149021 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Infections with Sarcoptes scabiei, or scabies, remain common in many disadvantaged populations. Mass drug administration (MDA) has been used in such settings to achieve a rapid reduction in infection and transmission, with the goal of eliminating the public health burden of scabies. While prevalence has been observed to fall substantially following such an intervention, in some instances resurgence of infection to baseline levels has occurred over several years. To explore the biology underpinning this phenomenon, we have developed a theoretical model of scabies life-cycle and transmission dynamics in a homogeneously mixing population, and simulate the impact of mass drug treatment strategies acting on egg and mite life cycle stages (ovicidal) or mites alone (non-ovicidal). In order to investigate the dynamics of the system, we first define and calculate the optimal interval between treatment doses. We calculate the probability of eradication as a function of the number of optimally-timed successive treatment doses and the number of years over which a program is run. For the non-ovicidal intervention, we first show that at least two optimally-timed doses are required to achieve eradication. We then demonstrate that while more doses over a small number of years provides the highest chance of eradication, a similar outcome can be achieved with fewer doses delivered annually over a longer period of time. For the ovicidal intervention, we find that doses should be delivered as close together as possible. This work provides a platform for further research into optimal treatment strategies which may incorporate heterogeneity of transmission, and the interplay between MDA and enhancement of continuing scabies surveillance and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Lydeamore
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Australia; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - P T Campbell
- Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The University of Melbourne, Australia; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - D G Regan
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, UNSW, Australia
| | - S Y C Tong
- Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The University of Melbourne, Australia; Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Australia
| | - R M Andrews
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Australia; National Centre for Epidemiology & Population Health, Australian National University, Australia
| | - A C Steer
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - L Romani
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, UNSW, Australia
| | - J M Kaldor
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, UNSW, Australia
| | - J McVernon
- Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The University of Melbourne, Australia; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - J M McCaw
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Australia; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia; Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The University of Melbourne, Australia; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
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Thompson MJ, Engelman D, Gholam K, Fuller LC, Steer AC. Systematic review of the diagnosis of scabies in therapeutic trials. Clin Exp Dermatol 2017; 42:481-487. [DOI: 10.1111/ced.13152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. J. Thompson
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health; Western Australia Country Health Service; Kimberley Region Australia
| | - D. Engelman
- Department of Paediatrics; Centre for International Child Health; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Australia
- Group A Streptococcal Research; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; Melbourne Australia
| | - K. Gholam
- Dermatology Department; Great Ormond Street Hospital; London UK
| | - L. C. Fuller
- International Foundation for Dermatology; London UK
- Department of Dermatology; Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust; London UK
| | - A. C. Steer
- Department of Paediatrics; Centre for International Child Health; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Australia
- Group A Streptococcal Research; Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; Melbourne Australia
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Frost HR, Tsoi SK, Baker CA, Laho D, Sanderson-Smith ML, Steer AC, Smeesters PR. Validation of an automated colony counting system for group A Streptococcus. BMC Res Notes 2016; 9:72. [PMID: 26856815 PMCID: PMC4745170 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-016-1875-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The practice of counting bacterial colony forming units on agar plates has long been used as a method to estimate the concentration of live bacteria in culture. However, due to the laborious and potentially error prone nature of this measurement technique, an alternative method is desirable. Recent technologic advancements have facilitated the development of automated colony counting systems, which reduce errors introduced during the manual counting process and recording of information. An additional benefit is the significant reduction in time taken to analyse colony counting data. Whilst automated counting procedures have been validated for a number of microorganisms, the process has not been successful for all bacteria due to the requirement for a relatively high contrast between bacterial colonies and growth medium. The purpose of this study was to validate an automated counting system for use with group A Streptococcus (GAS). Results Methods: Twenty-one different GAS strains, representative of major emm-types, were selected for assessment. In order to introduce the required contrast for automated counting, 2,3,5-triphenyl-2H-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) dye was added to Todd–Hewitt broth with yeast extract (THY) agar. Growth on THY agar with TTC was compared with growth on blood agar and THY agar to ensure the dye was not detrimental to bacterial growth. Automated colony counts using a ProtoCOL 3 instrument were compared with manual counting to confirm accuracy over the stages of the growth cycle (latent, mid-log and stationary phases) and in a number of different assays. The average percentage differences between plating and counting methods were analysed using the Bland–Altman method. Conclusions Results: A percentage difference of ±10 % was determined as the cut-off for a critical difference between plating and counting methods. All strains measured had an average difference of less than 10 % when plated on THY agar with TTC. This consistency was also observed over all phases of the growth cycle and when plated in blood following bactericidal assays. Agreement between these methods suggest the use of an automated colony counting technique for GAS will significantly reduce time spent counting bacteria to enable a more efficient and accurate measurement of bacteria concentration in culture. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-016-1875-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- H R Frost
- Group A Streptococcus Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Laboratoire de Bactériologie Moléculaire, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - S K Tsoi
- Group A Streptococcus Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.
| | - C A Baker
- Group A Streptococcus Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.
| | - D Laho
- Group A Streptococcus Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.
| | - M L Sanderson-Smith
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
| | - A C Steer
- Group A Streptococcus Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Centre for International Child Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. .,Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - P R Smeesters
- Group A Streptococcus Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia. .,Department of General Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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Milner KM, Neal EFG, Roberts G, Steer AC, Duke T. Long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in high-risk newborns in resource-limited settings: a systematic review of the literature. Paediatr Int Child Health 2015; 35:227-42. [PMID: 26138273 DOI: 10.1179/2046905515y.0000000043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improving outcomes beyond survival for high-risk newborns in resource-limited settings is an emerging challenge. Global estimates demonstrate the scale of this challenge and significant gaps in morbidity outcome data in high mortality contexts. A systematic review was conducted to document the prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment in high-risk newborns who were followed up into childhood in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS High-risk newborns were defined as low, very or extremely low birthweight, preterm infants or those surviving birth asphyxia or serious infections. Electronic databases were searched and articles screened for eligibility. Included articles were appraised according to STROBE criteria. Narrative review was performed and median prevalence of key neurodevelopmental outcomes was calculated where data quality allowed. RESULTS 6959 articles were identified with sixty included in final review. At follow-up in early childhood, median estimated prevalence (inter-quartile range) of overall neurodevelopmental impairment, cognitive impairment and cerebral palsy were: for survivors of prematurity/very low birthweight 21.4% (11.6-30.8), 16.3% (6.3-29.6) and 11.2% (5.9-16.1), respectively, and for survivors of birth asphyxia 34.6% (25.4-51.5), 11.3% (7.7-11.8) and 22.8% (15.7-31.4), respectively. Only three studies reporting outcomes following newborn serious bacterial infections were identified. There was limited reporting of important outcomes such as vision and hearing impairment. Major challenges with standardised reporting of key exposure and developmental outcome variables and lack of control data were identified. CONCLUSION Understanding the limitations of the available data on neurodevelopmental outcome in newborns in resource-limited settings provides clear direction for research and efforts to improve long-term outcome in high-risk newborns in these settings.
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McMillan DJ, Drèze PA, Vu T, Bessen DE, Guglielmini J, Steer AC, Carapetis JR, Van Melderen L, Sriprakash KS, Smeesters PR. Updated model of group A Streptococcus M proteins based on a comprehensive worldwide study. Clin Microbiol Infect 2013; 19:E222-9. [PMID: 23464795 DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Revised: 12/02/2012] [Accepted: 12/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) M protein is an important virulence factor and potential vaccine antigen, and constitutes the basis for strain typing (emm-typing). Although >200 emm-types are characterized, structural data were obtained from only a limited number of emm-types. We aim to evaluate the sequence diversity of near-full-length M proteins from worldwide sources and analyse their structure, sequence conservation and classification. GAS isolates recovered from throughout the world during the last two decades underwent emm-typing and complete emm gene sequencing. Predicted amino acid sequence analyses, secondary structure predictions and vaccine epitope mapping were performed using MUSCLE and Geneious software. A total of 1086 isolates from 31 countries were analysed, representing 175 emm-types. emm-type is predictive of the whole protein structure, independent of geographical origin or clinical association. Findings of an emm-type paired with multiple, highly divergent central regions were not observed. M protein sequence length, the presence or absence of sequence repeats and predicted secondary structure were assessed in the context of the latest vaccine developments. Based on these global data, the M6 protein model is updated to a three representative M protein (M5, M80 and M77) model, to aid in epidemiological analysis, vaccine development and M protein-related pathogenesis studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J McMillan
- Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
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Abstract
Scabies remains one of the commonest of skin diseases seen in developing countries. Although its distribution is subject to a cycle of infection, with peaks and troughs of disease prevalence, this periodicity is often less obvious in poor communities. Scabies is a condition that affects families, particularly the most vulnerable; it also has the greatest impact on young children. Largely through the association with secondary bacterial infection caused by group A streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus, the burden of disease is compounded by nephritis, rheumatic fever and sepsis in developing countries. However, with a few notable exceptions, it remains largely neglected as an important public health problem. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the current position of scabies with regard to its complications and control in resource-poor countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Hay
- International Foundation for Dermatology, London, UK.
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Steer AC, Jenney AJW, Oppedisano F, Batzloff MR, Hartas J, Passmore J, Russell FM, Kado JHH, Carapetis JR. High burden of invasive beta-haemolytic streptococcal infections in Fiji. Epidemiol Infect 2007; 136:621-7. [PMID: 17631691 PMCID: PMC2870856 DOI: 10.1017/s095026880700917x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We undertook a 5-year retrospective study of group A streptococcal (GAS) bacteraemia in Fiji, supplemented by a 9-month detailed retrospective study of beta-haemolytic streptococcal (BHS) infections. The all-age incidence of GAS bacteraemia over 5 years was 11.6/100,000. Indigenous Fijians were 4.7 times more likely to present with invasive BHS disease than people of other ethnicities, and 6.4 times more likely than Indo-Fijians. The case-fatality rate for invasive BHS infections was 28%. emm-typing was performed on 23 isolates: 17 different emm-types were found, and the emm-type profile was different from that found in industrialized nations. These data support the contentions that elevated rates of invasive BHS and GAS infections are widespread in developing countries, and that the profile of invasive organisms in these settings reflects a wide diversity of emm-types and a paucity of types typically found in industrialized countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Steer
- Centre for International Child Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Steer AC, Carapetis JR, Nolan TM, Shann F. Systematic review of rheumatic heart disease prevalence in children in developing countries: the role of environmental factors. J Paediatr Child Health 2002; 38:229-34. [PMID: 12047688 DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1754.2002.00772.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To consider the worldwide prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in children in developing countries using surveys with uniform methodologies, and to consider the effect of environmental factors including socio-economic status, overcrowding, urbanization, nutrition and access to medical services on the distribution of rheumatic heart disease in developing countries. METHODS Sixty-one surveys of the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in developing countries were found using a systematic review of MEDLINE from January 1976 to July 1999. Twenty-four studies were selected for comparison based on their uniform methodological and diagnostic techniques. RESULTS There is a high prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in the Pacific region with a lower prevalence in the Indian subcontinent, Asian, sub-Saharan African, Mediterranean, Latin American and Caribbean regions. However, aside from the Indian subcontinent, these regions have not been well studied, and it may be that the true prevalence is actually higher. CONCLUSIONS There is a lack of good quality prevalence surveys of rheumatic heart disease in developing countries. It appears that a threshold level where higher socio-economic status is associated with reduced prevalence of rheumatic heart disease is not reached in developing countries. Therefore, differences in prevalence between socio-economic groups in the one area cannot be detected. A similar case can be made for overcrowding. Many regions need well-designed studies of rheumatic heart disease that incorporate assessment of environmental factors as well as the study of the microbiological epidemiology of rheumatic heart disease and group A streptococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Steer
- Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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