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New research has revealed that molecular point-of-care testing (POCT) can significantly improve detection of Group A Streptococcal (Strep A) pharyngitis compared to laboratory culture – particularly in remote communities, where results can take up to seven days – unlocking a major opportunity to prevent rheumatic
A team led by Dr Joseph Kado from the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at The Kids Research Institute Australia, and The University of Western Australia (UWA) has been awarded $5 million by the Federal Government in a major push to prevent rheumatic heart disease across the Pacific.
Instant diagnosis and treatment of potentially life-threatening Strep A infections is now very close to reality across Australia’s remote and regional areas thanks to molecular point-of-care testing (POCT) that slashes result times from five days to just minutes.
We aimed to measure the incidence and severity of invasive Group A Strep disease in the NT since 1996.
Building on the foundation of the first RHD forum, over 150 interested participants met to discuss critical issues on the RHD landscape.
Sensitivity and positive predictive value of cardiac auscultation compared with echocardiography is poor, regardless of the expertise of the auscultator.
The reduction in ARF recurrence indicates that the RHD control program has improved secondary prophylaxis; a decline in RHD incidence is expected to follow.
Vaccine prevention of GAS infections and their immunological complications has been a goal of researchers for decades.
The desire for an effective vaccine arises from the large burden of disease caused by the bacterium, particularly rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) occur at very high rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.