Search

Lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic: Why Australian schools should be prioritised to stay open

In 2020, school and early childhood educational centre (ECEC) closures affected over 1.5 billion school-aged children globally as part of the COVID-19 pandemic response. Attendance at school and access to ECEC is critical to a child's learning, well-being and health. School closures increase inequities by disproportionately affecting vulnerable children. Here, we summarise the role of children and adolescents in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and that of schools and ECECs in community transmission and describe the Australian experience.

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

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

The incidence of sore throat and group A streptococcal pharyngitis in children at high risk of developing acute rheumatic fever: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis has traditionally been considered the sole precursor of acute rheumatic fever (ARF). Evidence from Australia, however, suggests that GAS skin infections may contribute to the pathogenesis of ARF.

A model of population dynamics with complex household structure and mobility: implications for transmission and control of communicable diseases

Households are known to be high-risk locations for the transmission of communicable diseases. Numerous modelling studies have demonstrated the important role of households in sustaining both communicable diseases outbreaks and endemic transmission, and as the focus for control efforts. However, these studies typically assume that households are associated with a single dwelling and have static membership.

Seven innovative lung health research projects supported by Wal-yan Centre funding

Seven innovative lung health research projects have received funding support as the 2023 Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre Strategic Inspiration Projects.

Skin infections in Australian Aboriginal children: a narrative review

The Australian National Healthy Skin Guideline summarises evidence-based treatment of impetigo, scabies and fungal infections in high burden settings

An urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship in Indigenous rural and remote primary health care

We write this perspective to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance as an issue in Indigenous primary health care

Burden of skin disease in two remote primary healthcare centres in northern and central Australia

Skin infections are an under-appreciated and dominant reason for presentation to primary healthcare centres in these indigenous communities

Potential for molecular testing for group a streptococcus to improve diagnosis and management in a high-risk population: A prospective study

Implementation of molecular testing could improve antibiotic use in this high-burden setting

Wal-yan researchers welcomed at scientific meeting in New Zealand

More than 14 researchers from the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre will be welcomed as presenters and facilitators at The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand and The Australia and New Zealand Society of Respiratory Science (TSANZSRS) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) this weekend.

Scabies and impetigo in Timor-Leste: A school screening study in two districts

Scabies and impetigo are common in Timor-Leste, with very high prevalence of scabies in the rural district of Ermera

Are scabies and impetigo “normalised”? A cross-sectional comparative study of hospitalised children in northern Australia assessing clinical recognition

Scabies and impetigo infections are under-recognised and hence under-treated by clinicians

Patients with antibiotic-resistant lung infections to receive promising phage therapy treatment as part of new trial led by The Kids Research Institute Australia Researcher Anthony Kicic

Patients with lung infections that are not responding to antibiotics will be treated with phage therapy as part of a translational trial program to be undertaken by world-recognised experts in this field.

Wal-yan Centre welcomes new PhD scholarship awardee

The Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre this month welcomed new PhD scholarship awardee Yaqin Alziyadat, whose exciting research work will support the Centre’s vision to ensure all children have healthy lungs for life.