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Standardization of epidemiological surveillance of rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a long-term sequela of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), which classically begins after an untreated or undertreated infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A). RHD develops after the heart valves are permanently damaged due to ARF.

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.

DETECT Schools Study Protocol: A Prospective Observational Cohort Surveillance Study Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 in Western Australian Schools

Amidst the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the transmission dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is key to providing peace of mind for the community and informing policy-making decisions. While available data suggest that school-aged children are not significant spreaders of SARS-CoV-2, the possibility of transmission in schools remains an ongoing concern, especially among an aging teaching workforce. Even in low-prevalence settings, communities must balance the potential risk of transmission with the need for students' ongoing education.

Prevalence of Group A β-hemolytic Streptococcal Throat Carriage and Prospective Pilot Surveillance of Streptococcal Sore Throat in Ugandan School Children

The Group A β-hemolytic Streptococcus pharyngeal carriage rates seen in Uganda (15.9%) are higher than the most recent pooled results globally, at 12%

Barriers and enablers of health service utilisation for childhood skin infections in remote aboriginal communities of Western Australia

Health service utilisation in this setting may be enhanced by improving general awareness of the significance of childhood skin infections

Molecular Epidemiology of Noninvasive and Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections in Cape Town

There is low coverage of the multivalent M protein vaccine in our setting, emphasizing the need to reformulate the vaccine to improve coverage

SToP (See, Treat, Prevent) skin sores and scabies trial: study protocol for a cluster randomised, stepped-wedge trial for skin disease control in remote Western Australia

Skin infection burden in remote Aboriginal communities can be reduced by the See, Treat, Prevent (SToP skin sores and scabies) trial

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

Lessons learned from a hospital-wide review of blood stream infections for paediatric central line-associated blood stream infection prevention

Health care-associated bacteraemia has a significant impact on child health, exceeding the number of community-acquired bacteraemia at our hospital

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