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Research

Transmission potential of Streptococcus pyogenes during a controlled human infection trial of pharyngitis

Controlled human infection (CHI) models can provide insights into transmission of pathogens such as Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A). As part of the Controlled Human Infection with Penicillin for Streptococcus pyogenes (CHIPS) trial, we explored the potential for transmission among participants deliberately infected with the Strep A emm75 strain.

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Recombinational exchange of M-fibril and T-pilus genes generates extensive cell surface diversity in the global group A Streptococcus population

Among genes present in all group A streptococci (GAS), those encoding M-fibril and T-pilus proteins display the highest levels of sequence diversity, giving rise to the two primary serological typing schemes historically used to define strain. A new genotyping scheme for the pilin adhesin and backbone genes is developed and, when combined with emm typing, provides an account of the global GAS strain population.

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Describing skin health and disease in urban-living Aboriginal children: co-design, development and feasibility testing of the Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin pilot project

Indigenous children in colonised nations experience high rates of health disparities linked to historical trauma resulting from displacement and dispossession, as well as ongoing systemic racism. Skin infections and their complications are one such health inequity, with the highest global burden described in remote-living Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (hereafter respectfully referred to as Aboriginal) children. Yet despite increasing urbanisation, little is known about the skin infection burden for urban-living Aboriginal children.

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A diagnostic test for acute rheumatic fever (pilot study)

Currently there are no diagnostic tests for ARF, and no treatments targeting immune responses to improve disease outcomes.

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Acute Rheumatic Fever Diagnosis Collaborative Network (ARC)

ARC is a global network of collaborators committed to reducing the burden of RHD in our lifetime.

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Defining Group A Streptococcus interaction with the tonsil epithelium to inform vaccine development

A vaccine that prevents the initial attachment of Strep A to the tonsils would reduce the incidence of Strep throat and severe diseases that result.

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Skin Microbiome

The skin is home to an array of bacteria, fungi and viruses, which together make up the skin microbiome. We explore how the skin microbiome can contribute to healthy skin.

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Genetic Manipulation of Group A Streptococcus-Gene Deletion by Allelic Replacement

An optimized, rapid method for creating markerless isogenic mutations that combines Gibson assembly cloning with a new temperature-sensitive plasmid, pLZts

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Longitudinal surveillance of group A streptococcal pharyngitis and impetigo in remote Western Australian school children informs acute rheumatic fever prevention

The prevalence of impetigo and pharyngitis - which are both superficial group A streptococcus (GAS) infections that precede acute rheumatic fever - is poorly defined. Guidelines recommend the early diagnosis of both infections to prevent ARF; however, screening to enable the concurrent detection of these infections in high-risk populations has rarely been performed. 

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Interactions between bacteria in the human nasopharynx: a scoping review

Emerging evidence indicates that interactions between bacteria shape the nasopharyngeal microbiome and influence respiratory health. This Review uses the systematic scoping methodology to summarise 88 studies including observational and experimental studies, identifying key interactions between bacteria that colonise the human nasopharynx.