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Harmonizing Surveillance Methodologies for Group A Streptococcal DiseasesGroup A Streptococcus (Strep A) is responsible for a significant global health and economic burden. The recent prioritization of Strep A vaccine development by the World Health Organization has prompted global research activities and collaborations. To progress this prioritization, establishment of robust surveillance for Strep A to generate updated regional disease burden estimates and to establish platforms for future impact evaluation is essential.
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Short- versus standard-course intravenous antibiotics for peri-prosthetic joint infections managed with debridement and implant retention: a randomised pilot trial using a desirability of outcome ranking (DOOR) endpointPeri-prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication of joint replacement surgery. Determining the optimal duration of intravenous (IV) antibiotics for PJI managed with debridement and implant retention (DAIR) is a research priority.
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Recovery of culturable Streptococcus pyogenes from swabs stored at different temperaturesImproving our understanding of superficial Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) carriage and transmission necessitates robust sampling methods. Here, we compared the effect of storing swab samples in fridge (+4°C) and freezer (-20°C) conditions on the recovery of laboratory-cultured S. pyogenes.
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Strep A: challenges, opportunities, vaccine-based solutions and economicsStreptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality across the globe, annually causing hundreds of millions of cases of disease.
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Rheumatic heart disease: infectious disease origin, chronic care approach.Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a chronic cardiac condition with an infectious aetiology, causing high disease burden in low-income settings.
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Standardizing clinical care measures of rheumatic heart disease in pregnancy: A qualitative synthesisPregnancy provides an opportunity to strengthen health system responses and address whole-of-life health for women with rheumatic heart disease
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Adherence to secondary prophylaxis for rheumatic heart disease is underestimated by register data.Adequate resources are needed for maintenance of data quality in acute rheumatic fever/ rheumatic heart disease registers to ensure provision of evidence-based care and accurate assessment of program impact.
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The economic and health burdens of diseases caused by group A Streptococcus in New ZealandIn preparation for the future arrival of a group A Streptococcus (GAS) vaccine, this study estimated the economic and health burdens of GAS diseases in New Zealand. The annual incidence of GAS diseases was based on extrapolation of the average number of primary healthcare episodes managed each year in general practices (2014-2016) and on the average number of hospitalizations occurring each year (2005-2014). Disease incidence was multiplied by the average cost of diagnosing and managing an episode of disease at each level of care to estimate the annual economic burden.
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Searching for a technology-driven acute rheumatic fever test: the START study protocolThe absence of a diagnostic test for acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a major impediment in managing this serious childhood condition. ARF is an autoimmune condition triggered by infection with group A Streptococcus.
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Increasing incidence of invasive group A streptococcal disease in Western Australia, particularly among Indigenous peopleThe incidence of invasive GAS disease in WA increased between 2000 and 2018, particularly among Indigenous Australians. Mandatory notification of invasive GAS disease would therefore be appropriate. The social determinants of differences in incidence should be addressed, and other relevant host, pathogen, and health system factors investigated.