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Research

Structured review of primary interventions to reduce group A streptococcal infections, acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a large, preventable, global public health burden. In New Zealand (NZ), acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and RHD rates are highest for Māori and Pacific children. This structured review explores the evidence for primary prevention interventions to diagnose and effectively treat group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis and skin infections to reduce rates of ARF and RHD.

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The economic and health burdens of diseases caused by group A Streptococcus in New Zealand

In 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.

News & Events

WA Near Miss Awards provide boost for leading researchers at The Kids

Nine researchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia have secured vital support through the WA Near Miss Awards, allowing them to continue innovative health projects that narrowly missed out on national funding.

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Standardizing clinical care measures of rheumatic heart disease in pregnancy: A qualitative synthesis

Pregnancy provides an opportunity to strengthen health system responses and address whole-of-life health for women with rheumatic heart disease

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Primary prevention of rheumatic fever in the 21st century: evaluation of a national programme

Population-based primary prevention of ARF through sore throat management may be effective in well-resourced settings like New Zealand

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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.

News & Events

A new job for a specialised drug

The Kids is investigating whether a cystic fibrosis medication may be the answer to ear infections, reducing the need for antibiotics and surgery.

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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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Impact of Repeat Pertussis Vaccination on Infant and Maternal Antibody Quality

Ruth Peter Thornton Richmond PhD MBBS MRCP(UK) FRACP Co-head, Bacterial Respiratory Infectious Disease Group (BRIDG) Head, Vaccine Trials Group

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Improving delivery of secondary prophylaxis for rheumatic heart disease in remote Indigenous communities

This trial aims to improve uptake of secondary prophylaxis among Aboriginal people with ARF/RHD to reduce progression or worsening of RHD.

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Comparison of approaches to rheumatic fever surveillance across Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.

Rheumatic fever (RF) prevention, control and surveillance are increasingly important priorities in New Zealand (NZ) and Australia.

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Post-infectious group A streptococcal autoimmune syndromes and the heart

ARF is a classical example of an autoimmune syndrome and is of particular immunological interest because it follows a known antecedent infection with group A...

News & Events

Clinical trial to examine whether “mixing” COVID-19 vaccine boosters is more effective

Top infectious disease experts in Australia will lead a clinical trial to determine whether combining different Covid-19 vaccines in the nation’s booster immunisation will increase effectiveness.

News & Events

WA leading the race to stop one of the deadliest bugs on the planet

In Perth, The Kids Research Institute Australia is spearheading global efforts to tackle this insidious bacterium and reduce its impact on kids’ health.

Vaccine and immunisation trials pivotal in the fight against potentially deadly virus

As a leading research site in Australia, the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases played an instrumental role in the global effort to develop a world-first RSV immunisation for young babies.

News & Events

Prestigious funding secures critical child health research programs

Four The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers have been awarded $8.8 million in prestigious Investigator Grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council to pursue innovative child health research focused on autism, childhood cancer, skin health, and Aboriginal genomics.

Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Deborah Lehmann Research Award

The Wesfarmers Centre has established the Deborah Lehmann Research Award to acknowledge the significant contribution that Clinical Associate Professor Deborah Lehmann AO has made to paediatric infectious disease research.

News & Events

Free, life-changing ear surgery gives 100 children a new lease on life

Painful ear infections and muffled sounds are a thing of the past for 100 Aboriginal children who have received free grommet surgery thanks to the Djaalinj Waakinj (listening and hearing) Ear Health program.

News & Events

One in six kids found to have Strep A throughout Kimberley region

An alarming number of Strep A infections are going unnoticed throughout classrooms in Broome and Derby according to a major study by The Kids Research Institute Australia aiming to reduce the burden of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD).