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An update on the burden of group A streptococcal diseases in Australia and vaccine development

Asha Jeffrey Bowen Cannon BA MBBS DCH FRACP PhD GAICD FAHMS OAM BSc(Hons) BBus PhD Head, Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Health Economist

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.

Increase in Body Mass Index in Children With HIV, Switched to Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate or Dolutegravir Containing Antiretroviral Regimens

Recent data indicate excessive weight gain in treatment-naive adults with HIV commenced on antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens containing tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) or the integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) dolutegravir (DTG) and bictegravir.

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.

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

The fall and rise of Group A Streptococcus diseases

We overview the changing epidemiology of Group A Streptococcus infections and the genetic alterations that accompany the emergence of Group A Streptococcus strains

Adjunctive protein synthesis inhibitor antibiotics for toxin suppression in Staphylococcus aureus infections: a systematic appraisal

A summary of the literature regarding the use of adjunctive protein synthesis inhibitors for toxin suppression in the setting of S. aureus infections is presented

Investigation of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole resistance in an emerging sequence type 5 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clone reveals discrepant resistance reporting

Our findings are crucial in demonstrating that the Northern Territory STS clone is not STX resistant