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Latest news & events at the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases.

Increased burden of invasive group A streptococcal disease among Australian children, 2023–2024: a prospective cohort study

Global rates of invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease surged from September 2022, exceeding pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, showing atypical seasonality and disproportionately affecting children. We previously described the epidemiology of iGAS among Australian children from mid-2018 to end 2022 using data from the Paediatric Active Enhanced Diseases network and here provide updated clinical epidemiology for 2023 and 2024 to help inform public health strategies.

Challenges and insights in self-swab surveillance for asymptomatic Streptococcus pyogenes carriage

Asymptomatic carriage of Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) may contribute to transmission, yet its role remains poorly understood and evidence on optimal detection methods is limited. While self-collected throat swabs are used in infectious disease surveillance, their value for identifying asymptomatic Strep A carriage in adults is uncertain. This pilot prospective cohort study, conducted at a Perth medical research institute between August and October 2024, assessed feasibility and acceptability of self-collection, with sensitivity as a secondary objective. 

Securing the supply of benzathine penicillin: a global perspective on risks and mitigation strategies to prevent future shortages

Benzathine benzylpenicillin is a globally indispensable medicine.

Excess Mortality Among People With Rheumatic Heart Disease in Australia

Jonathan Carapetis AM AM MBBS FRACP FAFPHM PhD FAHMS Executive Director; Co-Head, Strep A Translation; Co-Founder of REACH 08 6319 1000 contact@

Acute rheumatic fever

Acute rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disorder resulting from Group A Streptococcus pharyngitis or impetigo in children and adolescents, which may evolve to rheumatic heart disease (RHD) with persistent cardiac valve damage. RHD causes substantial mortality and morbidity globally, predominantly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, with an interplay of social determinants of health and genetic factors determining overall risk.

Active Case Finding for Rheumatic Fever in an Endemic Country

Asha Jonathan Bowen Carapetis AM BA MBBS DCH FRACP PhD GAICD FAHMS OAM AM MBBS FRACP FAFPHM PhD FAHMS Head, Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Executive

Country-level and global burden of diseases caused by group A Streptococcus: protocol for a multicountry epidemiological study

Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) causes a wide spectrum of diseases, ranging from pharyngitis and impetigo to severe invasive infections and immune-mediated conditions such as acute rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease and acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Contemporary data on the global burden of Strep A diseases are lacking.

Clinical description and outcomes of Australian children with invasive group a streptococcal disease

Invasive group A streptococcal infection in Australian children is frequently severe and has a high long-term morbidity burden

Getting to grips with invasive group A streptococcal infection surveillance in Australia: are we experiencing an epidemic?

Asha Rosemary Jeffrey Bowen Wyber Cannon BA MBBS DCH FRACP PhD GAICD FAHMS OAM MBChB MPH FRACGP PhD BSc(Hons) BBus PhD Head, Healthy Skin and ARF