Search
Research
Research opportunities for the primordial prevention of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease - streptococcal vaccine development: a national heart, lung and blood institute workshop reportStreptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A streptococcus (StrepA), is a bacterium that causes a range of human diseases, including pharyngitis, impetigo, invasive infections, and post-infection immune sequelae such as rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. StrepA infections cause some of the highest burden of disease and death in mostly young populations in low-resource settings. Despite decades of effort, there is still no licensed StrepA vaccine, which if developed, could be a cost-effective way to reduce the incidence of disease.
Research
Subcutaneous infusion of high-dose benzathine penicillin G is safe, tolerable, and suitable for less-frequent dosing for rheumatic heart disease secondary prophylaxis: a phase 1 open-label population pharmacokinetic studySince 1955, the recommended strategy for rheumatic heart disease secondary prophylaxis has been benzathine penicillin G injections administered intramuscularly every 4 weeks. Due to dosing frequency, pain, and programmatic challenges, adherence is suboptimal. It has previously been demonstrated that BPG delivered subcutaneously at a standard dose is safe and tolerable and has favorable pharmacokinetics, setting the scene for improved regimens with less frequent administration.
Research
Exploring associations between life course geo-social exposures and rheumatic heart disease in Great BritainThis project aimed to identify the primordial determinants of RHD to inform prevention strategies.
Research
Development of a longer acting formulation of Penicillin G for the treatment and prevention of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart diseaseThis project aims to develop a longer acting formulation of penicillin, such that frequency of the injection can be increased up to 3-6 months.
Research
BPG Formulation Preferences Study: Exploring patient, family and clinician reformulations preferences for BPGThe key objective of this study is to collect data about patient and clinician preferences about reformulations.
Research
Australian Strep A Vaccine Initiative (ASAVI)The Australian Strep A Vaccine Initiative (ASAVI) is an Australian-led global initiative with the goal of reducing the disease burden caused by Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) infection through effective vaccination.
Research
Interventions to eliminate rheumatic heart diseaseFunded by a 5-year NHMRC Investigator grant to implement a strategy to eliminate rheumatic heart disease (RHD) as a public health problem in Australia.
Research
RHD Screening Program - GE HealthcareThis project aims to empower local clinicians with skills and knowledge of using handheld echocardiography (HAND) that will allow for mobile service provision into remote Indigenous communities.
Research
Preventing heart failure: a position paper of the Heart Failure Association in collaboration with the European Association of Preventive CardiologyThe heart failure epidemic is growing and its prevention, in order to reduce associated hospital readmission rates and its clinical and economic burden, is a key issue in modern cardiovascular medicine. The present consensus document aims to provide practical evidence-based information to support the implementation of effective preventive measures.
Research
Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability and agreement of echocardiographic diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease using the World Heart Federation evidence-based criteriaThe WHF echocardiographic criteria enable reproducible categorisation of echocardiograms as definite RHD versus no or borderline RHD