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Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the superficial layer of skin. Impetigo is caused by group A Streptococcus (Strep A) and Staphylococcus aureus, alone or in combination, with the former predominating in many tropical climates. Strep A impetigo occurs mainly in early childhood, and the burden varies worldwide. It is an acute, self-limited disease, but many children experience frequent recurrences that make it a chronic illness in some endemic settings.
Our local data supports continuing intramuscular injection of BPG in patients with rheumatic heart disease receiving anticoagulant medication
Few children and adolescents receiving BPG as secondary prophylaxis will achieve concentrations >0.02 mg/L for the majority of the time between injections
We explore young Aboriginal people's and clinicians' experience of injection pain for the 10 years of penicillin injections young people are prescribed.
The Penicillin Team are working to accelerate research and clinical trials to improve penicillin formulation and treatment methods, to end RHD.
Powdered benzathine penicillin G (BPG) crystals vary widely in size and shape and are larger and less uniform than crystals found in pre-mixed suspensions of BPG like Bicillin ® L-A.
In Australia, RHD-related death and disability is the leading driver of cardiovascular inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
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
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a long-term sequela of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), which classically begins after an untreated or undertreated infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A). RHD develops after the heart valves are permanently damaged due to ARF.
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a multiorgan inflammatory disorder that results from the body's autoimmune response to pharyngitis or a skin infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A). Acute rheumatic fever mainly affects those in low- and middle-income nations, as well as in indigenous populations in wealthy nations, where initial Strep A infections may go undetected.