The inequitable burden of group A streptococcal diseases in Indigenous Australians

Abstract

We need to fill evidence gaps and make clinical advances to reduce these diseases of disadvantage

Hospitalisation rates and characteristics for adult and childhood immunoglobulin A vasculitis in Western Australia

“…The slight male predominance observed in our childhood IgAV cohort is also consistent with most other studies . Despite the excess burden of post streptococcal heart and renal disease in Indigenous Australians, we did not observe an ethnic influence on the frequency of childhood IgAV requiring hospital admission . This is in contrast with other studies suggesting an impact of ethnicity on IgAV incidence …”

Are scabies and impetigo “normalised”? A cross-sectional comparative study of hospitalised children in northern Australia assessing clinical recognition and treatment of skin infections

“…It follows that any strategies to improve recognition and treatment of skin infection must consider and partner with the members of the communities which are affected[21]. Moreover, ongoing efforts to address the social determinants which lead to the disproportionate load borne by people of Aboriginal ethnicity, particularly those living in remote communities, remain of great importance[8, 21]. On a broader scale, skin infections are neglected at a global level with regard to prioritizing funding and policy development despite causing significant morbidity and mortality in resource-limited settings[53].…”

The excess burden of severe sepsis in Indigenous Australian children: can anything be done?

“…The high burden of staphylococcal infections in Indigenous Australians is well documented. This may be attributable to the high rates of impetigo in Indigenous children, 4 the highest in the world 5 . Combined infection with S. aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes occurs in impetigo; 6 if untreated, complications, including sepsis, may ensue.…”

“…Preventing S. aureus infection by reducing the high burden of skin infections in Indigenous children would contribute to reducing their rates of sepsis and other complications; this is an important strategy, as there is currently no vaccine to prevent staphylococcal infections. Skin disease control programs are therefore an important priority in regional and remote Australia, 5 particularly for improving the recognition, treatment and prevention of skin infections in Indigenous children.…”