Recently, we identified a Staphylococcus aureus sequence type 5 (ST5) clone in northern Australia with discrepant trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT) susceptibility results. We aimed to identify isolates of this clone using Vitek 2 SXT resistance as a proxy and to compare its epidemiology with those of other circulating S. aureus strains. We collated Vitek 2 susceptibility data for S. aureus isolates collected through our laboratory and conducted a prospective, case-control study comparing clinical, microbiological, epidemiological, and genomic data for subsets of isolates reported as SXT resistant (cases) and SXT susceptible (controls) by Vitek 2. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2021
• February 2021

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis and Streptococcus pyogenes share skin and throat niches with extensive genomic homology and horizontal gene transfer possibly underlying shared disease phenotypes. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2024
• April 2024

Recent data on the epidemiology of impetigo and scabies and describe the current evidence around approaches to individual and community based treatment ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2016
• July 2016

Prevalence of impetigo (skin sores) remains high in remote Australian Aboriginal communities, Fiji, and other areas of socio-economic disadvantage. Skin sore infections, driven primarily in these settings by Group A Streptococcus (GAS) contribute substantially to the disease burden in these areas. Despite this, estimates for the force of infection, infectious period and basic reproductive ratio-all necessary for the construction of dynamic transmission models-have not been obtained. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2020
• October 2020

Asha Bowen AC BA MBBS DCH FRACP PhD GAICD Team Lead, Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Team Lead, Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention Areas of expertise: Skin infections, clinical trials, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Aboriginal children, ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Projects

The search for clinically effective antivirals against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is ongoing. Repurposing of drugs licensed for non–coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) indications has been extensively investigated in laboratory models and in clinical studies with mixed results. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2022
• August 2022

Early life infections drive high antibiotic prescribing rates in remote Aboriginal communities ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2019
• April 2019

Asha Janessa Dylan Jonathan Bowen Pickering Barth Carapetis AM Acknowledgement of Research Study Team Members Publications to date AC Dr DB JR We thank the following people for their contributions to the Missing Piece Surveillance Study: Telethon ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Projects

Children typically experience more mild symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) when compared to adults. There is a strong body of evidence that children are also less susceptible to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with the ancestral viral isolate. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2022
• August 2022

Given the ongoing mortality and morbidity from GAS infections, we must address more effectively the treatment and prevention of GAS impetigo and pharyngitis ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2016
• January 2016

Preterm infants are at increased risk for invasive neonatal bacterial infections. S. epidermidis, a ubiquitous skin commensal, is a major cause of late-onset neonatal sepsis, particularly in high-resource settings. The vulnerability of preterm infants to serious bacterial infections is commonly attributed to their distinct and developing immune system. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2022
• January 2022

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the most common form of acquired heart disease worldwide. In RHD, volume loading from mitral regurgitation leads to left ventricular (LV) dilatation, increased wall stress, and ultimately LV dysfunction. Improved understanding of LV dynamics may contribute to refined timing of intervention. ...

• 1. Telethon Kids Institute
• Our research
• Reports and Findings
• 2023
• September 2023