Strep A and Rheumatic Heart Disease

Our research projects have a strong focus on tackling rheumatic fever, which is caused by an abnormal immune reaction to a Streptococcus A infection of the throat (known as 'strep throat'), or the skin.

Repeated GAS infections and repeated attacks of rheumatic fever during childhood and adolescence can damage the valves in the heart leading to rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Without treatment the disease can cause life threatening heart failure and premature death. For women, the disease can bring an increased risk of stroke and death during pregnancy and childbirth.

The Telethon Kids Institute is also leading a national and international push to secure funding and develop tools to fast-track a vaccine against all diseases caused by Streptococcus A bacteria, potentially having a major global impact on reducing deaths worldwide.

Our research program includes:

• Working on the development of a vaccine to prevent Streptococcus A infections, including invasive Strep A disease.
• The END RHD Centre of Research Excellence which is building a comprehensive, evidence-based roadmap to end rheumatic heart disease in Australia.
• Exploring ways to prevent repeated skin infections in individuals, aiming to ultimately reduce the burden of chronic diseases and improve children's health in Indigenous communities. This includes the SToP (See, Treat and Prevent) Trial designed to reduce skin infections in WA's Kimberley region, due to begin in 2018.
• A genetic study to better understand why some people are susceptible to RHD and others are not.
• Investigating way to develop a better formulation of penicillin that will provide a practical, less painful method of treatment and protection. This will vastly increase the number of patients being successfully managed and prevent acute rheumatic fever developing into rheumatic heart disease.
• The RHD Action Global Partners are a coalition of global organisations working together to establish a scientific and technical support community available to all countries, advocate for policy change for better heart health, support and empower all people living with RHD and foster multi-sectoral partnerships to support and sustain the global movement.
• RhEACH, a technical support and policy translation initiative to amplify rheumatic heart disease control efforts locally, regionally and globally.