Vaccine for strep throat and rheumatic fever to be trialled in humans

[AussieNeil]

'Infection with group A streptococcus bacteria (strep A) leads to a wide array of diseases. These range from uncomplicated infections such as strep throat (tonsillitis) and skin sores (impetigo), through to severe invasive diseases such as deep soft tissue infection, sepsis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

If strep infections are left untreated, they can lead to rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. These are caused by the immune system’s response to the initial infection.'

Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University researchers explain how they have produced a non-live strep A vaccine, one we should be able to have when the vaccine is approved: theconversation.com/vaccine...

Neil

Photo: Sign of a wet winter?

[wroxham-gb]

Is that ants?

Why would it mean a wet winter?

Sue

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to wroxham-gb]

It's an ant-hill and going by its height, the ants thought they were in for a deluge...

[NooNoo14 in reply to AussieNeil]

The UK should have masses of these after all the rain we have had over this Summer 😀

[kathypawpaw]

Dear Neil,

This is a brilliant article. I love how you bring us a wide range of interesting information. When I was little I had scarletina which I was told was a lesser form of rheumatic fever. I was little and told to stay in bed and rest for a week. (Hard for an 8 year old.) I was treated with penicillin. As the article points out this is a vaccine that should now be included in childhood. Especially since this infection can lead to heart problems. Thanks. This is big news that Griffith University has found a vaccine.

Kathy

[Peggy4]

Excellent reading Neil. Thank you.

Peggy