Prevalence of RHD, Pyoderma and Scabies in Children in Fiji
Streptococcus Group AThe purpose of this study is to estimate the number of cases of rheumatic heart disease, pyoderma, and scabies in school age children in Fiji. In addition the study will describe the features of rheumatic heart disease, pyoderma, and scabies in these children. Study participants will include 5200 primary school children, ages 5-14, from 21 primary schools in the Central Division of Fiji. These children will be examined for pyoderma, scabies, and the doctor will listen to their heart with a stethoscope. Any child that has a heart murmur detected will have their heart looked at through an echocardiogram test (uses sound waves to create a picture of how the heart is working). Any child that is found to have rheumatic heart disease will be referred to a pediatric cardiologist for further evaluation. Participants will be involved in the study for about 2 days.
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Assay for Diagnosis of Sarcoptes Scabiei
ScabiesThe main objective of this study is to identify unique DNA sequences within the genome of human scabies that can be utilized to identify the parasite through PCR.
Streptococcus Pyogenes Carriage Acquisition and Transmission Study
Group A Streptococcal InfectionScabies1 moreGroup A Streptococcus (GAS) is a bacteria which causes severe infections and leads to deadly diseases such as rheumatic heart disease which kills over 300,000 people a year globally, particularly in low-income countries. It is not know how GAS is spread between people, how often people carry GAS in their throat or on their skin without having symptoms, or what factors increase the chance of this occurring. It is important to understand these factors in order to know how to reduce GAS-related disease. This study will follow 444 people in The Gambia, over 12 months, taking samples from the throats and skin of people living in the same households, and asking questions about themselves and their behaviour, at regular intervals. By taking samples over time, the investigators hope to understand how common it is to carry GAS without having symptoms, how GAS is spread between people, and whether carrying GAS leads to more GAS infections in people or their household members. The study will use state-of-the-art techniques to look at the DNA of GAS bacteria that we find, and combine this with a mathematical model to investigate how different strains spread to people within and between households in the community.
Streptococcal Infections in Fiji - Prevalence of Group A Streptococcal Pyoderma and Scabies in Infants...
Streptococcus Group AGroup A streptococcus (GAS) is a bacteria that causes many different sicknesses in children and adults. This study will look at the number of cases of pyoderma (bacterial skin infection) and scabies (skin mites that cause itching) in 550 infants 12 months or younger in Fiji. (GAS can cause pyoderma, and sometimes skin sites infested with scabies can become infected with GAS bacteria.) The study will also look at the makeup of GAS and how certain medications affect GAS. The infants will be involved in the study for approximately 1 week. Their skin will be examined for pyoderma and scabies. A swab sample will be taken from the pyoderma area to test for GAS. The researchers hope to see how often these skin infections occur and how they affect the Fijian population. The information will help the researchers to develop better treatment and possibly a vaccine to prevent infection. Infants with pyoderma that is defined as "greater than mild" will be referred for treatment.
Risk Factors for Treatment Failure of Scabies in Autochthonous Populations of French Guiana (GUYAGALE)...
ScabiesScabies is a Neglected Tropical Disease, particularly important in autochthonous populations. Treatment failures could explain the high prevalence of this disease in Amerindian and Maroon populations of French Guiana. Our main objective is to look for specific sociodemographic risk factors for treatment failure of scabies in the remote areas of French Guiana. A secondary objective is to evaluate the prevalence of scabies and its complications.