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Longitudinal surveillance of group A streptococcal pharyngitis and impetigo in remote Western Australian school children informs acute rheumatic fever prevention

The prevalence of impetigo and pharyngitis - which are both superficial group A streptococcus (GAS) infections that precede acute rheumatic fever - is poorly defined. Guidelines recommend the early diagnosis of both infections to prevent ARF; however, screening to enable the concurrent detection of these infections in high-risk populations has rarely been performed. 

Citation:
Pickering J, Barth DD, Wong B, McKinnon E, Mullane M, Whelan A, Mikucki A, Dalton R, Ford A, Cinanni G, ……. Bedford L, Winslow S, Jacky J, Macarthur R, ……. Carapetis J, Bowen A. Longitudinal surveillance of group A streptococcal pharyngitis and impetigo in remote Western Australian school children informs acute rheumatic fever prevention. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2025;5(12).

Keywords:
Impetigo; pharyngitis; superficial group A streptococcus; GAS; rheumatic fever; high-risk populations

Abstract:
The prevalence of impetigo and pharyngitis - which are both superficial group A streptococcus (GAS) infections that precede acute rheumatic fever - is poorly defined. Guidelines recommend the early diagnosis of both infections to prevent ARF; however, screening to enable the concurrent detection of these infections in high-risk populations has rarely been performed.