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Nakakana U, Serry-Bangura A, Edem BE, Tessitore P, Di Cesare L, Moriel DG, Podda A, De Ryck IS, Arora AK. Application of Transthoracic Echocardiography for Cardiac Safety Evaluation in the Clinical Development Process of Vaccines Against Streptococcus pyogenes. Drugs R D 2024; 24:1-12. [PMID: 38494581 PMCID: PMC11035538 DOI: 10.1007/s40268-024-00452-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Superficial infections with Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A), pharyngitis and impetigo can induce acute rheumatic fever, an autoimmune sequela manifesting mostly with arthritis and rheumatic carditis. Valvular heart damage can persist or advance following repeated episodes of acute rheumatic fever, causing rheumatic heart disease. Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease disproportionately affect children and young adults in developing countries and disadvantaged communities in developed countries. People living with rheumatic heart disease are at risk of experiencing potentially fatal complications such as heart failure, bacterial endocarditis or stroke. Transthoracic echocardiography plays a central role in diagnosing both rheumatic carditis and rheumatic heart disease. Despite the obvious medical need, no licensed Strep A vaccines are currently available, as their clinical development process faces several challenges, including concerns for cardiac safety. However, the development of Strep A vaccines has been recently relaunched by many vaccine developers. In this context, a reliable and consistent safety evaluation of Strep A vaccine candidates, including the use of transthoracic echocardiography for detecting cardiac adverse events, could greatly contribute to developing a safe and efficacious product in the near future. Here, we propose a framework for the consistent use of transthoracic echocardiography to proactively detect cardiac safety events in clinical trials of Strep A vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Nakakana
- Vaccines Institute for Global Health (Global Health Vaccines R&D), GSK, Siena, Italy.
| | | | - Bassey Effiom Edem
- Vaccines Institute for Global Health (Global Health Vaccines R&D), GSK, Siena, Italy
- Janssen Biologics BV, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Leonardo Di Cesare
- Vaccines Institute for Global Health (Global Health Vaccines R&D), GSK, Siena, Italy
| | - Danilo Gomes Moriel
- Vaccines Institute for Global Health (Global Health Vaccines R&D), GSK, Siena, Italy
| | - Audino Podda
- Vaccines Institute for Global Health (Global Health Vaccines R&D), GSK, Siena, Italy
- Independent consultant, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Ashwani Kumar Arora
- Vaccines Institute for Global Health (Global Health Vaccines R&D), GSK, Siena, Italy
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Goddard L, Kaestli M, Makalic E, Ralph AP. Outcomes of possible and probable rheumatic fever: A cohort study using northern Australian register data, 2013-2019. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002064. [PMID: 38170692 PMCID: PMC10763935 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
In Australia, there is a high burden of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Clinical diagnostic criteria can result in a diagnosis of 'definite', 'probable' or 'possible' ARF and outcomes range from recovery to severe rheumatic heart disease (RHD). We compared outcomes by ARF diagnosis, where the main outcome was defined as disease progression from: possible to probable ARF, definite ARF or RHD; probable to definite ARF or RHD; or definite ARF to definite ARF recurrence or RHD. Data were extracted from the Northern Territory RHD register for Indigenous Australians with an initial diagnosis of ARF during the 5.5-year study period (01/01/2013-30/06/2019). Descriptive statistics were used to describe cohort characteristics, probability of survival, and cumulative incidence risk of disease progression. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine whether time to disease progression differed according to ARF diagnosis. Sub-analyses on RHD outcome, clinical manifestations, and antibiotic adherence were also performed. In total there were 913 cases with an initial ARF diagnosis. Of these, 92 (13%) experienced disease progression. The probability of disease progression significantly differed between ARF diagnoses (p = 0.0043; log rank test). Cumulative incidence risk of disease progression at 5.5 years was 33.6% (95% CI 23.6-46.2) for definite, 13.5% (95% CI 8.8-20.6) for probable and 11.4% (95% CI 6.0-21.3) for possible ARF. Disease progression was 2.19 times more likely in those with definite ARF than those with possible ARF (p = 0.026). Progression to RHD was reported in 52/732 (7%) of ARF cases with normal baseline echocardiography. There was a significantly higher risk of progression from no RHD to RHD if the initial diagnosis was definite compared to possible ARF (p<0.001). These data provide a useful way to stratify risk and guide prognosis for people diagnosed with ARF and can help inform practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Goddard
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- School of Global and Population Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mirjam Kaestli
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Enes Makalic
- School of Global and Population Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anna P. Ralph
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
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Karthikeyan G, Watkins D, Bukhman G, Cunningham MW, Haller J, Masterson M, Mensah GA, Mocumbi A, Muhamed B, Okello E, Sotoodehnia N, Machipisa T, Ralph A, Wyber R, Beaton A. Research priorities for the secondary prevention and management of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute workshop report. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012468. [PMID: 37914183 PMCID: PMC10618973 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Secondary prevention of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) involves continuous antimicrobial prophylaxis among affected individuals and is recognised as a cornerstone of public health programmes that address these conditions. However, several important scientific issues around the secondary prevention paradigm remain unresolved. This report details research priorities for secondary prevention that were developed as part of a workshop convened by the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in November 2021. These span basic, translational, clinical and population science research disciplines and are built on four pillars. First, we need a better understanding of RHD epidemiology to guide programmes, policies, and clinical and public health practice. Second, we need better strategies to find and diagnose people affected by ARF and RHD. Third, we urgently need better tools to manage acute RF and slow the progression of RHD. Fourth, new and existing technologies for these conditions need to be better integrated into healthcare systems. We intend for this document to be a reference point for research organisations and research sponsors interested in contributing to the growing scientific community focused on RHD prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Watkins
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Gene Bukhman
- Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Program in Global Noncommunicable Diseases and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - John Haller
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Mary Masterson
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - George A Mensah
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ana Mocumbi
- Non-Communicable Diseases Division, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Marracuene, Mozambique
- Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Babu Muhamed
- The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Emmy Okello
- Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute Ltd, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Nona Sotoodehnia
- Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Tafadzwa Machipisa
- Cape Heart Institute (CHI), Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
- Clinical Research Laboratory & Biobank-Genetic & Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory (CRLB-GMEL), Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna Ralph
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Rosemary Wyber
- END RHD Program, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Andrea Beaton
- Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Cardiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Acute Rheumatic Fever: Recent Advances. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2023; 42:e42-e44. [PMID: 36102715 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000003708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Ralph AP, Kelly A, Lee AM, Mungatopi VL, Babui SR, Budhathoki NK, Wade V, de Dassel JL, Wyber R. Evaluation of a Community-Led Program for Primordial and Primary Prevention of Rheumatic Fever in Remote Northern Australia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191610215. [PMID: 36011846 PMCID: PMC9407981 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Environmental factors including household crowding and inadequate washing facilities underpin recurrent streptococcal infections in childhood that cause acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and subsequent rheumatic heart disease (RHD). No community-based 'primordial'-level interventions to reduce streptococcal infection and ARF rates have been reported from Australia previously. We conducted a study at three Australian Aboriginal communities aiming to reduce infections including skin sores and sore throats, usually caused by Group A Streptococci, and ARF. Data were collected for primary care diagnoses consistent with likely or potential streptococcal infection, relating to ARF or RHD or related to environmental living conditions. Rates of these diagnoses during a one-year Baseline Phase were compared with a three-year Activity Phase. Participants were children or adults receiving penicillin prophylaxis for ARF. Aboriginal community members were trained and employed to share knowledge about ARF prevention, support reporting and repairs of faulty health-hardware including showers and provide healthcare navigation for families focusing on skin sores, sore throat and ARF. We hypothesized that infection-related diagnoses would increase through greater recognition, then decrease. We enrolled 29 participants and their families. Overall infection-related diagnosis rates increased from Baseline (mean rate per-person-year 1.69 [95% CI 1.10-2.28]) to Year One (2.12 [95% CI 1.17-3.07]) then decreased (Year Three: 0.72 [95% CI 0.29-1.15]) but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.064). Annual numbers of first-known ARF decreased, but numbers were small: there were six cases of first-known ARF during Baseline, then five, 1, 0 over the next three years respectively. There was a relationship between household occupancy and numbers (p = 0.018), but not rates (p = 0.447) of infections. This first Australian ARF primordial prevention study provides a feasible model with encouraging findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna P. Ralph
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
- Division of Medicine, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin 0810, Australia
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Australia, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin 0810, Australia
| | - Angela Kelly
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
| | - Anne-Marie Lee
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
- Sunrise Health Corporation, Katherine 0850, Australia
| | - Valerina L. Mungatopi
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
| | - Segora R. Babui
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
| | - Nanda Kaji Budhathoki
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin 0810, Australia
| | - Vicki Wade
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Australia, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin 0810, Australia
| | | | - Rosemary Wyber
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth 6000, Australia
- George Institute for Global Health, Sydney 2000, Australia
- Australian National University, Canberra 2610, Australia
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Rwebembera J, Nascimento BR, Minja NW, de Loizaga S, Aliku T, dos Santos LPA, Galdino BF, Corte LS, Silva VR, Chang AY, Dutra WO, Nunes MCP, Beaton AZ. Recent Advances in the Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Continuum. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11020179. [PMID: 35215123 PMCID: PMC8878614 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly a century after rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) was eradicated from the developed world, the disease remains endemic in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with grim health and socioeconomic impacts. The neglect of RHD which persisted for a semi-centennial was further driven by competing infectious diseases, particularly the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic. However, over the last two-decades, slowly at first but with building momentum, there has been a resurgence of interest in RF/RHD. In this narrative review, we present the advances that have been made in the RF/RHD continuum over the past two decades since the re-awakening of interest, with a more concise focus on the last decade’s achievements. Such primary advances include understanding the genetic predisposition to RHD, group A Streptococcus (GAS) vaccine development, and improved diagnostic strategies for GAS pharyngitis. Echocardiographic screening for RHD has been a major advance which has unearthed the prevailing high burden of RHD and the recent demonstration of benefit of secondary antibiotic prophylaxis on halting progression of latent RHD is a major step forward. Multiple befitting advances in tertiary management of RHD have also been realized. Finally, we summarize the research gaps and provide illumination on profitable future directions towards global eradication of RHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joselyn Rwebembera
- Department of Adult Cardiology (JR), Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala 37392, Uganda
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +256-779010527
| | - Bruno Ramos Nascimento
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
- Servico de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardiovascular e Centro de Telessaude, Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena 110, 1st Floor, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Neema W. Minja
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Research Collaborative in Uganda, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala 37392, Uganda;
| | - Sarah de Loizaga
- School of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (S.d.L.); (A.Z.B.)
| | - Twalib Aliku
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology (TA), Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala 37392, Uganda;
| | - Luiza Pereira Afonso dos Santos
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Bruno Fernandes Galdino
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Luiza Silame Corte
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Vicente Rezende Silva
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
| | - Andrew Young Chang
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Walderez Ornelas Dutra
- Laboratory of Cell-Cell Interactions, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil;
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Tropical Diseases (INCT-DT), Salvador 40170-970, BA, Brazil
| | - Maria Carmo Pereira Nunes
- Departamento de Clinica Medica, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil; (B.R.N.); (L.P.A.d.S.); (B.F.G.); (L.S.C.); (V.R.S.); (M.C.P.N.)
- Servico de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardiovascular e Centro de Telessaude, Hospital das Clinicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena 110, 1st Floor, Belo Horizonte 30130-100, MG, Brazil
| | - Andrea Zawacki Beaton
- School of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (S.d.L.); (A.Z.B.)
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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