The Emergence and Impact of the M1 Lineage on Invasive Group A Streptococcus Disease in Aotearoa New Zealand.

M1 is associated with current surges in invasive infection globally, partly due to increased production of superantigen streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A. We show that M1 is now the dominant invasive 1 lineage in Aotearoa New Zealand and is genomically related to community infections, suggesting that measures that effectively prevent group A pharyngitis in children could reduce invasive disease.

Nonadherence to systemic immune-modifying therapy in people with psoriasis during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from a global cross-sectional survey.

Background: Nonadherence to immune-modifying therapy is a complex behaviour which, before the COVID-19 pandemic, was shown to be associated with mental health disorders in people with immune-mediated diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in the global prevalence of anxiety and depression, and limited data exist on the association between mental health and nonadherence to immune-modifying therapy during the pandemic.

Objectives: To assess the extent of and reasons underlying nonadherence to systemic immune-modifying therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals with psoriasis, and the association between mental health and nonadherence.

Evaluation of ssrA-targeted real time PCR for the detection of Bartonella species in human clinical samples and reflex sequencing for species-level identification.

The genus Bartonella includes species capable of causing disease in animals and humans. Due to its fastidious nature, direct detection of Bartonella causing human infection relies largely on molecular microbiological methods. Thus, it is imperative that diagnostic assays in use have the ability to detect a range of Bartonella species associated with human disease.