Systematic Review of Household Transmission of Strep A: A Potential Site for Prevention That Has Eluded Attention.

Background: Although Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) is the sixth-most common infectious disease globally, its transmission within the household remains an understudied driver of infection. We undertook a systematic review to better understand the transmission of Strep A among people within the home, while highlighting opportunities for prevention.

Methods: A search strategy was applied to 5 databases between September 2022 and March 2023.

Standardization of Epidemiological Surveillance of Group A Streptococcal Cellulitis.

Cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue usually found complicating a wound, ulcer, or dermatosis. This article provides guidelines for the surveillance of cellulitis. The primary objectives of cellulitis surveillance are to (1) monitor trends in rates of infection, (2) describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with cellulitis, (3) estimate the frequency of complications, and (4) describe the risk factors associated with primary and recurrent cellulitis.

The global burden of sore throat and group A pharyngitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Contemporary data for the global burden of sore throat and group A (Strep A) pharyngitis are required to understand the frequency of disease and develop value propositions for Strep A vaccines.

Methods: We used Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science platform to search WoS core collection, PubMed, Medline, data citation index, KCI-Korean Journal Database, Russian Science Citation Index, and the SciELO Citation Index for articles published between Jan 1, 2000, and Feb 15, 2021, from any country and in any language. The risk of bias was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal checklist.

Modes of transmission and attack rates of group A Streptococcal infection: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity globally. This bacterium is responsible for a range of different infections and post-infectious sequelae. Summarising the current knowledge of Strep A transmission to humans will address gaps in the evidence and inform prevention and control strategies.

Topical versus systemic antibiotics for chronic suppurative otitis media.

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), sometimes referred to as chronic otitis media (COM), is a chronic inflammation and often polymicrobial infection (involving more than one micro-organism) of the middle ear and mastoid cavity, characterised by ear discharge (otorrhoea) through a perforated tympanic membrane. The predominant symptoms of CSOM are ear discharge and hearing loss. Antibiotics are the most common treatment for CSOM, which act to kill or inhibit the growth of micro-organisms that may be responsible for the infection.

Using the Delphi method to identify meaningful and feasible outcomes for pharmaceutical value-based contracting.

In an effort to demonstrate measurable value of pharmaceuticals in the United States, many payers and drug manufacturers have entered into value-based purchasing contracts that link payment for prescription medications to patient outcomes, creating shared risk between the 2 entities. These agreements have emerged as part of a larger movement within the health care landscape to transition away from volume-based payment models and towards value-based designs that promote high-quality and affordable care. Key to the success of pharmaceutical value-based contracting is agreement on meaningful and measurable outcomes that reflect drug performance.

Aural toilet (ear cleaning) for chronic suppurative otitis media.

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), sometimes referred to as chronic otitis media (COM), is a chronic inflammation and often polymicrobial infection (involving more than one micro-organism) of the middle ear and mastoid cavity, characterised by ear discharge (otorrhoea) through a perforated tympanic membrane. The predominant symptoms of CSOM are ear discharge and hearing loss. Aural toileting is a term describing a number of processes for manually cleaning the ear.

Genetic Manipulation of Group A Streptococcus-Gene Deletion by Allelic Replacement.

Genetic manipulation of Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus, GAS) has historically been a challenging process, with considerable variation in efficiency between different strains. Here, we outline an optimized, rapid method for creating markerless isogenic mutations that combines Gibson assembly cloning with a new temperature-sensitive plasmid, pLZts. This method is highly efficient and reduces the time needed to create GAS mutants to ~2-3 weeks, with the ability to prepare multiple mutants simultaneously.

Indirect treatment comparison/network meta-analysis study questionnaire to assess relevance and credibility to inform health care decision making: an ISPOR-AMCP-NPC Good Practice Task Force report.

Despite the great realized or potential value of network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial evidence to inform health care decision making, many decision makers might not be familiar with these techniques. The Task Force developed a consensus-based 26-item questionnaire to help decision makers assess the relevance and credibility of indirect treatment comparisons and network meta-analysis to help inform health care decision making. The relevance domain of the questionnaire (4 questions) calls for assessments about the applicability of network meta-analysis results to the setting of interest to the decision maker.

Medical utilization associated with palivizumab compliance in a commercial and managed medicaid health plan.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections and hospitalization in infants. Palivizumab is currently the only available agent for prevention of RSV infection in high-risk infants. This high-cost injectable requires monthly dosing during the RSV season.