Rationale and design of the African group A streptococcal infection registry : the AFROStrep study
Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Abstract
Introduction: Group A β-haemolytic Streptococcus
(GAS), a Gram-positive bacterium, also known as
Streptococcus pyogenes, causes pyoderma,
pharyngitis and invasive disease. Repeated GAS
infections may lead to autoimmune diseases such as
acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, acute
rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease
(RHD). Invasive GAS (iGAS) disease is an important
cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The
burden of GAS infections is, however, unknown in
Africa because of lack of surveillance systems.
Methods and analysis: The African group A
streptococcal infection registry (the AFROStrep study)
is a collaborative multicentre study of clinical,
microbiological, epidemiological and molecular
characteristics for GAS infection in Africa. The
AFROStrep registry comprises two components: (1)
active surveillance of GAS pharyngitis cases from
sentinel primary care centres (non-iGAS) and (2)
passive surveillance of iGAS disease from microbiology
laboratories. Isolates will also be subjected to DNA
isolation to allow for characterisation by molecular
methods and cryopreservation for long-term storage.
The AFROStrep study seeks to collect comprehensive
data on GAS isolates in Africa. The biorepository will
serve as a platform for vaccine development in Africa.
Ethics and dissemination: Ethics approval for the
AFROStrep registry has been obtained from the Human
Research Ethics Committee at the University of Cape
Town (HREC/REF: R006/2015). Each recruiting site will
seek ethics approval from their local ethics’ committee.
All participants will be required to provide consent for
inclusion into the registry as well as for the storage of
isolates and molecular investigations to be conducted
thereon. Strict confidentiality will be applied
throughout. Findings and updates will be disseminated
to collaborators, researchers, health planners and
colleagues through peer-reviewed journal articles,
conference publications and proceedings.
Description
CITATION: Barth, D. D., et al. 2016. Rationale and design of the African group A streptococcal infection registry : the AFROStrep study, BMJ Open, 6:e010248, doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010248.
The original publication is available at http://bmjopen.bmj.com
The original publication is available at http://bmjopen.bmj.com
Keywords
Gram-positive bacterium, African group A streptococcal infection registry, Streptococcal infections -- Monitoring, Afrostrep registry
Citation
Barth, D. D., et al. 2016. Rationale and design of the African group A streptococcal infection registry : the AFROStrep study, BMJ Open, 6:e010248, doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-
010248