title: Development of Group A streptococcal vaccines: an unmet global health need.
abstract: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections are a significant global cause of morbidity and mortality. GAS diseases disproportionally affect those living in conditions characterized by poverty and social injustice, in both developing countries and in marginalized populations of industrialized nations. In Australia and New Zealand, GAS-associated Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF) is a major cause of health inequality disproportionally affecting indigenous children. Recognition of these inequalities by the governments of Australia and New Zealand has resulted in the formation of a Trans-Tasman Coalition to Advance New Vaccines for group A Streptococcus (CANVAS). This review provides an update on the current status of GAS vaccine development, and describes global efforts by CANVAS and others to accelerate the development of GAS vaccines.
authors.affiliation: a Telethon Kids Institute , The University of Western Australia , Perth , Australia.
authors.forename: Meru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sheel
authors.affiliation: b Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.|c School of Biological Sciences , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Nicole J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Moreland
authors.affiliation: b Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.|d School of Medical Sciences , University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.affiliation: a Telethon Kids Institute , The University of Western Australia , Perth , Australia.|e Princess Margaret Hospital for Children , Perth , Australia.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carapetis
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022541:Streptococcal Vaccines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D022541:Streptococcal Vaccines
keywords: M protein; Streptococcus pyogenes; rheumatic fever; rheumatic heart disease; vaccines