Dr Thushan de Silva and Dr Claire Turner were awarded HEFCE ODA Quality-Related research funding through the University of Sheffield to study infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes in The Gambia. This will be a partnership between MRC Unit The Gambia (MRCG) and The Florey Institute to better understand the link between S. pyogenes skin infections and other diseases, such as: scabies and Rheumatic Heart Disease.
Dr de Silva is currently based in The Gambia and along with Dr. Edwin Armitage (Research Clinician) and with support from Prof Martin Antonio (MRCG Unit Molecular Biologist), isolates of S. pyogenes will be whole genome sequenced at MRCG, with a more detailed in vitro analysis carried out by Dr Turner at the Florey Institute in the UK.
Rheumatic Heart Disease is a condition that occurs following infections with S. pyogenes (also known as group A Streptococcus) and affects approximately 33 million people worldwide. Although generally considered to follow throat infections, in The Gambia where the level of RHD is high, there is a high burden of skin infections. The incidence of scabies is also high in this area and this can predispose children to S. pyogenes skin infections.
‘Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) in children is very common in The Gambia, with limited options for managing established disease. Preventative measures such as vaccines are key to reducing future disease burden for these children. However, most vaccine candidates are based on S. pyogenes isolates found in high income countries. In addition, there is increasing evidence from tropical countries that S. pyogenes causing skin infections are linked to RHD. The award of these funds is the first step in an exciting collaboration between field research in The Gambia and and cutting-edge laboratory research at the Florey Institute.’ Dr Thushan de Silva.
Dr de Silva is currently based in The Gambia and along with Dr. Edwin Armitage (Research Clinician) and with support from Prof Martin Antonio (MRCG Unit Molecular Biologist), isolates of S. pyogenes will be whole genome sequenced at MRCG, with a more detailed in vitro analysis carried out by Dr Turner at the Florey Institute in the UK.
Rheumatic Heart Disease is a condition that occurs following infections with S. pyogenes (also known as group A Streptococcus) and affects approximately 33 million people worldwide. Although generally considered to follow throat infections, in The Gambia where the level of RHD is high, there is a high burden of skin infections. The incidence of scabies is also high in this area and this can predispose children to S. pyogenes skin infections.
‘Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) in children is very common in The Gambia, with limited options for managing established disease. Preventative measures such as vaccines are key to reducing future disease burden for these children. However, most vaccine candidates are based on S. pyogenes isolates found in high income countries. In addition, there is increasing evidence from tropical countries that S. pyogenes causing skin infections are linked to RHD. The award of these funds is the first step in an exciting collaboration between field research in The Gambia and and cutting-edge laboratory research at the Florey Institute.’ Dr Thushan de Silva.
The field team in The Gambia will be performing project SPYDERM as a pilot study into scabies and group A Streptococcal Pyoderma [Skin disease] in The Gambia, identifying cases in children and collecting samples.
‘Whole genome sequencing of S. pyogenes from this region will enable us to understand the population of S. pyogenes causing RHD and allow us to compare this to populations from the UK and other high income countries. This will allow us to determine what bacterial factors might underpin RHD. We will also have the fantastic opportunity to study these isolates further using in vitro disease models currently being developed.’ Dr Claire Turner.
Find out more about the MRC Unit The Gambia
‘Whole genome sequencing of S. pyogenes from this region will enable us to understand the population of S. pyogenes causing RHD and allow us to compare this to populations from the UK and other high income countries. This will allow us to determine what bacterial factors might underpin RHD. We will also have the fantastic opportunity to study these isolates further using in vitro disease models currently being developed.’ Dr Claire Turner.
Find out more about the MRC Unit The Gambia
