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Published on: June 18, 2020
Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis in Central Australia
1Alice Springs Hospital, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia.
Insights
Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is highest in Aboriginal children in Central Australia. Improved housing and reduced overcrowding are urgently needed to combat this Group A Streptococcus related disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) is a post-infectious kidney disease.
- Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections are a known trigger for APSGN.
- Limited data exists on APSGN incidence in remote Australian populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence, clinical presentation, and progress of APSGN in Central Australia.
- To identify associated biochemical abnormalities and co-occurring conditions.
- To inform public health strategies for disease prevention.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational analysis of paediatric inpatient admissions.
- Inclusion criteria: patients under 14 years admitted to Alice Springs Hospital (2010-2014) meeting APSGN diagnostic criteria.
- Data collected on incidence, clinical features, biochemical markers, and co-infections.
Main Results:
- Identified 69 cases of APSGN (or probable APSGN) out of 174 reviewed.
- Calculated incidence of APSGN admission higher than previously reported, and the highest globally in children.
- Frequently documented skin infections, co-occurring infections (scabies, UTI, pneumonia), and acute kidney injury in 53 patients.
Conclusions:
- Aboriginal children in Central Australia exhibit the world's highest incidence of APSGN.
- Urgent improvements in housing and reduction of overcrowding are critical to decrease GAS-related disease burden.
- Without improved living conditions, significant reduction in APSGN morbidity is unlikely.
Objective:
To determine the incidence, clinical presentation and progress of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis in Central Australia.
Design:
Retrospective observational analysis.
Setting:
Paediatric inpatient admission at Alice Springs Hospital.
Participants:
Patients admitted to Alice Springs Hospital under 14 years of age meeting diagnostic criteria for acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis between January 2010 and December 2014.
Main Outcome Measures:
Incidence of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis in central Australia. Biochemical abnormalities associated with acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Co-occuring conditions.
Results:
Sixty-nine out of the 174 cases reviewed were identified as having either acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (63) or probable acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (6). We calculate the incidence of APSGN admission to be higher than previously reported and the highest reported incidence globally in children. Clinical evidence of skin infection was frequently documented. Co-occurring infections were common, including scabies/head lice, urinary tract infection and pneumonia. Fifty-three patients showed biochemical evidence of acute kidney injury.
Conclusions:
Aboriginal children in Central Australia have the highest incidence of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis reported worldwide. Urgent action is required to improve housing and reduce overcrowding in Central Australian towns and communities to reduce the burden of disease of skin infection and Group A Streptococcus related diseases. Without effective change in living conditions, it is unlikely that there will be a significant change in the morbidity related to these conditions.
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