iSpy LIFE
@ispylifenetwork.bsky.social
iSpy LIFE: Taking on Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A)! Uniting 28 researchers from 11 nations. Led by Imperial College London & University of California San Diego. Funded by Leducq Foundation. Follow us for updates!
#iSpyLIFE #StrepA #Streptococcus
#iSpyLIFE #StrepA #Streptococcus
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Definitely worth a read and raises all sorts of questions about how quickly we become vulnerable as a population if we aren’t immune/immunised.👇
October 15, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Definitely worth a read and raises all sorts of questions about how quickly we become vulnerable as a population if we aren’t immune/immunised.👇
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Death rates from serious #StrepA infections remain worryingly high, new research led by Prof Shiranee Sriskandan shows.
Study found no big difference between two key strains, but highlights the need for faster diagnosis & prevention.
academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
Study found no big difference between two key strains, but highlights the need for faster diagnosis & prevention.
academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
Mortality Among Patients With Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections Caused by the M1UK Lineage: A Retrospective Cohort Study in England and Wales
Emm1 invasive Strep A incurs a high case fatality rate. In this national cohort, 24.4% of those with M1UK iGAS died, though this was not different from anc
academic.oup.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Death rates from serious #StrepA infections remain worryingly high, new research led by Prof Shiranee Sriskandan shows.
Study found no big difference between two key strains, but highlights the need for faster diagnosis & prevention.
academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
Study found no big difference between two key strains, but highlights the need for faster diagnosis & prevention.
academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Why did severe #StrepA infections in children increase after the pandemic?
Our new @jamanetworkopen paper suggests COVID restrictions delayed immunity development in young children.
tiny.cc/63vt001
Our new @jamanetworkopen paper suggests COVID restrictions delayed immunity development in young children.
tiny.cc/63vt001
Immunity to S pyogenes and Common Respiratory Viruses at Age 0 to 4 Years
This cross-sectional study examines changes in immunity to Streptococcus pyogenes and other common respiratory pathogens among young children in 10 European countries after the introduction of nonphar...
tiny.cc
October 15, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Why did severe #StrepA infections in children increase after the pandemic?
Our new @jamanetworkopen paper suggests COVID restrictions delayed immunity development in young children.
tiny.cc/63vt001
Our new @jamanetworkopen paper suggests COVID restrictions delayed immunity development in young children.
tiny.cc/63vt001
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
A new study by @thushan-desilva.bsky.social @alexjkeeley.bsky.social & colleagues provides a framework for future Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) vaccine development by examining the natural acquisition of humoral immunity!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#Microbiology #Pathogen #VaccineDevelopment
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#Microbiology #Pathogen #VaccineDevelopment
September 8, 2025 at 6:33 PM
A new study by @thushan-desilva.bsky.social @alexjkeeley.bsky.social & colleagues provides a framework for future Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) vaccine development by examining the natural acquisition of humoral immunity!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#Microbiology #Pathogen #VaccineDevelopment
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
#Microbiology #Pathogen #VaccineDevelopment
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
# StrepA kills >500,000 people a year via:
Invasive Strep A (e.g UK 2022)
and
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD).
RHD occurs where there’s:
+++ Strep A skin infections
+++ bacterial diversity
+++ poverty
Children the world over would benefit from a safe effective vaccine.
3/
Invasive Strep A (e.g UK 2022)
and
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD).
RHD occurs where there’s:
+++ Strep A skin infections
+++ bacterial diversity
+++ poverty
Children the world over would benefit from a safe effective vaccine.
3/
August 8, 2025 at 9:09 AM
# StrepA kills >500,000 people a year via:
Invasive Strep A (e.g UK 2022)
and
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD).
RHD occurs where there’s:
+++ Strep A skin infections
+++ bacterial diversity
+++ poverty
Children the world over would benefit from a safe effective vaccine.
3/
Invasive Strep A (e.g UK 2022)
and
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD).
RHD occurs where there’s:
+++ Strep A skin infections
+++ bacterial diversity
+++ poverty
Children the world over would benefit from a safe effective vaccine.
3/
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
🧵 Our paper out today in @naturemedicine.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
On development of #StrepA #Immunity over life course in #TheGambia raising hope for #vaccines on the horizon
1/
#Immunosky #IDsky #MicroSky #globalhealth.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
On development of #StrepA #Immunity over life course in #TheGambia raising hope for #vaccines on the horizon
1/
#Immunosky #IDsky #MicroSky #globalhealth.
www.nature.com
August 8, 2025 at 9:09 AM
🧵 Our paper out today in @naturemedicine.bsky.social
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
On development of #StrepA #Immunity over life course in #TheGambia raising hope for #vaccines on the horizon
1/
#Immunosky #IDsky #MicroSky #globalhealth.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
On development of #StrepA #Immunity over life course in #TheGambia raising hope for #vaccines on the horizon
1/
#Immunosky #IDsky #MicroSky #globalhealth.
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Please share my 1 min video on the importance of maintaining NIH funding of infectious diseases and drug discovery research vs rising antibiotic resistance
Drastic budget cuts harm our health and imperil the next generation of scientists
More @UCSanDiego “Behind Every Breakthrough” bit.ly/3FlXQs3
Drastic budget cuts harm our health and imperil the next generation of scientists
More @UCSanDiego “Behind Every Breakthrough” bit.ly/3FlXQs3
August 7, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Please share my 1 min video on the importance of maintaining NIH funding of infectious diseases and drug discovery research vs rising antibiotic resistance
Drastic budget cuts harm our health and imperil the next generation of scientists
More @UCSanDiego “Behind Every Breakthrough” bit.ly/3FlXQs3
Drastic budget cuts harm our health and imperil the next generation of scientists
More @UCSanDiego “Behind Every Breakthrough” bit.ly/3FlXQs3
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Latest from @mrcunitgambia.bsky.social #StrepA group. Show clinical decision rules developed elsewhere (mostly HIC) have poor performance in Gambia & molecular tests detect far more #StrepA than culture. Given burden of RhD in Africa we urgently need better & affordable tests for #StrepA diagnosis
Evaluating clinical decision rules and rapid diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of Streptococcus pyogenes pharyngitis in Gambian children: a diagnostic accuracy study
Accurate diagnosis of Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) pharyngitis is imperative
in high rheumatic heart disease-burden countries. We aimed to assess the diagnostic
accuracy of two rapid diagnosti...
www.journalofinfection.com
July 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Latest from @mrcunitgambia.bsky.social #StrepA group. Show clinical decision rules developed elsewhere (mostly HIC) have poor performance in Gambia & molecular tests detect far more #StrepA than culture. Given burden of RhD in Africa we urgently need better & affordable tests for #StrepA diagnosis
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
This deep dive into the clinical phenotype of rheumatic fever highlights extreme diversity in presenting symptoms. An important observation from the START study, and highlights why better diagnostic tests are needed 🧪 @annapralph.bsky.social @rhcmcg.bsky.social
bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/7...
bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/7...
July 22, 2025 at 5:44 AM
This deep dive into the clinical phenotype of rheumatic fever highlights extreme diversity in presenting symptoms. An important observation from the START study, and highlights why better diagnostic tests are needed 🧪 @annapralph.bsky.social @rhcmcg.bsky.social
bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/7...
bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/7...
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Part of the recently completed PhD thesis of outstanding UC San Diego Medical Scientist Training Program student Alex Stream exploring Strep A molecular pathogenesis and vaccinology
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
June 11, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Part of the recently completed PhD thesis of outstanding UC San Diego Medical Scientist Training Program student Alex Stream exploring Strep A molecular pathogenesis and vaccinology
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
Great discussions happening at the #iSpyNetworkMeeting #LISSSD2025! Collaborating around #Strep research. Huge thanks to the Leducq Foundation for making it all possible! @ispyexplore.bsky.social @ispylifenetwork.bsky.social @grampospath.bsky.social @thushan-desilva.bsky.social
June 5, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Great discussions happening at the #iSpyNetworkMeeting #LISSSD2025! Collaborating around #Strep research. Huge thanks to the Leducq Foundation for making it all possible! @ispyexplore.bsky.social @ispylifenetwork.bsky.social @grampospath.bsky.social @thushan-desilva.bsky.social
Great to see everyone dialled in for Joe Kado's talk on "Diagnosing in Low Resource Settings" at #LISSSD2025 in Brisbane! So many #Strep enthusiasts in one place. Big thanks to @ispyexplore.bsky.social & @ispylifenetwork.bsky.social for putting this on! #Lancefield #iSpyNetworkMeeting
June 5, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Great to see everyone dialled in for Joe Kado's talk on "Diagnosing in Low Resource Settings" at #LISSSD2025 in Brisbane! So many #Strep enthusiasts in one place. Big thanks to @ispyexplore.bsky.social & @ispylifenetwork.bsky.social for putting this on! #Lancefield #iSpyNetworkMeeting
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Prof M Good & A/Prof M Pandey close #LISSSD25 thanking all the local committee, scientific advisory committee (led by Dr
T Lamagni & @joshosowicki.bsky.social), presenters, and delegates.
Prof A Steer announces #LISSSD28 is to be held in
📌 Limassol, Cyprus 🇨🇾 2028
T Lamagni & @joshosowicki.bsky.social), presenters, and delegates.
Prof A Steer announces #LISSSD28 is to be held in
📌 Limassol, Cyprus 🇨🇾 2028
June 5, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Prof M Good & A/Prof M Pandey close #LISSSD25 thanking all the local committee, scientific advisory committee (led by Dr
T Lamagni & @joshosowicki.bsky.social), presenters, and delegates.
Prof A Steer announces #LISSSD28 is to be held in
📌 Limassol, Cyprus 🇨🇾 2028
T Lamagni & @joshosowicki.bsky.social), presenters, and delegates.
Prof A Steer announces #LISSSD28 is to be held in
📌 Limassol, Cyprus 🇨🇾 2028
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
I said no more #LISSSD25 posts but forgot a major highlight!
Most sessions started w/ a patient lived experience video, and you can see them all @ lisssd2025.org/patient-stories
Looking after patients during thier illnesses is v. stressful so it's great to hear their experiences when recovered.
Most sessions started w/ a patient lived experience video, and you can see them all @ lisssd2025.org/patient-stories
Looking after patients during thier illnesses is v. stressful so it's great to hear their experiences when recovered.
Patient Stories — LISSSD 2025
www.lisssd2025.org
June 5, 2025 at 7:33 AM
I said no more #LISSSD25 posts but forgot a major highlight!
Most sessions started w/ a patient lived experience video, and you can see them all @ lisssd2025.org/patient-stories
Looking after patients during thier illnesses is v. stressful so it's great to hear their experiences when recovered.
Most sessions started w/ a patient lived experience video, and you can see them all @ lisssd2025.org/patient-stories
Looking after patients during thier illnesses is v. stressful so it's great to hear their experiences when recovered.
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Last of the #LISSSD25 presentations is Prof Victor Nizet imploring the community to think like streptococci in these times of authoritarianism USA anti-science
🍇 Evade host immunity (cont to do work)
🍇 Form biofilms (network)
🍇 Colonise diverse hosts (expand skill sets)
#strep #idsky
🍇 Evade host immunity (cont to do work)
🍇 Form biofilms (network)
🍇 Colonise diverse hosts (expand skill sets)
#strep #idsky
June 5, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Another AUROC: L Carlton presents a possible ARF biomarker id'd from a series of bead array exp using START cohort samples.
Most accurate candidate TRAFIP with AUROC 0.79 solo or upto 0.845 in combo w/ other biomarkers.
Coming to a revised-revised Jones criteria? #LISSSD25 #idsky
Most accurate candidate TRAFIP with AUROC 0.79 solo or upto 0.845 in combo w/ other biomarkers.
Coming to a revised-revised Jones criteria? #LISSSD25 #idsky
June 4, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
PhD cand. J Iwasaki talks about mechanism behind strep throat recurrence.
👅 ~15% strep throat relapse
👅 Relapse strains can persist in ⬆️ [pen]
👅 Intracellular persistence in strep intracell. comm. [SIC]
👅 SICs are L-switch'd to lack cell wall hence recur post Pen Rx
#LISSSD25 #clinmicro
👅 ~15% strep throat relapse
👅 Relapse strains can persist in ⬆️ [pen]
👅 Intracellular persistence in strep intracell. comm. [SIC]
👅 SICs are L-switch'd to lack cell wall hence recur post Pen Rx
#LISSSD25 #clinmicro
June 4, 2025 at 5:47 AM
PhD cand. J Iwasaki talks about mechanism behind strep throat recurrence.
👅 ~15% strep throat relapse
👅 Relapse strains can persist in ⬆️ [pen]
👅 Intracellular persistence in strep intracell. comm. [SIC]
👅 SICs are L-switch'd to lack cell wall hence recur post Pen Rx
#LISSSD25 #clinmicro
👅 ~15% strep throat relapse
👅 Relapse strains can persist in ⬆️ [pen]
👅 Intracellular persistence in strep intracell. comm. [SIC]
👅 SICs are L-switch'd to lack cell wall hence recur post Pen Rx
#LISSSD25 #clinmicro
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Dr K Gibney flys the flag for 🦘 clin trials by 🎺
ISAAC 🔎 at Abx prophylaxis of close iGAS contacts (enrolling soon)
STRAP 🔎 backbone Abx, adjunctive Abx, and IVIg (enrolling 2026ish)
Only enrolling in Aus for now but looking for int. collab.
#LISSSD25 #idsky #clinicaltrials #strep
ISAAC 🔎 at Abx prophylaxis of close iGAS contacts (enrolling soon)
STRAP 🔎 backbone Abx, adjunctive Abx, and IVIg (enrolling 2026ish)
Only enrolling in Aus for now but looking for int. collab.
#LISSSD25 #idsky #clinicaltrials #strep
June 5, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Dr K Gibney flys the flag for 🦘 clin trials by 🎺
ISAAC 🔎 at Abx prophylaxis of close iGAS contacts (enrolling soon)
STRAP 🔎 backbone Abx, adjunctive Abx, and IVIg (enrolling 2026ish)
Only enrolling in Aus for now but looking for int. collab.
#LISSSD25 #idsky #clinicaltrials #strep
ISAAC 🔎 at Abx prophylaxis of close iGAS contacts (enrolling soon)
STRAP 🔎 backbone Abx, adjunctive Abx, and IVIg (enrolling 2026ish)
Only enrolling in Aus for now but looking for int. collab.
#LISSSD25 #idsky #clinicaltrials #strep
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Prof S Sriskandan finishes w/ sobering data from the '22 UK GAS outbreak probably driven by nonimmune unexposed birth cohorts and spread by aerosolised hydrophobic GAS. Rapidly fatal - Dx of GAS microbiologically conf. post mortem in 50% of peads deaths so window of opportunity very small
June 1, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Prof S Sriskandan finishes w/ sobering data from the '22 UK GAS outbreak probably driven by nonimmune unexposed birth cohorts and spread by aerosolised hydrophobic GAS. Rapidly fatal - Dx of GAS microbiologically conf. post mortem in 50% of peads deaths so window of opportunity very small
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Prof A Steer speaks about the progress to a Strep A vaccine, and highlights the current Emm and non-emm candidates as well as the challenges in Strep A. Steer highlights new human challenge models, published trial complication guidelines and monitoring, and building momenum. #LISSSD25 #idsky
June 2, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Prof de Silva & Dr Keeley speak on Strep A epi & immunity in the Gambia.
🗝️ Hyperendemicity of Strep A
🗝️ Index infections not explained by household contacts
🗝️ Early life immunity develops <2 y/o
🗝️ Ab response to carriage & infection
🗝️ ?protective immunity from SLO, SpyAD, SpyCEP
#LISSSD25 #IDsky
🗝️ Hyperendemicity of Strep A
🗝️ Index infections not explained by household contacts
🗝️ Early life immunity develops <2 y/o
🗝️ Ab response to carriage & infection
🗝️ ?protective immunity from SLO, SpyAD, SpyCEP
#LISSSD25 #IDsky
June 2, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
@earmitage.bsky.social leverages the SpyCATS platform to investigate WASH facilities on Strep A infection incidence
⬇️ w/ handwashing, freq. clothes changing, good wound care, access to soap.
Limited by no wealth data & small sub-group but options for interventions identified.
#LISSSD25
⬇️ w/ handwashing, freq. clothes changing, good wound care, access to soap.
Limited by no wealth data & small sub-group but options for interventions identified.
#LISSSD25
June 3, 2025 at 3:02 AM
@earmitage.bsky.social leverages the SpyCATS platform to investigate WASH facilities on Strep A infection incidence
⬇️ w/ handwashing, freq. clothes changing, good wound care, access to soap.
Limited by no wealth data & small sub-group but options for interventions identified.
#LISSSD25
⬇️ w/ handwashing, freq. clothes changing, good wound care, access to soap.
Limited by no wealth data & small sub-group but options for interventions identified.
#LISSSD25
Reposted by iSpy LIFE
Prof N Moreland from NZ speaks through the ARF perturbed immune response in ARF.
🌍 All strep A serotypes assoc w/ ARF in NZ
🌍 Increased IgG3 ab phenotpes
🌍 Immune infiltration valves incl plasma cells.
🌍 DIifferences in immue activation in acute & chronic RHD
#LISSSD25
🌍 All strep A serotypes assoc w/ ARF in NZ
🌍 Increased IgG3 ab phenotpes
🌍 Immune infiltration valves incl plasma cells.
🌍 DIifferences in immue activation in acute & chronic RHD
#LISSSD25
June 4, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Prof N Moreland from NZ speaks through the ARF perturbed immune response in ARF.
🌍 All strep A serotypes assoc w/ ARF in NZ
🌍 Increased IgG3 ab phenotpes
🌍 Immune infiltration valves incl plasma cells.
🌍 DIifferences in immue activation in acute & chronic RHD
#LISSSD25
🌍 All strep A serotypes assoc w/ ARF in NZ
🌍 Increased IgG3 ab phenotpes
🌍 Immune infiltration valves incl plasma cells.
🌍 DIifferences in immue activation in acute & chronic RHD
#LISSSD25