Lay summary
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an autoimmune condition caused by untreated group A streptococcal (GAS) infection of the throat and possibly skin. Multiple or severe attacks of ARF can cause permanent heart damage known as rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Painful monthly injections of Benzathine Penicillin G (BPG) are given intramuscularly for 10 years to prevent GAS infections that can lead to ARF and cause RHD. A reformulated BPG is desperately needed. Early studies determining how BPG worked in humans were carried out in healthy, fit, young military recruits who didn’t have ARF/RHD. The purpose of this work is to host a knowledge translation event in the Wellington area that is focused on the presentation of research work and findings of direct relevance and importance to Pacific peoples concerning rheumatic fever and penicillin related work.