Poster Presentation Lancefield International Symposium for Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases 2025

Parent Led Sample Collection: An Innovative Method for Enhancing Participant Recruitment in a Research Surveillance Study During a Pandemic (#88)

Ciara CB Baker 1 2 , Maria MA Angel 1 2 , Elizabeth EN Negus 1 3 , Hannah HF Frost 1 2 , Serene SY Yeow 1 2 , Tria TW Williams 1 2 , Jasmyn JV Voss 1 2 , Alma AF Fulurija 1 3 , Andrew AS Steer 1 2 , Peter PR Richmond 1 3 , Margie MD Danchin 1 2 , Helen HM Marshall 1 4 , Lena LS Sanci 1 2 , Alan AL Leeb 1 3 , Katherine KN Noonan 1 3 , Rachel RC Canaway 1 2 , Matt MC Cooper 1 3 , Glenn GP Pearson 1 3 , Jonathan JP Carapetis 1 3
  1. The Australian Strep A Vaccine Initiative, Australia
  2. The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
  3. The Kids Research Institute, Perth
  4. Women’s and Children’s Hospital Adelaide, Adelaide

Background and Aims

The Australian Strep A Vaccine Initiative (ASAVI) is an Australian-led initiative with the goal of reducing the burden of Streptococus pyogenes infections through development of a vaccine. The critical first step for ASAVI is to establish the baseline epidemiology of S. pyogenes pharyngeal infection in children. The Australian Strep A Urban Pharyngitis Study (STAMPS) was developed to determine the incidence of S. pyogenes sore throat among healthy children (aged 3-14 years) living in urban settings. As recruitment began during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the close contact nature of visits in the original protocol severely impacted enrolment. Working around a highly communicable disease, the study team sought to develop remote data and biospecimen collection methods to mitigate the risk.

Methods

The original study design for STAMPS involved four in-clinic visits to collect biospecimens and participant health data. A new parent-led remote data and sample collection method was offered to participants and their families.

Results

The pivot to an adaptable study design minimized COVID exposure risk, offered more flexibility and choice for families by allowing home data collection and sampling.  

Conclusion

The adapted protocol removed barriers to participation and boosted recruitment to enable the study to continue during the pandemic. Revised recruitment targets were achieved allowing crucial data of S. pyogenes induced pharyngitis in urban children to be collected to inform future vaccine development.