Research Projects Using Growing Up Data
Host and microbiome contributions to skin infections
Publication Date:
2017
Lead Organisation:
Growing Up in New Zealand
Lead Researcher:
Cameron Grant
Access Type:
Internal
Primary Classification:
Health and Wellbeing
Secondary Classification:
Compared to other developed countries, New Zealand has one of the highest rates of serious skin infections; particularly among children. Childhood skin infection hospitalisation rates have doubled since 1990. The reasons for this and the mechanisms by which environmental exposures lead to increased rates of skin infection remain unknown.
The study will describe rates of Staphylococcus Aureus and Streptococcus Pyogenes colonisation and skin infections at 5 years of age. Comparisons will be made between colonised and non-colonised children with and without infection to determine if there are (i) host genetic, and (ii) microbiome differences, associated with colonisation or infection.