Asha Bowen

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Professor Asha Bowen OAM is an Australian Paediatric Infectious Diseases clinician-scientist and a leading voice and advocate for children's health and well-being. [1] [2] She is Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Perth Children's Hospital, and Head of the Healthy Skin and ARF Prevention team at Telethon Kids Institute. She was the former Program Head of the End Rheumatic Heart Disease (END RHD) program (2022-2023) at the Telethon Kids Institute. [3] Bowen leads a large body of skin health research in partnership with healthcare workers and community in the Kimberley [4] while expanding her team and work to understand skin health in urban Aboriginal children better. She has been widely acknowledged and awarded for her contributions towards improving the health and well-being of Australian children, and addressing existing health inequities faced by First Nations Australian children and their families. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic she contributed her knowledge and expertise to clinical research, guideline development and on several national and public health committees. She has published widely in the area of paediatric infectious diseases and is a recognized expert in the field who regularly contributes to popular Australian media sources such as The Conversation . [2]

Contents

Education

After completing her medical studies at the University of Sydney, Bowen was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) as a paediatric infectious diseases specialist in 2009. [1] [3] She obtained her PhD at the Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin in 2014 for her thesis titled "The skin sore trial: exploring a better treatment option for impetigo in Indigenous children living in remote Australia". "The skin sore trial". Charles Darwin University. Retrieved 2022-04-07. Her doctoral work involved the development and delivery of the first randomized controlled trial of treatment options for impetigo amongst remote living Indigenous Australian children, and, one of the largest impetigo trials in the world. [5]

Career, research, community engagement and impact

Bowen is an expert on Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus infections which, if left untreated, can lead to life-threatening complications including sepsis, glomerulonephritis and rheumatic fever. [6] She is a lead author of the 2018 "National Healthy Skin Guideline: for the Prevention and Public Health Control of Impetigo, Scabies, Crusted Scabies, and Tinea for Indigenous Populations and Communities in Australia - 1st edition". [6] [7] This guideline is designed to support healthcare professionals, including medical, nursing, allied health and Aboriginal healthcare providers, in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these infections. [6] It has been endorsed by The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Public Health Association Australia, Rheumatic Heart Disease Australia, The Lowitja Institute, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity. [6] She has been involved in research that examined the utilization of rapid molecular point-of-care tests to detect and treat Strep A pharyngitis (strep throat) in remote settings to prevent sequalae. [8] [9]

Bowen has been vocal about antimicrobial stewardship and antibiotic resistance issues affecting Indigenous communities residing remote Australia. [10] [11] She has also spoken publicly about shortages in the supply of essential antibiotics, specifically oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole syrup formulations, needed to treat school sores in Aboriginal children. [11] [12]

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic Bowen has been a leading voice on children's health and well-being. She has advocated for keeping schools open and prioritizing vaccination for teachers and school staff alongside other measures of control such as rapid antigen testing protocols. [13] [14] Bowen has contributed to recommendations on the clinical care of children and adolescents with COVID-19 as part of the Australian National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce. [15]

Bowen is the lead investigator on the SToP (See Treat and Prevent) skin sores and scabies Trial which aims to strengthen skin health practices in partnership with healthcare workers and community in the Kimberley. [4] [16] Her research seeks to address the gap in infectious skin conditions between Aboriginal children and other Australian children. Bowen says “I would like to see that Aboriginal children in our country are no more likely to have skin infections and the sequelae of those, such as rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease or sepsis than any other children. Working in partnership with Aboriginal people and communities to achieve this, and listening for guidance and opportunities to include a strengths based approach is important'. [1]

Bowen is also lead researcher for the "Staph aureus Network Adaptive Platform Paediatrics and Youth" (SNAP-PY) trial which commenced in February 2022 and will involve 7,000 children and adults across more than 100 hospitals in six countries. [17] [18] The trial aims to identify the most effective treatments for Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection. [18]

Through her work as a clinician and researcher, Bowen provides supervision and mentoring to RACP Clinical Trainees and higher-degree research students across the University of Western Australia and Notre Dame University. [3]

Awards and honours

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scabies</span> Human disease

Scabies is a contagious human skin infestation by the tiny (0.2–0.45 mm) mite Sarcoptes scabiei, variety hominis. The word is from Latin: scabere, lit. 'to scratch'. The most common symptoms are severe itchiness and a pimple-like rash. Occasionally, tiny burrows may appear on the skin. In a first-ever infection, the infected person usually develops symptoms within two to six weeks. During a second infection, symptoms may begin within 24 hours. These symptoms can be present across most of the body or just certain areas such as the wrists, between fingers, or along the waistline. The head may be affected, but this is typically only in young children. The itch is often worse at night. Scratching may cause skin breakdown and an additional bacterial infection in the skin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Group A streptococcal infection</span> Medical condition

Group A streptococcal infections are a number of infections with Streptococcus pyogenes, a group A streptococcus (GAS). S. pyogenes is a species of beta-hemolytic Gram-positive bacteria that is responsible for a wide range of infections that are mostly common and fairly mild. If the bacteria enters the bloodstream, the infection can become severe and life-threatening, and is called an invasive GAS (iGAS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scarlet fever</span> Infectious disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes

Scarlet fever, also known as scarlatina, is an infectious disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, a Group A streptococcus (GAS). It most commonly affects children between five and 15 years of age. The signs and symptoms include a sore throat, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash. The face is flushed and the rash is red and blanching. It typically feels like sandpaper and the tongue may be red and bumpy. The rash occurs as a result of capillary damage by exotoxins produced by S.pyogenes. On darker-pigmented skin the rash may be hard to discern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Streptococcal pharyngitis</span> Medical condition

Streptococcal pharyngitis, also known as streptococcal sore throat, is pharyngitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, a gram-positive, group A streptococcus. Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, red tonsils, and enlarged lymph nodes in the front of the neck. A headache and nausea or vomiting may also occur. Some develop a sandpaper-like rash which is known as scarlet fever. Symptoms typically begin one to three days after exposure and last seven to ten days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Impetigo</span> Human disease (bacterial infection)

Impetigo is a contagious bacterial infection that involves the superficial skin. The most common presentation is yellowish crusts on the face, arms, or legs. Less commonly there may be large blisters which affect the groin or armpits. The lesions may be painful or itchy. Fever is uncommon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pharyngitis</span> Inflammation of the back of the throat

Pharyngitis is inflammation of the back of the throat, known as the pharynx. It typically results in a sore throat and fever. Other symptoms may include a runny nose, cough, headache, difficulty swallowing, swollen lymph nodes, and a hoarse voice. Symptoms usually last 3–5 days, but can be longer depending on cause. Complications can include sinusitis and acute otitis media. Pharyngitis is a type of upper respiratory tract infection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sore throat</span> Pain of the throat

Sore throat, also known as throat pain, is pain or irritation of the throat. The majority of sore throats are caused by a virus, for which antibiotics are not helpful. A strong association between antibiotic misuse and antibiotic resistance has been shown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rheumatic fever</span> Post-streptococcal inflammatory disease

Rheumatic fever (RF) is an inflammatory disease that can involve the heart, joints, skin, and brain. The disease typically develops two to four weeks after a streptococcal throat infection. Signs and symptoms include fever, multiple painful joints, involuntary muscle movements, and occasionally a characteristic non-itchy rash known as erythema marginatum. The heart is involved in about half of the cases. Damage to the heart valves, known as rheumatic heart disease (RHD), usually occurs after repeated attacks but can sometimes occur after one. The damaged valves may result in heart failure, atrial fibrillation and infection of the valves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonsillitis</span> Inflammation of the tonsils

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils in the upper part of the throat. It can be acute or chronic. Acute tonsillitis typically has a rapid onset. Symptoms may include sore throat, fever, enlargement of the tonsils, trouble swallowing, and enlarged lymph nodes around the neck. Complications include peritonsillar abscess (quinsy).

A complication in medicine, or medical complication, is an unfavorable result of a disease, health condition, or treatment. Complications may adversely affect the prognosis, or outcome, of a disease. Complications generally involve a worsening in the severity of the disease or the development of new signs, symptoms, or pathological changes that may become widespread throughout the body and affect other organ systems. Thus, complications may lead to the development of new diseases resulting from previously existing diseases. Complications may also arise as a result of various treatments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dukes' disease</span> Medical condition

Dukes' disease, named after Clement Dukes (1845–1925), also known as fourth disease, Filatov-Dukes' disease, Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS), or Ritter's disease is an exanthem (rash-causing) illness primarily affecting children and historically described as a distinct bacterial infection, though its existence as a separate disease entity is now debated.

The QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute is an Australian medical research institute located in Herston, Brisbane, in the state of Queensland. QIMR was established in 1945 by the Government of Queensland through the enactment of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research Act 1945 (Qld). Previously known as the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), the original purpose of the institute was to further the study of tropical diseases in North Queensland. The current director is Professor Fabienne Mackay. The institute is a registered charity. In 2021, the institute was named as one of the Queensland Greats by the Queensland Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Staphylococcal infection</span> Bacterial infection (genus Staphylococcus)

A staphylococcal infection or staph infection is an infection caused by members of the Staphylococcus genus of bacteria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rapid strep test</span> Test for strep throat

The rapid strep test (RST) is a rapid antigen detection test (RADT) that is widely used in clinics to assist in the diagnosis of bacterial pharyngitis caused by group A streptococci (GAS), sometimes termed strep throat. There are currently several types of rapid strep test in use, each employing a distinct technology. However, they all work by detecting the presence of GAS in the throat of a person by responding to GAS-specific antigens on a throat swab.

Perianal cellulitis, also known as perianitis or perianal streptococcal dermatitis, is a bacterial infection affecting the lower layers of the skin (cellulitis) around the anus. It presents as bright redness in the skin and can be accompanied by pain, difficulty defecating, itching, and bleeding. This disease is considered a complicated skin and soft tissue infection (cSSTI) because of the involvement of the deeper soft tissues.

The Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM) is an Australian tropical health and medical research institute based at James Cook University (JCU) in Townsville and Cairns, Queensland. Formerly known as the Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine, AITHM was established at JCU in 2008.

Jonathan Carapetis is an Australian paediatric physician with particular expertise in infectious disease and Indigenous child health. He is a Winthrop Professor at the University of Western Australia, an infectious diseases consultant at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, and an Honorary Distinguished Research Fellow of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Carapetis is the Director of the Telethon Kids Institute in Perth, Western Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indigenous health in Australia</span> Medical condition

Indigenous health in Australia examines health and wellbeing indicators of Indigenous Australians compared with the rest of the population. Statistics indicate that Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders are much less healthy than other Australians. Various government strategies have been put into place to try to remediate the problem; there has been some improvement in several areas, but statistics between Indigenous Australians and the rest of the Australian population still show unacceptable levels of difference.

Anti-Deoxyribonuclease B titres are a quantitative measure of the presence of serologic antibodies obtained from patients suspected of having a recent group A (Beta-hemolytic) streptococcus bacteria infection, from Streptococcus pyogenes.

Diana Rosemary Lennon was a New Zealand academic and paediatrician, specialising in infectious diseases, and was a full professor at the University of Auckland.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "RACP Fellows in Focus: A/Prof Asha Bowen". The Royal Australasian College of Physicians. RACP. 12 Jul 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Asha Bowen". The Conversation. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
  3. 1 2 3 "Associate Professor Asha Bowen - Telethon Kids Institute". www.telethonkids.org.au. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  4. 1 2 "The SToP (See, Treat, Prevent) Skin Sores and Scabies Trial - Telethon Kids Institute". www.telethonkids.org.au. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  5. ↑ "The skin sore trial". Charles Darwin University. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "National Healthy Skin Guideline". infectiousdiseases.telethonkids.org.au. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
  7. ↑ "National guideline to tackle record rates of skin infection | RHD Action". rhdaction.org. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
  8. ↑ Pickering, Janessa L.; Barth, Dylan D.; Bowen, Asha C. (2020-09-08). "Performance and Practicality of a Rapid Molecular Test for the Diagnosis of Strep A Pharyngitis in a Remote Australian Setting". The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 103 (6): 2530–2532. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.20-0341. ISSN   0002-9637. PMC   7695100 . PMID   32901604.
  9. ↑ "6 min Strep A test suitable for remote settings". www.labonline.com.au. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
  10. ↑ Use, Admin (2019-06-18). "Antibiotic resistance in remote Indigenous communities up to 50 percent". National Indigenous Times. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  11. 1 2 Dery, Mikaela (2019-05-31). "Antibiotic shortages impact the health of Indigenous children". Australian Pharmacist. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
  12. ↑ Administration, Australian Government Department of Health Therapeutic Goods (2014-05-26). "Medicine Shortages Information Initiative". Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Retrieved 2022-04-10.
  13. ↑ "How does Omicron affect kids? The experts have some reassuring findings". ABC News. 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
  14. ↑ "For the sake of the 'forgotten voices' of the pandemic, reopen Australia's schools". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
  15. ↑ Navarro, David Fraile; Tendal, Britta; Tingay, David; Vasilunas, Nan; Anderson, Lorraine; Best, James; Burns, Penelope; Cheyne, Saskia; Craig, Simon S.; Erickson, Simon J.; Fancourt, Nicholas SS (2021-10-25). "Clinical care of children and adolescents with COVID‐19: recommendations from the National COVID‐19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce". Medical Journal of Australia. 216 (5). ISSN   0025-729X.
  16. ↑ "Trial aims to SToP skin infections". Broome Advertiser. 2018-09-28. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  17. ↑ "Staph infections can be deadly for Australian children. A new study is trying to find the best treatment". ABC News. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
  18. 1 2 "SNAP trial". 2022.
  19. ↑ "Past & Present Fellows". www.forwomeninscience.com.au. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  20. ↑ Physicians, The Royal Australasian College of, The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, retrieved 2022-04-10
  21. ↑ "Associate Professor Asha Bowen". AIPS. 26 October 2019. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  22. ↑ Steel, Cassie (2020-11-24). "Talented, much? This year's Eureka Prize winners are next level". Careers with STEM. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  23. ↑ "Leading Western Australian paediatric infectious diseases specialist honoured with Frank Fenner Award". ASID | Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  24. ↑ "Professor Asha Clare Bowen". Australian Honours Search Facility. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
  25. ↑ "Professor Asha Bowen". Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. 2024-10-24. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  26. ↑ "Improving Health Outcomes in the Tropical North: Case Study | NHMRC". www.nhmrc.gov.au. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
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