Chance Flowers: Perth boy's battle with Strep A prompts push from The Kids Research Institute for vaccine
Strep A kills half a million people a year globally, but can often be hard to diagnose.
A study using tonsils collected from surgery at Perth Children's Hospital will help scientists learn more about it as they work to develop a vaccine.
Seven-year-old Chance Flowers is no stranger to tonsillitis. Three years ago, it quickly spiralled into something more sinister.
'It started off as a fever and vomiting that came on very suddenly . . . (but) in the 15 minutes from leaving school and getting to work, he was limp in the back of the car,' mum Jodie Flowers said.
Chance's little body was in the grip a deadly infection. Sepsis had settled into his joints.
'It was just like painful, painful, painful,' he said.
Ms Flowers said it was missed by two separate doctors.
'His symptoms were really frightening at that point . . . he couldn't stand, he couldn't walk, he was in excruciating pain,' she said.
'They were saying it's normal — it's just a virus, but he was extremely unwell.'
His life-threatening symptoms were far from normal, they were being caused by invasive Strep A.
The little boy spent two weeks at Perth Children's Hospital and needed surgery.
'Then he spent the rest of the year learning how to walk again,' Ms Flowers said.
Jua Iwasaki is part of a team at The Kids Research Institute Australia hoping to stop the sinister bacterial infection in its tracks.
'Strep A is a really common childhood infection,' Dr Iwasaki said.
'It usually causes more mild symptoms . . . but in some children it can lead to these severe illnesses.'
When severe, these infections can cause death in a matter of days, sometimes hours.
It was the case for seven-year-old Morley girl, Aishwarya Aswath in 2021.
Half a million people die from Strep A infections around the world each year. There's no vaccine.
But researchers at The Kids Institute are studying real tonsils from surgeries to understand how the bacterium binds to them.
'We're growing them in the lab to be able to test the immune response to the bacteria Strep A and the vaccines we're currently developing,' Dr Iwasaki said.
Researchers hope this work won't just lead to a vaccine but to a version tailored for children, like a spray, that's safe, effective, and easy to deliver.
'We might be able to prevent the bacteria from attaching to the tonsils in the first place because all the vaccines that are in development are all injectables,' Dr Iwasaki said.
Ms Flowers is hopeful about the 'amazing' research.
'Anything that could stop someone having to go through what Chance went through is incredible,' she said.
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West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
Chance Flowers: Perth boy's battle with Strep A prompts push from The Kids Research Institute for vaccine
Perth researchers are pioneering a world-first study in the battle against a deadly bacterium. Strep A kills half a million people a year globally, but can often be hard to diagnose. A study using tonsils collected from surgery at Perth Children's Hospital will help scientists learn more about it as they work to develop a vaccine. Seven-year-old Chance Flowers is no stranger to tonsillitis. Three years ago, it quickly spiralled into something more sinister. 'It started off as a fever and vomiting that came on very suddenly . . . (but) in the 15 minutes from leaving school and getting to work, he was limp in the back of the car,' mum Jodie Flowers said. Chance's little body was in the grip a deadly infection. Sepsis had settled into his joints. 'It was just like painful, painful, painful,' he said. Ms Flowers said it was missed by two separate doctors. 'His symptoms were really frightening at that point . . . he couldn't stand, he couldn't walk, he was in excruciating pain,' she said. 'They were saying it's normal — it's just a virus, but he was extremely unwell.' His life-threatening symptoms were far from normal, they were being caused by invasive Strep A. The little boy spent two weeks at Perth Children's Hospital and needed surgery. 'Then he spent the rest of the year learning how to walk again,' Ms Flowers said. Jua Iwasaki is part of a team at The Kids Research Institute Australia hoping to stop the sinister bacterial infection in its tracks. 'Strep A is a really common childhood infection,' Dr Iwasaki said. 'It usually causes more mild symptoms . . . but in some children it can lead to these severe illnesses.' When severe, these infections can cause death in a matter of days, sometimes hours. It was the case for seven-year-old Morley girl, Aishwarya Aswath in 2021. Half a million people die from Strep A infections around the world each year. There's no vaccine. But researchers at The Kids Institute are studying real tonsils from surgeries to understand how the bacterium binds to them. 'We're growing them in the lab to be able to test the immune response to the bacteria Strep A and the vaccines we're currently developing,' Dr Iwasaki said. Researchers hope this work won't just lead to a vaccine but to a version tailored for children, like a spray, that's safe, effective, and easy to deliver. 'We might be able to prevent the bacteria from attaching to the tonsils in the first place because all the vaccines that are in development are all injectables,' Dr Iwasaki said. Ms Flowers is hopeful about the 'amazing' research. 'Anything that could stop someone having to go through what Chance went through is incredible,' she said.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Perth boy's battle with deadly illness prompts vaccine push
Perth researchers are pioneering a world-first study in the battle against a deadly bacterium. Strep A kills half a million people a year globally, but can often be hard to diagnose. A study using tonsils collected from surgery at Perth Children's Hospital will help scientists learn more about it as they work to develop a vaccine. Seven-year-old Chance Flowers is no stranger to tonsillitis. Three years ago, it quickly spiralled into something more sinister. 'It started off as a fever and vomiting that came on very suddenly . . . (but) in the 15 minutes from leaving school and getting to work, he was limp in the back of the car,' mum Jodie Flowers said. Chance's little body was in the grip a deadly infection. Sepsis had settled into his joints. 'It was just like painful, painful, painful,' he said. Ms Flowers said it was missed by two separate doctors. Chance Flowers in hospital. Credit: 7NEWS / 7NEWS 'His symptoms were really frightening at that point . . . he couldn't stand, he couldn't walk, he was in excruciating pain,' she said. 'They were saying it's normal — it's just a virus, but he was extremely unwell.' His life-threatening symptoms were far from normal, they were being caused by invasive Strep A. The little boy spent two weeks at Perth Children's Hospital and needed surgery. Chance Flowers, 7, pictured with mother Jodie Flowers. Credit: 7NEWS / 7NEWS 'Then he spent the rest of the year learning how to walk again,' Ms Flowers said. Jua Iwasaki is part of a team at The Kids Research Institute Australia hoping to stop the sinister bacterial infection in its tracks. 'Strep A is a really common childhood infection,' Dr Iwasaki said. Dr Jua Iwasaki is part of The Kids Research Institute Australia. Credit: 7NEWS / 7NEWS 'It usually causes more mild symptoms . . . but in some children it can lead to these severe illnesses.' When severe, these infections can cause death in a matter of days, sometimes hours. It was the case for seven-year-old Morley girl, Aishwarya Aswath in 2021. Half a million people die from Strep A infections around the world each year. There's no vaccine. But researchers at The Kids Institute are studying real tonsils from surgeries to understand how the bacterium binds to them. 'We're growing them in the lab to be able to test the immune response to the bacteria Strep A and the vaccines we're currently developing,' Dr Iwasaki said. Researchers hope this work won't just lead to a vaccine but to a version tailored for children, like a spray, that's safe, effective, and easy to deliver. 'We might be able to prevent the bacteria from attaching to the tonsils in the first place because all the vaccines that are in development are all injectables,' Dr Iwasaki said. Ms Flowers is hopeful about the 'amazing' research. 'Anything that could stop someone having to go through what Chance went through is incredible,' she said.
West Australian
15-05-2025
- West Australian
What's next for kids' health in Australia?
At a lab bench in Western Australia, researchers are working on a vaccine that could save millions of lives. Another team is working hard to find less toxic and better treatments for children's cancer, and simultaneously, work on therapies to combat antimicrobial resistance and reduce the incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in young babies is underway. These scenes are part of the everyday mission at The Kids Research Institute Australia, where research is transformed into real-world solutions. Now, with a bold new ten-year strategy, 'Research Reimagined', the Institute is setting its sights even higher. For 35 years, The Kids (formerly Telethon Kids Institute) has been at the forefront of children's health research, tackling the most pressing health and wellbeing challenges facing young people. Its latest strategy signals a pivotal shift, not just in what it aims to achieve, but how it intends to achieve it. 'We want to establish a pipeline of breakthrough discoveries,' Executive Director of The Kids Research Institute Professor Jonathan Carapetis said. 'But we want to do this in true partnership with our community, our corporate and philanthropic supporters, government and industry.' The ambition is clear: bold science, global impact, and a commitment to solving the biggest problems for kids and families. The work happening inside the Institute's labs is extraordinary and broad ranging, but it doesn't stop at medicine. The Institute is deeply engaged in the everyday realities of children's lives. 'Our researchers are also using science and data to help inform governments and service providers on policies and programs,' Professor Carapetis said. 'This includes using evidence from our research to develop best practice programs for physical activity for children under four, and to illustrate the impact of skipping breakfast on kids' school results.' These findings go beyond data to become actionable programs and policy, helping to shape healthier futures for children across Australia and around the world. Though headquartered in Perth, The Kids Research Institute is a national and global leader. 'We're known for major public health wins, like reducing neural tube defects by introducing folate into bread or creating the roadmap to eliminate rheumatic heart disease in Australia,' Professor Carapetis said. 'And we're leading the world in accelerating vaccines for Strep A.' WA's collaborative health and research landscape, along with strong community support through initiatives like Telethon, is ideal for this kind of innovation. It's no coincidence that some of the most significant advances in children's health are being spearheaded right here. Crucially, Research Reimagined puts equity front and centre. 'While our vision is for all kids to be happy and healthy, it is our duty to ensure that those who have the poorest outcomes receive proportionately more benefits from research,' Professor Carapetis said. That includes a strong focus on Indigenous child health. The Institute aims to become the world's leading Indigenous child health research organisation, a goal built on deep, sustained partnerships with First Nations communities. 'We believe these partnerships provide pathways to improved outcomes for kids not just in Australia, but globally.' At its heart, The Kids is powered by a single purpose: giving every child the chance to live a full, healthy life. With Research Reimagined, that mission has entered a new era, where scientific excellence meets social responsibility, and where WA remains at the forefront of a global movement. The Kids Research Institute Australia is about giving children the best possible chance to grow, thrive, and enjoy life. And with every discovery, they're turning that vision into reality, one child at a time. To find out more, visit the website .
