scholarly journals Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme annual report, 2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica M Lahra ◽  
Rodney Enriquez ◽  
CR Robert George
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽  
Molecular Typing ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
Sequence Type ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Surveillance Programme ◽  
Encoding Gene ◽  
The Uk

In 2017, there were 374 laboratory-confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) analysed by the Australian National Neisseria Network. This was the highest number of laboratory-confirmed cases since 2003. Probable and confirmed cases of IMD are notifiable in Australia; there were 379 IMD cases notified to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System in 2017, the highest number reported since 2005. Meningococcal sero-grouping was determined for 98% (367/374) of laboratory-confirmed IMD cases. Serogroup B infections accounted for 137 cases (37%). The number of serogroup W infections (141 cases, 38%) in 2017 was the highest since the Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme (AMSP) began. In addition, the number and proportion of serogroup Y infections (75 cases, 20%) was also the highest recorded by the AMSP. Molecular typing results were available for 315 of the 374 IMD cases (83%). Of the serogroup W IMD strains that were able to be genotyped, 97% (125/129) had the PorA antigen encoding gene type P1.5,2 and of these, 59% (74/125) were sequence type 11, the same type as the hypervirulent serogroup W strain that has been circulating in the UK and South America since 2009. The primary IMD age peak was observed in adults aged 45 years or more, whilst secondary disease peaks were observed in those aged less than 5 years. Serogroup B infections predominated in the age group 15–19 years. Serogroup W infections predominated in those aged 65 years or more. Serogroup Y infections were predominately seen in adults aged 45 years or more. Of the IMD isolates tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, 5.1% (14/276) were resistant to penicillin; decreased susceptibility to penicillin was observed in a further 89% (247/276) of isolates. All isolates tested were susceptible to ceftriaxone; two isolates were less susceptible to ciprofloxacin; and one isolate was resistant to rifampicin.

scholarly journals Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme Annual Report, 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica M Lahra ◽  
CR Robert George ◽  
Masoud Shoushtari ◽  
Tiffany R Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
Bacterial Culture ◽  
Sequence Type ◽  
Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽  
Notifiable Disease ◽  
Surveillance Programme

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a notifiable disease in Australia, and both probable and laboratory-confirmed cases of IMD are reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). In 2020, there were 90 notifications of IMD, the lowest number documented since records began in the NNDSS in 1991. Of these, 97% (87/90) were laboratory-confirmed cases, with 70% (61/87) confirmed by bacterial culture and 30% (26/87) by nucleic acid amplification testing. The serogroup was determined for 85/87 laboratory-confirmed cases of IMD: serogroup B (MenB) accounted for 64% of infections (54/85); MenW for 19% (16/85); MenY for 16% (14/85); and MenC 1.2% (1/85). Fine typing was available on 60/85 (71%) of cases with serogroup determined; of the typed MenW, all were PorA antigen type P1.5,2 and sequence type 11, the hypervirulent strain reported in recent outbreaks in Australia and overseas. The primary peaks of IMD notifications in Australia in 2020 were observed in infants less than 1 year (16/87, 18%) and in adults aged 45–64 years (14/87, 16%). MenB infections predominated in those aged less than 5 years and 15–19 years; MenW and MenY infections predominated in those aged 45 years or more. All 61 IMD isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility: none were penicillin resistant; however, 56/61 (92%) had decreased susceptibility to penicillin. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin.

scholarly journals Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme annual report, 2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica M Lahra ◽  
Rodney Enriquez ◽  
Tiffany Hogan ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
Sequence Type ◽  
Molecular Methods ◽  
Invasive Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Notifiable Disease ◽  
Surveillance Programme ◽  
Notifiable Diseases

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a notifiable disease in Australia, and both probable and laboratory-confirmed cases of IMD are reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). In 2018, there were 281 IMD cases notified to the NNDSS. Of these, 278 were laboratory-confirmed cases analysed by the reference laboratories of the Australian National Neisseria Network (NNN). On investigation, the serogroup was able to be determined for 98.6% (274/278) of laboratory-confirmed cases. Serogroup B infections accounted for 44.2% of cases (123 cases); serogroup W for 36.3% of cases (101 cases); serogroup Y infections for 15.8% (44 cases) and serogroup C 1.4% (4 cases); and there were two unrelated cases (0.7%) of IMD attributable to serogroup E. Using molecular methods, 181/278 IMD cases were able to be typed. Of note was that 89% of typed serogroup W IMD cases (66/74) were porA antigen type P1.5,2; of this number, 44% (29/66) were sequence type 11, the hypervirulent strain reported in recent outbreaks in Australia and overseas. The primary age peak of IMD in Australia in 2018 was again observed in adults aged 45 years or more; a secondary disease peak was observed in children and infants aged less than 5 years. Serogroup B infections predominated in those aged less than 5 years, whereas serogroup W and serogroup Y infections predominated in those aged 45 years or more. Of the IMD isolates tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, 1.4% (3/210) were resistant to penicillin with an MIC ≥ 1 mg/L, and decreased susceptibility to penicillin was observed in a further 93.8% (197/210) of isolates. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone and rifampicin; there was one isolate less susceptible to ciprofloxacin.

scholarly journals Australian Meningococcal Surveillance Programme annual report, 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica M Lahra ◽  
Tiffany R Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Antimicrobial Susceptibility ◽  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
Bacterial Culture ◽  
Sequence Type ◽  
Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽  
Notifiable Disease ◽  
Surveillance Programme

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a notifiable disease in Australia, and both probable and laboratory-confirmed cases of IMD are reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). In 2019, there were 206 notifications of IMD. Of these, 202 were laboratory-confirmed cases analysed by the reference laboratories of the Australian National Neisseria Network (NNN). Of the 202 laboratory-confirmed cases of IMD, 167 were confirmed by bacterial culture and 35 by nucleic acid amplification testing, and all had the serogroup determined. Fine typing was available on 146 samples (146/202, 72%). Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) infections accounted for 50.0% (101/202); MenW for 26.2% (53/202); MenY for 20.8% (42/202) and MenC for 3.0% of cases (6/202). Of the MenW cases, 88% were PorA antigen type P1.5,2, and 65% of these (24/37) were sequence type 11, the hypervirulent strain reported in recent outbreaks in Australia and overseas. The primary peaks of IMD notifications in Australia in 2019 were observed in infants less than 1 year of age (36/202, 18%) and in adults aged 65 years or older (39/202, 19%). MenB infections predominated in those aged less than 5 years and those aged 15–19 years, whereas MenW and MenY infections predominated in those aged 45 years or more. All 167 IMD isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. One isolate out of these 167 (0.6%) was resistant to penicillin with an MIC ≥ 1mg/L; 154/167 isolates (92%) had decreased susceptibility to penicillin. All isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin, and one isolate was resistant to rifampicin.

scholarly journals Persistent occurrence of serogroup Y/sequence type (ST)-23 complex invasive meningococcal disease among patients aged five to 14 years, Italy, 2007 to 2013

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (45) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Fazio ◽  
Arianna Neri ◽  
Giovanna Renna ◽  
Paola Vacca ◽  
Raffaele Antonetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Molecular Typing ◽  
Clonal Complex ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Sequence Type ◽  
Invasive Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Epidemiological Features ◽  
Quadrivalent Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine

In Italy, the incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has remained stable since 2007 (around 0.3 cases/100,000 inhabitants). However, as reported for other European countries, an increase of serogroup Y Neisseria meningitidis has been observed. In this study we report IMD cases from 2007 to 2013 in Italy and investigate the clinical and epidemiological features of cases affected by serogroup Y. Molecular characteristics of serogroup Y strains are also described. During the study period, the proportion of IMD cases due to serogroup Y increased, ranging from 2% in 2007 to 17% in 2013 (odds ratio (OR): 8.8), whereby the five to 14 years age group was mostly affected (p < 0.001). Overall 81 serogroup Y IMD cases were identified, with a median age of 18 years, ranging from three months to 84 years. Of the 81 respective patient samples, 56 were further subject to molecular typing. The sequence type (ST)-23 complex (clonal complex (cc)23) was predominant among serogroup Y meningococci (54/56 samples), and included nine different STs. Presumably, ST-23 was the founding genotype, with all the other STs presenting as single-locus variants. All cc23 isolates analysed harboured mutations in the lpxL1 gene; however, no associations among lpxL1 mutations, ST and age group were identified. Overall, these findings generate scientific evidence for the use of the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine in the five to 14 years age group.

Battery-Related Injuries in Children and Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1665-1670
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Zimmermann ◽  
Danielle King ◽  
Caroline Crump
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Room ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Rechargeable Batteries ◽  
Injury Surveillance ◽  
Consumer Product ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Injury Surveillance System ◽  
Probability Sample ◽  
Injury Data ◽  
Button Cell

The aim of the current study was to analyze the circumstances behind battery injuries, including the mode of injuries experienced (e.g., a shock or consumption), as well as the battery types and products most frequently involved in battery injuries. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), a probability sample of US hospitals that collects information from emergency room (ER) visits related to a consumer product, was utilized. Injury data from the NEISS database was coded to identify a) the accident mode that led to the injury, b) the battery type involved, and c) the product that was powered by the battery or charger, if available. The data revealed that battery-related injuries were most often associated with (1) children consuming button cell batteries associated with toys and other household objects, and (2) adults becoming burned when handling vehicle batteries. Surprisingly, injuries associated with rechargeable batteries were the least frequent; however, when burns occurred, they were predominantly related to e- cigarettes, as well as vehicles. Results are discussed in terms of general exposure to specific battery types and products analyzing these battery types within each age group.

scholarly journals Isolation and characterization of the new SARS-CoV-2 variant in travellers from the United Kingdom to India: VUI-202012/01 of the B.1.1.7 lineage

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pragya D Yadav ◽  
Dimpal A Nyayanit ◽  
Rima R Sahay ◽  
Prasad Sarkale ◽  
Jayshri Pethani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Isolation And Characterization ◽  
New Variant ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Local Transmission

We have isolated the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 variant of concern 202 012/01 from the positive coronavirus disease 2019 cases that travelled from the UK to India in the month of December 2020. This emphasizes the need for the strengthened surveillance system to limit the local transmission of this new variant.

Cerro del Hierro, Spain: the largest exposed early Cambrian palaeokarst

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Eduardo Mayoral ◽  
María Eugenia Dies Álvarez ◽  
José Antonio Gámez Vintaned ◽  
Rodolfo Gozalo ◽  
Eladio Liñán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South America ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Early Cambrian ◽  
Karst Development ◽  
Global Context ◽  
Tectonic Events ◽  
Extensional Tectonic ◽  
Geomorphological Processes ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Regressive Events

Abstract We study the largest exposed example of an early Cambrian palaeokarst, associated with laterites and developed during rifting of the Ossa–Morena Zone. The lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, facies and the genesis reflect episodes of sea-level fall (Cerro del Hierro Regression) related to tectonic events and palaeoclimate. This palaeokarst can be primarily considered as the result of early Cambrian polyphase karstification in an extensional tectonic regime, later modified by Neogene–Quaternary geomorphological processes. The event may correlate with other regressive events of a similar age in Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, South America and Australia. This episode also has local names (e.g. Cerro del Hierro Regression in the Mediterranean region; Woodlands Regression in the UK). It is sometimes accompanied by additional karst development outside of Spain that is compared and interpreted in a global context.

scholarly journals Knowledge and perceptions of Alzheimer’s disease in three ethnic groups of younger adults in the United Kingdom

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aysegul Humeyra Kafadar ◽  
Christine Barrett ◽  
Kei Long Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Knowledge Level ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Gender Education ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a global public health problem with an ageing population. Knowledge is essential to promote early awareness, diagnosis and treatment of AD symptoms. AD knowledge is influenced by many cultural factors including cultural beliefs, attitudes and language barriers. This study aims: (1) to define AD knowledge level and perceptions amongst adults between 18 and 49 years of age in the UK; (2) to compare knowledge and perceptions of AD among three main ethnic groups (Asian, Blacks, and Whites); and (3) to assess potential associations of age, gender, education level, affinity with older people (65 or over), family history and caregiving history with AD knowledge. Methods Data was collected from 186 participants as a convenience sample of younger adults of three different ethnicities (16.1% Asian, 16.7% Black, 67.2% White), living in the UK, recruited via an online research platform. The majority of the participants were in the 18–34 years age group (87.6%). Demographic characteristics of participants and AD knowledge correlation were assessed by the 30-item Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS), comprising 7 content domains. ANOVA/ANCOVA were used to assess differences in AD knowledge by ethnicity, gender, education level, age and affinity with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. Results For AD general knowledge across all respondents only 45.0% answers were correct. No significant differences were found for the total ADKS score between ethnicities in this younger age group, who did not differ in education level. However, there were significant knowledge differences for the ADKS symptom domain score even after controlling for other demographics variables such as gender, education level (p = 0.005). White respondents were more likely to know about AD symptoms than their Black counterparts (p = 0.026). Conclusion The study’s findings suggest that the AD knowledge level is not adequate for all ethnic groups. Meanwhile, significant differences were observed in symptoms, between ethnic groups, and therefore, differ in their needs regards health communication. The study contributes to an understanding of ethnicity differences in AD knowledge amongst adults from 18 to 49 years of age in the UK and may also provide input into an intervention plan for different ethnicities’ information needs.

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