scholarly journals The improving state of Q fever surveillance. A review of Queensland notifications, 2003–2017

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Tozer ◽  
Caitlin Wood ◽  
Damin Si ◽  
Michael Nissen ◽  
Theo Sloots ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Occupational Group ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Occupational Risk ◽  
Exposure Pathways

Q fever is a notifiable zoonotic disease in Australia, caused by infection with Coxiella burnetii. This study has reviewed 2,838 Q fever notifications reported in Queensland between 2003 and 2017 presenting descriptive analyses, with counts, rates, and proportions. For this study period, Queensland accounted for 43% of the Australian national Q fever notifications. Enhanced surveillance follow-up of Q fever cases through Queensland Public Health Units was implemented in 2012, which improved the data collected for occupational risk exposures and animal contacts. For 2013–2017, forty-nine percent (377/774) of cases with an identifiable occupational group would be considered high risk for Q fever. The most common identifiable occupational group was agricultural/farming (31%). For the same period, at-risk environmental exposures were identified in 82% (961/1,170) of notifications; at-risk animal-related exposures were identified in 52% (612/1,170) of notifications; abattoir exposure was identified in 7% of notifications. This study has shown that the improved follow-up of Q fever cases since 2012 has been effective in the identification of possible exposure pathways for Q fever transmission. This improved surveillance has highlighted the need for further education and heightened awareness of Q fever risk for all people living in Queensland, not just those in previously-considered high risk occupations.

scholarly journals The improving state of Q fever surveillance. A review of Queensland notifications, 2003–2017

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Tozer ◽  
Caitlin Wood ◽  
Damin Si ◽  
Michael Nissen ◽  
Theo Sloots ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Occupational Group ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Occupational Risk ◽  
Exposure Pathways

Q fever is a notifiable zoonotic disease in Australia, caused by infection with Coxiella burnetii. This study has reviewed 2,838 Q fever notifications reported in Queensland between 2003 and 2017 presenting descriptive analyses, with counts, rates, and proportions. For this study period, Queensland accounted for 43% of the Australian national Q fever notifications. Enhanced surveillance follow-up of Q fever cases through Queensland Public Health Units was implemented in 2012, which improved the data collected for occupational risk exposures and animal contacts. For 2013–2017, forty-nine percent (377/774) of cases with an identifiable occupational group would be considered high risk for Q fever. The most common identifiable occupational group was agricultural/farming (31%). For the same period, at-risk environmental exposures were identified in 82% (961/1,170) of notifications; at-risk animal-related exposures were identified in 52% (612/1,170) of notifications; abattoir exposure was identified in 7% of notifications. This study has shown that the improved follow-up of Q fever cases since 2012 has been effective in the identification of possible exposure pathways for Q fever transmission. This improved surveillance has highlighted the need for further education and heightened awareness of Q fever risk for all people living in Queensland, not just those in previously-considered high risk occupations.

Screening at ports of entry for Ebola Virus Disease in England—a descriptive analysis of screening assessment data, 2014–2015

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicki L Boddington ◽  
Sophia Steinberger ◽  
Richard G Pebody
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Secondary Care ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Screening Assessment

Abstract Background In response to the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa in 2014 and evidence of spread to other countries, pre-entry screening was introduced by PHE at five major ports of entry in the England. Methods All passengers that entered the England via the five ports returning from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leonne were required to complete a Health Assessment Form and have their temperature taken. The numbers, characteristics and outcomes of these passengers were analysed. Results Between 14 October 2014 and 13 October 2015, a total of 12 648 passengers from affected countries had been screened. The majority of passengers were assessed as having no direct contact with EVD cases or high-risk events (12 069, 95.4%), although 535 (4.2%) passengers were assessed as requiring public health follow-up. In total, 39 passengers were referred directly to secondary care, although none were diagnosed with EVD. One high-risk passenger was later referred to secondary care and diagnosed with EVD. Conclusions Collection of these screening data enabled timely monitoring of the numbers and characteristics of passengers screened for EVD, facilitated resourcing decisions and acted as a mechanism to inform passengers of the necessary public health actions.

Reducing the Risk of Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancies: A Study of a Motivational Intervention in Community Settings

PEDIATRICS ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 111 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1131-1135
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Counseling Session ◽  
Community Settings ◽  
Motivational Intervention ◽  
Effective Contraception

Objectives. To test the feasibility and impact of a motivational intervention in reducing drinking and/or increasing effective contraception in women who are at risk for an alcohol-exposed pregnancy. Methods. A multisite single-arm pilot study was conducted in 6 community settings in 3 large cities. A total of 2384 women were screened for eligibility; 230 were eligible on the basis of their alcohol use and lack of contraception. Of the eligible women, 190 consented and were enrolled, and 143 (75.3%) completed the 6-month follow-up. The intervention consisted of 4 manual-guided motivational counseling sessions delivered by mental health clinicians and 1 contraceptive counseling session delivered by a family planning clinician. Outcome measures include intervention completion rates, alcohol use (frequency, quantity, and bingeing), contraceptive use and effectiveness, and risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancy. Results. Among women who completed the 6-month follow-up, 68.5% were no longer at risk of having an alcohol-exposed pregnancy; 12.6% of women who completed the program reduced drinking only; 23.1% used effective contraception only; and 32.9% reported both. Results were consistent across the 6 diverse high-risk settings. Conclusions. This study provides evidence that providing 4 sessions of motivational interviewing plus a contraception counseling session is feasible and strongly suggests that this intervention can decrease the risk of alcohol-exposed pregnancy in women in high-risk settings. Additional investigation in a randomized controlled trial is warranted.

scholarly journals Screening for Coxiella burnetii infection during pregnancy: pros and cons according to the Wilson and Jungner criteria

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
J M Munster ◽  
L M Steggerda ◽  
A C Leenders ◽  
J G Aarnoudse ◽  
E Hak
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Risk Group ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Routine Screening ◽  
Maternal Complications ◽  
Clinical Consequences ◽  
Pros And Cons

In Europe the incidence of human Q fever has dramatically increased over the previous years. Untreated infections with Coxiella burnetii, the causal agent of Q fever, have been associated with both obstetric and maternal complications. The majority of pregnant women with a C. burnetii infection remain asymptomatic, hence screening could be of value to prevent unwanted outcomes in this high-risk group. We applied the updated Wilson and Jungner criteria to review the evidence for routine screening for C. burnetii infection during pregnancy. Since much uncertainty remains about the incidence, clinical consequences, diagnostics and treatment of C. burnetii infection during pregnancy, routine screening for C. burnetii infection during pregnancy should not be recommended. Rigorous studies to assess the effectiveness of C. burnetii screening are warranted.

scholarly journals Active-Offer Nurse-Led PrEP (PrEP-RN) Referrals: Analysis of Uptake Rates and Reasons for Declining

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 1281-1289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick O’Byrne ◽  
Lauren Orser ◽  
Marlene Haines
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Prevention Strategy ◽  
Perceptions Of Risk ◽  
Uptake Rates ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

AbstractWhile pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective HIV prevention strategy, its uptake is limited. To address barriers, we piloted a nurse-led PrEP clinic in an STI clinic and had public health nurses refer patients during STI follow-up. We recorded the number of PrEP offers and declines and clinic uptake. We conducted a thematic analysis of patients’ responses from nursing notes written at the time patients declined PrEP. From August 6, 2018 to August 5, 2019, nurses offered a PrEP referral to 261 patients who met our criteria; only 47.5% accepted. Qualitative analysis identified four themes: (1) perceptions of risk, (2) lack of interest, (3) inability to manage, and (4) concerns about PrEP. Our patients did not feel sufficiently at-risk for HIV to use PrEP and maintained that PrEP was for a reckless “other”. This analysis sheds light on how assumptions about risk affect PrEP uptake, particularly among those at-risk for HIV.

scholarly journals P006: Time for a national conversation: Practices and perspectives on HIV testing in Canadian emergency departments

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S66-S66
Author(s):  
D. Wiercigroch ◽  
E. Xie ◽  
J. Hulme ◽  
M. Landes
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Catchment Areas ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Public Health Practitioners

Introduction: Improved access to HIV testing would benefit the one in six Canadians living with undiagnosed HIV, and potentially reduce transmission. Emergency departments may be the first or only point of contact with the healthcare system for people exposed to HIV; however, HIV testing remains inaccessible in many EDs in Canada. Methods: We used a grounded theory approach to characterize the experiences and context of HIV testing in Canadian EDs. We conducted semi-structured phone interviews with ED and public health practitioners from a purposive sample of urban, rural, academic, and community ED catchment areas. Thematic analysis was performed through iterative readings by two authors. Results were triangulated through consultation with public health and HIV experts. Results: Data were obtained from 16 ED physicians and 8 public health practitioners. HIV tests were infrequently performed in the EDs of our sample. Informants from higher incidence regions believed that greater availability of HIV tests in the ED would benefit the populations they serve. In half of the sample, rapid HIV tests were available. However, indications for testing were most often occupational or known high-risk exposure. Notably, two urban EDs in British Columbia screened all patients who otherwise needed blood tests (opt-out), but had shifted to opt-in testing at the time of this study. Consent practices and perceived requirements varied widely between sites; this confused or frustrated physicians. Most EDs were unable to offer a test result to patients during their visit as results were not available until days to weeks later. Commonly, the ordering physician was responsible for communicating results. Some EDs had an assigned physician managing all results on a given day while others relied on public health units for follow-up. All EDs reported access to public health clinics for ongoing care. Barriers to offering a test in the ED included time required for consent, discomfort with pre-test counselling, delay in results availability and unclear processes for follow-up. Conclusion: We describe substantial regional and within-site variation in HIV testing practices across a diverse sample of EDs across Canada. These findings highlight disparities in access to HIV testing and warrant a national discussion on best practices for testing in EDs with an emphasis on reducing barriers for high-risk populations and addressing unmet needs.

Utilization of Standard Method Performance Requirements for the Detection of Coxiella burnetii in Environmental Samples

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J Perry ◽  
Maureen A Conlon ◽  
Christina Egan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Environmental Sample ◽  
Standard Method ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Method Performance ◽  
Air Filters

Abstract Background Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, has been a long-standing public health problem. Animals can become infected and shed the organism resulting in aerosol transmission to humans. This organism has been considered to have potential for use as a bioterrorism weapon and has been placed on the Select Agent List which is regulated by Health and Human Services (HHS) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). There has been limited assay development for the detection of C. burnetii in environmental sample types Objective We describe utilization of the Standard Method Performance Requirement (SMPR®) for the detection of Coxiella in air filters and liquids for validation of additional environmental samples. Method The SMPR® for the detection of Coxiella in air filters and liquids was used to validate a real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) assay developed to detect C. burnetii DNA in powder samples submitted to the public health laboratory for biothreat analysis. Conclusions The SMPR® provided important requirements needed for appropriate validation of an assay to detect Coxiella nucleic acid in an environmental sample. The assay was found to be sensitive, robust, specific, and is useful for the detection of this select agent in powders. Highlights Development of detection assays for agents that are difficult to culture and have limited validation material available can be problematic for manufacturers. Using the SMPR® developed for the detection of Coxiella as well as the SMPR® for the detection of Variola, we demonstrate that assays can be appropriately validated using alternative approaches.

Identification of stage I/II colorectal cancer patients at risk of recurrence: The role of elastica stains to detect venous invasion.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14117-e14117
Author(s):  
Campbell SD Roxburgh ◽  
Alan K Foulis ◽  
Manal Atwan ◽  
Paul G Horgan ◽  
Donald C. Mcmillan
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
At Risk ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Venous Invasion ◽  
Stage I ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Cancer Specific Survival ◽  
Node Negative ◽  
Risk Of Recurrence

e14117 Background: Venous invasion (VI) is a high-risk characteristic in colorectal cancer (CRC) and in stage II disease guides provision of adjuvant therapy. However, reported rates vary in published studies from 10-90%. We recently reported use of elastica stains improve reproducibility of reporting, increasing rates to >50% (Roxburgh, Ann Surg, 2010). Furthermore, compared to H&E alone, elastica detected VI provided superior prediction of 3yr cancer survival in an unselected cohort of CRC patients. The present study aims to examine how the approach could be used in patients with node negative CRC. Methods: We retrieved pre-2003 tumour blocks, sectioned and stained them with elastica. Post-2003, elastica detected VI was routinely reported. A minimum of 3 blocks was required for analysis. Those who died within 30 days of surgery or had neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. Results: 244 stage I/II patients underwent surgery between 1997-2006. 65 cases pre-2003 were analyzed retrospectively. The rate of elastica detected VI was 54%. Elastica detected VI related to other high-risk pathology including T stage (p<0.001), serosal invasion (p<0.01), tumour grade (p<0.05) and low-grade lymphocytic infiltrate (P<0.05). Minimum follow-up was 5 yrs; mean follow-up 99 months (60-178), during which there were 99 deaths, 48 from cancer. Absence of VI related to improved 5-yr cancer specific survival (93% vs 66%). On multivariate analysis, VI independently related to cancer specific survival (HR=5.5,95%CI 2-13,p<0.001) with margin involvement (HR=2.4,95%CI 1-6,p=0.067) and serosal involvement (HR=2.2,95%CI1-4, p=0.015). For CRC mortality, the area under the receiver operator curve was highest for VI compared with other pathology (AUC 0.69, 95%CI 0.6-0.8, P<0.001). Absence of VI related to 5-yr survivals of 92% and 97% in colon and rectal cancer respectively. Conclusions: More objective assessment of VI with routine elastica staining provides accurate prediction of survival in stage I/II CRC. Presence of VI was associated with a 5.5 fold increased risk of cancer death at 5 yrs. Such results support routine use of elastica stains to identify patients with node negative disease at risk of recurrence.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document