Article
Immunology
Christina Dold, Henderson Zhu, Laura Silva -Reyes, Luke Blackwell, Aline Linder, Kevin Bewley, Kerry Godwin, Susan Fotheringham, Sue Charlton, Young Chan Kim, Andrew J. Pollard, Christine S. Rollier
Summary: Q fever is a highly infectious zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Developing vaccines that are more effective, affordable, and safe for individuals with pre-existing immunity is a global priority. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and C. burnetii surface proteins are potential vaccine antigens for Q fever.
Letter
Immunology
William E. Sander, Richard King, William Graser, Joshua M. Kapfer, Aubrey I. Engel, Laura Adamovicz, Matthew C. Allender
Summary: Coxiella burnetii has been found in turtles from multiple locations in Illinois and Wisconsin, USA. Further research is needed to assess the conservation implications, reservoir potential, and zoonotic risk of this finding.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jorrit Broertjes, Eelco Franz, Ingrid H. M. Friesema, Hugo-Jan Jansen, Frans A. G. Reubsaet, Saskia A. Rutjes, Cornelis Stijnis, Bettie C. G. Voordouw, Maaike C. de Vries, Daan W. Notermans, Martin P. Grobusch
Summary: We provided the incidences of potential bioterrorism agents in the Netherlands from 2009 to 2019. The highest category pathogens from the European Medicines Agency or the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were included. The average annual incidence was calculated using notifiable diseases and recently published data. Coxiella burnetii had the highest incidence due to a Q fever epidemic, but the incidence decreased to 10.8 cases. Pathogens with an incidence >1 included Brucella spp. (2.5 cases), Francisella tularensis (1.3 cases), and Burkholderia pseudomallei (1.1 cases). Pathogens with an incidence <1 were hemorrhagic fever viruses (0.3 cases), Clostridium botulinum (0.2 cases), and Bacillus anthracis (0.1 cases). Variola major and Yersinia pestis were not present. The generally low incidences make it unlikely for ill-meaning persons to isolate these pathogens from natural sources in the Netherlands. However, the presence of these pathogens in laboratories underscores the need for biosecurity measures.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Sheila B. Buijs, Chantal P. Bleeker-Rovers, Sonja E. van Roeden, Linda M. Kampschreur, Andy I. M. Hoepelman, Peter C. Wever, Jan Jelrik Oosterheert
Summary: Chronic Q fever typically develops within 2 years after primary infection with Coxiella burnetii. However, the interval between acute Q fever and diagnosis of chronic infection can exceed 9 years. Complications related to chronic Q fever occurred in 41.6% of patients, with a mortality rate of 26.5%.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shahpal A. Shujat, Wasim Shehzad, Aftab Ahmad Anjum, Julia A. Hertl, Muhammad Yasir Zahoor, Yrjo T. Grohn
Summary: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and molecular characterization of Coxiella burnetii in raw ruminant meat in the Kasur and Lahore districts of Punjab, Pakistan. The results showed that C. burnetii was present in 20% of the raw meat samples tested. The findings highlight the need for more attention from the healthcare system and professionals in Punjab, Pakistan, especially regarding the prevalence of C. burnetii in raw meat samples.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Iris M. Brus, Inge Spronk, Juanita A. Haagsma, Vicki Erasmus, Annemieke de Groot, Alfons G. M. Olde Loohuis, Madelon B. Bronner, Suzanne Polinder
Summary: This study aimed to understand the perspectives of healthcare workers on care for Q-fever patients. The findings indicated that there is room for improvement in the knowledge and care provided by healthcare workers for Q-fever patients. Lack of knowledge was identified as a major barrier, and the study recommends enhancing knowledge through training and providing clear roles and responsibilities to improve the quality of care.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Miguel Rodriguez-Fernandez, Reinaldo Espindola Gomez, Marta Trigo-Rodriguez, Carmen Castro, Pedro Martinez Perez-Crespo, Rocio Herrero, Eva M. Leon, Samuel Bernal, Juan E. Corzo, Nicolas Merchante
Summary: This study describes the natural history of acute Q fever, including its clinical and serological evolution and progression to chronic Q fever. It found that a significant proportion of acute Q fever patients develop classic serological criteria for chronic Q fever diagnosis in the absence of additional data.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
K. A. Clay, M. G. Hartley, S. Armstrong, K. R. Bewley, K. Godwin, E. Rayner, J. Vipond, M. Bailey, T. P. Atkins, I. H. Norville
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of multiple antibiotics against Coxiella burnetii, with levofloxacin showing potential as an alternative treatment to doxycycline. However, further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and tolerability.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Cody Price, Simon Smith, James Stewart, Tom Palesy, Matthew Corbitt, Charith Galappaththy, Josh Hanson
Summary: This article reports five cases of Q fever aortitis in tropical Australia since 2019. All diagnoses were confirmed through PCR testing of aortic tissue. Only one patient had a previous diagnosis of acute Q fever, and none of them had high-risk exposures. All patients underwent surgery, resulting in one death and three significant complications. Q fever aortitis may be underestimated, and clinicians should consider testing for Coxiella burnetii in patients with aortic pathology in endemic areas.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Gianmarco Ferrara, Barbara Colitti, Ugo Pagnini, Danila D'Angelo, Giuseppe Iovane, Sergio Rosati, Serena Montagnaro
Summary: Q fever is a public and animal health problem due to its economic impact on livestock and zoonotic effect. This study aimed to describe the seroprevalence of Q fever in dairy cows and water buffalos in the Campania region of Italy. The findings confirm the widespread presence of Coxiella burnetii and highlight the need for improved surveillance for this infection.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jesper M. Weehuizen, Rik van Spronsen, Andy I. M. Hoepelman, Chantal P. Bleeker-Rovers, Jan Jelrik Oosterheert, Peter C. Wever
Summary: This retrospective study analyzed the association between previous Coxiella burnetii infection and outcome in COVID-19 patients in the Netherlands. The results showed that previous C. burnetii infection did not influence the risk of ICU admission and/or mortality for patients with COVID-19 presenting at the emergency department.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Priya Garg, Stephanie Chan, Sheen Peeceeyen, George Youssef, Stephen R. Graves, Richard Sullivan
Summary: We report a rare case of polymicrobial endocarditis involving Coxiella burnetii and another bacterial pathogen in a 32-year-old gardener. The patient required extensive medical interventions and ultimately had a fatal outcome.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aniek Lotterman, Christos Baliatsas, Myrna M. T. de Rooij, Anke Huss, Jose Jacobs, Michel Dueckers, Gert Jan Boender, Catherine McCarthy, Dick Heederik, Thomas J. Hagenaars, C. Joris Yzermans, Lidwien A. M. Smit
Summary: Previous studies in the Netherlands have found an increased risk of pneumonia among residents living close to goat farms. This study aimed to determine if the association is consistent across different regions in the country. The results indicate that the association between goat farm proximity and pneumonia holds true for the entire country.
Article
Immunology
Michelle L. Giles, Sushena Krishnaswamy, William Coote, Mary-Ann Davey
Summary: This study identifies predictive factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake during pregnancy. Maternal age, number of antenatal visits, and influenza vaccine uptake are associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake, while smoking, Indigenous status, and giving birth in public hospitals are associated with lower likelihood of COVID-19 vaccine uptake.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ashraf Mohabati Mobarez, Mohammad Khalili, Ehsan Mostafavi, Saber Esmaeili
Summary: The study investigated the occurrence of Coxiella burnetii in ruminant abortion samples in Iran, revealing its significant role in domestic animal abortions and emphasizing the need for veterinary organizations to pay more attention to it. The risk of transmitting the infection to humans due to abortion of animals should also be considered.
Article
Immunology
Helen E. Quinn, Jeannette L. Comeau, Helen S. Marshall, Elizabeth J. Elliott, Nigel W. Crawford, Christopher C. Blyth, Jennifer A. Kynaston, Tom L. Snelling, Peter C. Richmond, Joshua R. Francis, Kristine K. Macartney, Peter B. McIntyre, Nicholas J. Wood
Summary: Maternal antenatal vaccination can reduce the incidence of pertussis in infants under 2 months of age. Age-appropriate vaccination and control of comorbidities are also important for preventing pertussis in children.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sarah Sheridan, Peter McIntyre, Bette Liu, Parveen Fathima, Thomas Snelling, Christopher Blyth, Nicholas de Klerk, Hannah Moore, Heather Gidding
Summary: The study found that improving the timeliness of current infant doses and increasing antenatal coverage can enhance protection against pertussis for most Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children. Children at highest risk of severe pertussis may benefit from additional measures such as extra doses of pertussis-containing vaccines or vaccines with improved immunogenicity.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Archana Koirala, Heather F. Gidding, Kaitlyn Vette, Kristine Macartney
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Meru Sheel, Nicholas Wood, Kristine Macartney, Jim Buttery, Nicole Dinsmore, Helen Marshall, Elizabeth Elliott, Anne Kynaston, Peter Richmond, Dan Chateau, Peter McIntyre
Summary: Studies have found that cases of intussusception within 21 days of receiving rotavirus vaccine are more severe and occur at a younger age. However, after adjusting for age and sex, the severity of intussusception is not related to the vaccine.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dorothy A. B. Machalek, Kaitlyn M. Vette, Marnie Downes, John B. O. Carlin, Suellen B. Nicholson, Rena F. Hirani, David O. Irving, Iain B. Gosbell, Heather F. Gidding, Hannah M. Shilling, Eithandee Aung, Kristine Macartney, John M. Kaldor
Summary: This study estimated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in metropolitan Melbourne during the COVID-19 outbreak. The results suggest low community transmission and good case ascertainment during the second epidemic wave. The study highlights the usefulness of residual blood donor samples in assessing seroprevalence and population patterns of infection.
Article
Immunology
Bette Liu, Heather Gidding, Sandrine Stepien, Michelle Cretikos, Kristine Macartney
Summary: In a mostly infection-naive but highly vaccinated population in Australia, receiving a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine significantly reduced hospitalizations and deaths from SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infections in individuals aged 40 years and above.
Article
Immunology
Marjan Doppen, Cilein Kearns, Mark Weatherall, Nethmi Kearns, Peter McIntyre, Thomas Hills, Richard Beasley
Summary: This study aimed to determine the thresholds for Body Mass Index (BMI) and arm circumference above which a longer needle is needed for intramuscular (IM) delivery of a vaccine in the deltoid muscle at the recommended site in New Zealand. The analysis of two studies involving 442 adults showed that higher arm circumference and BMI values were associated with the need for a longer needle. Based on the findings, men with an arm circumference of 35 cm and women with an arm circumference of 30 cm should use a longer needle to ensure successful intramuscular injection.
Article
Immunology
Alexis Pillsbury, Anastasia Phillips, Lucy Deng, Helen Quinn, Kristine Macartney, Heather Gidding
Summary: This study aimed to determine the background rates of adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination using healthcare data from Australia's most populous state. The study found low background rates for selected neurological conditions, but high rates for generalised convulsions. Thromboembolic and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis event rates increased with age, and myocarditis was more common in males, particularly those aged 18-24.
Article
Immunology
Huong Le, Heather Gidding, Christopher C. Blyth, Peter Richmond, Hannah C. Moore
Summary: Through population-based linked data analysis, we have demonstrated the real-world protective effect of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on respiratory syncytial virus hospitalizations in infants. These findings are particularly relevant for areas with a high burden of respiratory syncytial virus but no widespread pneumococcal conjugate vaccine program.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Bette Liu, Sandrine Stepien, Jiahui Qian, Heather Gidding, Katrina Nicolopoulos, Janaki Amin, Allen Cheng, Kristine Macartney
Summary: This study compared the effectiveness of different COVID-19 vaccines. The results showed that the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine had higher effectiveness in preventing primary infections compared to mRNA-1273, ChAdOx-1 nCov-19, and NVX-CoV2373. For booster doses, the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine also showed good effectiveness.
Article
Immunology
Huong Le, Nicholas de Klerk, Christopher C. Blyth, Heather Gidding, Parveen Fathima, Hannah C. Moore
Summary: This study assesses the causal impact of seasonal influenza vaccine on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalizations in children using an instrumental variable strategy. The results show that influenza vaccine reduces the risk of RSV hospitalizations, especially in children under 2 years old.
Editorial Material
Health Care Sciences & Services
Peter B. Mcintyre, Emma Best, Catherine A. Byrnes, Owen Sinclair, Adrian Trenholme, Cameron C. Grant
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Noni E. Winkler, Aditi Dey, Helen E. Quinn, Davoud Pourmarzi, Stephen Lambert, Peter McIntyre, Frank Beard
Summary: This review examined measles data in Australia from 2012 to 2019. The findings show a low incidence of measles, with most cases being imported or linked to imported cases. The study emphasizes the importance of vaccination for prevention, particularly among unvaccinated individuals. Monitoring of waning immunity in older age groups is also highlighted as a concern.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES INTELLIGENCE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lauren G. Dalton, Kelley N. Meder, Frank H. Beard, Aditi Dey, Brynley P. Hull, Kristine K. Macartney, Peter B. McIntyre
Summary: This study assessed the accuracy of data recorded in the Australian Immunisation Register and found a high error rate in classifying overdue vaccine records, with significantly more errors when records were transmitted by paper-based methods. Uniform use of practice management software is recommended for better accuracy in vaccine data recording.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES INTELLIGENCE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alamgir Kabir, Anthony T. Newall, Deborah Randall, Hannah C. Moore, Sanjay Jayasinghe, Parveen Fathima, Bette Liu, Peter McIntyre, Heather F. Gidding
Summary: This population-based retrospective cohort study estimated that the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was highly effective against vaccine-type (91.1%) and all-cause (82.5%) invasive pneumococcal disease in children with medically at-risk conditions in Australia.
JOURNAL OF THE PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES SOCIETY
(2022)
