Communicable diseases intelligence quarterly report
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Commun Dis Intell Q Rep · Dec 2017
Review Meta AnalysisPosition statement on interferon-γ release assays for the detection of latent tuberculosis infection.
Interferon-y release assays (IGRAs), such as the Quantiferon (QIFN) TB-Gold Plus assay (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) and the T-SPOT. TB test (Oxford Immunotec Limited, Abingdon, United Kingdom), are marketed as a substitute for the tuberculin skin test (TST) for the detection of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). The relative merits of IGRAs and TST have been hotly debated over the last decade. ⋯ The choice of test for serial testing in healthcare workers (HCWs) remains controversial. A preference remains for TST in this circumstance because IGRAs have been bedevilled by higher rates of reversions and conversions when used for serial testing. These recommendations supersede all previous NTAC IGRA statements.
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Commun Dis Intell Q Rep · Sep 2017
Tuberculosis screening in an aged care residential facility in a low-incidence setting.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a disease of high morbidity in Australia, with implications for both public health and the individual. Cost analyses is relevant for programmatic evaluation of TB. There is minimal published TB cost data in the Australian setting. ⋯ In comparison, the average cost of managing latent TB was 582 AUD per completed course. We find the median provider cost of our DS-PTB treatment group comparable to costs from other regions globally with similar economic profiles. A program designed to detect and treat LTBI to prevent subsequent disease may be cost effective in appropriately selected patients and warrants further study.
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Commun Dis Intell Q Rep · Jun 2017
Demographic and geographical risk factors for gonorrhoea and chlamydia in greater Western Sydney, 2003-2013.
Notification rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have increased in New South Wales as elsewhere in Australia. Understanding trends in chlamydia and gonorrhoea notifications at smaller geographical areas may assist public health efforts to deliver targeted STI interventions. ⋯ Analysis of notification rates of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in the greater Western Sydney area suggest that young people aged 15-29 years and residents of particular LGAs are at greater risk of infection. A limitation was the unknown effect of patterns of testing. Nevertheless, these results can support the planning of local sexual health clinical services as well as the design of targeted health promotion interventions.
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Commun Dis Intell Q Rep · Mar 2017
Evaluation of bacille Calmette-Guérin immunisation programs in Australia.
bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunisation programs in Australia are funded and operated by the individual states and territories. In recent years BCG vaccine shortages have required use of unregistered products. We aimed to evaluate BCG immunisation programs in Australia, with particular reference to program implementation and national consistency. Methods: Between September and November 2015, 12 key stakeholders, representing Australian states and territories, completed surveys. ⋯ A range of factors, particularly inconsistent vaccine supply are leading to low, variable and inequitable vaccine delivery across Australian jurisdictions. Improved BCG vaccination uptake and AEFI data quality are required for accurate monitoring of program delivery and vaccine safety - this is particularly important given the current need to use unregistered vaccines. Improved and consistent access to BCG vaccine is suggested to optimise equity for at-risk children Australia-wide.