Lessons Learned and Outcomes from Risk-Based Modernisation of Post-Mortem Inspection and Disposition Criteria of Beef, Sheep, Goat, and Pig Carcasses in Australia.

The lessons learned from reviewing national risk assessments to modernise the Australian Standard for the post-mortem inspection and disposition judgement of beef, sheep, goat, and pig carcases are discussed. The initial risk profiles identified priorities for quantitative assessments. Broadly, the main difficulty encountered was the paucity of quantified performance for the current inspection.

Updated Parameters for Dose-Response Model Considering Pathogen Virulence and Age and Sex of Consumer.

Better knowledge regarding the dose-response (DR) model is needed to refine the assessment of the risk of foodborne listeriosis. In 2018, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) derived a lognormal Poisson DR model for 14 different age-sex sub-groups, marginally to strain virulence. In the present study, new sets of parameters are developed by integrating the EFSA model for these sub-groups together with three classes of strain virulence characteristics ("less virulent", "virulent", and "more virulent").

Microbiological Quality of Australian Beef, Sheep and Pork Carcases, Cuts and Offals.

A one-year survey was undertaken of the microbiological quality of carcases and the derived primal cuts, manufacturing meat and offals at twelve Australian export establishments (six beef, three sheep/lamb and three pork). A total of 27,157 microbiological results for aerobic plate count (APC) and generic were gathered, 15,155 from beef, 8405 from sheep and 3597 from pig establishments. The mean log APCs on beef, sheep and pig carcases were 0.

Risk Assessment of Pectenotoxins in New Zealand Bivalve Molluscan Shellfish, 2009-2019.

Pectenotoxins (PTXs) are produced by spp., along with okadaic acid, dinophysistoxin 1, and dinophysistoxin 2. The okadaic acid group toxins cause diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), so are therefore regulated.

The Normal Fetal Cephalic Index in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy.

The cephalic index (CI) is used in the evaluation of individuals with craniosynostosis. There is little agreement as to the normal range and stability of the CI during the fetal period, partly due to limited literature. We sought to determine the range, distribution and stability of the fetal CI in the second half of pregnancy.

Sonographic indicators of isolated fetal sagittal craniosynostosis during pregnancy.

Introduction: The antenatal diagnosis of sagittal craniosynostosis can be challenging, but there are several published papers describing a traumatic outcome to both the affected fetus and the mother during delivery of a scaphocephalic child. The antenatal imaging from affected children was collected along with the mother's obstetric history. The aim of this study was to identify antenatal ultrasound features that may assist the diagnosis of sagittal synostosis before birth, to enable appropriate delivery planning and avoid both maternal and fetal trauma during birth.

Regional versus metropolitan pancreaticoduodenectomy mortality in Australia.

Background: This retrospective, population-based cohort study aims to determine if differences in the regional distribution of procedures or variation in regional mortality contributes to the variable pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) mortality between Australian states and territories.

Methods: De-identified procedural data from public hospitals between 1 July 2005 and 30 June 2015 from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare were analysed. The regional distribution of procedures and variation in perioperative mortality rate (POMR) were investigated in New South Wales (NSW), Victoria and Queensland (QLD) using logistic regression analysis.

Comparison of postmortem inspection procedures for detecting caseous lymphadenitis of Australian sheep and goats.

Alternative postmortem inspection procedures for the detection of gross abnormalities due to Caseous Lymphadenitis (CLA) of sheep and goats were compared quantitatively against the current Australian Standard (AS4696). Studies on sheep and goats in Australia during 2016 addressed data gaps regarding current prevalence, combinations of multiple lesions within affected carcases and sensitivity of inspection procedures enabling a comparison of alternative with current procedures. Using these contemporary inspection data from 54 915 sheep and 48 577 goats a desktop study estimated the effect of implementing alternative procedures of reduced palpation from eleven carcase sites to the four sites most commonly affected.

Panoramic radiography is of limited value in the evaluation of maxillary sinus disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine (1) the diagnostic efficacy of orthopantomography (OPG) in the diagnosis of sinus diseases by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as the imaging gold standard, (2) which diseases can be diagnosed by using panoramic radiography or CBCT, and (3) the interobserver agreement of 2 experienced dental radiologists.

Study Design: The images of 714 individuals who underwent OPG and CBCT on the same day were assessed separately by 2 dental radiologists. The results were compared by using Gwet's AC statistical methods.

Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment of Salmonellosis from the Consumption of Australian Pork: Minced Meat from Retail to Burgers Prepared and Consumed at Home.

Pork burgers could be expected to have an elevated risk of salmonellosis compared to other pork products due to their comminuted nature. A stochastic risk assessment was performed to estimate the risk of salmonellosis from Australian pork burgers and considered risk-affecting factors in the pork supply chain from retail to consumption at home. Conditions modeled included prevalence and concentration of Salmonella in pork mince, time and temperature effects during retail, consumer transport, and domestic storage and the effect of cooking, with the probability of illness from consumption estimated based on these effects.

Perioperative Mortality Following Bariatric Surgery in Australia.

Background: Bariatric surgery is the most effective method of sustainable weight loss for the treatment of morbid obesity. Low mortality associated with these procedures has been reported internationally; however, Australian outcomes are yet to be published. Despite its efficacy, limited access to bariatric surgery exists in Australian public hospitals.

Perioperative Mortality Following Oesophagectomy and Pancreaticoduodenectomy in Australia.

Introduction: Oesophagectomy (OG) and pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remain associated with significant perioperative mortality rates (POMR). Improved outcomes in high-volume centres have led to these procedures being centralised in some countries. This retrospective, population-based cohort study was conducted to determine the Australian national, and state and territory based POMR associated with OG and PD, and assess trends over time.

National surgical mortality audit may be associated with reduced mortality after emergency admission.

Background: The Western Australian Audit of Surgical Mortality was established in 2002. A 10-year analysis suggested it was the primary driver in the subsequent fall in surgeon-related mortality. Between 2004 and 2010 the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons established mortality audits in other states.

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Norovirus and E. coli in Sydney Rock Oysters Following a Sewage Overflow into an Estuary.

This paper reports a study of norovirus (NoV) GII distribution and persistence in Sydney rock oysters (SRO) (Saccostrea glomerata) located in an estuary after a pump station sewage overflow. SRO were strategically placed at six sites spanning the length of the estuary from the pump station to the sea. The spatial and temporal distribution of NoV, hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Escherichia coli (E.

Perioperative Mortality Rates in Australian Public Hospitals: The Influence of Age, Gender and Urgency.

Introduction: A decline in surgical deaths has been observed in Australia since the introduction of the Australian and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality (ANZASM). The current study was conducted to determine whether the perioperative mortality rate (POMR) has also declined.

Methods: This study is a retrospective review of the POMR for surgical procedures in Australian public hospitals between July 2009 and June 2013, using data obtained from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Australian seafood compositional profiles: A pilot study. Vitamin D and mercury content.

Given the scarcity of comprehensive nutritional data for Australia's >400 commercially produced seafood species a pilot study was undertaken to collect and analyse 22 species of wild and aquaculture seafood in order to develop a model for future comprehensive surveys. The species analysed were: Atlantic salmon, Australian sardine, prawn (six species), barramundi, abalone (three species), blue sprat, burrowing blackfish, gummy shark, oyster (four species), ocean trout and yellowtail kingfish. The analyses undertaken in this pilot study were: moisture, protein, total fat, cholesterol, fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamins A and D, and 21 mineral elements (including total mercury and methyl mercury).

Effect of Sampling Plans on the Risk of Escherichia coli O157 Illness.

Australia exports about 150,000 to 200,000 tons of manufacturing beef to the United States annually. Each lot is tested for Escherichia coli O157 using the N-60 sampling protocol, where 60 small pieces of surface meat from each lot of production are tested. A risk assessment of E.

A national survey of marine biotoxins in wild-caught abalone in Australia.

The first national survey of Australian wild-caught abalone was conducted between September 2012 and December 2013. The aim of the survey was to determine the presence of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), amnesic shellfish toxins (ASTs), and diarrhetic shellfish toxins (DSTs) in wild-caught abalone at levels above the current Codex marine biotoxin limits during the 2013 fishing season. Abalone (n = 190) were collected from 68 abalone-fishing blocks for which the combined annual harvest accounts for 80 % of Australian production.

A survey of Australian oysters for the presence of human noroviruses.

Impending international policies for norovirus in oysters and the lack of Australian data suggested there was a need to undertake a national survey of norovirus in oysters. Two geographically distinct oyster-growing areas from each of three Australian states were sampled on 4 occasions during 2010 and 2011. The sites selected were considered by state shellfish authorities to be the most compromised with respect to the potential for human faecal contamination as identified by shoreline surveys.

Risk Assessment of Escherichia coli O157 illness from consumption of hamburgers in the United States made from Australian manufacturing beef.

We analyze the risk of contracting illness due to the consumption in the United States of hamburgers contaminated with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) of serogroup O157 produced from manufacturing beef imported from Australia. We have used a novel approach for estimating risk by using the prevalence and concentration estimates of E. coli O157 in lots of beef that were withdrawn from the export chain following detection of the pathogen.

Effect of egg washing and correlation between cuticle and egg penetration by various Salmonella strains.

In Australia, Europe and the United States, eggs and egg products are frequently associated with Salmonella food poisoning outbreaks. Many of the egg-associated Salmonella outbreaks have been due to the products such as mayonnaise, ice-cream and cold desserts which are eaten without cooking following the addition of raw egg. The ability of four Salmonella isolates (one each of S.

Effect of egg washing and correlation between eggshell characteristics and egg penetration by various Salmonella Typhimurium strains.

Salmonella is an important foodborne pathogen, causing an estimated 11,992 cases of infection in Australia per year. Egg or egg product related salmonellosis is a major concern for the egg industry. Worldwide, S.

A microbial spoilage profile of half shell Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata).

This study aimed to assess bacterial spoilage of half shell Pacific and Sydney rock oysters during storage using microbial culture and 16S rRNA pyrosequencing. Odour and pH of oyster meats were also investigated. Estimation of microbiological counts by microbial culture highlighted growth of psychrotrophic bacteria.

Microbial growth, communities and sensory characteristics of vacuum and modified atmosphere packaged lamb shoulders.

Packaging fresh lamb in a vacuum (VAC) versus a 100% CO2 modified atmosphere (MAP) may influence product shelf-life and the bacterial communities. While VAC is a common packing method and 100% CO2 MAP is used in some countries, there is little information about how these different techniques affect the growth of spoilage bacteria and sensory attributes of lamb. The aim of this study was to assess changes in microbiological and organoleptic properties, and determine differences in microbial communities by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) and 454 pyrosequencing, in bone-in (BI) and bone-out (BO) MAP- and VAC-packed lamb shoulders stored at -0.