External validation of GO-FAR 2 calculator for outcomes after in-hospital cardiac arrest with comparison to GO-FAR and trial of expanded applications.

Aim: Externally validate the GO-FAR 2 tool for predicting survival with good neurologic function after in-hospital cardiac arrest with comparison to the original GO-FAR tool. Additionally, we collected qualitative descriptors and performed exploratory analyses with various levels of neurologic function and discharge destination.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent in-hospital resuscitation after cardiac arrest during the calendar years 2016-2019 in our institution ( = 397).

Factors associated with return of home oral fluid kits by suspected cases of measles, cohort study, London and South East of England, 2016-2018.

A testing rate for measles above 80% is required by the WHO European Region Measles Elimination strategy to verify elimination. To comply with this rate, we explored factors associated with the return of oral fluid kits (OFK) by suspected measles cases. We described the cases and conducted a mixed-effects analysis to assess the relationship between socio-demographic and public health management characteristics and the likelihood of returning an OFK to the reference laboratory.

Sustained detection of type 2 poliovirus in London sewage between February and July, 2022, by enhanced environmental surveillance.

Background: The international spread of poliovirus exposes all countries to the risk of outbreaks and is designated a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by WHO. This risk can be exacerbated in countries using inactivated polio vaccine, which offers excellent protection against paralysis but is less effective than oral vaccine against poliovirus shedding, potentially allowing circulation without detection of paralytic cases for long periods of time. Our study investigated the molecular properties of type 2 poliovirus isolates found in sewage with an aim to detect virus transmission in the community.

Community transmission of monkeypox in the United Kingdom, April to May 2022.

Between 7 and 25 May, 86 monkeypox cases were confirmed in the United Kingdom (UK). Only one case is known to have travelled to a monkeypox virus (MPXV) endemic country. Seventy-nine cases with information were male and 66 reported being gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men.

Infection and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in London care homes reporting no cases or outbreaks of COVID-19: Prospective observational cohort study, England 2020.

Background: Care homes have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the potential role of asymptomatic infection and silent transmission in London care homes that reported no cases of COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic.

Methods: Five care homes with no cases and two care homes reporting a single case of COVID-19 (non-outbreak homes) were investigated with nasal swabbing for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and serology for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies five weeks later.

Mass testing after a single suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in London care homes, April-May 2020: implications for policy and practice.

Introduction: Previous investigations have identified high rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among residents and staff in care homes reporting an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We investigated care homes reporting a single suspected or confirmed case to assess whether early mass testing might reduce risk of transmission during the peak of the pandemic in London.

Methods: Between 18 and 27 April 2020, residents and staff in care homes reporting a single case of COVID-19 to Public Health England had a nasal swab to test for SARS-CoV-2 infection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and subsequent whole-genome sequencing.

Attendance at London workplaces after symptom onset: a retrospective cohort study of staff members with confirmed COVID-19.

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID)-secure workplace guidance, including the prompt self-isolation of those with COVID-19 symptoms, is fundamental to disease control in workplaces. Despite guidance, a large number of workplace outbreaks have been observed. This study aimed to identify the proportion of symptomatic staff members attending workplaces after symptom onset or testing, and associated factors.

The novel Group A Streptococcus antigen SpnA combined with bead-based immunoassay technology improves streptococcal serology for the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever.

Objectives: Streptococcal serology provides evidence of prior Group A Streptococcus (GAS) exposure, crucial to the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. However, current tests, which measure anti-streptolysin-O and anti-DNaseB antibodies, are limited by false positives in GAS endemic settings, and incompatible methodology requiring the two tests to be run in parallel. The objective was to improve streptococcal serology by combining the novel GAS antigen, SpnA, with streptolysin-O and DNaseB in a contemporary, bead-based immunoassay.

Evidence of High Mortality and Increasing Burden of Sepsis in a Regional Sample of the New Zealand Population.

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening complication of infection. The incidence of sepsis is thought to be on the increase, but estimates making use of administrative data in the United States may be affected by administrative bias.

Methods: We studied the population-based incidence of sepsis in the Waikato region of New Zealand from 2007 to 2012 using , which lacks a specific code for sepsis.

Serological Evidence of Immune Priming by Group A Streptococci in Patients with Acute Rheumatic Fever.

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an autoimmune response to Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection. Repeated GAS exposures are proposed to 'prime' the immune system for autoimmunity. This notion of immune-priming by multiple GAS infections was first postulated in the 1960s, but direct experimental evidence to support the hypothesis has been lacking.

Retrospective epidemiology of acute rheumatic fever: a 10-year review in the Waikato District Health Board area of New Zealand.

Background: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a preventable disease which remains a prominent burden of health in New Zealand, with an annual incidence comparable to that of developing countries.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of ARF and recurrent ARF cases in the Waikato District Health Board (DHB) area of New Zealand from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2011.

Methods: A total of 106 cases of ARF and four cases of recurrent ARF were identified through the Public Health Database - EpiSurv and the Hospital coding system, ICD-10.

Structural conservation, variability, and immunogenicity of the T6 backbone pilin of serotype M6 Streptococcus pyogenes.

Group A streptococcus (GAS; Streptococcus pyogenes) is a Gram-positive human pathogen that causes a broad range of diseases ranging from acute pharyngitis to the poststreptococcal sequelae of acute rheumatic fever. GAS pili are highly diverse, long protein polymers that extend from the cell surface. They have multiple roles in infection and are promising candidates for vaccine development.

A retrospective review of notified human cryptosporidiosis cases in the Waikato region of New Zealand, 2004 to 2011.

Aim: To retrospectively review notified human cryptosporidiosis cases in the Waikato region of New Zealand between 2004 and 2011 and to identify risk factors for human cryptosporidiosis infection.

Method: Waikato cryptosporidiosis notification data for the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2011 were analysed to identify any trends in the rates and distribution of key variables. A comparison was made between urban and rural dwelling cases.

Diagnosis and treatment of heart failure in Maori and New Zealand Europeans at the Waikato Hospital.

Aims: To determine the proportion of patients presenting with heart failure (HF) at Waikato Hospital who receive an evidence-based approach to care, and to investigate whether differences in guideline adherence between Maori and New Zealand Europeans (NZ Europeans) exist.

Method: An audit of medical records was performed for a random sample of 71 Maori and 69 NZ European patients with a first admission for HF at the Waikato Hospital between 1/1/2007 and 31/8/2008. Information relating to investigation and management of HF was obtained from these records, with comparisons made between Maori and NZ Europeans.

A retrospective review of notified human leptospirosis cases in the Waikato region of New Zealand, 2004 to 2010.

Aim: To retrospectively review notified human leptospirosis cases in the Waikato region of New Zealand between 2004 and 2010 and to identify risk factors for human leptospirosis infection.

Method: Waikato leptospirosis notification data for the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2010 were analysed to identify any trends in the rates and distribution of key variables.

Results: Annual Waikato leptospirosis notification rates were consistently higher than national rates.

Transmission of Mycobacterium orygis (M. tuberculosis complex species) from a tuberculosis patient to a dairy cow in New Zealand.

Mycobacterium orygis, previously called the oryx bacillus, is a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and has been reported only recently as a cause of human tuberculosis in patients of South Asian origin. We present the first case documenting the transmission of this organism from a human to a cow.

Does a clinical guideline change chlamydia testing? Report from the Waikato Chlamydia Project.

Background And Context: Waikato District Health Board was one of three districts chosen to implement a national chlamydia management guideline, with the aim of optimising testing and treatment. Previous New Zealand studies suggest any test increases associated with such an intervention may be short-lived.

Assessment Of Problem: District-wide chlamydia test volumes were compared for three periods, before (June-Nov 2008), during (June-Nov 2009) and after (June-Nov 2010) guideline implementation by age, gender and ethnicity.

Two New Zealand outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis linked to commercially farmed oysters.

Aim: We report on the investigations of two gastroenteritis outbreaks, which were linked to a common source.

Methods: Retrospective cohort studies were conducted for two gastroenteritis outbreaks which occurred in Auckland and in Waikato. Faecal samples and samples of oyster meat were analysed.

Trends of reported chlamydia infections and related complications in New Zealand, 1998-2008.

Aim: To compare trends in chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) testing and detection with trends in hospital discharge rates of chlamydia-related diseases in the upper North Island of New Zealand during 1998-2008.

Methods: Analysis of trends in chlamydia testing and detection rates and age-specific hospital admission rates per 100000 females for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), female infertility and ectopic pregnancy, and per 100000 males for epididymo-orchitis.

Results: Regional laboratory testing volumes increased from 3732 tests per 100000 population in 1998 to 9801 tests per 100000 in 2008.

Pertussis (whooping cough) epidemiology in Waikato, New Zealand: 2000-2009.

Aim: To describe the epidemiology of pertussis in the Waikato region of New Zealand between 2000 and 2009, and to identify any differences in case characteristics between epidemic and non-epidemic periods.

Method: Waikato pertussis notification data for the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2009 was analysed to identify any trends in the rates and distribution of key variables. Characteristics of case notifications were compared between an identified epidemic and non-epidemic period.

A multi-setting audit of the management of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

Aim: To audit current management of genital chlamydia infection in the Waikato District Health Board (DHB), using 2008 Ministry of Health (MOH) management guidelines as the standard.

Methods: Any setting within Waikato DHB that diagnosed 25 or more cases of chlamydia during February-October 2008 was eligible to participate. Each site was asked to complete an audit using a proforma for 20 consecutive cases.