Publications by authors named "Athan E"
Background: The prenatal and early-life periods pose a crucial neurodevelopmental window whereby disruptions to the intestinal microbiota and the developing brain may have adverse impacts. As antibiotics affect the human intestinal microbiome, it follows that early-life antibiotic exposure may be associated with later-life psychiatric or neurocognitive outcomes.
Aims: To explore the association between early-life (in utero and early childhood (age 0-2 years)) antibiotic exposure and the subsequent risk of psychiatric and neurocognitive outcomes.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the risk of patients with severe COVID-19 acquiring resistance genes from carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) in an intensive care setting.
- Conducted at a tertiary public hospital in Victoria, Australia, the analysis examined cases of three patients who shared room spaces and were on prolonged mechanical ventilation and broad-spectrum antibiotics, leading to the suspicion of gene transmission.
- Despite screening 34 patients, no new CPE cases emerged, indicating independent gene acquisition rather than transmission; findings underscore the need for improved antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention to combat CPE resistance.
Background: Uncomplicated joint replacement improves pain and other patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) such as joint function scores and quality-of-life measures. However, the overall impact of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and its successful treatment on PROMs is poorly defined. In this study, we describe quality-of-life scores using the 12-item Short Form survey, version 2 (SF-12v2), collected as part of a large, prospective, observational study of PJI.
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- Buruli ulcer (BU) is a skin disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans, which is increasingly seen in Australia where possums serve as a reservoir for the infection.
- In a study, six wild-caught possums that had never been exposed to MU were injected and all developed BU, with ulceration occurring between 49 and 77 days after infection.
- The findings revealed systemic infection signs in most possums, indicating that this model can enhance understanding of how the bacterium spreads and can inform strategies to prevent further transmission and outbreaks.
Article Synopsis
- The study examines how the Barwon South-West Public Health Unit managed COVID-19 cases during 2020, focusing on their operational model and the impact of community transmission.
- Between March and October 2020, 575 confirmed cases were reported in the region, with a 4.7% hospitalization rate and a 1.7% fatality rate, particularly during a major outbreak in Wave 2.
- The local interprofessional model of care was effective in controlling outbreaks, leading to the elimination of the virus within three months and offering valuable insights for future public health strategies in Victoria.
Unlabelled: Aim -To isolate bacteriophages targeting extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing K. pneumoniae and evaluate their effectiveness across diverse models, incorporating innovative alternatives in animal testing.
Methods And Results: vB_kpnS-Kpn15 was isolated from sewage sample from Thane district.
Article Synopsis
- * Conducted on a cohort of 741 participants, results showed significant improvements in both OHS and OKS at 12 months post-diagnosis, but no further improvements were noted at 24 months.
- * Factors that predicted better functional outcomes included clinical cure and early PJI diagnosis, while chronic renal issues and signs of inflammation negatively impacted these outcomes.
Objectives: Estimates of secondary infections are variedly reported, with few studies done in Australia. We investigated the occurrence and impact of secondary infections complicating COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 admissions in Victoria, Australia, 2020-2023.
Methods: We used linked population-wide data sets and specific International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision codes to identify and estimate the occurrence of secondary infections.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the RSVPreF3 OA vaccine in seniors (60+) against RSV-related lower respiratory tract disease (RSV-LRTD) over two seasons following either one or two doses.
- It was a phase 3 blinded trial with 24,967 participants, showing an efficacy of about 67% for both one dose and two doses against RSV-LRTD and consistent results for severe cases.
- Revaccination after one year was well-tolerated, but it didn't significantly enhance efficacy compared to receiving just one dose.
Article Synopsis
- The study analyzed 328 SARS-CoV-2 cases during the pre-vaccination period in Barwon South West, Australia, focusing on the differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic infections.
- It found that asymptomatic cases were overrepresented in ethnic minority groups, especially among those of Asian descent and younger adults, while seniors had a higher likelihood of symptomatic infections.
- The research suggests that genetic factors may influence the prevalence of asymptomatic infections among different ethnicities and highlights the need for future studies post-vaccination to understand these associations better.
Article Synopsis
- The text discusses a Gram-negative bacterium known for its large genome, which allows it to thrive in various environments and cause numerous infections, particularly in patients with existing health issues.
- It highlights the bacterium's virulence factors that enhance its ability to evade the host's immune system and its strong resistance to many antibiotics, making treatments challenging.
- The need for new therapeutic approaches to combat this bacterium's infections and antibiotic resistance is emphasized, along with a review of potential novel treatments that could be relevant for clinical use.
Article Synopsis
- Whipple disease (WD) is a rare infection caused by the bacterium Tropheryma whipplei, primarily affecting genetically predisposed individuals.
- Researchers developed an immunofluorescence serological assay to detect antibodies against T. whipplei to help rule out WD in patients being evaluated for the disease.
- In a study comparing 16 WD patients with 156 controls, low antibody titres were found in WD patients, and the assay demonstrated 91% specificity for excluding the disease, which could improve with further validation in diverse populations.
Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza are both typically seasonal diseases, with winter peaks in temperate climates. Coadministration of an RSV vaccine and influenza vaccine could be a benefit, requiring 1 rather than 2 visits to a healthcare provider for individuals receiving both vaccines.
Methods: The primary immunogenicity objective of this phase 3, 1:1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy adults aged ≥65 years in Australia was to demonstrate noninferiority of immune responses with coadministration of the stabilized RSV prefusion F protein-based vaccine (RSVpreF) and seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine (SIIV) versus SIIV or RSVpreF administered alone, using a 1.
Article Synopsis
- * Between 2005 and 2020, a study evaluated 33 women attending a service, revealing that 97% were on antiretroviral therapy, but only 67% remained in care consistently.
- * Outreach nursing support was essential, with 91% of women needing assistance, mainly to coordinate with pharmacies and prescribers, highlighting the role of these nurses in helping to meet UNAIDS targets for women's health in the region.
Article Synopsis
- The Barwon South West Public Health Unit launched a targeted SMS messaging program in winter 2022 to promote oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 in the Barwon South West region of Victoria, Australia.
- A study conducted among COVID-19 cases aged 50 and older revealed that 36.7% reported receiving antiviral prescriptions, with most being prescribed by their regular GPs.
- Key barriers to accessing antivirals included delays in medical appointments and testing, while having trusted sources of information, like family or doctors, acted as facilitators; the SMS messages influenced nearly 12.5% of those who obtained the treatment.
To examine protective and risk factors for Buruli ulcer (BU), we conducted a case-control study of 245 adult BU cases and 481 postcode-matched controls across BU-endemic areas of Victoria, Australia. We calculated age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios for socio-environmental, host, and behavioral factors associated with BU by using conditional logistic regression. Odds of BU were >2-fold for persons with diabetes mellitus and persons working outdoors who had soil contact in BU-endemic areas (compared with indoor work) but were lower among persons who had bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccinations.
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- The study compares infective endocarditis (IE) outcomes in patients after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) versus transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), aiming to identify differences in clinical presentation, microbiological profiles, management, and outcomes.
- Data was gathered from two international registries, focusing on patients with IE affecting aortic valve prostheses, and included a matched comparison of TAVR and SAVR patients.
- The findings revealed that patients with surgical bioprostheses had higher rates of complications but similar one-year mortality rates compared to those with TAVR, indicating important differences in infection characteristics and treatment but comparable long-term outcomes.
Article Synopsis
- The 2023 Duke-ISCVID IE Criteria update new diagnostic methods and imaging techniques for infective endocarditis, reflecting advancements in microbiology and epidemiology since the original guidelines were published in 1994 and modified in 2000.* -
- Key changes include new tests for detecting specific bacteria, the introduction of intraoperative inspection as a major criterion, and an expanded list of microorganisms considered typical for IE, especially with certain heart implants.* -
- Additionally, the updated criteria simplify blood culture requirements and emphasize the need for ongoing updates to these guidelines, proposing that they be maintained as a "Living Document" for continued relevance.*
Article Synopsis
- Mycobacterium ulcerans disease is a severe skin condition treated with antibiotics, but the standard eight-week treatment can cause significant side effects.
- A study analyzed the effects of varying antibiotic durations on the culture results of the disease in 92 patients, identifying that treatment periods of 19 days or longer typically led to negative cultures.
- The research found that the type of antibiotic regimen and the World Health Organisation classification of the lesion didn't influence the results, suggesting that treatment may be effective in less than eight weeks.
Sustained behaviour change and practice improvements for the optimal use of antimicrobials remains challenging in primary care. In 2018, a simple antimicrobial stewardship education programme involving guideline recommendations for common infections, antimicrobial audit reports, and local antibiograms resulted in significant improvements in guideline compliance and more appropriate antimicrobial prescribing by GPs. This observational follow-up study aims to examine the sustainability of the positive intervention effect after two years of implementation of the intervention.
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- Whole genome sequencing (WGS) reveals how bacteria evolve antibiotic resistance, especially in immunocompromised patients on antibiotic treatment.
- In a case study, two blood isolates from a patient developed distinct adaptations for resistance while sharing mutations that help them evade the host immune system.
- The differences between the isolates suggest that a significant evolutionary process occurred, with enough time for the bacteria to develop advantageous mutations.
Article Synopsis
- - The text discusses the problem of unnecessary antibiotic use for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in primary care and highlights point-of-care testing (POCT) as a potential solution to improve antibiotic stewardship.
- - The review will evaluate various types of studies involving community pharmacy-based POCT programs to assess their effectiveness, feasibility, and the challenges in implementing them for better antimicrobial use in RTIs.
- - Findings from this review will be shared through conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal, and no ethical approval is required for this study.