Sexually transmitted infections diagnosed in individuals presenting for forensic and medical care following sexual assault.

Background: People who report sexual assault express concerns regarding contracting sexually transmitted infection (STI); however, published literature regarding the risk of STI transmission in this context is sparse.

Method: We audited STI and blood-borne virus (BBV) testing at a forensic and medical sexual assault care service in the Australian Capital Territory between 2004 and 2022. Eligibility for testing among 1928 presentations was defined based on risk (eg, reported penetration).

Association of Treatment Duration and Clinical Outcomes in Dry Eye Treatment with Sutureless Cryopreserved Amniotic Membrane.

Background: While sutureless, cryopreserved amniotic membrane (cAM) has been shown to significantly improve signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED), no studies have assessed the association of cAM treatment duration to the differential response in clinical outcomes.

Methods: A multi-center, retrospective study was conducted on patients with moderate-to-severe DED who were treated with self-retained cAM (Prokera Slim) for 2 to 7 days. The primary outcome measure was DEWS severity score assessed at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months.

A Novel Treatment for Neurotrophic Corneal Ulcer Using Topical Cenegermin (OXERVATE™) Containing Recombinant Human Nerve Growth Factor.

Neurotrophic keratitis represents a complex degeneration of the cornea that can result in debilitating symptoms and serious sight-threatening complications. Patients with neurotrophic keratitis (NK) usually present with a history of corneal injury or past surgical intervention involving damage to the corneal nerves; as well as, chronic ocular surface disease. This nerve damage results in sensory loss and poor healing to the corneal tissues.

Impact of Compression Therapy on Cellulitis (ICTOC) in adults with chronic oedema: a randomised controlled trial protocol.

Introduction: Cellulitis represents a significant burden to patients' quality of life (QOL) and cost to the healthcare system, especially due to its recurrent nature. Chronic oedema is a strong risk factor for both an initial episode of cellulitis and cellulitis recurrence. Expert consensus advises compression therapy to prevent cellulitis recurrence in individuals with chronic oedema, however, there is little supporting evidence.

Treatment outcomes in the DRy Eye Amniotic Membrane (DREAM) study.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of cryopreserved amniotic membrane (CAM) in reducing signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) in a large patient population.

Methods: A retrospective chart review at 10 clinical sites was done of patients with refractory DED who received CAM and completed at least 3 months of follow-up. Data collected were demographics; medical history including previous and current ocular treatment, diagnosis, clinical presentations, comorbidity, duration and frequency of treatment with CAM; and concomitant medications.

Granulicatella adiacens subacute bacterial endocarditis as the underlying cause of type II mixed cryoglobulinaemia.

A 57-year-old man with type II mixed cryoglobulinaemia presented to the emergency department with a history of worsening lethargy, malaise and non-drenching night sweats in a relapsing-remitting pattern. He was diagnosed with type II mixed cryoglobulinaemia 7 months ago following episodes of fever, night sweats, lethargy and malaise associated with a non-blanching, purpuric, raised erythematous rash that responded partially to immunosuppressive therapy and short courses of oral antibiotics. A single blood culture then yielded Granulicatella adiacens which was reported as a possible contaminant and therefore, not pursued.

Can pharmacy assistants play a greater role in public health programs in community pharmacies? Lessons from a chlamydia screening study in Canberra, Australia.

Background: Little is known about the engagement of pharmacy assistants (PA) in public health service provision.

Objective: To explore the experiences of PA participating in a study to determine whether a cash reward, offered to consumers and pharmacy businesses, increased participation in community pharmacy-based chlamydia screening.

Methods: PA experience of the study education and training package, participant recruitment and conducting screening (providing information about chlamydia, specimen collection and handling urine samples) were evaluated using knowledge assessment, a questionnaire and focus groups.

Atlas of coronavirus replicase structure.

The international response to SARS-CoV has produced an outstanding number of protein structures in a very short time. This review summarizes the findings of functional and structural studies including those derived from cryoelectron microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering, NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography, and incorporates bioinformatics predictions where no structural data is available. Structures that shed light on the function and biological roles of the proteins in viral replication and pathogenesis are highlighted.

Topical ivermectin 0.5% lotion for treatment of head lice.

Objective: To investigate the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, adverse effects, and place in therapy of a single application of topical ivermectin 0.5% lotion for head lice treatment.

Data Sources: Literature was obtained by searching MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus (January 1980 to January 2013).

'Catching chlamydia': combining cash incentives and community pharmacy access for increased chlamydia screening, the view of young people.

In Australia and elsewhere, chlamydia screening rates for those aged between 16 and 30 years continue to be low. Innovative, age-appropriate approaches are necessary to increase chlamydia screening among this target group to prevent short- and long-term consequences of the infection such as pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Studies have demonstrated that offering chlamydia screening in community pharmacies may be a useful adjunct to current screening services.

Prevalent and incident bacterial vaginosis are associated with sexual and contraceptive behaviours in young Australian women.

Background: To determine prevalence and incidence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and risk factors in young sexually-active Australian women.

Methods: 1093 women aged 16-25 years were recruited from primary-care clinics. Participants completed 3-monthly questionnaires and self-collected vaginal smears 6-monthly for 12-months.

Mycoplasma genitalium incidence, organism load, and treatment failure in a cohort of young Australian women.

Background: Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is an emerging sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is potentially associated with reproductive tract sequelae in women. This study aimed to estimate MG incidence and treatment failure and provide estimates of organism load in infection.

Methods: 1110 women aged 16-25 years were recruited from primary care clinics in Australia.

Community pharmacy and cash reward: a winning combination for chlamydia screening?

Objectives: To date, the uptake of chlamydia screening in community pharmacies has been limited. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine if a cash reward, offered to both the provider and the consumer of chlamydia screening, increased the uptake of screening in community pharmacies.

Methods: During 4 weeks in 2011, chlamydia screening and education were offered in four city and two suburban pharmacies to people aged 16-30 years.

Chlamydia trachomatis incidence and re-infection among young women--behavioural and microbiological characteristics.

Background: This study aimed to estimate rates of chlamydia incidence and re-infection and to investigate the dynamics of chlamydia organism load in prevalent, incident and re-infections among young Australian women.

Methods: 1,116 women aged 16 to 25 years were recruited from primary care clinics in Australia. Vaginal swabs were collected at 3 to 6 month intervals for chlamydia testing.

A pragmatic assessment of the relative efficiency of outreach chlamydia screening events conducted in non-clinical settings.

Background: Opportunistic screening for chlamydia in non-clinical settings is becoming more common, but little is known about which settings (or events) offer the best return on investment. We measured the relative efficiency of each screening site and event during the conduct of a chlamydia education and screening outreach program which used a cash incentive to encourage participation (SOC2).

Methods: SOC2 staff identified sites and organised events in non-clinical sites where young people were likely to congregate.

Phase II Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN) evaluation: interviews with key informants.

Purpose: Dietitians of Canada has collaborated with experts in knowledge translation and transfer, technology, and dietetic practice to develop and implement an innovative online decision-support system called Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN). A study was conducted to evaluate the perceived facilitators and barriers that enable dietitians to use or prevent them from using PEN.

Methods: As part of the overall evaluation framework of PEN, a qualitative descriptive research design was used to address the research purpose.

Acute hepatitis B infection following a community-acquired needlestick injury.

We report a case of acute Hepatitis B infection occurring 2 months after a community-acquired needlestick injury. The patient had a history of incomplete vaccination and Hepatitis B vaccine booster was delayed. He did not receive immunoglobulin.

Maximising retention in a longitudinal study of genital Chlamydia trachomatis among young women in Australia.

Background: Cohort studies are an important study design however they are difficult to implement, often suffer from poor retention, low participation and bias. The aims of this paper are to describe the methods used to recruit and retain young women in a longitudinal study and to explore factors associated with loss to follow up.

Methods: The Chlamydia Incidence and Re-infection Rates Study (CIRIS) was a longitudinal study of Australian women aged 16 to 25 years recruited from primary health care clinics.