Epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies to Ross River virus in vertebrate sera.

We describe the development of an epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the sensitive and rapid detection of antibodies to Ross River virus (RRV) in human sera and known vertebrate host species. This ELISA provides an alternative method for the serodiagnosis of RRV infections.

Ethical issues in social research.

There are numerous ethical issues that one must consider when developing a research project; however, much discussion about ethics in health research has focused on experimental studies such as clinical trials. As a result, there remains some ambiguity as to the ethical issues that need to be considered in health-related social research. This paper outlines a number of important ethical issues that CAM researchers should be aware of when developing, running and writing up social research.

Communicable Diseases Network Australia: National Arbovirus and Malaria Advisory Committee annual report 2004-05.

This report describes the epidemiology of mosquito-borne disease in Australia for the mosquito-borne disease season 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005. Ross River virus (RRV) infections (45%), Barmah Forest virus (BFV) infections (30%) and malaria (19%) were the most common mosquito-borne diseases reported in 2004-05. The Northern Territory had the highest rate of RRV notifications and the peak notification rate (in February 2005) was 54 per cent less than the previous season.

Confocal microscopy studies of a model oligoribonucleotide HIV inhibitor.

Previous work has shown that novel amphipalhic oligo and polyribonucleotides are potent inhibitors of HIV. It was hypothesized that the mechanism(s) of action for these compounds might be inhibition of retroviral reverse transcriptase (RT) and/or viral uptake by cells. A fluorescent oligonucleotide analog was prepared, and confocal microscopy studies were undertaken in order to examine oligonucleotide-cell interactions.

Biological, antigenic and phylogenetic characterization of the flavivirus Alfuy.

Alfuy virus (ALFV) is classified as a subtype of the flavivirus Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV); however, despite preliminary reports of antigenic and ecological similarities with MVEV, ALFV has not been associated with human disease. Here, it was shown that ALFV is at least 10(4)-fold less neuroinvasive than MVEV after peripheral inoculation of 3-week-old Swiss outbred mice, but ALFV demonstrates similar neurovirulence. In addition, it was shown that ALFV is partially attenuated in mice that are deficient in alpha/beta interferon responses, in contrast to MVEV which is uniformly lethal in these mice.

Use of traditional, complementary and allopathic medicines in Pakistan by cancer patients.

Introduction: The healthcare systems of developing countries are complex in that they often accommodate a range of disparate and often competing paradigms of care. This is the case in Pakistan where Indigenous traditional medicine (TM) co-exists with Western allopathic medicine and, in theory at least, with 'globalised' complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). To date we know little about what treatments are being chosen and why in this still predominantly rural country.

Patient assessment of effectiveness and satisfaction with traditional medicine, globalized complementary and alternative medicines, and allopathic medicines for cancer in Pakistan.

Background: Virtually no research has been conducted on patient assessments of traditional medicines and allopathic medicines for cancer care in poorer countries marked by pluralistic medical environments. Pakistan represents an excellent case for such a study because of the coexistence of culturally and historically specific indigenous traditional medicine, the strong presence of allopathic medicine, and, to a lesser extent, the availability of some globalized complementary and alternative medicines.

Aim: To gain a preliminary understanding of cancer patients' perceptions of effectiveness and satisfaction with traditional medicine, globalized complementary and alternative medicine, and allopathy in the context of a pluralistic medical environment.

First record of Aedes (Aedimorphus) vexans vexans (Meigen) in Australia.

Aedes (Aedimorphus) vexans vexans has become widely distributed in the Australasian and Oceanic Islands zoogeographic regions, and in this paper, we describe the 1st confirmed report of Ae. vexans vexans in Australia. A total of 45 adult individuals were collected around the town of Kununurra in the northeast Kimberley region of Western Australia during the late wet seasons between 1996 and 2003.

Sentinel Chicken Surveillance Program in Australia, July 2003 to June 2004.

Detection of flavivirus seroconversions in sentinel chicken flocks located in four Australian states are used to provide an early warning of increased levels of Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) and Kunjin virus (KUNV) activity in the region. During the 2003-2004 season low levels of flavivirus activity were detected in northern Australia with both MVEV and KUNV virus activity detected in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Western Australia and in the Northern Territory. A single case of Murray Valley encephalitis was reported from Central Australia.

Medical specialists' accounts of the impact of the Internet on the doctor/patient relationship.

In the context of health service delivery, deprofessionalization denotes a trend towards a demystification of medical expertise and increasing lay scepticism about health professionals, suggesting a decline in the power and status of the medical profession. This process has been linked to increasing consumerism, the rise of complementary medicine and the emergence of the Internet. Drawing on data from in-depth interviews with prostate cancer specialists, this article explores their experiences of the Internet user within the context of the medical consultation.

Using qualitative interviews in CAM research: a guide to study design, data collection and data analysis.

Qualitative methods, such as the in-depth interview, offer a potentially powerful means of uncovering the complex experiences of patients, carers and clinicians within treatment and decision-making processes. In the context of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), qualitative interview-based projects allow for subjectivity and complexity within human experience, making them a powerful tool for increasing our knowledge of important processes within CAM. However, qualitative interview-based projects are often poorly designed, carried out and analysed.

Virtually he@lthy: the impact of internet use on disease experience and the doctor-patient relationship.

In the current study, the author explores the complex effects and contradictory roles of the Internet as a source of empowerment and control, and as a site of "risk management." Drawing on a study of the Internet usage of Australian men with prostate cancer, the author investigates how access to information and online support affects men's experiences of disease and, in particular, the possible implications of Internet-informed patients for the doctor-patient relationship. The data reveal that accessing information and/or support online can have a profound effect on men's experiences of prostate cancer, providing a method of taking some control over their disease and limiting inhibitions experienced in face-to-face encounters.

Introduction to the research methods in CAM series.

There is increasing awareness of a need for rigorous research into complementary and alternative medicine, but as yet, limited guidance has been given to researchers, practitioners and students as to the range and scope of the various methodologies available and how existing methods can be modified for CAM research. This research methods series provides an outline of the main methods for researching CAM-related issues, including clinical trials, cross-sectional studies and qualitative methodologies. Drawing on the experiences of a range of experts in CAM research, each article in this series addresses the scope and strengths of a particular methodological approach.

The Influenza Surveillance Program in Western Australia, 2003.

In the winter of 2003 Western Australia experienced its largest epidemic of influenza for at least five years, with activity peaking in August and September. The season was short resulting in very high numbers of cases during the peak weeks. Activity in country areas followed the peak of Metropolitan activity.

Antigenic and genetic typing of Whataroa viruses in Australia.

We recently characterized three novel alphaviruses isolated from mosquitoes captured in New South Wales, Australia. Initial cross-neutralization studies revealed antigenic similarity to the Sindbis virus (SINV)-like Whataroa virus (WHAV), heretofore found only in New Zealand. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that the WHAV-like viruses shared >99% nucleotide sequence similarity with each other, and 96-97% similarity with prototype WHAV.

An unusual "senseless" 2',5'-oligoribonucleotide with potent anti-HIV activity.

A new 32-mer 2',5'-oligoribonucleotide of 1-methyl-6-thioinosinic acid (10) has been synthesized. The design of this unique oligoribonucleotide is based on the reported HIV inhibitory activities of both 2',5'-oligonucleotides and the 3',5'-oligoribonucleotides containing the 1-methyl-6-mercaptopurine base. Tm and CD studies of 10 revealed that it has no organized secondary structure, presumably due to the rigidity of the molecule.

Epizootic activity of Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin viruses in an aboriginal community in the southeast Kimberley region of Western Australia: results of mosquito fauna and virus isolation studies.

We undertook annual surveys of flavivirus activity in the community of Billiluna in the southeast Kimberley region of Western Australia between 1989 and 2001 [corrected]. Culex annulirostris was the dominant mosquito species, particularly in years of above average rains and flooding. Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus was isolated in 8 of the 13 years of the study from seven mosquito species, but more than 90% of the isolates were from Cx.

Interventions for improving communication with children and adolescents about a family member's cancer.

Background: A diagnosis of cancer creates multiple problems for affected families, including major changes in living patterns, roles and relationships. It has not been common practice for families and health practitioners to share information with children or adolescents about a family member's cancer, or to allow them to express their feelings about this. In recent years, however, researchers and practitioners have begun to recognise that children and adolescents might appreciate and benefit by being better informed about, and having more opportunity to communicate their responses to, cancer in the family.

Sentinel Chicken Surveillance Program in Australia, July 2002 to June 2003.

Detection of flavivirus seroconversions in sentinel chicken flocks located throughout Australia is used to provide an early warning of increased levels of Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) and Kunjin (KUN) virus activity in the region. During the 2002-2003 season low levels of flavivirus activity were detected in northern Australia compared to previous years. MVE and KUN virus activity was detected in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of Western Australia and the Northern Territory but not in north Queensland, New South Wales or Victoria.

Complete genomic sequence of the Australian south-west genotype of Sindbis virus: comparisons with other Sindbis strains and identification of a unique deletion in the 3'-untranslated region.

Our previous studies have shown that two distinct genotypes of Sindbis (SIN) virus occur in Australia. One of these, the Oriental/Australian type, circulates throughout most of the Australian continent, whereas the recently identified south-west (SW) genetic type appears to be restricted to a distinct geographic region located in the temperate south-west of Australia. We have now determined the complete nucleotide and translated amino acid sequences of a SW isolate of SIN virus (SW6562) and performed comparative analyses with other SIN viruses at the genomic level.

Antibody-dependent enhancement of Murray Valley encephalitis virus virulence in mice.

Enhancement of flavivirus infection in vitro in the presence of subneutralizing concentrations of homologous or heterologous antiserum has been well described. However, the importance of this phenomenon in the enhancement of flavivirus infection in vivo has not been established. In order to study antibody-mediated enhancement of flavivirus infection in vivo, we investigated the effect of passive immunization of mice with Japanese encephalitis virus (JE) antiserum on the outcome of infection with Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVE).

Rainfall and vector mosquito numbers as risk indicators for mosquito-borne disease in central Australia.

There have been 5 confirmed cases of Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVE) infection in the Alice Springs region during the high rainfall years of 1999/00 and 2000/01, compared with one case in the preceding 9 years. There also appeared to be an increased prevalence of Ross River virus (RR) infection in the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek regions associated with high rainfall. This paper presents an analysis of summer rainfall from 1990/91 to 2000/01, numbers of seroconversion of sentinel chickens to MVE, and RR cases in both regions.

Antiviral amphipathic oligo- and polyribonucleotides: analogue development and biological studies.

A series of novel N1 alkylated purine nucleic acids were polymerized either enzymatically or by automated synthesis to further establish the SAR requirements for HIV, RT, and HCMV activity. Out of the series, two constructs, 2'-O-methyl-1-allylinosinic acid phosphorothioate 33-mer (16) and an oligomer incorporating 1-propyl-6-thioinosinic acid residues (20), were found to be highly active under all three assay conditions. SAR studies indicate that sulfur incorporation, high molecular weight, and low steric bulk at N1 all can be important for activity.

Investigation of the southern limits of Murray Valley encephalitis activity in Western Australia during the 2000 wet season.

Western Australia experienced its worst-ever outbreak of the mosquito-borne Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus during the 2000 wet season. Highest-on-record rainfall throughout much of the state during the 2000 wet season gave rise to extensive mosquito breeding and increased MVE virus transmission, resulting in nine cases of encephalitis. Activity of MVE virus in Western Australia is monitored by detecting MVE virus-specific antibodies in serum from sentinel chickens, located at towns and communities throughout the north of the state.