Publications by authors named "Callum Thirkell"
In July 2023, a carbapenemase-producing (CPKP) with New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-5) and oxacillinase (OXA-48) carbapenemase genes was detected in the urine sample of a patient. A similar CPKP organism had previously been isolated from a surveillance rectal swab of an admitted patient, prompting an outbreak investigation. A confirmed case was defined as any suspected case in which a species of Enterobacterales was isolated from a clinical or surveillance specimen (infection or colonisation) exhibiting an NDM-5 or OXA-48 CPE gene or both, irrespective of phenotypic susceptibility.
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- Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are common infections in New Zealand, and certain groups, like younger people and Māori and Pacific peoples, get them more often.
- Researchers looked at data from 2019 to find out who is more likely to get reinfected with these STIs within a year of their first infection.
- The study found that younger people, those living in specific regions, and certain ethnic groups are at higher risk, and suggested that these groups need better healthcare services to help prevent reinfection.
Background: Syphilis, a disease once in decline, has made a resurgence worldwide. New Zealand has had increasing syphilis rates since enhanced syphilis surveillance was initiated in 2013. This study reports epidemiologic, descriptive and treatment data on management of infants prenatally exposed or vertically infected with syphilis across New Zealand as reported by pediatricians.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe increasing use of culture independent diagnostic testing for the diagnosis of infection has led to gaps in surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates due to limited availability of cultures. Our study reports the findings of a second national survey of in New Zealand, utilizing whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to study the population structure, prevalence of AMR, epidemiology and transmission of gonorrhoea isolates. We analysed 314 isolates and found a strong correlation between carriage of acquired resistance genes or chromosomal point mutations and phenotypic susceptibility testing results.
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- Gay and bisexual men (GBM) represent a significantly higher percentage of HIV, syphilis, and gonorrhoea cases in New Zealand, with rates calculated for the first time by sexual orientation.
- In 2019, GBM accounted for 76.3% of HIV, 65.7% of syphilis, and 39.4% of gonorrhoea notifications, showing stark disparities in case rates compared to heterosexual individuals.
- The study highlights serious inequities in STIs among GBM in New Zealand, emphasizing the need for targeted surveillance and interventions based on sexual orientation.
A cluster of gastrointestinal illness was detected following receipt of a complaint of becoming ill after a multi-course dinner at a restaurant in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia. The complaint led to an investigation by ACT Health. Food samples retained by the restaurant for microbiological analysis returned an unsatisfactory level of in beef (19,000 colony forming units/gram [cfu/g]) and a satisfactory level in arancini (50 cfu/g).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: To analyse the clinical and operational indications for activating the Wellington Life Flight helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) against draft Ministry of Health (MOH) criteria.
Method: Wellington HEMS records for 3 years were reviewed. Details of mission location, timings, medical procedures, patient demographics, and primary reasons for dispatch were analysed.