A Cross-Sectional Study of Measles-Specific Antibody Levels in Australian Blood Donors-Implications for Measles Post-Elimination Countries.

Passive immunisation with normal human immunoglobulin (NHIG) is recommended as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for higher-risk measles contacts where vaccination is contraindicated. However, the concentration of measles-specific antibodies in NHIG depends on antibody levels within pooled donor plasma. There are concerns that measles immunity in the Australian population may be declining over time and that blood donors' levels will progressively decrease, impacting levels required to produce effective NHIG for measles PEP.

Arbovirus Transmission in Australia from 2002 to 2017.

Arboviruses pose a significant global public health threat, with Ross River virus (RRV), Barmah Forest virus (BFV), and dengue virus (DENV) being among the most common and clinically significant in Australia. Some arboviruses, including those prevalent in Australia, have been reported to cause transfusion-transmitted infections. This study examined the spatiotemporal variation of these arboviruses and their potential impact on blood donation numbers across Australia.

Comparison of Anti-Hepatitis A Antibody Pharmacokinetics in Healthy Australian Subjects Receiving Standard or Weight-Based Dosing of Polyvalent Immunoglobulin.

This randomized controlled trial compared two dosing regimens of the polyvalent immunoglobulin available for hepatitis A post-exposure prophylaxis in Australia. Participants were randomized to receive either 270 IU (standard dose) or 3.375 IU/kg (dose by weight).

Monitoring viral genomic sequences in transfusion-transmitted viruses.

Background And Objectives: Monitoring genomic sequences of blood-borne viruses infecting blood donors enables blood operators to undertake molecular epidemiology, confirm transfusion transmission and assess and characterize molecular and serological screening assays. The purpose of the study was to determine how blood operators globally value viral diversity surveillance and to assess its impact.

Materials And Methods: An electronic questionnaire was developed and circulated to members of the International Society of Blood Transfusion-transmitted infectious diseases working party.

Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in platelet concentrates or plasma following treatment with ultraviolet C light or with methylene blue combined with visible light.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is unlikely to be a major transfusion-transmitted pathogen; however, convalescent plasma is a treatment option used in some regions. The risk of transfusion-transmitted infections can be minimized by implementing Pathogen Inactivation (PI), such as THERAFLEX MB-plasma and THERAFLEX UV-Platelets systems. Here we examined the capability of these PI systems to inactivate SARS-CoV-2.

The Troublesome Ticks Research Protocol: Developing a Comprehensive, Multidiscipline Research Plan for Investigating Human Tick-Associated Disease in Australia.

In Australia, there is a paucity of data about the extent and impact of zoonotic tick-related illnesses. Even less is understood about a multifaceted illness referred to as Debilitating Symptom Complexes Attributed to Ticks (DSCATT). Here, we describe a research plan for investigating the aetiology, pathophysiology, and clinical outcomes of human tick-associated disease in Australia.

Human Herpesvirus 8 in Australia: DNAemia and Cumulative Exposure in Blood Donors.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), the causative agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma, multicentric Castleman’s disease and primary effusion lymphoma, predominantly manifests in immunocompromised individuals. However, infection in immunocompetent individuals does occur. The prevalence of HHV-8 exposure in blood donors from non-endemic countries ranges between 1.

Detection of Leishmania (Mundinia) macropodum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) and heterologous Leishmania species antibodies among blood donors in a region of Australia with marsupial Leishmania endemicity.

Objectives: The Australian Leishmania (Mundinia) macropodum parasite causes cutaneous leishmaniasis among marsupial species. Although cutaneous leishmaniasis is a major public health burden worldwide, it is not clear if humans are naturally exposed to the unique L. macropodum.

Past and future epidemic potential of chikungunya virus in Australia.

Background: Australia is theoretically at risk of epidemic chikungunya virus (CHIKV) activity as the principal vectors are present on the mainland Aedes aegypti) and some islands of the Torres Strait (Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus).

Low Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Gene amongst Australian Blood Donors.

Variants in the small surface gene of hepatitis B virus (HBV), which codes for viral surface antigen (HBsAg), can affect the efficacy of HBsAg screening assays and can be associated with occult HBV infection (OBI). This study aimed to characterise the molecular diversity of the HBV small surface gene from HBV-reactive Australian blood donors. HBV isolates from 16 HBsAg-positive Australian blood donors' plasma were sequenced and genotyped by phylogenies of viral coding genes and/or whole genomes.

Understanding occult hepatitis C infection.

Background: Occult hepatitis C infection (OCI) is a type of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, defined as the presence of HCV RNA in hepatocytes or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the absence of HCV RNA in serum.

Study Design And Methods: A literature review was conducted to identify articles that characterized OCI as a disease, including its epidemiology, mode of transmission, pattern of infection, progression, and treatment.

Results: OCI patients experience a milder degree of inflammatory and cirrhotic changes than patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Inactivation of Japanese encephalitis virus in plasma by methylene blue combined with visible light and in platelet concentrates by ultraviolet C light.

Unlabelled: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is endemic to tropical areas in Asia and the Western Pacific. It can cause fatal encephalitis, although most infected individuals are asymptomatic. JEV is mainly transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito, but can also be transmitted through blood transfusion.

Estimation of mosquito-borne and sexual transmission of Zika virus in Australia: Risks to blood transfusion safety.

Background: Since 2015, Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreaks have occurred in the Americas and the Pacific involving mosquito-borne and sexual transmission. ZIKV has also emerged as a risk to global blood transfusion safety. Aedes aegypti, a mosquito well established in north and some parts of central and southern Queensland, Australia, transmits ZIKV.

Arthritogenic Alphavirus Vaccines: Serogrouping Versus Cross-Protection in Mouse Models.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Ross River virus (RRV), o'nyong nyong virus (ONNV), Mayaro virus (MAYV) and Getah virus (GETV) represent arthritogenic alphaviruses belonging to the Semliki Forest virus antigenic complex. Antibodies raised against one of these viruses can cross-react with other serogroup members, suggesting that, for instance, a CHIKV vaccine (deemed commercially viable) might provide cross-protection against antigenically related alphaviruses. Herein we use human alphavirus isolates (including a new human RRV isolate) and wild-type mice to explore whether infection with one virus leads to cross-protection against viremia after challenge with other members of the antigenic complex.

Analysis of Genetic Diversity of Human Hepatitis B Virus in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

The extent of whole genome diversity amongst hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes is not well described. This study aimed to update the current distribution of HBV types and to investigate mutation rates and nucleotide diversity between genotypes in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. We retrieved 930 human HBV complete genomes from these regions from the NCBI nucleotide database for genotyping, detection of potential recombination, serotype prediction, mutation identification and comparative genome analyses.

Coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with immunoparalysis of monocytes and dendritic cells.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) triggers a systemic inflammatory response that may contribute to adverse outcomes. Dendritic cells (DC) and monocytes are immunoregulatory cells potentially affected by CABG, contributing to an altered immune state. This study investigated changes in DC and monocyte responses in CABG patients at 5 time-points: admission, peri-operative, ICU, day 3 and day 5.

Neglected Australian Arboviruses Associated With Undifferentiated Febrile Illnesses.

Infections with commonly occurring Australian thropod-rne arboviruses such as Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus (BFV) are diagnosed routinely by pathology laboratories in Australia. Others, such as Murray Valley encephalitis (MVEV) and Kunjin (KUNV) virus infections may be diagnosed by specialist reference laboratories. Although Alfuy (ALFV), Edge Hill (EHV), Kokobera (KOKV), Sindbis (SINV), and Stratford (STRV) viruses are known to infect humans in Australia, all are considered 'neglected.

El Niño Southern Oscillation, overseas arrivals and imported chikungunya cases in Australia: A time series analysis.

Background: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an emerging mosquito-borne pathogen circulating in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Although autochthonous transmission has not been reported in Australia, there is a potential risk of local CHIKV outbreaks due to the presence of suitable vectors, global trade, frequent international travel and human adaptation to changes in climate.

Methodology/principal Findings: A time series seasonal decomposition method was used to investigate the seasonality and trend of monthly imported CHIKV cases.

No evidence for widespread Babesia microti transmission in Australia.

Background: A fatal case of autochthonous Babesia microti infection was reported in Australia in 2012. This has implications for Australian public health and, given that babesiosis is transfusion transmissible, has possible implications for Australian blood transfusion recipients. We investigated the seroprevalence of antibodies to B.

Inactivation of yellow fever virus in plasma after treatment with methylene blue and visible light and in platelet concentrates following treatment with ultraviolet C light.

Background: Yellow fever virus (YFV) is endemic to tropical and subtropical areas in South America and Africa, and is currently a major public health threat in Brazil. Transfusion transmission of the yellow fever vaccine virus has been demonstrated, which is indicative of the potential for viral transfusion transmission. An approach to manage the potential YFV transfusion transmission risk is the use of pathogen inactivation (PI) technology systems, such as THERAFLEX MB-Plasma and THERAFLEX UV-Platelets (Macopharma).

Vector competence of Australian Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus for an epidemic strain of Zika virus.

Background: Recent epidemics of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Pacific and the Americas have highlighted its potential as an emerging pathogen of global importance. Both Aedes (Ae.) aegypti and Ae.