Reactive arthritis incidence in a community cohort following a large waterborne campylobacteriosis outbreak in Havelock North, New Zealand.

Objectives: In August 2016, Campylobacter spp contaminated an untreated reticulated water supply resulting in a large-scale gastroenteritis outbreak affecting an estimated 8320 people. We aimed to determine the incidence of probable reactive arthritis (ReA) cases in individuals with culture-confirmed campylobacteriosis (CC), self-reported probable campylobacteriosis (PC) and those reporting no diarrhoea (ND).

Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to identify incidence of probable ReA cases.

High Incidence of Congenital Syphilis in New Zealand: A New Zealand Pediatric Surveillance Unit Study.

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.

Genomic Surveillance of a Globally Circulating Distinct Group W Clonal Complex 11 Meningococcal Variant, New Zealand, 2013-2018.

Genomic surveillance is an essential part of effective disease control, enabling identification of emerging and expanding strains and monitoring of subsequent interventions. Whole-genome sequencing was used to analyze the genomic diversity of all Neisseria meningitidis isolates submitted to the New Zealand Meningococcal Reference Laboratory during 2013-2018. Of the 347 isolates submitted for whole-genome sequencing, we identified 68 sequence types belonging to 18 clonal complexes (CC).

Genomic epidemiology reveals transmission patterns and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Aotearoa New Zealand.

New Zealand, a geographically remote Pacific island with easily sealable borders, implemented a nationwide 'lockdown' of all non-essential services to curb the spread of COVID-19. Here, we generate 649 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from infected patients in New Zealand with samples collected during the 'first wave', representing 56% of all confirmed cases in this time period. Despite its remoteness, the viruses imported into New Zealand represented nearly all of the genomic diversity sequenced from the global virus population.

Potential Early Identification of a Large Campylobacter Outbreak Using Alternative Surveillance Data Sources: Autoregressive Modelling and Spatiotemporal Clustering.

Background: Over one-third of the population of Havelock North, New Zealand, approximately 5500 people, were estimated to have been affected by campylobacteriosis in a large waterborne outbreak. Cases reported through the notifiable disease surveillance system (notified case reports) are inevitably delayed by several days, resulting in slowed outbreak recognition and delayed control measures. Early outbreak detection and magnitude prediction are critical to outbreak control.

A large scale waterborne Campylobacteriosis outbreak, Havelock North, New Zealand.

Background: We describe the investigation of a Campylobacter outbreak linked to contamination of an untreated, groundwater derived drinking water supply.

Methods: We analysed epidemiological data collected from clinician-confirmed diarrheal cases and estimated the total burden of Havelock North cases using an age-adjusted cross-sectional telephone survey. Campylobacter isolates from case fecal specimens, groundwater samples, and sheep fecal specimens from paddocks adjacent to the drinking water source were whole genome sequenced.

Genomic Insights into a Sustained National Outbreak of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.

In 2014, a sustained outbreak of yersiniosis due to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis occurred across all major cities in New Zealand (NZ), with a total of 220 laboratory-confirmed cases, representing one of the largest ever reported outbreaks of Y. pseudotuberculosis. Here, we performed whole genome sequencing of outbreak-associated isolates to produce the largest population analysis to date of Y.

Leprosy in New Zealand: an epidemiological update.

Aim: To examine the current epidemiological trends of leprosy in New Zealand and raise awareness of this disease in the health professional community.

Method: Epidemiological data of leprosy, a notifiable disease in New Zealand, was accessed for the 10 year time period 2004 to 2013. Using an illustrative case as an introduction, all 38 case reports from the study period are summarised.

Particle size coarsening induced by valve silicone in a metered dose inhaler.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of valve silicone on the delivered particle size distribution of a suspension metered dose inhaler (MDI). Valves were manufactured with distinct levels of silicone, which could be differentiated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The amount of silicone in the valve was proportional to the amount of silicone that entered the formulation and the subsequent decrease in fine particle fraction (FPF) of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) measured by Andersen cascade impaction.

Influence of the size of micronized active pharmaceutical ingredient on the aerodynamic particle size and stability of a metered dose inhaler.

Pharmaceutical inhalers are often used to treat pulmonary diseases. Only active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) particles from these inhalers that are less than approximately 5 microm are likely to reach the lung and be efficacious. This study was designed to investigate the impact of micronized API particle size on the aerodynamic particle size distribution (PSD) profile and the particle size stability of a suspension metered dose inhaler (MDI) containing propellant HFA-227 (1,1,1,2,3,3,3 heptafluoropropane) and a corticosteroid.

A three-dimensional osteochondral composite scaffold for articular cartilage repair.

There is a recognized and urgent need for improved treatment of articular cartilage defects. Tissue engineering of cartilage using a cell-scaffold approach has demonstrated potential to offer an alternative and effective method for treating articular defects. We have developed a unique, heterogeneous, osteochondral scaffold using the TheriForm three-dimensional printing process.