Interpreting paired serology for Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus diseases.

Background: Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus (BFV) cause approximately 4000 and 1000 cases, respectively, of rheumatic disease in Australia every year. Confirmation of a diagnosis usually involves testing for virus-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG by a National Association of Testing Authorities-accredited pathology facility.

Objective: The aim of the article is to provide a logical framework by which clinicians can interpret paired RRV and BFV serology results in environments in which numerical antibody titres are no longer routinely provided.

Successful post-exposure prophylaxis of Ebola infected non-human primates using Ebola glycoprotein-specific equine IgG.

Herein we describe production of purified equine IgG obtained from horses immunized with plasmid DNA followed by boosting with Kunjin replicon virus-like particles both encoding a modified Ebola glycoprotein. Administration of the equine IgG over 5 days to cynomolgus macaques infected 24 hours previously with a lethal dose of Ebola virus suppressed viral loads by more than 5 logs and protected animals from mortality. Animals generated their own Ebola glycoprotein-specific IgG responses 9-15 days after infection, with circulating virus undetectable by day 15-17.

Guide-wire fragment embolisation in paediatric peripherally inserted central catheters.

Objective: To report guide-wire fragment embolisation of paediatric peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) devices and explore the safety profile of four commonly used devices.

Design, Setting And Participants: Clinical incidents involving paediatric PICC devices in Queensland public hospitals were reviewed. A PICC user-experience survey was conducted at five public hospitals with 32 clinicians.