Population seroprevalence of human papillomavirus types 6, 11, 16, and 18 in men, women, and children in Australia.

Background: Representative population-based data on human papillomavirus (HPV) epidemiology are important for public health decision making but are difficult to obtain. Seroepidemiology is a valuable tool, although the relationship between HPV infection and seropositivity is incomplete.

Methods: We obtained a large representative sample using residual diagnostic test serum samples obtained from individuals aged 0-69 years (1247 samples from male patients and 1523 samples from female patients) in Australia.

The impact of a new universal infant and school-based adolescent hepatitis B vaccination program in Australia.

We compared the results of two national serosurveys in Australia to evaluate the impact of universal infant vaccination and school-based programs for adolescents. Immunity improved significantly overall, especially in 1-year-olds (40.0% versus 86%; p<0.

European seroepidemiology network 2: Standardisation of assays for seroepidemiology of varicella zoster virus.

Background: The aim of the European Sero-Epidemiology Network (ESEN2) is to harmonise the serological surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases in Europe.

Objective: To allow comparison of antibody prevalence in different countries by standardising results into common units.

Study Design: For varicella zoster virus (VZV), a reference laboratory established a panel of 148 samples, characterised by indirect enzyme-immunoassay (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescence, and complement fixation test.

Immunity to diphtheria and tetanus in Australia: a national serosurvey.

Objective: To determine immunity to tetanus and diphtheria in the Australian population.

Design And Setting: Analysis, using double antigen enzyme immunoassays, of a representative sample of sera (1950 samples tested for diphtheria and 2884 for tetanus) collected opportunistically from Australian laboratories between July 1996 and May 1999.

Main Outcome Measure: Immunity to diphtheria and tetanus, defined as negative (susceptible) when the antitoxin level was < 0.

National serosurvey of poliovirus immunity in Australia, 1996-99.

Objective: To measure immunity to poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3 in the Australian population.

Methods: Sera were collected opportunistically from laboratories around Australia between 1996 and 1999. A representative sample by age and gender was tested for neutralising antibodies to poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3.

Hepatitis C prevalence--a nationwide serosurvey.

Hepatitis C is the most commonly notified disease in Australia. In 1998 the Hepatitis C Virus Projections Working Group (HCPWG) estimated that there were approximately 210,000 people who had been infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Australia by 2001. Population-based serosurveys are required to validate this estimate.