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.
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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: 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.
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.
Aust N Z J Public Health
February 2005
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 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.
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