Characterizing the acute antibody response of monkeypox and MVA-BN vaccine following an Australian outbreak.

In response to the emergence of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) in Australia in May 2022, we developed and evaluated indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) for MPXV and Vaccinia virus (VACV) IgG and IgM antibodies using serum samples from patients with nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)-confirmed mpox and uninfected unvaccinated controls. Additionally, 47 healthcare workers receiving two doses of the third-generation smallpox vaccine Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN) undertook serial serum collection to describe the serological response to vaccination. MPXV antibodies were detected in 16/18 individuals with NAAT-confirmed mpox (sensitivity 0.

Introducing 1,3-beta-d-glucan for screening and diagnosis of invasive fungal diseases in Australian high-risk haematology patients: is there a clinical benefit?

Background: Early, accurate diagnosis of invasive fungal disease (IFD) improves clinical outcomes. 1,3-beta-d-glucan (BDG) (Fungitell, Associates of Cape Cod, Inc., Falmouth, MA, USA) detection can improve IFD diagnosis but has been unavailable in Australia.