Infectious pulmonary tuberculosis in a New Zealand cancer centre.

This report details the investigation of oncology and haematology patients, as well as cancer centre staff, friends and family who were exposed to an oncology patient with reactivated pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in a New Zealand cancer centre. A total of 46 patients, seven staff members and 14 family and friends were identified as being exposed to the index case of TB (Mr K). These people were screened for TB infection by the use of a symptom questionnaire, Qiagen QuantiFeron (QFT)® Gold Plus test and, if potentially immunocompromised, a chest x-ray (CXR).

Potential effect of population and climate changes on global distribution of dengue fever: an empirical model.

Background: Existing theoretical models of the potential effects of climate change on vector-borne diseases do not account for social factors such as population increase, or interactions between climate variables. Our aim was to investigate the potential effects of global climate change on human health, and in particular, on the transmission of vector-borne diseases.

Methods: We modelled the reported global distribution of dengue fever on the basis of vapour pressure, which is a measure of humidity.