Intraoral human herpes viruses detectable by PCR in majority of patients.

Objectives: To identify factors which influence the intraoral prevalence of human herpes viruses (HHVs) using mucosal swabs, saliva samples and qPCR analysis.

Methodology: In this cross-sectional observational study, matched saliva and oral swabs were collected from a total of 115 subjects: 70 immunocompetent subjects with no mucosal abnormalities, 22 with mucosal abnormalities and 23 therapeutically immunocompromised individuals. Extracted DNA was analysed by multiplex qPCR for detection and quantification of HHVs 1-6.

The association of mycophenolate mofetil and human herpes virus infection.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a steroid-sparing immunosuppressant used extensively to treat both common and rare dermatological conditions. Its lymphocyte specificity makes it a favorable therapeutic option particularly for patients who cannot tolerate alternative immunosuppressants. However, the side effect profile of MMF has not been extensively evaluated.

Baseline patients' characteristics as predictors for therapeutic survival and response in patients with psoriasis on biological treatments.

Background/objectives: Biological agents provide a relatively safe and promising long-term therapeutic option for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis in whom conventional treatment has failed. However, these agents are not effective in all patients. We aimed to examine the association of baseline patients' characteristics with the short-term efficacy and the long-term survival of biological therapies in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

Improving patient safety: The impact of an outpatients' electronic handover system in a tertiary dermatology department.

Background/objectives: Electronic medical records (EMR) can improve quality healthcare, patient safety and streamline workflow to improve efficiency of a department. Despite the known benefits and difficulties of EMR systems, there is limited data on the impact and definable effectiveness it can have within a dermatology unit. We present an outpatients' EMR known as an electronic handover system (EHS) from its inception, delivery and audit of its use in evaluating the true impact.

Overdose in young people using heroin: associations with mental health, prescription drug use and personal circumstances.

Objective: To identify patterns of mental health, prescription drug use and personal circumstances associated with heroin overdose in young people.

Design: Linkage of data on use of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription drugs with data from a self-report questionnaire.

Setting: Inner metropolitan Melbourne, Australia.

Seeking drugs or seeking help? Escalating "doctor shopping" by young heroin users before fatal overdose.

Objective: To identify prescription drug-seeking behaviour patterns among young people who subsequently died of heroin-related overdose.

Design: Linkage of Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and Coroner's Court records from Victoria.

Subjects: Two hundred and two 15-24-year-olds who died of heroin-related overdose between 6 January 1994 and 6 October 1999.

Association of benzodiazepine injection with the prescription of temazepam capsules.

Temazepam capsules have become a popular choice for benzodiazepine injection by injecting drug users, and serious vascular and tissue damage leading to ulcers and gangrene can result. We compared the self-reported benzodiazepine injecting behaviour of 91 heroin users with their Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule (PBS) records for the preceding 5 years. We found that individuals prescribed PBS temazepam capsules were more likely to report injecting benzodiazepines than individuals who had either not been prescribed PBS temazepam capsules or had been prescribed PBS temazepam tablets.

A Graduate Certificate and Master in General Practice Psychiatry by distance education--1998-2001.

Background: The General Practice Psychiatry Program is a collaborative initiative between two universities and two professional colleges. Since 1998 it has offered general practitioners a one year part time Graduate Certificate, and a two year Master of General Practice Psychiatry. The learning is by distance education and multimode, including text packages sent out, tapes, teleconferences and two annual residential weekends with role plays and didactic teaching.