Validation of the Roche AMPLICOR HIV DNA test version 1.5 for early infant diagnosis of HIV in Papua New Guinea.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a significant public health issue in Papua New Guinea (PNG). After heterosexual transmission (90%), the second most common route of transmission is vertically from mother to child (3.5%).

Forecasting the Population-Level Impact of Reductions in HIV Antiretroviral Therapy in Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) recently did not secure external funding for the continuation of its antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs meaning that supplies of HIV drugs for the estimated 38,000 people living with HIV in PNG could be completely depleted during 2010. Using a mathematical model of HIV transmission calibrated to available HIV epidemiology data from PNG, we evaluated the expected population-level impact of reductions in ART availability. If the number of people on ART falls to 10% of its current level, then there could be an approximately doubling in annual incidence and an additional 12,848 AIDS-related deaths (100.

The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in Papua New Guinea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The potential for an expanded HIV epidemic in Papua New Guinea (PNG) demands an effective, evidence-based and locally-appropriate national response. As sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be important co-factors in HIV transmission nationally, it is timely to conduct a systematic review of STI prevalences to inform national policy on sexual health and HIV/STI prevention.

Methodology/principal Findings: We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of HIV and STI prevalences in PNG, reported in peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications for the period 1950-2010.

Streptococcus pneumoniae serogroups and colony morphology: a look back.

From 1985 to 1987, Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates were collected from children under 5 years of age in the Asaro Valley, Papua New Guinea as part of a study on bacterial colonization and respiratory tract infections. Data on serogroup and colony morphology were collected to survey serogroups and associated colony morphologies present in the area and to assess whether colony morphology can be indicative of serogroup. In total, 5989 colonies were examined; serogroups 6, 10, 14, 15, 19, 23, 33, 34, 35 and nonserotypeable strains were the most common and accounted for 77% of all the colonies, with serogroups 6, 19 and 23 accounting for 48%.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from four centres in Papua New Guinea remain susceptible to amoxycillin-clavulanate therapy.

Antibiotic-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae have the potential to undermine treatment and control of gonorrhoea, which remains a highly prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The standard treatment regimen for gonorrhoea in PNG based on amoxycillin and clavulanic acid (amoxycillin-clavulanate) was introduced about 15 years ago and there is some concern that over time circulating strains may have developed resistance to this therapy. To investigate this, N.