Subcutaneous immunotherapy for bee venom allergy induces epitope spreading and immunophenotypic changes in allergen-specific memory B cells.

Background: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment for allergic disorders. We have recently discovered that allergen-specific memory B cells (Bmem) are phenotypically altered after 4 months of sublingual AIT for ryegrass pollen allergy. Whether these effects are shared with subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) and affect the epitope specificity of Bmem remain unknown.

Experiences, barriers and perspectives of midwifery educators, mentors and students implementing the updated emergency obstetric and newborn care-enhanced pre-service midwifery curriculum in Kenya: a nested qualitative study.

Introduction: To achieve quality midwifery education, understanding the experiences of midwifery educators and students in implementing a competency-based pre-service curriculum is critical. This study explored the experiences of and barriers to implementing a pre-service curriculum updated with emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) skills by midwifery educators, students and mentors in Kenya.

Methods: This was a nested qualitative study within the cluster randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of an EmONC enhanced midwifery curriculum delivered by trained and mentored midwifery educators on the quality of education and student performance in 20 colleges in Kenya.

Comprehensive evaluation of malaria reactive surveillance and response strategies in Lao People's Democratic Republic: a mixed-methods study.

Objectives: To achieve malaria elimination by 2030, the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) adopted a reactive surveillance and response (RASR) strategy of malaria case notification within 1 day, case investigation and classification within 3 days and foci investigation and response within 7 days. It is important to evaluate the performance and feasibility of RASR implementation in Lao PDR so that the strategy may be optimised and better contribute towards the goal of malaria elimination.

Design: A mixed-methods study comprising of secondary data analysis of routinely collected malaria surveillance data, quantitative surveys and qualitative consultations was conducted in 2022.

GALV-KoRV-related retroviruses in diverse Australian and African rodent species.

The enigmatic origins and transmission events of the gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV) and its close relative the koala retrovirus (KoRV) have been a source of enduring debate. Bats and rodents are each proposed as major reservoirs of interspecies transmission, with ongoing efforts to identify additional animal hosts of GALV-KoRV-related retroviruses. In this study, we identified nine rodent species as novel hosts of GALV-KoRV-related retroviruses.

A broadly cross-reactive i-body to AMA1 potently inhibits blood and liver stages of Plasmodium parasites.

Apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA1) is a conserved malarial vaccine candidate essential for the formation of tight junctions with the rhoptry neck protein (RON) complex, enabling Plasmodium parasites to invade human erythrocytes, hepatocytes, and mosquito salivary glands. Despite its critical role, extensive surface polymorphisms in AMA1 have led to strain-specific protection, limiting the success of AMA1-based interventions beyond initial clinical trials. Here, we identify an i-body, a humanised single-domain antibody-like molecule that recognises a conserved pan-species conformational epitope in AMA1 with low nanomolar affinity and inhibits the binding of the RON2 ligand to AMA1.

Coverage of cervical cancer prevention interventions among people in Australia who inject drugs.

Background: The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and regular (i.e., every five years) cervical screening are essential to prevent cervical cancer.

Differential COVID-19 case ascertainment by age and vaccination status in Victoria, Australia: a serosurveillance and record linkage study.

Objectives: To compare serological evidence of prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with linked coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case notification data in Victoria, Australia, and to determine SARS-CoV-2 neutralisation activity based on prior infection and vaccination history.

Design, Setting, Participants: Four cross-sectional serological surveys were conducted between 30 June and 31 October 2022 (a period of Omicron BA.4/BA.

Utilising Integrated Bio-behavioural Surveillance (IBBS) to investigate declining hepatitis C antibody prevalence among people who inject drugs in the Australian Needle and Syringe Program Survey.

Background: Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (Ab) on dried blood spot (DBS) samples in the Australian Needle and Syringe Program Survey (ANSPS) decreased nationally from 57% in 2015 to 32% in 2022. We aimed to investigate potential explanations for this decline.

Methods: Changes in DBS HCV Ab prevalence were investigated by redefining positive cases as those with those with either a positive HCV Ab test result or a self-reported history of ever having HCV treatment (modified prevalence), examining HCV Ab prevalence by birth and age cohorts, and assessing trends in key risk behaviours.

Association between acute pre-injury alcohol use and 12-month health outcomes for survivors of major trauma: A registry-based study.

Introduction: Alcohol is commonly detected in patients presenting to hospital after major trauma and is a key preventable risk factor for injury. While it has been suggested that alcohol intoxication at the time of injury results in worse acute patient outcomes, there is currently limited knowledge on the impact of alcohol on health outcomes following hospital discharge. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between acute pre-injury alcohol exposure and the self-reported health outcomes of survivors of major trauma 12-months post-injury.

Supporting Timor-Leste midwives and nurses through an educational program: An evaluative study.

Unlabelled: Little is currently known about the impacts of participation in a five-week Australian maternal and newborn health training program for Timorese midwives and nurses.

Background: The maternal mortality rate in Timor-Leste is estimated to be around 204 per 100,000 live births, and there is a correlation between safe and quality maternal and newborn health services. Hence, there is a need to develop the nation's maternity workforce.

Using nominal group technique with people who are incarcerated in Canadian federal prisons to identify barriers and solutions to improving Prison Needle Exchange Program uptake.

Background: Prison needle exchange programs (PNEPs) are a critical component for harm reduction in prisons. Little is known about the PNEP access barriers for people who are incarcerated, but the low uptake in the Canadian program highlights these constraints. We aimed to identify the barriers and potential solutions for increasing PNEP coverage in the nine Canadian federal prisons where they operate.

Fourth dose bivalent COVID-19 vaccines outperform monovalent boosters in eliciting cross-reactive memory B cells to Omicron subvariants.

Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines comprising ancestral Wuhan-Hu-1 (WH1) and the Omicron BA.1 or BA.5 subvariant elicit enhanced serum antibody responses to emerging Omicron subvariants.

Antibody mechanisms of protection against malaria in RTS,S-vaccinated children: a post-hoc serological analysis of phase 2 trial.

Background: The RTS,S malaria vaccine is currently recommended for children aged 5-6 months in regions with moderate-to-high Plasmodium falciparum transmission. However, vaccination only confers 55% efficacy over 12 months and wanes within 18 months. The immunological mechanisms of RTS,S-mediated immunity are poorly understood; therefore, we aimed to identify antibody response types associated with protection against malaria in children vaccinated with RTS,S.

Improving Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance Outcomes in Patients with Cirrhosis after Hepatitis C Cure: A Modelling Study.

Background & Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a significant global health challenge, particularly among individuals with liver cirrhosis, with hepatitis C (HCV) a major cause. In people with HCV-related cirrhosis, an increased risk of HCC remains after cure. HCC surveillance with six monthly ultrasounds has been shown to improve survival.

HIV transcription persists in the brain of virally suppressed people with HIV.

HIV persistence in the brain is a barrier to cure, and potentially contributes to HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Whether HIV transcription persists in the brain despite viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and is subject to the same blocks to transcription seen in other tissues and blood, is unclear. Here, we quantified the level of HIV transcripts in frontal cortex tissue from virally suppressed or non-virally suppressed people with HIV (PWH).

Ivermectin therapy for young children with scabies infection: a multicentre phase 2 non-randomized trial.

Background: Ivermectin, an effective treatment for scabies, is not licensed for children weighing <15 kg. Pharmacokinetic modelling has shown a 3 mg dose in young children (2-4 years, weighing 10-14 kg) achieves comparable drug exposure to a 200 μg/kg dose in children aged ≥5 years. This trial evaluated a 3 mg dose in young children.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and its ligands RANKL and TRAIL in falciparum, vivax and knowlesi malaria: correlations with disease severity, and B cell production of OPG.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a soluble decoy receptor for receptor activator of NF-ƙB ligand (RANKL) and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), and is increasingly recognised as a marker of poor prognosis in a number of diseases. Here we demonstrate that in Malaysian adults with falciparum and vivax malaria, OPG is increased, and its ligands TRAIL and RANKL decreased, in proportion to disease severity. In volunteers experimentally infected with and , RANKL was suppressed, while TRAIL was unexpectedly increased, suggesting binding of OPG to RANKL prior to TRAIL.

What Lies Beneath? The Role of Community Engagement in Translating COVID-19 Research Findings to Policy-Makers.

Background: Community engagement is key to developing local and context-specific strategies for the prevention and control of COVID-19. However, expedited research design and approval in the early days of the pandemic may have limited the opportunities for community members to influence pandemic-related research. In this study, we sought to understand how a Community Engagement Group (CEG) could impact a large longitudinal COVID-19 research project (Optimise), when involved solely in the interpretation and knowledge translation phases of the research.

Alcohol does not impact chronic hepatitis C treatment outcomes but increases risk for progressive liver disease: Findings from a prospective multicentre Australian study (OPERA-C).

Introduction: Alcohol use is common in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We examined the impact of alcohol use on direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy outcome and the clinical course of liver disease and 2-year survival for patients receiving HCV DAA therapy.

Methods: Adults (n = 2624) recruited from 26 Australian hospital liver clinics during 2016-2021 were followed up for 2 years.