A five-year analysis of latent tuberculosis infection in Queensland, 2016-2020.

Background Australia is aiming to reach tuberculosis pre-elimination targets by 2035. As a low-incidence setting, control efforts will increasingly rely on the management of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). We undertook this descriptive analysis to assess the recent trends of LTBI testing in Queensland. Methods Our objective was to describe the features of LTBI testing in Queensland, and to estimate the range of possible annual notifications were it to be made a notifiable condition. We collated both state-wide and region-specific data on tuberculin skin testing (TST) and interferon gamma release assays (IGRA) conducted in Queensland during the five-year period 1 January 2016 - 31 December 2020. We used reports on Medicare-funded TST and IGRA testing in Queensland, as well as tuberculosis notification data, to understand the representativeness of our data and to derive state-wide estimates. Results We analysed 3,899 public TST, 5,463 private TST, 37,802 public pathology IGRA, and 31,656 private pathology IGRA results. The median age of people tested was 31 years; 57% of those tested were female. From our data sources, an annual average of 1,067 positive IGRA and 354 positive TST results occurred in Queensland. Building on this minimum value, we estimate possible latent tuberculosis notifications in Queensland could range from 2,901 to 6,995 per annum. Private laboratory TSTs are estimated to contribute the lowest number of potential notifications (range: 170-340), followed by private laboratory IGRA testing (range: 354-922), public laboratory IGRA testing (range: 706-1,138), and public setting TSTs (range: 1,671-4,595). Conclusion If LTBI were to be made notifiable, these estimates would place it among the ten most notified conditions in Queensland. This has implications for potential surveillance methods and goals, and their associated system and resource requirements.

A single dose of quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is immunogenic and reduces HPV detection rates in young women in Mongolia, six years after vaccination.

BACKGROUND: Emerging observational evidence suggests a single-dose of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine may be protective against vaccine-targeted HPV infection and associated cervical dysplasia. We aimed to demonstrate whether a single dose of quadrivalent HPV (4vHPV) vaccine was immunogenic and reduced HPV detection rates in young women in Mongolia. We also assessed knowledge and attitudes regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine. METHODS: A retrospective paired cohort study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of a single dose of 4vHPV, given at age 11-17 years in 2012, on HPV detection rates, when compared with unvaccinated women. Real time PCR was performed on self-administered vaginal swabs for HPV detection. An immunological analysis detecting neutralising antibodies (NAb) to high-risk HPV (HRHPV) genotypes 16 and 18 was performed on sera from a subset of 58 participants. Questionnaires evaluated knowledge, attitudes and self-swab acceptability. FINDINGS: A total of 475 women (mean age 20.4 years ± 1.6) were recruited; 118 vaccinated and 357 unvaccinated women. The prevalence of vaccine-targeted HRHPV16 and 18 was reduced by 92% (95%CI 44-99%) in the vaccinated (1·1%) compared with the unvaccinated (15.4%) group. The percentage of non-vaccine HPV genotypes was similar between vaccinated (26.5%) and unvaccinated (26.7%) groups. Approximately 90% and 58% of vaccinated women remained seropositive after six years for HRHPV16 and 18, respectively, with neutralising antibody levels 5- and 2-fold higher than unvaccinated women (p < 0.001). INTERPRETATION: One dose of 4vHPV vaccine reduces vaccine-targeted HPV genotypes, six years following vaccination, with high levels of HR genotype seropositivity among young Mongolian women.

HPV genoprevalence and HPV knowledge in young women in Mongolia, five years following a pilot 4vHPV vaccination campaign.

BACKGROUND: In a 2012 pilot, 9111 Mongolian girls aged 11-17 years received three doses of the quadrivalent (4vHPV) vaccine, Gardasil®. This is the first study to measure early vaccine effectiveness and assess knowledge and attitudes of young women in Mongolia in relation to the human papillomavirus (HPV), the vaccine and cervical cancer. METHODS: A cohort of women vaccinated in 2012 (n = 726) and an unvaccinated cohort (n = 790) provided self-administered vaginal swabs for detection of high-risk HPV genotypes 16, 18/45, 31, 33, 35, 39, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68 five years following vaccination. Participant knowledge and attitudes were assessed through a questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 1882 questionnaires and 1516 self-administered vaginal swabs were analyzed. The prevalence of any HRHPV was 39.5% among both cohorts. The prevalence of vaccine-targeted HPV types was significantly lower in the vaccinated cohort than unvaccinated: 4.8% and 17.2% respectively. The 4vHPV was shown to be protective against HRHPV 16, 18/45 with 75% vaccine effectiveness. Participant knowledge was low. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the 4vHPV is associated with reduced vaccine-targeted HPV detection rates in young Mongolian women. The questionnaire results highlight a need for awareness-raising initiatives in Mongolia on HPV, the vaccine and cervical cancer.