Enterobacteriaceae Sepsis Outcome Programme annual report, 2013.

The Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance performs regular period-prevalence studies to monitor changes in antimicrobial resistance in selected enteric Gram-negative pathogens. The 2013 survey focussed for the first time on blood stream infections. Four thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight Enterobacteriaceae species were tested using commercial automated methods (Vitek® 2, BioMérieux; Phoenix™, BD). The results were analysed using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) breakpoints (January 2014). Of the key resistances, non-susceptibility to the third-generation cephalosporin, ceftriaxone, was found in 7.5%/7.5% (CLSI/EUCAST criteria respectively) of Escherichia coli; 6.3%/6.3% of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 7.4%/7.4% of K. oxytoca. Non-susceptibility rates to ciprofloxacin were 10.3%/11.3% for E. coli, 4.6%/7.5% for K. pneumoniae, 0.6%/0.6% for K. oxytoca, and 3.6%/6.1% in Enterobacter cloacae. Resistance rates to piperacillin-tazobactam were 3.1%/6.2%, 4.2%/7.0%, 11.9% /12.6%, and 17.3% /22.2% for the same 4 species respectively. Fourteen isolates were shown to harbour a carbapenemase gene, 9 blaIMP, 3 blaKPC, and 2 blaNDM.

Australian Staphylococcus aureus Sepsis Outcome Programme annual report, 2013.

From 1 January to 31 December 2013, around Australia 26 institutions around Australia participated in the Australian Staphylococcal Sepsis Outcome Programme (ASSOP). The aim of ASSOP 2013 was to determine the proportion of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) isolates in Australia that are antimicrobial resistant, (with particular emphasis on susceptibility to methicillin) and to characterise the molecular epidemiology of the isolates. Overall 19.1% of the 2,010 SAB episodes were methicillin resistant, which is significantly higher than that reported in most European countries. Although the SAB 30-day all cause mortality appears to be decreasing in Australia, methicillin-resistant SAB associated mortality remains high (20.1%) and was significantly higher than methicillin-sensitive SAB associated mortality (13%) (P< 0.0001). With the exception of the ß-lactams and erythromycin, antimicrobial resistance in methicillin sensitive S. aureus remains rare. However, in addition to the ß-lactams, approximately 50% of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) were resistant to erythromycin and ciprofloxacin and approximately 20% were resistant to co-trimoxazole, tetracycline and gentamicin. Linezolid, daptomycin and teicoplanin resistance was detected in a small number of S. aureus isolates. Resistance to vancomycin was not detected. Resistance was largely attributable to 2 healthcare associated MRSA clones; ST22-IV [2B] (EMRSA-15) and ST239-III [3A] (Aus-2/3 EMRSA). ST22-IV [2B] (EMRSA-15) has now become the predominant healthcare associated clone in Australia. Approximately 60% of methicillin-resistant SAB were due to community associated clones. Although polyclonal, almost 50% of community associated clones were characterised as ST93-IV [2B] (Queensland CA-MRSA) and ST1-IV [2B] (WA1). CA-MRSA, in particular the ST45-V [5C2&5] (WA84) clone, has acquired multiple antimicrobial resistance determinants including ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, clindamycin, gentamicin and tetracycline. As CA-MRSA is well established in the Australian community, it is important antimicrobial resistance patterns in community and healthcare associated SAB is monitored as this information will guide therapeutic practices in treating S. aureus sepsis.

Australian Enterococcal Sepsis Outcome Programme annual report, 2013.

From 1 January to 31 December 2013, 26 institutions around Australia participated in the Australian Enterococcal Sepsis Outcome Programme (AESOP). The aim of AESOP 2013 was to determine the proportion of enterococcal bacteraemia isolates in Australia that are antimicrobial resistant, and to characterise the molecular epidemiology of the Enterococcus faecium isolates. Of the 826 unique episodes of bacteraemia investigated, 94.6% were caused by either E. faecalis (56.1%) or E. faecium (38.5%). Ampicillin resistance was not detected in E. faecalis but was detected in over 90% of E. faecium. Vancomycin non-susceptibility was reported in 0.2% and 40.9% of E. faecalis and E. faecium respectively and was predominately due to the acquisition of the vanB operon. Overall, 41.6% of E. faecium harboured vanA or vanB genes. The percentage of E. faecium bacteraemia isolates resistant to vancomycin in Australia is significantly higher than that seen in most European countries. E. faecium isolates consisted of 81 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pulsotypes of which 72.3% were classified into 14 major pulsotypes containing five or more isolates. Multilocus sequence typing grouped the 14 major pulsotypes into clonal cluster 17, a major hospital-adapted polyclonal E. faecium cluster. Of the 2 predominant sequence types, ST203 (80 isolates) was identified across Australia and ST555 (40 isolates) was isolated primarily in the western and central regions (Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia) respectively. In conclusion, the AESOP 2013 has shown enterococcal bacteraemias in Australia are frequently caused by polyclonal ampicillin-resistant high-level gentamicin resistant vanB E. faecium, which have limited treatment options.

UK Renal Registry 16th annual report: chapter 6 demographics and outcomes of patients from different ethnic groups on renal replacement therapy in the UK.

INTRODUCTION: This chapter describes the patient characteristics and outcomes for the three main ethnic groups (White, South Asian, Black) on renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the UK. METHODS: Data on patients (>18 years old) from all 71 UK adult renal centres starting RRT between 2003 and 2012 were considered. Scottish centres were excluded due to poor ethnicity data. RESULTS: The age-gender standardized incidence ratio of RRT was higher (2-3 times) in regions with a high ethnic minority population compared to those with a low ethnic minority population. South Asian and Black patients were significantly younger than Whites; had more diabetes causing established renal failure and lived in more deprived areas. The proportion of patients with at least one comorbidity was greater amongst White patients compared to South Asian and Black patients. The proportion of patients starting PD and having preemptive transplantation was lower amongst both ethnic minorities. The attainment of various laboratory standards was comparable or better for the ethnic minorities compared to White patients except for calcium standard attainment (for South Asians) and haemodialysis dose attainment (for Black patients). Compared to White patients, both ethnic minorities had similar rates of listing for deceased donor kidney transplantation but had lower rates of transplantation once wait-listed, and lower rates of living kidney donor transplantation. One and five year kidney allograft adjusted survival was poorer for Black patients but similar for South Asians compared to White patients. Black and South Asian patients had a better adjusted survival on dialysis compared to White patients. CONCLUSIONS: The persistent high incidence of RRT, the better survival on dialysis and the poor access to kidney transplantation for South Asian and Black patients and early allograft loss for Black patients will impose a disproportionate demand on dialysis provision in those areas with a high ethnic minority population.

Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program annual report, 2007/08.

The National Rotavirus Reference Centre together with collaborating laboratories Australia-wide conducts a laboratory based rotavirus surveillance program. This report describes the types of rotavirus strains responsible for the hospitalisation of children with acute gastroenteritis during the period 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008, the first complete year of surveillance following introduction of rotavirus into the National Immunisation Program. Six hundred faecal samples from across Australia were examined using a combined approach of monoclonal antibody immunoassays and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Of the 419 confirmed as rotavirus positive, serotype G1 was the dominant serotype nationally, representing 52% of specimens, followed by serotype G2 (19.8%), serotype G9 (12.2%), and serotype G3 (11%). No serotype G4 strains were identified. All G1, G3 and G9 strains assayed for P genotype contained the P[8] genotype, while all G2 strains contained the P[4] genotype, except one G2 strain which possessed a P[8]. Uncommon rotavirus genotypes, G8 (n = 2) and P[9] (n = 2) were identified during this study period. There was no evidence of unexpected changes in serotype distribution during the first 12 months of rotavirus vaccine use in the National Immunisation Program.

Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program: annual report, 2006-07.

The National Rotavirus Reference Centre, together with collaborating laboratories Australia-wide, conducts a laboratory based rotavirus surveillance program. This report describes the serotypes of rotavirus strains responsible for the hospitalisation of children with acute gastroenteritis during the period 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007. One thousand and two faecal samples from across Australia were examined using a combined approach of monoclonal antibody immunoassays, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and polyacrylamide gel analysis. Serotype G1 was the dominant serotype nationally, representing 36.7% of all strains, followed by serotype G9 (31.1%), and serotype G3 (23.3%). Serotype G2 represented less than 5% of strains, while no serotype G4 strains were identified. All G1, G3 and G9 strains assayed for P genotype contained the P[8] genotype, bar one G1 strain, which possessed a P[6]. Uncommon rotavirus genotypes, G8 (n = 1) and G12 (n = 2) were identified in children with acute gastroenteritis during this study period.

Annual report of the Australian National Poliovirus Reference Laboratory 2005.

In May 1988 the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution for the global eradication of poliomyelitis. Since then two target dates for eradication (2000 and 2003) have passed and the struggle to eradicate the poliovirus continues. Australia's commitment to the worldwide campaign began in December 1994 with the designation of the National Poliovirus Reference Laboratory at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory and the initiation of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance in March 1995. During 2005 the National Poliovirus Reference Laboratory did not isolate any wild or vaccine derived polioviruses from the 42 samples collected from eighteen cases of acute flaccid paralysis in Australian residents. Three Sabin-like polioviruses were isolated from three cases of acute flaccid paralysis but all were considered incidental isolations by the Polio Expert Committee and not implicated in the disease of the patients. After exceeding the World Health Organization target of one case of AFP per 100,000 children aged less than 15 years in 2004, Australia's non-polio AFP rate in 2005 fell to 0.75 cases per 100,000 children. The high number of wild poliovirus importations reported globally in 2005 into previously polio free countries, highlights the need for a sensitive AFP surveillance system within Australia and for specimens from AFP cases to be forwarded to the National Poliovirus Reference Laboratory.

Out-of-hours primary care. Implications of organisation on costs.

BACKGROUND: To perform out-of-hours primary care, Dutch general practitioners (GPs) have organised themselves in large-scale GP cooperatives. Roughly, two models of out-of-hours care can be distinguished; GP cooperatives working separate from the hospital emergency department (ED) and GP cooperatives integrated with the hospital ED. Research has shown differences in care utilisation between these two models; a significant shift in the integrated model from utilisation of ED care to primary care. These differences may have implications on costs, however, until now this has not been investigated. This study was performed to provide insight in costs of these two different models of out-of-hours care. METHODS: Annual reports of two GP cooperatives (one separate from and one integrated with a hospital emergency department) in 2003 were analysed on costs and use of out-of-hours care. Costs were calculated per capita. Comparisons were made between the two cooperatives. In addition, a comparison was made between the costs of the hospital ED of the integrated model before and after the set up of the GP cooperative were analysed. RESULTS: Costs per capita of the GP cooperative in the integrated model were slightly higher than in the separate model (epsilon 11.47 and epsilon 10.54 respectively). Differences were mainly caused by personnel and other costs, including transportation, interest, cleaning, computers and overhead. Despite a significant reduction in patients utilising ED care as a result of the introduction of the GP cooperative integrated within the ED, the costs of the ED remained the same. CONCLUSION: The study results show that the costs of primary care appear to be more dependent on the size of the population the cooperative covers than on the way the GP cooperative is organised, i.e. separated versus integrated. In addition, despite the substantial reduction of patients, locating the GP cooperative at the same site as the ED was found to have little effect on costs of the ED. Sharing more facilities and personnel between the ED and the GP cooperative may improve cost-efficiency.

Communicable Diseases Network Australia National Arbovirus and Malaria Advisory Committee annual report, 2005-06.

This report describes the epidemiology of mosquito-borne disease in Australia for the mosquito-borne disease season 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006, in which the second largest number of notifications since 1995-96 was reported. Ross River virus (RRV) infections (66%), Barmah Forest virus (BFV) infections (23%) and malaria (9%) were the most common mosquito-borne diseases reported in 2005-06. National RRV notifications were the fifth largest on record. The Northern Territory had the highest rate of RRV notifications and the peak notification rate (in January 2006) was the third highest since 2000. National BFV notification rates were the highest on record. The Northern Territory also reported the highest BFV notification rate this season, peaking in February-March 2006, which was the highest reported BFV notification rate on record. BFV notification rates were significantly higher in teenagers compared to previous seasons. There were 731 notifications of malaria in 2005-06 of which none was reported as locally acquired. This was the third highest reporting period for malaria notifications since 2000. In contrast to previous years in which Plasmodium vivax was the predominant species, Plasmodium falciparum was reported as the infecting species in 45 per cent of the malaria notifications and Plasmodium vivax for 42 per cent of cases. Young adults in the 20-24 year age group had the highest number of cases and children in the 5-9 year age group accounted for 22 per cent of notifications. There were two cases of Kunjin virus (KUNV) infection and one case of Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) infection reported in 2005-06, all from Western Australia. Sentinel chicken surveillance data for flaviviruses and sentinel pig surveillance data for Japanese encephalitis virus are reported. There were 200 notifications of dengue virus (DENV) infection in 2005-06, of which 46 per cent (n = 92) was reported as having been acquired overseas. Dengue serotypes 2 and 3 were detected in two outbreaks of locally-acquired dengue in Queensland this season.

National Rotavirus Surveillance Program annual report, 2005-06.

The National Rotavirus Reference Centre together with collaborating laboratories Australia-wide has conducted rotavirus surveillance since June 1999. This report describes the serotypes of rotavirus strains responsible for the hospitalisation of children with acute gastroenteritis during the period 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006. Eight hundred and forty-eight faecal samples from across Australia were examined using monoclonal antibody immunoassays, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and polyacrylamide gel analysis. Serotype G1 was the dominant serotype nationally, representing 40.2 per cent of all strains, followed by serotype G4 (22.6%), serotype G9 (15.1%) and serotype G3 (14.7%). Genotype G12 strains were identified for the first time in Australia. As in previous years, there was substantial geographic variation in the prevalence of rotavirus serotypes.

Meridian health annual report focuses on what is 'brand new'.

The 2003-2004 annual report by Meridian Health, Neptune, N.J., is titled brand new. The high-end publication was produced especially for the healthcare system's employees, board members, shareholders and volunteers.

Communicable Diseases Network Australia: National Arbovirus and Malaria Advisory Committee annual report 2004-05.

This report describes the epidemiology of mosquito-borne disease in Australia for the mosquito-borne disease season 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005. Ross River virus (RRV) infections (45%), Barmah Forest virus (BFV) infections (30%) and malaria (19%) were the most common mosquito-borne diseases reported in 2004-05. The Northern Territory had the highest rate of RRV notifications and the peak notification rate (in February 2005) was 54 per cent less than the previous season. The Northern Territory also reported the highest BFV notification rate this season, peaking in April 2005, which was the second highest reported BFV notification rate since 1998. National RRV and BFV notification rates were highest in the 45-49 year age group. There were 799 notifications of malaria in 2004-05 of which none were reported as locally acquired. This was the third highest reporting season for malaria notifications since 1998. In contrast to previous years in which Plasmodium vivax was the predominant species, Plasmodium falciparum was reported as the infecting species in 57 per cent of the malaria notifications and Plasmodium vivax for 34 per cent of cases. Children in the 5-9 year age group had the highest number of cases compared to previous years in which the peak number of cases tended to be in young adult age groups. There were four cases of Kunjin virus (KUNV) and two cases of Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) reported in 2004-05. Sentinel chicken surveillance data for flaviviruses and sentinel pig surveillance data for Japanese encephalitis virus are reported. There were 188 notifications of dengue virus infection (DENV) in 2004-05, of which 46 per cent (n=86) were reported as having been acquired overseas. Dengue serotype 4 was the most frequently reported type, accounting for 32 per cent of cases (n=60).

Hospitals report on cancer centers.

Woman's Hospital, Baton Rouge, La., is first-place winner among cancer centers. Holy Cross Hospital's Michael and Dianne Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., is named second; and, Cardinal Health System's Ball Cancer Center, Muncie, Ind., third.

Regional health systems address many audiences. Baptist uses language of the bard.

Regional health systems address many audiences. The winners in this category are: Baptist Health Systems of South Florida, Coral Gables, Fla., first place; Memorial Hospital & Health System of South Bend, South Bend, Ind., second place; and Orlando Regional Healthcare, Orlando, Fla., third place.