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Issue

Vol 124 No 1332: 15 April 2011

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Issue Summary

SUMMARY

Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in healthy Aucklanders

Nicola Best, John D Fraser, Paul B Rainey, Sally A Roberts, Mark G Thomas, Stephen R Ritchie

Prior studies have found that M ori and Pacific people are at increased risk of disease caused by the bacteria S. aureus, which is a common cause of serious disease and death in New Zealand. We identified healthy, asymptomatic nasal carriers by performing nasal swab cultures from healthy population volunteers, who also completed a brief questionnaire. The proportion of people who carried S. aureus did not differ significantly between ethnic groups. Indicators of social deprivation did not differ between nasal carriers and non-carriers.Ethnic variation in the prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage does not contribute to an increased risk of disease caused by S. aureus.

SUMMARY

Impact of universal hepatitis B vaccination on antenatal hepatitis B prevalence in the Midlands region of the North Island, New Zealand

Michael Addidle

This study looks back at hepatitis B tests done over the past 12 years on antenatal women on the midlands region of New Zealand. The results show that the universal hepatitis B vaccination, commenced in 1988 is now positively impacting on the number of antenatal women who test positive for hepatitis B, with a gradual decrease in prevalence over the past 12 years.

SUMMARY

Molecular epidemiology and susceptibility profiles of Clostridium difficile in New Zealand, 2009

Sally Roberts, Helen Heffernan, Nadia Al Anbuky, Christopher Pope, Susan Paviour, Tracey Camp, Terri Swager

This study looked at the strains of Clostridium difficile causing diarrhoea in patients in New Zealand hospitals. One of the main objectives was to determine if a particular hypervirulent strain, called ribotype 027, was present in New Zealand. This strain is associated with an increase in the incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile disease in North America and the United Kingdom. Over a 5-month period, 101 isolates from 97 patients across New Zealand were examined. There was a wide range different types but the hypervirulent strain was not detected. Antimicrobial resistance was also uncommon.

SUMMARY

Demographic variation in community-based MRSA skin and soft tissue infection in Auckland, New Zealand

Stephen R Ritchie, John D Fraser, Eric Libby, Arthur J Morris, Paul B Rainey, Mark G Thomas

This study aimed to estimate the burden of skin and soft tissue infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and to determine the effects of ethnicity and age on the rate of skin and soft tissue due to the relatively dangerous methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria in the Auckland community. S. aureus is a very common cause of disease in the community and the incidence of infection with MRSA subtypes varies with ethnicity. M ori and Pacific people had higher rates of non-multiresistant MRSA infection compared with New Zealand European and Asian people while elderly New Zealand European people had much higher rates of multiresistant MRSA infections compared with people from other ethnic groups.

SUMMARY

Pertussis (whooping cough) epidemiology in Waikato, New Zealand: 2000–2009

Richard Wall, Anita Bell, Jason Theobald

This study examined the pertussis (whooping cough) cases in the Waikato region between 2000 and 2009. The rate of pertussis was higher in the Waikato region than nationally during the decade. Pertussis epidemics occurred in the Waikato in 2000 and 2004, at the same time as national epidemics occurred. There were no differences found in the gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic status of people with pertussis during an epidemic or a non-epidemic period. The proportion of pertussis cases occurring in people aged 25 years and over has increased from 2000 to 2009.

SUMMARY

Antimicrobial consumption at Auckland City Hospital: 2006–2009

Rob Ticehurst, Mark Thomas

The spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is a major challenge for human health in the coming years. Prudent use of antimicrobial drugs will help to slow the spread of these antimicrobial resistant bacteria. An audit of antimicrobial consumption by adult inpatients at Auckland City Hospital between 2006 and 2009 shows that the level of consumption is comparable to or less than that in Australian and Scandinavian hospitals. This shows that the antimicrobial stewardship programme at Auckland City Hospital is working well. The results provide a local standard for comparison with other New Zealand hospitals.

ALL ARTICLES
SUMMARY

Beta agonist use during asthma exacerbations: how much is too much?

Mitesh Patel, Kyle Perrin, Richard Beasley

World Salt Awareness Week: more action needed in New Zealand

Rachael M McLean, Jim I Mann, Janet Hoek

Call for doctors not to practice homeopathy or refer to homeopaths

Shaun Holt, Andrew Gilbey, David Colquhoun, Michael Baum, Edzard Ernst

Time for a rethink of vitamin B12 injections?

Gael Mearns, Elaine Rush, Jane Koziol-McLain, Janet Rowan

Alastair Fleet Burry

Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in healthy Aucklanders

Nicola Best, John D Fraser, Paul B Rainey, Sally A Roberts, Mark G Thomas, Stephen R Ritchie

Interactions between gastric and enteric infections: clues to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease?

Jacqueline I Keenan, Hazel M Mitchell, Andrew S Day

The apprenticeship model in 1842

Roger M Ridley-Smith

Epidemic strains of Clostridium difficile are present in Auckland, New Zealand

Sally Roberts, Helen Heffernan, Nadia Al Anbuky, Alice Richardson, Terri Swager, Susan L Taylor, James Bower, Deborah Williamson, Joshua T Freeman

Antibiotic prescribing: time for national surveillance?

Justin Beardsley, Tim Blackmore

Medical image. A young male with sudden onset quadriparesis

Sumit Chatterjee, Susmita Chatterjee, Partha Sarathi Karmakar

Good smokefree law compliance in rural pubs in New Zealand: results from fine particulate (PM2.5) air sampling

Nick Wilson, George Thomson, Richard Edwards

The Plunket Nurse: part 2

Impact of universal hepatitis B vaccination on antenatal hepatitis B prevalence in the Midlands region of the North Island, New Zealand

Michael Addidle

Molecular epidemiology and susceptibility profiles of Clostridium difficile in New Zealand, 2009

Sally Roberts, Helen Heffernan, Nadia Al Anbuky, Christopher Pope, Susan Paviour, Tracey Camp, Terri Swager

Demographic variation in community-based MRSA skin and soft tissue infection in Auckland, New Zealand

Stephen R Ritchie, John D Fraser, Eric Libby, Arthur J Morris, Paul B Rainey, Mark G Thomas

Soul Matters: the spiritual dimension within healthcare (Mabel Aghadiuno)

Alastair Yule

Pertussis (whooping cough) epidemiology in Waikato, New Zealand: 2000–2009

Richard Wall, Anita Bell, Jason Theobald

Synthetic cannabinoid analogues—not repeating past mistakes

Leo J Schep, Robin J Slaughter, Wayne A Temple, Shiva M Nair, Paul Gee

Malcolm Bryce Gunn

Background prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in the Auckland community

Arlo Upton, Stephanie Eyres, Helen Heffernan, Susan Taylor

Antimicrobial consumption at Auckland City Hospital: 2006–2009

Rob Ticehurst, Mark Thomas

SUMMARY

Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in healthy Aucklanders

Nicola Best, John D Fraser, Paul B Rainey, Sally A Roberts, Mark G Thomas, Stephen R Ritchie

Prior studies have found that M ori and Pacific people are at increased risk of disease caused by the bacteria S. aureus, which is a common cause of serious disease and death in New Zealand. We identified healthy, asymptomatic nasal carriers by performing nasal swab cultures from healthy population volunteers, who also completed a brief questionnaire. The proportion of people who carried S. aureus did not differ significantly between ethnic groups. Indicators of social deprivation did not differ between nasal carriers and non-carriers.Ethnic variation in the prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage does not contribute to an increased risk of disease caused by S. aureus.

SUMMARY

Impact of universal hepatitis B vaccination on antenatal hepatitis B prevalence in the Midlands region of the North Island, New Zealand

Michael Addidle

This study looks back at hepatitis B tests done over the past 12 years on antenatal women on the midlands region of New Zealand. The results show that the universal hepatitis B vaccination, commenced in 1988 is now positively impacting on the number of antenatal women who test positive for hepatitis B, with a gradual decrease in prevalence over the past 12 years.

SUMMARY

Molecular epidemiology and susceptibility profiles of Clostridium difficile in New Zealand, 2009

Sally Roberts, Helen Heffernan, Nadia Al Anbuky, Christopher Pope, Susan Paviour, Tracey Camp, Terri Swager

This study looked at the strains of Clostridium difficile causing diarrhoea in patients in New Zealand hospitals. One of the main objectives was to determine if a particular hypervirulent strain, called ribotype 027, was present in New Zealand. This strain is associated with an increase in the incidence and severity of Clostridium difficile disease in North America and the United Kingdom. Over a 5-month period, 101 isolates from 97 patients across New Zealand were examined. There was a wide range different types but the hypervirulent strain was not detected. Antimicrobial resistance was also uncommon.

SUMMARY

Demographic variation in community-based MRSA skin and soft tissue infection in Auckland, New Zealand

Stephen R Ritchie, John D Fraser, Eric Libby, Arthur J Morris, Paul B Rainey, Mark G Thomas

This study aimed to estimate the burden of skin and soft tissue infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and to determine the effects of ethnicity and age on the rate of skin and soft tissue due to the relatively dangerous methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria in the Auckland community. S. aureus is a very common cause of disease in the community and the incidence of infection with MRSA subtypes varies with ethnicity. M ori and Pacific people had higher rates of non-multiresistant MRSA infection compared with New Zealand European and Asian people while elderly New Zealand European people had much higher rates of multiresistant MRSA infections compared with people from other ethnic groups.

SUMMARY

Pertussis (whooping cough) epidemiology in Waikato, New Zealand: 2000–2009

Richard Wall, Anita Bell, Jason Theobald

This study examined the pertussis (whooping cough) cases in the Waikato region between 2000 and 2009. The rate of pertussis was higher in the Waikato region than nationally during the decade. Pertussis epidemics occurred in the Waikato in 2000 and 2004, at the same time as national epidemics occurred. There were no differences found in the gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic status of people with pertussis during an epidemic or a non-epidemic period. The proportion of pertussis cases occurring in people aged 25 years and over has increased from 2000 to 2009.

SUMMARY

Antimicrobial consumption at Auckland City Hospital: 2006–2009

Rob Ticehurst, Mark Thomas

The spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is a major challenge for human health in the coming years. Prudent use of antimicrobial drugs will help to slow the spread of these antimicrobial resistant bacteria. An audit of antimicrobial consumption by adult inpatients at Auckland City Hospital between 2006 and 2009 shows that the level of consumption is comparable to or less than that in Australian and Scandinavian hospitals. This shows that the antimicrobial stewardship programme at Auckland City Hospital is working well. The results provide a local standard for comparison with other New Zealand hospitals.

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