This report, from the Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program and collaborating laboratories Australia-wide, describes the rotavirus genotypes identified in children and adults with acute gastroenteritis during the period 1 January to 31 December 2017. During this period, 2,285 faecal specimens were referred for rotavirus G and P genotype analysis, including 1,103 samples that were confirmed as rotavirus positive. Of these, 1,014/1,103 were wildtype rotavirus strains and 89/1,103 were identified as rotavirus vaccine-like. Genotype analysis of the 1,014 wildtype rotavirus samples from both children and adults demonstrated that G2P[4] was the dominant genotype nationally, identified in 39% of samples, followed by equine-like G3P[8] and G8P[8] (25% and 16% respectively). Multiple outbreaks were recorded across Australia, including G2P[4] (Northern Territory, Western Australia, and South Australia), equine-like G3P[8] (New South Wales), and G8P[8] (New South Wales and Victoria). This year also marks the change in the Australian National Immunisation Program to the use of Rotarix exclusively, on 1 July 2017.

Lanzhou Lamb rotavirus (LLR) vaccine was licensed in China in 2000. It was the only vaccine available in private market before 2018. However, the data about the post-marketing effectiveness is very limited. To assess the vaccine effectiveness (VE), we conducted a case-control study based on the hospital surveillance system in Beijing from 2015 to 2017.Seven hospitals located in seven districts in Beijing, from October 1, 2015, to March 31, 2017, were included. The VE of LLR vaccine was assessed in laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infection among children younger than five years old through a case-control design, using rotavirus-negative cases as controls. LLR vaccination was documented from a vaccination registry. VE was estimated adjusting for age group, gender, study site, the month of illness onset and interval days between illness onset to sampling through a logistic regression model.A total of 598 cases and 1766 controls were included in this study. The vaccine average coverage rate during 2015–2017 among children younger than five years old was 10.8% in Beijing. The adjusted VE for LLR vaccine of 1 dose versus 0 dose was 34.9% (95%CI, 5.3–55.3). We also obtained the adjusted VE of 87.7% (95%CI, 32.7–97.8) for patients with the severity score ≥11, 36.2% (95%CI, 4.7–57.3) for children of 2–35 months age group and 40.8% (95%CI, 7.8–61.9) against G9 rotavirus infection. Vaccinated cases were less likely to have watery stool (OR = 0.42) and have diarrhea longer than 5 days (OR = 0.47) than unvaccinated cases.LLR vaccine conferred protection against rotavirus disease. Children who were vaccinated presented with less severe clinical manifestations. An immunization schedule of receiving all three doses in the first year should be preferred.

Human polyomaviruses have entered the domain of clinical decision-making in renal transplantation and this has coincided with the use of more potent immunosuppressive regimens. BK polyomavirus has predominated, resulting in nephropathy and ureteral strictures with the potential for graft loss [1]. JCV is a type of human polyomavirus, named with the initials of the patient from whom the virus was first isolated. JC polyomavirus is known to cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) which has been reported in the renal transplant population [2]. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening for BK polyomavirus in the early post-transplant period is routinely performed worldwide but is not known to occur for JC polyomavirus.

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a common illness affecting all age groups worldwide causing 2.2 million deaths annually. Viruses including rotaviruses, noroviruses, enteric adenoviruses and astroviruses are the major cause of AGE, with rotavirus causing the majority of severe illness. Advances in molecular techniques have led to the identification of many more viruses in faeces. Proving an association with AGE will require prospective controlled trials which so far are few in number.

A real time RT-PCR, using the LightCycler, was developed and compared with rapid antigen enzyme immunoassay (AgEIA) and enhanced virus culture for rapid detection of influenza A viruses in stored and prospectively collected respiratory specimens. Specific hybridization probes were used for simultaneous detection and differentiation between H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes. The sensitivity of the RT-PCR for influenza A H1N1 was 120 copies and H3N2 350 copies of in vitro transcribed RNA. A specimen was considered positive for influenza A when it was culture positive or at least two methods yielded a positive test result. Using these criteria, with stored samples, the RT-PCR sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 82.9, 95.5, 98.9 and 52.5%, respectively. In specimens collected prospectively the RT-PCR sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 100, 87.9, 82.8 and 100%, respectively. There was complete concordance with subtype differentiation by hybridization probe melting temperature analysis and haemagglutination inhibition assay.

Background: The laboratory diagnosis of herpes simplex infection may require rapid (direct) tests, as well as cell cultures, for detection of the virus in clinical samples. The quantity of virus present in clinical samples is variable and this may depend on the period from onset of rash. In addition, not all patients may show obvious symptoms with this infection. The successful culture of herpes simplex virus requires prompt transportation after collection of the specimen as the virus is easily inactived. Hence, rapid and culture tests would enable detection of non-viable and viable viruses.Study Design: We describe the rapid detection of HSV by EIA directly in various clinical samples using commercially available polyclonal sera. In addition, specimens were inoculated in microwell cell cultures and 4 days post inoculation the culture fluids were tested for HSV and subtyped by a similar EIA (culture amplified EIA).Results: The direct EIA showed an endpoint detection of 100 TCID50/ml, sensitivity of 92% (all specimen types) and specificity of 100%. The direct EIA sensitivity was 97% in non-genital specimens and 88% in genital specimens. The culture amplified EIA showed a sensitivity of 95% compared to all confirmed HSV positive samples.Conclusions: The results of the HSV rapid tests were available within 24 h from receipt of specimens. Specimens which were culture negative/direct EIA positive were confirmed by blocking antisera. Culture positive specimens which were direct EIA negative were confirmed by subtyping of the virus. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Australian and New Zealand Journal of MedicineVolume 28, Issue 4 p. 475-476 Spread of influenza A virus infection in hospitalised patients with cancer S. Schepetiuk, S. Schepetiuk Senior Medical Scientist, Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, AdelaideSearch for more papers by this authorK. Papanaoum, Corresponding Author K. Papanaoum Consultant Physician, Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Adelaide HospitalDr K. Papanaoum, Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, SA 5000.Search for more papers by this authorM. Qiao, M. Qiao Medical Microbiology Registrar, Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, Adelaide, SA.Search for more papers by this author S. Schepetiuk, S. Schepetiuk Senior Medical Scientist, Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, AdelaideSearch for more papers by this authorK. Papanaoum, Corresponding Author K. Papanaoum Consultant Physician, Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Adelaide HospitalDr K. Papanaoum, Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, SA 5000.Search for more papers by this authorM. Qiao, M. Qiao Medical Microbiology Registrar, Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, Adelaide, SA.Search for more papers by this author First published: 25 March 2008 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-5994.1998.tb02089.xCitations: 35AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume28, Issue4August 1998Pages 475-476 RelatedInformation

Two commercially available nucleic acid-based tests, ligase chain reaction (LCR; Abbott Laboratories) and PCR (Roche Diagnostics), for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in male and female urine samples were compared with culture and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Microtrak; Syva) for C. trachomatis detection in genital samples. The samples were collected from 1,005 patients who attended a sexually transmitted disease clinic. In this study population, the prevalence of the infection was 4%. Specimens which were reactive in any of the tests were retested with a different PCR test using primers directed against the major outer membrane protein gene. With a "gold standard" of a positive culture, or any other positive test result if it was confirmed by an independent test, the Roche PCR (95% sensitive, 99.9% specific) was more sensitive than the LCR (75% sensitive, 100% specific) (chi2, P < 0.0001) while both tests were more sensitive than culture (58% sensitive, 100% specific) or EIA (45% sensitive, 100% specific) (chi2, P < 0.001). The Roche PCR and Abbott LCR tests of urine identified 65% and 30% more positive patients, respectively, than did testing by culture of urethral or cervical specimens. Nucleic acid testing of urine specimens for C. trachomatis is a more sensitive and convenient method for the detection of genital infection.

A study was undertaken to determine the incidence of chlamydial respiratory infection in paediatric patients during a 12-month period by antigen detection. Nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) from 514 patients were screened for genus-specific chlamydia antigen using the Pharmacia Chlamydia enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and Kallestad immunofluorescence (IF) assays. EIA screen-positive samples were confirmed by specific blocking antibody. Specimens which were EIA positive or IF positive were cultured for chlamydia. The NPAs from 7 patients were positive in the EIA and IF assays. Four of these patients were culture positive for chlamydia. Our results showed that the incidence of chlamydia respiratory infection by antigen detection was 1.4% or 0.8% if confirmed by culture.

Primary Monkey Kidney (PMK) epithelial cells or egg inoculation have been traditionally used for the culture of influenza and parainfluenza viruses. The high cost and variability of obtaining high quality PMK cells prompted us to investigate the use of other cell strains for the growth of these viruses. For this study we investigated three cell lines viz. MDCK, MEK and LLC-MK2 for the culture of influenza A and B and parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3 viruses. Clinical specimens were spun onto cell monolayers in microtitre wells. The growth of these viruses was then identified by specific antibodies in an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The LLC-MK2 and MDCK cell lines were found to provide optimal growth of parainfluenza and influenza viruses respectively. During the period from November, 1990 to July, 1992, 6501 respiratory specimens were tested. There were 100 influenza A, 36 influenza B and 261 parainfluenza virus isolates. The influenza isolates were further subtyped by the WHO Influenza Reference Centre. The use of these cell lines and the EIA provided an effective method for the routine culture of these viruses.

An outbreak of adenovirus type 4 conjunctivitis occurred in South Australia between April and November 1992. Eye swabs were submitted by general practitioners and ophthalmologists who had seen patients with clinical conjunctivitis or keratitis. Apart from interfamilial spread, there were no other common epidemiological factors. Adenovirus was isolated from the eye swabs of 38 patients. Isolates were typed by neutralisation tests and restriction endonuclease cleavage patterns and found to be adenovirus type 4. This report serves to illustrate an infrequent cause of epidemic conjunctivitis, namely adenovirus type 4. There was no demonstrable focus of the outbreak.