Nossal Institute for Global Health - Research Publications

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/11343/245

Filters

2012 - 2013 2
1
2
Reset filters

Settings
Statistics
Citations
Author: Biggs, Beverley-Ann × Author: RATNAM, IRANI × Author: Black, James ×

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Item
    No Preview Available
    Incidence and seroprevalence of dengue virus infections in Australian travellers to Asia
    Ratnam, I ; Black, J ; Leder, K ; Biggs, B-A ; Matchett, E ; Padiglione, A ; Woolley, I ; Panagiotidis, T ; Gherardin, T ; Pollissard, L ; Demont, C ; Luxemburger, C ; Torresi, J (SPRINGER, 2012-06)
    The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence density and prevalence of dengue virus infection in Australian travellers to Asia. We conducted a multi-centre prospective cohort study of Australian travellers over a 32-month period. We recruited 467 travellers (≥ 16 years of age) from three travel clinics who intended to travel Asia, and 387 (82.9%) of those travellers completed questionnaires and provide samples pre- and post-travel for serological testing for dengue virus infection. Demographic data, destination countries and history of vaccinations and flavivirus infections were obtained. Serological testing for dengue IgG and IgM by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (PanBio assay) was performed. Acute seroconversion for dengue infection was demonstrated in 1.0% of travellers, representing an incidence of 3.4 infections per 10,000 days of travel (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9-8.7). The seroprevalence of dengue infection was 4.4% and a greater number of prior trips to Asia was a predictor for dengue seroprevalence (p = 0.019). All travellers experienced subclinical dengue infections and had travelled to India (n = 3) and China (n = 1). This significant attack rate of dengue infection can be used to advise prospective travellers to dengue-endemic countries.
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    Incidence and risk factors for acute respiratory illnesses and influenza virus infections in Australian travellers to Asia
    Ratnam, I ; Black, J ; Leder, K ; Biggs, B-A ; Gordon, I ; Matchett, E ; Padiglione, A ; Woolley, I ; Karapanagiotidis, T ; Gherardin, T ; Demont, C ; Luxemburger, C ; Torresi, J (ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV, 2013-05)
    BACKGROUND: Respiratory infections including influenza are a common cause of acute short-term morbidity in travellers and yet the risk of these infections is poorly defined. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence density of and risk factors for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and influenza in Australian travellers to Asia. STUDY DESIGN: Travel-clinic attendees were prospectively identified and completed questionnaires (demographic data, travel itinerary, health and vaccination history) and also provided pre and post-travel serological samples for Influenza A and B (complement fixation test). Returned travellers with an ARI provided nasopharyngeal specimens for RT-PCR identification of respiratory viruses. RESULTS: In this cohort (n = 387) of predominantly (72%) short-term travellers, 58% were female, the median age was 37 years and 69% were tourists. ARIs occurred in 109 travellers (28%) translating to an incidence of 106.4 ARIs per 10,000 traveller days (95% confidence interval CI 88.6-126.7). The traveller type of missionary or aid worker was a risk factor for acquiring an ARI (p = 0.03) and ARIs occurred early (< 30 days) in the travel period (p = 0.001). Four travellers (1%) acquired influenza A during travel translating to an incidence density of 3.4 infections per 10,000 days of travel (95% CI 1.4-8.6). Influenza vaccination was reported in 49% of travellers with a 3.5-fold higher incidence of influenza in unvaccinated travellers compared to vaccinated travellers (p = 0.883). CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the largest prospective studies estimating the incidence of respiratory infections in travellers. These findings have important implications for practitioners advising prospective travellers and for public health authorities.