ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4473-9232
Current Organisations
Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
,
Royal Australasian College of Physicians
,
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
,
University of Melbourne
,
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Date: 10-2016
Abstract: In Victoria, Australia, invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W increased from 4% of all cases in 2013 to 30% in 2015. This increase resulted largely from strains similar to those in the serogroup W sequence type 11 clonal complex, previously described in the United Kingdom and South America.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 21-10-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-2021
DOI: 10.1111/IMJ.15602
Abstract: We report four cases of invasive pulmonary aspergillus co‐infection in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection and acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus terreus were isolated, with early infection onset following ICU admission. Clinicians should be aware of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in ICU patients with COVID‐19 infection, particularly those receiving dexamethasone. We propose screening of these high‐risk patients with twice‐weekly fungal culture from tracheal aspirate and, if feasible, Aspergillus polymerase chain reaction. Diagnosis is challenging and antifungal treatment should be considered in critically ill patients who have new or worsening pulmonary changes on chest imaging and mycological evidence of infection.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2021
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 23-08-2021
DOI: 10.1101/2021.08.21.21262399
Abstract: Although pregnancy poses a greater risk for severe COVID-19, the underlying immunological changes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy are poorly understood. We defined immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in pregnant and non-pregnant women during acute and convalescent COVID-19 up to 258 days post symptom onset, quantifying 217 immunological parameters. Additionally, matched maternal and cord blood were collected from COVID-19 convalescent pregnancies. Although serological responses to SARS-CoV-2 were similar in pregnant and non-pregnant women, cellular immune analyses revealed marked differences in key NK cell and unconventional T cell responses during COVID-19 in pregnant women. While NK cells, γδ T cells and MAIT cells displayed pre-activated phenotypes in healthy pregnant women when compared to non-pregnant age-matched women, activation profiles of these pre-activated NK and unconventional T cells remained unchanged at acute and convalescent COVID-19 in pregnancy. Conversely, activation dynamics of NK and unconventional T cells were prototypical in non-pregnant women in COVID-19. In contrast, activation of αβ CD4 + and CD8 + T cells, T follicular helper cells and antibody-secreting cells was similar in pregnant and non-pregnant women with COVID-19. Elevated levels of IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-8, IL-18 and IL-33 were also found in pregnant women in their healthy state, and these cytokine levels remained elevated during acute and convalescent COVID-19. Collectively, our study provides the first comprehensive map of longitudinal immunological responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women, providing insights into patient management and education during COVID-19 pregnancy.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-07-2021
DOI: 10.5694/MJA2.51188
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 15-11-2020
DOI: 10.5694/MJA2.50850
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 25-05-2021
DOI: 10.5694/MJA2.51102
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 04-2016
DOI: 10.5694/MJA15.01222
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-01-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-022-28156-4
Abstract: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) is a major nosocomial pathogen. Identifying VREfm transmission dynamics permits targeted interventions, and while genomics is increasingly being utilised, methods are not yet standardised or optimised for accuracy. We aimed to develop a standardized genomic method for identifying putative VREfm transmission links. Using comprehensive genomic and epidemiological data from a cohort of 308 VREfm infection or colonization cases, we compared multiple approaches for quantifying genetic relatedness. We showed that clustering by core genome multilocus sequence type (cgMLST) was more informative of population structure than traditional MLST. Pairwise genome comparisons using split k-mer analysis (SKA) provided the high-level resolution needed to infer patient-to-patient transmission. The more common mapping to a reference genome was not sufficiently discriminatory, defining more than three times more genomic transmission events than SKA (3729 compared to 1079 events). Here, we show a standardized genomic framework for inferring VREfm transmission that can be the basis for global deployment of VREfm genomics into routine outbreak detection and investigation.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 28-05-2018
DOI: 10.1111/AVJ.12704
Abstract: To describe the epidemiological and clinical features of acute Q fever in Victoria from 1994 to 2013. Retrospective case series and spatiotemporal analyses of human notification data. Records for all confirmed cases of Q fever in Victoria notified between 1994 and 2013 were reviewed. Clinical and epidemiological features of the cases were described and spatiotemporal analysis undertaken for all cases potentially acquired within Victoria. A total of 659 confirmed acute Q fever cases were notified over the study period. Cases decreased at a rate of 4.2% per annum (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9, 7.4%). Notification rates decreased among abattoir workers and related occupations by 10.9% per annum (95% CI: 6.5, 15.0%), whereas those among dairy farmers rose by 14.9% per annum (95% CI: 4.7, 26.0%). The mean age of cases increased over the study period while the ratio of male to female cases decreased. Spatiotemporal analysis suggested endemic transmission, with 55% of cases associated with abattoirs and related businesses and a further 30% considered to have acquired the infection locally. In addition to abattoir-associated clusters, important foci for local acquisition included South and East Gippsland, Wodonga and an outbreak centred on a dairy goat farm west of Melbourne. There has been a reduction in cases of acute Q fever in Victoria over the past 20 years and a changing epidemiology with respect to age, sex and acquisition source. Epidemiological and spatiotemporal analyses suggested a low level of endemic transmission within the state, with multiple foci of increased zoonotic transmission.
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 04-2020
DOI: 10.5694/MJA2.50569
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 06-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-045975
Abstract: The threat of a pandemic, over and above the disease itself, may have significant and broad effects on a healthcare system. We aimed to describe the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (during a relatively low transmission period) and associated societal restrictions on presentations, admissions and outpatient visits. We compared hospital activity in 2020 with the preceding 5 years, 2015–2019, using a retrospective cohort study design. Quaternary hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Emergency department presentations, hospital admissions and outpatient visits from 1 January 2015 to 30 June 2020, n=896 934 episodes of care. In Australia, the initial peak COVID-19 phase was March–April. Separate linear regression models were fitted to estimate the impact of the pandemic on the number, type and severity of emergency presentations, hospital admissions and outpatient visits. During the peak COVID-19 phase (March and April 2020), there were marked reductions in emergency presentations (10 389 observed vs 14 678 expected 29% reduction p .05) and hospital admissions (5972 observed vs 8368 expected 28% reduction p .05). Stroke (114 observed vs 177 expected 35% reduction p .05) and trauma (1336 observed vs 1764 expected 24% reduction p .05) presentations decreased acute myocardial infarctions were unchanged. There was an increase in the proportion of hospital admissions requiring intensive care (7.0% observed vs 6.0% expected p .05) or resulting in death (2.2% observed vs 1.5% expected p .05). Outpatient attendances remained similar (30 267 observed vs 31 980 expected 5% reduction not significant) but telephone/telehealth consultations increased from 2.5% to 45% (p .05) of total consultations. Although case numbers of COVID-19 were relatively low in Australia during the first 6 months of 2020, the impact on hospital activity was profound.
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 09-08-2020
DOI: 10.5694/MJA2.50726
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.JOCN.2012.08.009
Abstract: A new genus of nematode, Haycocknema perplexum, causing polymyositis in humans, was first described in two Australian patients from Tasmania in 1998. Three patients with myositis due to the same nematode were reported from northern Queensland in 2008. We report the sixth case from Australia, a 50-year-old man, also from Tasmania. He had a 2-year history of progressive weakness, weight loss of 10 kg and dysphagia. Muscle biopsy was initially interpreted as polymyositis with eosinophils. Maximum creatine kinase (CK) level was 5700 U/L and full blood examination was normal. He deteriorated after several months of treatment with prednisolone and methotrexate and review of the muscle biopsy showed intramyofibre parasites of H. perplexum. After 3 months of treatment with albendazole therapy, he made a very good clinical recovery and his CK decreased to 470 U/L. This uniquely Australian parasite can mimic polymyositis and leads to significant irreversible morbidity (two of the previous patients still have weakness and elevated CK after years) and even mortality (one died), if diagnosed late or after corticosteroids. Diagnosis can only be made by histopathology of muscle biopsy.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 14-12-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.12.13.22283434
Abstract: Vaccine-mediated immune responses in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be influenced by IBD therapies. We investigated in-depth humoral and T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in IBD patients following three COVID-19 vaccine doses. Immune responses of 100 SARS-CoV-2-uninfected IBD patients on varying treatments were compared to healthy controls (n=35). Anti-S1/2 and anti-RBD SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell responses were measured at baseline and at five time-points after COVID-19 vaccination. Anti-S1/2 and anti-RBD antibody concentrations at ∼1 month after second dose vaccination were significantly lower in anti-TNF-treated patients compared to non-TNF IBD patients and healthy controls (126.4 vs 262.1 and 295.5, p .0001). Anti-S1/2 antibodies remained reduced in anti-TNF treated patients before and after the third dose (285.7 vs 365.3, p =0.03), although anti-RBD antibodies reached comparable titres to non-TNF patients. Anti-RBD antibodies were higher in the vedolizumab group than controls after second dose (4.2 vs 3.6, p=0.003). Anti-TNF monotherapy was associated with increased CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell activation compared to combination anti-TNF patients after second dose, but comparable after third dose. Overall, IBD patients demonstrated similar CD4 + /CD8 + T-cell responses compared to healthy controls regardless of treatment regimen. Anti-TNFs impaired antibody concentrations when compared to non-TNF patients and controls after two vaccine doses. These differences were not observed after the third vaccine dose. However, vaccine induced SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses are robust in anti-TNF-treated patients. Our study supports the need for timely booster vaccination particularly in anti-TNF treated patients to minimise the risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 27-06-2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 18-04-2023
DOI: 10.1093/JAC/DKAD116
Abstract: There is clinical uncertainty over the optimal treatment for penicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (PSSA) infections. Furthermore, there is concern that phenotypic penicillin susceptibility testing methods are not reliably able to detect some blaZ-positive S. aureus. Nine S. aureus isolates, including six genetically erse strains harbouring blaZ, were sent in triplicate to 34 participating laboratories from Australia (n = 14), New Zealand (n = 6), Canada (n = 12), Singapore (n = 1) and Israel (n = 1). We used blaZ PCR as the gold standard to assess susceptibility testing performance of CLSI (P10 disc) and EUCAST (P1 disc) methods. Very major errors (VMEs), major error (MEs) and categorical agreement were calculated. Twenty-two laboratories reported 593 results according to CLSI methodology (P10 disc). Nineteen laboratories reported 513 results according to the EUCAST (P1 disc) method. For CLSI laboratories, the categorical agreement and calculated VME and ME rates were 85% (508/593), 21% (84/396) and 1.5% (3/198), respectively. For EUCAST laboratories, the categorical agreement and calculated VME and ME rates were 93% (475/513), 11% (84/396) and 1% (3/198), respectively. Seven laboratories reported results for both methods, with VME rates of 24% for CLSI and 12% for EUCAST. The EUCAST method with a P1 disc resulted in a lower VME rate compared with the CLSI methods with a P10 disc. These results should be considered in the context that among collections of PSSA isolates, as determined by automated MIC testing, less than 10% harbour blaZ. Furthermore, the clinical relevance of phenotypically susceptible, but blaZ-positive S. aureus, remains unclear.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2023
Publisher: AMPCo
Date: 11-2014
DOI: 10.5694/MJA14.00669
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2020
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 27-10-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2016
Abstract: In Australia, the notification rate for measles fluctuates greatly between baseline and outbreak periods. We aimed to identify characteristics of notified cases that allow risk stratification in order to improve the efficiency of the public health response in an outbreak setting. Retrospective descriptive case series for all measles notifications made to the Victorian Government Department of Health between 1 August and 30 September 2013. A total of 151 notifications were included in the analyses, of which 17 (11%) were confirmed as measles. Applying the clinical criteria of the measles case definition or identifying susceptible cases (determined by vaccination status) correctly identified all measles cases. Requiring cases to meet both criteria reduced sensitivity to 88%, but improved the positive predictive value (48% vs 25%) and retained a high negative predictive value (98.33%). Application of a risk stratification approach based on these features would have saved intensive public health follow-up for 79.5% of notifications in this outbreak. Immune status and clinical features can reliably be used to predict which notifications are unlikely to become confirmed cases. Risk stratification and modification of current surveillance practices may provide for a more efficient public health response, particularly during periods of increased case notification.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 24-10-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.VACCINE.2017.10.088
Abstract: Q-Vax®, a whole cell formalin inactivated vaccine, is currently the only licensed Q fever vaccine for humans world-wide. Efficacy is high, although vaccine failures have been described for those vaccinated within the incubation of a naturally acquired infection. In Australia, it is widely used to prevent occupational acquisition of Q fever and is the mainstay for outbreak control. A retrospective review of all notified cases of acute Q fever to the Victorian department of health, 1993-2013, revealed 34 of 659 cases were previously vaccinated and 10 cases were positive on pre-vaccination screening, precluding vaccination. Twenty-one cases described high-risk exposures for C. burnetii prior to and within 15 days post vaccination and are likely to have been vaccinated within the incubation period of a natural infection. Thirteen cases described symptom onset more than 15 days post vaccination and thus may represent the first described series of Q-Vax vaccine failures following appropriate vaccination.
Publisher: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Date: 28-02-2023
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-2023
DOI: 10.1111/IMJ.16064
Abstract: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in immunocompromised patients can lead to severe and prolonged illness. Data are limited with regard to management of COVID‐19 in this setting, particularly in persistent or recrudescent infection. The authors conducted an online survey among infectious diseases doctors to determine current approaches to treatment across Australasia. There was marked variability in responses relating to the diagnostic modalities and use of antiviral agents in patients with immunocompromise, highlighting the need for high‐quality studies to guide treatment decisions in this group.
Publisher: Microbiology Society
Date: 17-08-2022
DOI: 10.1099/JMM.0.001581
Publisher: Microbiology Society
Date: 02-2021
DOI: 10.1099/JMM.0.001285
Abstract: Saliva has recently been proposed as a suitable specimen for the diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Use of saliva as a diagnostic specimen may present opportunities for SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing in remote and low-resource settings. Determining the stability of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in saliva over time is an important step in determining optimal storage and transport times. We undertook an in vitro study to assess whether SARS-CoV-2 could be detected in contrived saliva s les. The contrived saliva s les comprised 10 ml pooled saliva spiked with gamma-irradiated SARS-CoV-2 to achieve a concentration of 2.58×10 4 copies ml SARS-CoV-2, which was subsequently ided into 2 ml aliquots comprising: (i) neat saliva and a 1 : 1 dilution with (ii) normal saline (iii) viral transport media, and (iv) liquid Amies medium. Contrived s les were made in quadruplicate, with two s les of each stored at either: (i) room temperature or (ii) 4 °C. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in all SARS-CoV-2 spiked s les at time point 0, day 1, 3 and 7 at both storage temperatures using the N gene RT-PCR assay and time point 0, day 1 and day 7 using the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, USA) RT-PCR assay. The ability to detect SARS-CoV-2 in saliva over a 1 week period is an important finding that presents further opportunities for saliva testing as a diagnostic specimen for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2.
Publisher: American Society for Clinical Investigation
Date: 10-04-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-08-2020
Abstract: Robust serological assays are essential for long-term control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many recently released point-of-care (PoCT) serological assays have been distributed with little premarket validation. Performance characteristics for 5 PoCT lateral flow devices approved for use in Australia were compared to a commercial enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and a recently described novel surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT). Sensitivities for PoCT ranged from 51.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 43.1%–60.4%) to 67.9% (95% CI, 59.4%–75.6%), and specificities from 95.6% (95% CI, 89.2%–98.8%) to 100.0% (95% CI, 96.1%–100.0%). ELISA sensitivity for IgA or IgG detection was 67.9% (95% CI, 59.4%–75.6%), increasing to 93.8% (95% CI, 85.0%–98.3%) for s les & days post symptom onset. sVNT sensitivity was 60.9% (95% CI, 53.2%–68.4%), rising to 91.2% (95% CI, 81.8%–96.7%) for s les & days post symptom onset, with specificity 94.4% (95% CI, 89.2%–97.5%). Performance characteristics for COVID-19 serological assays were generally lower than those reported by manufacturers. Timing of specimen collection relative to onset of illness or infection is crucial in reporting of performance characteristics for COVID-19 serological assays. The optimal algorithm for implementing serological testing for COVID-19 remains to be determined, particularly in low-prevalence settings.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 23-10-2015
DOI: 10.1017/S0950268815002368
Abstract: A recent outbreak of Q fever was linked to an intensive goat and sheep dairy farm in Victoria, Australia, 2012-2014. Seventeen employees and one family member were confirmed with Q fever over a 28-month period, including two culture-positive cases. The outbreak investigation and management involved a One Health approach with representation from human, animal, environmental and public health. Seroprevalence in non-pregnant milking goats was 15% [95% confidence interval (CI) 7–27] active infection was confirmed by positive quantitative PCR on several animal specimens. Genotyping of Coxiella burnetii DNA obtained from goat and human specimens was identical by two typing methods. A number of farming practices probably contributed to the outbreak, with similar precipitating factors to the Netherlands outbreak, 2007-2012. Compared to workers in a high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filtered factory, administrative staff in an unfiltered adjoining office and those regularly handling goats and kids had 5·49 (95% CI 1·29–23·4) and 5·65 (95% CI 1·09–29·3) times the risk of infection, respectively suggesting factory workers were protected from windborne spread of organisms. Reduction in the incidence of human cases was achieved through an intensive human vaccination programme plus environmental and biosecurity interventions. Subsequent non-occupational acquisition of Q fever in the spouse of an employee, indicates that infection remains endemic in the goat herd, and remains a challenge to manage without source control.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 10-01-2022
DOI: 10.1101/2022.01.08.22268953
Abstract: Humans commonly have low level antibodies to poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) due to environmental exposure. Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) mRNA vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 contain small amounts of PEG but it is not known whether PEG antibodies are enhanced by vaccination and what their impact is on particle–immune cell interactions in human blood. We studied plasma from 130 adults receiving either the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) or mRNA-1273 (Moderna) mRNA vaccines, or no SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for PEG-specific antibodies. Anti-PEG IgG was commonly detected prior to vaccination and was significantly boosted a mean of 13.1-fold (range 1.0 to 70.9) following mRNA-1273 vaccination and a mean of 1.78-fold (range 0.68 to 16.6) following BNT162b2 vaccination. Anti-PEG IgM increased 68.5-fold (range 0.9 to 377.1) and 2.64-fold (0.76 to 12.84) following mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2 vaccination, respectively. The rise in PEG-specific antibodies following mRNA-1273 vaccination was associated with a significant increase in the association of clinically relevant PEGylated LNPs with blood phagocytes ex vivo . PEG antibodies did not impact the SARS-CoV-2 specific neutralizing antibody response to vaccination. However, the elevated levels of vaccine-induced anti-PEG antibodies correlated with increased systemic reactogenicity following two doses of vaccination. We conclude that PEG-specific antibodies can be boosted by LNP mRNA-vaccination and that the rise in PEG-specific antibodies is associated with systemic reactogenicity and an increase of PEG particle–leukocyte association in human blood. The longer-term clinical impact of the increase in PEG-specific antibodies induced by lipid nanoparticle mRNA-vaccines should be monitored.
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 23-07-2020
DOI: 10.1128/JCM.00776-20
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 06-03-2023
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Katherine Bond.