ORCID Profile
0000-0003-0370-6394
Current Organisation
Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 02-2008
DOI: 10.1086/525259
Abstract: Acute gastroenteritis is commonly associated with norovirus genogroup II (GII) infection. Norovirus GII has 17 classified genotypes (GII.1-GII.17), but only 1 norovirus genotype (GII.4) is associated with global epidemics of gastroenteritis. In 2006, an increase in global norovirus activity was observed. During the period from December 2005 through August 2006, a total of 231 fecal s les were obtained from patients with acute gastroenteritis from Australia and New Zealand. Norovirus RNA was lified and sequenced to determine norovirus genotype and relatedness to known epidemic norovirus GII.4 variants. Two GII.4 variants, designated 2006a and 2006b, were identified in 61.8% and 11.3%, respectively, of the 186 cases investigated. Norovirus 2006a and 2006b have also been implicated as the predominant causes of norovirus-associated gastroenteritis across Europe in 2006. The global increase in norovirus-associated gastroenteritis in 2006 was linked to the emergence of 2 novel GII.4 variants, 2006a and 2006b.
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 2015
DOI: 10.1128/JCM.02029-14
Abstract: The etiology of an outbreak of gastroenteritis in humans cannot always be determined, and ∼25% of outbreaks remain unsolved in New Zealand. It is hypothesized that novel viruses may account for a proportion of unsolved cases, and new unbiased high-throughput sequencing methods hold promise for their detection. Analysis of the fecal metagenome can reveal the presence of viruses, bacteria, and parasites which may have evaded routine diagnostic testing. Thirty-one fecal s les from 26 gastroenteritis outbreaks of unknown etiology occurring in New Zealand between 2011 and 2012 were selected for de novo metagenomic analysis. A total data set of 193 million sequence reads of 150 bp in length was produced on an Illumina MiSeq. The metagenomic data set was searched for virus and parasite sequences, with no evidence of novel pathogens found. Eight viruses and one parasite were detected, each already known to be associated with gastroenteritis, including adenovirus, rotavirus, sapovirus, and Dientamoeba fragilis . In addition, we also describe the first detection of human parechovirus 3 (HPeV3) in Australasia. Metagenomics may thus provide a useful audit tool when applied retrospectively to determine where routine diagnostic processes may have failed to detect a pathogen.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 09-2009
DOI: 10.1086/605127
Abstract: Noroviruses (NoVs) are the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis. Their high incidence and importance in health care facilities result in a great impact on public health. Studies from around the world describing increasing prevalence have been difficult to compare because of differing nomenclatures for variants of the dominant genotype, GII.4. We studied the global patterns of GII.4 epidemiology in relation to its genetic ersity. Data from NoV outbreaks with dates of onset from January 2001 through March 2007 were collected from 15 institutions on 5 continents. Partial genome sequences (n=775) were collected, allowing phylogenetic comparison of data from different countries. The 15 institutions reported 3098 GII.4 outbreaks, 62% of all reported NoV outbreaks. Eight GII.4 variants were identified. Four had a global distribution--the 1996, 2002, 2004, and 2006b variants. The 2003Asia and 2006a variants caused epidemics, but they were geographically limited. Finally, the 2001 Japan and 2001 Henry variants were found across the world but at low frequencies. NoV epidemics resulted from the global spread of GII.4 strains that evolved under the influence of population immunity. Lineages show notable (and currently unexplained) differences in geographic prevalence. Establishing a global NoV network by which data on strains with the potential to cause pandemics can be rapidly exchanged may lead to improved prevention and intervention strategies.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 29-03-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2005
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 09-10-2018
DOI: 10.3390/V10100548
Abstract: For the past two decades, norovirus pandemic variants have emerged every 3–5 years, and dominate until they are replaced by alternate strains. However, this scenario changed in 2016 with the co-circulation of six prevalent viruses, three of which possessed the pandemic GII.4 Sydney 2012 capsid. An increased number of institutional gastroenteritis outbreaks were reported within the Oceania region in mid-2017. This study identified emerging noroviruses circulating in Australia and New Zealand in 2017 to assess the changing dynamics of the virus infection. RT-PCR-based methods, next generation sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses were used to genotype noroviruses from both clinical and wastewater s les. Antigenic changes were observed between the capsid of pandemic Sydney 2012 variant and the two new Sydney recombinant viruses. The combination of these antigenic changes and the acquisition of a new ORF1 through recombination could both facilitate their ongoing persistence in the population. Overall, an increased prevalence of GII.P16/GII.4 Sydney 2012 viruses was observed in 2017, replacing the GII.P16/GII.2 recombinant that dominated in the region at the end of 2016. This shift in strain dominance was also observed in wastewater s les, demonstrating the reliability of wastewater as a molecular surveillance tool.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 31-05-2019
DOI: 10.3390/FOODS8060187
Abstract: Reports of norovirus infections associated with the consumption of contaminated bivalve molluscan shellfish negatively impact both consumers and commercial shellfish operators. Current virus recovery and PCR detection methods can be expensive and time consuming. Due to the lack of rapid, user-friendly and onsite/infield methods, it has been difficult to establish an effective virus monitoring regime that is able to identify contamination points across the production line (i.e., farm-to-plate) to ensure shellfish quality. The focus of this review is to evaluate current norovirus detection methods and discuss emerging approaches. Recent advances in omics-based detection approaches have the potential to identify novel biomarkers that can be incorporated into rapid detection kits for onsite use. Furthermore, some omics techniques have the potential to simultaneously detect multiple enteric viruses that cause human disease. Other emerging technologies discussed include microfluidic, aptamer and biosensor-based detection methods developed to detect norovirus with high sensitivity from a simple matrix. Many of these approaches have the potential to be developed as user-friendly onsite detection kits with minimal costs. However, more collaborative efforts on research and development will be required to commercialize such products. Once developed, these emerging technologies could provide a way forward that minimizes public health risks associated with shellfish consumption.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2019
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 26-04-2016
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 25-06-2018
DOI: 10.3390/W10070841
Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Date: 08-2017
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 2010
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2672.2009.04416.X
Abstract: This study investigated the survival and transport of sewage sludge-borne pathogenic organisms in soils. Undisturbed soil cores were treated with Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serovar Typhimurium-lux (STM-lux) and human adenovirus (HAdV)-spiked sewage sludge. Following an artificial rainfall event, these pathogens were analysed in the leachate and soil s led from different depths (0-5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10-20 cm) after 24 h, 1 and 2 months. Significantly more STM-lux and HAdV leached through the soil cores when sewage sludge was present. Significantly more STM-lux were found at all soil depths, at all time periods in the sewage sludge treatments, compared to the controls. The rate of decline of STM-lux in the controls was more rapid than in the sewage sludge treatments. Survival and transport of HAdV were minimal. The presence of sewage sludge can significantly influence the transport and survival of bacterial pathogens in soils, probably because of the presence of organic matter. Environmental contamination by virus is unlikely because of strong soil adsorption. This study suggests that groundwater contamination from vertical movement of pathogens is a potential risk and that it highlights the importance of the treatment requirements for biosolids prior to their application to land.
Publisher: AME Publishing Company
Date: 09-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2019.02.003
Abstract: Bivalve molluscan shellfish grown in areas impacted by human faecal pollution are at risk of being contaminated with multiple enteric viruses. To minimise the public health risks associated with shellfish consumption, determining the presence of faecal contamination in shellfish and their growing waters is crucial. In this study, we evaluated the use of pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) as an indicator of human faecal contamination in oysters, mussels, cockles and shellfish growing waters in New Zealand. Using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) the presence, and where applicable, the concentration of PMMoV was determined in faeces from 11 different animal species, influent (untreated) wastewater, shellfish and shellfish growing waters. Non-human faecal s les (from seagull, Canada goose, black swan and dog) were RT-qPCR positive for PMMoV. The faecal source specificity of PMMoV was 0.83 (maximum value of 1) when 'detected but not quantifiable' (DNQ) values were used. However, when 'lower limit of quantification' (LLOQ) values were used, the specificity increased to 0.92. The PMMoV concentration in influent wastewater (n = 10) ranged from 6.3 to 7.7 log
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-08-2018
DOI: 10.1007/S11356-018-2869-2
Abstract: The BioFire FilmArray
Location: New Zealand
No related grants have been discovered for Joanne Hewitt.