ORCID Profile
0000-0001-5548-7512
Current Organisations
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
,
Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
,
University of Melbourne
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Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 29-07-2021
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PNTD.0009601
Abstract: Mosquito control interventions are widely used to reduce mosquito-borne diseases. It is unclear what combination of interventions are most effective in reducing human disease. A novel intervention study for Buruli ulcer targeting mosquito vectors was proposed for a Buruli ulcer-endemic area of Victoria, Australia. The local community expressed a preference for avoiding widespread residual spraying of pyrethroids. To inform the design of a future cluster randomised control study (cRCT) for Buruli ulcer prevention in Victoria, we conducted a systematic literature review. The aim was to describe cRCT designs which investigated interventions other than non-targeted insecticide for reducing mosquito-borne disease transmission, and comment on the strengths and weaknesses of these study designs. Five medical research databases were searched for eligible literature from the earliest available sources up to 5 July 2019 (Medline, Embase, Web of Science, EBM Reviews, CAB Direct). Reference lists of identified studies were hand searched. Eligible studies were cRCTs using targeted chemical or biological mosquito control interventions, or mosquito breeding source reduction, with the occurrence of mosquito-borne disease as an outcome. Eight eligible cRCTs, conducted between 1994–2013 were identified in a variety of settings in the Americas and Asia. Interventions to reduce dengue transmission were mass adult trapping and source reduction. Interventions to reduce malaria transmission were largescale larvicide administration and (topical and spatial) repellent use. Three studies showed the intervention was associated with statistically significant reductions in the disease of interest and entomological indicators. High community engagement with the intervention were common to all three. In two studies, large buffer zones reduced contamination between study arms. Heterogeneity was reduced through increasing study cluster numbers, cluster matching and randomisation. High community engagement is vital for a cRCT reducing mosquito-borne disease with a mosquito control intervention. These findings support a mosquito breeding source reduction intervention for Aedes control in a future study of Buruli ulcer prevention if local communities are supportive and very engaged. Regular administration of larvicide to sites unsuited to source reduction may supplement the intervention.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-04-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JPC.15514
Abstract: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a large, preventable, global public health burden. In New Zealand (NZ), acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and RHD rates are highest for Māori and Pacific children. This structured review explores the evidence for primary prevention interventions to diagnose and effectively treat group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis and skin infections to reduce rates of ARF and RHD. Medline, EMBASE and Scopus databases were searched as well as other electronic publications. Included were 50 publications from 1980 onwards. This review has identified that there is little available evidence for effective primary prevention strategies to reduce ARF rates in NZ. However, two primary intervention strategies that should be considered by communities at high‐risk of ARF are: the use of school‐based clinics to identify and treat GAS pharyngitis and GAS skin infections and intramuscular benzathine penicillin G with lignocaine analgesia in children who present with a GAS positive throat.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-12-2023
DOI: 10.1111/JPC.16305
Abstract: To describe the epidemiology and clinical profile of children and adolescents with acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in Victoria, Australia. A retrospective audit was undertaken of children and adolescents with ARF and RHD attending the Royal Children's and Monash Children's Hospitals in Victoria, Australia between 2010 and 2019. Potential cases were identified by searching multiple sources for relevant ICD‐10‐AM codes and keywords, then reviewed manually. For confirmed cases, we collected data on patient demographics, clinical features, comorbidities and management. Of 179 participants included, there were 108 Victorian residents and 71 non‐Victorian residents. 126 had at least one episode of ARF during the study period and 128 were diagnosed with RHD. In the Victorian resident group, the overall incidence of ARF was 0.8 per 100 000 5–14 year olds. This incidence was higher in Victorian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (3.8 per 100 000) and Pacific Islander (32.1 per 100 000) sub‐populations. Of 83 Victorian residents who had an ARF episode, 11 (13%) had a recurrence. Most Victorian residents with RHD had mixed aortic and mitral valve pathology (69.4%) and moderate to severe disease (61.9%). Most non‐Victorian residents were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people (80.3%) and were commonly transferred for tertiary or surgical management of RHD (83.1%). ARF and RHD continue to affect the health of significant numbers of children and adolescents living in Victoria, including severe and recurrent disease. Specialised services and a register‐based control program may help to prevent complications and premature death.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-07-2020
DOI: 10.1111/JPC.14950
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2023
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2019
DOI: 10.1186/S12889-019-8085-2
Abstract: Invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease is serious and sometimes life-threatening. The Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) Network collects voluntary notifications from seven major Australian paediatric hospitals on patients with certain conditions, including iGAS disease. Our aims were to: 1) Describe the epidemiological distribution of paediatric iGAS disease in Australia and correlate this with influenza notifications, 2) Identify GAS strains commonly associated with invasive disease in children. IGAS and influenza notification data were obtained (from the PAEDS Network and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, respectively, for the period 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2018). Included iGAS patients had GAS isolated from a normally sterile body site. Data were described according to selected clinical and demographic characteristics, including by age group and Australian State, with proportions and minimum incidence rates estimated. A total of 181 patients were identified, with most (115, 63.5%) years old. The mean annual minimum incidence rate was 1.6 (95% confidence interval: 1.1–2.3) per 100,000 children across the study period. An epidemiological correlation with the seasonal burden of influenza was noted. Contact prophylaxis was not consistently offered. Of 96 patients with emm- typing results available, 72.9% showed emm -1, −4 or − 12. Robust surveillance systems and cohesive patient management guidelines are needed. Making iGAS disease nationally notifiable would help facilitate this. Influenza vaccination may contribute to reducing seasonal increases in iGAS incidence. The burden of disease emphasises the need for ongoing progress in GAS vaccine development.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 05-2022
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2021-054601
Abstract: Many COVID-19 patients are discharged home from hospital with instructions to self-isolate. This reduces the burden on potentially overwhelmed hospitals. The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) Home Monitoring Programme (HMP) is a model of care for COVID-19 patients which chiefly tracks pulse oximetry and body temperature readings. To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the HMP from a patient perspective. Of 46 COVID-19 patients who used the HMP through RMH during April to August 2020, 16 were invited to participate in this qualitative evaluation study all accepted, including 6 healthcare workers. Attempts were made to recruit a gender-balanced s le across a range of COVID-19 severities and comorbidities. Participants completed a brief semistructured phone interview discussing their experience of using the HMP. A thematic analysis of interview data was conducted. Feasibility was defined as the HMP’s reported ease of use. Acceptability was considered holistically by reviewing themes in the interview data. The HMP allowed clinical deterioration to be recognised as it occurred enabling prompt intervention. All participants reported a positive opinion of the HMP, stating it was highly acceptable and easy to use. Almost all participants said they found using it reassuring. Patients frequently mentioned the importance of the monitoring clinicians as an information conduit. The most suggested improvement was to monitor a broader set of symptoms. The HMP is highly feasible and acceptable to patients. This model of care could potentially be implemented on a mass-scale to reduce the burden of COVID-19 on hospitals. A key benefit of the HMP is the ability to reassure patients they will receive suitable intervention should they deteriorate while isolating outside of hospital settings.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 28-07-2011
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-12-2022
DOI: 10.5694/MJA2.51374
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 19-03-2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-07-2021
DOI: 10.5694/MJA2.51188
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2022
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: Italy
Location: Italy
No related grants have been discovered for Jane Oliver.