Infectious diseases

MDR-TB threatens TB control programs in Australia’s region and will not diminish without concerted efforts

James M Trauer MPH, FRACP, FAFPHM · Allen C Cheng MPH, PhD, FRACP

It is time for a common vision and strategy for deploying Australian expertise to international public health emergencies

Alexander Rosewell PhD, MAppEpid, MIPH · Paul Effler MD, MPH, FAFPHM · Chaturangi Yapa BSc, MB ChB, MPhilApplEpid · Barbara Telfer MPH, GradDipAppEpid, BPhty · Jennie Musto MPH · Raina MacIntyre FRACP, FAFPHM, PhD

Time to review the treatment guidelines in light of changing resistance patterns

Jeremy Brown MB BS, BMedSci · Simon J Willcox MPH(Hons), BCom · Neil Franklin MPH, BSc(Hons) · Briony Hazelton MPH · Matthew VN O'Sullivan PhD, FRACP, FRCPA

Recommendations to optimise testing and eliminate uncertainties

Asha C Bowen PhD, FRACP, MB BS · Harsha Sheorey MB BS, FRCPA, FACTM · Penelope A Bryant BM BCh FRACP, PhD · Jennifer Robson FRACP, FRCPA, FACTM · David P Burgner MB ChB, FRACP, PhD

Researchers should maintain immunisation currency to prevent disease transmission to study participants

Michelle L Townsend PhD · Brin FS Grenyer BA(Hons), MSc, PhD · Wilfred Yeo MB ChB, MD, FRACP · Ian Wright FRACP

Measles vaccination rates in Australia need to be higher

Eloise Williams MB BS, BMedSci, MPHTM · Iain J Abbott MB BS, FRCPA, FRACP · Lai Yin Law MB BS · Stephen David Guy MB BS(Hons), FRACP

An old foe with a new disguise

Katherine A Bond BSc, MB BS, DTMH · Kerrie Stevens BAppSc, GradDipMicrobiol · Dieter Bulach PhD, MSc, BSc(Hons) · Kylie Carville BSci(Hons), MAppEpid · Katherine S Ong MPH, PhD, FAFPHM · Benjamin P Howden FRACP, FRCPA, PhD

We need to know more about how warning signs in those with dengue fever can predict severe disease

Alex Tai MB BS, BMedSci(Hons) · Roselle Robosa MB BS, BSc · Alexander A Padiglione MB BS(Hons), FRACP, PhD · Chamila Dalpatadu MB BS, MD · Tony M Korman MB BS(Hons), FRACP, FRCPA

Putative allergies are common in older patients, but a significant proportion involve non-genuine allergies or low risk responses

Jason A Trubiano BBiomedSci, MB BS, FRACP · Rekha Pai Mangalore MB BS · Yi-Wei Baey MB BS(Hons) · Duy Le BPharm(Hons) · Linda V Graudins BPharm, DHP, PGDipClinEpi · Patrick GP Charles MB BS, PhD, FRACP · Douglas F Johnson MB BS, PhD, FRACP · Ar Kar Aung MB BS, FRACP, MPHTM

HEV should be considered in patients presenting with a compatible illness, even without a history of overseas travel

Chaturangi M Yapa BSc, MB ChB · Catriona Furlong BN, MPH · Alexander Rosewell PhD, MAppEpid, MIPH · Kate A Ward BPhty(Hons), MPH · Sheena Adamson BVetMed, PhD · Craig Shadbolt PhD, BSc(Hons) · Jen Kok FRACP, FRCPA, PhD · Samantha L Tracy MSc · Scott Bowden PhD · Elizabeth J Smedley BN, GDPublHealth · Mark J Ferson MD, FAFPHM, FRACP · Vicky Sheppeard MB BS, MPH(Hons), FAFPHM · Jeremy M McAnulty MB BS, MPH

A range of risks are associated with these infections, each of which requires a different prevention strategy

Damin Si PhD · Naomi Runnegar MB BS, FRACP, FRCPA · John Marquess BSc, MPH · Mohana Rajmokan MSc, BEd · Elliott G Playford PhD, FRACP, FRCPA

New strategies, and new antibiotics, are required to meet the challenge

Christine L Mandrawa MB BS · Katie Cronin MB BS(Hons) · Kirsty L Buising MPH, MD, FRACP · Yves S Poy Lorenzo BPharm · Mary J Waters MSc, MB BS, FRCPA · Cameron J Jeremiah MB BS, FRACP

Professor Aileen Plant (1948–2007) was a renowned medical epidemiologist and an outstanding global public health leader

Moira McKinnon MB BS, FAFPHM

Coordinated action on several fronts is required

John Turnidge MB BS, FRACP, FRCPA · Chris Baggoley FACEM, BMBS, BVSc · Mark Schipp BSc, BVMS · Robyn Martin BVMS, PhD

Supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy may prevent vitamin D insufficiency in infants and subsequent acute respiratory infections

Michael J Binks PhD, BSc, BHSc · Heidi C Smith-Vaughan PhD · Robyn Marsh PhD · Anne B Chang MB BD, FRACP, PhD · Ross M Andrews PhD, MPH, MAppEpid

Australian clinicians need to recognise Zika virus infection, given the potential for transmission in northern Australia

Nastaran Rafiei MB BS · Krispin Hajkowicz MB BS, FRACP, MPH · Andrew Redmond MB BS, FRACP · Carmel Taylor BSc

This rare but potentially fatal condition is a diagnostic conundrum, often presenting as systemic toxicity and widespread myalgia without focal features

Henrique Nicola MD · David JR Morgan MB BS, FACEM, FCICM

What does the WHO need to do to re-establish its reputation and pre-eminence in world health?

Sanjaya N Senanayake FRACP, MAppEpid, MB BS(Hons)

About one in five young people did not submit a specimen for testing despite a GP request

Andrew Lau MSc · Simone Spark BSc(Hons), MPH, PhD · Jane Tomnay PhD, MHSc, RN · Meredith Temple-Smith BSc, MPH, DHSc · Christopher K Fairley PhD, FAFPHM, MB BS · Rebecca J Guy PhD, MAppEpid · Basil Donovan MB BS, MD, FAFPHM · Jane S Hocking PhD, MPH, BAppSc

The answer depends on how much and which data one consults

James E Fielding MAppEpid, PhD · Annette K Regan MPH, MInfDis · Craig B Dalton BMed, MMSc · Monique B-N Chilver BSc(MolBiol), GDPH · Sheena G Sullivan MPH, PhD

Early administration of antibiotics and aggressive fluid resuscitation improves outcomes for patients

Anthony R Burrell MB BS, FANZCA, FCICM · Mary-Louise McLaws DipTropPubHlth, MPH, PhD · Mary Fullick RN, BHlthSci(Nurs) · Rosemary B Sullivan RN, BHlthSci(Admin), MBus(HRM) · Doungkamol Sindhusake PhD, MPH, MA

Influenza vaccination is an important intervention for protecting vulnerable patients

Heath A Kelly BSc, MB BS, MPH · Courtney Lane BSc, MPH, MPhil(AppEpi) · Allen C Cheng FRACP, MPH, PhD

Re-infection with TB is possible even after preventive TB treatment

Claudia C Dobler MD, PhD, FRACP · Roujan Chidiac BN · Jonathan P Williamson BSc(Med) FRACP, PhD · Peter J Jelfs BSc

Early ophthalmology involvement and intravitreal antibiotic injections are essential

Jeewaka E Mohotti MB BS(Hons) · Shuang Q Chan MB BS, BMedSc · Fumitaka Nonaka MB BS