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Research
Influenza epidemiology in patients admitted to sentinel Australian hospitals in 2019: the Influenza Complications Alert Network (FluCAN)This report summarises the epidemiology of hospitalisations with laboratory-confirmed influenza during the 2019 influenza season. The Influenza Complications Alert Network (FluCAN) is a sentinel hospital-based surveillance program that operates at sites in all jurisdictions in Australia.
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Australian Aboriginal Otitis-Prone Children Produce High-Quality Serum IgG to Putative Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Vaccine Antigens at Lower Titres Compared to Non-Aboriginal ChildrenNontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is the most common bacterial otopathogen associated with otitis media (OM). NTHi persists in biofilms within the middle ears of children with chronic and recurrent OM. Australian Aboriginal children suffer exceptionally high rates of chronic and recurrent OM compared to non-Aboriginal children.
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Look Who's Talking: Host and Pathogen Drivers of Staphylococcus epidermidis Virulence in Neonatal SepsisPreterm infants are at increased risk for invasive neonatal bacterial infections. S. epidermidis, a ubiquitous skin commensal, is a major cause of late-onset neonatal sepsis, particularly in high-resource settings. The vulnerability of preterm infants to serious bacterial infections is commonly attributed to their distinct and developing immune system.
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Consistency of self-reported and documented historical influenza vaccination status of US healthcare workersHealthcare personnel (HCP) are a priority group for annual influenza vaccination. Few studies have assessed the validity of recall of prior influenza vaccination status among HCP, especially for more than one preceding season.
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Molecular Methodologies for Improved Polymicrobial Sepsis DiagnosisPolymicrobial sepsis is associated with worse patient outcomes than monomicrobial sepsis. Routinely used culture-dependent microbiological diagnostic techniques have low sensitivity, often leading to missed identification of all causative organisms.
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Variation in treatment preferences of pulmonary exacerbations among Australian and New Zealand cystic fibrosis physiciansDespite advances in cystic fibrosis (CF) management and survival, the optimal treatment of pulmonary exacerbations remains unclear. Understanding the variability in treatment approaches among physicians might help prioritise clinical uncertainties to address through clinical trials.

Researchers from The Kids Research Institute Australia would like to understand more about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and how we can provide the best protection for kids.
Vaccine Trials Group with Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital is conducting a trial of a vaccine against Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in at-risk individuals.

Researchers at The Kids Research Institute Australia are studying a new pneumococcal vaccine designed to provide a broader protection for 21 serotypes of the bacteria S. pneumoniae – 8 more serotypes than the current vaccine given to new babies.
Highlights from the VTG Laboratory in 2024