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Biomedical subjects

B J McCall

Publications and source records attributed to B J McCall.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Direct costs associated with a nosocomial outbreak of Salmonella infection: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial outbreaks of Salmonella infections in Australia are an infrequent but significant source of morbidity and mortality. Such an outbreak results in direct, measurable expenses for acute care management, as well as numerous indirect (and less quantifiable) costs to those affected, the hospital, and the wider community. This article describes the significant direct costs incurred as a result of a nosocomial outbreak of Salmonella infection involving patients and staff. METHOD: Information on costs incurred by the hospital was gathered from a number of sources. The data were grouped into 4 sections (medical costs, investigative costs, lost productivity costs, and miscellaneous) with use of an existing tool for calculating the economic impact of foodborne illness. RESULTS: The outbreak cost the hospital more than AU $120, 000. (US $95,000). This amount is independent of more substantial indirect costs. CONCLUSION: Salmonella infections are preventable. Measures to aid the prevention of costly outbreaks of nosocomial salmonellosis, although available, require an investment of both time and money. We suggest that dedication of limited resources toward such preventive strategies as education is a practical and cost-effective option for health care facilities.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1998

Detection of H3+ in the diffuse interstellar medium toward Cygnus OB2 No. 12.

The molecular ion H3+ is considered the cornerstone of interstellar chemistry because it initiates the reactions responsible for the production of many larger molecules. Recently discovered in dense molecular clouds, H3+ has now been observed in the diffuse interstellar medium toward Cygnus OB2 No. 12. Analysis of H3+ chemistry suggests that the high H3+ column density (3.8 x 10(14) per square centimeter) is due not to a high H3+ concentration but to a long absorption path. This and other work demonstrate the ubiquity of H3+ and its potential as a probe of the physical and chemical conditions in the interstellar medium.

Astronomical Phenomena↗
PubMed1998

H3+ in dense and diffuse clouds.

Interstellar H3+ has been detected in dense as well as diffuse clouds using three 3.7 microns infrared spectral lines of the nu 2 fundamental band. Column densities of H3+ from (1.7-5.5) x 10(14) cm-2 have been measured in dense clouds in absorption against the infrared continua of the deeply embedded young stellar objects GL2136, W33A, MonR2 IRS 3, GL961E, and GL2591. Strong and broad H3+ absorptions have been detected in dense and diffuse clouds towards GC IRS 3 and GCS3-2 in the region of the galactic center. A large column density of H3+, comparable to that of a dense cloud, has been detected towards the visible star Cygnus OB2 No. 12, which has a line of sight that crosses mostly diffuse clouds. The H3+ chemistry of dense and diffuse clouds are discussed using a very simple model. Some future projects and problems are discussed.

Astronomical Phenomena↗
PubMed1996

An outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in the Torres Strait, Australia, 1995.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the distribution of virus infection during an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in the Torres Strait, and to describe the environmental factors facilitating the outbreak. DESIGN: Human and porcine serological surveys for JE virus activity throughout the Torres Strait, and mosquito and household surveys on the island of Badu. SETTING: The island of Badu (where the clinical cases occurred) and the other islands of the Torres Strait, Australia, during April-May 1995. RESULTS: The serological surveys identified recent JE virus infection among residents or domestic pigs on at least nine outer Torres Strait islands. A JE virus, confirmed by nucleotide sequencing, was isolated from two asymptomatic Badu residents. Virus isolations and mosquito surveys implicated Culex annulirostris as the major vector involved in the outbreak. There was prolific Cx. annulirostris breeding in a variety of water bodies close to and within the Badu community. Over half (53%) of the households kept pigs in pens, and many (63%) of the pigpens were situated near standing water; in 56% of these "wet" pigpens Cx. annulirostris was breeding. CONCLUSIONS: There was evidence of widespread JE virus activity throughout the outer islands of the Torres Strait. We suggest that migratory birds and/or wind-blown mosquitoes could have imported the virus into the Torres Strait from a focus of viral activity, possibly in Papua New Guinea, thereby initiating the outbreak. A combination of environmental factors, with large numbers of domestic pigs in close proximity to human dwellings and mosquito breeding sites, undoubtedly facilitated the outbreak on Badu.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Malaria treatment in Queensland, 1992. The use of malaria treatment guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate treatment patterns for malaria and the use of Australian guidelines which were then current for the treatment of malaria in Queensland in 1992. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A review of patient treatment and demographic details, obtained from the treating doctor by questionnaire, for all cases of malaria in Queensland in 1992 which were reported to Queensland Health (316 people treated for 341 episodes of malaria). RESULTS: Plasmodium falciparum infections were treated according to the recommendations in the guidelines in 20% of cases. Thirty-five per cent of infections were treated with chloroquine, even though most of these were acquired in countries where chloroquine or chloroquine/antifolate-resistant P. falciparum malaria existed. Plasmodium vivax infections were treated with the recommended course of chloroquine in 58% of cases. Fifty per cent of patients with P. vivax infection were treated with primaquine, but only 57% of these received the dose recommended in the guidelines for the eradication of hypnozoites. Patterns of malaria treatment were basically similar in the malaria-receptive zone and elsewhere in Queensland, although P. falciparum infections in the receptive zone were treated according to the guidelines at a higher rate (32%) than in the rest of Queensland (13%). CONCLUSION: In 1992, many cases of malaria in Queensland were not treated according to the recommendations in the Australian malaria treatment guidelines. We suggest that improved distribution of simple but comprehensive guidelines for malaria treatment may assist medical practitioners in the provision of prompt, effective treatment, and help prevent the reestablishment of endemic malaria in Australia.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Potential exposure to Australian bat lyssavirus, Queensland, 1996-1999.

Two human deaths caused by Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL) infection have been reported since 1996. Information was obtained from 205 persons (mostly adults from south Brisbane and the South Coast of Queensland), who reported potential ABL exposure to the Brisbane Southside Public Health Unit from November 1,1996, to January 31, 1999. Volunteer animal handlers accounted for 39% of potential exposures, their family members for 12%, professional animal handlers for 14%, community members who intentionally handled bats for 31%, and community members with contacts initiated by bats for 4%. The prevalence of Lyssavirus detected by fluorescent antibody test in 366 sick, injured, or orphaned bats from the area was 6%. Sequelae of exposure, including the requirement for expensive postexposure prophylaxis, may be reduced by educating bat handlers and the public of the risks involved in handling Australian bats.

Adolescent↗