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Biomedical subjects

S C Thompson

Publications and source records attributed to S C Thompson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Food-deprivation increases cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and locomotor activity in rats.

Food-deprivation increases the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine and other drugs within self-administration experiments. In this study, the effects of food-deprivation on cocaine-induced conditioned place preference were investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of two feeding conditions: satiated (with ad libitum food) or deprived (maintained at 80% of free-feeding body weights). During conditioning trials, on alternate days, rats received IP injections of cocaine (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, or 10.0 mg/kg; n = 12 per dose group) and were confined for 30 min in one of two distinct environments. On intervening days, the same rats were injected with saline and confined for 30 min in the opposite environment. After four cocaine and four saline trails, a 15-min choice test (with no injections) was given. During this time, the rats were able to move freely through a passageway between both environments. Relative to the food-satiated rats, the food-deprived rats showed a greater conditioned preference for the cocaine-paired environment during the choice test, greater cocaine-induced locomotor activity during conditioning trials, and a greater degree of sensitization to the activating effects of cocaine across conditioning trials. This study extends the general findings of food deprivation-induced increases in the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine to include the conditioned place preference paradigm.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Impact of improved laboratory compliance on notification of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Victoria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although regulations in Victoria require notification of chlamydia infection by both clinician and laboratory, review found many reports that were notified only by one source (i.e., were unmatched). GOALS: To identify problems with the notification system and to improve the quality of surveillance for this disease. STUDY DESIGN: All notified cases of chlamydia diagnosed in January or February 1995 were followed up by contacting diagnosing doctors. Identified noncompliant laboratories were asked to provide a list of all diagnoses for the period and institute ongoing reporting. Notification data were reviewed for timeliness and completeness. RESULTS: Clinicians never notified without laboratory confirmation. Soliciting laboratory reports increased total notifications by 30%, and there was a highly significant improvement in reporting by both clinicians and laboratories. Reasons for failure to notify by clinicians included an assumption by some clinicians that laboratories would notify and ignorance that notification was required. CONCLUSIONS: Notified cases generally are now accompanied by a laboratory report, and although nonnotification by clinicians continues, notification has improved. Further improvements in clinician notification may depend on doctors knowing that public health action results from reporting. An alternative to requiring doctors' time to be spent in duplicate notification would be to strengthen laboratory reporting and then check that adequate treatment and partner notification has occurred through contact with the diagnosing doctor.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Exposure to hepatitis B and C of tattooists in Victoria in 1984.

Although tattooing is recognized as a risk factor for transmission of hepatitis C, the efficiency with which transmission occurs is unknown. Sera stored from a serosurvey of tattooists undertaken in 1984 to test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) provided the opportunity to determine the prevalence of serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in tattooists at that time. The stored sera had been obtained from five unregistered and 36 of 37 (97%) of the registered tattooists operating in 1984. Serological status for hepatitis B (hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAb) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb) in standard assays) or hepatitis C (HCV antibody reactivity in second and third generation tests, confirmed by recombinant immunoblot assay) was determined. No sera was HIV positive or HBsAg positive. Of 35 specimens tested for HCV specific antibody, only two (5.6%) were positive despite markers of HBV in 48.6% of the same sera. As acute HBV infection was common amongst tattooists prior to 1984, it is clear that hepatitis B vaccination would be of benefit to this group. Despite frequent needlestick injuries reported by tattooists at the time, the low seroprevalence of HCV in this group suggests that HCV may not be transmitted efficiently by intradermal inoculation using solid-bore tattooing needles.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1997

Knowledge of and attitudes to infection control of tattooists at registered premises in Victoria, 1994.

Historically, the relationship between health authorities and tattooists has been marked by suspicion and mutual distrust, with tattooists being stereotyped as having little concern for hygiene, and considered largely ineducable about infection control. In this study, a random sample of tattooists working at one-third of the 65 registered tattooing premises in Victoria completed a questionnaire that recorded demographic information and knowledge and attitudes to Standards of practice for tattooing 1990, which specifies guidelines for infection control in Victorian tattooing premises. Of these premises, 89 per cent participated and 36 of 37 tattooists working therein (22 metropolitan, 14 country) completed the questionnaire; 81 per cent were male. Reports by the tattooists indicated that: 50 per cent had not commenced immunisation for hepatitis B; that 78, 42 and 34 per cent either had not been tested or were unsure whether they had been tested for hepatitis C, hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); and that no tattooist was a hepatitis B carrier or was positive for hepatitis C or HIV. Respondents acknowledged the potential for transmission of infectious diseases through tattooing, endorsed formal training in tattooing and infection control for new tattooists, and supported continuing education in infection control for existing tattooists. Most were critical of environmental health officers, particularly for inaction in not closing and prosecuting unregistered tattooists. Despite deficiencies in the knowledge and training of tattooists in infection control, they recognise its importance and are willing to attend appropriate training.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of infection control in registered tattooing premises in Victoria, 1994.

Tattooists at a random sample of registered tattooing premises were surveyed for self-reported compliance with infection-control practices specified in the Victorian Standards of practice for tattooing, and some were observed while tattooing. Of 35 respondents, 94 per cent reported that they believed their practice fully met the standards, yet 19 per cent of tattooists did not have a copy of the standards at their premises. Most believed the standards could be improved. There was considerable discrepancy between reported practice and that observed. Few tattooists understood or implemented universal precautions, and while most wore gloves, there was low level of use of eye and clothing protection. Tattooists touched many surfaces that had not been cleaned or disinfected between clients. Ultrasonic cleaners were generally operated without lids. Because of this, they were a danger both to operators and their clients. At no premises was equipment used that had been both cleaned according to the standards and sterilised in an autoclave that had passed a sterilisation test. The situation in Victoria is similar to that identified in other states. There is an urgent need for training of tattooists and the environmental health officers who supervise them.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1997

Risk factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma notified to the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria in 1991-1992.

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of risk factors for liver disease, particularly hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, in a population-based series of hepatocellular carcinoma, and to assess the feasibility of retrospective surveys in determining risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma. A survey of all cases of hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed in 1991 and 1992 documented the high contribution of alcoholic cirrhosis, particularly in Australian-born men. Low levels of testing for HBV and HCV made their contribution to hepatocellular carcinoma uncertain. No cases of hepatocellular carcinoma due to HBV or HCV were reported in Australian-born subjects. Higher rates of HBV carriage in those tested were found in Asian and Mediterranean immigrants. Testing for HCV was known to have occurred for less than a quarter of subjects, and assessment for multiple aetiological risk factors was rare. The burgeoning epidemic of HCV will require improved surveillance for the sequelae of long-term infection. Satisfactory surveillance will require cooperation from clinicians in regard to the completeness of medical records and adequate resources for cancer registries to supplement their passive reporting system with exposure data.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Behavioural dynamics of a clinical trial of sunscreens for reducing solar keratoses in Victoria, Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the behaviour of participants based on perception of treatment group in a randomised trial contributed to clinical outcome. DESIGN: A double blind randomised controlled trial of the effect of daily application of SPF 17 broad spectrum sunscreen cream (or placebo) on solar keratoses. SETTING: A rural city in Victoria, Australia. Residents aged 40 years or over were invited by letter to attend for a skin cancer screening check. Of these, 588 people with between one and 30 solar keratoses enrolled in the trial and 431 completed the trial, which extended over a six month period that included summer. Participants' perceptions of their treatment allocation, adherence with the treatment regimen, adoption of other sun protection behaviours, side effects, and perceptions of change in condition were measured at two monthly intervals. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between those who completed the study and those that did not for sex, age, treatment group, skin type, number of solar keratoses or correct perception of treatment group. Thirty per cent of those completing the study correctly guessed their treatment allocation, and people were just as likely to be right as to be wrong when they stated their opinion about their treatment allocation (z = 1.04; p = 0.15). Study group, skin type, amount of time spent outdoors, presence of side effects, perceptions of change in skin condition did not significantly predict correct perception of treatment allocation. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated that adoption of other sun protection and adherence with cream use were not significantly affected by actual treatment allocation, correct perception of treatment allocation nor by their interaction. Poisson regression analysis showed a significantly lower difference ratio of solar keratoses in the sunscreen group compared with the placebo base cream group (OR 0.55; CI = 0.46, 0.64), and for women compared with men (OR = 0.76; CI = 0.63, 0.93) but no independent effect of any of the indices of other sun protection or adherence. CONCLUSIONS: A sufficient level of commitment to study procedures was achieved, so that trial participants did not adopt other behaviours that affected treatment outcomes. It is recommended that the potential threat to validity posed by the behaviour of participants be recognised at an early stage in planning of clinical trials, so that strategies to deal with this can be integrated into study protocols.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

HIV risk behaviour and HIV testing of psychiatric patients in Melbourne.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with chronic mental illnesses constitute an important risk group for HIV infection overseas. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of risk behaviours associated with HIV transmission and factors associated with HIV testing in psychiatric patients in Melbourne. METHODS: Inpatients and outpatients completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire which covered demographics, psychiatric diagnosis, risk behaviour, and HIV education and testing. RESULTS: Of 145 participants, 60% were male and 55.2% had schizophrenia. Injecting drug use (IDU) was reported by 15.9%, a figure approximately 10 times that found in other population surveys. Most patients reported sex in the last decade and over 20% had multiple sexual partners in the last year. Of males, 12.6% reported sex with another male (9.2% anal sex); 19.0% of females reported sex with a bisexual male. Nearly half of the males reported sex with a prostitute, 2.5 times that in a population sample. Only 15.9% reported ever having someone talk to them specifically about HIV and its transmission, although one-third had been tested for HIV. In multivariate analysis, male-male sex, paying for sex, and IDU were associated with HIV testing, but those whose primary language was not English were less likely to be tested. Those who had received HIV education were more likely to have used a condom last time they had sex (OR 4.52, 95%CI 1.49-14.0). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that those with serious mental illness in Victoria have higher rates of participation in risk behaviour for HIV infection than those in the general community. Attention to HIV education and prevention in this group has been inappropriately scant; strategies to encourage safer behaviour are urgently needed.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1997

The epidemiology of notified genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Victoria, Australia: a survey of diagnosing providers.

Data on 259 notified cases of genital chlamydia infection diagnosed in Victoria Australia in January and February 1995 were augmented by call-back. Risk factor data was available for 221. Patients were primarily adolescents or young adults (median age 23 years); 66% were women. Men were more commonly symptomatic. Persons without symptoms were tested as a result of partner notification, sexual risk, termination of pregnancy, or because of abnormalities on genital examination. Limitations of antigen-based screening tests in low prevalence populations were rarely considered. Although antimicrobial treatment usually accorded with available guidelines, case management was not well geared to reducing the broader issue of risk of this infection in the community. Data management systems for handling name-coded data, and systems for recall and follow-up of diagnosed patients and their partners were often inadequate. Sexual history taking had not generally identified details of sexual partners. Partner notification was generally regarded as the patient's responsibility and professional help with contact tracing was rarely sought. Control of chlamydia will require much greater attention to management issues, particularly contact tracing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

New advances and horizons in immunisation.

Scientific and technological advances will make it possible within the next decade to vaccinate against a number of infectious diseases for which hitherto no active immunisation has been available. This article considers what vaccines are likely to be licensed for use in the next decade and the possible indications for their use. Combination vaccines that provide protection against a greater number of diseases while not increasing the number of visits or injections per visit will be an important feature of expanding the infant vaccination schedule. The article also considers vaccines that will become available for adolescents and adults as well as progress in vaccine development to protect against diseases such as hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

The incidence of hepatitis B infection in Australia: an epidemiological review.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Australia remains a significant problem despite the availability of an inexpensive vaccine. National information about incidence, prevalence, morbidity and the extent of vaccine coverage is incomplete; improved surveillance would allow for better targeting and evaluation of prevention activities. Our estimates indicate that 75%-90% of cases of vertical transmission of HBV are preventable through vaccination of newborns whose mothers are carriers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

On fighting versus accepting stressful circumstances: primary and secondary control among HIV-positive men in prison.

The primacy of primary control over secondary control and ethnic differences in control processes were tested in HIV-positive male state prison inmates. They rated their perceptions of control and psychological distress at an initial interview (N = 95) and 3 months later (N = 78). Regression analyses revealed that primary control had primacy as it had greater adaptive value. However, secondary control did not function as a backup to primary control, and temporal differences in control were not found. No mean differences due to ethnicity (African American vs. White) were found, but there was a strong ethnic difference in the effects of primary control. White participants showed the expected negative relationship between distress and primary control, but African American participants did not. The idea that the benefits of primary control would be the same across various subcultures was not supported.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

The stressors and stress of being HIV-positive.

Questionnaires were administered to 105 HIV-positive men to assess their stressful life events, rated stress, unhealthy behaviours, and psychological adjustment. Two hypotheses about the effects of stressors and stress were tested. It was found that HIV-positive men experience high numbers of stressors and elevated levels of perceived stress and depression. Stressors in the areas of relationships, finances, and the illness of others were the most problematic and were associated with more depression. Rates of alcohol consumption, smoking, and unsafe sexual behaviours were fairly high. There were some modest, but significant positive correlations between stressors, stress, and risky behaviours. Number of stressors was associated with more alcohol consumption and perceived stress was positively related to more tobacco use and unsafe sexual behaviours. The high levels of stress and stressors and negative effects of stressors have both theoretical and practical implications.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

Is HIV screening being requested appropriately? The experience of a Victorian public health laboratory.

From the start of clinical testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody in 1985 until the end of June 1994, the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit tested 134 346 serum samples from 109 391 individuals, identifying 672 as infected. A suitable database, using coded identities, was established from the beginning. Because the sera came from a variety of clinical settings, it was possible to extract information about patterns of requests for tests and about the yield of seropositive cases. The data were able to highlight factors associated with high rates of positive tests that can be lost in amalgamated statewide data. The discovery of HIV-positive females was sporadic and there was a much lower detection rate than from testing males. While males were most commonly diagnosed through specialist venereology services, 61 per cent of diagnoses in females were through nonspecialised practices, often those without previous experience in diagnosis and management of HIV infection. Despite some individual exceptions, the requesting of HIV tests appears generally to have been justifiable (particularly in view of the direction of official preventive campaigns) and not profligate. Overall, where practice was unsatisfactory, this lay less in thoughtless ordering of tests than in failing to include with the specimen the elementary, but vital, epidemiological information requested.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Hepatitis C transmission through tattooing: a case report.

We report the case of a prisoner for whom tattooing was the likely source of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Many of the tattoos were carried out within prison using equipment that was multiply shared with other prisoners with limited access to means of disinfection. This case supports previous reports that prison is a risk factor for HCV infection and that HCV can be transmitted through tattooing. Use of unsterilised equipment for tattooing within prison must be a high-risk activity, given the high prevalence of HCV infection among those incarcerated. Harm reduction approaches are required to diminish risk in this environment.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A profile of HIV testing in Victoria to the end of 1993. Victorian Collaborative Group on HIV and AIDS Surveillance (VCGHAS).

Examination of testing patterns for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a population is important because it affects interpretation of surveillance data on new HIV diagnoses and can guide the targeting and evaluation of campaigns to encourage appropriate antibody testing. This report describes a relatively inexpensive mechanism of collecting information on who is being tested for HIV in Victoria (other than at the Blood Bank). The annual number of HIV tests performed in Victoria increased steadily throughout the 1980s but the rate of increase slowed in the early 1990s. By 1993, women accounted for almost half of HIV tests, although they made up only 8 per cent of positive tests. There were marked differences in the volume of testing and testing profiles of different laboratories. The information available on personal risk category and the reasons for HIV tests show that many people of low risk are tested, although conclusions are limited by inadequate information elicited or provided by many requesting doctors. For better information on what is occurring with respect to HIV testing, the fundamental requirement is better compliance from requesting doctors in supplying basic information on who they test and why.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗