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Biomedical subjects

H Longbottom

Publications and source records attributed to H Longbottom.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Emerging infectious diseases.

Over the last two decades, there has been the emergence of previously unknown infectious diseases and the re-emergence of diseases thought to be in decline. This is the result of social, economic, political and ecological factors, and the interactions of organisms, hosts and the environment. In recent years, Australia has experienced a number of significant outbreaks of emerging diseases such as bat paramyxovirus and Escherichia coli O111, and there has been a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. Australia is implementing a National Communicable Disease Surveillance Strategy in response to this public health threat. The Strategy, similar initiatives in other countries, and enhanced international cooperation will contribute to the global response to emerging diseases.

Australia↗
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↗
PubMed1995

A population-based survey of immunisation coverage in two-year-old children.

A cross-sectional, population-based, cluster-sample survey of 187 children was conducted in the Newcastle area to assess the proportion of two-year-old children who were fully immunised, to ascertain whether administration of these vaccines was age-appropriate and to look for factors predicting incomplete immunisation. Parents or guardians were interviewed at their homes and the immunisation status of the children was verified either by the parent-held record or by the immunisation-provider-held record. Levels of full immunisation were 77 per cent at the time of interview and 72 per cent at the second birthday if Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine was excluded. If it was included, the full immunisation level was 51 per cent. Coverage was highest for oral polio vaccine and lowest for Hib vaccine. Twenty-nine per cent of all immunisations were given early, 44 per cent were given on time and 20 per cent were given late. Doses of vaccines due at older ages were more likely to be given late or not at all. Factors predicting incomplete immunisation were: the principal caregiver being aged under 25 years, being born outside Australia, having post-secondary qualifications, being female and having more than one child in the household. Immunisation coverage levels were not high enough to protect against outbreaks of pertussis and measles and cases of Haemophilus influenzae type b. Immunisation providers should aim to increase coverage to protect the population against all vaccine preventable diseases, and aiming at high-risk groups could more effectively do this.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Haematopoietic cancer mortality among vehicle mechanics.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: This historical cohort study investigated causes of death among car and mobile equipment mechanics in the District of Columbia's Department of Public Works. Men who were employed for at least one year between 1977 and 1989 were eligible for inclusion in the cohort; follow up was up to the end of 1991. Three cases of leukaemia (index cases) had been reported among these workers before the inception of this study. This research was undertaken to estimate the relative risk of haematological cancer among mechanics working for the District of Columbia. RESULTS: Among the 335 male fleet maintenance workers, the all cause standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was 0.50 (33 observed deaths, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.35-0.70), and the all cancer SMR was 0.55 (nine deaths, 95% CI 0.25-1.05). Three deaths from lymphatic and haematopoietic cancer were observed; the SMR was 3.63 (95% CI 0.75-10.63). In the subgroup with highest potential for exposure to fuels and solvents, the SMR for leukaemia and aleukaemia was 9.26 (two deaths, 95% CI 1.12-33.43), and the SMR for other lymphatic and haematopoietic neoplasms was 2.57 (one death from malignant lymphoma, 95% CI 0.06-14.27). All three lymphatic and haematopoietic cancer deaths were among car and mobile equipment mechanics (one was an index case). The two additional index cases were a fourth mechanic who died of leukaemia in 1992, after mortality follow up ended, and a fifth mechanic who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1988 and is still alive. CONCLUSION: Many garage mechanics in this cohort regularly used petrol to clean parts and to wash their hands; some workers would occasionally siphon petrol by mouth. Benzene, a recognised cause of haematological cancer, is a component of petrol. Previous research indicates that garage mechanics may be at risk of leukaemia and other haematological cancers, presumably due to exposure to petrol; this study supports those findings.

Adult↗