22 results on '"Lucas, M"'
Search Results
2. Serious injuries to Australian veterinarians working with cattle.
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Lucas, M, Day, L, and Fritschi, L
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CATTLE injuries , *VETERINARIANS , *HEALTH risk assessment , *DIAGNOSIS of pregnancy , *INDUSTRIAL safety , *BONE fractures in animals - Abstract
Objective To describe the factors associated with serious injuries sustained during cattle-associated activities by veterinarians responding to the Health Risks of Australian Veterinarians ( HRAV) survey. Methods Responses from the HRAV survey were reviewed and the factors associated with serious injuries reported by veterinarians while working with cattle were analysed. All veterinarians who had graduated from Australian veterinary schools between 1960 and 2000 were eligible for inclusion in the survey. Results The survey identified 474 serious injuries sustained while undertaking cattle-associated activities. Most cattle-associated injuries (82%) were sustained in stock or handling yards and 57% of reported injuries were sustained while undertaking pregnancy testing or undertaking examinations. Nearly 80% of all cattle-associated injuries were sustained as a result of the veterinarian being kicked or struck (49%) or pushed against or stepped on (30%). The part of the body most commonly injured was the upper limbs. Fractures were the most common type of serious injury sustained. The use of safety precautions at the time of the injury was reported by 62% of those veterinarians reporting injury. Conclusions This study describes factors associated with serious injuries while working with cattle, as reported by veterinarians responding to the HRAV survey. Findings from this study will facilitate discussions aimed at addressing injury prevention for cattle veterinarians, including improving the awareness of safe handling practices and safety precautions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2013
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3. Expression of resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans in Brassica napus double haploid lines in France and Australia is influenced by location.
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Delourme, R., Brun, H., Ermel, M., Lucas, M. O., Vallee, P., Domin, C., Walton, G., Hua Li, Sivasithamparam, K., and Barbetti, M. J.
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OILSEED plant diseases & pests ,LEPTOSPHAERIA ,DISEASE resistance of plants ,LEPTOSPHAERIA diseases - Abstract
Blackleg, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans, is a major disease of oilseed rape ( Brassica napus), worldwide, including Australia and France. The aims of these studies were first, to determine if higher levels of resistance to L. maculans could be generated in double haploid (DH) lines derived from spring-type B. napus cv. Grouse, which has a good level of field resistance to blackleg; and second, to determine whether the resistance to blackleg disease of individual DH lines responds differentially to different L. maculans field populations within and between the two countries. DH lines were extracted from cv. Grouse and tested in field experiments carried out in both France and Australia against natural L. maculans populations. Extracting and screening DH lines were an effective means to select individual lines with greatly improved expression of resistance to blackleg crown canker disease in comparison with the original parental population. However, relative disease resistance rankings for DH lines were not always consistent between sites. The higher level of resistance in France was shown to be because of a high expression level of quantitative resistance in the French growing conditions. Big differences were observed for some DH lines between the 2004 and the 2005 field sites in Australia where the L. maculans populations differed by their virulence on single dominant gene-based resistant lines derived from Brassica rapa ssp. sylvestris. This differential behaviour could not be clearly explained by the specific resistance genes until now identified in these DH lines. This investigation highlights the potential to derive DH lines with superior levels of resistance to L. maculans compared with parental populations. However, in locations with particularly high pathogen diversity, such as in southern Australia, multiyear and multisite evaluations should be performed to screen for the most efficient material in different situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2008
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4. Injuries to Australian veterinarians working with horses.
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Lucas, M., Day, L., and Fritschi, L.
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VETERINARIANS , *VETERINARY nursing , *HEALTH risk assessment , *BONE fractures , *HEALTH , *WOUNDS & injuries ,ANIMAL research - Abstract
Data from a health risks of Australian veterinarians (HRAV) study were reviewed to identify reported serious injuries incurred while working with horses and the factors associated with these injuries. Of the 2188 serious injuries reported in the HRAV study, 1583 (72-3 per cent) were associated with animals, and of these, 453 (28.6 per cent) involved horses. Most of them were sustained in stock or handling yards. Factors associated with an increased frequency of injury included activities such as suturing, wound care, tubing and drenching. The parts of the body moist commonly injured were the head and face and the lower extremities. Fractures were the most common type of serious injury. The use of safety precautions at the time of the injury was reported by 70 per cent of those injured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2009
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5. Return to sender: the need to re-address patient antibiotic allergy labels in Australia and New Zealand.
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Trubiano, J. A., Worth, L. J., Urbancic, K., Brown, T. M., Paterson, D. L., Lucas, M., and Phillips, E.
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ALLERGY diagnosis ,ALLERGY prevention ,PENICILLIN ,ANTIBIOTICS ,DEMOGRAPHY ,DRUG labeling ,DRUG prescribing ,IMMUNOLOGY ,INTERNAL medicine ,MEDICAL personnel ,MEDICAL societies ,ONLINE information services ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,SURVEYS ,PHYSICIAN practice patterns ,HEALTH literacy ,THERAPEUTICS - Abstract
Background/Aim Antibiotic allergies are frequently reported and have significant impacts upon appropriate prescribing and clinical outcomes. We surveyed infectious diseases physicians, allergists, clinical immunologists and hospital pharmacists to evaluate antibiotic allergy knowledge and service delivery in Australia and New Zealand. Methods An online multi-choice questionnaire was developed and endorsed by representatives of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy ( ASCIA) and the Australasian Society of Infectious Diseases ( ASID). The 37-item survey was distributed in April 2015 to members of ASCIA, ASID, the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Results Of 277 respondents, 94% currently use or would utilise antibiotic allergy testing ( AAT) and reported seeing up to 10 patients/week labelled as antibiotic-allergic. Forty-two per cent were not aware of or did not have AAT available. Most felt that AAT would aid antibiotic selection, antibiotic appropriateness and antimicrobial stewardship (79, 69 and 61% respectively). Patients with the histories of immediate hypersensitivity were more likely to be referred than those with delayed hypersensitivities (76 vs 41%, P = 0.0001). Lack of specialist physicians (20%) and personal experience (17%) were barriers to service delivery. A multidisciplinary approach was a preferred AAT model (53%). Knowledge gaps were identified, with the majority overestimating rates of penicillin/cephalosporin (78%), penicillin/carbapenem (57%) and penicillin/monobactam (39%) cross-reactivity. Conclusions A high burden of antibiotic allergy labelling and demand for AAT is complicated by a relative lack availability or awareness of AAT services in Australia and New Zealand. Antibiotic allergy education and deployment of AAT, accessible to community and hospital-based clinicians, may improve clinical decisions and reduce antibiotic allergy impacts. A collaborative approach involving infectious diseases physicians, pharmacists and allergists/immunologists is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2016
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6. BCG vaccination of healthcare workers for protection against COVID-19: 12-month outcomes from an international randomised controlled trial.
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Messina NL, Pittet LF, McDonald E, Moore C, Barry S, Bonten M, Byrne A, Campbell J, Croda J, Croda MG, Dalcolmo M, de Almeida E Val FF, de Oliveira RD, Dos Santos G, Douglas MW, Gardiner K, Gwee A, Jardim BA, Kollmann T, Lacerda MV, Lucas M, Lynn DJ, Manning L, Marshall H, O'Connell A, Perrett KP, Post JJ, Prat-Aymerich C, Rocha JL, Rodriguez-Baño J, Wadia U, Warris A, Davidson A, and Curtis N
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- Humans, Male, Female, Adult, Double-Blind Method, Middle Aged, Vaccination, Australia epidemiology, Brazil epidemiology, United Kingdom epidemiology, Spain epidemiology, BCG Vaccine administration & dosage, BCG Vaccine immunology, COVID-19 prevention & control, COVID-19 epidemiology, Health Personnel, SARS-CoV-2 immunology
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Objectives: Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine has immunomodulatory effects that may provide protection against unrelated infectious diseases. We aimed to determine whether BCG vaccination protects adults against COVID-19., Design: Phase III double-blind randomised controlled trial., Setting: Healthcare centres in Australia, Brazil, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic., Participants: 3988 healthcare workers with no prior COVID-19 and no contraindication to BCG., Intervention: Randomised 1:1 using a web-based procedure to receive a single 0.1 mL intradermal dose of BCG-Denmark (BCG group, n = 1999) or saline (placebo group, n = 1989)., Main Outcome Measures: Difference in incidence of (i) symptomatic and (ii) severe COVID-19 during the 12 months following randomisation in the modified intention to treat (mITT) population (confirmed SARS-CoV-2 naïve at inclusion)., Results: Of the 3988 participants randomised, 3386 had a negative baseline SARS-CoV-2 test and were included in the mITT population. The 12-month adjusted estimated risk of symptomatic COVID-19 was higher in the BCG group (22.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 20.6 to 24.5%) compared with the placebo group (19.6%; 95% CI 17.6 to 21.5%); adjusted difference +3.0% points (95% CI 0.2 to 5.8%; p = 0.04). The 12-month adjusted estimated risk of severe COVID-19 (mainly comprising those reporting being unable to work for ≥3 consecutive days) was 11.0% in the BCG group (95% CI 9.5 to 12.4%) compared with 9.6% in the placebo group (95% CI 8.3 to 11.1%); adjusted difference +1.3% points (95% CI -0.7 to 3.3%, p = 0.2). Breakthrough COVID-19 (post COVID-19 vaccination) and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections were similar in the two groups. There were 18 hospitalisations due to COVID-19 (11 in BCG group, 7 in placebo group; adjusted hazard ratio 1.56, 95% CI 0.60 to 4.02, p = 0.4) and two deaths due to COVID-19, both in the placebo group., Conclusions: Compared to placebo, vaccination with BCG-Denmark increased the risk of symptomatic COVID-19 over 12 months among healthcare workers and did not decrease the risk of severe COVID-19 or post-vaccination breakthrough COVID-19., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04327206., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: The trial is financially supported by the Foundations listed in the Funding section. Authors disclose funding support over the past 36 months: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grant (NM), NHMRC Investigator Grant (NC), Melbourne Children’s Clinician-Scientist Fellowship Grant (KPP). Outside of the submitted work, JCr has received grants or contracts from Sanofi, MSD & CEPI; payment or honoraria for presentations from Pfizer and participates on Latin American data safety monitoring/advisory boards for mRNA-1273 (Modern/Zodiac), RSV maternal vaccine (Pfizer), Qdenga vaccine (Takeda) and Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir-Paxlovid (Pfizer). KG is a member of the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Human Research Ethics Committee (the primary ethics committee providing approval for the BRACE trial) and Director of Research Operations at RCH; she abstained from all discussion, voting, approval and review related to the BRACE trial. All other authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
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- 2024
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7. Body composition reference charts for infants from birth to 24 months: Multicenter Infant Body Composition Reference Study.
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Murphy-Alford AJ, Johnson W, Nyati LH, Santos IS, Hills AP, Ariff S, Wickramasinghe VP, Kuriyan R, Lucas MN, Costa CS, Slater C, Ahmad T, Byrne NM, Divya PJ, Kurpad AV, Cheikh Ismail LI, Loechl CU, and Norris SA
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- Male, Child, Female, Infant, Humans, Child, Preschool, Body Mass Index, Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Australia, Adipose Tissue metabolism, Plethysmography methods, Body Composition
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Background: Body composition assessment in the first 2 y of life provides important insights into child nutrition and health. The application and interpretation of body composition data in infants and young children have been challenged by a lack of global reference data., Objectives: We aimed to develop body composition reference charts of infants aged 0-6 mo based on air displacement plethysmography (ADP) and those aged 3-24 mo based on total body water (TBW) by deuterium dilution (DD)., Methods: Body composition was assessed by ADP in infants aged 0-6 mo from Australia, India, and South Africa. TBW using DD was assessed for infants aged 3-24 mo from Brazil, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. Reference charts and centiles were constructed for body composition using the lambda-mu-sigma method., Results: Sex-specific reference charts were produced for FM index (FMI), FFM index (FFMI), and percent FM (%FM) for infants aged 0-6 mo (n = 470 infants; 1899 observations) and 3-24 mo (n = 1026 infants; 3690 observations). When compared with other available references, there were observable differences but similar patterns in the trajectories of FMI, FFMI, and %FM., Conclusions: These reference charts will strengthen the interpretation and understanding of body composition in infants across the first 24 mo of life., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
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- 2023
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8. Penicillin allergy SHACK: Survey of hospital and community knowledge.
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Collins K, Rueter K, Lucas M, Sommerfield D, Sommerfield A, Khan N, and von Ungern-Sternberg BS
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- Adult, Anti-Bacterial Agents adverse effects, Australia, Child, Hospitals, Humans, Penicillins adverse effects, Surveys and Questionnaires, Anaphylaxis drug therapy, Drug Hypersensitivity diagnosis, Drug Hypersensitivity therapy
- Abstract
Aim: Penicillin allergy accounts for the majority of all reported adverse drug reactions in adults and children. Foregoing first-line antibiotic therapy due to penicillin allergy label is associated with an increased prevalence of infections by resistant organisms and longer hospitalisation. Clinician awareness of allergy assessment, referral indications, management of allergy and anaphylaxis is therefore vital but globally lacking. We aim to assess the knowledge of penicillin allergy, assessment and management in Western Australian health professionals., Methods: An anonymous survey was distributed to pharmacists, nurses and physicians within Western Australian paediatric and adult Hospitals, Community and General Practice., Results: In total, 487/611 were completed and included in the statistical analysis. Only 62% (301/487) of respondents routinely assessed for patient medication allergies. Of those who assessed allergy, 9% (28/301) of respondents met the Australian standards for allergy assessment. Only 22% (106/487) of participants correctly cited all indications for management with adrenaline in anaphylaxis to antibiotics and 67% (197/292) of physicians rarely or never referred to an allergy service. Paediatric clinicians had an increased understanding of allergy assessment and anaphylaxis management. Recent penicillin allergy education within a 5-year period led to significant improvements in allergy knowledge., Conclusion: Overall, knowledge, assessment and management of penicillin allergies among practitioners in Western Australia are currently inadequate in adults and paediatric clinicians to provide safe and effective clinical care. The implementation of a targeted education program for WA health professionals is urgently required and is expected to improve clinician knowledge and aid standardised penicillin assessment (de-labelling) practices., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).)
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- 2022
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9. Drug-induced anaphylaxis in Australia: we need a national drug allergy registry.
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Lucas M and Vale S
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- Australia epidemiology, Humans, Registries, Anaphylaxis chemically induced, Anaphylaxis epidemiology, Drug Hypersensitivity epidemiology, Drug Hypersensitivity etiology, Food Hypersensitivity
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- 2022
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10. EGFR mutation profile in Australian patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
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Mead S, Lucas M, Pang JM, Fellowes A, Harraway J, Svobodova S, Amanuel B, and Fox S
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- Australia, ErbB Receptors genetics, Humans, Mutation, Biomarkers, Tumor genetics, Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung genetics, Lung Neoplasms genetics
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- 2021
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11. Multicenter Australian Study to Determine Criteria for Low- and High-Risk Penicillin Testing in Outpatients.
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Stevenson B, Trevenen M, Klinken E, Smith W, Yuson C, Katelaris C, Perram F, Burton P, Yun J, Cai F, Barnes S, Spriggs K, Ojaimi S, Mullins R, Salman S, Martinez P, Murray K, and Lucas M
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- Anti-Bacterial Agents adverse effects, Australia epidemiology, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Outpatients, Retrospective Studies, Skin Tests, Drug Hypersensitivity diagnosis, Drug Hypersensitivity epidemiology, Penicillins adverse effects
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Background: Recent single-center studies promote oral penicillin challenges, without skin testing, in patients with low risk/likelihood of true allergy. However, how best to define a low-risk penicillin allergy history is uncertain., Objective: To statistically determine an optimal low-risk definition, to select patients for safe outpatient penicillin challenges, without skin testing., Methods: In a multicenter Australian study (February 2016 to May 2018), testing strategy (skin test and/or oral penicillin challenge) and outcomes were retrospectively collected for all penicillin-allergic patients. Statistical modeling was performed with 8 low-risk definitions, to determine an optimal low-risk definition., Results: A total of 447 subjects (mean age, 45.3 years; 63.8% females) were analyzed. A history of benign, immediate, or delayed rash, more than 1 year before review, was the optimal low-risk definition. A total of 244 of 447 (54.6%) patients met this definition, of which 97.1% tolerated a 1- or 2-dose penicillin challenge, with no anaphylaxis in those who reacted. Of 203 patients designated higher risk, 54 (26.6%) had their allergy confirmed by skin test (n = 45) or challenge (n = 9)., Conclusions: History of penicillin-associated rash (without angioedema, mucosal ulceration, or systemic involvement), more than 1 year ago, is sufficient to select a patient for a direct oral penicillin challenge. This large multicenter study demonstrates that this approach appears safe, and risk is comparable to that in other procedures being performed in primary care in Australia. The higher risk patients are more likely to benefit from skin testing. This simple risk-based delabeling strategy could potentially be used by nonallergists, leading to more efficient penicillin allergy delabeling service provision., (Copyright © 2019 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. All rights reserved.)
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- 2020
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12. Antimicrobial anaphylaxis: the changing face of severe antimicrobial allergy.
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Hall V, Wong M, Munsif M, Stevenson BR, Elliott K, Lucas M, Baird AJ, Athan E, Young M, Pickles R, Cheng AC, Stewardson AJ, Aung AK, and Trubiano JA
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- Adult, Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems, Aged, Anaphylaxis mortality, Australia epidemiology, Databases, Factual, Drug Hypersensitivity mortality, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Hospitalization, Humans, Inpatients, Male, Middle Aged, Retrospective Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, Tertiary Care Centers statistics & numerical data, Anaphylaxis chemically induced, Anaphylaxis epidemiology, Anti-Bacterial Agents adverse effects, Drug Hypersensitivity epidemiology
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Objectives: The epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes of antimicrobial-associated anaphylaxis remain ill-defined. We sought to examine antimicrobial anaphylaxis with regard to: (i) the frequency of implicated antimicrobials; (ii) attributable mortality; and (iii) referral for definitive allergy assessment., Methods: This was conducted through a national retrospective multicentre cohort study at five Australian tertiary hospitals (January 2010 to December 2015). Cases of antimicrobial anaphylaxis were identified from ICD-10 coding and adverse drug reaction committee databases., Results: There were 293 participants meeting the case definition of antimicrobial anaphylaxis and 310 antimicrobial anaphylaxis episodes. Of 336 implicated antimicrobials, aminopenicillins (62/336, 18.5%) and aminocephalosporins (57/336, 17%) were implicated most frequently. ICU admission occurred in 43/310 (13.9%) episodes; however, attributable mortality was low (3/310, 1%). The rate of anaphylaxis to IV antibiotics was 3.5 (95% CI=2.9-4.3) per 100 000 DDDs and the rate of hospital-acquired anaphylaxis was 1.9 (95% CI=2.1-3.3) per 100 000 occupied bed-days. We observed overall low rates of hospital discharge documentation (222/310, 71.6%) and follow-up by specialist allergy services (73/310, 23.5%), which may compromise medication safety and antimicrobial prescribing in future., Conclusions: This study demonstrated that a high proportion of severe immediate hypersensitivity reactions presenting or acquired in Australian hospitals are secondary to aminopenicillins and aminocephalosporins. Overall rates of hospital-acquired anaphylaxis, predominantly secondary to cephalosporins, are low, and also associated with low inpatient mortality., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)
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- 2020
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13. The role of skin testing and extended antibiotic courses in assessment of children with penicillin allergy: An Australian experience.
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Arnold A, Sommerfield A, Ramgolam A, Rueter K, Muthusamy S, Noble V, von Ungern-Sternberg BS, and Lucas M
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- Age Factors, Anaphylaxis epidemiology, Australia, Bronchial Provocation Tests, Child, Child, Preschool, Cohort Studies, Drug Hypersensitivity epidemiology, Female, Hospitals, Pediatric, Humans, Incidence, Male, Penicillins administration & dosage, Retrospective Studies, Risk Assessment, Role, Sex Factors, Skin Tests methods, Statistics, Nonparametric, Tertiary Care Centers, beta-Lactams administration & dosage, Anaphylaxis diagnosis, Drug Hypersensitivity diagnosis, Penicillins adverse effects, beta-Lactams adverse effects
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Aim: To determine if skin testing (ST) in addition to extended oral provocation challenge (OPC) is necessary for beta-lactam allergy verification in an Australian paediatric population., Methods: This was a retrospective study (176 children) that undertook assessments for beta-lactam allergy from 2006 to 2015 at a tertiary paediatric hospital. Patients either underwent direct OPC without ST or ST plus challenge if ST was negative., Results: The analysis included children with a history of varying rash types/severity as well as angioedema and reported anaphylaxis. A direct OPC was undertaken in 73 children. Three children reacted with one anaphylaxis. A total of 103 children underwent ST, with 13 children (12.6%) reacting. Of the 90 who subsequently proceeded to OPC, 4 reacted. A total of 132 children were given an extended oral course of the culprit antibiotic, to which 6 children reacted., Conclusions: A direct OPC with the culprit drug in Australian children can be safely performed, avoiding resource-intensive and painful ST. Our data demonstrate that a prior history of anaphylaxis does not necessarily predict IgE-mediated allergy, as detected by positive immediate ST or reactions to oral challenge. Such history should not detract from efforts to assess these children for antibiotic allergy. We suggest that extended courses of at least 5 days are important in paediatric antibiotic de-labelling as six children (4.5% of those who were prescribed the extended course) reacted in our study and even developed symptoms late in the extended course, from days 2 to 6., (© 2018 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).)
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- 2019
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14. Improving drug allergy management in Australia: education, communication and accurate information.
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Lucas M, Loh RK, and Smith WB
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- Australia, Humans, Drug Hypersensitivity prevention & control, Drug Hypersensitivity therapy, Drug Labeling
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- 2019
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15. Allergy alerts - The incidence of parentally reported allergies in children presenting for general anesthesia.
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Sommerfield DL, Sommerfield A, Schilling A, Slevin L, Lucas M, and von Ungern-Sternberg BS
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- Adolescent, Australia epidemiology, Child, Child, Preschool, Cohort Studies, Female, Humans, Hypersensitivity complications, Hypersensitivity epidemiology, Incidence, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Parents, Prospective Studies, Anesthesia, General methods, Hypersensitivity diagnosis, Medical History Taking
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Background and Aim: Pediatric patients increasingly report allergies, including allergies to food and medications. We sought to determine the incidence and, nature of parent-reported allergies in children presenting for surgery and its significance for anesthetists., Methods: We prospectively collected data on admissions through our surgical admission unit over a 2-month period at a pediatric tertiary care teaching hospital. Data collected included patient demographics, history of atopy, with more comprehensive information collected if an allergy was reported. A clinical immunologist and an anesthetist reviewed the documentation of all patients reporting an allergy., Results: We reviewed 1001 pediatric patients, 158 (15.8%) patients with parent-reported allergies; to medications/drugs (n = 73), food (n = 66), environmental allergens (dust/grasses, n = 35), tapes/dressings (n = 27), latex (n = 4), and venom (eg, bee, wasp, n = 9). Forty-one patients reported antibiotic allergies, with Beta-lactam antibiotics being the most common, with the majority presenting with rash alone (57%). Ten patients reported allergies to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and eight to opioids. Twenty-four patients reported egg and/or peanut allergy. Only 3/1001 (0.3%) patients were deemed to have evidence of likely IgE-mediated drug allergy. Of the reported allergies, only 60 (38.2%) had been investigated prior, most likely to be followed up were food (53%) and environmental allergies (44.4%). Only 4/73 (5.5%) reported medication allergies had further follow-up. Just four patients (0.4% of the entire cohort) had drug sensitivities/allergies that were likely to majorly alter anesthesia practice., Conclusion: Only the minority of parent-reported allergies in pediatric surgical patients were specialist confirmed and likely to be clinically relevant. Self-reported food allergy is commonly specialist verified whereas reactions to medications were generally not. Over-reporting of allergies is increasingly common and limits clinician choice of medications. Better education of patients and their families and more timely verification or dismissal of parent-reported reactions is urgently needed., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
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- 2019
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16. Increased Use of Adrenaline in the Management of Childhood Anaphylaxis Over the Last Decade.
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Rueter K, Ta B, Bear N, Lucas M, Borland ML, and Prescott SL
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- Adolescent, Anaphylaxis diagnosis, Anaphylaxis epidemiology, Australia, Child, Child, Preschool, Education, Medical, Continuing, Emergency Service, Hospital, Female, Humans, Hypersensitivity diagnosis, Hypersensitivity epidemiology, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Retrospective Studies, Tertiary Healthcare, Anaphylaxis drug therapy, Bronchodilator Agents therapeutic use, Drug Utilization statistics & numerical data, Epinephrine therapeutic use, Hypersensitivity drug therapy
- Abstract
Background: We recently determined that allergy training programs have improved physician recognition and diagnosis of pediatric anaphylaxis in the last decade., Objective: To investigate for changes in management, in particular the appropriate use of adrenaline for the treatment of anaphylaxis in a tertiary pediatric emergency department (PED)., Methods: We conducted a retrospective case note study including children aged 0 to 16 years coded and verified for anaphylaxis comparing cases in years 2003/2004 with 2012. This included standardized information on clinical presentation, demographic characteristics, vital signs, mode of transport, and management of anaphylaxis including the use of adrenaline and/or adjunct therapy. Follow-up management plans were also recorded., Results: In 2003/2004, a total of 92 cases were coded and verified for anaphylaxis from 83,832 PED presentations compared with 159 cases from 71,822 PED presentations in 2012. A significantly higher proportion of cases were appropriately managed with adrenaline in 2012 compared with 2003/2004, when intensive training programs had not yet been introduced (P = .03). Vital signs were more frequently documented in 2012 (P < .001) than in 2003/2004, and there was significantly less administration of other medications (corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and antihistamines) (P < .05). Also, changes in discharge management occurred with an improved dispensing/prescription of adrenaline autoinjectors and more frequent follow-up arrangement with specialist allergy services (P < .001)., Conclusions: There was a significant improvement in the management of anaphylaxis over this 10-year period. This change was observed after the introduction of intensified physician training programs in which anaphylaxis management was a key component highlighting the importance of cooperation between pediatric emergency and allergy services., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)
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- 2018
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17. Undetectable Mannose Binding Lectin and Corticosteroids Increase Serious Infection Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
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Carroll GJ, Makin K, Garnsey M, Bulsara M, Carroll BV, Curtin SM, Allan EM, McLean-Tooke A, Bundell C, Kemp ML, Deshpande P, Ihdayhid D, Coleman S, Easter T, Triplett J, Disteldorf T, Marsden CH, and Lucas M
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- Adrenal Cortex Hormones therapeutic use, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Antirheumatic Agents therapeutic use, Arthritis, Rheumatoid drug therapy, Australia, Female, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Infections drug therapy, Male, Mannose-Binding Lectin blood, Metabolism, Inborn Errors drug therapy, Middle Aged, Risk, Young Adult, Arthritis, Rheumatoid epidemiology, Infections epidemiology, Mannose-Binding Lectin deficiency, Metabolism, Inborn Errors epidemiology
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Background: Infection is the leading cause of death in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Corticosteroid (CS) use is a known and important risk factor for serious infections (SIs). Mannose binding lectin (MBL) is a genetically determined component of the innate immune system implicated in neonatal infections., Objective: Our aim was to determine whether MBL deficiency is a risk factor for SIs in RA and to compare it with CS use and also synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy., Methods: Data on 228 patients with RA were collected for up to 7 years (median = 5.9 years). Serum MBL concentrations were determined in all patients receiving synthetic (n = 96) or biologic (n = 132) DMARD therapy., Results: High rates of SIs were observed in RA irrespective of treatment (17%). Similar rates of SIs were observed in synthetic and biologic DMARD users. The rates of single and multiple SIs were similar, irrespective of the use of a biologic agent. Undetectable MBL (<56 ng/mL) concentrations and maintenance prednisolone at 10 mg per day or higher were associated with an increased risk for an SI, with incident risk ratio of 4.67 (P = .001) and 4.70 (P < .001), respectively., Conclusions: Undetectable MBL and prednisolone confer a high risk for an SI. The use of biologic DMARDs did not confer substantial SI risk in this observational study. MBL deficiency is hitherto an unrecognized risk factor for an SI in RA., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
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- 2017
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18. Physician training programs significantly improve diagnosis in cases coded as anaphylaxis over time: A major factor compounding time-trend data?
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Rueter K, Ta B, Bear N, Lucas M, and Prescott S
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- Adolescent, Anaphylaxis diagnosis, Australia epidemiology, Child, Child, Preschool, Clinical Decision-Making, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, International Classification of Diseases, Male, Preceptorship, Retrospective Studies, Allergy and Immunology education, Anaphylaxis epidemiology, Physicians
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- 2017
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19. Adjusting for COPD severity in database research: developing and validating an algorithm.
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Goossens LM, Baker CL, Monz BU, Zou KH, and Rutten-van Mölken MP
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- Age Factors, Aged, Australia epidemiology, Body Mass Index, Europe epidemiology, Female, Health Resources statistics & numerical data, Humans, Logistic Models, Male, Middle Aged, Multicenter Studies as Topic, Multivariate Analysis, New Zealand epidemiology, Osteoporosis epidemiology, Predictive Value of Tests, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive physiopathology, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive therapy, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Reproducibility of Results, Severity of Illness Index, Sex Factors, Smoking epidemiology, Treatment Outcome, United States epidemiology, Algorithms, Data Mining methods, Databases, Factual, Lung physiopathology, Models, Statistical, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive diagnosis, Respiratory Function Tests
- Abstract
Purpose: When comparing chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) interventions in database research, it is important to adjust for severity. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines grade severity according to lung function. Most databases lack data on lung function. Previous database research has approximated COPD severity using demographics and healthcare utilization. This study aims to derive an algorithm for COPD severity using baseline data from a large respiratory trial (UPLIFT)., Methods: Partial proportional odds logit models were developed for probabilities of being in GOLD stages II, III and IV. Concordance between predicted and observed stage was assessed using kappa-statistics. Models were estimated in a random selection of 2/3 of patients and validated in the remainder. The analysis was repeated in a subsample with a balanced distribution across severity stages. Univariate associations of COPD severity with the covariates were tested as well., Results: More severe COPD was associated with being male and younger, having quit smoking, lower BMI, osteoporosis, hospitalizations, using certain medications, and oxygen. After adjusting for these variables, co-morbidities, previous healthcare resource use (eg, emergency room, hospitalizations) and inhaled corticosteroids, xanthines, or mucolytics were no longer independently associated with COPD severity, although they were in univariate tests. The concordance was poor (kappa = 0.151) and only slightly better in the balanced sample (kappa = 0.215)., Conclusion: COPD severity cannot be reliably predicted from demographics and healthcare use. This limitation should be considered when interpreting findings from database studies, and additional research should explore other methods to account for COPD severity.
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. Significant injuries in Australian veterinarians and use of safety precautions.
- Author
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Lucas M, Day L, Shirangi A, and Fritschi L
- Subjects
- Accidents, Occupational prevention & control, Animals, Australia epidemiology, Bites and Stings epidemiology, Bites and Stings prevention & control, Cats, Cattle, Dogs, Female, Horses, Humans, Male, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Safety Management, Surveys and Questionnaires, Wounds and Injuries etiology, Wounds and Injuries prevention & control, Accidents, Occupational statistics & numerical data, Veterinarians statistics & numerical data, Wounds and Injuries epidemiology
- Abstract
Background: A high injury prevalence has been reported among veterinarians. Studies describing the factors associated with injury have been limited., Aims: To describe the characteristics of serious injuries and the use of safety precautions at the time of injury in Australian veterinarians., Methods: Graduates in veterinary medicine from Australian universities completed questionnaires asking about injuries during their professional career including type of injury and circumstances during which injury occurred., Results: A total of 2188 significant injuries were reported. Injuries were most frequently sustained on farms (55%) and associated with undertaking procedural activities (37%) and examining and moving animals (37%). The hand (33%) was the commonest site involved. Injuries to the head and face regions accounted for 15% of all injuries. The most frequent injuries sustained were open wounds (36%), fractures and dislocations (27%) and soft tissue bruising (12%). There were 63 reports of intracranial injury and 19 traumatic amputations reported. Bites, kicks or strikes, animal contact and cutting or scratching were the most frequent mechanisms of injury reported. The major factors reported in association with injury were cattle (22%), horses (21%), dogs (20%) and cats (8%). Fifty-five per cent of veterinarians reported the use of safety precautions at the time of injury., Conclusions: Veterinarians are a high-risk group for significant injury from animal contacts. The reported use of safety measures and their effectiveness when used by veterinarians appear less than optimal. Further efforts aimed at addressing injury prevention may include developing and implementing improved safe handling practices and safety precautions.
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. Injury in Australian veterinarians.
- Author
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Fritschi L, Day L, Shirangi A, Robertson I, Lucas M, and Vizard A
- Subjects
- Adult, Australia epidemiology, Bites and Stings epidemiology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Musculoskeletal Diseases epidemiology, Occupational Diseases epidemiology, Risk Factors, Wounds and Injuries etiology, Accidents, Occupational statistics & numerical data, Veterinarians statistics & numerical data, Wounds and Injuries epidemiology
- Abstract
Background: There are a number of risk factors for traumatic injury in veterinary practice but there is little information on the prevalence of injuries or the factors associated with injury in this profession., Aims: To identify the prevalence of injuries sustained by veterinarians and the groups most at risk for different types of injury., Methods: Cross-sectional survey of Australian veterinarians. Subjects were asked whether they had ever had a significant work-related injury, a less serious acute work injury in the last 12 months, a work-related chronic musculoskeletal problem or dog or cat bites. The prevalence of injuries by gender, practice type and decade of graduation were reported and multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the risk of each type of injury., Results: Of 2800 veterinarians, over half (51%) reported a significant work-related injury during their career while 26% of practitioners reported having at least one injury in the previous 12 months. Chronic work-related musculoskeletal problems were reported by 49% of respondents. Dog and cat bites were also very common. After adjusting for graduation year and university, males were more likely than females to have experienced cat or dog bites or have a chronic or significant injury, and large animal veterinarians were most likely to have chronic or significant injuries., Conclusions: A high injury prevalence was found among Australian veterinarians with large animal practitioners at highest risk. This is the largest study of Australian veterinarians to have been reported and has shown that injuries are common and serious in the profession.
- Published
- 2006
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
22. The reproductive efficiency of several north Queensland beef herds. 2. The influence of vibriosis, trichomoniasis and lesions of the reproductive tract.
- Author
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Donaldson LE, Lucas MH, Johnston LA, and Ritson JB
- Subjects
- Agglutination Tests, Animals, Australia, Cattle, Female, Genital Diseases, Female complications, Infertility, Female etiology, Pregnancy, Trichomonas Infections complications, Cattle Diseases complications, Genital Diseases, Female veterinary, Infertility, Female veterinary, Trichomonas Infections veterinary, Vibrio
- Published
- 1967
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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