BackgroundAnnual influenza vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) is recommended in Australia, but uptake in healthcare facilities has historically been low (approximately 50%). The objective of this study was to develop and implement a dedicated campaign to improve uptake of staff influenza annual vaccination at a large Australian health service.MethodsA quality improvement program was developed at Alfred Health, a tertiary metropolitan health service spanning 3 campuses. Pre-campaign evaluation was performed by questionnaire in 2013 to plan a multimodal vaccination strategy. Reasons for and against vaccination were captured. A campaign targeting clinical and non-clinical healthcare workers was then implemented between March 31 and July 31 2014. Proportional uptake of influenza vaccination was determined by campus and staff category.ResultsPre-campaign questionnaire responses were received from 1328/6879 HCWs (response rate 20.4%), of which 76% were vaccinated. Common beliefs held by unvaccinated staff included vaccine ineffectiveness (37.1%), that vaccination makes staff unwell (21.0%), or that vaccination is not required because staff are at low risk for acquiring influenza (20.2%). In 2014, 6009/7480 (80.3%) staff were vaccinated, with significant improvement in uptake across all campuses and amongst nursing, medical and allied health staff categories from 2013 to 2014 (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsA non-mandatory multimodal strategy utilising social marketing and a customised staff database was successful in increasing influenza vaccination uptake by all staff categories. The sustainability of dedicated campaigns must be evaluated.

A sustained reduction in the number of new patients with MRSA colonization or infection has been demonstrated using minimal resources and a limited number of interventions.

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BackgroundVancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) has been established as a significant health-care associated problem since its first isolation in Australia in 1994. In this study, we measured the point prevalence and identified risk factors associated with vanB VRE colonisation in a tertiary care hospital in Melbourne, Australia where VRE has been endemic for 15 years.MethodsA hospital-wide point prevalence survey was conducted on October 13, 2008 with colonisation detected using rectal swab culture. Patient’s demographic and medical information was collected through a review of medical records. Factors associated with VRE colonisation in univariate analysis were included in multivariate logistic regression model to adjust for confounding.ResultsThe prevalence of VRE colonisation on the day of screening was 17.5% (95% CI, 13.7 to 21.9). VRE was detected from patients in each ward with the prevalence ranging from 3% to 29%. Univariate analysis showed the use of any antibiotic, meropenem, ciprofloxacin, diarrhoea and longer length of hospital stay were associated with increased risk of VRE colonisation (p<0.05). However, age, sex, proximity to VRE positive cases, use of other antibiotics including cephalosporins, vancomycin were not associated with increased risk (P>0.05). Multivariate analysis showed the exposure to meropenem (p=0.004), age (≥65 years) (p=0.036) and length of stay ≥7 days (p<0.001) as independent predictors of VRE colonisation.ConclusionOur study suggests that exposure to antibiotics may have been more important than recent cross transmission for a high prevalence of vanB VRE colonisation at our hospital.

Four serologically unrelated closterovirus-like particles (GLRV-1, GLRV-2, GLRV-3 and GLRV-4) were isolated in our laboratory from leafroll diseased grapevines. Polyclonal antibodies raised against these particles were useful for their characterization and their detection m infected plants.The coat proteins of these four serotypes were characterized by a SDS-PAGE after denaturation, followed by a transfer on nitrocellulose sheet and itnmunoprinting using the specific polyclonal antibodies. The capsid of GLRV-1, GLRV-2, GLRV-3 and GLRV-4 contains a single protein species with molecular weight of about 39 Kd, 26 Kd, 43 Kd and 36 Kd respectively. No serological relation was found between tbese four filamentous particles either by ELISA, immuno electron microscopy or immunoblotting experiments.Serological analysis of many grapevines originating from tbe Middle East and Europe sbowed a ver)' close association between the presence of GLRV-1, GLRV-2, GLRV-3 and GLRV-4 antigens, and leafroll symptoms on Vitis vinifera Pinot Noir. This association was confirmed by testing sytnptomless and diseased grapevines collected in the field, and by serological analysis of heat treated plants originally infected by GLRV-1 and GLRV-3, which are the most widespread antigens detected in leafroll infected grapevines. ZusammenfassungCharakterisierung und serologischer Nachweis von vier mit der Blattrollkrankheit der Rebe assoziierten Closteroviren Vier serologisch nicht verwandte Glosteroviren (GLRV-1, GLRV-2, GLRV-3 und GLRV-4) wurden aus blattrollkranken Reben isoliert. Polyklonale Antikorper, die gegen diese Partikel gewonnen wurden, konnten mit Erfolg zu deren Charakterisierung und Nacbweis in infizierten Pflanzen eingesetzt werden. U.S. Copyrigh, Clearance Center Code Su.e^eni: 093 1 -1 785/90/3003-0205S02.50/0 206 ZiMMERMANN, BASS, LEGIN and WALTER