Browsing by Author "Ussher JE"

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    Antimicrobial Resistance in New Zealand—A One Health Perspective
    (1/06/2022) Pattis I; Weaver L; Burgess S; Ussher JE; Dyet K
    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing global threat that affects human, animal and, often less acknowledged, environmental health. This complex issue requires a multisectoral One Health approach to address the interconnectedness of humans, animals and the natural environment. The prevalence of AMR in these reservoirs varies widely among countries and thus often requires a country-specific approach. In New Zealand (NZ), AMR and antimicrobial usage in humans are relatively well-monitored and-understood, with high human use of antimicrobials and the frequency of resistant pathogens increasing in hospitals and the community. In contrast, on average, NZ is a low user of antimicrobials in animal husbandry systems with low rates of AMR in food-producing animals. AMR in New Zealand’s environment is little understood, and the role of the natural environment in AMR transmission is unclear. Here, we aimed to provide a summary of the current knowledge on AMR in NZ, addressing all three components of the One Health triad with a particular focus on environmental AMR. We aimed to identify knowledge gaps to help develop research strategies, especially towards mitigating AMR in the environment, the often-neglected part of the One Health triad.
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    Dientamoeba fragilis associated with microbiome diversity changes in acute gastroenteritis patients.
    (Elsevier B.V., 2023-12-01) Muhsin-Sharafaldine M-R; Abdel Rahman L; Suwanarusk R; Grant J; Parslow G; French N; Tan KSW; Russell B; Morgan XC; Ussher JE
    This study examined the correlation between intestinal protozoans and the bacterial microbiome in faecal samples collected from 463 patients in New Zealand who were diagnosed with gastroenteritis. In comparison to traditional microscopic diagnosis methods, Multiplexed-tandem PCR proved to be more effective in detecting intestinal parasites. Among the identified protozoans, Blastocystis sp. and Dientamoeba fragilis were the most prevalent. Notably, D. fragilis was significantly associated with an increase in the alpha-diversity of host prokaryotic microbes. Although the exact role of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis as the primary cause of gastroenteritis remains debatable, our data indicates a substantial correlation between these protozoans and the prokaryote microbiome of their hosts, particularly when compared to other protists or patients with gastroenteritis but no detectable parasitic cause. These findings underscore the significance of comprehending the contributions of intestinal protozoans, specifically D. fragilis, to the development of gastroenteritis and their potential implications for disease management.
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    Uncoupling Molecular Testing for SARS-CoV-2 From International Supply Chains
    (Frontiers Media S.A., 2022-01-24) Stanton J-AL; O'Brien R; Hall RJ; Chernyavtseva A; Ha HJ; Jelley L; Mace PD; Klenov A; Treece JM; Fraser JD; Clow F; Clarke L; Su Y; Kurup HM; Filichev VV; Rolleston W; Law L; Rendle PM; Harris LD; Wood JM; Scully TW; Ussher JE; Grant J; Hore TA; Moser TV; Harfoot R; Lawley B; Quiñones-Mateu ME; Collins P; Blaikie R; Sørensen JL
    The rapid global rise of COVID-19 from late 2019 caught major manufacturers of RT-qPCR reagents by surprise and threw into sharp focus the heavy reliance of molecular diagnostic providers on a handful of reagent suppliers. In addition, lockdown and transport bans, necessarily imposed to contain disease spread, put pressure on global supply lines with freight volumes severely restricted. These issues were acutely felt in New Zealand, an island nation located at the end of most supply lines. This led New Zealand scientists to pose the hypothetical question: in a doomsday scenario where access to COVID-19 RT-qPCR reagents became unavailable, would New Zealand possess the expertise and infrastructure to make its own reagents onshore? In this work we describe a review of New Zealand's COVID-19 test requirements, bring together local experts and resources to make all reagents for the RT-qPCR process, and create a COVID-19 diagnostic assay referred to as HomeBrew (HB) RT-qPCR from onshore synthesized components. This one-step RT-qPCR assay was evaluated using clinical samples and shown to be comparable to a commercial COVID-19 assay. Through this work we show New Zealand has both the expertise and, with sufficient lead time and forward planning, infrastructure capacity to meet reagent supply challenges if they were ever to emerge.