A5047130122- Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Sex work and related issues
- Poxvirus research and outbreaks
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Computational and Text Analysis Methods
- HIV, TB, and STIs Epidemiology
- Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
- Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Intimate Partner and Family Violence
- Infant Health and Development
- Pediatric health and respiratory diseases
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- Ethics in Clinical Research
- Urinary and Genital Oncology Studies
- Genital Health and Disease
- Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Technology and Data Analysis
- Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
2015-2025
Alfred Health
2017-2025
Monash University
2017-2025
Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory
2023-2025
Peter Doherty Institute
2023-2025
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
2025
The University of Melbourne
2023
Central Clinical Hospital
2017-2022
Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute
2022
In the 2022 mpox outbreak, several studies have explored longitudinal DNA shedding of virus (MPXV) using PCR. However, there are fewer assessing infectivity in cell culture, and, by inference, MPXV transmissibility. Such information could help inform infection control and public health guidelines. The aim this study was to correlate culture clinical samples with viral loads samples. Between May October 2022, from different body sites sent Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory...
The 2022 outbreak of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) led to the spread monkeypox virus (MPXV) in over 110 countries, demanding effective disease management and surveillance. As current diagnostics rely largely on centralised laboratory testing, our objective was develop a simple rapid point-of-care assay detect MPXV clinical samples using isothermal amplification coupled with CRISPR CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) technology.In this proof-of-concept study, we developed portable...
The first mpox case was reported in May 2022 Australia. Most cases have been diagnosed men who sex with (MSM). This study aimed to examine community understanding of mpox, attitudes towards vaccination, and potential changes sexual practices surrounding the outbreak among MSM transgender people Victoria, Australia.Participants were recruited from health clinics communities Australia, August-October 2022. Participants asked about their knowledge vaccination uptake intentions change practices....
ABSTRACT The Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) assay is no longer available in some settings. Here, we report the results of a clinical laboratory evaluation alternative treponemal assays, including three T. hemagglutination assays (TPHAs), IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA), and detailed only TPHA with Australian regulatory approval. comprised 300 sera (120 TPPA reactive 180 non-reactive) collected from individuals ≥18 years between 1 June 2021 2023. Median age was 33,...
Chancres, the hallmark of primary syphilis, are classically described as single, painless ulcers at site Treponema pallidum inoculation. We aimed to determine frequency painful or multiple anogenital lesions syphilis among men, whether there was concurrent herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and HIV status altered clinical presentations.This study conducted men with T. PCR-positive lesions, attending a clinic in Melbourne, Australia, between 2009 2014. Lesions were also tested HSV PCR,...
Abstract The impact and frequency of infectious disease outbreaks demonstrate the need for timely genomic surveillance to inform public health responses. In largest known outbreak mpox, efforts have primarily focused on high‐incidence nations in Europe Americas, with a paucity data from South‐East Asia Western Pacific. Here we analyzed 102 monkeypox virus (MPXV) genomes sampled 56 individuals Melbourne, Australia. All fell within 2022 MPXV lineage (B.1), likely onward local transmission...
Abstract Background Syphilis control among men who have sex with (MSM) would be improved if we could increase the proportion of cases present for treatment at primary stage rather than a later stage, as this reduce their duration infectivity. We hypothesized that MSM practiced receptive anal intercourse were more likely to secondary syphilis, compared did not practice intercourse. Methods In retrospective analysis diagnosed or syphilis Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between 2008 and 2017,...
Background Delayed diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) contributes to poorer health outcomes onward transmission sexual partners. Access best-practice care may be limited by barriers such as cost, distance providers, stigma, trust in providers. Online assessments risk offer a novel means supporting access evidence-based information, testing, providing more individualized information based on user inputs. Objective This developmental evaluation aims find...
Abstract Background Early diagnosis of syphilis is vital for its effective control. This study aimed to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) diagnostic model based on radiomics technology distinguish early from other clinical skin lesions. Methods The collected 260 images lesions caused by various infections, including 115 and 145 infection types. 80% the dataset was used development with 5-fold cross-validation, remaining 20% as a hold-out test set. exact lesion region manually segmented...
Abstract Introduction The Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) developed an AI-powered app called AiSTI to help the public identify potential STI-related anogenital lesions. This research sought explore how individuals respond application’s result displays and recommendations this might affect their health-seeking behaviour. Methods From April July 2024, participants completed anonymous online survey, responding hypothetical scenarios related STI non-STI conditions before after viewing...
Objectives: Completion rates for HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) are often low. We investigated the adherence and safety of dolutegravir (DTG; 50 mg daily) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate–emtricitabine (TDF–FTC; 300/200 mg, respectively) as three-drug PEP in gay bisexual men. Design: Open-label, single-arm study at three sexual health clinics two emergency departments Australia. Methods: In total, 100 HIV-uninfected men requiring received DTG TDF–FTC 28 days. The primary end point was...
We investigated Treponema pallidum PCR positivity at mucosal sites (oral, anal, and vaginal sites) among adults who had sexual contact with a person syphilis (syphilis contacts). All contacts oral rinse swab samples collected for testing. Men have sex men anal women testing, regardless of the presence lesions. Of 407 persons tested, 42 (10%) early diagnosed; those, 19 (45%) tested positive by from any anatomic site serologic test. T. was in 3 women, men, cavity 2 without symptoms those...
Background On 26 July 2016, Victoria began a large study of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, called PrEPX, that involved the creation around 2600 appointments over 3 months across multiple sites in Melbourne, Australia. At this time, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) appeared to have larger demand on its services. The aim present was determine whether apparent increase substantially different from other fluctuations.Patients presenting MSHC 2014 2016 were reviewed. Demographic...
Background The incidence of sexual assault continues to rise in Australia. This study aimed describe the nature assault, HIV/STI positivity, and its management at a health clinic. Methods We performed chart review 516 cases presenting Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between 2012 2021, collecting data on victim demographics, details testing police involvement, offer counselling. Results included cases: 124 males (24.0%); 384 females (74.4%); eight transgender (1.6%) victims. proportion...
Abstract Background A significant proportion of individuals with symptoms sexually transmitted infection (STI) delay or avoid seeking healthcare, and digital diagnostic tools may prompt them to seek healthcare earlier. Unfortunately, none the currently available fully mimic clinical assessment cover a wide range STIs. Methods We prospectively invited attendees presenting STI-related at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre answer gender-specific questionnaires covering 12 common STIs using...
Objectives We aimed to characterise patterns of anal and oral detection Treponema pallidum among men who have sex with (MSM) early syphilis. Methods 200 MSM serologically confirmed primary, secondary latent syphilis were tested T. polA PCR using an canal swab, rinse, plus swabs from any lesions in a prospective, cross-sectional study. Anal cycle threshold values compared between subsets according rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titre. Results Of syphilis, 45 48 had detected, respectively. Cycle...
Syphilis infections continue to increase among men who have sex with (MSM) in many countries, rates often higher HIV-positive MSM. There is limited understanding of the risk and determinants syphilis transmission between men. We aimed examine concordance early infection male sexual partners clinical factors associated transmission.Men attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre their partners, where at least one was diagnosed syphilis, were identified from linkage partner records March 2011...
Background Serology is negative in a proportion of primary syphilis cases where Treponema pallidum PCR testing positive. We aimed to identify discordant, T. PCR-positive, serology-negative and any clinical or laboratory factors associated with failure subsequently seroconvert. Methods Serodiscordant that were PCR-positive (including rapid plasma reagin, particle agglutination, enzyme immunoassay chemiluminescence assay) identified from the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre electronic records...
Objectives Condylomata lata are a less common but distinctive syphilitic lesion. Variable theories as to their nature and origin exist. The aim of this study was determine the clinical laboratory characteristics condylomata by determining (1): most closely aligned stage syphilis, based on rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titre; (2) symptom duration (3) Treponema pallidum PCR cycle threshold (C T ) values, an indicator organism load. Methods This retrospective patients with T. PCR-positive lesions,...