Journal Articles

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Temporal reconstruction of a Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 outbreak in New Zealand
(Microbiology Society, 2025-10-30) Strydom H; Wright J; Bromhead C; Welch D; Williams E; Mulqueen K; de Ligt J; Biggs PJ; Paine S; Jefferies S; French N
Outbreaks caused by Salmonella Enteritidis are commonly linked to eggs and poultry meat internationally, but this serovar had never been detected in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) poultry prior to 2021. Locally designated genomic cluster Salmonella Enteritidis_2019_C_01, was implicated in a 2019 outbreak associated with a restaurant in Auckland. Four Enteritidis_2019_C_01 sub-clusters have since been identified, two retrospectively, in the Auckland region. Authorities initiated a formal outbreak investigation after genomically indistinguishable S. Enteritidis was isolated from the NZ poultry production environment. This study analysed 231 S. Enteritidis genomes obtained from the outbreak using Bayesian phylodynamic tools to gain insight into the outbreak's dynamics and origin. We used Bayesian integrated coalescent epoch plots to estimate the change of the Enteritidis ST11 population size over time and marginal structured coalescent approximation to estimate transmission between poultry producers. We investigated human and poultry isolates to elucidate the time and location of the most recent common ancestor of the outbreak and transmission pathways. The median most recent common ancestor was estimated to be February 2019. We found evidence of amplification and spread of strain Enteritidis_2019_C_01 within the poultry industry, as well as transmission events throughout the production chain. The intervention by the public health and food safety authorities coincided with a drop in the effective population size of the S. Enteritidis ST11 as well as notified human cases. This information is crucial for understanding and preventing the transmission of S. Enteritidis in NZ poultry to ensure poultry meat and eggs are safe for consumption.
Prevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 or 2 among blood donors screened at the New Zealand Blood Service: An observational study, 2001–2024
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-10) Aye PS; Gray L; Charlewood R; Bennett W; Bromhead C; Balm M; Crengle S; Bartholomew K
Objective To investigate prevalence of Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus type 1 or 2 (HTLV-1/2) using the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) data, to inform whether further HTLV-1/2 prevalence study may be required, in the context of drivers of the inequities in lung cancer for Māori (the Indigenous population). Methods This observational cross-sectional study used the NZBS data of all blood donors nationwide (01/01/2001–30/06/2024). Prevalence overall and by ethnicity was calculated as the number of confirmed HTLV-1/2 positive cases per 10,000 donors. Results Of 679,946 new donors over the 23.5 years, 25 HTLV-1/2 positive cases were identified. The overall prevalence of HTLV-1/2 in New Zealand was 0.4 cases per 10,000 donors, highest among Middle Eastern, Latin American and African ethnicity (six cases per 10,000 donors), with no positive cases in Māori and Pacific donors. Among the positive cases, the highest proportions were seen separately for those aged 25–34, females, of New Zealand European ethnicity, resident in Auckland, and born in India, compared to their counterparts. Conclusions Prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection among blood donors in New Zealand was very low, with no evidence of infection among Māori and Pacific donors, suggesting that a wider HTLV-1/2 seroprevalence study was unlikely to be necessary.
Human papillomavirus self-testing among unscreened and under-screened Māori, Pasifika and Asian women in Aotearoa New Zealand: A preference survey among responders and interviews with clinical-trial nonresponders
(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2022-12) Sherman SM; Brewer N; Bartholomew K; Bromhead C; Crengle S; Cunningham C; Douwes J; Foliaki S; Grant J; Maxwell A; McPherson G; Scott N; Wihongi H; Potter JD
INTRODUCTION: Māori, Pasifika and Asian women are less likely to attend cervical screening and Māori and Pasifika women are more likely to be diagnosed with later-stage cervical cancer than other women in Aotearoa New Zealand. This study-with under-screened women taking part in a randomized-controlled trial comparing self-testing and standard screening-explored the acceptability of a human papillomavirus (HPV) self-test kit and the preferred method for receiving it. METHODS: Māori, Pasifika and Asian women (N= 376) completed a cross-sectional postal questionnaire. Twenty-six women who had not accepted the trial invitation were interviewed to understand their reasons for nonparticipation. RESULTS: Most women found the self-test kit easy and convenient to use and reported that they did not find it painful, uncomfortable or embarrassing. This was reflected in the preference for a self-test over a future smear test on the same grounds. Most women preferred to receive the kit by mail and take the test themselves, rather than having it done by a doctor or nurse. There was a range of preferences relating to how to return the kit. Phone calls with nonresponders revealed that, although most had received the test kit, the reasons for not choosing to be involved included not wanting to, being too busy or forgetting. CONCLUSION: HPV self-testing was acceptable for Māori, Pasifika and Asian women in Aotearoa New Zealand. HPV self-testing has considerable potential to reduce the inequities in the current screening programme and should be made available with appropriate delivery options as soon as possible. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study explored the acceptability of HPV self-testing and their preferences for engaging with it among Māori, Pasifika and Asian women. Thus, women from these underserved communities were the participants and focus of this study.

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