88 results on '"Jacka B"'
Search Results
2. 239 Evaluating the Role of Recovery Capital on Willingness to Enter Treatment for Emergency Department Patients With Opioid Use Disorders
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Cho, D., primary, Jacka, B., additional, Marshall, B., additional, and Beaudoin, F., additional
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- 2021
- Full Text
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3. Hepatitis C virus testing, liver disease assessment and treatment uptake among people who inject drugs pre- and post-universal access to direct-acting antiviral treatment in Australia: The LiveRLife study
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Bajis, S, Grebely, J, Hajarizadeh, B, Applegate, T, Marshall, AD, Ellen Harrod, M, Byrne, J, Bath, N, Read, P, Edwards, M, Gorton, C, Hayllar, J, Cock, V, Peterson, S, Thomson, C, Weltman, M, Jefferies, M, Wood, W, Haber, P, Ezard, N, Martinello, M, Maher, L, Dore, GJ, Peolim, L, How-Chow, D, Telenta, J, Harvey, P, Jones, S, Dunlop, A, Treloar, C, Samuel, Y, Poeder, F, Crawford, S, Baxter, A, Keats, J, Mowat, Y, Silk, D, Micallef, M, Tamaddoni, M, Marks, P, Lamoury, F, Jayasinghe, I, Reid, H, Cunningham, EB, Bartlett, S, Jacka, B, Erratt, A, Jauncey, M, Collie, P, Lam, T, Gilliver, R, Hazelwood, S, Houlihan, N, Burns, C, Lewis, R, Morris, D, Donohue, K, Carthew, A, Horasak, N, Cherry, R, Shin, S, Peterson, D, Sellwood, T, McKeown, W, Pritchard-Jones, J, Smyth, F, Adey, S, Clark, K, Bajis, S, Grebely, J, Hajarizadeh, B, Applegate, T, Marshall, AD, Ellen Harrod, M, Byrne, J, Bath, N, Read, P, Edwards, M, Gorton, C, Hayllar, J, Cock, V, Peterson, S, Thomson, C, Weltman, M, Jefferies, M, Wood, W, Haber, P, Ezard, N, Martinello, M, Maher, L, Dore, GJ, Peolim, L, How-Chow, D, Telenta, J, Harvey, P, Jones, S, Dunlop, A, Treloar, C, Samuel, Y, Poeder, F, Crawford, S, Baxter, A, Keats, J, Mowat, Y, Silk, D, Micallef, M, Tamaddoni, M, Marks, P, Lamoury, F, Jayasinghe, I, Reid, H, Cunningham, EB, Bartlett, S, Jacka, B, Erratt, A, Jauncey, M, Collie, P, Lam, T, Gilliver, R, Hazelwood, S, Houlihan, N, Burns, C, Lewis, R, Morris, D, Donohue, K, Carthew, A, Horasak, N, Cherry, R, Shin, S, Peterson, D, Sellwood, T, McKeown, W, Pritchard-Jones, J, Smyth, F, Adey, S, and Clark, K
- Abstract
Gaps in hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing, diagnosis, liver disease assessment and treatment uptake among people who inject drugs (PWID) persist. We aimed to describe the cascade of HCV care among PWID in Australia, prior to and following unrestricted access to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment. Participants enrolled in an observational cohort study between 2014 and 2018 provided fingerstick whole-blood samples for dried blood spot, Xpert HCV Viral Load and venepuncture samples. Participants underwent transient elastography and clinical assessment by a nurse or general practitioner. Among 839 participants (mean age 43 years), 66% were male (n = 550), 64% (n = 537) injected drugs in the previous month, and 67% (n = 560) reported currently receiving opioid substitution therapy. Overall, 45% (n = 380) had detectable HCV RNA, of whom 23% (n = 86) received HCV treatment within 12 months of enrolment. HCV treatment uptake increased from 2% in the pre-DAA era to 38% in the DAA era. Significant liver fibrosis (F2-F4) was more common in participants with HCV infection (38%) than those without (19%). Age 50 years or older (aOR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.18-7.04) and attending a clinical follow-up with nurse (aOR, 3.19; 95% CI, 1.61-6.32) or physician (aOR, 11.83; 95% CI, 4.89-28.59) were associated with HCV treatment uptake. Recent injection drug use and unstable housing were not associated with HCV treatment uptake. HCV treatment uptake among PWID has increased markedly in the DAA era. Evaluation of innovative and simplified models of care is required to further enhance treatment uptake.
- Published
- 2020
4. Health care engagement behaviors of men who use performance- and image-enhancing drugs in Australia
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Jacka, B., primary, Larance, B., additional, Copeland, J., additional, Burns, L., additional, Farrell, M., additional, Jackson, E., additional, and Degenhardt, L., additional
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
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5. Trends in PIEDs use among male clients of needle–syringe programs in Queensland, Australia; 2007–2015
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Jacka, B., Peacock, A., Degenhardt, L., Bruno, R., Clare, P., Kemp, R., Dev, A., and Larance, B.
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- 2017
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6. Egrule vs. Ruleg Teaching: A Replication
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Jacka, B. T. and Hermann, G. D.
- Abstract
The hypothesis that "on a new task, elementary school children would perform relatively better on the egrule (discovery) method, and that high school children would perform relatively better on the ruleg (expository) method" was tested by G. D. Hermann (1971). This study replicated Hermann's research using only one of his tasks (map reading) and was part of a larger study investigating the relation between discovery method and anxiety (B. Jacka, 1974). (Author/RK)
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- 1977
7. Evaluation of a hepatitis C virus core antigen assay in dried-blood spots: a cohort study
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Lamoury, F., primary, Bajis, S., additional, Martinez, D., additional, Mowat, Y., additional, Jayasinghe, I., additional, Martinez, M., additional, Cunningham, P., additional, Catlett, B., additional, Jacka, B., additional, Marks, P., additional, Grebely, J., additional, Cloherty, G., additional, Dore, G., additional, and Applegate, T., additional
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Physical appearance concerns are uniquely associated with the severity of steroid dependence and depression in anabolic-androgenic steroid users
- Author
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Griffiths, S, Jacka, B, Degenhardt, L, Murray, SB, Larance, B, Griffiths, S, Jacka, B, Degenhardt, L, Murray, SB, and Larance, B
- Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Emerging research suggests that the sub-population of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users who experience physical appearance concerns may suffer greater psychological dysfunction than other sub-populations, including users with athletic or occupational concerns. Thus, among current AAS users, we sought to determine whether, and to what extent, social physique anxiety-an established measure of appearance concern-was associated with psychological dysfunction. DESIGN AND METHODS: Interviews were conducted with a sample of 74 male AAS users living in Australia. Users completed self-report instruments of the severity of AAS dependence, depression, hazardous and risky drinking, use of non-AAS illicit drugs, psychological side-effects due to AAS use and abnormal test results due to AAS use. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses revealed that greater social physique anxiety was uniquely associated with more severe symptoms of both AAS dependence and depression. Moreover, the effect size of these relationships was large. Social physique anxiety was not associated with hazardous or risky drinking, non-AAS illicit drug use, psychological side-effects or abnormal test results. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Limitations notwithstanding, the study is consistent with the notion that AAS users who experience appearance concerns are at heightened risk of co-morbid psychological dysfunction. Given trends indicating an increase in the prevalence of AAS use in Australia and elsewhere, the findings suggest that health-care systems may need to consider prioritising the sub-population of AAS users who experience appearance concerns. Further investigation of the clinical syndrome of AAS dependence is required, including its relation to body image and eating disorders.
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- 2018
9. Drug use and phylogenetic clustering of hepatitis C virus infection among people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada: A latent class analysis approach
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Jacka, B., primary, Bray, B. C., additional, Applegate, T. L., additional, Marshall, B. D. L., additional, Lima, V. D., additional, Hayashi, K., additional, DeBeck, K., additional, Raghwani, J., additional, Harrigan, P. R., additional, Krajden, M., additional, Montaner, J. S. G., additional, and Grebely, J., additional
- Published
- 2017
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10. P6 Phylogenetic clustering of recent hepatitis C virus infection between 2004 and 2015
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Bartlett, S.R., primary, Applegate, T., additional, Jacka, B., additional, Lamoury, F., additional, Bull, R., additional, Danta, M., additional, Bradshaw, D., additional, Lloyd, A.R., additional, Hellard, M., additional, Dore, G.J., additional, Matthews, G.V., additional, and Grebely, J., additional
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- 2017
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11. Systematic review & expert guidance on methods for sequencing of hepatitis C virus for detection of direct-acting antiviral resistance
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Bartlett, S. R., Grebely, J., Eltahla, A. A., Reeves, J. D., Howe, A., Miller, V., Bull, R. A., Ceccherini-Silberstein, F., Douglas, M. W., Dore, G. J., Harrington, P., Lloyd, A. R., Jacka, B., Matthews, G. V., Wang, G. P., Pawlotsky, J. -M, Feld, J. J., Schinkel, J., Garcia, F., Lennerstrand, Johan, Applegate, T. L., Bartlett, S. R., Grebely, J., Eltahla, A. A., Reeves, J. D., Howe, A., Miller, V., Bull, R. A., Ceccherini-Silberstein, F., Douglas, M. W., Dore, G. J., Harrington, P., Lloyd, A. R., Jacka, B., Matthews, G. V., Wang, G. P., Pawlotsky, J. -M, Feld, J. J., Schinkel, J., Garcia, F., Lennerstrand, Johan, and Applegate, T. L.
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- 2017
- Full Text
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12. Sequencing of hepatitis C virus for detection of resistance to direct-acting antiviral therapy: A systematic review
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Bartlett, SR, Grebely, J, Eltahla, AA, Reeves, JD, Howe, AYM, Miller, V, Ceccherini-Silberstein, F, Bull, RA, Douglas, MW, Dore, GJ, Harrington, P, Lloyd, AR, Jacka, B, Matthews, GV, Wang, GP, Pawlotsky, JM, Feld, JJ, Schinkel, J, Garcia, F, Lennerstrand, J, Applegate, TL, Bartlett, SR, Grebely, J, Eltahla, AA, Reeves, JD, Howe, AYM, Miller, V, Ceccherini-Silberstein, F, Bull, RA, Douglas, MW, Dore, GJ, Harrington, P, Lloyd, AR, Jacka, B, Matthews, GV, Wang, GP, Pawlotsky, JM, Feld, JJ, Schinkel, J, Garcia, F, Lennerstrand, J, and Applegate, TL
- Abstract
The significance of the clinical impact of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) on treatment failure is unclear. No standardized methods or guidelines for detection of DAA RASs in HCV exist. To facilitate further evaluations of the impact of DAA RASs in HCV, we conducted a systematic review of RAS sequencing protocols, compiled a comprehensive public library of sequencing primers, and provided expert guidance on the most appropriate methods to screen and identify RASs. The development of standardized RAS sequencing protocols is complicated due to a high genetic variability and the need for genotype- and subtype-specific protocols for multiple regions. We have identified several limitations of the available methods and have highlighted areas requiring further research and development. The development, validation, and sharing of standardized methods for all genotypes and subtypes should be a priority. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:379–390).
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- 2017
13. Phylogenetic clustering of hepatitis C virus among people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada
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Jacka, B, Applegate, T, Krajden, M, Olmstead, A, Harrigan, PR, Marshall, BDL, DeBeck, K, Milloy, M-J, Lamoury, F, Pybus, OG, Lima, VD, Magiorkinis, G, Montoya, V, Montaner, J, Joy, J, Woods, C, Dobrer, S, Dore, GJ, Poon, AF, and Grebely, J
- Subjects
Adult ,Drug Users ,Male ,British Columbia ,Cluster Analysis ,Humans ,Female ,Hepacivirus ,Prospective Studies ,Hepatitis C ,Article ,Phylogeny - Abstract
Little is known about factors associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID). Phylogenetic clustering and associated factors were evaluated among PWID in Vancouver, Canada. Data were derived from the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study. Participants who were HCV antibody-positive at enrolment and those with HCV antibody seroconversion during follow-up (1996 to 2012) were tested for HCV RNA and sequenced (Core-E2 region). Phylogenetic trees were inferred using maximum likelihood analysis and clusters were identified using ClusterPicker (90% bootstrap threshold, 0.05 genetic distance threshold). Factors associated with clustering were assessed using logistic regression. Among 655 eligible participants, HCV genotype prevalence was: G1a: 48% (n=313), G1b: 6% (n=41), G2a: 3% (n=20), G2b: 7% (n=46), G3a: 33% (n=213), G4a:1% (n=4), G6a: 1% (n=8), G6e:1% (n=1), and unclassifiable: 1% (n=9). The mean age was 36 years, 162 (25%) were female, and 164 (25%) were HIV+. Among 501 participants with HCV G1a and G3a, 31% (n=156) were in a pair/cluster. Factors independently associated with phylogenetic clustering included: age40 (versus age≥40, adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03, 2.63), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (AOR=1.82; 95% CI 1.18, 2.81), HCV seroconversion (AOR=3.05; 95% CI 1.40, 6.66), and recent syringe borrowing (AOR 1.59; 95% CI 1.07, 2.36).In this sample of PWID, one-third demonstrated phylogenetic clustering. Factors independently associated with phylogenetic clustering included younger age, recent HCV seroconversion, prevalent HIV infection, and recent syringe borrowing. Strategies to enhance the delivery of prevention and/or treatment strategies to those with HIV and recent HCV seroconversion should be explored, given an increased likelihood of HCV transmission in these subpopulations.
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- 2014
14. Systematic review & expert guidance on methods for sequencing of hepatitis C virus for detection of direct-acting antiviral resistance
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Bartlett, S.R., primary, Grebely, J., additional, Eltahla, A.A., additional, Reeves, J.D., additional, Howe, A., additional, Miller, V., additional, Bull, R.A., additional, Ceccherini-Silberstein, F., additional, Douglas, M.W., additional, Dore, G.J., additional, Harrington, P., additional, Lloyd, A.R., additional, Jacka, B., additional, Matthews, G.V., additional, Wang, G.P., additional, Pawlotsky, J.-M., additional, Feld, J.J., additional, Schinkel, J., additional, Garcia, F., additional, Lennerstrand, J., additional, and Applegate, T.L., additional
- Published
- 2017
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15. HIV infection and hepatitis C virus genotype 1a are associated with phylogenetic clustering among people with recently acquired hepatitis C virus infection
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Bartlett, SR, Jacka, B, Bull, RA, Luciani, F, Matthews, GV, Lamoury, FMJ, Hellard, ME, Hajarizadeh, B, Teutsch, S, White, B, Maher, L, Dore, GJ, Lloyd, AR, Grebely, J, Applegate, TL, Bartlett, SR, Jacka, B, Bull, RA, Luciani, F, Matthews, GV, Lamoury, FMJ, Hellard, ME, Hajarizadeh, B, Teutsch, S, White, B, Maher, L, Dore, GJ, Lloyd, AR, Grebely, J, and Applegate, TL
- Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with phylogenetic clustering among people with recently acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Participants with available sample at time of HCV detection were selected from three studies; the Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C, the Hepatitis C Incidence and Transmission Study - Prison and Community. HCV RNA was extracted and Core to E2 region of HCV sequenced. Clusters were identified from maximum likelihood trees with 1000 bootstrap replicates using 90% bootstrap and 5% genetic distance threshold. Among 225 participants with available Core-E2 sequence (ATAHC, n=113; HITS-p, n. = 90; and HITS-c, n=22), HCV genotype prevalence was: G1a: 38% (n=86), G1b: 5% (n=12), G2a: 1% (n=2), G2b: 5% (n=11), G3a: 48% (n=109), G6a: 1% (n=2) and G6l 1% (n=3). Of participants included in phylogenetic trees, 22% of participants were in a pair/cluster (G1a-35%, 30/85, mean maximum genetic distance. = 0.031; G3a-11%, 12/106, mean maximum genetic distance =0.021; other genotypes-21%, 6/28, mean maximum genetic distance= 0.023). Among HCV/HIV co-infected participants, 50% (18/36) were in a pair/cluster, compared to 16% (30/183) with HCV mono-infection (P=<. 0.001). Factors independently associated with phylogenetic clustering were HIV co-infection [vs. HCV mono-infection; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.24; 95%CI 1.91, 9.39], and HCV G1a infection (vs. other HCV genotypes; AOR 3.33, 95%CI 0.14, 0.61).HCV treatment and prevention strategies, including enhanced antiviral therapy, should be optimised. The impact of targeting of HCV treatment as prevention to populations with higher phylogenetic clustering, such as those with HIV co-infection, could be explored through mathematical modelling.
- Published
- 2016
16. Venue-based networks may underpin HCV transmissions amongst HIV-infected gay and bisexual men
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Bradshaw, D, Raghwani, J, Jacka, B, Sacks-Davis, R, Lamoury, F, Down, I, Prestage, G, Applegate, TL, Hellard, M, Sasadeusz, J, Dore, GJ, Pybus, OG, Matthews, GV, Danta, M, Bradshaw, D, Raghwani, J, Jacka, B, Sacks-Davis, R, Lamoury, F, Down, I, Prestage, G, Applegate, TL, Hellard, M, Sasadeusz, J, Dore, GJ, Pybus, OG, Matthews, GV, and Danta, M
- Abstract
Background This study aimed to investigate the potential influence of venue-based networks on HCV transmission in HIV-positive gay and bisexual men (GBM). Methods This was a prospectively recruited cohort of HIV-infected GBM with recently-acquired HCV infection resident in Melbourne and Sydney. Clinical and demographic data were collected together with blood samples for HCV sequencing. Phylogenies were inferred and clusters of individuals infected with HCV with genetic sequence homology were identified. Venues used for sourcing sexual partners were identified; sourcing partners from the same venue was considered a potential social link. Using the Jaccard similarity coefficient, associations were identified between the network of sites where men sourced sex partners and transmission relationships as defined by phylogenetic clustering. Results Forty individuals were recruited, of whom 62.5%were considered to have sexually-and 37.5% IDU-acquired HCV. Venue use was consistent with men being members of a more sexually adventurous gay community subculture. Six phylogenetically-determined pairs or clusters were identified, comprising fifteen (15/28, 53.6%) individuals. Participants belonging to phylogenetic clusters were observed within the same networks. There was a significant correlation between the network and phylogenetic clustering when both cities were considered simultaneously (p = 0.005), raising the possibility that social connections may be important for HCV transmissions. Conclusions Venue-based network elicitation is a promising approach for elucidating HCV transmissions amongst HIV-infected GBM. Public health approaches targeting individuals and venues prominent within networks may reduce onward HCV transmission.
- Published
- 2016
17. Transmission of hepatitis C virus infection among younger and older people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada
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Jacka, B, Applegate, T, Poon, AF, Raghwani, J, Harrigan, PR, Debeck, K, Milloy, MJ, Krajden, M, Olmstead, A, Joy, JB, Marshall, BDL, Hayashi, K, Pybus, OG, Lima, VD, Magiorkinis, G, Montaner, J, Lamoury, F, Dore, GJ, Wood, E, Grebely, J, Jacka, B, Applegate, T, Poon, AF, Raghwani, J, Harrigan, PR, Debeck, K, Milloy, MJ, Krajden, M, Olmstead, A, Joy, JB, Marshall, BDL, Hayashi, K, Pybus, OG, Lima, VD, Magiorkinis, G, Montaner, J, Lamoury, F, Dore, GJ, Wood, E, and Grebely, J
- Abstract
Background & Aims Understanding HCV transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) is important for designing prevention strategies. This study investigated whether HCV infection among younger injectors occurs from few or many transmission events from older injectors to younger injectors among PWID in Vancouver, Canada. Methods HCV antibody positive participants at enrolment or follow-up (1996-2012) were tested for HCV RNA and sequenced (Core-E2). Time-stamped phylogenetic trees were inferred using Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis Sampling Trees (BEAST). Association of age with phylogeny was tested using statistics implemented in the software Bayesian Tip Significance (BaTS) testing. Factors associated with clustering (maximum cluster age: five years) were identified using logistic regression. Results Among 699 participants with HCV subtype 1a, 1b, 2b and 3a infection (26% female, 24% HIV+): 21% were younger (<27 years), and 10% had recent HCV seroconversion. When inferred cluster age was limited to <5 years, 15% (n = 108) were in clusters/pairs. Although a moderate degree of segregation was observed between younger and older participants, there was also transmission between age groups. Younger age (<27 vs. >40, AOR: 3.14; 95% CI: 1.54, 6.39), HIV (AOR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.22, 3.18) and subtype 3a (AOR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.33, 3.38) were independently associated with clustering. Conclusions In this population of PWID from Vancouver, HCV among young injectors was seeded from many transmission events between HCV-infected older and younger injectors. Phylogenetic clustering was associated with younger age and HIV. These data suggest that HCV transmission among PWID is complex, with transmission occurring between and among older and younger PWID.
- Published
- 2016
18. Deep sequencing increases hepatitis C virus phylogenetic cluster detection compared to Sanger sequencing
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Montoya, V, Olmstead, A, Tang, P, Cook, D, Janjua, N, Grebely, J, Jacka, B, Poon, AFY, Krajden, M, Montoya, V, Olmstead, A, Tang, P, Cook, D, Janjua, N, Grebely, J, Jacka, B, Poon, AFY, and Krajden, M
- Abstract
Effective surveillance and treatment strategies are required to control the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic. Phylogenetic analyses are powerful tools for reconstructing the evolutionary history of viral outbreaks and identifying transmission clusters. These studies often rely on Sanger sequencing which typically generates a single consensus sequence for each infected individual. For rapidly mutating viruses such as HCV, consensus sequencing underestimates the complexity of the viral quasispecies population and could therefore generate different phylogenetic tree topologies. Although deep sequencing provides a more detailed quasispecies characterization, in-depth phylogenetic analyses are challenging due to dataset complexity and computational limitations. Here, we apply deep sequencing to a characterized population to assess its ability to identify phylogenetic clusters compared with consensus Sanger sequencing. For deep sequencing, a sample specific threshold determined by the 50th percentile of the patristic distance distribution for all variants within each individual was used to identify clusters. Among seven patristic distance thresholds tested for the Sanger sequence phylogeny ranging from 0.005-0.06, a threshold of 0.03 was found to provide the maximum balance between positive agreement (samples in a cluster) and negative agreement (samples not in a cluster) relative to the deep sequencing dataset. From 77 HCV seroconverters, 10 individuals were identified in phylogenetic clusters using both methods. Deep sequencing analysis identified an additional 4 individuals and excluded 8 other individuals relative to Sanger sequencing. The application of this deep sequencing approach could be a more effective tool to understand onward HCV transmission dynamics compared with Sanger sequencing, since the incorporation of minority sequence variants improves the discrimination of phylogenetically linked clusters.
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- 2016
19. Venue-Based Networks May Underpin HCV Transmissions amongst HIV-Infected Gay and Bisexual Men
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Caylà, JA, Bradshaw, D, Raghwani, J, Jacka, B, Sacks-Davis, R, Lamoury, F, Down, I, Prestage, G, Applegate, TL, Hellard, M, Sasadeusz, J, Dore, GJ, Pybus, OG, Matthews, GV, Danta, M, Caylà, JA, Bradshaw, D, Raghwani, J, Jacka, B, Sacks-Davis, R, Lamoury, F, Down, I, Prestage, G, Applegate, TL, Hellard, M, Sasadeusz, J, Dore, GJ, Pybus, OG, Matthews, GV, and Danta, M
- Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the potential influence of venue-based networks on HCV transmission in HIV-positive gay and bisexual men (GBM). METHODS: This was a prospectively recruited cohort of HIV-infected GBM with recently-acquired HCV infection resident in Melbourne and Sydney. Clinical and demographic data were collected together with blood samples for HCV sequencing. Phylogenies were inferred and clusters of individuals infected with HCV with genetic sequence homology were identified. Venues used for sourcing sexual partners were identified; sourcing partners from the same venue was considered a potential social link. Using the Jaccard similarity coefficient, associations were identified between the network of sites where men sourced sex partners and transmission relationships as defined by phylogenetic clustering. RESULTS: Forty individuals were recruited, of whom 62.5% were considered to have sexually- and 37.5% IDU-acquired HCV. Venue use was consistent with men being members of a more sexually adventurous gay community subculture. Six phylogenetically-determined pairs or clusters were identified, comprising fifteen (15/28, 53.6%) individuals. Participants belonging to phylogenetic clusters were observed within the same networks. There was a significant correlation between the network and phylogenetic clustering when both cities were considered simultaneously (p = 0.005), raising the possibility that social connections may be important for HCV transmissions. CONCLUSIONS: Venue-based network elicitation is a promising approach for elucidating HCV transmissions amongst HIV-infected GBM. Public health approaches targeting individuals and venues prominent within networks may reduce onward HCV transmission.
- Published
- 2016
20. THU-416 - Evaluation of a hepatitis C virus core antigen assay in dried-blood spots: a cohort study
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Lamoury, F., Bajis, S., Martinez, D., Mowat, Y., Jayasinghe, I., Martinez, M., Cunningham, P., Catlett, B., Jacka, B., Marks, P., Grebely, J., Cloherty, G., Dore, G., and Applegate, T.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. Health care engagement behaviors of men who use performance- and image-enhancing drugs in Australia
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Jacka, B., Larance, B., Copeland, J., Burns, L., Farrell, M., Jackson, E., and Degenhardt, L.
- Abstract
AbstractBackground:Although people who inject performance- and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) report fewer unsafe injecting practices, stigma and discrimination may negatively impact their access to help and information. Engagement with health care services, compared with social networks (friends, relatives, and gym associates) and the Internet and media (steroid user forums, information sites, and magazines), may be important for harm minimization. Methods:A cross-sectional Internet or in-person survey of men who use PIEDs in Australia in 2014–2015 examined differences in sources for PIEDs, injecting equipment, and anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) information and factors associated with having periodical medical checks related to PIEDs issues using multivariate logistic regression. Results:In total, 267 men (mean age: 25 years, SD: 8.7 years; 246 of 267 [92%] reported recent AAS injection) were recruited. Most participants sourced injecting equipment from health professionals, PIEDs from their social networks, and AAS information from the Internet and media. Self-reported AAS knowledge was high and frequent. Higher income (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 4.00), ≥2 different PIEDs used in addition to AAS (AOR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.08, 3.49), and sourcing AAS information from health care professionals (AOR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.81, 5.46) were independently associated with periodical medical checks. Participants nominated preference for improved health services through needle-syringe programs, primary care services, and peer educator support groups. Conclusion: Men who use PIEDs in Australia consider themselves well informed but tend to use Internet and media sources, providing potentially misleading or inaccurate information. Increasing trust between men who use PIEDs and health care providers may enable delivery of PIEDs-specific information to those at greatest need.
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- 2020
- Full Text
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22. Interferon λ 3 and 4 genotyping using high-resolution melt curve analysis suitable for multiple clinical sample types
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Lamoury, FMJ, Bartlett, S, Jacka, B, Hajarizadeh, B, Grebely, J, Matthews, GV, Dore, GJ, Applegate, TL, Lamoury, FMJ, Bartlett, S, Jacka, B, Hajarizadeh, B, Grebely, J, Matthews, GV, Dore, GJ, and Applegate, TL
- Abstract
Many people living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection will continue to rely on interferon-based regimens until effective strategies to minimize the cost of directly acting antivirals (DAAs) and to improve treatment access are implemented. Host single-nucleotide polymorphisms related to IFNL3 and IFNL4 are associated with spontaneous clearance of HCV, and pegylated interferon- and DAA-based treatment outcomes. We describe a simple and rapid genotyping method for IFNL rs12979860, rs8099917, and rs368234815 using high-resolution melting analysis for DNA extracted from whole blood, buffy coat, plasma, serum, and dried blood spots. This assay successfully detected all three polymorphisms on DNA extracted by the automated platform easyMAG from all samples when compared to sequenced amplicons. Analysis of 126 participants with recent HCV infection from the Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C study demonstrated the prevalence of favorable single-nucleotide polymorphisms were 62%, 51%, and 45% for rs8099917 TT, rs12979860 CC, and rs368234815 TT/TT, respectively. The genotyping assay described here provides a rapid and affordable IFNL3 and IFNL4 genotyping method for a range of clinical sample types. Until global access to DAAs is achieved, IFNL3 and IFNL4 genotyping could identify those likely to clear naturally and in whom treatment could be delayed, or help prioritize DAA treatment to those less likely to respond to interferon-containing regimens.
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- 2015
23. A molecular phylogenetics-based approach for identifying recent hepatitis C virus transmission events
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Olmstead, AD, Joy, JB, Montoya, V, Luo, I, Poon, AFY, Jacka, B, Lamoury, F, Applegate, T, Montaner, J, Khudyakov, Y, Grebely, J, Cook, D, Harrigan, PR, Krajden, M, Olmstead, AD, Joy, JB, Montoya, V, Luo, I, Poon, AFY, Jacka, B, Lamoury, F, Applegate, T, Montaner, J, Khudyakov, Y, Grebely, J, Cook, D, Harrigan, PR, and Krajden, M
- Abstract
© 2015 The Authors. Improved surveillance methods are needed to better understand the current hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease burden and to monitor the impact of prevention and treatment interventions on HCV transmission dynamics. Sanger sequencing (HCV NS5B, HVR1 and Core-E1-HVR1) and phylogenetics were applied to samples from individuals diagnosed with HCV in British Columbia, Canada in 2011. This included individuals with two or three sequential samples collected <1. year apart. Patristic distances between sequential samples were used to set cutoffs to identify recent transmission clusters. Factors associated with transmission clustering were analyzed using logistic regression. From 618 individuals, 646 sequences were obtained. Depending on the cutoff used, 63 (10%) to 92 (15%) unique individuals were identified within transmission clusters of predicted recent origin. Clustered individuals were more likely to be <40. years old (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 2.12, 95% CI 1.21-3.73), infected with genotype 1a (AOR 6.60, 95% CI 1.98-41.0), and to be seroconverters with estimated infection duration of <1. year (AOR 3.13, 95% CI 1.29-7.36) or >1. year (AOR 2.19, 95% CI 1.22-3.97).Conclusion: Systematic application of molecular phylogenetics may be used to enhance traditional surveillance methods through identification of recent transmission clusters.
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- 2015
24. Injecting risk behaviours following treatment for hepatitis C virus infection among people who inject drugs: The Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C.
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Dolan K., Baker D., Jacka B., Pan Y., Shaw D., Sasadeusz J., Crawford D., Phung N., George J., Bloch M., Hughes B., Mollison L., Roberts S., Desmond P., Alavi M., Spelman T., Matthews G.V., Haber P.S., Day C., van Beek I., Walsh N., Yeung B., Bruneau J., Petoumenos K., Kaldor J., Dore G.J., Hellard M., Grebely J., Acraman B., Amin J., Doab A., Carroll T., Teutsch S., Li H., Oon A., Cameron B., Lloyd A., White P., Rawlinson W., Goy K., Nguyen O., von Bibra S., Ffrench R., McCaughan G., Madden A., Farrell G., Crofts N., Sievert W., Dolan K., Baker D., Jacka B., Pan Y., Shaw D., Sasadeusz J., Crawford D., Phung N., George J., Bloch M., Hughes B., Mollison L., Roberts S., Desmond P., Alavi M., Spelman T., Matthews G.V., Haber P.S., Day C., van Beek I., Walsh N., Yeung B., Bruneau J., Petoumenos K., Kaldor J., Dore G.J., Hellard M., Grebely J., Acraman B., Amin J., Doab A., Carroll T., Teutsch S., Li H., Oon A., Cameron B., Lloyd A., White P., Rawlinson W., Goy K., Nguyen O., von Bibra S., Ffrench R., McCaughan G., Madden A., Farrell G., Crofts N., and Sievert W.
- Abstract
Background: A barrier to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID) has been a concern that interferon-based HCV treatment may increase injecting risk behaviours. This study evaluated recent (past month) injecting risk behaviours during follow-up among PWID that did and did not receive HCV treatment. Method(s): The Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C (ATAHC) was a prospective study of natural history and treatment of recent HCV infection. Analyses were performed using generalized estimating equations. Result(s): Among 124 participants with a history of injecting drug use (median age 32 years), 69% were male, and 68% were treated for HCV infection. HCV treatment was not associated with an increase in recent injecting drug use (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.06, 95% CI 0.93, 1.21) or recent used needle and syringe borrowing during follow-up (aOR 0.99, 95% CI 0.89, 1.08). HCV treatment was associated with a decrease in recent ancillary injecting equipment sharing during follow-up (aOR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74, 0.99). Further, among treated participants who remained in follow-up (n= 24), ancillary injecting equipment sharing significantly decreased from 54% at enrolment to 17% during follow-up (P= 0.012). Conclusion(s): HCV treatment was not associated with drug use or used needle and syringe borrowing during follow-up, but was associated with decreased ancillary injecting equipment sharing during follow-up. Programs to enhance HCV assessment and treatment among PWID should be expanded, given that HCV treatment does not lead to increases in injecting risk behaviours and has previously been demonstrated to be safe and effective among PWID.Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V.
- Published
- 2015
25. Potential role for interleukin-28B genotype in treatment decision-making in recent hepatitis C virus infection.
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Pan Y., Bloch M., Hughes B., Mollison L., Roberts S., Desmond P., George J., Sievert W., Grebely J., Petoumenos K., Hellard M., Matthews G.V., Suppiah V., Applegate T., Yeung B., Marks P., Rawlinson W., Lloyd A.R., Booth D., Kaldor J.M., Dore G.J., Lloyd A., Haber P., Ffrench R., White P., Day C., van Beek I., McCaughan G., Madden A., Dolan K., Farrell G., Crofts N., Baker D., Acraman B., Amin J., Doab A., Carroll T., Nguyen O., von Bibra S., Teutsch S., Li H., Oon A., Cameron B., Jacka B., Flynn J., Goy K., Shaw D., Sasadeusz J., Crawford D., Phung N., Pan Y., Bloch M., Hughes B., Mollison L., Roberts S., Desmond P., George J., Sievert W., Grebely J., Petoumenos K., Hellard M., Matthews G.V., Suppiah V., Applegate T., Yeung B., Marks P., Rawlinson W., Lloyd A.R., Booth D., Kaldor J.M., Dore G.J., Lloyd A., Haber P., Ffrench R., White P., Day C., van Beek I., McCaughan G., Madden A., Dolan K., Farrell G., Crofts N., Baker D., Acraman B., Amin J., Doab A., Carroll T., Nguyen O., von Bibra S., Teutsch S., Li H., Oon A., Cameron B., Jacka B., Flynn J., Goy K., Shaw D., Sasadeusz J., Crawford D., and Phung N.
- Abstract
Polymorphisms in the IL28B (interleukin-28B) gene region are important in predicting outcome following therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We evaluated the role of IL28B in spontaneous and treatment-induced clearance following recent HCV infection. The Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C (ATAHC) was a study of the natural history and treatment of recent HCV, as defined by positive anti-HCV antibody, preceded by either acute clinical HCV infection within the prior 12 months or seroconversion within the prior 24 months. Factors associated with spontaneous and treatment-induced HCV clearance, including variations in IL28B, were assessed. Among 163 participants, 132 were untreated (n = 52) or had persistent infection (infection duration >=26 weeks) at treatment initiation (n = 80). Spontaneous clearance was observed in 23% (30 of 132 participants). In Cox proportional hazards analysis (without IL28B), HCV seroconversion illness with jaundice was the only factor predicting spontaneous clearance (adjusted hazards ratio = 2.86; 95% confidence interval = 1.24, 6.59; P = 0.014). Among participants with IL28B genotyping (n = 102 of 163 overall and 79 of 132 for the spontaneous clearance population), rs8099917 TT homozygosity (versus GT/GG) was the only factor independently predicting time to spontaneous clearance (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.78; 95% confidence interval = 1.04, 13.76; P = 0.044). Participants with seroconversion illness with jaundice were more frequently rs8099917 TT homozygotes than other (GG/GT) genotypes (32% versus 5%, P = 0.047). Among participants adherent to treatment and who had IL28B genotyping (n = 54), sustained virologicresponse was similar among TT homozygotes (18 of 29 participants, 62%) and those with GG/GT genotype (16 of 25, 64%, P = 0.884). Conclusion(s): During recent HCV infection, genetic variations in IL28B region were associated with spontaneous but not treatmentinduced clearance. Early therapeutic intervention could b
- Published
- 2015
26. Injecting risk behaviours following treatment for hepatitis C virus infection among people who inject drugs: The Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C
- Author
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Alavi, M, Spelman, T, Matthews, GV, Haber, PS, Day, C, van Beek, I, Walsh, N, Yeung, B, Bruneau, J, Petoumenos, K, Dolan, K, Kaldor, JM, Dore, GJ, Hellard, M, Grebely, J, Marks, P, Amin, J, Doab, A, Carroll, T, Teutsch, S, Li, H, Oon, A, Cameron, B, Lloyd, A, White, P, Rawlinson, W, Jacqueline Flynn, Goy, K, Nguyen, O, von Bibra, S, Ffrench, R, McCaughan, G, Madden, A, Farrell, G, Crofts, N, Sievert, W, Baker, D, Jacka, B, Pan, Y, Shaw, D, Sasadeusz, J, Crawford, D, Phung, N, George, J, Bloch, M, Hughes, B, Mollison, L, Roberts, S, Desmond, P, Alavi, M, Spelman, T, Matthews, GV, Haber, PS, Day, C, van Beek, I, Walsh, N, Yeung, B, Bruneau, J, Petoumenos, K, Dolan, K, Kaldor, JM, Dore, GJ, Hellard, M, Grebely, J, Marks, P, Amin, J, Doab, A, Carroll, T, Teutsch, S, Li, H, Oon, A, Cameron, B, Lloyd, A, White, P, Rawlinson, W, Jacqueline Flynn, Goy, K, Nguyen, O, von Bibra, S, Ffrench, R, McCaughan, G, Madden, A, Farrell, G, Crofts, N, Sievert, W, Baker, D, Jacka, B, Pan, Y, Shaw, D, Sasadeusz, J, Crawford, D, Phung, N, George, J, Bloch, M, Hughes, B, Mollison, L, Roberts, S, and Desmond, P
- Abstract
Background: A barrier to hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment among people who inject drugs (PWID) has been a concern that interferon-based HCV treatment may increase injecting risk behaviours. This study evaluated recent (past month) injecting risk behaviours during follow-up among PWID that did and did not receive HCV treatment. Methods: The Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C (ATAHC) was a prospective study of natural history and treatment of recent HCV infection. Analyses were performed using generalized estimating equations. Results: Among 124 participants with a history of injecting drug use (median age 32 years), 69% were male, and 68% were treated for HCV infection. HCV treatment was not associated with an increase in recent injecting drug use (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.06, 95% CI 0.93, 1.21) or recent used needle and syringe borrowing during follow-up (aOR 0.99, 95% CI 0.89, 1.08). HCV treatment was associated with a decrease in recent ancillary injecting equipment sharing during follow-up (aOR 0.85, 95% CI 0.74, 0.99). Further, among treated participants who remained in follow-up (n= 24), ancillary injecting equipment sharing significantly decreased from 54% at enrolment to 17% during follow-up (P= 0.012). Conclusions: HCV treatment was not associated with drug use or used needle and syringe borrowing during follow-up, but was associated with decreased ancillary injecting equipment sharing during follow-up. Programs to enhance HCV assessment and treatment among PWID should be expanded, given that HCV treatment does not lead to increases in injecting risk behaviours and has previously been demonstrated to be safe and effective among PWID.
- Published
- 2015
27. Methamphetamine injecting is associated with phylogenetic clustering of hepatitis C virus infection among street-involved youth in Vancouver, Canada
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Cunningham, EB, Jacka, B, DeBeck, K, Applegate, TL, Harrigan, PR, Krajden, M, Marshall, BDL, Montaner, J, Lima, VD, Olmstead, AD, Milloy, MJ, Wood, E, Grebely, J, Cunningham, EB, Jacka, B, DeBeck, K, Applegate, TL, Harrigan, PR, Krajden, M, Marshall, BDL, Montaner, J, Lima, VD, Olmstead, AD, Milloy, MJ, Wood, E, and Grebely, J
- Abstract
Background: Among prospective cohorts of people who inject drugs (PWID), phylogenetic clustering of HCV infection has been observed. However, the majority of studies have included older PWID, representing distant transmission events. The aim of this study was to investigate phylogenetic clustering of HCV infection among a cohort of street-involved youth. Methods: Data were derived from a prospective cohort of street-involved youth aged 14-26 recruited between 2005 and 2012 in Vancouver, Canada (At Risk Youth Study, ARYS). HCV RNA testing and sequencing (Core-E2) were performed on HCV positive participants. Phylogenetic trees were inferred using maximum likelihood methods and clusters were identified using ClusterPicker (Core-E2 without HVR1, 90% bootstrap threshold, 0.05 genetic distance threshold). Results: Among 945 individuals enrolled in ARYS, 16% (n=149, 100% recent injectors) were HCV antibody positive at baseline interview (n=86) or seroconverted during follow-up (n=63). Among HCV antibody positive participants with available samples (n=131), 75% (n=98) had detectable HCV RNA and 66% (n=65, mean age 23, 58% with recent methamphetamine injection, 31% female, 3% HIV+) had available Core-E2 sequences. Of those with Core-E2 sequence, 14% (n=9) were in a cluster (one cluster of three) or pair (two pairs), with all reporting recent methamphetamine injection. Recent methamphetamine injection was associated with membership in a cluster or pair (P=0.009). Conclusion: In this study of street-involved youth with HCV infection and recent injecting, 14% demonstrated phylogenetic clustering. Phylogenetic clustering was associated with recent methamphetamine injection, suggesting that methamphetamine drug injection may play an important role in networks of HCV transmission.
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- 2015
28. The influence of hepatitis C virus genetic region on phylogenetic clustering analysis
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Lamoury, FMJ, Jacka, B, Bartlett, S, Bull, RA, Wong, A, Amin, J, Schinkel, J, Poon, AF, Matthews, GV, Grebely, J, Dore, GJ, Applegate, TL, Lamoury, FMJ, Jacka, B, Bartlett, S, Bull, RA, Wong, A, Amin, J, Schinkel, J, Poon, AF, Matthews, GV, Grebely, J, Dore, GJ, and Applegate, TL
- Abstract
Sequencing is important for understanding the molecular epidemiology and viral evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. To date, there is little standardisation among sequencing protocols, in-part due to the high genetic diversity that is observed within HCV. This study aimed to develop a novel, practical sequencing protocol that covered both conserved and variable regions of the viral genome and assess the influence of each subregion, sequence concatenation and unrelated reference sequences on phylogenetic clustering analysis. The Core to the hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of envelope-2 (E2) and non-structural- 5B (NS5B) regions of the HCV genome were amplified and sequenced from participants from the Australian Trial in Acute Hepatitis C (ATAHC), a prospective study of the natural history and treatment of recent HCV infection. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using a general time-reversible substitution model and sensitivity analyses were completed for every subregion. Pairwise distance, genetic distance and bootstrap support were computed to assess the impact of HCV region on clustering results as measured by the identification and percentage of participants falling within all clusters, cluster size, average patristic distance, and bootstrap value. The Robinson-Foulds metrics was also used to compare phylogenetic trees among the different HCV regions. Our results demonstrated that the genomic region of HCV analysed influenced phylogenetic tree topology and clustering results. The HCV Core region alone was not suitable for clustering analysis; NS5B concatenation, the inclusion of reference sequences and removal of HVR1 all influenced clustering outcome. The Core-E2 region, which represented the highest genetic diversity and longest sequence length in this study, provides an ideal method for clustering analysis to address a range of molecular epidemiological questions. Copyright
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- 2015
29. Hepatitis C virus network dynamics among people who inject drugs in Vancouver, Canada
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Jacka, B, Poon, A, Applegate, TL, Krajden, M, Olmstead, A, Harrigan, R, Marshall, BD, DeBeck, K, Milloy, M-J, Lamoury, F, Pybus, O, Lima, V, Magiorkinis, G, Montoya, V, Montaner, J, Joy, J, Dore, GJ, Kerr, T, Wood, E, Grebely, J, Jacka, B, Poon, A, Applegate, TL, Krajden, M, Olmstead, A, Harrigan, R, Marshall, BD, DeBeck, K, Milloy, M-J, Lamoury, F, Pybus, O, Lima, V, Magiorkinis, G, Montoya, V, Montaner, J, Joy, J, Dore, GJ, Kerr, T, Wood, E, and Grebely, J
- Published
- 2014
30. A novel method comparing sexual networks with the HCV phylogeny in HIV-positive MSM with acute HCV infection identifies two potential intervention targets for permucosally transmitted HCV in Australia
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Bradshaw, D, Jacka, B, Sacks-Davis, R, Lamoury, F, Applegate, T, Dore, G, Down, I, Luciani, F, Hellard, M, Sasadeusz, J, Danta, M, Matthews, G, Bradshaw, D, Jacka, B, Sacks-Davis, R, Lamoury, F, Applegate, T, Dore, G, Down, I, Luciani, F, Hellard, M, Sasadeusz, J, Danta, M, and Matthews, G
- Published
- 2014
31. TEMPORAL CHANGES IN HEPATITIS C VIRUS GENOTYPE 3A DISTRIBUTION AMONG PEOPLE WHO INJECT DRUGS IN VANCOUVER, CANADA
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Jacka, B, Applegate, T, Poon, AF, Harrigan, R, Dore, GJ, Olmstead, A, DeBeck, K, Milloy, M-J, Lamoury, F, Woods, C, Brumme, Z, Dobrer, S, Lima, VD, Montaner, J, Joy, J, Marshall, BD, Kerr, T, Wood, E, Krajden, M, Grebely, J, Jacka, B, Applegate, T, Poon, AF, Harrigan, R, Dore, GJ, Olmstead, A, DeBeck, K, Milloy, M-J, Lamoury, F, Woods, C, Brumme, Z, Dobrer, S, Lima, VD, Montaner, J, Joy, J, Marshall, BD, Kerr, T, Wood, E, Krajden, M, and Grebely, J
- Published
- 2014
32. THU-303 - Systematic review & expert guidance on methods for sequencing of hepatitis C virus for detection of direct-acting antiviral resistance
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Bartlett, S.R., Grebely, J., Eltahla, A.A., Reeves, J.D., Howe, A., Miller, V., Bull, R.A., Ceccherini-Silberstein, F., Douglas, M.W., Dore, G.J., Harrington, P., Lloyd, A.R., Jacka, B., Matthews, G.V., Wang, G.P., Pawlotsky, J.-M., Feld, J.J., Schinkel, J., Garcia, F., Lennerstrand, J., and Applegate, T.L.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
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33. P762 TEMPORAL CHANGES IN HEPATITIS C VIRUS GENOTYPE 3A DISTRIBUTION AMONG PEOPLE WHO INJECT DRUGS IN VANCOUVER, CANADA
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Jacka, B., primary, Applegate, T., additional, Poon, A.F., additional, Harrigan, R., additional, Dore, G.J., additional, Olmstead, A., additional, DeBeck, K., additional, Milloy, M.-J., additional, Lamoury, F., additional, Woods, C., additional, Brumme, Z., additional, Dobrer, S., additional, Dias Lima, V., additional, Montaner, J., additional, Joy, J., additional, Marshall, B.D., additional, Kerr, T., additional, Wood, E., additional, Krajden, M., additional, and Grebely, J., additional
- Published
- 2014
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34. A novel method comparing sexual networks with the HCV phylogeny in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) with acute HCV infection identifies two potential intervention targets for permucosally-transmitted HCV
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Bradshaw, D, Jacka, B, Sacks-Davis, R, Lamoury, F, Applegate, TL, Dore, GJ, Down, I, Luciani, F, Hellard, M, Sasadeusz, J, Danta, M, Matthews, G, Bradshaw, D, Jacka, B, Sacks-Davis, R, Lamoury, F, Applegate, TL, Dore, GJ, Down, I, Luciani, F, Hellard, M, Sasadeusz, J, Danta, M, and Matthews, G
- Published
- 2013
35. Sequencing of the Hepatitis C Virus: A Systematic Review
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Jacka, B, Lamoury, F, Simmonds, P, Dore, GJ, Grebely, J, Applegate, T, Jacka, B, Lamoury, F, Simmonds, P, Dore, GJ, Grebely, J, and Applegate, T
- Abstract
Since the identification of hepatitis C virus (HCV), viral sequencing has been important in understanding HCV classification, epidemiology, evolution, transmission clustering, treatment response and natural history. The length and diversity of the HCV genome has resulted in analysis of certain regions of the virus, however there has been little standardisation of protocols. This systematic review was undertaken to map the location and frequency of sequencing on the HCV genome in peer reviewed publications, with the aim to produce a database of sequencing primers and amplicons to inform future research. Medline and Scopus databases were searched for English language publications based on keyword/MeSH terms related to sequence analysis (9 terms) or HCV (3 terms), plus "primer" as a general search term. Exclusion criteria included non-HCV research, review articles, duplicate records, and incomplete description of HCV sequencing methods. The PCR primer locations of accepted publications were noted, and purpose of sequencing was determined. A total of 450 studies were accepted from the 2099 identified, with 629 HCV sequencing amplicons identified and mapped on the HCV genome. The most commonly sequenced region was the HVR-1 region, often utilised for studies of natural history, clustering/transmission, evolution and treatment response. Studies related to genotyping/classification or epidemiology of HCV genotype generally targeted the 5′UTR, Core and NS5B regions, while treatment response/resistance was assessed mainly in the NS3-NS5B region with emphasis on the Interferon sensitivity determining region (ISDR) region of NS5A. While the sequencing of HCV is generally constricted to certain regions of the HCV genome there is little consistency in the positioning of sequencing primers, with the exception of a few highly referenced manuscripts. This study demonstrates the heterogeneity of HCV sequencing, providing a comprehensive database of previously published primer sets t
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- 2013
36. Effect of pegylated interferon-alpha-2a treatment on mental health during recent hepatitis C virus infection.
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Sasadeusz J., Farrell G., Crofts N., Sievert W., Baker D., Desmond P., Shaw D., Crawford D., Phung N., George J., Bloch M., Hughes B., Mollison L., Roberts S., Alavi M., Grebely J., Matthews G.V., Petoumenos K., Yeung B., Day C., Lloyd A.R., van Beek I., Kaldor J.M., Hellard M., Dore G.J., Haber P.S., Marks P., Acraman B., Amin J., Doab A., Carroll T., Ffrench R., Flynn J., Goy K., Nguyen O., von Bibra S., White P., Li H., Oon A., Cameron B., Rawlinson W., Dolan K., Jacka B., Pan Y., Haber P., McCaughan G., Madden A., Sasadeusz J., Farrell G., Crofts N., Sievert W., Baker D., Desmond P., Shaw D., Crawford D., Phung N., George J., Bloch M., Hughes B., Mollison L., Roberts S., Alavi M., Grebely J., Matthews G.V., Petoumenos K., Yeung B., Day C., Lloyd A.R., van Beek I., Kaldor J.M., Hellard M., Dore G.J., Haber P.S., Marks P., Acraman B., Amin J., Doab A., Carroll T., Ffrench R., Flynn J., Goy K., Nguyen O., von Bibra S., White P., Li H., Oon A., Cameron B., Rawlinson W., Dolan K., Jacka B., Pan Y., Haber P., McCaughan G., and Madden A.
- Abstract
Background and Aim: Pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has neuropsychiatric side effects. Data on the effect of HCV treatment on mental health among injecting drug users (IDUs) are limited. We assessed mental health during treatment of recently acquired HCV, within a predominantly IDU population. Method(s): Participants with HCV received PEG-IFN-alpha-2a (180mug/week) for 24weeks; HCV/HIV received PEG-IFN with ribavirin. Depression was assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with depression at enrolment and during treatment. Also, the effect of depression prior to and during treatment on sustained virological response (SVR) was assessed. Result(s): Of 163 participants, 111 received treatment (HCV, n=74; HCV/HIV, n=37), with 76% ever reporting IDU. At enrolment, 16% had depression (n=25). In adjusted analysis, depression at enrolment occurred less often in participants full-/part-time employed (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06, 0.82, P=0.023) and more often in recent IDUs (AOR 3.04; 95% CI: 1.19, 7.72, P=0.019). During treatment, 35% (n=31) developed new-onset depression. In adjusted analysis, poorer social functioning (higher score) was associated with new-onset depression (score<=9 vs score>=17; OR 5.69; 95% CI: 1.61, 20.14, P=0.007). SVR was similar among participants with and without depression at enrolment (60% vs 61%, P=0.951) and in those with and without new-onset depression (74% vs 63%, P=0.293). Conclusion(s): Although depression at enrolment and during treatment was common among participants with recent HCV, neither influenced SVR. Participants with poor social functioning may be most at risk of developing depression during HCV therapy. © 2011 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.
- Published
- 2012
37. 1159 SEQUENCING THE HEPATITIS C VIRUS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
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Jacka, B., primary, Lamoury, F., additional, Simmonds, P., additional, Dore, G.J., additional, Grebely, J., additional, and Applegate, T., additional
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- 2013
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38. Egrule vs. Ruleg Teaching
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Jacka, B. T., primary and Hermann, G. D., additional
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- 1977
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39. Aging Concerns Related to Sexuality and Gender: HIV Prevention and Healthy Aging.
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Watson RJ, McCauley PS, Taylor A, Morgan E, Jacka B, and Eaton LA
- Abstract
Healthy aging is an important area of research across many populations, but less work has focused on this area among sexual and gender diverse individuals relative to the general population. On the whole, it is known that as the U.S. population ages, increasing attention is needed to understand the intersections between aging, health, and wellbeing. One area of consideration to address in regard to healthy aging is that of HIV prevention, in particular, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use. For the current study we assessed these factors in a cross-sectional survey designed to assess disease status and related risk factors among a sample of individuals ≥ 50 years of age (N = 794, M
age = 58.5, range = 50-88) who resided in a metropolitan area in Ohio, USA. Results demonstrated that as overall age increased, general aging concerns decreased. Although HIV status was not related to general aging concerns, in additional models, lifetime PrEP use and six-month PrEP use were both related to greater aging concerns. When evaluating sexual orientation-specific aging concerns, we noted the opposite direction in terms of its relationship with age; as these concerns increased so did age. Further, cisgender women, transgender women, transgender men, and those identifying with a different identity each reported greater sexual orientation related aging concerns compared with cisgender men. Based on the current findings, additional research is needed to more fully understand aging related concerns for older individuals who identify as sexual orientation diverse., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical Approval: Ethical All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The study was approved by The Ohio State University IRB. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Consent for Publication: Not applicable., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)- Published
- 2025
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40. Feasibility and Performance of a Point-of-Care Hepatitis C RNA Assay in a Community Supervision Cohort.
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Harvey L, Jacka B, Bazerman L, Thomas A, Moody M, Irvin R, and Beckwith CG
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- Humans, Male, Female, Middle Aged, Point-of-Care Systems, Adult, Cohort Studies, Point-of-Care Testing, Feasibility Studies, Hepatitis C diagnosis, RNA, Viral analysis, Hepacivirus genetics
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- 2024
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41. Improvement of immune dysregulation in individuals with long COVID at 24-months following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Phetsouphanh C, Jacka B, Ballouz S, Jackson KJL, Wilson DB, Manandhar B, Klemm V, Tan HX, Wheatley A, Aggarwal A, Akerman A, Milogiannakis V, Starr M, Cunningham P, Turville SG, Kent SJ, Byrne A, Brew BJ, Darley DR, Dore GJ, Kelleher AD, and Matthews GV
- Subjects
- Humans, CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Quality of Life, SARS-CoV-2, Antibodies, Viral, Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, COVID-19
- Abstract
This study investigates the humoral and cellular immune responses and health-related quality of life measures in individuals with mild to moderate long COVID (LC) compared to age and gender matched recovered COVID-19 controls (MC) over 24 months. LC participants show elevated nucleocapsid IgG levels at 3 months, and higher neutralizing capacity up to 8 months post-infection. Increased spike-specific and nucleocapsid-specific CD4
+ T cells, PD-1, and TIM-3 expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were observed at 3 and 8 months, but these differences do not persist at 24 months. Some LC participants had detectable IFN-γ and IFN-β, that was attributed to reinfection and antigen re-exposure. Single-cell RNA sequencing at the 24 month timepoint shows similar immune cell proportions and reconstitution of naïve T and B cell subsets in LC and MC. No significant differences in exhaustion scores or antigen-specific T cell clones are observed. These findings suggest resolution of immune activation in LC and return to comparable immune responses between LC and MC over time. Improvement in self-reported health-related quality of life at 24 months was also evident in the majority of LC (62%). PTX3, CRP levels and platelet count are associated with improvements in health-related quality of life., (© 2024. The Author(s).)- Published
- 2024
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42. Thirty-day Treatment Continuation After Audio-only Buprenorphine Telehealth Initiation.
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Wunsch C, Wightman R, Pratty C, Jacka B, Hallowell BD, Clark S, Davis CS, and Samuels EA
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- Humans, Analgesics, Opioid therapeutic use, Retrospective Studies, Opiate Substitution Treatment, Buprenorphine therapeutic use, Opioid-Related Disorders drug therapy, Opioid-Related Disorders complications, COVID-19, Substance Withdrawal Syndrome drug therapy, Telemedicine
- Abstract
Objectives: Before the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, federal law required in-person evaluation before buprenorphine initiation. Regulatory changes during the pandemic allow for buprenorphine initiation by audio-only or audiovisual telehealth. Little is known about treatment engagement after buprenorphine initiation conducted via audio-only telehealth., Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 94 individuals who received initial treatment through an audio-only encounter between April 2020 and February 2021 was performed. Participant demographics, substance use history, withdrawal symptoms, 30-day treatment engagement, and adverse outcomes were determined by an electronic chart and REDcap database review. Subsequent buprenorphine prescriptions filled within 30 days of the initial encounter were tracked through the Rhode Island Prescription Drug Monitoring Program., Results: Buprenorphine was prescribed for 94 individuals. Most (92 of 94 [97.9%]) filled their prescription within 30 days. Most had previously taken buprenorphine, including prescribed (42 of 92 [45.7%]) and nonprescribed (58 of 92 [63.0%]). Two thirds were in opioid withdrawal at the time of the call (61 of 92 [66.3%]) with a mean Subjective Opioid Withdrawal Scale of 26.8 (range, 4-57). Four individuals experienced precipitated withdrawal (4 of 94 [4.3%]), and 2 reported persistent withdrawal at their follow-up visit (2 of 94 [2.1%]). More than 70% filled a subsequent prescription for buprenorphine within 30 days of the end of their hotline prescription (65 of 92 [70.7%]), on average of 5.88 days (range, 0-28) after completion of their telehealth prescription., Conclusions: Expanding telehealth-delivered buprenorphine care has the potential to address treatment gaps and facilitate delivery of on-demand services during peak motivation. This evaluation of audio-only buprenorphine initiation found high rates of unobserved buprenorphine initiation and treatment continuation with low rates of complications., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 American Society of Addiction Medicine.)
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- 2023
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43. Tele-buprenorphine for emergency department overdose visit follow up and treatment initiation.
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Wightman RS, Jacka B, Uber J, McKenzie M, Reddy NG, Winters R, Jordison Keeler LA, and Samuels EA
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- Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Retrospective Studies, Buprenorphine therapeutic use, Drug Overdose drug therapy, Emergency Service, Hospital, Narcotic Antagonists therapeutic use, Opioid-Related Disorders drug therapy, Telemedicine
- Abstract
Introduction: An ED visit for opioid overdose may be a person's only contact with the medical and behavioral health care systems and is an important opportunity to reduce risk of subsequent overdose and death. While ED initiatives to engage people with opioid use disorder (OUD) are being increasingly implemented, there are significant gaps in the receipt of services at the time of the ED encounter., Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of an outreach pilot project providing real-time telehealth delivered buprenorphine initiation and referral to community harm reduction and addiction treatment services via a follow up telephone call to patients after an ED visit for an opioid overdose., Results: From January 2020 to April 2021 there were 606 patients with an ED visit for an opioid overdose eligible for a callback. Of the 606 eligible patients, 254/645 (42%) patients could be contacted and accepted service and/or treatment referrals. Fifteen patients were connected same-day to a buprenorphine prescriber for a telehealth encounter and, of connected patients, nine received a buprenorphine prescription., Conclusion: A post-ED follow up telephone call protocol is an opportunity to improve treatment engagement and access to buprenorphine for patients at high risk for opioid overdose and death., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All authors declarations of interest: none., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2021
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44. Race, ethnicity, and emergency department post-overdose care.
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Reddy NG, Jacka B, Ziobrowski HN, Wilson T, Lawrence A, Beaudoin FL, and Samuels EA
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- Cross-Sectional Studies, Emergency Service, Hospital, Ethnicity, Humans, United States, Drug Overdose drug therapy, Emergency Medical Services
- Abstract
Background: Emergency department (ED) visits for opioid-related overdoses continue to rise across the United States, particularly among Black, Latinx, and American Indian/Alaskan Native communities. A minority of people with opioid use disorder (OUD) engages in formal addiction treatment and there are racial disparities in treatment access. ED visits for opioid overdose are crucial opportunities to link individuals with OUD to harm reduction and treatment services. However, we know little about whether racial inequities exist in ED treatment after opioid overdose., Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study examined differences in services provided to overdose patients who were discharged after an ED visit for opioid overdose by patient race-ethnicity. Primary outcomes included provision of take-home naloxone, ED-based behavioral counseling, and linkage to treatment. Race-ethnicity differences in post-overdose ED services were evaluated using chi-square analyses, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations of race-ethnicity with receiving post-overdose services, controlling for other institutional-, provider-, and patient-level factors., Results: From September 2017 to February 2020, 734 patients were discharged from the ED for an opioid-related overdose. Most patients were White non-Latinx (70.0%), 8.9% were Black non-Latinx, 3.3% were Other race non-Latinx, and 18.0% were Latinx. Take-home naloxone was the most frequent intervention provided to patients while behavioral counseling was the lowest across all race-ethnicity categories. There were no statistically significant differences in provision of take-home naloxone and treatment referral based on patient race-ethnicity. However, a lower proportion of discharged Black non-Latinx patients received behavioral counseling compared to patients of other race-ethnicities, and the odds of receiving behavioral counseling was significantly higher for White non-Latinx (OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.00, 3.06); Latinx (OR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.05, 4.06); and Other race non-Latinx (OR: 3.29; 95% CI: 1.18, 9.15) patients compared to Black non-Latinx patients., Conclusion: Black non-Latinx patients discharged from the ED for an opioid-related overdose were less likely to receive behavioral counseling compared to non-Black patients. Possible reasons for this decreased provision of behavioral counseling include provider bias, patient mistrust of the medical and behavioral health care systems, and limited provider training in addiction medicine and motivational interviewing. These inequities add to the known racial disparities in ED patient care. Further research should elucidate barriers to behavioral counseling within ED settings and factors contributing to racial inequities in post-overdose emergency care., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)
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- 2021
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45. Objective Outcome Measures in Randomized Clinical Trials of Interventions to Reduce Risk of Opioid Overdose Following Discharge From the Emergency Department: Utility of Administrative Data Linkage.
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Jacka B, Beaudoin F, Li Y, Nimaja E, Yedinak J, Samuels E, and Marshall BDL
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- Analgesics, Opioid therapeutic use, Emergency Service, Hospital, Humans, Information Storage and Retrieval, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Patient Discharge, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Drug Overdose drug therapy, Drug Overdose prevention & control, Opiate Overdose, Opioid-Related Disorders drug therapy
- Abstract
Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
- Published
- 2021
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46. Deconstructing the 'cheque effect': short-term changes in injection drug use after receiving income assistance and associated factors.
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Høj SB, Jacka B, Minoyan N, Bussière P, and Bruneau J
- Subjects
- Adult, Cohort Studies, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Retrospective Studies, Pharmaceutical Preparations, Substance Abuse, Intravenous epidemiology
- Abstract
Background and Aims: Disbursement of income assistance has been temporally associated with intensified drug use and related harms (coined the 'cheque effect'). However, relationships to injection drug use (IDU) remain understudied. We examined short-term 'cheque effects' and associated factors among people who inject drugs (PWID)., Design: Cross-sectional analysis nested within a cohort study., Setting: Montreal, Quebec, Canada., Participants: PWID receiving income assistance, with no employment income. A total of 613 PWID (median age 41, 83% male) contributed 3269 observations from 2011 to 2017., Measurements and Methods: At each cohort visit, an interviewer-administered questionnaire captured retrospective reports of injection-related behaviour during the 2-day periods (i) before and (ii) including/after receiving last month's income assistance payment (number of injections; drugs injected; any receptive syringe-sharing). The relative likelihood (odds) and magnitude (rate) of an increase in injection frequency ('cheque effect') were estimated in relation to social and behavioural factors using logistic and negative binomial regression in a covariate-adjusted two-part model., Findings: Prevalence of IDU and syringe-sharing were, respectively, 1.80 and 2.50 times higher in the days following versus preceding cheque receipt (P < 0.001). Among people with past-month IDU, most observations showed increased injection frequency (52%) or no change in injection frequency (44%). The likelihood of a 'cheque effect' was positively associated with cocaine injection [versus injection of other substances, odds ratio (OR) = 2.639, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.04-3.41], unstable housing (OR = 1.272, 95% CI = 1.03-1.57) and receiving opioid agonist therapy (OR =1.597, 95% CI = 1.27-2.00) during the same month. Magnitude of the 'cheque effect' was positively associated with cocaine injection [rate ratio (RR) = 1.795, 95% CI = 1.43-2.16], unstable housing (RR = 1.198, 95% CI = 1.02-1.38) and frequent injection (RR = 2.938, 95% CI = 2.43-3.44), but inversely associated with opioid agonist therapy (RR = 0.817, 95% CI = 0.68-0.95) and prescription opioid injection (RR = 0.794, 95% CI = 0.66-0.93)., Conclusion: Among people who inject drugs in Montreal, Canada, injection drug use and receptive syringe-sharing appear to be more prevalent in the 2 days after versus before receiving income assistance. The odds and rate of individual-level increases in injection frequency appear to be positively associated with cocaine injection (versus injection of other substances) and unstable housing., (© 2020 Society for the Study of Addiction.)
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- 2021
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47. Real-World Eligibility for HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among People Who Inject Drugs.
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Picard J, Jacka B, Høj S, Laverdière É, Cox J, Roy É, and Bruneau J
- Subjects
- Anti-HIV Agents therapeutic use, Canada epidemiology, Humans, Substance Abuse, Intravenous drug therapy, Substance Abuse, Intravenous epidemiology, HIV Infections drug therapy, HIV Infections epidemiology, HIV Infections prevention & control, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
- Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the efficacy of and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection among people who inject drugs (PWID), however knowledge of real-world applicability is limited. We aimed to quantify the real-world eligibility for HIV-PrEP among HIV-negative PWID in Montreal, Canada (n = 718). Eligibility was calculated according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and compared to risk of HIV acquisition according to the assessing the risk of contracting HIV (ARCH-IDU) risk screening tool. Over one-third of participants (37%) were eligible for HIV PrEP, with 1/3 of these eligible due to sexual risk alone. Half of participants were considered high risk of HIV acquisition according to ARCH-IDU, but there was poor agreement between the two measures. Although a large proportion of PWID were eligible for HIV-PrEP, better tools that are context- and location-informed are needed to identify PWID at higher risk of HIV acquisition.
- Published
- 2020
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48. Prevalence of Injecting Drug Use and Coverage of Interventions to Prevent HIV and Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among People Who Inject Drugs in Canada.
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Jacka B, Larney S, Degenhardt L, Janjua N, Høj S, Krajden M, Grebely J, and Bruneau J
- Subjects
- Analgesics, Opioid therapeutic use, Canada, Female, Harm Reduction, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Opiate Substitution Treatment methods, Opioid-Related Disorders drug therapy, Opioid-Related Disorders epidemiology, Prevalence, Substance Abuse, Intravenous drug therapy, HIV Infections epidemiology, HIV Infections prevention & control, Hepatitis C epidemiology, Hepatitis C prevention & control, Needle-Exchange Programs statistics & numerical data, Substance Abuse, Intravenous epidemiology
- Abstract
Objectives. To determine the number of people who inject drugs (PWID) in Canada and the annual coverage of opioid agonist treatment (OAT) and needle-and-syringe provision for PWID. Methods. We estimated the number of PWID in 11 of 13 Canadian provinces and territories in 2011 by using indirect multiplier methods based on provincial and territorial methadone recipient totals and proportion of surveyed PWID receiving methadone. We modeled annual increases for 2011 to 2016 on Quebec and British Columbia longitudinal data. We calculated needle-and-syringe coverage (World Health Organization [WHO] recommendation: ≥ 200 per PWID) and OAT coverage (WHO recommendation: ≥ 40 per 100 PWID) per province and territory annually. Results. An estimated 130 000 individuals in Canada (0.55%) injected drugs in 2011, increasing to 171 900 individuals (0.70%) in 2016. Needle-and-syringe coverage increased from 193 to 291 per PWID, and OAT coverage increased from 55 to 66 per 100 PWID over the study period. Conclusions. While the number of PWID increased between 2011 and 2016, OAT coverage remained high, and needle-and-syringe coverage generally improved over time. Public Health Implications. These data will inform public health surveillance, service planning, and resource allocation, and assist monitoring of treatment and harm-reduction coverage outcomes.
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- 2020
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49. Sexual behaviour as a risk factor for hepatitis C virus infection among people who inject drugs in Montreal, Canada.
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Jacka B, Roy É, Høj S, Minoyan N, Artenie AA, Zang G, Jutras-Aswad D, and Bruneau J
- Subjects
- Adult, Canada epidemiology, Female, Hepatitis C etiology, Humans, Incidence, Male, Prospective Studies, Public Health Surveillance, Risk Factors, Risk-Taking, Safety Management, Seroconversion, Socioeconomic Factors, Substance Abuse, Intravenous complications, Substance Abuse, Intravenous epidemiology, Young Adult, Drug Users, Hepacivirus, Hepatitis C epidemiology, Hepatitis C transmission, Sexual Behavior
- Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) acquisition remains high in key risk environments including injection drug use and sex between men. However, few studies examine the independent contribution of sexual behaviour to HCV acquisition among people who inject drugs (PWID). We estimated HCV incidence and examined sexual behaviour as a time-varying predictor of HCV acquisition in a prospective cohort study of PWID in Montreal (2004-2017). Initially, HCV-negative participants completed behavioural questionnaires and HCV antibody testing (6 months until 2011, 3 months thereafter). A time-updating exposure variable (no sex, opposite-sex partner only, ≥1 same-sex partner) was generated for the previous 6/3 months. Time to HCV seroconversion was examined using Cox regression analysis, adjusted for age, unstable housing and incarceration (both past 3 months), and daily, heroin, cocaine and prescription opioid injecting (all past month). Among 440 PWID (baseline: median age 33 years, 18.9% female, 1.4% HIV-positive), 156 participants seroconverted during follow-up (overall incidence rate: 11.9/100 person-years [PY]). Incidence was lowest in the no sex group (8.70 and 2.91 cases/100 PY in males and females, respectively) and highest in the ≥1 same-sex partner group (24.14 and 21.97 cases/100 PY in males and females, respectively). Among males, HCV risk was 47% lower in those reporting no sex compared to ≥1 same-sex partner (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.53, 95% confidence interval: 0.28, 0.99). In this cohort of PWID, reporting recent same-sex partners was associated with greater risk of HCV acquisition among males, necessitating targeted harm reduction strategies that consider the complex interplay of sexual and injecting risk behaviours., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
- Published
- 2019
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50. Conceptualising access in the direct-acting antiviral era: An integrated framework to inform research and practice in HCV care for people who inject drugs.
- Author
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Høj SB, Jacka B, Minoyan N, Artenie AA, and Bruneau J
- Subjects
- Delivery of Health Care organization & administration, Health Promotion methods, Health Services Accessibility, Hepatitis C epidemiology, Humans, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Antiviral Agents administration & dosage, Hepatitis C drug therapy, Substance Abuse, Intravenous complications
- Abstract
As direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy costs fall and eligibility criteria are relaxed, people who inject drugs (PWID) will increasingly become eligible for HCV treatment. Yet eligibility does not necessarily equate to access. Amidst efforts to expand treatment uptake in this population, we seek to synthesise and clarify the conceptual underpinnings of access to health care for PWID, with a view to informing research and practice. Integrating dominant frameworks of health service utilisation, care seeking processes, and ecological perspectives on health promotion, we present a comprehensive theoretical framework to understand, investigate and intervene upon barriers and facilitators to HCV care for PWID. Built upon the concept of Candidacy, the framework describes access to care as a continually negotiated product of the alignment between individuals, health professionals, and health systems. Individuals must identify themselves as candidates for services and then work to stake this claim; health professionals serve as gatekeepers, adjudicating asserted candidacies within the context of localised operating conditions; and repeated interactions build experiential knowledge and patient-practitioner relationships, influencing identification and assertion of candidacy over time. These processes occur within a complex social ecology of interdependent individual, service, system, and policy factors, on which other established theories provide guidance. There is a pressing need for a deliberate and nuanced theory of health care access to complement efforts to document the HCV 'cascade of care' among PWID. We offer this framework as an organising device for observational research, intervention, and implementation science to expand access to HCV care in this vulnerable population. Using practical examples from the HCV literature, we demonstrate its utility for specifying research questions and intervention targets across multiple levels of influence; describing and testing plausible effect mechanisms; and identifying potential threats to validity or barriers to research translation., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)
- Published
- 2019
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