It’s not all about control: Challenging mainstream framing of eating disorders

Background: The concept of control has long been suggested as a central factor in eating disorder ( aetiology. The concept is now so mainstream that it risks being used in a potentially reductionist, stigmatising or otherwise harmful manner. In this we explore and discuss our positions on the use of control related terminologyfor EDs. Methods: The authors of this auto ethnographic position paper include academic researchers, individuals with lived experience and clinicians not mutually exclusive) In sharing our experiences and observations, we aim to raise awareness of the wider impacts that control framing can have on ED perceptions, treatment, recovery and individuals’ lived experience. Results We argue that although control can play a role in some ED experiences, an overemphasis upon this factor to the exclusion of other conceptualisations is not beneficial. Conclusions: To mitigate against pathologisation of an individual, it is important to challenge a discourse that can lead to EDs being perceived as something ‘ with the individual, rather than a consequence of life events or other environmental influences We identify priorities for the future for researchers, clinicians, policy makers and the wider public

Probable Psittacosis Outbreak Linked to Wild Birds

Residence in the upper Blue Mountains, age of 50–64 years, direct contact with wild birds, and lawn mowing without a grass catcher were associated with psittacosis

Clinical and microbiological features of Chlamydia Psittaci infection in Australia

In 2002 a large outbreak of psittacosis occurred in the upper Blue Mountains region of New South Wales. Over the next seven years I undertook clinical surveillance and case finding in this region. With improved diagnosis, it was possible to identify cases earlier and collect a range of material including upper respiratory tract specimens in order to culture the organism. Human isolates were obtained and whole genome sequencing performed in order to determine the phylogenetic relationship with other known strains as well as an avian specimen from this area. Diagnosis was improved using molecular methods as well as serology and culture. These were applied in a cluster of cases at a veterinary practice with quantitation used to help explain infectivity. Over a seven year period, cases from this area were detected to be occurring on a regular basis. Clinical details from all cases were documented and review with comparison to other large clinical series. Cases occurred in a seasonal fashion each year and had clinical features consistent with the previous case series. This work was the first to suggest that psittacosis may be endemic in this region. Whole genome sequencing of human and avian isolates from this area showed little variation between strains and very close similarity with the 1930s outbreak strain known as 6BC. This surprising finding led me to speculate as to an Australian origin of the outbreak of 1930. The same strain was also detected from an equine human outbreak in NSW in 2014. Publications associated with this thesis are listed on page 4

Evidence for decontamination of single-use filtering facepiece respirators

Single-use filtering face respirators (FFRs) are critical pieces of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers treating patients with suspected upper respiratory tract pathogens. Experiences during pandemics in the 2000s, as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-2-CoV2, have highlighted concerns over the pressures that sustained respiratory virus pandemics may have on supplies of FFRs globally. Decontamination of FFRs has been posited as one solution to support the re-use of FFRs with a growing body of literature over the last 10+ years beginning to examine both the efficacy of disinfection of contaminated FFRs but also the impact of the decontamination process on the FFR’s performance. Physical and chemical methods of decontamination have been tested for treatment of FFRs with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, sterilization by steam, ethylene oxide and vaporous hydrogen peroxide, demonstrating the most promising results thus far. Many of these methods utilize existing equipment that may already be available in hospitals and could be re-purposed for FFR decontamination. Importantly, some methods may also be replicated on household equipment, broadening the utility of FFR decontamination across a range of healthcare settings. Utilizing techniques to experimentally contaminate FFRs with a range of microorganisms, most decontamination methods appear to reduce the risk of the mask as a source of infection to the wearer and others to negligible levels. The performance of the filter, especially the efficiency of particle penetration following treatment, varied greatly depending on the processing method as well as the model of the filter itself, however. Urgent regulatory body-supported research is required to endorse the routine decontamination of FFRs. In emergency settings, these methods should nevertheless be carefully considered as one strategy to address potential shortfalls in supplies of FFRs for healthcare workers

Smallpox vaccination, colonial Sydney and serendipity

Accidental discovery of an 1841 smallpox vaccine specimen prompts consideration of its historical context — and extreme caution