May 13, 2024 | Allergy Guidelines
13 may...
May 07, 2024 | Allergy Guidelines
7 may...
Jan 10, 2022 | Infectious Diseases
Ampath is implementing a respiratory viral multiplex PCR that includes SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A and B and RSV in a single test....
Dec 07, 2021 | Haemotology
Ampath NRL now performs CSF cell counts on an automated haematology analyzer....
Jul 01, 2021 | Chemical Pathology
The laboratory diagnosis of schistosomiasis is challenging and particularly difficult in the setting of early and low-grade infections. This update serves to provide an overview of the diagnostic process....
Jul 01, 2021 | Infectious Diseases
The Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant was first detected in India in October 2020, and has since spread to 85 countries globally. As a result of its enhanced transmissibility, it has rapidly become the dominant strain in many countries....
Jul 01, 2021 | Immunology
Social media is flooded with false information regarding the risks associated with the COVID-19 vaccination. Patients often turn to doctors for answers. If we are not able to address their concerns, patients may miss out on this potentially life-saving vaccination....
May 01, 2021 | Allergy Guidelines
It is estimated that 30% of women of reproductive age have anaemia. Among pregnant women, the prevalence is even higher with the WHO estimating that over 40% of pregnant women globally have anaemia....
Mar 01, 2021 | Chemical Pathology
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) is a well known target for therapy in patients with hyperlipidaemia. Retention of LDL-C and other cholesterol-rich apolipoprotein (Apo) B-containing lipoproteins within the arterial wall is considered an initiating event in atherogenesis....
Aug 01, 2020 | Chemical Pathology
Type III collagen is an important component of connective tissue. N-terminal procollagen-III peptide (P3NP) is a cleavage product of the precursor of Type III collagen and is formed in equimolar proportions to Type III collagen. Serum levels of P3NP can therefore be used as a measure of Type III collagen and reflects the rate of extracellular matrix synthesis or breakdown....
Jul 01, 2020 | Chemical Pathology
The standard approach to the laboratory diagnosis of HIV infection in children older than 18 months and adults is to test for HIV infection by serological means, whereby the presence of HIV-specific antibodies in a patient’s blood specimen is determined by a screening enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Screening HIV ELISA tests are designed to be extremely sensitive tests so that the negative predictive value of the test is almost 100% (excluding those with window period infections). The downside to having a sensitive screening test is that false positive results may occur in a small percentage of positive specimens, which is why international guidelines recommend that all positive HIV ELISA tests need to be confirmed by a second ...
Jul 01, 2020 | Chemical Pathology
Increased high-sensitive cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) is a marker of myocardial injury, irrespective of the mechanism, and does not equate to acute myocardial infarction (MI)....
Jun 01, 2020 | Chemical Pathology
Accumulating evidence suggests that inflammatory responses play a critical role in the progression of COVID-19. The inflammatory response is triggered by rapid viral replication of SARS-CoV-2 and cellular destruction, leading to the recruitment of macrophages and monocytes and the induction and release of cytokines. These cytokines attract more immune cells and further activate the immune response, leading to a “cytokine storm”....
Jun 01, 2020 | Chemical Pathology
The laboratory plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of COVID-19 through the use of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) for the detection of unique sequences of viral RNA. Subsequently, it also provides critical haematological and biochemical tests for assessing disease severity and progression, as well as for monitoring therapeutic intervention....
Feb 01, 2020 | Chemical Pathology
Sexually transmitted infections are associated with poor reproductive outcomes and increased transmission of HIV. In South Africa, limited data is available regarding the prevalence of the etiological agents of the genital discharge syndrome, in particular from the private sector. The STD PCR that is available at Ampath laboratories detects the following organisms associated with the genital discharge syndrome:Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma....
Feb 01, 2020 | Chemical Pathology
The majority of genital ulcers are caused by sexually transmitted infections (STI). The pathogens most commonly responsible for genital ulcers include: Herpes simplex type 1 and 2, Treponema pallidum, Haemophilus ducreyi, Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L 1-3, as well as Klebsiella granulomatosis. The presence of genital ulcers increases the risk of acquiring HIV. These patients may also be co-infected with other sexually transmitted pathogens....
Feb 01, 2020 | Chemical Pathology
The FMR1 disorders include fragile X syndrome (FXS), fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), and fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI). The FXS is the most common single gene cause of intellectual disability with an estimated prevalence of 1/4 000 to 1/6 000. Almost all cases are caused by the expansion of an unstable trinucleotide (triplet)(CGG) repeat in the 5’ untranslated region of the FMR1 gene. Genetic testing for FXS and related disorders is now offered at the Ampath Genetics Laboratory in Centurion....
Nov 02, 2019 | Chemical Pathology
Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, especially at early-onset (delivery at <34w gestation). Complications of PE include intracranial haemorrhage, HELLP syndrome, eclampsia, pulmonary oedema, renal failure, abruptio placentae, foetal growth restriction, intrauterine foetal death and preterm birth. Maternal future risks include cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or renal disease. Future risks to offspring born from affected pregnancies include hypertension, coronary artery disease and insulin resistance. In a South-African context, the prevalence of PE and severe PE is reported as 5.75% and 1.43% respectively. Global prevalence of PE varies between 2-5%....
Nov 01, 2019 | Chemical Pathology
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are free-living ubiquitous organisms. More than 200 different species of NTM have been identified by using molecular techniques. The pathogenic potential of different NTM varies. Accurate identification to species level and discrimination from Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex is thus essential in determining the clinical relevance and guiding patient management. The GenoType CM direct assay is a molecular test for the identification of M. tuberculosis complex as well as clinically relevant NTM directly from clinical specimens. This assay is an adjunct to Mycobacterial culture in any patient in which NTM disease is suspected and may be especially useful where microscopy of clinical specimens is positive f...
Sep 01, 2019 | Chemical Pathology
The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) variability of voriconazole makes it a difficult drug to dose. It has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that there is a narrow margin between the levels needed for therapeutic activity and the levels at which toxicity occurs. To achieve potential efficacy, trough levels of between 1 and 5.5 mg/L are needed. In patients with severe infections e.g. multifocal or disseminated disease, CNS infection, or infection with a pathogen with elevated MICs, a trough level of 2-6 mg/L is recommended. The potential for toxicity, especially neurotoxicity, increases significantly at levels of ≥6 mg/L....
Jul 01, 2019 | Chemical Pathology
Histamine turnover increases due to increased activity (allergic reactions) or proliferation (mastocytosis) of mast cells or basophils. Histamine is released intermittently and has a short half-life, thus measurement of urine 1-methylhistamine (N-Tele-methylhistamine, 1-MHIS), a major metabolite of histamine, has better sensitivity and specificity. Urine 1-MHIS testing is available at Ampath Esoteric Sciences by GC-MS/MS methodology....
Jun 01, 2019 | Chemical Pathology
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition characterised by an alteration in vaginal flora and is one of the most common causes of vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age. Bacterial vaginosis is associated with an increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, the development of pelvic inflammatory disease, as well as poor reproductive outcomes, notably, preterm delivery. Timely diagnosis and treatment of BV is essential to avoid these complications....
Jun 01, 2019 | Chemical Pathology
Multiplex PCR is the gold standard test for the detection of respiratory tract pathogens and provides a sensitivity and specificity that is far superior to traditional diagnostic methods. These tests have a rapid turnaround time (TAT), which impacts favourably on the management of the patient. Ampath has several different options for detecting respiratory pathogens. These include smaller, targeted panels and more comprehensive panels....