According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report of 2018, an estimated 10 million new cases of tuberculosis (TB) were reported in 2017.... Read more
Helicobacter pylori is a highly prevalent curved gram-negative bacterium. Seropositivity rates in South-Africa range between 60% and 100%. It causes more than 90% of duodenal ulcers and up to 80% of gastric ulcers. Atrophic gastritis due to H. pylori can lead to gastric cancer.... Read more
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly infectious disease of the respiratory tract. Bordetella pertussis is classically regarded as the sole agent of pertussis. However, infection with other Bordetella species, such as B. parapertussis and B. holmesii, can cause a similar, though typically milder, clinical picture.... Read more
Clinicians are faced with a growing population of immuno-compromised patients who are at risk of systemic infections. The diagnosis of bacterial septicaemia is unfortunately not straightforward. Positive blood cultures remain the gold standard.... Read more
The frozen section technique has evolved and has improved immensely from 1818, when Dutch anatomist Pieter de Reimer utilised cold brine (salt water) to harden tissues, until 1895, when Thomas Cullen, MD, published the first written frozen section technique from Johns Hopkins.... Read more
The urine lipoarabinomannan test (U-lam) has been marketed as an adjunct diagnostic modality in HIV-infected patients with severe immunosuppression. The test detects a cell wall component of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium that is excreted in urine. The lateral flow test format of the test (Determine TM TB-LAM Ag test) is rapid and can be performed directly on urine.... Read more
Dr Tom Frieden, Director of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, has called carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) “nightmare bacteria”. CRE emerged in South Africa in 2011 when the first cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) and New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) were described.... Read more
Acute meningitis is generally defined as having compatible symptoms for less than seven days’ duration and can be caused by a variety of bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens. Acute bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency that requires early administration of antibiotics and hospital referral for investigation and further therapy.... Read more
It is important that healthcare workers (HCWs) know the steps to follow when an accidental exposure to infectious bodily fluids occurs. Viruses that can be transmitted after occupational exposure to potentially infectious bodily fluids include HIV.... Read more
The majority of antibiotic prescriptions for systemic use are prescribed in the outpatient setting with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) being the most common indication, followed by urinary tract infections (UTIs). In fact, general practitioners (GPs) prescribe approximately 80% of all antibiotics,... Read more
Infectious causes of gastroenteritis account for approximately 1.4 billion cases of diarrhea globally and in excess of two million deaths every year. These infections can be caused by various bacteria, viruses and parasites.... Read more
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as abnormalities of kidney structure or function, present for longer than three months, with implications for health.... Read more
Genital infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection today, and persistent infection with high-risk genotypes is the cause of cervical cancer. Over 40 HPV genotypes infect mucosal surfaces, including the anogenital epithelium (e.g. cervix, vagina, vulva, rectum, urethra, penis and anus).... Read more
Guinea is currently experiencing an outbreak of Ebola, which – as of 1 April – includes a suspected 127 cases to date, with 83 recorded deaths (case fatality rate of 65%). The areas of Guinea involved in the outbreak are Guékédou, Macenta, Kissidougou and Nzérékoré.... Read more
Schistosomiasis, or bilharzia, is a common intravascular infection caused by the Schistosoma trematode worm. Bilharzia is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa where the majority of infections are caused by S. haematobium and S. mansoni. Important transmission sites in Africa are Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria and travellers are commonly infected when swimming there.... Read more
The repertoire of laboratory tests related to COVID-19 has expanded since the first appearance of SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019. This guide provides an update on the latest Ampath COVID-19 tests (as of March 2021), including the appropriate indications for use.... Read more
Several developments have occurred since the authorisation and introduction of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) antibody tests in South Africa in August 2020. This AmpathChat provides an update on the latest COVID-19 antibody tests available at Ampath as of November 2021 in order to guide testing.... Read more
Implement the most current version of regulations on health and safety measures to reduce and eliminate the escalation of COVID-19 infections in the workplace, as determined by the Department of Employment and Labour. Refer to the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) at www.nioh.ac.za for detailed resources.... Read more