Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, characterised by enlarged ovaries with cyst formation, ovulatory dysfunction, and/or elevated androgens. Although it is known that PCOS is an insulin resistant metabolic...
Seasonal influenza is caused by influenza viruses which circulate worldwide, resulting in acute respiratory disease, predominantly during the winter months. Influenza virus is an enveloped virus with a segmented RNA genome. Laboratory and surveillance reports state...
While uncommon and NOT endemic to South Africa, the world is currently (and since 1961) experiencing the 7th global cholera outbreak according to historic record with more than 50 countries having endemic cholera. The current cholera outbreak in South Africa was...
Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detection rates peaked in March and declined steadily during April across all age groups, with the exception of the 0-12 month olds where detection rates remained above 35%...
Background: Mumps virus (MV), a single-stranded RNA virus of the paramyxoiridae family, is highly contagious and is most commonly associated with parotitis. There has been a significant increase in the amount of mumps cases nationally in 2023. For patients...
Respiratory syncytial virus and influenza A and B Following the start of the 2023 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season in week 6 (week ending 11 February), detection rates continued to increase during March, predominantly in the <5 year age group. RSV...
We are presenting here the PathCare susceptibility data for common hospital-acquired organisms isolated from blood cultures from patients in the Western Cape Province over the last 2 years. The focus is on the ESKAPE organisms, an acronym coined by die Infectious...
Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder mediated by autoantibodies that target functionally vital proteins in the post-synaptic membrane at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ).1 MG presents clinically with a fluctuating degree and variable...
During the month of January 2023, Pathcare confirmed a number of Rickettsia infections although both serological confirmation as well as PCR confirmation have significant limitations. The two common spotted fever diseases in Southern Africa are boutonneuse fever-like...
Measles morbillivirus (MV) is one of the most contagious human pathogens. MV infection occurs worldwide, sporadically or through outbreaks, such as the current outbreak in South Africa. Since late 2022, MV outbreaks have been declared in 5 provinces, namely,...