DPYD, the gene encoding dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) is the rate-limiting enzyme for fluoropyrimidine catabolism. In the context of 5-fluorouracil, four decreased function DPYD variants are of primary relevance due to their population frequency and...
INFLUENZA, RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS AND SARS-COV-2 Influenza A, influenza B and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) returned to the characteristic seasonal circulation (Figure 1), having shown atypical patterns in 2020 and 2021. The influenza season showed a biphasic...
The recent COVID-19 pandemic renewed the focus of the role of vaccination in the prevention of infection across all ages and in all communities. Apart from reducing infectious episodes in individual patients, vaccination is an often-overlooked strategy to also combat...
The positivity rates for SARS-CoV-2 increased to the 15-20% range during October. It must be noted that the number of tests performed for SARS-CoV-2 remains low and the NICD has reported no significant increase in hospitalizations during this period. Detection of...
National data showed influenza A positivity rates remaining around the 10% level during September, while influenza B continued to increase compared to August. For the other respiratory viruses, the percentage positivity remained much the same as in the previous...
In an effort to further reduce result turnaround time and enhance the quality of the clinical microbiology service, the PathCare Reference laboratory has recently validated and installed the InoqulA sample processing system, part of the modular BD Kiestra™ Talon...
Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are commonly underdiagnosed. Molecular methods have improved detection rates, especially among asymptomatic individuals, and has subsequently replaced conventional culture and serology. Despite the availability of syndromic...
In collaboration with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), numerous pharmaceutical companies have recommended that DPYD pre-testing be performed to identify patients at increased risk of severe toxicity due to fluoropyrimidine containing...
Placental DNA circulates freely in the maternal blood stream which can be sampled by venipuncture of the expecting mother. NIPS is able to test for extra chromosome 13, 18 or 21 material in foetal placental DNA. The foetal DNA originates from placental trophoblasts. ...
PathCare has implemented PCR testing for monkeypox virus. It is therefore no longer necessary to discuss each case with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) prior to specimen submission to PathCare, however, the PathCare Virologist on call may be...