Testing for respiratory pathogens using comprehensive multiplex molecular panels has become a valuable diagnostic tool to assist in early identification of causative organisms. Appropriate use supports timely and directed antimicrobial therapy, especially for...
Knowledge Hub
Respiratory Virus Statistics: Jan – April 2022
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases declared the start of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season in week 7 (week ending 20 February) and the positivity rate has continued to increase through March and April.Circulation of adenovirus, parainfluenza...
Typhoid/Salmonella Testing
Enteric fever includes typhoid fever (an infection caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi) and paratyphoid fever (infections caused by Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotypes Paratyphi A, B or rarely, C) Paratyphoid fever isclinically indistinguishable...
Primary Aldosteronism: An Under-Recognised Problem
Primary aldosteronism (PA), also known as Conn's syndrome, is common and has a significantly higher cardiovascular risk profile than sex-, age-, and BP-matched patients with essential hypertension. PA is now considered a major public health issue, which requires a...
Indeterminate COVID results
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory specimens is an essential tool in screening and diagnosing COVID-191. Clinical virology laboratories often make use of a diverse repertoire of testing platforms with varying...
Hyperuricaemia and Gout: Important Lessons to be Learnt
Gout is a common clinical disease and, furthermore, it is readily treatable and managed by the long-term use of urate lowering medication. Gout, the clinical syndrome, needs to be distinguished from hyperuricaemia which refers to the increased levels of serum urate. ...
Frequently asked questions: SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529/Omicron variant
On 26 November 2021 the WHO designated the new SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.529, now named Omicron, a variant of concern. Much is still unknown about Omicron and it is expected that the variant’s real world impact will become clearer over the next weeks. What is Omicron?...
Covid-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA)
COVID-19 and ARDS In individuals with co-morbidities, defective immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 may allow unrestricted viral replication which elicits hyperinflammation and severe complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).COVID-19 resulting in...
Advances in molecular oncology: Liquid biopsy for non-small cell lung cancer
In recent years, liquid biopsies have emerged as a promising tool in the fields of molecular oncology and precision medicine. Liquid biopsy methodology typically analyses genomic DNA isolated from circulating tumour cells (CTCs) or circulating cell-free tumour DNA...
Polymyxin guidelines
Due to a rapid increase in serious infections related to especially carbapenemase producing Enterobacterales, the clinical use of the polymyxin antibiotics colistin (polymyxin E), and polymyxin B has recently resurged as salvage therapy for otherwise untreatable...
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