A fairly recent article on the nationwide outbreak of Hepatitis E (HEV) in informal settlements in Namibia as well as the recent academic interest in this previously mostly ignored virus, prompted this EduPath. The intention is to focus on the salient points of HEV...
PathCare has introduced an antibody test that is capable of detecting antibodies directed against the SARS-CoV-2 spike (“S”) protein, induced by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines or by natural infection. Diagnostic assays previously introduced only target the nucleocapsid (“N”)...
Testing for respiratory pathogens using comprehensive multiplex molecular panels have become a valuable diagnostic tool to assist in early identification of causative organisms. Appropriate use supports timely and directed antimicrobial therapy, especially for...
The presence of viral RNA in respiratory samples is critical information in the diagnosis of an acute SARS-COV-2 infection. The real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detects these pieces of RNA. But RT-PCR is a poor test of cure. The...
In response to the many questions being asked of us as to when we would be able to offer antibody testing; this is a brief note of explanation as to the processes we have to follow before we may offer the tests. For suppliers of invitro diagnostic tests to sell test...
PathCare now offers SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 testing On 31 December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) China country office reported a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)...
Below we present the PathCare susceptibility data for common community-acquired respiratory tract organisms isolated from lower respiratory tract samples of patients in the Eastern Cape during 2018. As this data reflects the susceptibility of all isolates,...
South Africa carries a heavy influenza burden with more than 12000 deaths each year due to influenza associated severe acute respiratory illness. The most effective strategy to prevent influenza is vaccination.VaccinationAdminister the vaccine each year because the...
Acute Viral Hepatitis is the most common cause of jaundice in pregnancy. HBV infection during pregnancy is usually mild, not associated with increased mortality or teratogenicity, and should not prompt consideration of termination. Acute HBV infection...
Although few gastrointestinal infections may require specific therapy, the quick and efficient detection of a causative agent of diarrhoea may limit unnecessary use of antimicrobials, reduce hospitalisation duration and also provide valuable information...