A5003255434- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Peripheral Neuropathies and Disorders
- Genetic Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research
- Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Neurogenetic and Muscular Disorders Research
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Skin and Cellular Biology Research
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Bacterial Infections and Vaccines
- Porphyrin Metabolism and Disorders
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research
- Heme Oxygenase-1 and Carbon Monoxide
- Muscle Physiology and Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
Stellenbosch University
2021-2023
University of Cape Town
2011-2022
Groote Schuur Hospital
2012-2014
Tallaght University Hospital
2010-2013
During 2009/10 a major measles epidemic caused by genotype B3 occurred in South Africa. Measles inclusion body encephalitis (MIBE) was diagnosed number of highly immuno-compromised HIV patients. The diagnosis based on typical clinical and MRI findings positive virus PCR brain or CSF.To characterize the virus, nucleoprotein, matrix, fusion haemagglutinin genes from 4 cases compared with acutely infected patients.cDNA synthesized using random primers viral were amplified nested RT-PCR....
South Africa, home to the world's largest population of people living with HIV (5.7 million), experienced a measles outbreak that started in late 2009. There was stepped increase cases measles, highest incidence reported March 2010. By September 2010, more than 17 000 new had been National Institute Communicable Diseases since January A mass vaccination campaign from mid-April early May 2010 resulted significant decline cases.
Cognitive impairment is reported as a common complication in adult tuberculous meningitis (TBM), yet few studies have systematically assessed the frequency and nature of impairment. Moreover, impact on functioning medication adherence has not been described.A cognitive test battery (10 measures assessing 7 domains) was administered to 34 participants with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated TBM 6 months after diagnosis. performance compared that comparator group 66 people HIV...
Acute intermittent porphyria, the most common porphyria affecting nervous system, typically presents with neurovisceral crises followed by a motor neuropathy. We describe 23-year-old black South African man presenting progressive stuttering, lower neuron syndrome developing over months. He had not experienced pain or neuropsychiatric symptoms. One year after symptom onset he was bed-bound flaccid quadriparesis. There marked amyotrophy, but without fasciculations. Sensation intact apart from...
The late-onset efavirenz neurotoxicity syndrome (LENS) presents as ataxia and/or encephalopathy with supratherapeutic plasma concentrations (>4 µg/mL). Efavirenz is primarily metabolized by cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6), CYP2A6 an accessory pathway. We hypothesized that participants LENS would predominantly be CYP2B6 slow metabolizers. aim of our study was to determine the frequency metabolizers in LENS.Adult HIV-positive on efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy presenting were prospectively...
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a recently described autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). There limited data on association between Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and MOGAD. We report three patients with HIV myelin (MOG) antibodies in setting other infections.The first patient, 44-year-old black African man, presented acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) positive serum MOG antibodies. He made...
AbstractAbstractObjectives: To adapt and translate the Edinburgh Cognitive behavioural amyotrophic lateral sclerosis screen (ECAS); to generate preliminary normative data for three language groups in South Africa (SA); assess convergent validity of ECAS SA samples. Methods: The was linguistically culturally adapted Afrikaans-, isiXhosa-, English-speaking adults (n = 108, 100, 53, respectively). Each group stratified by age educational level. Cutoff scores cognitive impairment were set at...
Background: The revised McDonald criteria aim to simplify and speed the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). An important principle holds there should be no better explanation for clinical presentation. In Miller et al.’s consensus statement on differential MS, red flags are identified that may suggest a non-MS diagnosis. Objective: All new patients with practice MS were assessed compliance criteria. group not fulfilling was followed up assess over time. At end follow-up period, sought in...
<h3>Introduction</h3> Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a multisystem, degenerative disorder caused by mutation of the A-T mutated (<i>ATM</i>) gene. Classic presents with ataxia and ocular in association immunodeficiency, increased risk for malignancy, serum α-fetoprotein levels, radiosensitivity, chromosomal instability. Variant as milder phenotype an extended lifespan may be due to residual ATM kinase activity. Two siblings variant AT are described. <h3>Case Description</h3> The eldest...
<h3>Background</h3> Myofibrillar myopathy (MFM) is a group of morphologically distinct muscle disorders, with genetic and phenotypic variability. When mutation in the <i>desmin</i> gene found, it termed desminopathy. These patients often present distal weakness lower limbs spreading to involve proximal groups. Cardiomyopathy may be prominent finding. To our knowledge, vocal cord palsy has not been described this condition. <h3>Case Description</h3> A 48-year-old man presented at age 39 years...
<h3>Background</h3> Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) type 14 is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative condition associated with atrophy of the cerebellum and spinal pathways. Unlike majority SCAs, SCA not caused by CAG repeat expansions but mutations in protein kinase C gamma (<i>PRKCG</i>) gene. We describe a novel mutation <i>PRKCG</i> gene large Irish family. <h3>Case Description</h3> Six affected family members are identified from two generations. The proband 43-year-old man slowly...
<h3>Introduction</h3> South Africa experienced a measles outbreak in early 2010. Measles may affect the central nervous system as meningo-encephalitis; months later subacute encephalitis (SME); or years sclerosing panencephalitis. SME is typically seen immunocompromised patients and characterised by seizures altered mental status carries high mortality. It an elusive diagnosis usually confirmed on brain biopsy. <h3>Patients Results</h3> Nine were diagnosed with between July October 2010 at...
<h3>Introduction</h3> Since the discovery of causative gene for Friedreich9s ataxia (FRDA) in 1996, there have been only a handful studies looking at cognitive function these patients, with varying results. We therefore aimed to assess cohort FRDA patients Ireland. <h3>Methods</h3> Twenty-seven genetically confirmed were recruited from national clinic. Age onset, duration symptoms and rating scale (FARS) score documented each patient. Twenty-eight controls, matched age, sex level education...