A5103062993- Folate and B Vitamins Research
- Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Diabetes Management and Research
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Hyperglycemia and glycemic control in critically ill and hospitalized patients
- Clinical Laboratory Practices and Quality Control
- Bone and Joint Diseases
- Electrolyte and hormonal disorders
- Pregnancy and Medication Impact
- Iron Metabolism and Disorders
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Acute Myocardial Infarction Research
- Diabetes Management and Education
- Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders
- Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
- Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
- Renal function and acid-base balance
- Membrane-based Ion Separation Techniques
- Metabolism and Genetic Disorders
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Healthcare Quality and Management
- HIV-related health complications and treatments
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research
- Health Promotion and Cardiovascular Prevention
National Health Laboratory Service
2009-2022
Stellenbosch University
2012-2022
Tygerberg Hospital
2009-2019
Division of Chemistry
2013
Abstract Background New Zealand's (NZ) complete absence of community transmission influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) after May 2020, likely due to COVID‐19 elimination measures, provided a rare opportunity assess the impact border restrictions on common viral infections over ensuing 2 years. Methods We collected data from multiple surveillance systems, including hospital‐based severe acute infection surveillance, SHIVERS‐II, ‐III ‐IV cohorts for (ARI) HealthStat sentinel general...
Abstract Background Population-based data on the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in sub-Saharan Africa is still very limited. We assessed prevalence and determinants CKD, evaluated concordance commonly advocated estimators glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) a mixed ancestry population from South Africa. Methods Participants were population-based sample adults selected Bellville-South community metropolitan city Cape Town. eGFR was based Cockroft-Gault (CG), Modification Diet Kidney...
<b><i>Background:</i></b> Hyperkalemia is a common medical emergency that may result in serious cardiac arrhythmias. Standard therapy with insulin plus glucose reliably lowers the serum potassium concentration ([K<sup>+</sup>]) but carries risk of hypoglycemia. This study examined whether an intravenous glucose-only bolus [K<sup>+</sup>] stable, nondiabetic, hyperkalemic patients and compared this intervention insulin-plus-glucose therapy....
While severe outcomes among hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and influenza are well described, comparative studies on community transmission milder illnesses associated lacking. We compared incidence, risk/protective factors, clinical features prospective cohort participants PCR-confirmed COVID-19-associated influenza-associated acute respiratory (ARI) from 7-February to 2-October 2022 in Wellington, New Zealand. The crude ARI incidence was 59/100 person-years (PY). adjusted cumulative...
Objective: To assess the accuracy and precision of five currently available blood glucose meters in South AfricaBackground: Since introduction glucometers, there has been an ongoing, competition-driven development both meter strip technology, which allowed for greater reliability results. Despite advances is significant variation amongst these glucometers necessitating a proper evaluation before use.Methods: Glucose levels capillary samples from 115 patients attending diabetic clinic at...
Iron is a vital element in the multifactorial initiation of myelination. It required for cholesterol and lipid biosynthesis, both key components myelin. also plays an important role energy production by mitochondrial oxidative metabolism which occurs myelin-producing oligodentrocytes at higher rate than any other cell. deficiency can, therefore, result decreased oligodendrocyte survival defective This led us to investigate iron status 2 consecutive children with multiple sclerosis who...
Aim Serum free light chain measurements are used to follow-up and manage patients with monoclonal gammopathies, abnormal ratios associated risk of progression in certain diseases. B cell dysfunction is well described HIV at developing lymphomas. This study investigated whether levels the impact antiretroviral treatment (ART) on these. Methods κ And λ concentrations ratios, serum albumin immunoglobulin G (IgG) were measured 366 positive subjects correlated CD4+ counts, viral loads, IgG, ART...
Background. Diabetes mellitus contributes significantly to the burden of disease in South Africa (SA). Monitoring glycaemic control with glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is recommended, even though current laboratory-based testing does not support immediate clinical decision-making. Objectives. To evaluate costs and consequences for quality care by introducing point-of-care (POC) HbA1c patients type 2 diabetes at community health centres Cape Town, SA. Methods. A quasi-experimental study was...
Background and objective: The prevalence of mental illness illicit substance use has increased markedly in South Africa’s Western Cape Province, over the last 2 decades; potentially increasing demand for psychiatric care. This paper describes demographic profile patients admitted to Lentegeur (LGH), largest four hospitals Province.Methods: Medical records, patient interviews other clinical notes were used collect data on demographics, use, violent behaviour utilization rehabilitative...
Critical result reporting is a requirement for accreditation by bodies worldwide. Accurate, prompt communication of results to the clinician laboratory extreme importance. Repeating critical recipient has been used as means improve accuracy notification. Our objective was assess notification chemical pathology telephoned out clinicians/clinical areas. We hypothesize that read-back may notification.This prospective study, where all pathologists and registrars at Tygerberg Hospital were...
Diabetes mellitus contributes significantly to the burden of disease in South Africa (SA). Monitoring glycaemic control with glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is recommended, even though current laboratory-based testing does not support immediate clinical decision-making.To evaluate costs and consequences for quality care by introducing point-of-care (POC) HbA1c patients type 2 diabetes at community health centres Cape Town, SA.A quasi-experimental study was conducted two intervention sites...
Many clinical laboratories require that specimens for serum and urine osmolality determination be processed within 3 h of sampling or need to arrive at the laboratory on ice. This protocol is based World Health Organization report sample storage stability, but recommendation lacks good supporting data. We studied effect temperature time measurements.Blood samples were obtained from 16 patients 25 healthy volunteers. Baseline serum, plasma measurements performed 30 min. Measurements then made...
Abstract By early 2022, the highly transmissible Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 had spread across most world. For first time since pandemic began, New Zealand was experiencing high levels community transmission SARS-CoV-2. We enroled a cohort households to better understand differences in dynamics among subvariants Omicron. 71 households, comprising 289 participants, and aimed use viral genomes gain clearer understanding variant-specific epidemiological parameters affecting dynamics....
Gitelman syndrome (GS) is an autosomal recessive renal tubular disorder characterised by salt wasting with hypokalaemia, metabolic alkalosis, hypomagnesaemia and hypocalciuria. It caused mutations in SLC12A3 encoding the sodium-chloride cotransporter on apical membrane of distal convoluted tubule. We report a South African family five affected individuals presenting hypokalaemia unusual food cravings. The two unaffected first degree relatives were enrolled into study. Phenotypes evaluated...
Point-of-care testing (POCT) is defined as done near or at the site of patient care with goal providing rapid information and improving outcomes. has many advantages some limitations which affect its use implementation.The aim audit was to determine current practices, staff attitudes training provided hospital clinical staff.The conducted a questionnaire containing 30 questions. One hundred sixty questionnaires were delivered 55 sites Tygerberg Academic Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa,...
Monoclonal serum free light chain measurements are used to follow up and manage patients with monoclonal gammopathies, abnormal ratios associated risk of progression in certain diseases. We aimed validate the reference intervals our population. Reference for κ λ chains were established on 120 healthy adults. Creatinine levels measured exclude renal dysfunction protein electrophoresis was performed. All creatinine values within normal limits. After exclusion subjects electrophoreses, 113...
Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its associated cardiovascular risk are on the increase in children. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has emerged as a useful marker for inflammation with atherosclerosis disease. Our aim was to determine distribution of hs-CRP an effort identify MetS variable that is critical modulating plasma CRP levels population South African adolescents. Design: A cross-sectional analytical study design used this investigation, where dependent...
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can occur in all age groups. Over the past 15 years, an increase incidence of reported cases has been observed globally. Local surveillance data have also shown number laboratory-confrmed cases. This raises concerns about waning immunity adolescents and adults. The aim this study was to screen for seropositivity against pertussis infection by measuring immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titers Bordetella adolescent population Western...
To systematically identify, collate, and analyze the current available evidence for effectiveness of lateral-wedged insoles, with subtalar strapping, on reducing pain, improving function femoral-tibial angle (FTA), in adults medial knee osteoarthritis compared to traditional insoles without strapping.Six computerised databases, namely Cochrane Library, CiNAHL, PEDro, BIOMED central, PubMed ScienceDirect were searched. The included articles then all rated using PEDro scale determine their...
Background: Hypernatraemia is a common electrolyte problem in hospitalized patients and associated with high mortality rate. We aimed to determine the incidence, causes, management, outcomes of hypernatraemia adult at large South African tertiary hospital.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted Tygerberg Hospital Cape Town, Africa. Adult (at least one serum sodium concentration ≥150 mmol/L) during 3-month period 2014 were identified from our laboratory database for inclusion.Results:...
Point-of-care testing glucose meter use is on the increase and widely used in monitoring hospitalized patients as well by for self-monitoring. A major concern accuracy of meters different clinical settings. StatStrip (Nova Biomedical, Waltham, Mass) a new generation quantitative ketone designed to correct common biochemical interferences measure hematocrit. Our aim was assess analytical performance (Xpress Connectivity) Accu-Chek Active (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) setting....