item: #1 of 530 id: ajlm-10 author: Rensburg, Megan A.; Matsha, Tandi; Hoffmann, Mariza; Hassan, Mogamat S.; Erasmus, Rajiv T. title: Distribution and association of hs-CRP with cardiovascular risk variables of metabolic syndrome in adolescent learners date: 2012 words: 4442 flesch: 50 summary: Ethnic differences in body fat patterning are thought to account for some of the observed differences.28 In the Bogalusa study, hs-CRP levels showed racial differences and related to measures of obesity.3 For a given waist circumference, Black boys and girls from the USA were found to have higher abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and lower visceral adipose tissue than their White peers.28 Similar observations have been reported in South African children, in whom relatively more subcutaneous fat and greater waist circumference have been observed in stunted girls, which may predispose them to obesity in adulthood.29 In the Strong Without Anorexia Nervosa (SWAN) study, which examined 3154 women from different ethnic groups, Afro-American ethnicity was associated with higher hs-CRP levels after controlling for BMI, age and other risk factors, suggesting that genetic variants of hs-CRP and dietary and lifestyle factors could also be contributory factors.27,30 As observed in adults,27 we found that there were also ethnic differences, with Black and Coloured children having higher hs-CRP levels. keywords: children; crp; learners; levels; metabolic; mets; obesity; risk; south; study; syndrome cache: ajlm-10.htm plain text: ajlm-10.txt item: #2 of 530 id: ajlm-100 author: Waema, Maxwell; Maina, Naomi; Karanja, Simon; Gachie, Beatrice; Ngotho, Maina; Kagira, John title: Development of a safer laboratory vervet monkey model for the study of human African trypanosomiasis date: 2014 words: 4509 flesch: 49 summary: Low platelet counts could be indicative of toxic products, originating from the trypanosomes, which cause platelet destruction.18 Splenic pooling of platelets and phagocytic removal of platelets by mononuclear cells has also been associated with thrombocytopaenia.19 Severe progressive thrombocytopaenia has been reported in T. b. rhodesiense vervet monkey models and human cases of sleeping sickness.23,24 Similarly to T. b. rhodesiense infections in vervet monkeys, lymphocytopoenia was noted in the early stage of the disease and lymphocytosis in the late stage.17 Limitations of the study Top ↑ Only three animals were used in this study; however an extensive amount of data was obtained. Objectives: This study assessed the sequential clinical, parasitological and haematological changes in vervet monkeys infected with T. b. brucei. keywords: brucei; disease; dpi; infection; monkeys; rhodesiense; stage; t. b.; treatment; vervet cache: ajlm-100.htm plain text: ajlm-100.txt item: #3 of 530 id: ajlm-1001 author: Vaghari-Tabari, Mostafa; Moein, Soheila; Qujeq, Durdi; Kashifard, Mehrdad; Alaoddolehei, Haydeh; Hajian-Tilaki, Karimollah title: Sensitivity and specificity of mean platelet volume as a laboratory marker for irritable bowel syndrome: Can it be added to Rome criteria? date: 2020 words: 3733 flesch: 46 summary: Objective: This study aimed to evaluate red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) as laboratory markers to discriminate IBS patients from both healthy controls and patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Results: While RDW was higher and MPV was lower among IBS patients compared to healthy controls (p = 0.047 and p = 0.001), there were no significant differences in RDW or MPV levels between IBS and IBD patients. keywords: babol; blood; bowel; cell; disease; ibd; ibs; iran; mpv; patients; rdw cache: ajlm-1001.htm plain text: ajlm-1001.txt item: #4 of 530 id: ajlm-101 author: Edgil, Dianna; Williams, Jason; Smith, Peter; Kuritsky, Joel title: Optimising the laboratory supply chain: The key to effective laboratory services date: 2014 words: 5063 flesch: 42 summary: Country C In country C we calculated CD4 test costs by seven different implementing partners. Thus, use of the FACSCalibur™ has the potential to reduce overall laboratory costs by allowing for higher testing volumes at service provision sites with less dependence upon laboratory staff time. keywords: cd4; cost; country; facscount; instrument; laboratory; test; testing; throughput; utilisation cache: ajlm-101.htm plain text: ajlm-101.txt item: #5 of 530 id: ajlm-1017 author: Emperador, Devy M.; Mazzola, Laura T.; Kelly-Cirino, Cassandra title: An open-source molecular diagnostic platform approach for outbreak and epidemic preparedness date: 2020 words: 4345 flesch: 44 summary: To support rapid menu expansion during new or repeated outbreaks, a more flexible concept for outbreak pathogen test development is needed. An open-source development partnership model can combine the strengths of commercial developers to reduce development the cost and time to market, while supporting existing supply chain infrastructure, training and proficiency.29,32 Certainly, there are additional upstream and downstream challenges for pathogen test development. keywords: care; detection; development; diagnostics; disease; epidemic; homepage; internet; model; outbreak; pathogens; point; source; tests cache: ajlm-1017.htm plain text: ajlm-1017.txt item: #6 of 530 id: ajlm-1019 author: Naidoo, Dhamari; Ihekweazu, Chikwe title: Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen laboratory diagnostics – Why access to reliable and affordable diagnostics is key to building resilient laboratory systems date: 2020 words: 2798 flesch: 34 summary: Introduction Challenges in expanding and enhancing yellow fever laboratory diagnostics Building the Lassa fever laboratory network during an epidemic Access to diagnostics and laboratory systems integration Acknowledgements References About the Author(s) Dhamari Naidoo WHO Health Emergency Program, Infectious Hazard Management, World Health Organisation, Abuja, Nigeria Chikwe Ihekweazu Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Abuja, Nigeria Citation Naidoo D, Ihekweazu C. Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen laboratory diagnostics – Why access to reliable and affordable diagnostics is key to building resilient laboratory systems. Challenges in expanding and enhancing yellow fever laboratory diagnostics Since 2016, the re-emergence of YF has caused outbreaks in Angola, Brazil, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea and Uganda.8 This prompted the WHO to launch the Eliminating Yellow Fever Epidemics strategy to reduce the risk of YF in high-risk countries through strengthening outbreak detection, response and prevention.9 In 2017, YF re-emerged in Nigeria, 17 years since the last reported case.10 Localised outbreaks continue to be reported and, as of March 2019, Nigeria had seen approximately 4100 suspect cases, of which 139 were confirmed in 17 states throughout the country11 (Figure 1). keywords: diagnostics; disease; fever; health; laboratory; lassa; national; nigeria cache: ajlm-1019.htm plain text: ajlm-1019.txt item: #7 of 530 id: ajlm-102 author: Audu, Rosemary A.; Onubogu, Catherine C.; Okoye, Rosemary N.; Nwokoye, Nkiru N.; Onwuamah, Chika K.; Musa, Adesola Z.; Raheem, Toyosi Y.; Aniedobe, Maureen N.; Nduaga, Samuel J.; Essien, Ini-Obong; Idigbe, Emmanuel O. title: Proficiency testing for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria diagnosis in clinical laboratories in Nigeria date: 2014 words: 5779 flesch: 47 summary: Abstract • Introduction • Research method and design    • Phase 1: Questionnaire survey    • Phase 2: Provision of proficiency testing service    • Characterisation of panels       • HIV       • Tuberculosis       • Malaria    • Panel distribution    • Mentoring component    • Data analysis    • Ethical considerations • Results    • Questionnaire survey    • Participation and response rate of laboratories    • Proficiency testing panel testing results    • Feedback from participating laboratories • Discussion    • Limitations of the study    • Conclusion • Acknowledgements    • Competing interests    • Authors’ contributions • References Abstract Top ↑ Background: Proficiency testing (PT) is a means of verifying the reliability of laboratory results, but such programmes are not readily available to laboratories in developing countries. This study used an abridged grading system of the WHO Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) to assess laboratories' adherence to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15189 standard, measuring laboratory quality on a scale of zero to five stars. keywords: health; hiv; laboratories; laboratory; malaria; panel; quality; results; round; study; testing; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-102.htm plain text: ajlm-102.txt item: #8 of 530 id: ajlm-1022 author: Williams, Jason; Edgil, Dianna; Wattleworth, Mathew; Ndongmo, Clement; Kuritsky, Joel title: The network approach to laboratory procurement and supply chain management: Addressing the system issues to enhance HIV viral load scale-up date: 2020 words: 5619 flesch: 37 summary: Keywords: laboratory networks; molecular scale-up; optimisation; supply chain; laboratory. LabEQIP has most often been used to strategically plan the design of laboratory networks, the placement of equipment, the planning of sample referrals and the improvement of instrument utilisation. keywords: approach; countries; hiv; instrument; laboratory; management; network; pricing; procurement; scale; service; supply; testing cache: ajlm-1022.htm plain text: ajlm-1022.txt item: #9 of 530 id: ajlm-1028 author: Tshabalala, Wanda S.; Pillay, Somasundram; Wilson, Doughlas P.K. title: Diagnostic outcomes of bone marrow aspirate and trephine biopsies performed at a hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa date: 2020 words: 4059 flesch: 49 summary: PET scanning has been recommended in the literature as a superior staging modality for bone marrow involvement in lymphoma sufferers.26 Medical literature has documented the limitations of bone marrow examination in patients with aggressive DLBCL and early lymphoma.26 Other studies suggest that PET/CT scanning is more useful in assessing the involvement of the bone marrow.26,27 Improved access to PET/CT scanning would reduce the frequencies of bone marrow examinations in lymphoma sufferers, as most studies suggest that it should be considered as a first-line examination of bone marrow in lymphoma patients.26,27 Bone marrow infiltration in DLBCL can easily be missed as most DLBCL infiltration are focal rather than diffuse.26 PET/CT has a much more superior sensitivity (94% vs. 24%) and a higher negative predictive value (98% vs. 80%) when compared to a bone marrow examination.27 In our study there was only one case reported as nutritional deficiency and that was megaloblastic anaemia due to folate deficiency. The main indications for bone marrow examination were: cytopenias 38 (32%), lymphoma 35 (29%), leukaemia 21 (18%), and multiple myeloma 17 (14%). keywords: age; bmat; bone; cases; examination; hiv; hospital; lymphoma; marrow; patients; south; study; trephine cache: ajlm-1028.htm plain text: ajlm-1028.txt item: #10 of 530 id: ajlm-1029 author: Ansumana, Rashid; Bah, Fatmata; Biao, Kan; Harding, Doris; Jalloh, Mohamed B.; Kelly, Ann H.; Koker, Francess; Koroma, Zikan; Momoh, Mambu; Rogers, Mohamed H.; Rogers, James; Street, Alice; Vernooij, Eva; Wurie, Isatta title: Building diagnostic systems in Sierra Leone: The role of point-of-care devices in laboratory strengthening date: 2020 words: 4650 flesch: 42 summary: To expedite their deployment, a series of cross-sectional research and development initiatives were launched including innovative financing mechanisms, data-sharing platforms, public-private partnerships and accelerated regulatory pathways.1 A number of novel EVD diagnostics were trialled in Sierra Leone.2,3,4,5,6,7 Guided by a national testing algorithm, rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) such as ReEBOV (Corgenix, Broomfield, Colorado, United States) and the OraQuick (Orasure Technologies, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States), intended for use at the primary care level, and automated real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), primarily run on the benchtop, underwent rapid validation and performance evaluation through the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use and Assessment Listing mechanism.8,9,10,11 The ReEBOV test was temporarily deployed in a field setting in Sierra Leone and another rapid test, the DSTL EVD Rapid Diagnostic Antigen Test, developed by the Defence Science Technology Laboratory in the United Kingdom, was validated in hospital and primary care settings.6 The meeting featured short presentations as well as a panel discussion with Sierra Leonean laboratory scientists and health workers, who shared their first-hand experience using rapid diagnostic tests during the Ebola outbreak. keywords: care; devices; disease; ebola; global; health; laboratory; leone; point; sierra; sierra leone; systems; testing; tests; use cache: ajlm-1029.htm plain text: ajlm-1029.txt item: #11 of 530 id: ajlm-1035 author: Preiser, Wolfgang; van Zyl, Gert U. title: Pooled testing: A tool to increase efficiency of infant HIV diagnosis and virological monitoring date: 2020 words: 6764 flesch: 51 summary: Pooled HIV VL testing has the potential to reduce the reagent cost of VL testing. Abstract Early infant diagnosis of HIV and virological monitoring of patients on antiretroviral therapy – Ongoing challenges for sub-Saharan Africa The concept of pooled testing (‘pooling’) – Some important considerations Perspectives and outlook Acknowledgements References About the Author(s) Wolfgang Preiser Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa Gert U. van Zyl Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa Citation Preiser W, Van Zyl GU. keywords: africa; art; eid; failure; hiv; infant; monitoring; patients; pooling; pools; samples; testing; tests cache: ajlm-1035.htm plain text: ajlm-1035.txt item: #12 of 530 id: ajlm-1037 author: Babalola, Oluwatoyin A.; Ogunkeyede, Ayodele; Odetunde, Abayomi B.; Fasola, Foluke; Oni, Anthony A.; Babalola, Chinedum P.; Falusi, Adeyinka G. title: Haematological indices of sickle cell patients with chronic leg ulcers on compression therapy date: 2020 words: 5389 flesch: 55 summary: Fasting blood sugar was tested for leg ulcer patients to determine diabetic status. Compared to the control group, haematological indices at commencement of treatment were more severe in leg ulcer patients (p = 0.02). keywords: blood; cell; chronic; compression; disease; healing; ibadan; leg; leg ulcers; nigeria; patients; sickle; sickle cell; size; study; ulcers; wound cache: ajlm-1037.htm plain text: ajlm-1037.txt item: #13 of 530 id: ajlm-1038 author: Mohanlal, Reena D. title: Endometrial sampling at an academic hospital in South Africa: Histological findings, lessons learnt and interesting surprises date: 2020 words: 4028 flesch: 35 summary: Associations between the macroscopic quantity of tissue received and the presence of endometrial tissue (p ≤ 0.001) and diagnostic category (p ≤ 0.001) are shown in Table 2. TABLE 2: Macroscopic quantities of endometrial tissue samples received at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital Histopathology Laboratory from 01 July 2013 to 31 May 2017 in relation to microscopically assessed endometrial tissue and diagnostic categories. Endometrial biopsies are submitted to the laboratory from the gynaecology department at the hospital. keywords: biopsy; bleeding; cases; data; endometrium; patients; postmenopausal; sampling; study; tissue cache: ajlm-1038.htm plain text: ajlm-1038.txt item: #14 of 530 id: ajlm-1040 author: Hlahla, Mmachuene I.; Selatole, Moshibudi J. title: Could ante-mortem computed tomography be useful in forensic pathology of traumatic intracranial haemorrhage? date: 2021 words: 3152 flesch: 51 summary: Individual intracranial haemorrhage detection discrepancies ranged from 9.41% to 34.12%, with SAH carrying the highest rate. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of ACT in forensic pathology by examining discrepancy rates between ACT scans and autopsy findings in cases of deceased individuals with traumatic intracranial haemorrhages and assess factors associated with discrepancies. keywords: act; autopsy; cases; discrepancies; discrepancy; findings; forensic; haemorrhage; mortem; scan cache: ajlm-1040.htm plain text: ajlm-1040.txt item: #15 of 530 id: ajlm-1041 author: Fall, Cheikh; Cappuyns, Aurélie; Faye, Oumar; Pauwels, Steven; Fall, Gamou; Dia, Ndongo; Diagne, Moussa M.; Diagne, Cheikh T.; Niang, Makhtar; Mbengue, Alassane; Faye, Martin; Dieng, Idrissa; Gningue, Babacar; Bousso, Abdoulaye; Faye, Ousmane; Pauwels, Rudi; Sall, Amadou A. title: Field evaluation of a mobile biosafety laboratory in Senegal to strengthen rapid disease outbreak response and monitoring date: 2020 words: 6394 flesch: 45 summary: Keywords: mobile biosafety laboratory; MBS-Lab; field deployment; outbreak; Senegal; point-of-care. Biosafety level-4 laboratories in Europe: Opportunities for public health, diagnostics, and research. keywords: biosafety; dakar; dengue; department; disease; field; health; institut; isolator; lab; laboratory; mbs; outbreak; pasteur; results; samples; senegal; study; system; virology cache: ajlm-1041.htm plain text: ajlm-1041.txt item: #16 of 530 id: ajlm-1048 author: Anjorin, AbdulAzeez A.; Adepoju, Barakat A. title: Serologic evidence of seasonal influenza A and B in HIV patients on combined antiretroviral therapy in Lagos, Nigeria date: 2020 words: 4145 flesch: 45 summary: No data is available on influenza virus infection in HIV patients from Nigeria and that underscores the importance of this study. Abstract Background: Influenza and HIV are endemic in Nigeria but there is no epidemiological data on the co-infection of influenza A and B among HIV patients. keywords: cart; cd4; hiv; infection; influenza; lagos; nigeria; patients; seasonal; study; virus cache: ajlm-1048.htm plain text: ajlm-1048.txt item: #17 of 530 id: ajlm-1056 author: Langat, Robert K.; Farah, Bashir; Indangasi, Jackton; Ogola, Simon; Omosa-Manyonyi, Gloria; Anzala, Omu; Bizimana, Jean; Tekirya, Emmanuel; Ngetsa, Caroline; Silwamba, Moses; Muyanja, Enoch; Chetty, Paramesh; Jangano, Maureen; Hills, Nancy; Gilmour, Jill; Dally, Len; Cox, Josephine H.; Hayes, Peter title: Performance of International AIDS Vaccine Initiative African clinical research laboratories in standardised ELISpot and peripheral blood mononuclear cell processing in support of HIV vaccine clinical trials date: 2021 words: 8507 flesch: 45 summary: Laboratory preparation Process of establishing clinical trial laboratories under good clinical laboratory practice guidelines Comprehensive training programmes, calibrated and maintained equipment and quality control measures were integral in establishing IAVI’s sponsored laboratories (Table 1) and are described in detail in Supplementary Document 1. TABLE 1:  The blood bag was further labelled at clinical laboratory services (CLS) with a project number linked to the blood bag on the laboratory information management system. keywords: blood; cell; clinical; cytomegalovirus; data; elispot; hiv; iavi; kenya; laboratories; laboratory; pbmc; proficiency; research; responses; samples; testing; trials; united; vaccine cache: ajlm-1056.htm plain text: ajlm-1056.txt item: #18 of 530 id: ajlm-1057 author: Zohoun, Alban; Agbodandé, Tatiana B.; Kpadé, Angélique; Goga, Raliatou O.; Gainsi, René; Balè, Paul; Sambo, Bibata M.; Charlebois, Remi; Crane, Rachel; Merkel, Michele; Anani, Ludovic; Milgotina, Ekaterina title: From benchmarking to best practices: Lessons from the laboratory quality improvement programme at the military teaching hospital in Cotonou, Benin date: 2021 words: 4542 flesch: 33 summary: The workshop covered essential aspects of laboratory quality management, including document management and standard operating procedure writing; equipment management and maintenance; error occurrence management, prevention and corrective action, and quality indicators. The QI programme aimed to provide training for laboratory personnel on quality management concepts and practices, monitor laboratory quality and adherence to quality systems, conduct laboratory test method validation and provide proficiency testing panels for HIV, tuberculosis and other critical tests – successful implementation of the QI programme ensures that laboratory stakeholders and end-users have confidence in laboratory data which informs clinical decisions and optimises patient care. keywords: chu; health; hia; hospital; improvement; laboratory; management; personnel; programme; quality; slipta; staff; training cache: ajlm-1057.htm plain text: ajlm-1057.txt item: #19 of 530 id: ajlm-1068 author: Datema, Tjeerd A.M.; Oskam, Linda; Broerse, Jacqueline E.W.; Klatser, Paul R. title: Review of the Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) version 2:2015 date: 2020 words: 4658 flesch: 45 summary: The paper by Ndihokubwayo et al. (2016) is the only paper summarising SLIPTA implementation and lessons learned.12 Two additional papers were found that present SLIPTA implementation findings, but these also combined SLIPTA with additional assistance.20,21 Both studies indicated that combining SLIPTA with mentoring has a positive effect on QMS implementation, although neither control laboratories nor findings on sustainability of this model were included.20,21 Ndihokubwayo et al. found that SLIPTA laboratories performed most poorly on the internal audit and corrective action sections.12 This finding is corroborated by other studies.22,23,24,25,26,27,28 They further state that advocacy for laboratory strengthening is key to the SLIPTA process (as it is owned by the ministry of health) and that particularly Francophone and Lusophone countries are not well covered. The ministry of health develops an implementation plan and prioritises SLIPTA applicant laboratories and allocates financial and human resources for SLIPTA implementation. keywords: accreditation; checklist; health; implementation; improvement; iso; laboratories; laboratory; process; quality; slipta; stepwise cache: ajlm-1068.htm plain text: ajlm-1068.txt item: #20 of 530 id: ajlm-1080 author: Kieh, Mark W.; Browne, Sarah M.; Grandits, Greg A.; Blie, Julie; Doe-Anderson, Jestina W.; Hoover, Marie L.; Davis, Bionca; Reilly, Cavan S.; Neaton, James D.; Lane, H. Clifford; Kennedy, Stephen B. title: Adult and paediatric haematology and clinical chemistry laboratory reference limits for Liberia date: 2020 words: 4420 flesch: 51 summary: Abstract Background: As more research is conducted in Liberia, there is a need for laboratory reference limits for common chemistry and haematology values based on a healthy population. To our knowledge, this is the first report of laboratory reference limits from a Liberian population. keywords: adults; age; laboratory; levels; liberia; limits; participants; prevail; ranges; reference; study; values cache: ajlm-1080.htm plain text: ajlm-1080.txt item: #21 of 530 id: ajlm-1084 author: Newman, Howard; Tshabalala, Donald; Mabunda, Sikhumbuzo; Nkosi, Nokwazi; Carelson, Candice title: Rapid testing for respiratory syncytial virus in a resource-limited paediatric intensive care setting date: 2020 words: 2958 flesch: 41 summary: References Chartrand C, Tremblay N, Renaud C, Papenburg J. Diagnostic accuracy of rapid antigen detection tests for respiratory syncytial virus infection: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Burden of respiratory syncytial virus infection in South African human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and HIV-uninfected pregnant and postpartum women: A longitudinal cohort study. keywords: africa; antigen; assay; infection; laboratory; rsv; sensitivity; south; study; virus cache: ajlm-1084.htm plain text: ajlm-1084.txt item: #22 of 530 id: ajlm-1092 author: Gous, Natasha; Nyaruhirira, Alaine U.; Cunningham, Bradford; Macek, Chris title: Driving the usage of tuberculosis diagnostic data through capacity building in low- and middle-income countries date: 2020 words: 3619 flesch: 41 summary: We leveraged an existing connectivity footprint, namely the GxAlert system (SystemOne, LLC, Northampton, Massachusetts, United States), to gain access to GeneXpert tuberculosis data within each respective country, but the programme is translatable to any connectivity platform collecting tuberculosis GeneXpert data. The focus was on skills development in Tableau software, followed by training in exploration, analysis, and interpretation of GeneXpert tuberculosis data across five key programme areas: patient services, programme monitoring, quality of testing, inventory management, and disease burden. keywords: analysis; countries; data; genexpert; health; instrument; participants; programme; tableau; training; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-1092.htm plain text: ajlm-1092.txt item: #23 of 530 id: ajlm-11 author: Parsons, Linda M.; Somoskovi, Akos; Lee, Evan; Paramasivan, Chinnambedu N.; Schneidman, Miriam; Birx, Deborah; Roscigno, Giorgio; Nkengasong, John N. title: Global health: Integrating national laboratory health systems and services in resource-limited settings date: 2012 words: 3626 flesch: 34 summary: • Policy and strategic planning    • Standardising testing and equipment and coordinating with partners    • Joint coordination with clinicians    • Implementation • Practical examples of integrated laboratory capacity in the field    • Integration of TB laboratory capacity in HIV laboratories    • Integration of HIV testing in a TB laboratory    • Avian influenza laboratory support in HIV laboratories • Human resources training • Recommendations and conclusion • Acknowledgements    • Competing interests    • Authors’ contributions • References Abstract Top ↑ Laboratory systems worldwide are challenged not only by the need to compete for scarce resources with other sections of national health care programmes, but also with the lack of understanding of the critical role that laboratories play in the accurate diagnosis and monitoring of patients suffering from high-burdens of disease. Practical examples of integrated laboratory capacity in the field Top ↑ Integration of TB laboratory capacity in HIV laboratories In 2006, a state of the art bio-safety level (BSL)-2 central laboratory was established at the Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI) in Addis Ababa through PEPFAR funding to support the laboratory diagnosis of HIV patients. keywords: capacity; health; hiv; laboratories; laboratory; national; services; support; systems; testing cache: ajlm-11.htm plain text: ajlm-11.txt item: #24 of 530 id: ajlm-1102 author: Coetzee, Lindi-Marie; Cassim, Naseem; Glencross, Deborah K. title: Weekly laboratory turn-around time identifies poor performance masked by aggregated reporting date: 2020 words: 5415 flesch: 48 summary: Conclusion National and provincial analysis of TAT mask individual laboratory performance; therefore, TAT analysis by week and by laboratory is recommended to highlight laboratory TAT inefficiencies. Extended reg-to-test (within laboratory TAT) seen in weeks 6–11 of 2017 correlated with instrument downtime based on data provided by Beckman Coulter call centre log on engineers dispatched. keywords: 75th; data; laboratories; laboratory; national; percentile; performance; tat; test; time; weeks cache: ajlm-1102.htm plain text: ajlm-1102.txt item: #25 of 530 id: ajlm-1103 author: Ondoa, Pascale; Ndlovu, Nqobile; Keita, Mah-Sere; Massinga-Loembe, Marguerite; Kebede, Yenew; Odhiambo, Collins; Mekonen, Teferi; Ashenafi, Aytenew; Kebede, Amha; Nkengasong, John title: Preparing national tiered laboratory systems and networks to advance diagnostics in Africa and meet the continent’s health agenda: Insights into priority areas for improvement date: 2020 words: 6721 flesch: 35 summary: The WHO estimates that the resulting loss of annual productivity due to the heavy disease burden in Africa equalled $2.4 trillion and 630 million years of healthy lives in 2015.23 Despite the call for more attention in building effective public health laboratory systems,24 which was made in the aftermath of the Ebola epidemic of 2015, few data exist that allow quantification of the overall performance of national laboratory networks and systems across diseases. This system allows the easy collection, curation and analysis of geospatial data to make informed decisions on national laboratory networks and is interoperable with the District Health Information System (DHIS2, University of Oslo, Norway) 234. keywords: ababa; addis; africa; countries; data; diagnostic; disease; health; homepage; internet; laboratories; laboratory; level; national; networks; pathologists; quality; systems; testing cache: ajlm-1103.htm plain text: ajlm-1103.txt item: #26 of 530 id: ajlm-1109 author: Ibrahim, Rajiha A.; Teshale, Amete M.; Dinku, Surafel F.; Abera, Negga A.; Negeri, Abebe A.; Desta, Feven G.; Seyum, Eyasu T.; Gemeda, Adugna W.; Keficho, Wubshet M. title: Corrigendum: Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Ethiopia: Implementation experiences and lessons learned date: 2019 words: 275 flesch: 46 summary: About the Author(s) Rajiha A. Ibrahim Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Amete M. Teshale Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Surafel F. Dinku Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Negga A. Abera Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Abebe A. Negeri Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Feven G. Desta Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Eyasu T. Seyum Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Adugna W. Gemeda Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Wubshet M. Keficho American Society for Microbiology, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Citation Ibrahim RA, Teshale AM, Dinku SF, et al. Implementation experiences and lessons learned Rajiha A. Ibrahim, Amete M. Teshale, Surafel F. Dinku, Negga A. Abera, Abebe A. Negeri, Feven G. Desta, Eyasu T. Seyum, Adugna W. Gemeda, keywords: addis; institute cache: ajlm-1109.htm plain text: ajlm-1109.txt item: #27 of 530 id: ajlm-1114 author: Skosana, Lebogang; Ismail, Farzana; Mbelle, Nontombi; Said, Mohamed title: Brucellosis – laboratory workers’ nightmare come true: A case study date: 2020 words: 2530 flesch: 44 summary: The case discusses the management of brucellosis in the infected patient as well as the management of laboratory exposure to Brucella spp. Keywords: brucellosis; laboratory exposure; prophylaxis; public health; microbiology. keywords: brucella; brucellosis; case; exposure; laboratory; patient; south cache: ajlm-1114.htm plain text: ajlm-1114.txt item: #28 of 530 id: ajlm-1119 author: Mitton, Barend; Rule, Roxanne; Mbelle, Nontombi; van Hougenhouck-Tulleken, Wesley; Said, Mohamed title: Post-procedural Bacillus cereus septic arthritis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus date: 2020 words: 2352 flesch: 37 summary: Bacillus cereus infections in traumatology – Orthopaedics department: Retrospective investigation and improvement of healthcare practices. Close collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team approach will effect the best outcome for complicated patients with B. cereus infections. keywords: africa; bacillus; cereus; infections; patient; pretoria; south cache: ajlm-1119.htm plain text: ajlm-1119.txt item: #29 of 530 id: ajlm-1120 author: Cassim, Naseem; Coetzee, Lindi M.; Glencross, Deborah K. title: Categorising specimen referral delays for CD4 testing: How inter-laboratory distances and travel times impact turn-around time across a national laboratory service in South Africa date: 2020 words: 5116 flesch: 46 summary: al. reported using a service radius around existing CD4 testing laboratories to determine healthcare facilities and clinics that lay outside of existing service precincts.2 The median was 0.9 h, with an interquartile range of 0.4–1.63 h, a mode of 0.35 h, and a range of 6.15 h. FIGURE 2: Relationship between inter-laboratory CD4 testing referral distance and travel time between source and CD4 testing laboratories in the 2018 calendar year across the National Health Laboratory Services in South Africa. keywords: cd4; distance; health; laboratories; laboratory; referral; samples; service; tat; testing; time cache: ajlm-1120.htm plain text: ajlm-1120.txt item: #30 of 530 id: ajlm-1122 author: Rossouw, Sophia; Bendou, Hocine; Bell, Liam; Rigby, Jonathan; Christoffels, Alan title: Effect of polyethylene glycol 20 000 on protein extraction efficiency of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues in South Africa date: 2021 words: 6301 flesch: 43 summary: This places limitations on the choice of proteomics workflows (including protein extraction, protein sample enrichment, fractionation and digestion) that can be used to generate samples of suitable quality for high sensitivity liquid chromatography (LC) tandem MS analysis.2,7 Additional challenges faced in FFPE proteomics studies, which cannot be remedied after the fact, are pre-analytical factors that affect protein extraction efficiency and often produce variable protein yields. In addition, protein samples extracted without PEG showed higher reproducibility, and the addition of PEG to the protein extraction buffer generated lower percentages of unique peptides remaining in the sample pellets. keywords: africa; analysis; cape; extraction; ffpe; figure; formalin; paraffin; patient; peg; peptides; protein; protein extraction; proteomics; samples; south; tissue cache: ajlm-1122.htm plain text: ajlm-1122.txt item: #31 of 530 id: ajlm-1124 author: Mitchev, Nireshni; Singh, Ravesh; Garrett, Nigel; Ramsuran, Veron; Niehaus, Abraham J.; Mlisana, Koleka P. title: Performance of TaqMan probes for the detection of sexually transmitted infections in South African women date: 2021 words: 3008 flesch: 42 summary: C. trachomatis was the most common organism found in co-infections and was present in 42% (5/12) of the N. gonorrhoeae, 25% (3/12) of the M. genitalium and 11% (1/9) of the T. vaginalis infections. TABLE 1: Yield obtained with Anyplex™ II STI-7 detection assay and TaqMan® probes, from 250 vaginal swab specimens collected from patients attending Prince Cyril Zulu Communicable Disease Centre (Durban, South Africa) between May 2016 and January 2017. Contingency 2 × 2 tables were used to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for each of the TaqMan® probes with Anyplex™ II STI-7 detection assay as the gold standard.10,16,17 Results A total of 267 women were screened for STIs at an urban clinic in Durban, South Africa. keywords: africa; detection; durban; infections; medical; pcr; south; study; taqman; women cache: ajlm-1124.htm plain text: ajlm-1124.txt item: #32 of 530 id: ajlm-1128 author: Okeke, Iruka N. title: Extending the breadth of African laboratory medicine date: 2019 words: 1368 flesch: 50 summary: Extending the breadth of African laboratory medicine. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002068 Bhaumik S, Jagnoor J. Diversity in the editorial boards of global health journals. keywords: africa; ajlm; editorial; health; journal cache: ajlm-1128.htm plain text: ajlm-1128.txt item: #33 of 530 id: ajlm-1136 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2019 words: 659 flesch: 25 summary: Sadequl Islam Sam Kariuki Aderemi Kehinde Stephen B. Kennedy Luc Kestens Charles Kiyaga Jerzy Klijanienko Kekoura Kourouma Chika Kusano George Boateng Kyei Majda Laboudi Sylvia LaCourse William Lali Kim Lewis Raphael Lihana Direk Limmathurotsakul Smijlika de Lussigny Megha Maheshwari Alexander Martin-Odoom Talkmore Maruta Patrick Mateta Kamran Mirza Meade Morgan Anneta F. Naidoo Nicaise Ndembi Brooke Nichols Nicholas I. Nii-Trebi Jean N. Nikiema Patrick Njukeng Michael A. Noble Jacinta Nwogu Iheanyi O. Okonko Ahmed Olowo-okere Sien Ombelet Pascale Ondoa Japheth Opintan Philip O. Oshun Collins O. Otieno Chin-Yih Ou Pragyan S. Panda Ursula Panzer Ketan Patel Mario Plebani Nira Pollock Oluwafemi Akinyele Popoola Philomena Raftery Michele Ramsay Sarah Riley Lucy J. Robertson Julia K. Rohr Debra De Assis Rosa Ahmed Saleh David Jahbiuk Sambian Paul Sandstrom Christine E. Schaner-Tooley Mary E. Schmitz Heidi Schütt-Gerowitt Yan Shen Adebayo Shittu Cassandra Soo Derek R. Stein Timothy Su Anthony P. Sunjaya Catherine G. Sutcliffe Tomas Szotkowski Rosemary Tambouret Maria A. Telles Merih Tesfazghi Ajaykumar K. Thirumala Ralph Timperi Cristina Touriño Florette Treurnicht Raquel Villegas Lara Vojnov Hongping Wei Shannon Whitmer Peter R. Williamson Feng Xu Nicole Young Peter Young Anissa Zaouak http://www.ajlmonline.org� https://ajlmonline.org� https://ajlmonline.org� https://ajlmonline.org� https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/user https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/user mailto:publishing@aosis.co.za http://www.ajlmonline.org Open Access Page 1 of 1 Reviewer Acknowledgement Acknowledgement to reviewers In an effort to facilitate the selection of appropriate peer reviewers for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, we ask that you take a moment to update your electronic portfolio on https://ajlmonline.org for our files, allowing us better access to your areas of interest and expertise, in order to match reviewers with submitted manuscripts. keywords: access; https://ajlmonline.org; journal; laboratory; medicine; reviewer cache: ajlm-1136.pdf plain text: ajlm-1136.txt item: #34 of 530 id: ajlm-1138 author: Marume, Amos; Chimponda, Theresa; Vengesai, Arthur; Mushayi, Caroline; Mann, Jaclyn; Mduluza, Takafira title: Effects of TNF-α and IL-10-819 T>C single nucleotide polymorphisms on urogenital schistosomiasis in preschool children in Zimbabwe date: 2021 words: 5063 flesch: 42 summary: The results highlight and support existing evidence on schistosomiasis prevalence levels (10.5%) in children aged between one and five years and also support the possible effectiveness of mass drug administrations and immune development facilitation effects of praziquantel treatment as only six were reinfected one year post treatment. Conclusion: Higher TNF-α levels and lower IL-10 levels are potentially protective against schistosomiasis infection. keywords: children; genotype; haematobium; il-10; infection; levels; prevalence; schistosomiasis; study; tnf; zimbabwe cache: ajlm-1138.htm plain text: ajlm-1138.txt item: #35 of 530 id: ajlm-1153 author: Office, Editorial title: Table of Contents Vol 8, No 1 (2019) date: 2019 words: 1521 flesch: -29 summary: Evidence of implementation Anne N. Mbuthia, Eunice M. Mwangi, Musa O. Ong’ombe African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 8, No 1 | a676 | 26 | Vol 8, No 1 | a809 | 30 May 2019 Brief Report Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus co-infection among HIV-1-positive patients in North-Central Nigeria: keywords: african; african journal; field; journal; laboratory medicine; lessons; research; vol cache: ajlm-1153.pdf plain text: ajlm-1153.txt item: #36 of 530 id: ajlm-1156 author: Mataka, Anafi; Tumbare, Esther A.J.; Motsoane, Tsietso; Holtzman, David; Leqheka, Monkoe; Phatsoane, Kolisang; Sacks, Emma; Isavwa, Anthony; Tiam, Appolinaire title: Strategic site selection for placement of HIV early infant diagnosis point-of-care technology within a national diagnostic network in Lesotho date: 2021 words: 4775 flesch: 47 summary: This article aims to share Lesotho’s experiences of a systematic approach to identifying and assessing the readiness of potential POC EID sites and to highlight the critical requirements for selecting sites to integrate routine POC EID into a sustainable and optimised EID diagnostic network. Here we highlight critical requirements for selecting routine POC EID sites to ensure a sustainable and optimised EID diagnostic network. keywords: capacity; care; eid; facilities; health; hiv; lesotho; poc; point; sites; testing cache: ajlm-1156.htm plain text: ajlm-1156.txt item: #37 of 530 id: ajlm-1157 author: Koster, Winny; Ndione, Albert G.; Adama, Mourfou; Guindo, Ibrehima; Sow, Iyane; Diallo, Souleymane; Sakandé, Jean; Ondoa, Pascale title: An oral history of medical laboratory development in francophone West African countries date: 2021 words: 8241 flesch: 44 summary: Available from: http://cnop.sante.gov.ml Oninga J. Les laboratoires de santé au Sénégal: Bilan et perspectives [Health laboratories in Senegal: review and prospects] [unpublished thesis]. National public health laboratories should be established – this is one of the goals of the Africa CDC, supported by the African Society for Laboratory Medicine – and should have political influence at the MoH to set national research priorities. keywords: africa; burkina; centre; des; development; equipment; faso; health; informants; laboratories; laboratory; mali; national; programmes; public; santé; senegal; services; study; training cache: ajlm-1157.htm plain text: ajlm-1157.txt item: #38 of 530 id: ajlm-1164 author: Ellapen, Malcolm T.; Ellapen, Terry J.; Paul, Yvonne title: The growth patterns of the medical technology profession in South Africa date: 2021 words: 3462 flesch: 38 summary: A student medical technologist-in-training is currently completing a medical technology degree and is registered with the HPCSA as a student-in-training. The mean growth in the number of student medical technologists was 6.8% while that of the interns was 28.9%, despite observed declines in 2015 and 2018. keywords: growth; health; intern; practitioner; profession; south; student; technologists; technology cache: ajlm-1164.htm plain text: ajlm-1164.txt item: #39 of 530 id: ajlm-1166 author: DeGruy, Kyle; Klein, Katherine; Rey, Zilma; Hall, Patricia; Kim, Andrea; Alexander, Heather title: Development of dried tube specimens for Xpert MTB/RIF proficiency testing date: 2020 words: 5139 flesch: 43 summary: Conclusion: Dried tube specimens can be produced using equipment already present in tuberculosis culture laboratories, making Xpert MTB/RIF PT scale-up more feasible in resource-limited settings. While the accuracy and precision of DTS are similar to those reported for other PT panels, the simplicity of matrix preparation and feasibility for transfer to low-resource settings set the DTS Xpert MTB/RIF PT panel apart.13 Additionally, since the procedure is similar to specimen processing for TB culture, much of the laboratory expertise, technical skill, equipment (e.g., Class II BSC, safety centrifuge, BACTEC MGIT 960 or 320 instrument, vortex, and an auxiliary incubator), and consumables necessary for DTS preparation already exist in tuberculosis culture laboratories in resource-limited countries. keywords: dts; laboratory; mtb; results; rif; states; testing; tuberculosis; united; xpert; xpert mtb cache: ajlm-1166.htm plain text: ajlm-1166.txt item: #40 of 530 id: ajlm-1167 author: Klein, Katherine; DeGruy, Kyle; Rey, Zilma; Hall, Patricia; Kim, Andrea; Gutreuter, Steve; Alexander, Heather title: A global proficiency testing programme for Xpert® MTB/RIF using dried tube specimens, 2013–2015 date: 2020 words: 4872 flesch: 41 summary: Despite the rapid expansion of the Xpert® MTB/RIF assay for the detection of tuberculosis in resource-limited settings (RLS), low-cost PT materials for Xpert MTB/RIF external quality assessment (EQA) are not widely available. Objective: We sought to determine whether a dried tube specimen (DTS)-based PT programme would be a feasible option to support Xpert MTB/RIF EQA in RLS. keywords: complex; dts; mtb; programme; results; rif; sites; testing; tuberculosis; xpert cache: ajlm-1167.htm plain text: ajlm-1167.txt item: #41 of 530 id: ajlm-117 author: James, Ameh; Ochei, Kingsley; Emenyonu, Nnamdi; Lawson, Lovett title: Improved sensitivity, safety and laboratory turnaround time in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis by use of bleach sedimentation date: 2015 words: 3576 flesch: 46 summary: Direct smear microscopy is relied on for TB diagnosis; however, sensitivity rates vary. The most widely-available diagnostic test in these settings is direct smear microscopy (hereafter called direct microscopy), which is used for TB diagnosis. keywords: bleach; microscopy; pmid; sedimentation; sensitivity; smear; sputum; study; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-117.htm plain text: ajlm-117.txt item: #42 of 530 id: ajlm-1181 author: Jiya, Fatima B.; Ibitoye, Paul K.; Jiya, Nma M.; Amodu-Sanni, Maryam; Mohammed, Yahaya; Aquib, Dada M.; Coker, Lukman K. title: Emphysematous pyelonephritis in an infant from Sokoto, north-western Nigeria date: 2021 words: 2993 flesch: 42 summary: Although not the recommended treatment for this case with stage II EPN, nephrectomy was considered but the rapidity in deterioration in the patient’s condition (shock and death within few hours) did not allow for adequate counselling and preparation for the procedure. Discussion The 7-month-old male infant in this study had acute onset of fever, vomiting and a left-side ballotable abdominal mass with radiologic features of stage II EPN confirmed to be caused by extended spectrum β-lactamase E. coli on aspirate microscopy, culture and sensitivity. keywords: danfodiyo; emphysematous; epn; hospital; nigeria; patient; pyelonephritis; sokoto; teaching; university cache: ajlm-1181.htm plain text: ajlm-1181.txt item: #43 of 530 id: ajlm-1182 author: Marabi, Phidelis M.; Musyoki, Stanslaus; Amayo, Angela title: Biochemical changes in whole blood stored for transfusion at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, Kenya date: 2020 words: 3614 flesch: 50 summary: Overall, together with other parameters, biochemical changes in stored blood for blood transfusion should be properly monitored especially in consideration of the patient to be transfused. Conclusion: Potassium increased and sodium concentrations decreased significantly from the first week of blood storage. keywords: blood; changes; days; levels; mmol; potassium; sodium; storage; study; transfusion cache: ajlm-1182.htm plain text: ajlm-1182.txt item: #44 of 530 id: ajlm-1193 author: Fondoh, Victor N.; Fondoh, Richard M.; Awasom, Charles N.; Edith, Pefoule L.; Ntungwen, Winlove A.; Roland, Bong; Enow-Tanjong, Rebeca; Njukeng, Patrick; Shang, Judith; Egbengu, Egbe P.; Maruta, Talkmore; Etheline, Akazong; Leke, Robert; Leo, Ayuk; Nsame, Denis title: Haematological reference intervals for healthy adults in Bamenda, Cameroon date: 2020 words: 5051 flesch: 50 summary: These variations may be attributed to the influence of the hormone androgen on erythropoiesis as well as menstrual blood loss in women.36 Our findings are consistent with previous reports in Africa, including Oloume et al. in Cameroon,6 Awad et al. in Sudan,38 Addai-Mensah et al. in Ghana,7 Bakrim et al. in Morocco,8 Mulu et al. in Ethiopia13 and Yalew et al. in Ethiopia,12 Miri-Dashe et al. in Nigeria,36 Dosoo et al. keywords: bamenda; blood; cameroon; cell; et al; haematological; haemoglobin; health; intervals; laboratory; mean; participants; reference; reference intervals; regional; study; women cache: ajlm-1193.htm plain text: ajlm-1193.txt item: #45 of 530 id: ajlm-1224 author: Azebaze Agueguia, Franklin S.; Talla, Paul; Okomo Assoumou, Marie C.; Jacobs, Graeme B.; Mbakam, Cedric H.; Guiedem, Elise; Tongo Mesembe, Martha; Lyonga, Emilia; Mondinde Ikomey, George title: Involvement of CD95 and ligand in CD4+ T-cell and CD8+ T-cell depletion and hepatic cytolysis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B date: 2021 words: 4439 flesch: 46 summary: The CD4/CD8 ratios were lower in cirrhotic patients, compared to non-cirrhotic patients (p < 0.001). The CD4+ T-cell values in cirrhotic patients ranged from 608 cells/µL to 1024 cells/µL, with a median of 784.5 cells/µL. The CD4+ T-cell values in non-cirrhotic patients ranged from 688 to 1116 cells/µL, with a median of 901.3 cells/µL. keywords: cd4; cd8; cd95; cells; hbv; hepatitis; patients; ratio; study; yaoundé cache: ajlm-1224.htm plain text: ajlm-1224.txt item: #46 of 530 id: ajlm-1225 author: Gopolang, Felicity; Zulu-Mwamba, Fales; Nsama, Davy; Kruuner, Annika; Nsofwa, Dailes; Kasvosve, Ishmael; Gomo, Royce; Motlhabane, Tiny; Chohan, Bhavna; Soge, Olusegun; Osterhage, Daniel; Campbell, Nancy; Noble, Michael; Downer, Ann; Flandin, Jean-Frederic; Nartker, Anya; Koehn, Catherine; Nonde, Linda K.; Shibemba, Aaron; Ndongmo, Clement B.; Steinau, Martin; Perrone, Lucy A. title: Improving laboratory quality and capacity through leadership and management training: Lessons from Zambia 2016–2018 date: 2021 words: 5900 flesch: 38 summary: Although massive open online courses offer exciting opportunities to distribute knowledge on a massive and global scale, a full understanding of their effectiveness to deliver competency-based training to healthcare professionals remains limited and further research is warranted.47 The value of laboratory leadership programmes such as the one we describe here are starting to receive greater attention from the public health practice community48 and should be supported alongside other efforts to strengthen national laboratory systems.49 Limitations This programme was limited to a selected group of participants from Zambia who were selected based on their position in their organisation or their occupation. FIGURE 3: Participants’ self-perceived changes in key abilities after laboratory leadership and management programme in Zambia, 2016–2018. keywords: accreditation; center; global; health; international; laboratories; laboratory; leadership; management; online; participants; programme; quality; schools; seattle; training; united; university; washington; zambia cache: ajlm-1225.htm plain text: ajlm-1225.txt item: #47 of 530 id: ajlm-1228 author: Reddy, Ashandree; Rapiti, Nadine; Gounden, Verena title: Comparison of 24-hour versus random urine samples for determination and quantification of Bence Jones protein in a South African population date: 2021 words: 4910 flesch: 49 summary: Ashandree Reddy Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South AfricaNational Health Laboratory Service, Durban, South Africa Nadine Rapiti National Health Laboratory Service, Durban, South AfricaDepartment of Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa Verena Gounden Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South AfricaNational Health Laboratory Service, Durban, South Africa Citation Reddy A, Rapiti N, Gounden, V. Comparison of 24-hour versus random urine samples for determination and quantification of Bence Jones protein in a South African population. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1228 Original Research Comparison of 24-hour versus random urine samples for determination and quantification of Bence Jones protein in a South African population Ashandree Reddy, Nadine Rapiti, Verena Gounden Received: 20 Mar. 2020; Accepted: 04 Mar. 2021; Published: 04 Aug. 2021 Copyright: © 2021. keywords: analysis; bence; bjp; creatinine; jones; myeloma; patients; protein; response; samples; south; study; urine cache: ajlm-1228.htm plain text: ajlm-1228.txt item: #48 of 530 id: ajlm-1229 author: Cassim, Naseem; Coetzee, Lindi M.; Makuraj, Abel L.; Stevens, Wendy S.; Glencross, Deborah K. title: Establishing the cost of Xpert MTB/RIF mobile testing in high-burden peri-mining communities in South Africa date: 2021 words: 5379 flesch: 48 summary: For mobile tuberculosis testing, scenarios should be identified that match the increased costs of mobile testing with improved patient outcomes such as rapid tuberculosis case identification and same-day antiretroviral therapy initiation. Mobile tuberculosis testing should however be reserved for high-burden communities with limited access to laboratory testing where immediate intervention can benefit patient outcomes. keywords: africa; cost; health; laboratory; mobile; national; result; south; study; testing; tuberculosis; units; usd; xpert cache: ajlm-1229.htm plain text: ajlm-1229.txt item: #49 of 530 id: ajlm-123 author: McNerney, Ruth; Sollis, Kimberly; Peeling, Rosanna W. title: Improving access to new diagnostics through harmonised regulation: priorities for action date: 2014 words: 5328 flesch: 37 summary: Four areas where action could lower costs, reduce delays, and accelerate access to quality diagnostic products for health are: (1) adoption of common registration requirements and submission dossier for pre-market approval; (2) convergence of quality standards and mutual, or third-party, recognition of audit activities; (3) rationalisation of clinical performance studies in order to avoid unnecessary duplication; and (4) building transnational networks for post-market surveillance. The adoption and implementation of such measures in developing countries could accelerate access to new diagnostic tests that are safe and affordable. keywords: access; approval; countries; devices; health; market; products; quality; regulation; surveillance; tests; use cache: ajlm-123.htm plain text: ajlm-123.txt item: #50 of 530 id: ajlm-1244 author: Umaru, Farouk A. title: Scaling up testing for COVID-19 in Africa: Responding to the pandemic in ways that strengthen health systems date: 2020 words: 1311 flesch: 41 summary: While developed countries like the United States, Italy and Spain have struggled to cope with large-scale testing on multiple devices, many countries in Africa are disproportionately hit by the need for testing because of severe limitations in testing technologies. What role will manufacturers play in initiating long-term evaluation procedures for COVID-19 technologies? keywords: africa; covid-19; health; technologies; testing cache: ajlm-1244.htm plain text: ajlm-1244.txt item: #51 of 530 id: ajlm-1255 author: Olalekan, Adesola; Iwalokun, Bamidele; Akinloye, Oluwabukola M.; Popoola, Olayiwola; Samuel, Titilola A.; Akinloye, Oluyemi title: COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test could contain transmission in low- and middle-income countries date: 2020 words: 6023 flesch: 47 summary: With the dedicated global efforts on preventing the spread of COVID-19 and flattening the curve, significant improvement must have occurred in improving the performance of COVID-19 test kits. Singapore’s Camtech, JN Medsys to increase production of COVID-19 test kits. keywords: countries; cov-2; covid-19; diagnosis; igg; igm; kits; lagos; pcr; rdts; sars; sensitivity; serological; specificity; testing cache: ajlm-1255.htm plain text: ajlm-1255.txt item: #52 of 530 id: ajlm-126 author: Tuijn, Coosje J.; Msoka, Elizabeth; Mushi, Declare L.; Sumari-de Boer, Marion; Chilongola, Jaffu; van den Broek, Ankie title: The interface between clinicians and laboratory staff: A field study in northern Tanzania date: 2014 words: 4506 flesch: 43 summary: Laboratory staff also mentioned that nurses and sometimes patients play a role in the contact between the clinicians and laboratory staff. The interface between clinicians and laboratory staff: A field study in northern Tanzania In This Original Research... Open Access • Abstract • Introduction • Research method and design    • Study design    • Study population    • Sample size, sampling procedures and data collection    • Data analysis • Ethical considerations • Trustworthiness • Results    • Participants    • Factors influencing the interface       • Organisational factors    • Personal factors • Discussion • Limitations of this study • Conclusion • Acknowledgements    • Competing interests    • Authors’ contributions • References Abstract Top ↑ Background: Strengthening the communication and professional relationships between clinicians and laboratory workers is essential in order to positively change clinicians’ attitudes about the reliability of diagnostic tests, enhancing the use of laboratory diagnostics and, ultimately, improving patient care. keywords: clinical; clinicians; data; factors; health; laboratory; results; staff; study; test; workers cache: ajlm-126.htm plain text: ajlm-126.txt item: #53 of 530 id: ajlm-1261 author: Adeyemo, Adeyemi T.; Kolawole, Babatope; Rotimi, Vincent O.; Aboderin, Aaron O. title: Multicentre study of the burden of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the aetiology of infected diabetic foot ulcers date: 2021 words: 6472 flesch: 45 summary: (1%)36 in Australia may be due to the fact that most patients tend to seek medical care early enough in countries with good health insurance coverage which will enable a higher proportion to present with low-grade foot infection.37 Antibiotic resistance remains a huge problem among diabetic foot ulcer infections; it worsens prognosis and makes treatment outcomes poor.38 Multidrug-resistant bacteria were common (74/93; 80%) among IDFU cases in this study, and this is possibly due to inappropriate antibiotics use and unrestricted access to antimicrobial drugs in many low- and middle-income countries.39 This is similar to findings in studies conducted in other developing countries40,41 but contrasts findings of several studies in high-income countries including France which reported low prevalence of MDR bacteria among patients with IDFU.38,42 A wide spectrum of aerobic bacteria isolated in this study were found to be multidrug-resistant, comparable to findings elsewhere in Africa and Asia with high MDR rates involving mainly S. aureus, Enterobacteriaceae, and P. aeruginosa.41,43 One in every three isolates of S. aureus in this study was MRSA. Predictors and treatment outcomes of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in infected diabetic foot ulcer Significant factors associated with the presence of MDR organisms in diabetic foot infections included peripheral sensory neuropathy, a foot infection duration of more than a month and admission duration of more than a month (Table 2). keywords: anaerobic; antibiotic; bacteria; factors; foot; idfu; infection; isolates; mdr; med; multidrug; organisms; patients; resistance; risk; study; treatment; ulcer cache: ajlm-1261.htm plain text: ajlm-1261.txt item: #54 of 530 id: ajlm-1264 author: Makita-Chingombe, Faithful; Podany, Anthony T.; Mykris, Timothy; Muzambi, Farai; Browne, Richard W.; Ocque, Andrew J.; DiFrancesco, Robin; Winchester, Lee C.; Fletcher, Courtney V.; Mudzviti, Tinashe; Maponga, Charles C.; Morse, Gene D. title: Cross-validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography nevirapine plasma assay in a resource-limited setting in Zimbabwe date: 2021 words: 2919 flesch: 35 summary: Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Acknowledgements References About the Author(s) Faithful Makita-Chingombe International Pharmacology Specialty Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe Anthony T. Podany Antiviral Pharmacology Laboratory, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States Timothy Mykris Antiviral Pharmacology Laboratory, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States Farai Muzambi International Pharmacology Specialty Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe Richard W. Browne Translational Pharmacology Research Core, Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States Andrew J. Ocque Translational Pharmacology Research Core, Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States Robin DiFrancesco Translational Pharmacology Research Core, Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States Lee C. Winchester Antiviral Pharmacology Laboratory, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States Courtney V. Fletcher Antiviral Pharmacology Laboratory, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States Tinashe Mudzviti International Pharmacology Specialty Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe Charles C. Maponga International Pharmacology Specialty Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe Translational Pharmacology Research Core, Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States Gene D. Morse Translational Pharmacology Research Core, Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States Citation Makita-Chingombe F, Podany AT, Mykris T, et al. The UNMC-PSL utilised a Waters e2695 HPLC coupled to a Waters 2489 ultraviolet (Waters, Milford, Massachusetts, United States) detector, which was controlled with Empower 2 (Waters, Milford, Massachusetts, United States) software as the analytical platform. keywords: center; ipsl; nevirapine; pharmacology; sciences; states; united; university; zimbabwe cache: ajlm-1264.htm plain text: ajlm-1264.txt item: #55 of 530 id: ajlm-127 author: van den Broek, Ankie; Tuijn, Coosje J.; van ’t Klooster, Lisette; Msoka, Elizabeth; Sumari-de Boer, Marion; Chilongola, Jaffu; Oskam, Linda title: Understanding the interface between clinical and laboratory staff date: 2014 words: 4032 flesch: 38 summary: By creating awareness in both groups and improving the interface between the clinicians and laboratory staff, use of laboratory services can be optimised, enabling clinicians to make better diagnoses and treatment plans for their patients. The conceptual model       • Inner circle: Three phases where communication takes place       • Outer circle: Factors influencing relationships and communication       • Organisational factors       • Personal factors       • Relationship between organisational factors and personal factors       • Context       • Analytical framework • Discussion • Conclusion • Acknowledgements    • Competing interests    • Authors’ contributions • References Abstract Top ↑ Background: The interface between clinicians and laboratory staff is where the two meet and work together to provide quality care to their clients (patients). keywords: clinical; clinicians; factors; health; interface; laboratory; laboratory staff; model; staff; study cache: ajlm-127.htm plain text: ajlm-127.txt item: #56 of 530 id: ajlm-1282 author: Admou, Brahim; Hachimi, Abdelhamid; Samkaoui, Mohammed Abdenasser title: How can clinical immunology laboratories contribute to the management of severe COVID-19 cases in limited resource contexts? date: 2020 words: 1833 flesch: 39 summary: More developed flow cytometry platforms allow for comprehensive phenotyping assays, enabling the investigation of naive, memory and regulatory T cells; in severe COVID-19 patients, early data on T cell subpopulation abnormalities show increased naive helper T cells and decreased memory helper T cells, associated with a lower number of regulatory T cells.10 Using a receiver operating characteristic curve to compare fatal and recovered COVID-19 cases, Xu et al.2 considered 559 cells/µL, 235 cells/µL, and 104 cells/µL of CD3+, CD4+T, and CD8+ T cell subsets as warning values, below which there was a significantly higher risk of in-hospital death.2 Indeed, there is a need for regional data analyses before determining cut-off values of these T cell subsets. How can clinical immunology laboratories contribute to the management of severe COVID-19 cases in limited resource contexts? keywords: covid-19; disease; patients; university cache: ajlm-1282.htm plain text: ajlm-1282.txt item: #57 of 530 id: ajlm-1284 author: Kirk, Mary; Assoa, Paul H.; Iiams-Hauser, Casey; Kouabenan, Yves-Rolland; Antilla, Jennifer; Steele-Lane, Caleb; Rossum, Greg; Komena, Pascal; Sadate Ngatchou, Patricia; Abiola, Nadine; Kouakou, Alain; Pongathie, Adama; Koffi, Jean B.; Adje, Christiane; Perrone, Lucy A. title: Adaptation of an electronic dashboard to monitor HIV viral load testing in Côte d’Ivoire date: 2021 words: 3822 flesch: 47 summary: In another example of the utility of the dashboard, although only 23.9% of all people living with HIV in Côte d’Ivoire1 live in the capital region of Abidjan, dashboard data from October 2016 through December 2019 show that a large proportion of VL samples come from this region (n = 252 510 tests, 40.6%; Figure 2). Organisations in Côte d’Ivoire are now rapidly utilising VL dashboard information in programmatic and technical working group meetings. keywords: côte; dashboard; data; d’ivoire; health; hiv; load; testing; united; washington cache: ajlm-1284.htm plain text: ajlm-1284.txt item: #58 of 530 id: ajlm-129 author: Motswaledi, Modisa S.; Sekgwama, Rosinah; Kasvosve, Ishmael title: Tuberculosis alters pancreatic enzymes in the absence of pancreatitis date: 2014 words: 3875 flesch: 46 summary: Lipase enzyme activity levels appeared to increase with increasing ESR, a marker of inflammation, which in turn diminished with duration of treatment, which suggests a possible effect of mycobacteria on lipase levels. Although amylase enzyme levels were elevated in patients, there was no correlation with any of the parameters measured and no explanation could be found for this phenomenon, thus the role of amylase in TB remains enigmatic. keywords: activity; amylase; enzymes; levels; lipase; mtb; mycobacterium; patients; treatment; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-129.htm plain text: ajlm-129.txt item: #59 of 530 id: ajlm-1290 author: Attoh, Seth A.; Hobenu, Frederick; Edusei, Lawrence; Agyeman-Bediako, Kwasi; Laryea, Clement T.; Nyarko, Edward O.; Amedi, Michael K.; Asmah, Richard H.; Asumanu, Edward; McAddy, Mary; Maison, Anthony; Nyarko, Godwin; Fatchu, Raymond D.; Akakpo, Kafui title: Postmortem diagnosis of COVID-19: Antemortem challenges of three cases at the 37 Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana date: 2020 words: 4247 flesch: 46 summary: Discussion Though thousands of COVID-19 cases have been reported in Ghana with more than 30 deaths, no autopsies performed on such cases have been published in the medical literature. Examinations were performed in the department’s state-of-the-art morgue following guidelines for performing autopsies on presumed COVID-19 cases. keywords: accra; arrow; autopsy; cases; cov-2; covid-19; department; ghana; hospital; pathology; patient; sars cache: ajlm-1290.htm plain text: ajlm-1290.txt item: #60 of 530 id: ajlm-1296 author: Zahran, Asmaa M.; Nafady-Hego, Hanaa; Moeen, Sawsan M.; Eltyb, Hanan A.; Wahman, Mohammed M.; Nafady, Asmaa title: Higher proportion of non-classical and intermediate monocytes in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients in Egypt: A possible prognostic marker date: 2021 words: 4596 flesch: 44 summary: The increased peripheral monocytes in MM patients may inhibit antitumor immune responses and increase tumour aggression.2,3 Human peripheral blood monocytes are a heterogeneous population, as they differ in their phenotype, surface marker expression, and function.8 They can be classified based on the fluorescent intensities of CD16 and CD14 into three distinct populations, including classical monocytes (CD16−CD14++), intermediate monocytes (CD16+CD14++), and non-classical monocytes (CD16++CD14+).9 Circulating non-classical monocytes have been observed to increase in some autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis,10,11 and the frequency of intermediate monocytes has been associated with bone erosion in patients with psoriatic arthritis.12 In oncology settings, the intermediate monocytes have been reported to play a crucial role in patients with MM,9,13 and the proportion of intermediate monocytes increased proportionately with the tumour load.14,15 Myeloma cells produce toll-like receptor ligands that cause the expansion of non-classical monocytes in MM patients.16 Our results are similar to those of a study in 2015 in France that found an increased frequency of CD14+/++ CD16+ monocytes in 20 MM patients compared to healthy volunteers; however, they did not find a correlation between the monocyte subsets and circulating or bone marrow plasma cell counts.15 Similarly, a study in Norway in 2015 found that the proportion of non-classical monocytes increased with tumour load in MM patients (n = 12) and suggested that non-classical monocytes could maintain the development of myeloma cells.16 keywords: assiut; bone; cells; controls; monocytes; myeloma; non; patients; protein; serum cache: ajlm-1296.htm plain text: ajlm-1296.txt item: #61 of 530 id: ajlm-1298 author: Ahmeidi, Awadia A.; Musa, Ashraf; Ahmed, Hind S.; Elahmar, Adel A.; Goota, Ryhana B.; Ahmed, Ibtihal A.; Ali, Abdelhakam H.; Allam, Mushal; Hassan, Mozan O. title: Inflammatory markers as predictors of mortality in COVID-19 infection date: 2020 words: 1231 flesch: 42 summary: According to Zhou et al., D-dimer levels exceeding 1.0 µg/mL at hospital admission correlated significantly with death among hospitalised COVID-19 patients in China, with a p-value of less than 0.001.3 Another study in Wuhan, China, which included 343 in-patients with confirmed COVID-19, showed that elevated D-dimer levels over 2 µg/mL at an early stage of hospitalisation correlated significantly with a high risk of death.4 Also, according to another study from China that included 1099 confirmed COVID-19 patients, results revealed that median D-dimer and C-reactive protein levels were higher among severe cases compared to non-severe cases, demonstrating that high D-dimer and C-reactive protein levels were significantly associated with COVID-19 severity.5 Additionally, in Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, China, a study showed that high levels of interleukin-6 were significantly associated with a high mortality rate.6 This finding was corroborated by Silberstein in this study.7 Liu Y et al. in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University identified an elevation in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as an independent and significant predictor of mortality among 245 hospitalised COVID-19 patients, with an 8% increase in mortality with each unit increase in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio.8 Many studies reported a correlation between high levels of hs-CRP and mortality rate in COVID-19 patients. In this article, we identify inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, D-dimer, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and hs-CRP) as predictors of COVID-19 mortality. keywords: china; covid-19; levels; mortality; patients cache: ajlm-1298.htm plain text: ajlm-1298.txt item: #62 of 530 id: ajlm-1302 author: Egyir, Beverly; Obeng-Nkrumah, Noah; Kyei, George B. title: COVID-19 pandemic and antimicrobial resistance: Another call to strengthen laboratory diagnostic capacity in Africa date: 2020 words: 3339 flesch: 37 summary: To support a global action plan on AMR, the World Health Organization has developed the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System to provide a standardised approach for collection, analysis and sharing of data related to AMR to inform decision-making at national and international levels; surveillance of AMR bacteria in humans and animals across the globe is key in tackling the problem of AMR.5 Therefore, the swell in the numbers of COVID-19 patients could lead to the inappropriate use of antibiotics and subsequent selection of AMR bacteria. keywords: africa; amr; bacteria; covid-19; data; ghana; health; pandemic; resistance; surveillance; use cache: ajlm-1302.htm plain text: ajlm-1302.txt item: #63 of 530 id: ajlm-1303 author: Hernandez, Arielle G.; Kiyaga, Charles; Howard, Thad A.; Ssewanyana, Isaac; Ndeezi, Grace; Aceng, Jane R.; Ware, Russell E. title: Operational analysis of the national sickle cell screening programme in the Republic of Uganda date: 2021 words: 5318 flesch: 54 summary: The sickle cell/HIV co-testing cohort had a slightly shorter inbound TAT (15 days) than the sickle specific cohort (17 days). TABLE 1: Characteristics of sickle cell samples tested in Uganda from 01 February 2014 to 31 March 2019. TABLE 2: Sample delivery phase turn-around time for sickle cell samples collected in Uganda, by parameter, February 2014 to March 2019. keywords: cell; cost; days; disease; health; programme; sample; screening; sickle; sickle cell; tat; testing; uganda cache: ajlm-1303.htm plain text: ajlm-1303.txt item: #64 of 530 id: ajlm-1307 author: Opperman, Christoffel J.; Marais, Gert J.K.; Naidoo, Michelle; Hsiao, Marvin; Samodien, Nazlee title: Response to a cluster of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 cases at a diagnostic laboratory date: 2020 words: 2472 flesch: 42 summary: With transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) firmly established in our communities, infection amongst laboratory staff and laboratory outbreaks pose a serious threat to both private and public pathology laboratories and have the potential to derail the already-strained pathology services. This further limited potential exposure of laboratory staff, whilst reducing strain on hospital testing sites, and facilitated a shorter time to result, allowing for the resumption of clinical diagnostic services. keywords: cape; cov-2; health; laboratory; sars; service; staff; town cache: ajlm-1307.htm plain text: ajlm-1307.txt item: #65 of 530 id: ajlm-1308 author: Yacouba, Abdourahamane; Lagaré, Adamou; Alhousseini Maiga, Daouada; Moumouni Sambo, Halimatou; Ousmane, Sani; Hamidou Harouna, Zelika; Marou, Boubacar; Sanoussi, Maman K.; Aoula, Balki; Amadou, Ali; Boureima, Hassane; Amatagas, Saidou; Ousmane, Abdoulaye; Adehossi, Eric; Mamadou, Saidou title: Laboratory organisation and management of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Niger, West Africa date: 2020 words: 3172 flesch: 44 summary: The National Reference Laboratory for Respiratory Viruses located at the Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire was designated as the reference centre for COVID-19 testing. The national plan for COVID-19 testing is being gradually adopted in other regions of the country in response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 emergency and to ensure a more rapid turn-around time. keywords: cov-2; covid-19; laboratory; niamey; niger; pcr; sars; team; testing cache: ajlm-1308.htm plain text: ajlm-1308.txt item: #66 of 530 id: ajlm-1317 author: Kimotho, James K.; Gosar, Abdiaziz A.; Inyangala, Ronald; Wairimu, Paulyne; Siyoi, Fred; Matoke-Muhia, Damaris; Wanjala, Cecilia; Zablon, Jeremiah; Orina, Moses; Muita, Lucy; Thiga, Jacqueline; Nyabuti, Lameck; Wainaina, Eunice; Mwangi, Joseph; Mumbi, Alice; Omari, Samuel; Wanjiru, Ann; Nzou, Samson M.; Ochwoto, Missiani title: Pre-evaluation assessment of serological-based COVID-19 point-of-care lateral flow assays in Kenya date: 2021 words: 4495 flesch: 55 summary: Concerned as India decides to stop use of Chines COVID-19 test kits. Coronavirus test kits withdrawn in Spain over poor accuracy rate. keywords: covid-19; evaluation; igg; igm; kenya; kits; medical; nairobi; pocts; research; tests; transfer cache: ajlm-1317.htm plain text: ajlm-1317.txt item: #67 of 530 id: ajlm-1318 author: Mutema, Leonard; Chapanduka, Zivanai; Musaigwa, Fungai; Mashigo, Nomusa title: In-depth investigation of turn-around time of full blood count tests requested from a clinical haematology outpatient department in Cape Town, South Africa date: 2021 words: 4999 flesch: 53 summary: Laboratory turnaround time. Kaushik N, Khangulov VS, O’Hara M, Arnaout R. Reduction in laboratory turnaround time decreases emergency room length of stay. keywords: clinicians; data; haematology; laboratory; min; phases; registration; results; samples; study; tat; time; total cache: ajlm-1318.htm plain text: ajlm-1318.txt item: #68 of 530 id: ajlm-132 author: Mbah, Henry A. title: Phlebotomy and quality in the African laboratory date: 2014 words: 2878 flesch: 44 summary: Staff In many facilities, laboratory phlebotomy staff draw blood from outpatients whereas doctors and nurses usually draw blood from inpatients. The validity of any laboratory test result hinges on specimen quality; thus, as the push for laboratory quality improvement in Africa gathers momentum, the practice of phlebotomy should be subjected to critical appraisal. keywords: africa; blood; clin; errors; laboratory; med; patient; phlebotomy; quality; training cache: ajlm-132.htm plain text: ajlm-132.txt item: #69 of 530 id: ajlm-1326 author: Osaigbovo, Iriagbonse I.; Igbarumah, Isaac O.; Muoebonam, Ekene B.; Obaseki, Darlington E. title: Setting up a molecular diagnostic laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 testing: Experience of a single centre in a resource-constrained setting date: 2021 words: 4558 flesch: 38 summary: The tremendous efforts by NCDC and other public health agencies across Africa to scale up testing are well documented in the scientific literature.11 It is desirable that laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2 is made available close to the ‘frontline’ of the pandemic, that is, within hospitals whenever feasible and safe, as this enables clinical teams to make critical decisions about inpatient management.12 Online mentorship and training To gain proficiency in the use of the machine, the chief scientist, other laboratory scientists and staff in the laboratory underwent hands-on training which, due to the lock-down situation in many states and ban on interstate travel in Nigeria, was done via online video conferencing. keywords: benin; centre; control; cov-2; covid-19; disease; health; hospital; laboratory; nigeria; sars; teaching; testing; university cache: ajlm-1326.htm plain text: ajlm-1326.txt item: #70 of 530 id: ajlm-1332 author: Diongue, Khadim; Diallo, Mamadou A. title: COVID-19 during malaria transmission season in Africa and why we should be prepared: An example from Senegal date: 2020 words: 1982 flesch: 47 summary: However, number of tests as well as the test centers for COVID-19 detection should be multiplied in order to attend benefits of early case identification. Consequently, the Ebola outbreak led to a substantial increase in morbidity and mortality of other diseases, including malaria.5 The World Health Organization has warned of a twofold devastation by the COVID-19 pandemic: the first is its direct effect on health – COVID-19 morbidity and mortality – and the second is the related increase in morbidity and mortality of other diseases due to lack of or diversion of adequate health response for other diseases.5 For example, during the Ebola epidemic year in Guinea, health facilities recorded a lower malaria patients’ visitation than was expected – an estimated deficit of 74 000 visitations. keywords: covid-19; health; jun; malaria; senegal cache: ajlm-1332.htm plain text: ajlm-1332.txt item: #71 of 530 id: ajlm-1340 author: Adewale, Boluwatife A. title: Will long-read sequencing technologies replace short-read sequencing technologies in the next 10 years? date: 2020 words: 2958 flesch: 46 summary: It was the first time that the complete genome of an organism (phage φX174) would be sequenced – the advent of the first generation of sequencing technologies. Thus, it took 3 years before NGS gained wide acceptance in the scientific community.4,7 Even a major scientific breakthrough in sequencing technologies could still take about 2–3 years before finding its footing in the market for wide acceptability. keywords: dna; generation; genome; illumina; lrs; nanopore; read; sequencing; technologies cache: ajlm-1340.htm plain text: ajlm-1340.txt item: #72 of 530 id: ajlm-1344 author: van Heerden, Marli; George, Jaya A.; Khoza, Siyabonga title: The application of sigma metrics in the laboratory to assess quality control processes in South Africa date: 2022 words: 4945 flesch: 47 summary: Westgard found that the assumption that bias should be ‘corrected or eliminated’ was invalid for many analytes as bias still exists despite attempts at standardisation.25,26 To address the variability of sigma performance between different QC levels, months and analysers, the average sigma or lowest sigma metric could be used for determining QC procedures.27 Westgard multirules28 will be easy to implement for well-performing analytes such as PSA and DBIL. The application of sigma metrics in the laboratory to assess quality control processes in South Africa. keywords: analyser; analytes; bias; control; guidelines; laboratory; metrics; performance; quality; sigma; study; tea; westgard cache: ajlm-1344.htm plain text: ajlm-1344.txt item: #73 of 530 id: ajlm-1355 author: Hodkinson, Katherine E.; Perner, Yvonne; Glencross, Deborah K.; Wiggill, Tracey; Botha, Adam; Poole, Janet title: Extranodal presentation of a lymphoma with precursor B-cell phenotype and translocation t(8;14) in South Africa date: 2022 words: 2875 flesch: 39 summary: Conclusion: Leukaemia or lymphoma with translocation t(8;14) or variant MYC translocation and precursor B-cell phenotype is a rare entity with a varied clinical presentation. Conclusion Leukaemia or lymphoma with translocation t(8;14) or variant MYC translocation and precursor B-cell phenotype is a rare entity with varied clinical presentation. keywords: africa; cell; johannesburg; lymphoma; patient; precursor; south; translocation cache: ajlm-1355.htm plain text: ajlm-1355.txt item: #74 of 530 id: ajlm-1363 author: Kloppers, Jean F.; de Kock, André; Cronjé, Johané; van Marle, Anne-Cecilia title: Molecular characterisation of NPM1 and FLT3-ITD mutations in a central South African adult de novo acute myeloid leukaemia cohort date: 2021 words: 4769 flesch: 48 summary: Introduction Over the past decade, the field of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) diagnostics has shifted from a primarily clinicopathological assessment to an integrated approach, including morphology, immunophenotyping, cytogenetics, and molecular genetics.1,2 In an era of precision medicine, the use of molecular genetic data, in particular, has fundamentally shaped the diagnostic approach to patients with AML.3 Genetic profiling has led to more accurate diagnostic classification and improved risk stratification and identification of potential therapeutic targets.1 Acute myeloid leukaemia is a genetically heterogeneous disease.2 Recurrent structural chromosomal aberrations detected by conventional cytogenetics were previously considered the most relevant prognostic variable in addition to the patient’s age and performance status.2,3 Three main cytogenetic risk groups (low, intermediate, and high) were defined, with approximately 50% of patients having a normal karyotype and falling into the intermediate cytogenetic risk group.3,4 The recognition of additional molecular abnormalities, especially in cytogenetically normal AML (CN-AML), has helped to improve our understanding of the disease biology and better predict outcomes.3,4 Mutational analysis performed on diagnostic samples of AML patients enrolled in the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group E1900 trial demonstrated somatic mutations in as many as 97.3% of these patients.5 This finding was similar to a previous South African study, where adult AML patients presented with the disease at a median age of 41 years.15 Most patients in this study were self-proclaimed Black Africans, and there was no predominant disease presentation based on sex. keywords: acute; aml; flt3; itd; itd mutations; leukemia; mutations; myeloid; npm1; patients; south; study; united cache: ajlm-1363.htm plain text: ajlm-1363.txt item: #75 of 530 id: ajlm-1365 author: Fongwen, Noah; Boeras, Debi; Peeling, Rosanna W.; Amukele, Timothy title: Connected diagnostics systems: The future of disease control in Africa date: 2020 words: 1630 flesch: 46 summary: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v9i2.1103 Naidoo D, Ihekweazu C. Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen laboratory diagnostics – Why access to reliable and affordable diagnostics is key to building resilient laboratory systems. Preparing national tiered laboratory systems and networks to advance diagnostics in Africa to meet the continent’s health agenda: Insights into priority areas for improvement. keywords: africa; diagnostics; health; laboratory; med; mobile cache: ajlm-1365.htm plain text: ajlm-1365.txt item: #76 of 530 id: ajlm-137 author: Kariuki, Christopher; Kagira, John M.; Mwadime, Victor; Ngotho, Maina title: Virulence and pathogenicity of three Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense stabilates in a Swiss white mouse model date: 2015 words: 5726 flesch: 50 summary: Thus, mouse models for Rhodesian HAT, particularly those based on T. b. rhodesiense, are essential in order to provide a more correct depiction of the disease's pathogenicity and drug susceptibility profiles.11 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2006.02.012 Antoine-Moussiaux N, Magez S, Desmecht D. Contributions of experimental mouse models to the understanding of African trypanosomiasis. keywords: aceturate; brucei; dpi; forms; ilri-2918; infection; ipr-001; log10; mice; model; parasitaemia; parasite; peak; treatment cache: ajlm-137.htm plain text: ajlm-137.txt item: #77 of 530 id: ajlm-1371 author: Awosile, Babafela B.; Agbaje, Michael; Adebowale, Oluwawemimo; Kehinde, Olugbenga; Omoshaba, Ezekiel title: Beta-lactamase resistance genes in Enterobacteriaceae from Nigeria date: 2022 words: 7276 flesch: 45 summary: First description of Escherichia coli producing CTX-M-15- extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) in out-patients from south eastern Nigeria. Prevalence of extended spectrum beta lactamase and plasmid mediated quinolone resistant genes in strains of Klebsiella pneumonia, Morganella morganii, Leclercia adecarboxylata and Citrobacter freundii isolated from poultry in South Western Nigeria. keywords: ampc; analysis; animals; beta; blactx; coli; enterobacteriaceae; escherichia; genes; health; human; lactamase; lactamase genes; nigeria; proportion; resistance; review; spectrum; spectrum beta; studies cache: ajlm-1371.htm plain text: ajlm-1371.txt item: #78 of 530 id: ajlm-1376 author: Coetzee, Lindi-Marie; Cassim, Naseem; Glencross, Deborah K. title: Newly implemented community CD4 service in Tshwaragano, Northern Cape province, South Africa, positively impacts result turn-around time date: 2022 words: 6224 flesch: 46 summary: Study design A cross-sectional study design was used to analyse TAT data from CD4 testing laboratories in Kimberley, Upington, De Aar and Tshwaragano, Northern Cape, South Africa. Decentralised services also improve coordinated technical efforts across the parent province (the Northern Cape in this instance), where CD4 laboratories can, in line with the integrated service delivery model service plan,25 operate as a consolidated network with two-way support between the main reference laboratory (in Kimberley) and sister community laboratories, thereby ensuring uninterrupted self-sustaining service. keywords: africa; cape; cd4; hiv; implementation; kimberley; laboratories; laboratory; northern; samples; service; south; tat; testing; total; tshwaragano cache: ajlm-1376.htm plain text: ajlm-1376.txt item: #79 of 530 id: ajlm-1379 author: Ilesanmi, Olayinka S.; Afolabi, Aanuoluwapo A. title: Biobanking of COVID-19 specimens during the pandemic: The need for enhanced biosafety date: 2021 words: 1550 flesch: 40 summary: When COVID-19 samples are collected in designated laboratories, they are to be packaged and transferred to a biobank at 2 °C to –8 °C or frozen at –70 °C in a viral medium from the source laboratory8 and samples are to be transferred within 5 days of collection to a biobank. The implementation of biosecurity measures should be implemented at all stages from sampling to labelling, tracking, and handling of COVID-19 specimens and results.7 Due to the highly infectious nature of COVID-19 samples, they could be targeted as weapons of bioterrorism, and biobank staff could be used to gain access to these samples. keywords: biobanks; covid-19; laboratory; medicine; safety; samples; staff cache: ajlm-1379.htm plain text: ajlm-1379.txt item: #80 of 530 id: ajlm-1398 author: Mbhele, Thapelo; Tanyanyiwa, Donald M.; Moepya, Refilwe J.; Bhana, Sindeep; Makatini, Maya M. title: Relationship between amino acid ratios and decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate in diabetic and non-diabetic patients in South Africa date: 2021 words: 4661 flesch: 46 summary: Relationship between amino acid ratios and decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate in diabetic and non-diabetic patients in South Africa. 2021;10(1), a1398 https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1398 Original Research Relationship between amino acid ratios and decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate in diabetic and non-diabetic patients in South Africa Thapelo Mbhele, Donald M. Tanyanyiwa, Refilwe J. Moepya, Sindeep Bhana, Maya M. Makatini Received: keywords: acid; amino; citrulline; concentrations; diabetic; ornithine; phenylalanine; ratios; stage cache: ajlm-1398.htm plain text: ajlm-1398.txt item: #81 of 530 id: ajlm-1400 author: Govender, Lavendri; Prakashchandra, Rosaley D.; Pillay, Pavitra; Jentsch, Ute title: Molecular red cell genotyping of rare blood donors in South Africa to enhance rare donor-patient blood matching date: 2021 words: 5209 flesch: 57 summary: Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Acknowledgements References About the Author(s) Lavendri Govender Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa Molecular Research and Development Department, Specialised Laboratory Services, South African National Blood Service, Durban, South Africa Rosaley D. Prakashchandra Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa Pavitra Pillay Department of Biomedical and Clinical Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa Ute Jentsch Medical Department, Specialised Laboratory Services, South African National Blood Service, Durban, South Africa Citation Govender L, Prakashchandra RD, Pillay P, Jentsch U. Molecular red cell genotyping of rare blood donors in South Africa to enhance rare donor-patient blood matching. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1400 Original Research Molecular red cell genotyping of rare blood donors in South Africa to enhance rare donor-patient blood matching Lavendri Govender, Rosaley D. Prakashchandra, Pavitra Pillay, Ute Jentsch Received: 21 Sept. 2020; Accepted: 14 May 2021; Published: 27 Sept. 2021 Copyright: © 2021. keywords: african; blood; cell; core; donors; genotyping; group; race; rare; south; study; types; white cache: ajlm-1400.htm plain text: ajlm-1400.txt item: #82 of 530 id: ajlm-1403 author: Chawe, Adon; Mfune, Ruth L.; Syapiila, Paul M.; Zimba, Sharon D.; Vlahakis, Pipina A.; Mwale, Samson; Mwape, Kapambwe; Chirambo-Kalolekesha, Memory; Chileshe, Misheck; Mutale, Joseph; Mudenda, Tobela; Manda, Grace; Daka, Victor title: Knowledge, attitude and practices of COVID-19 among medical laboratory professionals in Zambia date: 2021 words: 3723 flesch: 46 summary: Having a master’s degree or a Doctor of Philosophy compared to having a certificate or diploma (crude OR: 4.51, 95% CI: 1.30–15.70), private or research laboratories compared to clinic or health centre laboratories (crude OR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.01–9.45) and COVID-19 training (crude OR: 12.97, 95% CI: 6.19–27.18) were associated with good COVID-19 practices (Table 5). Similarly, having a higher current qualification (master’s degree or a Doctor of Philosophy) and COVID-19 training were independently associated with good COVID-19 practice (Table 7). keywords: attitude; covid-19; department; knowledge; laboratory; medicine; participants; practices; professionals; study; table; zambia cache: ajlm-1403.htm plain text: ajlm-1403.txt item: #83 of 530 id: ajlm-1408 author: David, Kenneth B.; Simfukwe, Knovicks; Musa, Mohamed B.; Munharo, Steven; Lucero-Prisno III, Don E. title: Impact of COVID-19 on blood donation and supply in Africa date: 2021 words: 2385 flesch: 53 summary: Pattern of blood donation and characteristics of blood donors in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria. Blood donors have made it possible for blood to be available for transfusion to other patients. keywords: africa; blood; covid-19; donation; donors; health; pandemic; sars; supply; transfusion cache: ajlm-1408.htm plain text: ajlm-1408.txt item: #84 of 530 id: ajlm-1413 author: Otieno, Collins O.; Mataka, Anafi; Loembe, Marguerite Massinga; Ondoa, Pascale title: Maintaining routine HIV and tuberculosis testing services in sub-Saharan African countries in the context of COVID-19: Lessons learnt and opportunities for improvement date: 2021 words: 2960 flesch: 37 summary: A World Health Organization survey of essential services revealed that HIV testing (n = 38) and viral load monitoring (n = 23) were the two most frequently interrupted testing services in the 61 countries that responded.11 It is important to note that laboratory testing is key to identifying disease cases, breaking transmission chains and monitoring patients on treatment. At least three COVID-19 molecular diagnostic assays listed under the emergency use authorisations of the United States Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization can be used on platforms commonly available within the HIV and tuberculosis programmes – the Abbott m2000 RealTime System, Cepheid’s GeneXpert® system, and the Roche Cobas 6800/8800 system.3 Although COVID-19 testing volumes in most African countries remain below or at the lower threshold required for relaxing the containment measures (10–30 tests per confirmed case),4 have we gone a step too far in refocusing most of the laboratory capacity to COVID-19 testing? keywords: countries; covid-19; health; hiv; internet; laboratory; services; testing; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-1413.htm plain text: ajlm-1413.txt item: #85 of 530 id: ajlm-1414 author: Presser, Lance D.; Coffin, Jeanette; Koivogui, Lamine; Campbell, Allan; Campbell, Julian; Barrie, Fatmata; Ngobeh, Jone; Souma, Zein; Sorie, Samuel; Harding, Doris; Camara, Alimou; Tohonamou, Pepe; Traore, Basala; Hamill, Frank A.; Bogan, Joe; Altmann, Sharon; Ross, Casey; Mansheim, Jay; Hegerty, Robert; Poynter, Scott; Shearrer, Scott; Asbun, Carmen; Karlstrand, Brendan; Davis, Phil; Alam, Jane; Roberts, David; Stamper, Paul D.; Ndjomou, Jean; Wauquier, Nadia; Koroma, Mohamed; Munu, Alhaji; McClintock, Jason; Mar, Mar; Burns, True; Krcha, Stephen title: The deployment of mobile diagnostic laboratories for Ebola virus disease diagnostics in Sierra Leone and Guinea date: 2021 words: 4203 flesch: 42 summary: Ebola virus laboratory response: The three Dutch Mobile laboratories in Liberia and Sierra Leone. FIGURE 1: MRIGlobal mobile diagnostic laboratory that was deployed in response to the West Africa Ebola virus outbreak. keywords: gaithersburg; global engagement; guinea; health; laboratory; leone; maryland; mriglobal; program; sierra; sierra leone; states; united; united states cache: ajlm-1414.htm plain text: ajlm-1414.txt item: #86 of 530 id: ajlm-1429 author: Scott, Lesley E.; Noble, Lara D.; Singh-Moodley, Ashika; Kahamba, Trish; Hardie, Diana R.; Preiser, Wolfgang; Stevens, Wendy S. title: Challenges and complexities in evaluating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 molecular diagnostics during the COVID-19 pandemic date: 2022 words: 3735 flesch: 43 summary: The FIND had verified 21 NAAT assay manufacturer claims6 (< 8% of available assays by July 2020), and the WHO target product profile (TPP) version 0.1 was only released in August 2020.7 Through emergency validations in South Africa, numerous complexities of molecular testing were quickly realised. These challenges contribute to generating variability in the assay performance outcome and may make the difference between accepting different assays and criteria. keywords: africa; assays; cov-2; covid-19; faculty; health; rna; sars; sciences; south; specimens; states; united; use cache: ajlm-1429.htm plain text: ajlm-1429.txt item: #87 of 530 id: ajlm-1432 author: Fondoh, Victor N.; Ndzenjempuh, Nobert; Stella, Tamunjoh; Fondoh, Richard M.; Awasom, Charles N.; Enow-Tanjong, Rebecca; Egbengu, Egbe P.; Leke, Robert; Rose, Njini F.N.; Nsame, Denis title: Prevalence of alpha and beta haemolysin among blood group O donors in Bamenda, Cameroon date: 2022 words: 4709 flesch: 50 summary: Prevalence of alpha and beta haemolysin among blood group O donors in Bamenda, Cameroon. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v11i1.1432 Original Research Prevalence of alpha and beta haemolysin among blood group O donors in Bamenda, Cameroon Victor N. Fondoh, Nobert Ndzenjempuh, Tamunjoh Stella, Richard M. Fondoh, Charles N. Awasom, Rebecca Enow-Tanjong, Egbe P. Egbengu, Robert Leke, Njini F.N. Rose, Denis Nsame Received: 25 Oct. 2020; Accepted: 03 Feb. 2022; keywords: alpha; bamenda; beta; blood; blood group; cameroon; donors; group; group o; haemolysin; participants; prevalence; study; transfusion cache: ajlm-1432.htm plain text: ajlm-1432.txt item: #88 of 530 id: ajlm-1433 author: Kuti, Modupe A.; Bamidele, Olabisi T.; Udeh, Chioma T.; Eseile, Bola J.; Ogundeji, Olajumoke A. title: Appropriate use of plasma glucose tests for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in Ibadan, Nigeria date: 2022 words: 3681 flesch: 48 summary: Objective: The study described the appropriateness of plasma glucose test requests per the American Diabetes Association criteria. Nearly one out of every three requests for glucose tests, in our setting, was found to be potentially inappropriate. keywords: care; diabetes; diagnosis; glucose; hospital; ibadan; laboratory; mmol; nigeria; requests; study; test cache: ajlm-1433.htm plain text: ajlm-1433.txt item: #89 of 530 id: ajlm-1434 author: Fasola, Foluke A.; Fowotade, Adeola A.; Faneye, Adedayo O.; Adeleke, Adeyeni title: Prevalence of hepatitis B virus core antibodies among blood donors in Nigeria: Implications for blood safety date: 2022 words: 5881 flesch: 56 summary: Foluke A. Fasola Department of Haematology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Department of Haematology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria Adeola A. Fowotade Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Adedayo O. Faneye Department of Virology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Adeyeni Adeleke Department of Haematology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Citation Fasola FA, Fowotade AA, Faneye AO, Adeleke A. Prevalence of hepatitis B virus core antibodies among blood donors in Nigeria: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v11i1.1434 Original Research Prevalence of hepatitis B virus core antibodies among blood donors in Nigeria: keywords: anti; blood; blood donors; donors; hbc; hbsag; hbv; hepatitis; infection; nigeria; positive; prevalence; risk; study; transfusion; virus cache: ajlm-1434.htm plain text: ajlm-1434.txt item: #90 of 530 id: ajlm-1445 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2020 words: 637 flesch: 31 summary: Ibrahim Abdelazim Molla Abebe Teferi M. Abera Aaron O. Aboderin Olusola A. Adejumo Ayorinde O. Afolayan Ali Akhtar Heidi Albert George Alemnji R. Joseph Alexis Getnet Ali Linda E. Amoah E. Andres Aje J. Anejo-Okopi John I. Anetor Enoch Aninagyei Kingsley Anukam Eunice Aroyewun Sola Aruna George Aryee George Awungafac Funmilola Ayeni Oluwatoyin A. Babalola Colleen Bamford Fay Betsou Debrah I. Boeras Seye Bolaji Yap J.B. Boum II Robert Butcher Jane Y. Carter Naseem Cassim Jennifer Coetzee Tjeerd Datema Angel N. Desai Samba Diallo Alpha A. Diallo Kwabena Duedu Adetoun Ejilemele Stephen G. Emerson Patrick Erdman Uchenna Ezenkwa Catherine Falade Emmanuel J. Favaloro Glen Fine Onikepe A. Folarin Adeola Fowotade Willy M. França Tiago S. Garcia Maria Gazouli Lisa Gerwing-Adima Mark A. Giffen Jr Chetna Govind Xu-Xiao Guo Tomáš Hanke Dominic J. Harrington Ekua Houphouet Noah Hull Hiroshi Ichimura Joseph Igietseme Zeynep O. Inal Emmanuel O. Irek Farzana Ismail Harparkash Kaur Luc Kestens Daniel Kimani Eric S. Klug Stephania K. Deme Kekoura Kourouma Joseph Larmarange Kim Lewis Ako-Egbe Louis Robert Luo Robert N. Maina David J. Marchant Puleng Marokane Talkmore Maruta Patrick Mateta Genevieve Mezoh James Miller A.H. Mohamed Meade Morgan Fausta S. Mosha Jacob S. Mwebi Prisha Naidoo Kameko Nichols Patrick Njukeng Johannes Nossent Ifeanyi Nsofor Jacinta Nwogu Roseangela Nwuba Stephen Obaro Celestina Obiekea Michael Ofori Olusegun S. Ojo Jude N. Okoyeh Ayobami Olaniyi Gisele Oliveira Geoffrey Omuse Cyprian Onyeji Jose Ortiz de la Rosa Philip O. Oshun Judith Owen Maria Pardos de la Gándara Dimitri Poddighe Nira Pollock Raymond Pranata Jackson A. Roberts Vincent Rotimi Celal Satici http://www.ajlmonline.org Open Access Page 1 of 1 Reviewer Acknowledgement Acknowledgement to reviewers In an effort to facilitate the selection of appropriate peer reviewers for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, we ask that you take a moment to update your electronic portfolio on https://ajlmonline.org for our files, allowing us better access to your areas of interest and expertise, in order to match reviewers with submitted manuscripts. keywords: https://ajlmonline.org; journal; laboratory; medicine; reviewer cache: ajlm-1445.pdf plain text: ajlm-1445.txt item: #91 of 530 id: ajlm-1447 author: Okeke, Iruka N. title: African laboratory medicine in the time of COVID-19 date: 2020 words: 2480 flesch: 54 summary: The pandemic is a frontal challenge to weak systems, but it also offers opportunities to develop them and build resilience, if the response is implemented with this in mind.6 For example, future procurement could be templated on more generally applicable network approaches to procurement and supply chain management outlined by Williams et al. for HIV, forestalling the procurement crises experienced in Africa with COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment supplies.7,8 SARS-CoV-2 is not the only epidemic pathogen that circulated in Africa in 2020. While most pandemic activity has focused on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and other forms of testing to support the identification of cases and transmission chains,10 other domains of laboratory medicine have made important contributions that shed more light on the pathogenesis of the disease, and therefore how best to improve treatment.19,20 As clinical and laboratory health workers and the scientific community engaged in discoveries to combat the pandemic, another equally frenetic behind-the-scenes response took place in editorial offices as we, gratefully helped by volunteer reviewers, struggled under the mound of COVID-19 submissions to bring to the fore discoveries that are most worthy of priority and long-term attention. keywords: afr; afr j; covid-19; health; j lab; lab med; laboratory; med; pandemic; testing cache: ajlm-1447.htm plain text: ajlm-1447.txt item: #92 of 530 id: ajlm-1448 author: Attoh, Seth; Tetteh, Francis K.M.; McAddy, Mary; Ackah, Kingsley; Kyei, Richmond; Moroti, Marcus; Boateng, Cynthia; Adusu-Donkor, Laurinda; Boafo, Joseph; Yakubu, Alhassan; Kwao, Sarah; Sarkodie, Emmanuel; Koranteng, Nana-Banyin; Addo, Monica A.; Hobenu, Frederick; Agyeman-Bediako, Kwasi; Fatchu, Raymond D. title: Challenges with the pursuit of ISO 15189 accreditation in a public health laboratory in Ghana date: 2022 words: 4656 flesch: 33 summary: Lessons learnt: Documentation, laboratory safety measures, laboratory management support, and reagent unavailability were estimated as the challenges that most affected the acquisition of laboratory accreditation. Recommendations: To surmount the anticipated challenges, there is the need for national strategic direction for laboratory accreditation, hospital and laboratory management support for the accreditation acquisition and maintenance processes, and sufficient technical assistance in the form of training and mentorship. keywords: accra; accreditation; challenges; division laboratory; ghana; hospital; laboratory; pathology; pathology division; personnel; process; staff cache: ajlm-1448.htm plain text: ajlm-1448.txt item: #93 of 530 id: ajlm-1457 author: Amukele, Timothy; Spence, Ryland N. title: African countries established COVID-19 testing in one month: Here’s how they did it date: 2021 words: 3761 flesch: 50 summary: Wellcome and DFID support Africa COVID-19 continental response with € 2.26 million [homepage on the Internet]. In addition, as stated in a media briefing on 04 February 2020, Africa CDC planned to set up a referral system where the 16 laboratories that would be set up to perform COVID-19 testing could receive samples and support other countries who were unable to test.19 It is not clear if this referral system was ever established but it likely was not needed for long because by 11 March 2020, John Nkengasong, the director of Africa CDC, had announced in an interview that there were 42 African countries with COVID-19 testing capacity at the central level.2 Like the WHO, the efforts of Africa CDC transcended laboratory testing and included significant efforts in five other high-priority areas for coronavirus control, namely surveillance, infection prevention and control, clinical care, risk communication, and the distribution of donations by other groups and individuals.20 Pre-existing disease surveillance networks also helped in the response to COVID-19 in Africa. keywords: africa; c2020; cdc; coronavirus; countries; covid-19; homepage; internet; testing cache: ajlm-1457.htm plain text: ajlm-1457.txt item: #94 of 530 id: ajlm-1458 author: Glencross, Deborah K.; Swart, Leanne; Pretorius, Melanie; Lawrie, Denise title: Evaluation of fixed-panel, multicolour ClearLLab 10C at an academic flow cytometry laboratory in Johannesburg, South Africa date: 2022 words: 6577 flesch: 39 summary: Liquid monoclonals were used according to the manufacturer specifications and manually pipetted individually to constitute 2–4-colour assembled panels using varying combinations of cell markers chosen by attending pathologists according to the merits of the patient’s presenting case history (Table 1). All sample cell concentrates were prepared for flow cytometric analysis according to current local standard operating procedures, irrespective of reagents used. keywords: 10c; africa; analysis; cell; clearllab; clearllab 10c; cytometry; data; flow; immunophenotyping; johannesburg; laboratory; ldt; outcomes; panels; samples; south; study cache: ajlm-1458.htm plain text: ajlm-1458.txt item: #95 of 530 id: ajlm-1471 author: Mungmungpuntipantip, Rujittika; Wiwanitkit, Viroj title: Post-mortem diagnosis of COVID-19 date: 2021 words: 690 flesch: 49 summary: Response from Attoh et al. Acknowledgements References About the Author(s) Rujittika Mungmungpuntipantip Private Practice, Bangkok, Thailand Viroj Wiwanitkit Department of Community Medicine, DY Patil University, Pune, India Citation Mungmungpuntipantip R, Wiwanitkit V. Post-mortem diagnosis of COVID-19. Attoh et al. concluded that ‘The outcome of COVID-19 testing is dependent on the sample type and accuracy of sampling amongst other factors’1 and suggested that ‘more autopsies are required to fully understand the pathogenesis of this disease in Ghanaians’.1 Indeed, post-mortem diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is possible and there are many reports of the existence of pathogenic viruses in autopsy specimens.2,3 Autopsy is also very useful for understanding the pathogenesis of this new disease. keywords: covid-19; diagnosis; post cache: ajlm-1471.htm plain text: ajlm-1471.txt item: #96 of 530 id: ajlm-1476 author: Trollip, André; Gadde, Renuka; Datema, Tjeerd; Gatwechi, Kamau; Oskam, Linda; Katz, Zachary; Whitelaw, Andrew; Kinyanjui, Peter; Njukeng, Patrick; Wendifraw, Dawit A.; Mugerwa, Ibrahimm; Najjuka, Grace; Dayie, Nicholas; Opintan, Japheth A.; Albert, Heidi title: Implementation of a customised antimicrobial resistance laboratory scorecard in Cameroon, Ethiopia and Kenya date: 2022 words: 6038 flesch: 38 summary: However, only a few clinical microbiology laboratories in LMICs have achieved any form of accreditation, that is, a formal recognition that their quality management system (QMS) complies with international standards.16,17,18 Although the SLIPTA initiative has, to some extent, facilitated laboratory improvement in Africa, it may not specifically address the quality of processes in AMR laboratories, including sample culture, species identification, and susceptibility testing. First, the laboratories included in the pilot were not part of any active and ongoing programmes to improve laboratory quality such as the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation programme.15 Only 2 of the 11 laboratories reported a previous SLIPTA assessment. keywords: amr; amr scorecard; assessment; health; laboratories; laboratory; management; mean; microbiology; quality; resistance; scorecard; scores; section; slipta; testing cache: ajlm-1476.htm plain text: ajlm-1476.txt item: #97 of 530 id: ajlm-1482 author: Thomas, Teena S.M.; Thomas, Juno; le Roux, Karren; Duze, Sanelisiwe T.; Mkhwanazi, Faith; Duse, Adriano title: Diagnostic challenges with accurate identification of Listeria monocytogenes isolates from food and environmental samples in South Africa date: 2022 words: 4444 flesch: 37 summary: Performance of the phenotypic tests for L. monocytogenes identification The three phenotypic tests used to confirm the identification of L. monocytogenes by Vitek® 2 and discriminate it from the other Listeria species were β-haemolysis, the CAMP test, and AlaA activity (Table 2). TABLE 2: Performance characteristics of β-haemolysis, Christie, Atkins and Munch-Peterson test and Differentiation Innocua Monocytogenes test in comparison to whole-genome sequencing in the identification of Listeria monocytogenes, Infection Control Services Public Health Laboratory, South Africa, August 2018 – December 2018. The AlaA enzyme and Colorex Listeria agar lacked specificity for L. monocytogenes identification. keywords: africa; identification; innocua; isolates; laboratory; listeria; monocytogenes; south; species; tests; vitek cache: ajlm-1482.htm plain text: ajlm-1482.txt item: #98 of 530 id: ajlm-1485 author: Mahlakwane, Kamela L.; Preiser, Wolfgang; Nkosi, Nokwazi; Naidoo, Nasheen; van Zyl, Gert title: Delays in HIV-1 infant polymerase chain reaction testing may leave children without confirmed diagnoses in the Western Cape province, South Africa date: 2022 words: 5563 flesch: 51 summary: The World Health Organization reports that most women and their newborn infants are likely to be discharged within one to two days following uncomplicated vaginal delivery, and within two to four days following uncomplicated caesarean delivery.27 Thus, infant birth HIV PCR results should, ideally, be available before the child gets discharged to allow immediate optimal management (prophylaxis, ART, or confirmatory testing). These patients would have been missed in our study, as we focused specifically on HIV PCR results. keywords: africa; cape; diagnosis; follow; health; hiv; infant; laboratory; pcr; results; south; testing cache: ajlm-1485.htm plain text: ajlm-1485.txt item: #99 of 530 id: ajlm-1492 author: Njukeng, Patrick A.; Njumkeng, Charles; Ntongowa, Callistus; Abdulaziz, Mohammed title: Strengthening laboratory networks in the Central Africa region: A milestone for epidemic preparedness and response date: 2022 words: 3526 flesch: 41 summary: A shifting paradigm in strengthening laboratory health systems for global health: Acting now, acting collectively, but acting differently. The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has further emphasised the overarching role of quality laboratory systems in disease outbreak preparedness and response in Africa and, specifically, in the Central Africa region. keywords: africa; central; central africa; health; laboratories; laboratory; quality; region; systems; testing cache: ajlm-1492.htm plain text: ajlm-1492.txt item: #100 of 530 id: ajlm-15 author: de Beer, Corena; Esser, Monika; Preiser, Wolfgang title: Optimising automation of a manual enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay date: 2012 words: 1858 flesch: 43 summary: Compared to conventional manual assays, automated ELISA systems offer more accurate and reproducible results, faster turnaround times and cost effectiveness due to the use of multianalyte reagents. However, timing of manual assays usually starts only after reagents have been added to the last well of the plate; i.e. well incubation is timed rather than plate incubation. keywords: assay; enzyme; immunosorbent; methods; results cache: ajlm-15.htm plain text: ajlm-15.txt item: #101 of 530 id: ajlm-1504 author: Cassim, Naseem; Ramdin, Neeshan; Moodly, Sadhaseevan; Glencross, Deborah K. title: Cost of running a full-service receiving office at a centralised testing laboratory in South Africa date: 2022 words: 5800 flesch: 46 summary: Compliance to HIV treatment monitoring guidelines can reduce laboratory costs. Will electronic order entry reduce health care costs? keywords: africa; cmjah; cost; data; facilities; health; hospital; johannesburg; laboratory; order; patient; registration; service; south; usd cache: ajlm-1504.htm plain text: ajlm-1504.txt item: #102 of 530 id: ajlm-1517 author: Office, Editorial title: Table of Contents Vol 9, No 1 (2020) date: 2020 words: 2448 flesch: -81 summary: Mostafa Vaghari-Tabari, Soheila Moein, Durdi Qujeq, Mehrdad Kashifard, Haydeh Alaoddolehei, Karimollah Hajian-Tilaki African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 1 | a1001 | 21 December 2020 Original Research Serologic evidence of seasonal influenza A and B in HIV patients on combined antiretroviral therapy in Lagos, Nigeria AbdulAzeez A. Anjorin, Barakat A. Adepoju African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 1 | a1048 | 21 December 2020 Original Research Haematological indices of sickle cell patients with chronic leg ulcers on compression therapy Oluwatoyin A. Babalola, Ayodele Ogunkeyede, Abayomi B. Odetunde, Foluke Fasola, Anthony A. Oni, Chinedum P. Babalola, Adeyinka G. Falusi African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 1 | a1037 | 21 December 2020 118 126 133 141 148 154 161 166 172 Original Research Categorising specimen referral delays for CD4 testing: How inter- laboratory distances and travel times impact turn-around time across a national laboratory service in South Africa Naseem Cassim, Lindi M. Coetzee, Deborah K. Glencross African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 1 | a1120 | 21 December 2020 Original Research Weekly laboratory turn-around time identifies poor performance masked by aggregated reporting Lindi-Marie Coetzee, Naseem Cassim, Deborah K. Glencross African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 1 | a1102 | 21 December 2020 Original Research Haematological reference intervals for healthy adults in Bamenda, Cameroon Victor N. Fondoh, Richard M. Fondoh, Charles N. Awasom, Pefoule L. Edith, Winlove A. Ntungwen, Bong Roland, Rebeca Enow-Tanjong, Patrick Njukeng, Judith Shang, Egbe P. Egbengu, Talkmore Maruta, Akazong Etheline, Robert Leke, Ayuk Leo, Denis Nsame African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 1 | a1193 | 21 December 2020 Original Research Biochemical changes in whole blood stored for transfusion at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, Kenya Phidelis M. Marabi, Stanslaus Musyoki, Angela Amayo African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 1 | a1182 | 21 December 2020 Lessons from the Field H3Africa partnerships to empower clinical research sites to generate high- quality biological samples Talishiea Croxton, Ndidi Agala, Emmanuel Jonathan, Olasinbo Balogun, Petronilla J. Ozumba, Enzenwa Onyemata, Shefiya Lawal, Manmak Mamven, Samuel Ajayi, Sylvia E. Melikam, Mayowa Owolabi, Bruce Ovbiagele, Dwomoa Adu, Akinlolu Ojo, Christine M. Beiswanger, Alash’le Abimiku African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 1 | a935 | 18 March 2020 Lessons from the Field Addressing the shortage of pathologists in Africa: | Vol 9, No 1 | a1114 | 29 September 2020 Review Article The network approach to laboratory procurement and supply chain management: Addressing the system issues to enhance HIV viral load scale-up Jason Williams, Dianna Edgil, Matthew Wattleworth, Clement Ndongmo, Joel Kuritsky African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 1 | a1022 | 13 August 2020 Review Article COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test could contain transmission in low- and middle-income countries Adesola Olalekan, Bamidele Iwalokun, Oluwabukola M. Akinloye, Olayiwola Popoola, Titilola A. Samuel, Oluyemi Akinloye African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 1 | a1255 | 30 September 2020 237 242 247 251 255 259 263 272 Opinion Paper Scaling up testing for COVID-19 in Africa: keywords: african journal; august; covid-19; december; journal; laboratory medicine; november; research; september; testing; vol cache: ajlm-1517.pdf plain text: ajlm-1517.txt item: #103 of 530 id: ajlm-1518 author: Office, Editorial title: Table of Contents Vol 9, No 2 (2020) date: 2020 words: 561 flesch: -37 summary: The future of disease control in Africa Noah Fongwen, Debi Boeras, Rosanna W. Peeling, Timothy Amukele African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 2 | a1365 | 21 December 2020 Original Research Field evaluation of a mobile biosafety laboratory in Senegal to strengthen rapid disease outbreak response and monitoring Cheikh Fall, Aurélie Cappuyns, Oumar Faye, Steven Pauwels, Gamou Fall, Ndongo Dia, Moussa M. Diagne, Cheikh T. Diagne, Makhtar Niang, Alassane Mbengue, Martin Faye, Idrissa Dieng, Babacar Gningue, Abdoulaye Bousso, Ousmane Faye, Rudi Pauwels, Amadou A. Sall African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 2 | a1041 | 20 August 2020 Lessons from the Field Timely delivery of laboratory efficiency information, Part I: Developing an interactive turnaround time dashboard at a high-volume laboratory Naseem Cassim, Manfred E. Tepper, Lindi M. Coetzee, Deborah K. Glencross African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 2 | a947 | 29 April 2020 Lessons from the Field Timely delivery of laboratory efficiency information, Part II: Assessing the impact of a turn-around time dashboard at a high-volume laboratory Naseem Cassim, Lindi M. Coetzee, Manfred E.E. Tepper, Louella Perelson, Deborah K. Glencross African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 2 | a948 | 29 April 2020 Lessons from the Field An open-source molecular diagnostic platform approach for outbreak and epidemic preparedness Devy M. Emperador, Laura T. Mazzola, Cassandra Kelly-Cirino African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 2 | a1017 | 28 September 2020 1 3 12 21 29 Vol 9, No 2 (2020) Special Collection: The Future of Diagnostics ISSN: 2225-2002 (print) AJLM 9(2)_2020_Contents.indd http://www.ajlmonline.org Open Access Table of Contents i Lessons from the Field Driving the usage of tuberculosis diagnostic data through capacity building in low- and middle-income countries Natasha Gous, Alaine U. Nyaruhirira, Bradford Cunningham, Chris Macek African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 9, No 2 | a1092 | 18 keywords: laboratory; medicine; vol cache: ajlm-1518.pdf plain text: ajlm-1518.txt item: #104 of 530 id: ajlm-1529 author: da Costa, Dawood; Nel, Pieter title: Re-decontamination of liquid mycobacterial cultures: Additional Mycobacterium tuberculosis yield in the era of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra in Cape Town, South Africa date: 2021 words: 2352 flesch: 33 summary: Annually, the TBH mycobacteriology laboratory processes approximately 10 000 specimens for M. tuberculosis complex culture from TBH. Easily obtainable anatomical specimens from non-sterile sites, such as urine and sputum specimens, are not re-decontaminated.11,12 Study design and data analysis A retrospective study was conducted to determine the number of M. tuberculosis complex cultures performed from 01 January 2018 to 31 December 2018. keywords: complex; decontamination; samples; tuberculosis; ultra; xpert cache: ajlm-1529.htm plain text: ajlm-1529.txt item: #105 of 530 id: ajlm-1537 author: Hendricks, Candice L.; Naidoo, Ashen; Thejpal, Rajendra; Rapiti, Nadine; Neethling, Beverley; Goga, Yasmin; Buldeo, Suvarna title: Childhood aplastic anaemia with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria clones: A retrospective single-centre study in South Africa date: 2022 words: 5554 flesch: 53 summary: The differences in the presentation of PNH between adults and children have been described.8 A study reported in 1991 from the United States described that haemoglobinuria was detected in 50.0% of adult PNH patients compared to 15.0% among children, and only 25.0% of adult PNH patients had bone marrow failure compared to 58.0% among children.8 Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria clone sizes have been reported to be much lower in AA than in PNH disease,25 requiring high-sensitivity fluorescent aerolysin analysis to detect clones < 0.1%.26 Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PNH clones in paediatric patients with idiopathic AA, identify differences in clinical and laboratory features and outcomes, and determine the impact of clone size on clinical presentation. keywords: africa; children; clone; department; durban; haemoglobinuria; hospital; ist; paediatric; patients; pnh; south; study cache: ajlm-1537.htm plain text: ajlm-1537.txt item: #106 of 530 id: ajlm-1555 author: Faneye, Adedayo O.; Babalola, Oyeteju S.; Odaibo, Georgina N.; Arotiba, Juwon; Olaleye, Olufemi D. title: Oral human papilloma virus infection among dental clinic attendees in Ibadan, Nigeria date: 2022 words: 4034 flesch: 52 summary: However, there is currently limited information about oral HPV infections in Nigeria. Keywords: oral HPV infection; dental clinic attendees; molecular detection; HPV vaccine; Nigeria. keywords: dental; genotypes; hpv; human; ibadan; infection; nigeria; oral; participants; prevalence; risk; study cache: ajlm-1555.htm plain text: ajlm-1555.txt item: #107 of 530 id: ajlm-1563 author: Maate, Fred; Julius, Peter; Siyumbwa, Stepfanie; Pinder, Leeya; Kaile, Trevor; Mwanahamuntu, Mulindi; Parham, Groesbeck title: High-risk human papillomavirus-associated vulvar neoplasia among women living with human immunodeficiency virus in Zambia date: 2022 words: 6482 flesch: 54 summary: Women with vulvar lesions, especially those aged > 40 years, should be evaluated for vulvar cancer. Our study supports the view that vulvar cancer cannot be differentiated from NNL based on clinical evaluation alone.26 Vulvar pruritus, pain, and other gross features of vulvar lesions are not cancer-specific symptoms. keywords: cancer; hiv; hpv; lesions; nnl; participants; prevalence; risk; study; university; uvin; vscc; vulvar; women; years; zambia cache: ajlm-1563.htm plain text: ajlm-1563.txt item: #108 of 530 id: ajlm-1565 author: Kouassi, Kafui C.; Dorkenoo, Améyo M.; Gbada, Komivi; Afanyibo, Yaovi-Gameli; Têko, Minogblon; Koura, Adjane title: The Togo national proficiency test pilot programme for basic clinical chemistry tests date: 2022 words: 4518 flesch: 39 summary: Clinical laboratory tests: Which, why, and what do the results mean? Laboratory tests and samples The 18 basic clinical chemistry tests and serum analytes selected by the Ministry of Health Division of Laboratories for this PT programme were: urea, blood glucose, creatinine, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase (Enzyme Commission [EC] number: keywords: health; hygiene; laboratories; laboratory; ministry; performance; pls; programme; quality; results; tests; togo cache: ajlm-1565.htm plain text: ajlm-1565.txt item: #109 of 530 id: ajlm-1570 author: Vounba, Passoret; Loul, Severin; Tamadea, Ludovic F.; Siawaya, Joël F.D. title: Microbiology laboratories involved in disease and antimicrobial resistance surveillance: Strengths and challenges of the central African states date: 2022 words: 8073 flesch: 40 summary: However, since the 2000s, many African countries have benefited from massive investments to strengthen laboratory capacities through projects fighting priority diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria). The need for laboratory capacity strengthening following a One Health approach is imperative. keywords: africa; amr; animal; cameroon; capacity; central; congo; countries; disease; eccas; health; homepage; internet; laboratories; laboratory; organization; quality; region; republic; resistance; surveillance; systems; world cache: ajlm-1570.htm plain text: ajlm-1570.txt item: #110 of 530 id: ajlm-1571 author: Maruta, Talkmore; Moyo, Sikhulile title: Impact of pre-COVID-19 epidemic preparedness on the trajectory of the pandemic in African countries date: 2022 words: 4888 flesch: 46 summary: Countries are expected to invest resources to limit the impact of disease outbreaks and natural disasters.6 Epidemic preparedness is a measure of the capacity of countries to detect, report, and respond to outbreaks. Talkmore Maruta Laboratory Department, African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Lusaka, Zambia Sikhulile Moyo Laboratory Department, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana Citation Maruta T, Moyo S. Impact of pre-COVID-19 epidemic preparedness on the trajectory of the pandemic in African countries. keywords: african; cases; countries; covid-19; day; ghs; health; index; jee; preparedness cache: ajlm-1571.htm plain text: ajlm-1571.txt item: #111 of 530 id: ajlm-1578 author: Hodkinson, Katherine E.; Bouwer, Nikki; Vaughan, Jenifer title: South African study of blast phase chronic myeloid leukaemia: A poor prognostic outlook date: 2022 words: 5471 flesch: 50 summary: At the time of the study, remission with reversion to chronic phase CML (based on laboratory parameters) was achieved in 22.7% (five cases) with a median remission time of 25.6 months (IQR: 12.5 months). The TKIs for the treatment of chronic phase CML at the time of this study included: the first-generation TKI, imatinib mesylate and second-generation TKI, dasatinib (on a compassionate basis) and nilotinib. keywords: africa; blast; cases; chronic; cml; disease; leukemia; myeloid; patients; phase; south; study; treatment cache: ajlm-1578.htm plain text: ajlm-1578.txt item: #112 of 530 id: ajlm-158 author: Abdel-Maksoud, Mohammed; Abdel-Khalek, Rania; El-Gendy, Atef; Gamal, Rawia F.; Abdelhady, Hemmat M.; House, Brent L. title: Genetic characterisation of multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serotypes isolated from poultry in Cairo, Egypt date: 2015 words: 5045 flesch: 44 summary: The gene cassettes code for a wide range of antimicrobial resistant determinants.9 Only class 1 and 2 integrons have been detected in Salmonella, with class 1 being the most predominant.10 In Egypt, antibiotic resistance has been reported amongst human Salmonella isolates, including Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) and other diarrhoeagenic strains.11,12 However, with no national Salmonella surveillance centre to provide reliable statistical data, little is known about food-borne salmonellosis in Egypt. Microbial infections may be detected at various levels in animal products and disseminated into the environment when manure is applied to fields.2 In the last two decades, antimicrobial resistance has emerged quickly amongst Salmonella isolates, creating a serious health hazard worldwide.1 Although fluoroquinolones have recently been used as the drug of choice to treat gastrointestinal infections in humans, resistant strains have since emerged and have been associated with increased illness and death.3 Whereas fluoroquinolones are contraindicated because of toxicity, cephalosporins have also been used to treat salmonellosis, particularly in children. keywords: chicken; class; egypt; gene; integrons; isolates; kentucky; meat; poultry; resistance; salmonella; samples; study cache: ajlm-158.htm plain text: ajlm-158.txt item: #113 of 530 id: ajlm-1587 author: van Deventer, Barbara S.; du Toit-Prinsloo, Lorraine; van Niekerk, Chantal title: Practical tips to using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue archives for molecular diagnostics in a South African setting date: 2022 words: 4160 flesch: 45 summary: Study location and design This retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine, the University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa, from January 2015 to August 2016 using FFPE myocardial tissue samples obtained over 13 years from post-mortem examination of sudden unexplained infant deaths in the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory. Unfortunately, the use of tissue samples for molecular diagnostic applications is challenging; thus, the forensic pathology FFPE tissue archives in Africa have been a largely unexploited genetic resource, with the usability of DNA obtainable from these samples being unknown. keywords: africa; amplification; dna; ffpe; fixation; formalin; paraffin; pcr; pretoria; samples; south; tissue cache: ajlm-1587.htm plain text: ajlm-1587.txt item: #114 of 530 id: ajlm-1594 author: Tornimbene, Barbara; Eremin, Sergey; Abednego, Reuben; Abualas, Elamin O.; Boutiba, Ilhem; Egwuenu, Abiodun; Fuller, Walter; Gahimbare, Laetitia; Githii, Susan; Kasambara, Watipaso; Lukwesa-Musyani, Chileshe; Miamina, Fidy A.; Mtapuri-Zinyowera, Sekesai; Najjuka, Grace; Perovic, Olga; Zayed, Bassem; Ahmed, Yahaya A.; Ismail, Maha T.; Pessoa da Silva, Carmem L. title: Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System on the African continent: Early implementation 2017–2019 date: 2022 words: 6842 flesch: 37 summary: Objective: The article describes the evolution of national AMR surveillance systems and AMR data reporting of countries in the African continent between 2017 and 2019, and Conclusion: Despite the limitations, more and more countries in the African continent are working towards reaching a status that will enable them to report AMR data in a complete and systematic manner. keywords: africa; amr; countries; data; glass; infections; national; number; patients; reporting; resistance; results; surveillance; year cache: ajlm-1594.htm plain text: ajlm-1594.txt item: #115 of 530 id: ajlm-1597 author: Fadana, Vuyolwethu; Thomas, Teena; von Knorring, Nina title: Retrospective analysis of Vitek®2 performance compared to manual broth micro-dilution for colistin susceptibility testing of Acinetobacter baumanniicomplex isolates in South Africa date: 2022 words: 2445 flesch: 38 summary: Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Acknowledgements References About the Author(s) Vuyolwethu Fadana School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa Department Pathology, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa Teena Thomas School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa Infectious Control Services Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa Nina von Knorring School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa Mycobacteriology Referral Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa Citation Fadana V, Thomas T, Von Knorring N. Retrospective analysis of Vitek®2 performance compared to manual broth micro-dilution for colistin susceptibility testing of Acinetobacter baumannii complex isolates in South Africa. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v11i1.1597 Brief Report Retrospective analysis of Vitek®2 performance compared to manual broth micro-dilution for colistin susceptibility testing of Acinetobacter baumanniicomplex isolates in South Africa Vuyolwethu Fadana, Teena Thomas, Nina von Knorring Received: 29 Mar. 2021; Accepted: 27 Oct. 2021; keywords: baumannii; colistin; isolates; mbmd; susceptibility; testing; vitek cache: ajlm-1597.htm plain text: ajlm-1597.txt item: #116 of 530 id: ajlm-16 author: Aboderin, Oladipo A.; Adefehinti, Olufemi; Odetoyin, Babatunde W.; Olotu, Amadin A.; Okeke, Iruka N.; Adeodu, Olugbenga title: Prolonged febrile illness due to CTX-M-15 extendedspectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in Nigeria date: 2012 words: 2815 flesch: 42 summary: Presumptive ESBL phenotypic testing and confirmation in the organism was performed by disc diffusion tests on Mueller Hinton agar by employing ceftazidime (30 µg) and cefpodoxime (10 µg) alone and in combination with clavulanic acid as ceftazidime-clavulanic acid (30/10 µg) and cefpodoxime-clavulanic acid (10/1 µg) respectively. Discussion Top ↑ The occurrence and spread of infections resulting from ESBL-producing organisms have been well documented in countries of Europe, Asia and North America.11 In contrast, data on the epidemiology of ESBL enzymes is very limited in Nigeria. keywords: awolowo; class; ctx; esbl; klebsiella; nigeria; obafemi; pneumoniae; spectrum; university cache: ajlm-16.htm plain text: ajlm-16.txt item: #117 of 530 id: ajlm-1606 author: Orum, Terese G.; Ishola, Olayinka O.; Adebowale, Oluwawemimo O. title: Occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Salmonella species from poultry farms in Ibadan, Nigeria date: 2022 words: 4499 flesch: 46 summary: TABLE 1: Association between Salmonella prevalence and demographic variables of chickens from poultry farms in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria, April 2018 – November 2018. Rapid detection and identification of poultry Salmonella serotypes using multiplex PCR assay. keywords: antimicrobial; chickens; farms; health; ibadan; isolates; nigeria; poultry; poultry farms; prevalence; resistance; salmonella; species; state; study; susceptibility cache: ajlm-1606.htm plain text: ajlm-1606.txt item: #118 of 530 id: ajlm-1614 author: Makokha, Ernest P.; Ondondo, Raphael O.; Kimani, Daniel K.; Gachuki, Thomas; Basiye, Frank; Njeru, Mercy; Junghae, Muthoni; Downer, Marie; Umuro, Mamo; Mburu, Margaret; Mwangi, Jane title: Enhancing accreditation outcomes for medical laboratories on the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation programme in Kenya via a rapid results initiative date: 2022 words: 5731 flesch: 39 summary: Introduction In the recent past, low- and middle-income countries have witnessed improved access to quality-assured laboratory diagnosis, leading to better patient outcomes.1 One of the key drivers for this improvement was the implementation of the twin Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) task-based training programme and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA), a stepwise accreditation preparedness programme.2,3 Used in combination, the SLMTA programme, the SLIPTA checklist and related processes enabled laboratories in low- and middle-income countries to implement quality systems improvements and prepare them for accreditation: a formal recognition of the implementation of laboratory quality systems and services that adhere to international standards.4 International Standards Organization (ISO) 15189 is the standard of choice for accreditation of clinical laboratories, as it promotes the delivery of reliable results for patient safety and care, as well as reliable data for public health interventions.5 Kenya adopted the SLMTA programme in 2010 to guide laboratory quality improvements prior to accreditation by the national accreditation body, Kenya National Accreditation Service. Strengthening laboratory management towards accreditation keywords: accreditation; audits; health; improvement; kenya; laboratories; laboratory; management; process; qse; quality; rri; slipta; slmta cache: ajlm-1614.htm plain text: ajlm-1614.txt item: #119 of 530 id: ajlm-1625 author: Nebie, Koumpingnin; Sawadogo, Salam; Sawadogo, Salifo; Koulidiati, Jérôme; Lengani, Habi Y.A.; Sawadogo, Abdoul G.; Babinet, Jérôme; Khalloufi, Mohammed; Diop, Saliou; Kafando, Eléonore title: Red blood cell alloimmunisation in multi-transfused patients from an haemodialysis service in Burkina Faso date: 2022 words: 4629 flesch: 51 summary: This study overviews of RBC immunological risks among patients with chronic diseases who are lifelong blood transfusion patients. Frequencies of red blood cell major blood group antigens and phenotypes in the Chinese Han population from Mainland China. keywords: alloimmunisation; blood; burkina; burkina faso; cell; disease; faso; hospital; ouagadougou; patients; rbc; red; sawadogo; study; transfusion cache: ajlm-1625.htm plain text: ajlm-1625.txt item: #120 of 530 id: ajlm-1628 author: Singu, Bonifasius S.; Morrison, Helen; Irengeya, Lydia; Verbeeck, Roger K. title: Therapeutic drug monitoring of phenytoin and valproic acid in critically ill patients at Windhoek Central Hospital, Namibia date: 2022 words: 3639 flesch: 47 summary: The therapeutic ranges were 50 μg/mL to 100 μg/mL for total valproic acid plasma concentration and 2.5 μg/mL to 20.0 μg/mL for unbound valproic acid plasma concentration:4,5 Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the results. FIGURE 2: Plasma concentrations of (a) total and (b) unbound valproic acid plasma concentration in 93 critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit at Windhoek Central Hospital (Windhoek, Namibia) from January 2013 to July 2019. keywords: acid; concentration; drug; patients; phenytoin; plasma; range; total; unbound cache: ajlm-1628.htm plain text: ajlm-1628.txt item: #121 of 530 id: ajlm-1644 author: Mutua, Benard M.; Sowayi, George; Okoth, Patrick title: Red cell distribution width as a surrogate marker of haemoglobinopathies in western Kenya date: 2022 words: 5021 flesch: 50 summary: FIGURE 2: Red cell distribution width ROC curve in sickle cell triat phenotypes (haemoglobin AS genotype and β-thalassaemia) in western Kenya, 01 January 2015 – 31 December 2020. FIGURE 3: Red cell distribution width ROC curve in β-thalassaemia in western Kenya from 01 January 2015 – 31 December 2020. keywords: cell; curve; distribution; haemoglobin; haemoglobinopathies; kenya; rdw; roc; scd; sensitivity; sickle; study; width cache: ajlm-1644.htm plain text: ajlm-1644.txt item: #122 of 530 id: ajlm-1645 author: Nell, Erica-Mari; Chapanduka, Zivanai C. title: Aetiology of pancytopenia: Experience of a South African tertiary academic centre date: 2022 words: 5464 flesch: 56 summary: Data on pancytopenia cases were obtained from the laboratory information system and utilised to determine the causes of pancytopenia. Infection contributed to a considerable proportion of pancytopenia cases. keywords: advanced; aetiology; africa; anaemia; cases; cause; haematological; hiv; marrow; med; pancytopenia; patients; sepsis; south; studies; study cache: ajlm-1645.htm plain text: ajlm-1645.txt item: #123 of 530 id: ajlm-1650 author: Ndlovu, Nqobile; Tebeje, Yenew K.; Gadde, Renuka; Peter, Trevor title: To break the cycle of COVID-19 lockdowns and safely open up economies, we must ensure equitable access to diagnosis and treatment date: 2022 words: 2081 flesch: 46 summary: New guidance to expand rapid antigen testing for Covid-19 response in Africa released [homepage on the Internet]. Available from: https://africacdc.org/news-item/new-guidance-to-expand-rapid-antigen-testing-for-covid-19-response-in-africa-released/ Peeling RW, Olliaro PL, Boeras DI, Fongwen N. Scaling up COVID-19 rapid antigen tests: Promises and challenges. keywords: africa; covid-19; disease; health; paper; testing; tests; use cache: ajlm-1650.htm plain text: ajlm-1650.txt item: #124 of 530 id: ajlm-1671 author: Sinshaw, Waganeh; Kebede, Abebaw; Bitew, Adane; Tadesse, Mengistu; Mehamed, Zemedu; Alemu, Ayinalem; Yenew, Bazezew; Amare, Misikir; Dagne, Biniyam; Diriba, Getu; Tesfaye, Ephrem; Gamtesa, Dinka F.; Abebaw, Yeshiwork; Mollalign, Helina; Seid, Getachew; Getahun, Muluwork title: Effect of sputum quality and role of Xpert® MTB/RIF assay for detection of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in same-day diagnosis strategy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia date: 2022 words: 5675 flesch: 49 summary: FIGURE 1: Xpert® MTB/RIF assay performance reference to the MGIT and LJ Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from August 2017 to January 2018. Effect of sputum quality and role of Xpert® MTB/RIF assay for detection of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in same-day diagnosis strategy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. keywords: ababa; addis; diagnosis; ethiopia; health; laboratory; mtb; rif; smear; snpt; sputum; study; test; tuberculosis; xpert; xpert mtb cache: ajlm-1671.htm plain text: ajlm-1671.txt item: #125 of 530 id: ajlm-1673 author: Mutai, Ivy J.; Juma, Angela A.; Inyimili, Martin I.; Nyachieo, Atunga; Nyamache, Anthony K. title: Efficacy of diversely isolated lytic phages against multi-drug resistant Enterobacter cloacae isolates in Kenya date: 2022 words: 6007 flesch: 52 summary: These results have similarities with previous studies done in India in 2019, on the host range of E. cloacae phage, which was able to lyse four species of the bacteria.27 Additionally, in a study done in Portugal in 2015, the use of three phages of E. cloacae as a cocktail for inactivation of urinary tract infections increased the potency of the phages in killing MDR E. cloacae.28 This stability concurs with E. cloacae phages previously isolated in Lahore, Pakistan.33 Additionally, the phage titre fluctuated with different temperature conditions: there was a slight decrease in phage titre in four of six phages at 50 °C while two of six phages had a slight increase in phage titre at 50 °C. keywords: activity; cloacae; effect; enterobacter; host; kenya; light; microbiol; min; nairobi; phages; stability; study; titre; ultraviolet cache: ajlm-1673.htm plain text: ajlm-1673.txt item: #126 of 530 id: ajlm-1677 author: Anejo-Okopi, Joseph; Okeke, Edith; Davwar, Pantong M.; Onwuamah, Chika; Onywera, Harris; Omaiye, Patience; Duguru, Mary; Okojokwu, Ocheme J.; Ujah, Otobo I.; Jonathan, Bulus; George, Chima A.; Crown, Ramyil S.; Yakubu, Fiyaktu B.; Sokei, Judith O.; Okoli, Leona C.; Audu, Onyemocho; Inzaule, Seth C.; Abah, Isaac O.; Agaba, Patricia; Agbaji, Oche O.; Sagay, Atiene S.; Hawkins, Claudia title: Molecular detection of hepatitis B virus genotype E with immune escape mutations in chronic hepatitis B patients on long-term antiviral therapy in Jos, Nigeria date: 2022 words: 5756 flesch: 41 summary: Disparate distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in four sub-Saharan African countries. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.supp.2016.25.1.6170 Shi Y-H. Correlation between hepatitis B virus genotypes and clinical outcomes. keywords: b virus; department; drug; escape; genotypes; hbv; hepatitis; hospital; infection; jos; jos university; medicine; mutations; nigeria; patients; resistance; study; teaching; university teaching; virus cache: ajlm-1677.htm plain text: ajlm-1677.txt item: #127 of 530 id: ajlm-168 author: Bangoura, Nestor; Diouara, Abou A.M.; Cissé, Mohamed; Ndiaye, Halimatou D.; Mboup, Souleymame; Ayouba, Ahidjo; Kane, Coumba T. title: Quantification de la Charge Virale et tests de résistance du VIH-1 aux ARV à partir d’échantillons DBS (Dried Blood Spots) chez des patients Guinéens sous traitement antirétroviral date: 2015 words: 4612 flesch: 60 summary: Le papier buvard (DBS) a été largement utilisé dans le diagnostic sérologique et moléculaire de l’infection à VIH.5,6 De plus, les DBS ont été utilisés dans la détermination de la CV et des tests de résistance du VIH-1 aux ARV.7,8,9 La couverture nationale en centres de Conseils et dépistage volontaire (CDV) était de 66 sites et 131 sites de prévention de la transmission mère-enfant (PTME) pour 464 structures offrant les services de consultations prénatales (CPN) en 2013.2 De plus, la couverture en TARV a connu une hausse au cours de ces années et est passée de 22.50% en 2007 à 56.91% en fin 2011, pour 40 258 personnes éligibles au TARV selon les lignes directrices de l’OMS.3 A l’image de plusieurs pays à ressources limitées, du fait d’un manque d’infrastructures, d’équipements biomédicaux et de personnels qualifiés, les tests moléculaires, notamment la charge virale (CV) et le génotypage, ne sont pas tout le temps disponibles. keywords: blood; cette; dans; dbs; des; guinée; les; ont; patients; pour; résistance; sous; spots; sur; tests; une; virologique; étude; été cache: ajlm-168.htm plain text: ajlm-168.txt item: #128 of 530 id: ajlm-1685 author: Marinucci, Francesco; Dhein, Jens title: The time to address diagnostic needs in universal health coverage is now: Leveraging the scale up of national testing capacity for HIV viral load and SARS-CoV-2 date: 2022 words: 2189 flesch: 39 summary: While demand for HIV viral load testing will remain stable in the near future, the demand for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 testing will likely decline, leaving molecular diagnostic testing platforms free and available for testing of other disease markers. The increased awareness of the importance of diagnostic testing provides the opportunity to look at other diseases that can be eliminated and where diagnostics plays a key role. keywords: countries; health; hiv; laboratory; platforms; services; testing cache: ajlm-1685.htm plain text: ajlm-1685.txt item: #129 of 530 id: ajlm-1690 author: Skosana, Lebogang; Ismail, Farzana; Mbelle, Nontombi; Said, Mohamed title: Corrigendum: Brucellosis – Laboratory workers’ nightmare come true: A case study date: 2021 words: 307 flesch: 23 summary: About the Author(s) Lebogang Skosana National Health Laboratory Services, Tshwane Academic Division, Pretoria, South Africa Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa Farzana Ismail Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa Centre for Tuberculosis, National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa Nontombi Mbelle † National Health Laboratory Services, Tshwane Academic Division, Pretoria, South Africa Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa Mohamed Said National Health Laboratory Services, Tshwane Academic Division, Pretoria, South Africa Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa Citation Skosana L, Ismail F, Mbelle N, Nontombi Mbelle1,2† Mohamed Said1,2 Affiliations: 1National Health Laboratory Services, Tshwane Academic Division, Pretoria, South Africa 2Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa 3Centre for Tuberculosis, National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa. keywords: pretoria cache: ajlm-1690.htm plain text: ajlm-1690.txt item: #130 of 530 id: ajlm-1707 author: Atwoli, Lukoye; Baqui, Abdullah H.; Benfield, Thomas; Bosurgi, Raffaella; Godlee, Fiona; Hancocks, Stephen; Horton, Richard; Laybourn-Langton, Laurie; Monteiro, Carlos Augusto; Norman, Ian; Patrick, Kirsten; Praities, Nigel; Olde Rikkert, Marcel G.M.; Rubin, Eric J.; Sahni, Peush; Smith, Richard; Talley, Nicholas J.; Turale, Sue; Vázquez, Damián title: Call for emergency action to limit global temperature increases, restore biodiversity, and protect health date: 2021 words: 2544 flesch: 44 summary: Health institutions have already divested more than $42bn of assets from fossil fuels; others should join them.4 The greatest threat to global public health is the continued failure of world leaders to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5°C and to restore nature. Call for emergency action to limit global temperature increases, restore biodiversity, and protect health. keywords: action; climate; health; homepage; internet; journal; kingdom; london; united; world cache: ajlm-1707.htm plain text: ajlm-1707.txt item: #131 of 530 id: ajlm-1713 author: Zahran, Asmaa M.; Nafady-Hego, Hanaa; Moeen, Sawsan M.; Eltyb, Hanan A.; Wahman, Mohammed M.; Nafady, Asmaa title: Corrigendum: Higher proportion of non-classical and intermediate monocytes in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients in Egypt: A possible prognostic marker date: 2022 words: 410 flesch: 39 summary: In the published article, Zahran AM, Nafady-Hego H, Moeen SM, Eltyb HA, Wahman MM, Nafady A. Higher proportion of non-classical and intermediate monocytes in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients in Egypt: A possible prognostic marker. Results About the Author(s) Asmaa M. Zahran Department of Clinical Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt Hanaa Nafady-Hego Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt Sawsan M. Moeen Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Haematology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt Hanan A. Eltyb Department of Medical Oncology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt Mohammed M. Wahman Department of Clinical Oncology, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt Asmaa Nafady Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Qena Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt Citation Zahran AM, Nafady-Hego H, Moeen SM, Eltyb HA, Wahman MM, Nafady A. Corrigendum: Higher proportion of non-classical and intermediate monocytes in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients in Egypt: A possible prognostic marker. keywords: assiut; egypt cache: ajlm-1713.htm plain text: ajlm-1713.txt item: #132 of 530 id: ajlm-1718 author: Abdelrahim, Nada A.; Mohamed, Nahla; Evander, Magnus; Ahlm, Clas; Fadl-Elmula, Imad M. title: Human herpes virus type-6 is associated with central nervous system infections in children in Sudan date: 2022 words: 4624 flesch: 51 summary: This result is close to the findings of Hosseininasab24 who identified CSF HHV-6 DNA in 1.5% (1/65) of children with aseptic meningitis in Southern Iran. Results Clinical, demographic and conventional laboratory findings All of the following describe patients with positive CSF HHV-6 DNA: all patients with clinical data (100%; 7/7; six cases out of a total of 13 had missing clinical data) presented with fever (˃ 37 °C) and vomiting and six (86%) with seizures (Figure 2). keywords: children; copies; csf; dna; hhv-6; human; infections; patients; pcr; study; viral; virus cache: ajlm-1718.htm plain text: ajlm-1718.txt item: #133 of 530 id: ajlm-1720 author: Swart, Leanne; Pretorius, Melanie; Lawrie, Denise; Glencross, Deborah K. title: Commercial DURAClone panels for extending the repertoire of multicolour immunophenotypic panels in an academic flow cytometry laboratory in South Africa date: 2022 words: 7160 flesch: 39 summary: True negatives were those cases where there was no disease noted, either by predicate ClearLLab and second-line testing or by test method with DURAClone panel testing. In our study, in two cases of precursor B-ALL, the marker CD22 (APC) (BC, Miami, Florida, United States) was added in liquid format to the ALB panel to occupy the free APC channel (see Table 2, DURAClone RE ALB panel) to verify CD22 expression in the context of a B-ALL. keywords: 10c; alb; cell; clb; clearllab; cytometry; duraclone; expression; flow; johannesburg; laboratory; line; markers; panels; plasma; predicate; testing cache: ajlm-1720.htm plain text: ajlm-1720.txt item: #134 of 530 id: ajlm-1725 author: Girdwood, Sarah J.; Crompton, Thomas; Cassim, Naseem; Olsen, Floyd; Sejake, Portia; Diallo, Karidia; Berrie, Leigh; Chimhamhiwa, Dorman; Stevens, Wendy; Nichols, Brooke title: Optimising courier specimen collection time improves patient access to HIV viral load testing in South Africa date: 2022 words: 4695 flesch: 44 summary: Optimising courier specimen collection time improves patient access to HIV viral load testing in South Africa. TABLE 1: Relationship between average latest courier specimen collection time and average viral load tests per antiretroviral treatment patient† at public sector healthcare facilities in South Africa, January 2018 to December 2018. keywords: access; africa; blood; courier; facilities; patient; south; specimen; testing; time cache: ajlm-1725.htm plain text: ajlm-1725.txt item: #135 of 530 id: ajlm-1737 author: Waitumbi, John N.; Omuseni, Esther; Nyataya, Josphat; Masakhwe, Clement; Sigei, Faith; Lemtudo, Allan; Awinda, George; Muthanje, Eric; Andika, Brian; Githii, Rachel; Liyai, Rehema; Kimita, Gathii; Mutai, Beth title: COVID-19 mass testing and sequencing: Experiences from a laboratory in Western Kenya date: 2022 words: 3446 flesch: 47 summary: John N. Waitumbi Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Basic Science Laboratory, Kisumu Field Station, Kisumu, Kenya Esther Omuseni Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Basic Science Laboratory, Kisumu Field Station, Kisumu, Kenya Josphat Nyataya Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Basic Science Laboratory, Kisumu Field Station, Kisumu, Kenya Clement Masakhwe Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Basic Science Laboratory, Kisumu Field Station, Kisumu, Kenya Faith Sigei Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Basic Science Laboratory, Kisumu Field Station, Kisumu, Kenya Allan Lemtudo Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Basic Science Laboratory, Kisumu Field Station, Kisumu, Kenya George Awinda Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Basic Science Laboratory, Kisumu Field Station, Kisumu, Kenya Eric Muthanje Department of Biological Sciences, University of Embu, Embu, Kenya Brian Andika Department of Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Jomo Kenyatta, University of Agriculture and Technology, Juja, Kenya Rachel Githii Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Basic Science Laboratory, Kisumu Field Station, Kisumu, Kenya Rehema Liyai Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Basic Science Laboratory, Kisumu Field Station, Kisumu, Kenya Gathii Kimita Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Basic Science Laboratory, Kisumu Field Station, Kisumu, Kenya Beth Mutai Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)/United States Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Basic Science Laboratory, Kisumu Field Station, Kisumu, Kenya Citation Waitumbi JN, Omuseni E, Nyataya J, et al. COVID-19 mass testing and sequencing: Experiences from a laboratory in Western Kenya. All surfaces had to have a negative test before nasal sample testing commenced. keywords: covid-19; kenya; kenya medical; kisumu; laboratory; medical; medical research; research; research directorate; science; testing cache: ajlm-1737.htm plain text: ajlm-1737.txt item: #136 of 530 id: ajlm-176 author: Driessen, Julia; Limula, Henry; Gadabu, Oliver J.; Gamadzi, Gervase; Chitandale, Edwin; Ben-Smith, Anne; Alide, Noor; Douglas, Gerald P. title: Informatics solutions for bridging the gap between clinical and laboratory services in a low-resource setting date: 2015 words: 5337 flesch: 45 summary: Whilst this often includes laboratory test results, electronic medical records functionality does not extend into the laboratory. The serious public health threat of drug-resistant tuberculosis also requires laboratory testing for drug sensitivity.2 Whilst rapid diagnostic tests are available for malaria and are in use in many health facilities, many countries still consider microscopy performed in the laboratory as the gold standard because it detects a wider array of species.3 If laboratory tests are not available or used, there is a substantial risk of inappropriate treatment, which harms the patient, wastes already limited resources and contributes to increased drug resistance.4,5 Despite the need for laboratory testing in addressing the infectious disease burden, many laboratories are ill-equipped to play a central role in the diagnostic and care delivery process in resource-constrained countries.6 As a result of poor laboratory services and staffing, there is a diagnostic culture amongst physicians of circumventing laboratory testing and using other, less reliable signals to diagnose diseases such as malaria, or treating for malaria despite a negative laboratory result.7,8,9,10 keywords: challenges; health; hospital; information; kch; laboratory; process; quality; reporting; resource; results; samples; testing; time cache: ajlm-176.htm plain text: ajlm-176.txt item: #137 of 530 id: ajlm-1766 author: Asumanu, Edward; Attoh, Seth; Servor, Raymond X.; Laryea, Clement; McAddy, Mary; Hobenu, Fred; Factchu, Raymond; Agyemang-Bediako, Kwesi; Nyarko, Edward O.; Nyarko, Godwin K.; Moroti, Marcus K.; Edusei, Lawrence title: Causes of death and post-mortem testing for SARS-CoV-2 in a tertiary hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana date: 2022 words: 5393 flesch: 50 summary: https://doi.org/10.1159/000511964 Veeranna CH, Rani S. Cause of death certification in COVID-19 deaths. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m1835 Singh B. International comparisons of COVID-19 deaths in the presence of comorbidities require uniform mortality coding guidelines. keywords: accra; autopsy; cases; cause; cov-2; covid-19; death; department; ghana; hospital; pathology; patients; sars; study cache: ajlm-1766.htm plain text: ajlm-1766.txt item: #138 of 530 id: ajlm-178 author: Audu, Rosemary A.; Okoye, Rosemary N.; Onwuamah, Chika K.; Ige, Fehintola A.; Musa, Adesola Z.; Odunukwe, Nkiruka N.; Onwujekwe, Daniel I.; Ezechi, Oliver C.; Idigbe, Emmanuel O.; Kanki, Phyllis J. title: Potential for false-positive HIV test results using rapid HIV testing algorithms date: 2015 words: 4245 flesch: 49 summary: Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare positive HIV test results obtained from the approved rapid testing algorithm with results from western blot tests performed on samples from the same patient. The aim of this study was to compare positive HIV test results obtained from the approved rapid testing algorithm with results from WB tests performed on samples from the same patient. keywords: algorithm; hiv; laboratory; nigeria; patients; research; results; study; test; testing; use cache: ajlm-178.htm plain text: ajlm-178.txt item: #139 of 530 id: ajlm-1784 author: Mugabiirwe, Naome; Kalyetsi, Rogers; Ayella, Richard; Obote, James; Ssedyabane, Frank title: Hepatitis B virus infection and HBeAg positivity among pregnant women in South West Uganda date: 2022 words: 4211 flesch: 47 summary: Objective: This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care at the Kyazanga Health Centre IV in Lwengo District, Uganda. Aseptically collected blood specimens were screened for hepatitis B virus infection using an immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic test kit. keywords: factors; hbsag; hepatitis; history; hospital; infection; prevalence; risk; study; uganda; virus; women cache: ajlm-1784.htm plain text: ajlm-1784.txt item: #140 of 530 id: ajlm-1785 author: Okeke, Iruka N. title: Towards a fiercely urgent expansion of laboratory medicine in Africa date: 2021 words: 1530 flesch: 57 summary: Towards a fiercely urgent expansion of laboratory medicine in Africa. 2021;10(1), a1785. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1785 Editorial Towards a fiercely urgent expansion of laboratory medicine in Africa Iruka N. Okeke keywords: africa; laboratory; medicine; pandemic cache: ajlm-1785.htm plain text: ajlm-1785.txt item: #141 of 530 id: ajlm-1786 author: Opperman, Christoffel J.; Singh, Sarishna; Barton, Francois title: Appropriate disposal of waste in the laboratory: Neglected but not forgotten date: 2022 words: 1322 flesch: 38 summary: Laboratory waste management should focus on environmental and worker safety in a cost-effective manner to ensure ongoing diagnostic testing in accredited laboratories, especially in low- and middle-income countries with limited resources.1 For example, facilities focusing on Mycobacterium tuberculosis generate biosafety level three infectious material that must be decontaminated and disposed of correctly to maintain good laboratory practice within a legislative framework.2 Therefore, a holistic outline to support sustainable waste management in the laboratory is essential. Care should be taken to maximise the use of personal protective equipment in the laboratory to preserve the supply chain, particularly during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.7,8 To our knowledge, no guideline has been published on how many times gloves should be changed without obvious contamination between laboratory samples; discretion must be used in this regard (Figure 1, number 6). keywords: disposal; figure; laboratory; management; tuberculosis; waste cache: ajlm-1786.htm plain text: ajlm-1786.txt item: #142 of 530 id: ajlm-1792 author: Donkeng-Donfack, Valerie F.; Ongoulal, Suzanne M.; Djieugoue, Yvonne J.; Simo, Yannick K.; Manga, Henri; Tollo, Danielle A.D.; Belinga, Edwige M.A.; Mbassa, Vincent; Abena, Jean L.; Eyangoh, Sara title: Tuberculosis-loop-mediated isothermal amplification implementation in Cameroon: Challenges, lessons learned and recommendations date: 2022 words: 4667 flesch: 42 summary: These results served as an evidence base to guide and reinforce Cameroon’s decision to go ahead with the scale up of TB-LAMP in the country. TABLE 1: Number of patients tested with tuberculosis loop-mediated isothermal amplification as initial tuberculosis diagnosis test in June 2017 and July 2017 in four diagnostic and treatment centres in Cameroon. However, Xpert® MTB/RIF equipment was placed at the regional laboratories and recommended for tuberculosis diagnosis in specific categories of presumptive tuberculosis cases including: children (0–5 years), people living with HIV, contact patients with multidrug- or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis, prisoners, refugees, patients previously treated for tuberculosis or those with treatment failures. keywords: cameroon; diagnosis; health; implementation; laboratory; lamp; microscopy; national; test; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-1792.htm plain text: ajlm-1792.txt item: #143 of 530 id: ajlm-18 author: Audu, Rosemary A.; Sylvester-Ikondu, Ugochukwu; Onwuamah, Chika K.; Salu, Olumuyiwa B.; Ige, Fehintola A.; Meshack, Emily; Aniedobe, Maureen; Amoo, Olufemi S.; Okwuraiwe, Azuka P.; Okhiku, Florence; Okoli, Chika L.; Fasela, Emmanuel O.; Odewale, Ebenezer O.; Aleshinloye, Roseline O.; Olatunji, Micheal; Idigbe, Emmanuel O. title: Experience of quality management system in a clinical laboratory in Nigeria date: 2012 words: 3731 flesch: 45 summary: Automation of laboratory systems has advantages such as reduction in staff time and supply costs, reduced turnaround times, as well as reduction in operational errors .6 The World Health Organization African region laboratory accredited process: Improving the quality of laboratory systems in the African region. keywords: accreditation; health; hvl; iso; laboratories; laboratory; management; qms; quality; staff cache: ajlm-18.htm plain text: ajlm-18.txt item: #144 of 530 id: ajlm-1803 author: Michodigni, Noutin F.; Nyachieo, Atunga; Akhwale, Juliah K.; Magoma, Gabriel; Ouédraogo, Abdoul-Salam; Kimang’a, Andrew N. title: Formulation of phage cocktails and evaluation of their interaction with antibiotics in inhibiting carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in vitro in Kenya date: 2022 words: 5482 flesch: 44 summary: FIGURE 3: Bactericidal activity of Klebsiella phage cocktail alone or in combination with antibiotics, Nairobi, Kenya, February 2021 – October 2021. Formulation of phage cocktails and evaluation of their interaction with antibiotics in inhibiting carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in vitro in Kenya. keywords: antibiotics; bacteriophages; cocktail; combination; culture; growth; kenya; klebsiella; phage; phage cocktail; pneumoniae; study; therapy cache: ajlm-1803.htm plain text: ajlm-1803.txt item: #145 of 530 id: ajlm-1807 author: Oyekale, Oluwalana T.; Ojo, Bola O.; Olajide, Adewale T.; Oyekale, Oluwatoyin I. title: Bacteriological profile and antibiogram of blood culture isolates from bloodstream infections in a rural tertiary hospital in Nigeria date: 2022 words: 4688 flesch: 42 summary: Bacteriological profile and antibiogram of blood culture isolates from bloodstream infections in a rural tertiary hospital in Nigeria. 2022;11(1), a1807. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v11i1.1807 Original Research Bacteriological profile and antibiogram of blood culture isolates from bloodstream infections in a rural tertiary hospital in Nigeria Oluwalana T. Oyekale, Bola O. Ojo, Adewale T. Olajide, Oluwatoyin I. Oyekale Received: 01 Dec. 2021; Accepted: 25 May 2022; keywords: antibiotic; bacteria; blood; bloodstream; bsis; culture; gram; hospital; isolates; nigeria; patients; study; treatment cache: ajlm-1807.htm plain text: ajlm-1807.txt item: #146 of 530 id: ajlm-1809 author: Singh, Sarishna; Newton-Foot, Mae; Nel, Pieter; Pienaar, Colette title: Comparison of commercial assays and two-step approach to detect Clostridioides difficile in South Africa date: 2022 words: 4544 flesch: 47 summary: C. difficile infection is associated with an asymptomatic carrier state, self-limiting diarrhoea, pseudomembranous colitis, and toxic megacolon which can be fatal.1 C. difficile infection accounts for up to 20% of nosocomial diarrhoea cases worldwide.2 In South Africa, there is very little published data regarding the incidence and prevalence of C. difficile; a previous study in patients with diarrhoea reported the prevalence to be 16%.3 C. difficile infection associated with increased severity and mortality has been reported in North America and Europe.5 The C. difficile strain responsible for these outbreaks, the hypervirulent 027/NAP1/BI, is characterised by a deletion in the tcdC gene (a negative regulator of tcdA and tcdB expression), resulting in increased production of Toxin A and Toxin B.6 Certain strains of C. difficile may produce a binary toxin, C. difficile transferase, encoded by cdtA and cdtB. Data regarding binary toxin conflict, with some studies suggesting its significance is unclear whereas others have shown that it may be associated with a higher mortality rate.7,8,9 Accurate diagnosis of C. difficile infection is essential as it guides patient management and infection control practices. keywords: approach; bdm; chek; difficile; laboratory; quik; samples; step; study; toxin; xpert cache: ajlm-1809.htm plain text: ajlm-1809.txt item: #147 of 530 id: ajlm-181 author: Bouchet, Nicolas title: ISO 15189: 2012 : Quels changements pour les laboratoires africains? date: 2015 words: 2670 flesch: 54 summary: Conscients des challenges actuels dans le domaine de la santé publique et de la recherche biomédicale, les laboratoires africains de biologie médicale pourraient être amenés à développer des systèmes de management de la qualité qui suivent les exigences de la norme ISO 15189. Il est à noter que cette introduction de la notion de gestion des risques dans la nouvelle version de la norme ISO 15189 s'inscrit dans une logique plus globale. keywords: dans; des; est; iso; laboratoires; les; norme; pour; processus; qualité; qui; version cache: ajlm-181.htm plain text: ajlm-181.txt item: #148 of 530 id: ajlm-1811 author: Williams, Victor; Calnan, Marianne; Edem, Bassey; Onwuchekwa, Chukwuemeka; Okoro, Chika; Candari, Christine; Cruz, Rhodora; Otwombe, Kennedy title: GeneXpert rollout in three high-burden tuberculosis countries in Africa: A review of pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis and outcomes from 2001 to 2019 date: 2022 words: 5469 flesch: 48 summary: However, the national programme did report an increase in tuberculosis case finding in those areas with access to Xpert.18 Additional studies on the utility of Xpert in Nigeria found that it increased tuberculosis case detection among smear-negative PTB patients.24 Implementation data from the South African National Health Laboratory services from 2011 to 2019 demonstrateed a declining trend in the number of cases detected.19 In a study to assess the impact of Xpert rollout on tuberculosis diagnostic yield and time to initiate therapy, the researchers observed marginal increases in tuberculosis case detection and time to initiate treatment, suggesting the need to address the health system to improve Xpert MTB/RIF efficiency.25 In a similar study, Xpert increased the proportion of rifampicin-resistant confirmed tuberculosis and significantly reduced the time to diagnosis, commencing therapy, and the pre-treatment mortality in patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis.26 However, on-treatment mortality and treatment outcomes did not change, reflecting a need to address treatment gaps and treatment outcomes.26 Similar to our findings, the Health Systems Trust (an organisation established to assist with the transformation of the healthcare system in South Africa) showed there has been an annual decline in tuberculosis incidence in South Africa from 2011 to 2015 and data from the University of KwaZulu-Natal suggest that the rapid drop in tuberculosis cases detected could be attributed partially to the scale-up of antiretroviral therapy that took place between 2009 and 2014.27,28,29 However, about 150 000 tuberculosis cases are missed annually in South Africa – nearly 50% of the tuberculosis burden in the country.30 Patient-side and health system-side factors may contribute to the missed cases and thus reduce the impact of Xpert on tuberculosis case detection and treatment outcomes. keywords: africa; cases; countries; data; genexpert; health; mtb; nigeria; rif; south; treatment; tuberculosis; xpert cache: ajlm-1811.htm plain text: ajlm-1811.txt item: #149 of 530 id: ajlm-1812 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2021 words: 655 flesch: 29 summary: Muhammad T. Abdel Ghafar Emma Adolfsson Ali Akhtar Khaled Alobaid Joseph Anejo-okopi Kingsley Anukam Seth A. Attoh Babafela B. Awosile Oluwatoyin A. Babalola Stephen Baker Colleen M. Bamford Marinus Barnard Giovanni Barosi Magdalena Baymakova Ebi C. Bile Debrah I. Boeras Felix Bongomin Gisely Cardoso de Melo Jane Carter Naseem Cassim Jennifer Coetzee Fatoumatta Darboe Ibrahim I. Daud Yasin Demiraslan Kassaye T. Desta Samba Diallo Alpha A. Diallo Bassirou Diarra Adetoun Ejilemele Stephen G. Emerson Devy M. Emperador Uchenna Ezenkwa Yuri Fedoriw Luis Fonte Richard Garfield Lisa Gerwing-Adima Malay Haldar Masoumeh Hasani Benjamin D. Hedley Marianne K. Henderson Lisa M. Herzog Laura Hewitson Carry Hill Hiroshi Ichimura Oni E.A. Idigbe Emmanuel O. Irek Mohamed A. Ismail Lise Jamieson Kithsiri B. Jayasekara Ali Jebali Feyisayo E. Jegede Derek Jones Lavania Joseph Aderemi Kehinde Stephen B. Kennedy Daniel Kimani Olayinka A. Kotila Taiwo Kotila George Boateng Kyei Direk Limmathurotsakul Han-Qing Liu Lucio Luzzato Evelyn Madoroba Faithful Makita-Chingombe Talkmore Maruta Marguerite Massinga Loembe Itumeleng Matle Mohammed Merza Sandra Miselem Barend Mitton Reena D. Mohanlal Meade Morgan Gram (Graham) Mutandi Jane Mwangi Jacob Seroni Mwebi Jean Ndjomou Jeremy Nel Mae Newton-Foot Apeksha Niraula Fatima B. Nma Jiya Ifeanyi Nsofor Jacinta Nwogu Collins O. Odhiambo Abiodun R. Ojewuyi Olusegun S. Ojo Paul A. Olaiya John A. Olaniyi Pascale Ondoa Libby Onyeka Chin-Yih Ou Judith Owen Michael D. Owens João Palma Cihan Papan Rene Paulussen Maria Paximadis M.L. Pereira Bueno Lucy A. Perrone Sam Peters Deryn Petty Dimitri Poddighe Alexander M. Popov Joachim Potgieter Lance D. Presser Siriporn Proungvitaya Beatrice Puije Jennifer A. Punt Rahul Rajbhar Garshasb Rigi Theresa Roussouw Halima M. Said Jon Salmanton-García Moses Samje Christine E. Schaner-Tooley Seema Shetty Caleb Skipper Julie Smith Anthony M. Smith Ajaykumar K. Thirumala Fabio Timeus Lara Vojnov Adolfo Vubil Shouwei Wang Azza A. Zulfu http://www.ajlmonline.org https://ajlmonline.org https://ajlmonline.org https://ajlmonline.org https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/user https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/user mailto:publishing@aosis.co.za keywords: access; https://ajlmonline.org; journal; laboratory; medicine; reviewer cache: ajlm-1812.pdf plain text: ajlm-1812.txt item: #150 of 530 id: ajlm-1814 author: Musau, Susan K.; Mwachari, Christina; Kirui, Elvis; Muthoni, Junghae; Lascko, Taylor; Blanco, Natalia; Abimiku, Alash'le; Koech, Emily title: Implementing an intensified mentorship approach towards accelerated medical laboratory accreditation in 10 counties in Kenya date: 2022 words: 3240 flesch: 35 summary: As part of this scope, UMB, through the Boresha Maabara programme, supported and mentored 27 hospital laboratories from 10 selected counties (Nairobi, Kiambu, Meru, Embu, Muranga, Nyeri, Laikipia, Nyandarua, Tharaka and Kirinyanga) in implementing continuous quality improvement initiatives, and laboratory QMS mentorship towards accreditation. In addition to laboratory QMS mentorship, mentors were involved in supporting continuous quality improvement initiatives for HIV and tuberculosis testing-related services in other facilities. keywords: accreditation; approach; kenya; laboratories; laboratory; maryland; mentorship; qms; quality; standard cache: ajlm-1814.htm plain text: ajlm-1814.txt item: #151 of 530 id: ajlm-1819 author: Office, Editorial title: Table of Content Vol 10, No 1 (2021) date: 2021 words: 2095 flesch: -65 summary: Mmachuene I. Hlahla, Moshibudi J. Selatole African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 10, No 1 | a1040 | 29 July 2021 39 49 59 64 71 77 86 92 Page i of iii Table of Contents Editorial Call for emergency action to limit global temperature increases, restore biodiversity, and protect health Lukoye Atwoli, Abdullah H. Baqui, Thomas Benfield, Raffaella Bosurgi, Fiona Godlee, Stephen Hancocks, Richard Horton, Laurie Laybourn- Langton, Carlos Augusto Monteiro, Ian Norman, Kirsten Patrick, Nigel Praities, Marcel G.M. | 16 March 2021 Original Research Multicentre study of the burden of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the aetiology of infected diabetic foot ulcers Adeyemi T. Adeyemo, Babatope Kolawole, Vincent O. Rotimi, Aaron O. Aboderin African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 10, No 1 | a1261 | 23 March 2021 Original Research The growth patterns of the medical technology profession in South Africa Malcolm T. Ellapen, Terry J. Ellapen, Yvonne Paul African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 10, No 1 | a1164 | 23 April 2021 Original Research Effects of TNF-α and IL-10-819 T>C single nucleotide polymorphisms on urogenital schistosomiasis in preschool children in Zimbabwe Amos Marume, Theresa Chimponda, Arthur Vengesai, Caroline Mushayi, Jaclyn Mann, Takafira Mduluza African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 10, No 1 | a1138 | 29 April 2021 Original Research In-depth investigation of turn-around time of full blood count tests requested from a clinical haematology outpatient department in Cape Town, South Africa Leonard Mutema, Zivanai Chapanduka, Fungai Musaigwa, Nomusa Mashigo African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 10, No 1 | a1318 | 29 April 2021 Original Research Improving laboratory quality and capacity through leadership and management training: Lessons from Zambia 2016–2018 Felicity Gopolang, Fales Zulu-Mwamba, Davy Nsama, Annika Kruuner, Dailes Nsofwa, Ishmael Kasvosve, Royce Gomo, Tiny Motlhabane, Bhavna Chohan, Olusegun Soge, Daniel Osterhage, Nancy Campbell, Michael Noble, Ann Downer, Jean-Frederic Flandin, Anya Nartker, Catherine Koehn, Linda K. Nonde, Aaron Shibemba, Clement B. Ndongmo, Martin Steinau, Lucy A. Perrone African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 10, No 1 | a1225 | 30 April 2021 Original Research Molecular characterisation of NPM1 and FLT3-ITD mutations in a central South African adult de novo acute myeloid leukaemia cohort Jean F. Kloppers, André de Kock, Johané Cronjé, Anne-Cecilia van Marle African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 10, No 1 keywords: african; african journal; covid-19; jean; journal; laboratory medicine; lessons; march; paul; research; south; vol cache: ajlm-1819.pdf plain text: ajlm-1819.txt item: #152 of 530 id: ajlm-1827 author: Murangwa, Anthere; Desai, Kanan T.; Gage, Julia C.; Murenzi, Gad; Tuyisenge, Patrick; Kanyabwisha, Faustin; Musafili, Aimable; Kubwimana, Gallican; Mutesa, Leon; Anastos, Kathryn; Kim, Hae-Young; Castle, Philip E. title: Agreement between Xpert and AmpFire tests for high-risk human papillomavirus among HIV-positive women in Rwanda date: 2022 words: 3310 flesch: 53 summary: Objective: This study analysed agreement for detection of hrHPV between the established, clinically validated Xpert HPV assay and the novel isothermal amplification-based AmpFire HPV genotyping assay. Keywords: Xpert HPV assay; AmpFire HPV genotyping assay; high-risk human papillomavirus types; women living with HIV; cervical cancer screening. keywords: ampfire; assay; cancer; hpv; hrhpv; rwanda; study; types; women; xpert cache: ajlm-1827.htm plain text: ajlm-1827.txt item: #153 of 530 id: ajlm-1834 author: Cook, Annie E.; Jalavu, Thumeka P.; Zemlin, Annalise E. title: Audit of amylase and lipase requests in suspected acute pancreatitis and cost implications, South Africa date: 2022 words: 3732 flesch: 45 summary: A recent 2017 review of nine studies by Ismail and Bhayana,8 which included studies carried out by Chang and Chung5 and Hofmeyr et al.,11 concluded a negligible difference in sensitivity and specificity from dual testing of lipase and amylase compared with singular testing of lipase.5,8,11 Whilst studies by Basnayake and Ratnam,9 and Ismail and Bhayana8 have commented that the ratio between amylase and lipase levels could help direct clinicians to the aetiology of AP,8,9 it was generally concluded across several reviews and studies, that dual testing was not a cost-effective option for diagnosis of AP.5,8,11,13 A prospective study by Hofmeyr et al.11 concluded that on admission to Tygerberg Hospital lipase sensitivity was significantly improved at 91% compared with 62% for amylase. Specificities were relatively equivocal for single amylase (98.6%) and lipase tests (96.9%) (Table 2). keywords: amylase; data; hospital; lipase; requests; sensitivity; study; tygerberg cache: ajlm-1834.htm plain text: ajlm-1834.txt item: #154 of 530 id: ajlm-1841 author: Nieuwenhuizen, Cailin; Netshidzivhani, Tshiphiri; Potgieter, Johan title: Establishment of haemoglobin A2 reference intervals in Pretoria, South Africa: A retrospective secondary data analysis date: 2022 words: 3239 flesch: 45 summary: In keeping with good laboratory practice, a need was identified to determine HbA2 reference intervals in a local African population for the Department of Haematology of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Tshwane Academic Division (TAD), Pretoria, South Africa. Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Acknowledgements References About the Author(s) Cailin Nieuwenhuizen Department of Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa Department of Haematology, Tshwane Academic Division, National Health Laboratory Service, Pretoria, South Africa Tshiphiri Netshidzivhani Department of Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa Department of Haematology, Tshwane Academic Division, National Health Laboratory Service, Pretoria, South Africa Johan Potgieter Department of Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa Department of Haematology, Tshwane Academic Division, National Health Laboratory Service, Pretoria, South Africa Citation Nieuwenhuizen C, Netshidzivhani T, Potgieter J. Establishment of haemoglobin A2 reference intervals in Pretoria, South Africa: keywords: africa; data; haemoglobin; hba2; interval; laboratory; pretoria; reference; south; study cache: ajlm-1841.htm plain text: ajlm-1841.txt item: #155 of 530 id: ajlm-1842 author: Enuma, Joseph N.; Sanni, Felix O.; Matur, Malau B.; Jean, Njab E.; Erhabor, Tosan; Egbulefu, Iheukwumere I. title: Malaria an opportunistic infection in HIV/AIDS patients? – A Nigerian experience date: 2022 words: 4314 flesch: 50 summary: HIV infection increases the probability of clinical and severe malaria, while Plasmodium falciparum infection increases HIV viral load.8,9 Additionally, dual infection has been found to contribute to the spread of both illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa, raising concerns about treating coinfected patients and the possibility of therapeutic interactions.10 Because of the significant geographic and social overlap between people infected with HIV and malaria, complex interactions at the individual and group levels are possible.11 Notably, any relationship between the two infections has the potential to have considerable public health implications due to their respective frequencies.12 HIV infection may exacerbate malaria’s burden by increasing susceptibility to infection or impairing antimalarial medications’ preventative and therapeutic efficiency, as both are immune-mediated.13 However, early 1990s investigations failed to reveal substantial interactions between malaria and HIV in coinfected children and adults who had acquired semi-immunity to malaria, probably due to research design problems and a lack of information about immunosuppression.14 In the early 2000s, it was shown that HIV infection has a clinical effect on malaria infection and disease and that this effect appears to be reliant on the dynamics of malaria transmission and the degree of HIV-associated immunosuppression.15,16 HIV-positive individuals who have not acquired immunity to malaria exhibit a significant increase in the severity of infection, in contrast to those who have naturally acquired immunity to malaria, for whom HIV infection is associated with just a mild rise in clinical disease.17 Malaria has been identified as a risk factor for concurrent HIV infection at the population level in the recent past.13 Studies have addressed the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria,18,19 association between clinical malaria and immunosuppression among HIV-positive patients.20 and effects of malaria infection on HIV-positive individuals in Nigeria,4,18,19,21,22 but information on malaria as an opportunistic infection in HIV-positive individuals is scanty. Therefore, these findings suggest that malaria parasitaemia is not an opportunistic infection among HIV-positive patients in Abuja, nor is malaria parasitaemia more common in HIV infection in Nigeria. keywords: art; cd4; cells; count; hiv; individuals; infection; malaria; mm3; nigeria; patients; prevalence; study cache: ajlm-1842.htm plain text: ajlm-1842.txt item: #156 of 530 id: ajlm-1844 author: Kploanyi, Emma E.; Kenu, Joseph; Atsu, Benedicta K.; Opare, David A.; Asiedu-Bekoe, Franklin; Schroeder, Lee F.; Dowdy, David W.; Yawson, Alfred E.; Kenu, Ernest title: An assessment of the laboratory network in Ghana: A national-level ATLAS survey (2019–2020) date: 2023 words: 5721 flesch: 38 summary: Keywords: laboratory systems; laboratory network; ATLAS; epidemic-prone diseases; LABNET scorecard; laboratory capacity; laboratory readiness; laboratory strengthening. A new matrix for scoring the functionality of national laboratory networks in Africa: Introducing the LABNET scorecard. keywords: assessment; atlas; funding; ghana; health; laboratories; laboratory; level; national; network; programmes; public; services; supplies; system; testing cache: ajlm-1844.htm plain text: ajlm-1844.txt item: #157 of 530 id: ajlm-1845 author: Imoh, Lucius C.; Longwap, Abdulazis S.; Haruna, Favour E.; Asieba, Oghale J.; Istifanus, Joy P.; Imoh, Joy A.; Banwat, Mathilda E. title: Practices and barriers to screening for hyperglycaemia in pregnancy among providers of antenatal care in Jos, Nigeria date: 2022 words: 6053 flesch: 50 summary: Conclusion: Screening practices for HIP among the AHPs do not generally conform to best practices. Screening practices of respondents The most common period for screening was the second trimester (75.0%; 96/128) (Table 2). keywords: ahps; antenatal; diabetes; facilities; gdm; glucose; healthcare; hip; jos; nigeria; risk; screening; study; women cache: ajlm-1845.htm plain text: ajlm-1845.txt item: #158 of 530 id: ajlm-187 author: Patel, Kirtika; Strother, R. Matthew; Ndiangui, Francis; Chumba, David; Jacobson, William; Dodson, Cecelia; Resnic, Murray B.; Strate, Randall W.; Smith, James W. title: Development of immunohistochemistry services for cancer care in western Kenya: Implications for low- and middle-income countries date: 2016 words: 4733 flesch: 42 summary: Building upon the foundations of a histology laboratory, strategic investment and training were used to develop IHC services. Relevant to IHC services, the Department of Immunology had 10 staff members, was responsible for the training of medical, dental, nursing, physical therapy and environmental health students, and had 100 m2 of laboratory space for training. keywords: cancer; countries; dako; development; ihc; kenya; laboratory; mtrh; pathologists; pathology; quality; resource; services; staining; training; university cache: ajlm-187.htm plain text: ajlm-187.txt item: #159 of 530 id: ajlm-1898 author: Duze, Sanelisiwe T.; Thomas, Teena; Pelego, Tshegofatso; Jallow, Sabelle; Perovic, Olga; Duse, Adriano title: Evaluation of Xpert Carba-R for detecting carbapenemase-producing organisms in South Africa date: 2023 words: 3278 flesch: 46 summary: The assay was also able to detect carbapenemase genes in non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.00001-07 Reyes JA, Melano R, Cárdenas PA, Trueba G. Mobile genetic elements associated with carbapenemase genes in South American Enterobacterales. keywords: africa; assay; carba; carbapenemases; isolates; johannesburg; south; xpert; xpert carba cache: ajlm-1898.htm plain text: ajlm-1898.txt item: #160 of 530 id: ajlm-1899 author: Nanyeenya, Nicholus; Kiwanuka, Noah; Nakanjako, Damalie; Nakigozi, Gertrude; Kibira, Simon P.S.; Nabadda, Susan; Kiyaga, Charles; Sewanyana, Isaac; Nasuuna, Esther; Makumbi, Fredrick title: Low-level viraemia: An emerging concern among people living with HIV in Uganda and across sub-Saharan Africa date: 2022 words: 4609 flesch: 50 summary: Using 1000 copies/mL as a threshold ignores people living with HIV who have low-level viraemia (LLV; HIV VL of at least 50 copies/mL but less than 1000 copies/mL). These include patient monitoring involving clinical events and adherence monitoring, immunological monitoring involving CD4 cell count, and virologic monitoring comprising HIV VL testing.11, 12 Virologic monitoring Virologic monitoring which comprises HIV VL testing is the preferred way of monitoring treatment outcomes in people living with HIV on ART, and WHO recommends use of a threshold of 1000 copies/mL to determine VL non-suppression, indicative of either poor drug adherence or virologic failure.6 However, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and International Association of Providers of AIDS Care recommend a threshold of 200 copies/mL for VL non-suppression.13, keywords: aids; art; copies; countries; health; hiv; llv; low; non; people; uganda cache: ajlm-1899.htm plain text: ajlm-1899.txt item: #161 of 530 id: ajlm-190 author: Hamel, Donald J.; Sankalé, Jean-Louis; Samuels, Jay O.; Sarr, Abdoulaye D.; Chaplin, Beth; Ofuche, Eke; Meloni, Seema T.; Okonkwo, Prosper; Kanki, Phyllis J. title: Building laboratory capacity to support HIV care in Nigeria: Harvard/APIN PEPFAR, 2004–2012 date: 2015 words: 5777 flesch: 34 summary: We found the utilisation of training-of-trainer and step-down training methods to be a very cost-effective system of providing training across programme laboratories and allowed for dissemination of training across local laboratory systems. These central workshops allowed programme staff continual assurance of standardisation across programme laboratories. keywords: apin; capacity; data; equipment; harvard; health; hiv; laboratories; laboratory; management; nigeria; pepfar; programme; quality; staff; test; training; united cache: ajlm-190.htm plain text: ajlm-190.txt item: #162 of 530 id: ajlm-1901 author: Haripersadh, Reola; Pillay, Dashini; Rapiti, Nadine title: Impact of rapid centrifugation on routine coagulation assays in South Africa date: 2022 words: 4404 flesch: 51 summary: D-dimer levels were significantly lower for Methods C (p = 0.04) and D (p = 0.02) when compared to Method A. Method D correlated strongly with the reference method, while Methods B and C correlated poorly with the reference method (r < 0.975) Abstract Background: The recommendation for coagulation blood samples is to centrifuge at 4000 revolutions per minute (rpm) for 15 min to produce platelet-poor plasma before analysis. keywords: centrifugation; coagulation; hospital; mean; median; method; results; samples; study cache: ajlm-1901.htm plain text: ajlm-1901.txt item: #163 of 530 id: ajlm-1913 author: Vounba, Passoret; Loul, Severin; Tamadea, Ludovic F.; Siawaya, Joël F.D. title: Corrigendum: Microbiology laboratories involved in disease and antimicrobial resistance surveillance: Strengths and challenges of the central African states date: 2023 words: 414 flesch: 35 summary: About the Author(s) Passoret Vounba Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) Commission/Fourth phase of the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project (REDISSE IV), Libreville, Gabon Severin Loul Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) Commission/Fourth phase of the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project (REDISSE IV), Libreville, Gabon Ludovic F. Tamadea Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) Commission/Fourth phase of the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project (REDISSE IV), Libreville, Gabon Joël F.D. Siawaya Department of Laboratory Services, CHU Mère-Enfant Fondation Jeanne EBORI, Libreville, Gabon Regional Integrated Surveillance and Laboratory Network (RISLNET) for Central Africa, Libreville, Gabon Citation Vounba P, Loul S, Tamadea LF, Siawaya JFD. This study was commissioned and supported by the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement (REDISSE) project in Central Africa, which is financially supported by the World Bank and managed by the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). keywords: central; states cache: ajlm-1913.htm plain text: ajlm-1913.txt item: #164 of 530 id: ajlm-1920 author: Naidoo, Alicia; Kajee, Afsana; Mvelase, Nomonde R.; Swe Swe-Han, Khine title: Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial uropathogens in a South African regional hospital date: 2023 words: 4140 flesch: 37 summary: A Japanese study done in 2020 showed that the differences in E. coli resistance rates between hospital-acquired and community-acquired UTIs were between 5% and 10%.16 Antimicrobial resistance surveillance studies thus need to be conducted regularly to identify bacterial uropathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns to guide the empiric treatment of UTIs, which is a crucial part of antimicrobial stewardship. keywords: antimicrobial; coli; laboratory; resistance; south; spp; study cache: ajlm-1920.htm plain text: ajlm-1920.txt item: #165 of 530 id: ajlm-1921 author: Nayupe, Symon F.; Mbulaje, Patrick; Munharo, Steven; Patel, Parth; Lucero-Prisno III, Don E. title: Medical laboratory practice in Malawi – Current status date: 2023 words: 2740 flesch: 37 summary: This has led to a lack of cross-sector laboratory capacity, fragmentation of laboratory services and diversion of scarce resources.12 Poor salary structures have also aggravated the migration of highly skilled individuals to the private sector and research institutions, further derailing the system. The revamping of MAMLS aims at promoting and safeguarding the interests of professional medical laboratory science practice which ultimately safeguards patients who access laboratory services. keywords: africa; health; laboratories; laboratory; malawi; medical; policy; practice; quality; services cache: ajlm-1921.htm plain text: ajlm-1921.txt item: #166 of 530 id: ajlm-194 author: Yao, Katy; Maruta, Talkmore; Luman, Elizabeth T.; Nkengasong, John N. title: The SLMTA programme: Transforming the laboratory landscape in developing countries date: 2014 words: 6253 flesch: 46 summary: Secondly, countries must ensure financial and political support for SLMTA and a commitment to improving laboratory quality at all levels: Ministry of Health, hospital management, laboratory management and laboratory staff. Evidence from 47 countries for SLMTA-driven improvement in laboratory quality management systems. keywords: countries; health; implementation; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; management; programme; pubmed; quality; slipta; slmta; systems; trainers; training cache: ajlm-194.htm plain text: ajlm-194.txt item: #167 of 530 id: ajlm-1946 author: Anetor, John I.; Orimadegun, Bose E.; Anetor, Gloria O. title: A pragmatic approach to the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism in developing countries date: 2023 words: 5799 flesch: 38 summary: The assumption that the observed degeneration is due to a lack of advanced scientific equipment required for investigation is false as many IEMs can be detected using basic clinical chemistry laboratory facilities; this has been demonstrated in this brief article and supported by Brown and Lo14 and, more recently, Civallero, De Kremer and Giugliani.11 Even in the absence of tandem mass spectrophotometry in these countries, basic laboratory investigations can accomplish a great deal. Keywords: basic laboratory investigations; developing countries; inborn errors of metabolism; health education; optimisation of treatment. keywords: blood; countries; deficiency; diagnosis; disease; disorders; errors; facilities; fibrosis; health; iem; iems; investigation; laboratory; levels; metabolism; test; urine cache: ajlm-1946.htm plain text: ajlm-1946.txt item: #168 of 530 id: ajlm-195 author: Mataranyika, Mary N.; Beukes, Landine K. title: View from the top: Involvement of Namibia’s health ministry in laboratory quality improvement date: 2014 words: 1575 flesch: 31 summary: Accurate laboratory results improve medical interventions, minimise surgical and treatment errors, decrease the length of hospital stays and reduce the cost of hospitalisation.1 Weak reporting systems and delayed or inaccurate processing of test results contribute to increased morbidity and mortality from major diseases of public health concern, such as tuberculosis, malaria, cholera and HIV.2In 2012, Namibia’s Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), working with stakeholders from both the private and public sectors, developed Namibia’s first National Public Health Laboratory Policy3 and Strategic Plan4 (approved by the cabinet and launched in 2013) to guide the delivery of quality laboratory improvements and services. It would be advisable for the MoHSS to set up a national structure to audit and recognise laboratories; encourage development of innovative procedures and methods; allocate funding for equipment maintenance; and collaborate with accreditation bodies and other institutions in order to implement laboratory quality improvements. keywords: health; laboratories; laboratory; mohss; namibia; quality cache: ajlm-195.htm plain text: ajlm-195.txt item: #169 of 530 id: ajlm-1956 author: Omali, Denis; Buzibye, Allan; Kwizera, Richard; Byakika-Kibwika, Pauline; Namakula, Rhoda; Matovu, Joshua; Mbabazi, Olive; Mande, Emmanuel; Sekaggya-Wiltshire, Christine; Nakanjako, Damalie; Gutteck, Ursula; McAdam, Keith; Easterbrook, Philippa; Kambugu, Andrew; Fehr, Jan; Castelnuovo, Barbara; Manabe, Yukari C.; Lamorde, Mohammed; Mueller, Daniel; Merry, Concepta title: Building clinical pharmacology laboratory capacity in low- and middle-income countries: Experience from Uganda date: 2023 words: 4844 flesch: 36 summary: Building clinical pharmacology laboratory capacity in low- and middle-income countries: Experience from Uganda. Recommendations: Driven primarily by research projects, clinical pharmacology laboratory capacity was successfully established in Uganda, resulting in sustained research output and clinical support. keywords: capacity; clinical; college; diseases; drug; health; institute; kampala; laboratory; makerere; makerere university; pharmacology; research; sciences; uganda; university; university college cache: ajlm-1956.htm plain text: ajlm-1956.txt item: #170 of 530 id: ajlm-196 author: Maruta, Talkmore; Yao, Katy; Ndlovu, Nqobile; Moyo, Sikhulile title: Training-of-trainers: A strategy to build country capacity for SLMTA expansion and sustainability date: 2014 words: 4582 flesch: 47 summary: Development of training of trainers programmes and evaluation of their effectiveness in Istanbul, Turkey. Discussion Top ↑ Since SLMTA TOT began in 2009, the SLMTA programme has expanded rapidly1,2 and many countries have rolled out the programme independently with little or no outside assistance. keywords: countries; country; graduates; master; participants; programme; slmta; teachback; tot; trainers; training cache: ajlm-196.htm plain text: ajlm-196.txt item: #171 of 530 id: ajlm-1964 author: Idowu, Abel O.; Omosun, Yusuf O.; Igietseme, Joseph U.; Azenabor, Anthony A. title: The COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa: The significance of presumed immune sufficiency date: 2023 words: 8803 flesch: 50 summary: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abf4063 Grifoni A, Weiskopf D, Ramirez SI, et al. To provide insight into the possible reasons for the presumed immune sufficiency to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Africa, this review critically examines literature published from 2020 onwards on the dynamics of COVID-19 infection and immunity and how other prevalent infectious diseases in Africa might have influenced the outcome of COVID-19. keywords: africa; bcg; cases; cells; coronavirus; countries; cov-2; covid-19; disease; et al; health; immune; immunity; infection; internet; memory; number; pandemic; saharan; sars; sub; vaccination; vaccine; world cache: ajlm-1964.htm plain text: ajlm-1964.txt item: #172 of 530 id: ajlm-1974 author: Kamgaing, Rachel S.; Bouba, Yagai; Sosso, Samuel M.; Gabisa, Jeremiah E.; Nanfack, Aubin; Fokam, Joseph; Ngono, Laure; Fainguem, Nadine; Tommo, Michel C.T.; Zam, Krystel N.; Yimga, Junie F.; Takou, Désiré K.; Ndjolo, Alexis title: Challenges faced by the HIV testing system in low- and middle-income countries date: 2023 words: 2841 flesch: 45 summary: HIV AIDS (Auckl). Keywords: HIV diagnosis; counselling; HIV testing system; testing technologies; algorithm; Cameroon. keywords: aids; cameroon; centre; hiv; international; laboratory; management; reference; testing; yaoundé cache: ajlm-1974.htm plain text: ajlm-1974.txt item: #173 of 530 id: ajlm-1975 author: Mvelase, Nomonde R.; Cele, Lindiwe P.; Singh, Ravesh; Naidoo, Yeshnee; Giandhari, Jennifer; Wilkinson, Eduan; de Oliveira, Tulio; Swe Swe-Han, Khine; Mlisana, Koleka P. title: Consequences of rpoB mutations missed by the GenoType MTBDRplus assay in a programmatic setting in South Africa date: 2023 words: 6065 flesch: 43 summary: Variable ability of rapid tests to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis rpoB mutations conferring phenotypically occult rifampicin resistance. Evolution of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis over four decades: Whole genome sequencing and dating analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from KwaZulu-Natal. keywords: africa; isolates; isoniazid; kwazulu; mtbdrplus; mutations; natal; patients; resistance; results; rifampicin; south; treatment; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-1975.htm plain text: ajlm-1975.txt item: #174 of 530 id: ajlm-1987 author: Fernando, Caroline A.; Dissanayake, Deklanji T.; Hewamana, Uththara I.; Rathnaweera, Shyamini; Samanthilake, Wickrama A.; Tudugala, Ranga; Jayasekara, Kithsiri B.; Kuruppu, Kumudu title: Alternative methods for calculating percentage haemolysis of red cell concentrates in peripheral blood banks in Sri Lanka date: 2023 words: 4677 flesch: 44 summary: Visual haemoglobin colour scale method Each concentrate (0.1 g/dL – 1.0 g/dL) was aspirated into five haematocrit capillary tubes (Globe Scientific Inc., Mahwah, New Jersey, United States), which were then arranged in ascending order. The plasma haemoglobin concentrations of 68 RCCs were measured using the LHBP method (standard method) and the three developed alternative methods (CS, SCG and SCTC methods), and their results were compared statistically. keywords: alternative; blood; concentration; haemoglobin; haemolysis; lanka; methods; plasma; quality; sciences; sri; standard cache: ajlm-1987.htm plain text: ajlm-1987.txt item: #175 of 530 id: ajlm-199 author: Guevara, Giselle; Gordon, Floris; Irving, Yvette; Whyms, Ismae; Parris, Keith; Beckles, Songee; Maruta, Talkmore; Ndlovu, Nqobile; Albalak, Rachel; Alemnji, George title: The impact of SLMTA in improving laboratory quality systems in the Caribbean Region date: 2014 words: 5273 flesch: 36 summary: The need to engage laboratories in these countries in quality improvement and accreditation was identified very early during this collaboration when it became apparent that laboratory services, systems and infrastructure in the region were weak, with various populations lacking access to timely, low-cost and high-quality laboratory services.4 With the aim of improving laboratory quality in the region, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Caribbean Regional Office Laboratory Team, the International Laboratory Branch of the Division of Global HIV/AIDS at CDC Atlanta and the African Field Epidemiology Network (the laboratory implementing partner) collaborated to research options for effective laboratory quality improvement. The impact of SLMTA in improving laboratory quality systems in the Caribbean Region. keywords: accreditation; caribbean; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; management; months; programme; quality; slmta; systems; training cache: ajlm-199.htm plain text: ajlm-199.txt item: #176 of 530 id: ajlm-1996 author: van Heerden, Marli; George, Jaya A.; Khoza, Siyabonga title: Corrigendum: The application of sigma metrics in the laboratory to assess quality control processes in South Africa date: 2023 words: 323 flesch: 39 summary: Afr J Lab Med. 2023;12(1), a1996. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v12i1.1996 Note: DOI of original article published: https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v11i1.1344 Correction Corrigendum: The application of sigma metrics in the laboratory to assess quality control processes in South Africa Marli van Heerden, Jaya A. George, Siyabonga Khoza About the Author(s) Marli van Heerden National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa Faculty of Health Sciences, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa Jaya A. George National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa Faculty of Health Sciences, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa Siyabonga Khoza National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa Faculty of Health Sciences, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa Citation Van Heerden M, George JA, keywords: johannesburg cache: ajlm-1996.htm plain text: ajlm-1996.txt item: #177 of 530 id: ajlm-1998 author: Steyn, Nicolene; Chale-Matsau, Bettina; Abera, Aron B.; van Biljon, Gertruida; Pillay, Tahir S. title: Neonatal presentation of a patient with Liddle syndrome, South Africa date: 2023 words: 2696 flesch: 36 summary: This phenomenon has been confirmed in Liddle syndrome patients where the urine-aldosterone to -potassium ratio was lower in subjects with the polymorphism than in normal subjects.9 Neonatal presentation of a patient with Liddle syndrome, South Africa. keywords: africa; enac; hypertension; liddle; mmol; mutations; pretoria; sodium; south; syndrome cache: ajlm-1998.htm plain text: ajlm-1998.txt item: #178 of 530 id: ajlm-200 author: Audu, Rosemary A.; Onubogu, Catherine C.; Nwokoye, Nkiru N.; Ofuche, Eke; Baboolal, Shirematee; Oke, Odafen; Luman, Elizabeth T.; Idigbe, Emmanuel O. title: Improving quality in national reference laboratories: The role of SLMTA and mentorship date: 2014 words: 4465 flesch: 37 summary: In press. 12.Mokobela K, Moatshe M, Modukanele M. Using SLMTA and mentorship to accelerate laboratory improvement in Botswana. The absence of National Laboratory Strategic Plans to provide roadmaps for the implementation of quality laboratory services, as well as the lack of National Laboratory Quality Standards to guide the provision of quality clinical laboratory services and accreditation in Nigeria, are also obstacles for the implementation of quality laboratory systems. keywords: audit; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; management; programme; quality; slmta; virology cache: ajlm-200.htm plain text: ajlm-200.txt item: #179 of 530 id: ajlm-2008 author: Kim, Hyerim; Kim, Jongmin title: Effect of delayed sample draw after blood collection for haemoglobin test in South Korea date: 2023 words: 2623 flesch: 56 summary: Nevertheless, the needle and syringe system is most commonly used in blood sampling,2 and delay in transferring blood to the test tube following sampling can occur, which may alter the results of blood tests, for instance haemoglobin levels. Thus, we conducted this study to evaluate the effect of delayed blood sample transfer on the haemoglobin level by analysing samples with different time delays under two conditions: drawing blood from the sedimented bottom portion or the non-sedimented upper portion of the syringe. TABLE 1: keywords: blood; haemoglobin; min; needle; test cache: ajlm-2008.htm plain text: ajlm-2008.txt item: #180 of 530 id: ajlm-201 author: Maruti, Phidelis M.; Mulianga, Ekesa A.; Wambani, Lorna N.; Wafula, Melda N.; Mambo, Fidelis A.; Mutisya, Shadrack M.; Wakaria, Eric N.; Mbati, Erick M.; Amayo, Angela A.; Majani, Jonathan M.; Nyary, Bryan; Songwe, Kilian A. title: Creating a sustainable culture of quality through the SLMTA programme in a district hospital laboratory in Kenya date: 2014 words: 2998 flesch: 42 summary: The lab undertook a process of changing its internal culture to align all hospital stakeholders – including upper management, clinicians, laboratory staff and maintenance staff – to the mission of sustainable quality practices at BDHL. SLMTA was integrated by laboratory staff into routine work processes and a succession plan was developed for laboratory management to ensure the sustainability of the quality improvements. keywords: health; hospital; improvement; kenya; laboratory; management; quality; slmta; staff cache: ajlm-201.htm plain text: ajlm-201.txt item: #181 of 530 id: ajlm-2018 author: Okunorobo, Mercy N.; Nnamah, Nwakasi K.; Ude, Ugomma A.; Ude, Enyioma A. title: Lipids and apolipoproteins C-III and E among treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced persons with HIV in Nigeria date: 2023 words: 4591 flesch: 45 summary: Previous studies conducted in Ethopia in 2018 and Uganda between 2011 to 2014 have reported hypertension to be highly prevalent among HIV patients on ART treatment.23,24,25,26 HIV patients on ART are highly susceptible to developing hypertension compared to HIV-negative persons. The use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the management of HIV has improved the life expectancy of persons living with HIV4 but has also been associated with an increased risk of metabolic abnormalities, including dyslipidaemia and cardiovascular death.5,6,7 A higher burden of cardiovascular disease has been reported among HIV patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy treatment compared to highly active antiretroviral therapy-naïve patients.8 Dyslipidaemia refers to abnormal plasma lipid concentrations, including elevated plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). keywords: apolipoprotein; art; cholesterol; dyslipidaemia; hiv; lipid; nigeria; participants; patients; study; therapy; treatment cache: ajlm-2018.htm plain text: ajlm-2018.txt item: #182 of 530 id: ajlm-202 author: Andiric, Linda R.; Massambu, Charles G. title: One laboratory’s progress toward accreditation in Tanzania date: 2014 words: 2407 flesch: 43 summary: Abstract • Introduction • Programme implementation • Results • Discussion • Acknowledgements    • Competing interests    • Authors’ contributions    • Disclosure statement • References Abstract Top ↑ Introduction: The Amana Regional Hospital Laboratory in Tanzania was selected, along with 11 other regional and district laboratories, to participate in a pilot programme for laboratory quality improvement using the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) training programme. Because control of these infectious diseases is dependent upon accurate laboratory data, laboratory improvement became a priority. keywords: amana; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; programme; quality; slmta cache: ajlm-202.htm plain text: ajlm-202.txt item: #183 of 530 id: ajlm-2027 author: Dlamini, Immaculate S.; Gounden, Verena; Moodley, Nareshni title: Evaluation of tumour marker utilisation and impact of electronic gatekeeping in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa date: 2023 words: 4708 flesch: 46 summary: Tumour marker tests are more expensive than routine chemistry testing. Objective: This study aimed to describe the appropriateness of tumour marker tests, carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha foetal protein, prostate-specific antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, cancer antigen 15-3, cancer antigen 125, and human chorionic gonadotropin, and determine the effectiveness of the EGK used in the public health sector in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. keywords: africa; data; egk; health; laboratory; management; marker; natal; national; requests; south; test; tumour cache: ajlm-2027.htm plain text: ajlm-2027.txt item: #184 of 530 id: ajlm-2028 author: Michodigni, Noutin F.; Nyachieo, Atunga; Akhwale, Juliah K.; Magoma, Gabriel; Ouédraogo, Abdoul-Salam; Kimang’a, Andrew N. title: Corrigendum: Formulation of phage cocktails and evaluation of their interaction with antibiotics in inhibiting carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in vitro in Kenya date: 2023 words: 543 flesch: 20 summary: The original incorrect wording: This current study revealed the presence of lytic tailed Klebsiella phages belonging to the family Myoviridae, Siphoviridae and Podoviridae in Nairobi sewage systems with relatively short latent periods and optimal burst sizes, indicating their therapeutic potential in composing phage cocktails and synergistic interaction in combination with non-sensitive antibiotic (imipenem) against carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae clinical isolate in vitro. The revised and updated wording: This current study revealed the presence of lytic tailed Klebsiella phages belonging to the family Myoviridae and Podoviridae in Nairobi sewage systems with relatively short latent periods and optimal burst sizes, indicating their therapeutic potential in composing phage cocktails and synergistic interaction in combination with non-sensitive antibiotic (imipenem) against carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae clinical isolate in vitro. keywords: department; kenya cache: ajlm-2028.htm plain text: ajlm-2028.txt item: #185 of 530 id: ajlm-203 author: Nkwawir, Siyem C.; Batumani, Nakeli N.; Maruta, Talkmore; Awasom, Charles N. title: From grass to grace: How SLMTA revolutionised the Bamenda Regional Hospital Laboratory in Cameroon date: 2014 words: 3816 flesch: 42 summary: At the same meeting, the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme was launched in order to help support laboratory quality improvement. During the planning stages, CDC and GHSS organised an advocacy meeting with hospital directors and laboratory managers of the five laboratories to ensure their buy-in and commitment to laboratory improvement. keywords: audit; cameroon; hospital; improvement; laboratory; management; quality; regional; slmta; staff cache: ajlm-203.htm plain text: ajlm-203.txt item: #186 of 530 id: ajlm-2034 author: Olerimi, Samson E.; Ekhoye, Ehitare I.; Enaiho, Oriasotie S.; Olerimi, Alexander title: Selected micronutrient status of school-aged children at risk of Schistosoma haematobium infection in suburban communities of Nigeria date: 2023 words: 5254 flesch: 45 summary: What this study adds: This research emphasises the significance of implementing infection prevention and control interventions to mitigate the transmission and prevalence of schistosomiasis among school age children. Magnitude and its predictors among school age children, Southwest Ethiopia: A community based cross-sectional study. keywords: age; age children; bekwarra; children; communities; copper; haematobium; infection; med; nigeria; prevalence; schistosomiasis; school; school children; serum; state; study; zinc cache: ajlm-2034.htm plain text: ajlm-2034.txt item: #187 of 530 id: ajlm-2044 author: El Karaaoui, Abdul K.; Assaf, Nada title: Using the SLIPTA checklist to assess laboratory readiness for Joint Commission International accreditation date: 2023 words: 3862 flesch: 36 summary: Methods: We conducted a detailed gap analysis between SLIPTA and JCI laboratory standards from January 2021 to January 2022. Data analysis After thoroughly reviewing the JCI and SLIPTA standards, the authors performed a gap assessment separately between January 2021 and January 2022. keywords: accreditation; checklist; improvement; jci; laboratories; laboratory; management; quality; section; slipta; standards cache: ajlm-2044.htm plain text: ajlm-2044.txt item: #188 of 530 id: ajlm-2053 author: Camara, Neema; Moremi, Nyambura; Mghamba, Janneth; Eliakimu, Eliudi; Shumba, Edwin; Ondoa, Pascale; Egyir, Beverly title: Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in human health in Tanzania: 2016–2021 date: 2023 words: 4946 flesch: 36 summary: Challenges include a need to develop, implement and build investment case studies for the sustainability of AMR surveillance in Tanzania and ensure proper use of third-generation cephalosporins. What this study adds: This article adds to the knowledge base of AMR trends in Tanzania and progress made in the implementation of AMR surveillance in human health sector as a contribution to the global AMR initiatives to reduce AMR burden worldwide. keywords: amr; amr surveillance; data; health; hospital; human; laboratory; national; region; resistance; sentinel; studies; surveillance; system; tanzania; world cache: ajlm-2053.htm plain text: ajlm-2053.txt item: #189 of 530 id: ajlm-2058 author: Tanasiichuk, Iryna; Karaman, Olha; Natrus, Larysa title: Key success factors for the implementation of quality management systems in developing countries date: 2023 words: 5534 flesch: 40 summary: Remote mentorship using video conferencing as an effective tool to strengthen laboratory quality management in clinical laboratories: Lessons from Cambodia. Model of success for laboratory quality management system implementation The use of open and axial coding techniques22 allowed the identification of 10 different categories, which represent the necessary activities, conditions, and strategies needed to improve the quality of laboratory services by implementing QMS in accordance with the standard. keywords: accreditation; afr; implementation; improvement; j lab; laboratories; laboratory; management; med; medical; qms; quality; standard; studies; success cache: ajlm-2058.htm plain text: ajlm-2058.txt item: #190 of 530 id: ajlm-2062 author: Abdul-Karim, Abass; Opare, David; Balis, Ulysses; Schroeder, Lee F. title: Providing specimen transport through an online marketplace in the Northern region of Ghana date: 2023 words: 5730 flesch: 45 summary: FIGURE 4: Laboratory tests ordered during the pilot of a specimen transport network at health facilities in the Northern region of Ghana between March 2019 and October 2019. Laboratory test results were delivered to the health facilities electronically through Proton AG (Geneva, Switzerland), a secure end-to-end encrypted email service. keywords: delivery; facilities; ghana; health; laboratories; laboratory; patients; pilot; results; specimen; study; testing; tests; time; transport cache: ajlm-2062.htm plain text: ajlm-2062.txt item: #191 of 530 id: ajlm-2065 author: Francois, Kerri-Lee A.; Msomi, Nokukhanya; Govender, Kerusha; Gounder, Lilishia; Moodley, Pravi; Parboosing, Raveen; Chetty, Indrani; Xaba, Lunga; Khan, Aabida title: Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa date: 2023 words: 4325 flesch: 48 summary: Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is one of the most significant pandemics in history. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.27797 Burgess S, Ponsford MJ, Gill D. Are we underestimating seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2? keywords: africa; cov-2; durban; health sciences; hiv; kwazulu; laboratory; natal; sars; seropositivity; seroprevalence; south; specimens; wave cache: ajlm-2065.htm plain text: ajlm-2065.txt item: #192 of 530 id: ajlm-207 author: Mokobela, Kelebeletse O.; Moatshe, Mpho T.; Modukanele, Mosetsanagape title: Accelerating the spread of laboratory quality improvement efforts in Botswana date: 2014 words: 3285 flesch: 41 summary: Evaluation SLMTA in-country trainers conducted audits in order to measure laboratory improvements using the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa’s Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) checklist.6The SLIPTA checklist is organised around the 12 Quality System Essentials (QSEs).7 For each QSE, a score is obtained by calculating the points that a laboratory has received from each item on the checklist. Accelerating the spread of laboratory quality improvement efforts in Botswana. keywords: bobs; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; percentage; points; programme; quality; slmta cache: ajlm-207.htm plain text: ajlm-207.txt item: #193 of 530 id: ajlm-2072 author: Erasmus, Rajiv T. title: Point-of-care testing: Connecting communities in Africa and ensuring equity in access to health and diagnostics date: 2022 words: 1466 flesch: 46 summary: Indeed, if one fast-forwards to 2022, POC testing has made great strides in diagnosing and managing the disease burden in Africa. According to the United States’ National Institutes of Health, ‘empowering clinicians to make decisions at the “point-of-care” has the potential to significantly impact healthcare delivery and to address the challenges of health disparities’ and this could result in ‘the success of a potential shift from curative medicine, to predictive, personalised, and pre-emptive medicine’.7 Although POC testing is progressively being used for the identification and management of various disease states in Africa, controlling various POC instruments at numerous sites can be difficult, particularly when such instruments are run by non-technical staff. keywords: africa; care; health; poc; point; testing cache: ajlm-2072.htm plain text: ajlm-2072.txt item: #194 of 530 id: ajlm-208 author: Schapkaitz, Elise; Pillay, Dashini title: Prolonged storage-induced changes in haematology parameters referred for testing date: 2015 words: 3230 flesch: 52 summary: http://dx.doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbse.20130102.11 Hedberg P, Lehto T. Aging stability of complete blood count and white blood cell differential parameters analyzed by Abbott CELL-DYN Sapphire hematology analyzer. Red cell parameters including RCC, haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and red cell distribution width (RDW) were stable for at least 48 hours after collection when stored at RT and were not significantly affected by storage temperature. keywords: collection; hours; parameters; samples; stability; storage cache: ajlm-208.htm plain text: ajlm-208.txt item: #195 of 530 id: ajlm-2080 author: Atwoli, Lukoye; Erhabor, Gregory E.; Gbakima, Aiah A.; Haileamlak, Abraham; Kayembe Ntumba, Jean-Marie; Kigera, James; Laybourn-Langton, Laurie; Mash, Robert; Muhia, Joy; Mulaudzi, Fhumulani M.; Ofori-Adjei, David; Okonofua, Friday; Rashidian, Arash; El-Adawy, Maha; Sidibé, Siaka; Snouber, Abdelmadjid; Tumwine, James; Mohammad, Sahar Yassien; Yonga, Paul; Zakhama, Lilia; Zielinski, Chris title: COP27 Climate Change Conference: Urgent action needed for Africa and the world date: 2022 words: 2627 flesch: 47 summary: Wealthy nations must step up support for Africa and vulnerable countries in addressing past, present and future impacts of climate change The 2022 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) paints a dark picture of the future of life on earth, characterised by ecosystem collapse, species extinction, and climate hazards such as heatwaves and floods.1 These are all linked to physical and mental health problems, with direct and indirect consequences of increased morbidity and mortality. R.M. received a research grant on climate change and primary health care in Africa with University Ghent, funded by VLIR (Flemish Interuniversity Network). keywords: africa; change; chief; climate; department; editor; faculty; health; medicine; university; world cache: ajlm-2080.htm plain text: ajlm-2080.txt item: #196 of 530 id: ajlm-2085 author: Cassim, Naseem; Coetzee, Lindi-Marie; Glencross, Deborah K. title: Modelling CD4 reagent usage across a national hierarchal network of laboratories in South Africa date: 2023 words: 4966 flesch: 41 summary: Discussion The work investigated how effectively CD4 laboratories used reagents to deliver CD4 services in South Africa. In our context, all laboratory data is stored in a data warehouse environment with massive server capacity for all tests in the national network.22 Further investigation is required to understand how reagents are used in CD4 laboratories with higher and lower volumes to improve overall reagent usage. keywords: africa; cd4; data; efficiency; laboratories; laboratory; national; percentage; reagent; service; south; tat cache: ajlm-2085.htm plain text: ajlm-2085.txt item: #197 of 530 id: ajlm-2086 author: Peletiri, Iseimokumo C.; Nwachukwu, Rosemary C. Nwachukwu C.; Peletiri, Diweni C.; Onoja, Esther Q.; Tulagha, Charity T.; Igbalibo, Ikaprite I.; Ayanbimpe, Grace M.; Ikey, Eugene I. title: Epidemic forecast and preparedness for explosive-cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak in Nigeria using the preventive vaccination strategy date: 2023 words: 6971 flesch: 39 summary: Invasive meningococcal meningitis serogroup C outbreak in Northwest Nigeria, 2015 – Third consecutive outbreak of a new strain. Meningococcal meningitis outbreaks in the African meningitis belt after meningococcal Serogroup A conjugate vaccine introduction, 2011–2017. keywords: african; belt; cases; conjugate; control; csm; disease; epidemic; health; influenzae; meningitis; nigeria; outbreak; pneumoniae; prevention; serogroups; strategy; vaccination; vaccine cache: ajlm-2086.htm plain text: ajlm-2086.txt item: #198 of 530 id: ajlm-209 author: Ntshambiwa, Keoratile; Ntabe-Jagwer, Winnie; Kefilwe, Chandapiwa; Samuel, Fredrick; Moyo, Sikhulile title: Translating a National Laboratory Strategic Plan into action through SLMTA in a district hospital laboratory in Botswana date: 2014 words: 3471 flesch: 43 summary: The clinician questionnaire asked staff to rate hospital services, turnaround times, and overall satisfaction; evaluate the attitudes of laboratory staff; and suggest ways to respond to enquiries. Productive and frequent discussions between clinicians and laboratory staff paved the road to success and became a vehicle for translating strategic plans to action. keywords: health; hospital; improvement; laboratory; management; quality; satisfaction; slmta; smhl; staff; turnaround cache: ajlm-209.htm plain text: ajlm-209.txt item: #199 of 530 id: ajlm-2095 author: Mpumlwana, Xoliswa L.; Kruger, Winnie; Jentsch, Ute title: Establishment of a stable proficiency testing matrix in transfusion microbiology in South Africa date: 2023 words: 4741 flesch: 44 summary: Based on the availability at the time of sampling, blood group A+ units were mostly used in this study as there were excess units available and using these would not have a negative impact on blood supply.12 Pooled platelet units (n = 36) and excess A+ RBC packed-cell units (n = 16) were produced for the purposes of this study and sent to the PT laboratory for the production of blood matrix PT samples. Keywords: South African National Blood Service; bacterial contamination; transfusion-transmissible bacteria; proficiency testing matrix; bacterial stability testing. keywords: agreement; blood; day; laboratories; laboratory; matrix; researcher; results; samples; south; testing cache: ajlm-2095.htm plain text: ajlm-2095.txt item: #200 of 530 id: ajlm-2096 author: Office, Editoial title: Acknowledgement to Reviewers date: 2022 words: 650 flesch: 35 summary: Moses Adoga Moses O. Akiibinu Hazim A. Alhiti George Asare Ojor R. Ayemoba Emmanuel O. Babafemi Marinus Barnard Ebi C. Bile Naseem Cassim MacDonald M. Chaava Bettina Chale-Matsau Modibo Coulibaly Anicet Dahourou Shewaneh Damite Tjeerd Datema Glenda M. Davison Alpha A. Diallo Mustapha Dibbasey Yakhya Dieye Titilope M. Dokunmu Peter Drotman Beverly Egyir Adetoun Ejilemele Okechukwu Ekenna Mathias Emokpae Kathleen England Nicolas Epie Folorunso O. Fasina Foluke A. Fasola Tusabe Fred Lisa Gerwing-Adima Verena Gounden Eshetu L. Haile Samson M. Haumba Rena Hoffman Fatih Hunç Prenika Jaglal Thumeka Jalavu Frantz Jean Louis Feyisayo E. Jegede Sudhakar Kalvatala Celso Khosa Byung S. Kim Daniel Kimani Jean Kloppers Winny Koster Elsie C. Kruger George B. Kyei Bashir Laway Raphael Lihana Sylvester Y. Lokpo Acknowledgement to reviewers In an effort to facilitate the selection of appropriate peer reviewers for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, we ask that you take a moment to update your electronic portfolio on https://ajlmonline.org for our files, allowing us better access to your areas of interest and expertise, in order to match reviewers with submitted manuscripts. keywords: https://ajlmonline.org; journal; laboratory; reviewer cache: ajlm-2096.pdf plain text: ajlm-2096.txt item: #201 of 530 id: ajlm-2099 author: Ahmed, Alshymaa A.; El Shahaway, Alia A.; Kadry, Heba M.; Said, Nora M. title: Performance of two multiplex flow cytometric assays for antibody detection in Egyptian patients date: 2023 words: 5467 flesch: 47 summary: The sensitivity of addressable laser bead immunoassay is similar to that of ELISA for the detection of anti-dsDNA, while the specificity is comparable to that of C. luciliae immunofluorescence test.17 Existing guidelines for the diagnosis and follow-up of SLE such as ‘The 2019 European League Against Rheumatism and the American College of Rheumatology Classification Criteria for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus’18 do not specify a certain assay for anti-dsDNA detection. According to our data, the AtheNA Multi-Lyte test system had the same sensitivity as IIF for anti-dsDNA detection, as well as improved specificity. keywords: agreement; aiv; anca; athena; athena multi; detection; dsdna; iif; lyte; multi; myeloperoxidase; patients; proteinase; zagazig cache: ajlm-2099.htm plain text: ajlm-2099.txt item: #202 of 530 id: ajlm-2104 author: van Rensburg, Jason; Davids, Saarah; Smuts, Carine; Davison, Glenda M. title: Use of full blood count parameters and haematology cell ratios in screening for sepsis in South Africa date: 2023 words: 4976 flesch: 46 summary: In a similar study to ours, a retrospective laboratory analysis of 1468 Turkish patients recommended an NLR cut-off of > 5 as being highly suggestive of sepsis.35 In this current study, we defined sepsis based on a positive BC; eight of the 62 (13%) confirmed sepsis patients had an NLR < 5 suggesting that a cut-off value of > 5 is significant. All cell ratios were significantly elevated in sepsis patients (p < 0.001). keywords: africa; blood; cape; cell; count; lymphocyte; monocyte; neutrophil; nlr; patients; platelet; procalcitonin; ratio; sepsis; south; study cache: ajlm-2104.htm plain text: ajlm-2104.txt item: #203 of 530 id: ajlm-2107 author: Mwakyabala, Jenipher G.; Mtemisika, Conjester I.; Mshana, Stacy; Mwakyoma, Adam A.; Silago, Vitus title: Characterisation of genes encoding for extended spectrum β-lactamase in Gram-negative bacteria causing healthcare-associated infections in Mwanza, Tanzania date: 2023 words: 2788 flesch: 44 summary: FIGURE 1: Molecular characterisation of extended spectrum β-lactamase genes by multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania, January 2022 – July 2022. TABLE 2: Description of ceftriaxone-resistant GNB recovered for multiplex polymerase chain reaction amplification and detection of extended spectrum β-lactamase genes, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania, January 2022 – July 2022. TABLE 3: Results of disk combination method and multiplex PCR assay, and distributions of ESBL genes, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania, January 2022 – July 2022. Briefly, 2 µL of each DNA sample was added into a PCR reaction tube containing HotStarTaq DNA polymerase master mix (New England Biolabs; Hitchin, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom) and a set of primers (Table 1), resulting in a final PCR reaction volume of 25 µL. The thermal cycler (T100™, BIO-RAD, Kaki-Bukit, Singapore) was run with the following conditions: initial denaturation at 95 °C for 5 min; 30 cycles of denaturation at 94 °C for 30 s, annealing at 56 °C for 30 s, and extension at 72 °C for 1 min; and a final extension at 72 °C for 10 min. Products were detected by using a 1% agarose gel with Tris-acetate-EDTA buffer stained with SafeViewTM DNA stain (ABM; Richmond, British Colombia, Canada) and visualised under ultraviolet light. TABLE 1: Sequences of primers used for multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays for extended spectrum β-lactamase genes, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania, January 2022 – July 2022. keywords: ceftriaxone; esbl; genes; gnb; infections; lactamase; mwanza; resistant; spectrum; study; tanzania cache: ajlm-2107.htm plain text: ajlm-2107.txt item: #204 of 530 id: ajlm-2119 author: Gwasupika, Jonathan; Daka, Victor; Chileshe, Justin; Mukosha, Moses; Mudenda, Steward; Mukanga, Bright; Mfune, Ruth L.; Chongwe, Gershom title: COVID-19 positive cases among asymptomatic individuals during the second wave in Ndola, Zambia date: 2023 words: 3688 flesch: 54 summary: COVID-19 second wave: District level study of concentration of confirmed cases and fatality in India. Based on global biological, epidemiological and modelling evidence, asymptomatic COVID-19 may play a substantial role in the pandemic trajectory.11 Despite public health preventive measures such as hand hygiene, social distancing, quarantine and travel restrictions which were instituted, transmission of COVID-19 seemed to be ongoing.12 Vaccination against COVID-19 has been shown to be effective against contracting severe forms of the disease.13 keywords: asymptomatic; covid-19; data; health; ndola; positivity; rate; sars; study; wave; zambia cache: ajlm-2119.htm plain text: ajlm-2119.txt item: #205 of 530 id: ajlm-2132 author: Gwaza, Gamuchirai P.; Leqheka, Monkoe; Mots’oane, Tsietso; Dittrich, Sabine; Kao, Kekeletso title: Missed opportunities for integrated testing of HIV and tuberculosis on the GeneXpert platform in Lesotho date: 2023 words: 5271 flesch: 49 summary: Lesotho’s investment in molecular tuberculosis and HIV testing has progressively increased since this time, and the country has a total of 42 GeneXpert instruments with four modules (GXIV) in 21 health facilities that could be used for tuberculosis and HIV testing and 15 Alere Q instruments in 15 health facilities for HIV POC testing.21 Due to the high tuberculosis and HIV co-infection rates, Lesotho adopted a strategy of using Xpert® MTB/RIF as the primary diagnostic test for presumptive tuberculosis patients to increase the chances of tuberculosis detection.21 The country provided HIV viral load testing for all HIV-positive individuals per the WHO HIV treatment guidelines.20 It also offered HIV EID testing at POC to minimise loss of follow-up. On average, there were four trained staff for tuberculosis testing and three for HIV testing on the GeneXpert instrument. keywords: data; eid; evaluation; genexpert; health; hiv; instrument; laboratory; lesotho; sites; testing; tests; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-2132.htm plain text: ajlm-2132.txt item: #206 of 530 id: ajlm-2135 author: Obeng-Nkrumah, Noah; Tawiah-Abrokwa, Gloria D.; Owusu, Enid; Duah, Francisca; Oduro-Mensah, Daniel; Kwao, Paul; Evariste, Bako; Labi, Appiah-Korang title: Role of CTX-M-15 gene in spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases among immunocompetent patients in Ghana date: 2023 words: 6385 flesch: 45 summary: Methods: Between March 2019 and May 2020, cross-sectional sampling was performed to enrol patients and conduct questionnaire-structured interviews for factors that predispose patients to ESBL faecal carriage. Results: The overall proportion of ESBL faecal carriage was 35.5% (n = 38/107). keywords: beta; carriage; coli; ctx; data; enterobacterales; esbl; ghana; hospital; isolates; lactamase; m-15; patients; spectrum; study cache: ajlm-2135.htm plain text: ajlm-2135.txt item: #207 of 530 id: ajlm-214 author: Nkrumah, Bernard; van der Puije, Beatrice; Bekoe, Veronica; Adukpo, Rowland; Kotey, Nii A.; Yao, Katy; Fonjungo, Peter N.; Luman, Elizabeth T.; Duh, Samuel; Njukeng, Patrick A.; Addo, Nii A.; Khan, Fazle N.; Woodfill, Celia J.I. title: Building local human resources to implement SLMTA with limited donor funding: The Ghana experience date: 2014 words: 5156 flesch: 43 summary: Abstract • Introduction • Research method and design    • Programme implementation approach    • Baseline audits and site selection    • Development of a local mentorship programme    • SLMTA programme implementation    • Programme monitoring and evaluation    • Preparation for SLMTA expansion    • Data entry and analysis • Results    • Measuring the impact of SLMTA    • Local capacity building and cost of SLMTA implementation • Discussion    • Limitations of the study    • Recommendations    • Conclusion • Acknowledgements    • Competing interests    • Disclaimer    • Authors’ contributions • References Abstract Top ↑ Background: In 2009, Ghana adopted the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme in order to improve laboratory quality. This paper describes how a country like Ghana, which receives very limited funding, was able to achieve marked improvement in laboratory quality management by empowering local partners to implement the SLMTA programme. keywords: audit; exit; ghana; health; implementation; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; management; programme; quality; slmta; training cache: ajlm-214.htm plain text: ajlm-214.txt item: #208 of 530 id: ajlm-2140 author: Ramiah, Jasmine; Pillay, Dashini; Rapiti, Nadine title: Performance of the automated Sysmex XN-3000 analyser for detecting white blood cell abnormalities in South Africa date: 2023 words: 4558 flesch: 46 summary: Reducing unnecessary blood smear examinations: Can Sysmex blood cell analysers help? Keywords: Sysmex analyser; XN-series; automated analysers; FBC; flagging; white blood cell flags; Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. keywords: analyser; blood; cell; flag; laboratory; pbs; samples; sensitivity; study; sysmex; wbc cache: ajlm-2140.htm plain text: ajlm-2140.txt item: #209 of 530 id: ajlm-2143 author: Office, Editorial title: Table of Contents Vol 11, No 1 date: 2022 words: 3145 flesch: -79 summary: | Vol 11, No 1 | a1792 | 26 August 2022 Review Article Beta-lactamase resistance genes in Enterobacteriaceae from Nigeria Babafela B. Awosile, Michael Agbaje, Oluwawemimo Adebowale, Olugbenga Kehinde, Ezekiel Omoshaba African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 11, No 1 An emerging concern among people living with HIV in Uganda and across sub-Saharan Africa Nicholus Nanyeenya, Noah Kiwanuka, Damalie Nakanjako, Gertrude Nakigozi, Simon P.S. Kibira, Susan Nabadda, Charles Kiyaga, Isaac Sewanyana, Esther Nasuuna, Fredrick Makumbi African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 11, No 1 | a1899 | 20 October 2022 Original Research Impact of pre-COVID-19 epidemic preparedness on the trajectory of the pandemic in African countries Talkmore Maruta, Sikhulile Moyo African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 11, No 1 | a1571 | 31 March 2022 Original Research Prevalence of alpha and beta haemolysin among blood group O donors in Bamenda, Cameroon Victor N. Fondoh, Nobert Ndzenjempuh, Tamunjoh Stella, Richard M. Fondoh, Charles N. Awasom, Rebecca Enow-Tanjong, Egbe P. Egbengu, Robert Leke, Njini F.N. Rose, Denis Nsame African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 11, No 1 | a1432 | 19 April 2022 Original Research Red cell distribution width as a surrogate marker of haemoglobinopathies in western Kenya Benard M. Mutua, George Sowayi, Patrick Okoth African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 11, No 1 | a1644 | 29 April 2022 36 42 49 59 69 74 83 89 Page i of iv Table of Contents Editorial COP27 Climate Change Conference: Urgent action needed for Africa and the world Lukoye Atwoli, Gregory E. Erhabor, Aiah A. Gbakima, Abraham Haileamlak, Jean-Marie Kayembe Ntumba, James Kigera, Laurie Laybourn-Langton, Robert Mash, Joy Muhia, Fhumulani M. Mulaudzi, David Ofori-Adjei, Friday Okonofua, Arash Rashidian, Maha El-Adawy, Siaka Sidibé, Abdelmadjid Snouber, James Tumwine, Sahar Yassien Mohammad, Paul Yonga, Lilia Zakhama, Chris Zielinski African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 11, No 1 | a2080 | 04 November 2022 Editorial Point-of-care testing: Connecting communities in Africa and ensuring equity in access to health and diagnostics Rajiv T. Erasmus African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 11, No 1 | a2072 | 13 December 2022 Opinion Paper Challenges and complexities in evaluating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 molecular diagnostics during the COVID-19 pandemic Lesley E. Scott, Lara D. Noble, Ashika Singh-Moodley, Trish Kahamba, Diana R. Hardie, Wolfgang Preiser, Wendy S. Stevens African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 11, No 1 | a1429 | 26 April 2022 Opinion Paper keywords: access; african journal; august; july; june; kenya; laboratory medicine; lessons; nigeria; research; south; testing; virus; vol cache: ajlm-2143.pdf plain text: ajlm-2143.txt item: #210 of 530 id: ajlm-2159 author: Mayekiso, Zoliswa; Oladimeji, Kelechi E.; Pulido Estrada, Guillermo A.; Hongoro, Charles; Apalata, Teke R. title: Impact of novel software on laboratory expenditure at an academic hospital in South Africa date: 2023 words: 5830 flesch: 40 summary: In 2020, the United States Department of Health and Human Services reported that laboratory test expenditures increased by $459 million US dollars (USD) from $7.1 billion USD in 2018. Laboratory test expenditure was $1 663 756.72 USD before the intervention period and $1 105 036.88 USD during the intervention period, demonstrating a cost savings of $558 719.84 USD. keywords: decrease; egk; expenditure; health; increase; intervention; laboratory; month; south; tests; usd cache: ajlm-2159.htm plain text: ajlm-2159.txt item: #211 of 530 id: ajlm-216 author: Gachuki, Thomas; Sewe, Risper; Mwangi, Jane; Turgeon, David; Garcia, Mary; Luman, Elizabeth T.; Umuro, Mamo title: Attaining ISO 15189 accreditation through SLMTA: A journey by Kenya’s National HIV Reference Laboratory date: 2014 words: 4771 flesch: 44 summary: The SLIPTA checklist provides an evaluation score based on laboratory quality in the 12 quality system essentials (QSEs). Impact of laboratory accreditation on patient care and the health system. keywords: accreditation; health; hiv; improvement; kenya; laboratory; nhrl; projects; quality; slmta; staff; team; testing cache: ajlm-216.htm plain text: ajlm-216.txt item: #212 of 530 id: ajlm-2166 author: Mwapagha, Lamech M. title: Why pathogen genomics is crucial in Africa’s public health date: 2023 words: 2201 flesch: 31 summary: For example, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention through the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative and the African Academy of Sciences are programmes that promote scientific and technological development in Africa while supporting public health pathogen genomics and bioinformatics. Thus, pathogen genomic data combined with epidemiological data has played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of transmission dynamics, as well as the efficacy of diagnostic tests and vaccine regimens for preventing future outbreaks on the African continent. keywords: africa; data; disease; genomics; health; pathogen; research; sequencing; surveillance cache: ajlm-2166.htm plain text: ajlm-2166.txt item: #213 of 530 id: ajlm-2167 author: Abednego, Reuben N.; Silago, Vitus title: Antibacterial activity of soil-isolated Bacillus altitudinis/pumilus complex against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Mwanza, Tanzania date: 2023 words: 2955 flesch: 35 summary: The complete absence of inhibition was referred to as ‘negative antibacterial activity’ and the presence of a clear zone of inhibition was referred to as ‘positive antibacterial activity’. In cases of positive antibacterial activity, an average zone of inhibition was calculated and recorded as the final result. keywords: activity; altitudinis; aureus; bacillus; bacteria; gram; health; pumilus; soil; species; tanzania cache: ajlm-2167.htm plain text: ajlm-2167.txt item: #214 of 530 id: ajlm-217 author: Nzabahimana, Innocent; Sebasirimu, Sabin; Gatabazi, John B.; Ruzindana, Emmanuel; Kayobotsi, Claver; Linde, Mary K.; Mazarati, Jean B.; Ntagwabira, Edouard; Serumondo, Janvier; Dahourou, Georges A.; Gatei, Wangeci; Muvunyi, Claude M. title: Innovative strategies for a successful SLMTA country programme: The Rwanda story date: 2014 words: 4168 flesch: 47 summary: Introduction Top ↑ Reliable laboratory services are vital to a high-quality healthcare system; thus, investing in laboratory quality improvement is not only valuable, but essential.1 Despite a multitude of efforts to strengthen laboratories through infrastructure and human resource development, laboratory quality remains a challenge in resource-poor settings.2,3Accreditation is a critical measure of a laboratory’s quality level, as recognised by a series of international conventions, which called for accreditation to be part of laboratory-strengthening efforts in low-income countries.4,5,6,7 The cohorts used SLMTA workshops, improvement projects, mentorship and quarterly performance-based financing incentives to accelerate laboratory quality improvement. keywords: audit; cohort; health; hospital; laboratories; laboratory; quality; rwanda; slmta; stars cache: ajlm-217.htm plain text: ajlm-217.txt item: #215 of 530 id: ajlm-2172 author: David, Anura; Scott, Lesley E.; Da Silva, Pedro; Mayne, Elizabeth; Stevens, Wendy S. title: Storage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture isolates in MicrobankTM beads at a South African laboratory date: 2023 words: 4455 flesch: 47 summary: What this study adds: This study evaluated the use of MicrobankTM beads as an alternate method for storing MTBC culture isolates at −70 °C and provided a suitable option for medium-term storage of MTBC. Discussion Storage of MTBC culture isolates on the MicrobankTM beads was performed at −70 °C as recommended19,21,31 and MTBC isolates were recovered within 39 days of incubation in the BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 instrument with minimal contamination. keywords: africa; beads; culture; health; isolates; laboratory; mtbc; mycobacterium; south; storage; ttd; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-2172.htm plain text: ajlm-2172.txt item: #216 of 530 id: ajlm-219 author: Nguyen, Thuong T.; McKinney, Barbara; Pierson, Antoine; Luong, Khue N.; Hoang, Quynh T.; Meharwal, Sandeep; Carvalho, Humberto M.; Nguyen, Cuong Q.; Nguyen, Kim T.; Bond, Kyle B. title: SLIPTA e-Tool improves laboratory audit process in Vietnam and Cambodia date: 2014 words: 2662 flesch: 40 summary: SLIPTA e-Tool improves laboratory audit process in Vietnam and Cambodia In This lessons from the field... Open Access • SLIPTA e-Tool improves laboratory audit process in Vietnam and Cambodia. keywords: audit; checklist; laboratory; slipta; slmta; tool; vietnam cache: ajlm-219.htm plain text: ajlm-219.txt item: #217 of 530 id: ajlm-220 author: Makokha, Ernest P.; Mwalili, Samuel; Basiye, Frank L.; Zeh, Clement; Emonyi, Wilfred I.; Langat, Raphael; Luman, Elizabeth T.; Mwangi, Jane title: Using standard and institutional mentorship models to implement SLMTA in Kenya date: 2014 words: 4933 flesch: 40 summary: SLMTA laboratories In May 2010, the first four-day SLMTA workshop was conducted for representatives from each of the laboratories. These developments built the foundation for laboratory quality system improvements and enabled the country to roll out the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme in April 2010, nine months after its launch in Kigali, Rwanda in 2009.3 Since the launch of SLMTA, observational studies have suggested that the mentorship component, especially when aligned to laboratory accreditation goals and overall plans of the Ministry of Health (MOH), provides substantial impact on laboratory quality improvement.9 SLMTA mentorship approaches have ranged from standard short-term visits10,11 to newer models of peer or embedded mentoring.11,12 In the standard short-term model, a mentor visits the mentee laboratory and stays in the laboratory for a short stint, often a week or less. keywords: health; improvement; kenya; laboratories; laboratory; management; mentorship; points; programme; public; quality; regional; research; slmta cache: ajlm-220.htm plain text: ajlm-220.txt item: #218 of 530 id: ajlm-2201 author: Banderker, Razia B.; Fazel, Fatima B.; Zemlin, Annalise E.; Khine, Aye-Aye; Jalavu, Thumeka P. title: Serum-free light chain test utilisation at a South African academic laboratory and comparison with serum protein electrophoresis results date: 2023 words: 5173 flesch: 51 summary: Objective: This study aimed to investigate SFLC test utilisation and describe SPE findings in patients with abnormal SFLC ratios. Agreement between abnormal SFLC ratios and SPE results was determined in a sub-group of patients screened for monoclonal gammopathies. keywords: chain; light; pathology; patients; protein; ratio; serum; sflc; south; spe; study cache: ajlm-2201.htm plain text: ajlm-2201.txt item: #219 of 530 id: ajlm-221 author: Eno, Laura T.; Asong, Terence; Ngale, Elive; Mangwa, Beatrice; Ndasi, Juliana; Mouladje, Maurice; Lekunze, Remmie; Mbome, Victor; Njukeng, Patrick; Shang, Judith title: Driving hospital transformation with SLMTA in a regional hospital in Cameroon date: 2014 words: 3165 flesch: 40 summary: Such a programme has the potential to impact positively on hospital quality systems; consideration should be made for development of a formal SLMTA-like programme for hospital quality improvement. Given the positive experience at RHB, we second this call and recommend that a hands-on competency-based curriculum be developed fully in order to support hospital quality management, extending the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation programme into one for Strengthening Hospital Management Toward Accreditation. keywords: health; hospital; improvement; laboratory; management; patient; programme; quality; slmta; staff cache: ajlm-221.htm plain text: ajlm-221.txt item: #220 of 530 id: ajlm-222 author: Maina, Robert N.; Mengo, Doris M.; Mohamud, Abdikher D.; Ochieng, Susan M.; Milgo, Sammy K.; Sexton, Connie J.; Moyo, Sikhulile; Luman, Elizabeth T. title: Progressing beyond SLMTA: Are internal audits and corrective action the key drivers of quality improvement? date: 2014 words: 4693 flesch: 42 summary: Strengthening laboratory management towards accreditation: The Lesotho experience. Impact of laboratory accreditation on patient care and the health system. keywords: accreditation; action; audit; exit; health; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; management; quality; slmta; surveillance cache: ajlm-222.htm plain text: ajlm-222.txt item: #221 of 530 id: ajlm-2225 author: Twum, Seth; Fosu, Kwadwo; Felder, Robin A.; Sarpong, Kwabena A.N. title: Bridging the gaps in newborn screening programmes: Challenges and opportunities to detect haemoglobinopathies in Africa date: 2023 words: 5646 flesch: 46 summary: Abstract Background: Haemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell disease and β-thalassaemia, are monogenic disorders with a relatively higher prevalence among malaria-endemic areas in Africa. Results: The data show that sickle cell disease is prevalent among populations in Central and West Africa; however, β-thalassaemia is prevalent among people in the northern parts of Africa. keywords: africa; care; cell; cell disease; challenges; countries; disease; haemoglobinopathies; health; newborn; prevalence; programmes; scd; screening; sickle; sickle cell; study; testing cache: ajlm-2225.htm plain text: ajlm-2225.txt item: #222 of 530 id: ajlm-2239 author: McAlpine, Sarah; Chale-Matsau, Bettina title: Impact of potassium test sample rejections on routine laboratory service, South Africa date: 2023 words: 4313 flesch: 43 summary: The total cost of potassium sample rejection over the study period was substantial, given the resource constraints in this setting. Sarah McAlpine Department of Chemical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, Pretoria, South Africa Bettina Chale-Matsau Department of Chemical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, Pretoria, South Africa Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa Citation McAlpine S, Chale-Matsau B. Impact of potassium test sample rejections on routine laboratory service, South Africa. keywords: africa; data; health; hospital; laboratory; potassium; reasons; rejection; requests; results; sample; south; study; test cache: ajlm-2239.htm plain text: ajlm-2239.txt item: #223 of 530 id: ajlm-224 author: Bassey, Orji; Bond, Kyle; Adedeji, Adebayo; Oke, Odafen; Abubakar, Ado; Yakubu, Kachiro; Jelpe, Tapdiyel; Akintunde, Ezekiel; Ikani, Patrick; Ogundiran, Adeniyi; Onoja, Ali; Kawu, Issa; Ikwulono, Gabriel; Saliu, Idris; Nwanyawu, Okey; Deyde, Varough title: Evaluation of nine HIV rapid test kits to develop a national HIV testing algorithm in Nigeria date: 2015 words: 7109 flesch: 47 summary: HIV rapid testing remains a key entry point to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support in resource-limited settings.7 Its main advantages include the relative ease of use, low cost and faster turn-around time over enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) and Western blot (WB) assays. With an HIV rapid testing strategy, increased awareness of HIV status amongst many groups who would otherwise have been unaware of their status has been achieved.8,9,10 Providing quality-assured and accurate rapid HIV serological testing is critical in the early diagnosis and timely counselling of HIV-infected people for referral to care and treatment as well as prevention of mother-to-child transmission and monitoring of HIV prevalence in the population.7,9 HIV rapid testing also readily provides access to and enhances HIV counselling and testing in hard-to-reach rural populations,11,12 as well as in hard-to-reach, high-risk target populations, such as men who have sex with men.10 High-risk groups with acute HIV infection in Nigeria have previously been characterised by use of a combination of rapid HIV testing in mobile units and laboratory-based specimens pooling for nucleic acid amplification testing.13 To date, several African countries have conducted evaluation studies and implemented rapid HIV testing as a tool for fighting the HIV epidemic. keywords: aids; algorithms; cost; evaluation; hiv; kits; national; nigeria; rapid; results; rtks; sensitivity; serial; specificity; specimens; testing; tests; use cache: ajlm-224.htm plain text: ajlm-224.txt item: #224 of 530 id: ajlm-2243 author: Okeke, Sophia U. title: Fighting cervical cancer in Africa: Taking a closer look at human papillomavirus 35 date: 2024 words: 2722 flesch: 44 summary: To address these lingering questions, the comprehensive genomic epidemiology of HPV infection among African women needs to be described. Since host genetic factors may be responsible for the kind of HPV infections seen, studies should investigate candidate host genes involved in the immune response and genetic variations that may negatively impact HPV vaccination strategies. keywords: africa; cancer; hiv; hpv; human; papillomavirus; research; women cache: ajlm-2243.htm plain text: ajlm-2243.txt item: #225 of 530 id: ajlm-2249 author: Imoh, Lucius C.; Mohammed, Idris Y.; Nnakenyi, Ifeyinwa D.; Egbuagha, Ephraim U.; Adaja, Tomisin M.; Onyenekwu, Chinelo P. title: Critical values notification: A nationwide survey of practices among clinical laboratories across Nigeria date: 2023 words: 4996 flesch: 42 summary: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3819-x Murari M. Reporting critical laboratory values in hematology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12288-008-0026-7 Rosita L, Edy P. Performance of laboratory critical value on clinical laboratory services in supporting patient safety. keywords: care; cvn; cvs; laboratories; laboratory; nigeria; notification; patient; practices; reporting; results; study; survey; value cache: ajlm-2249.htm plain text: ajlm-2249.txt item: #226 of 530 id: ajlm-2252 author: Hurwitz, Jessica S.; Newton-Foot, Mae; Nel van Zyl, Kristien; Nel, Pieter title: Fosfomycin susceptibility testing and resistance mechanisms in Enterobacterales in South Africa date: 2024 words: 4228 flesch: 37 summary: For disk diffusion, EUCAST recommends disregarding isolated colonies that are within the ZOI, while CLSI advises taking them into account.17,18 For gradient diffusion, the manufacturer’s guidelines suggest different approaches for E. coli and K. pneumoniae: for E. coli, single colonies in the zone of the ellipse should be disregarded, while for K. pneumoniae, colonies within 3 mm of the strip should be considered for both CLSI and EUCAST interpretations.20 Fosfomycin resistance mechanisms Whole genome sequencing analysis Whole genome sequencing and genome assembly were previously performed on the E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates using the Illumina MiSeq platform (Illumina, Inc., San Diego, California, United States).21 Resistance Gene Identifier version 5.2.1 (McMaster University, South Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) was used to identify fosfomycin resistance mechanisms in the assemblies, including fosA genes and the multidrug transporter mdtG, and mutations in the target gene murA, the uhpT and glpT transporter genes, and the cyaA and ptsI regulator genes, using the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (McMaster University, South Hamilton, Ontario, Canada).22 Outputs were generated for 95% identity. Fosfomycin resistance mechanisms in 92 clinical isolates from South Africa (2017–2018). TABLE 3: Combinations of fosfomycin resistance mechanisms and minimum inhibitory concentration distributions for 92 clinical isolates from South Africa (2017–2018). keywords: agar; clsi; coli; diffusion; e. coli; fosfomycin; isolates; mechanisms; pneumoniae; resistance; susceptibility cache: ajlm-2252.htm plain text: ajlm-2252.txt item: #227 of 530 id: ajlm-2259 author: Yenyetou, Dame; Zongo, Emmanuel; Dama, Emilie; Muhigwa, Merci; Sanou, Issouf; Sawadogo, Charles; Ouangraoua, Soumaya; Sangare, Ibrahim; Nikiema, Abdoulaye; Dahourou, Anicet G.; Ouedraogo, Abdoul S. title: Sentinel laboratory compliance with best practices in Burkina Faso’s antimicrobial resistance surveillance network date: 2024 words: 4080 flesch: 33 summary: All 15 laboratories tested the sterility and fertility of culture media, two laboratories checked media pH after preparation, and one measured the thickness of the agar. TABLE 2: Number and rate of culture media quality indicators checked in antimicrobial resistance sentinel laboratories in Burkina Faso obtained through questioning from 19 September 2022 to 28 September 2022. In addition, 83.33% (n = 10 of 12) of the laboratories documented the inhibition diameters according to the critical diameters defined for the reference strain or antibiotic association. TABLE 3: Number and rate of laboratories verifying the antibiotic discs’ quality indicators checked in antimicrobial resistance sentinel laboratories in Burkina Faso obtained through questioning from 19 September 2022 to 28 September 2022. keywords: antibiotic; antimicrobial; bobo; burkina; control; dioulasso; faso; laboratories; laboratory; national; quality; resistance; sentinel cache: ajlm-2259.htm plain text: ajlm-2259.txt item: #228 of 530 id: ajlm-2268 author: Kitaba, Abera A.; Bonger, Zelalem T.; Beyene, Degefu; Ayenew, Zeleke; Tsige, Estifanos; Kefale, Tesfa Addis; Mekonnen, Yonas; Teklu, Dejenie S.; Seyoum, Elias; Negeri, Abebe A. title: Antimicrobial resistance trends in clinical Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Ethiopia date: 2024 words: 5664 flesch: 36 summary: Antimicrobial resistance trends of K. pneumoniae Overall, K. pneumoniae exhibited high levels of antimicrobial resistance, with 88% of the isolates resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, 51% resistant to aminoglycosides, 44% resistant to ciprofloxacin, and 14% resistant to carbapenems (Figure 4). Antimicrobial resistance trends in clinical Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Ethiopia. keywords: ciprofloxacin; coli; e. coli; ethiopia; health; institute; isolates; laboratory; pneumoniae; public; rates; resistance; study; trends cache: ajlm-2268.htm plain text: ajlm-2268.txt item: #229 of 530 id: ajlm-228 author: Hiwotu, Tilahun M.; Ayana, Gonfa; Mulugeta, Achamyeleh; Kassa, Getachew B.; Kebede, Yenew; Fonjungo, Peter F.; Tibesso, Gudeta; Desale, Adino; Kebede, Adisu; Kassa, Wondwossen; Mekonnen, Tesfaye; Yao, Katy; Luman, Elizabeth T.; Kebede, Amha; Linde, Mary K. title: Laboratory system strengthening and quality improvement in Ethiopia date: 2014 words: 4030 flesch: 42 summary: The Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme was selected in order to advance laboratory quality improvement and to expedite the accreditation preparation process. In 2010, a National Laboratory Strategic Plan was set forth in Ethiopia to strengthen laboratory quality systems and set the stage for laboratory accreditation. keywords: cohort; ethiopia; health; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; quality; site; slmta; visits cache: ajlm-228.htm plain text: ajlm-228.txt item: #230 of 530 id: ajlm-2286 author: Nwaejigh, Promise C.; Ebesunun, Maria O.; Oladimeji, Oluwaseye M. title: Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase and paraoxonase-1 levels in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients in Nigeria date: 2024 words: 4869 flesch: 40 summary: Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase and paraoxonase-1 levels in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients in Nigeria. Original Research Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase and paraoxonase-1 levels in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease patients in Nigeria Promise C. Nwaejigh, Maria O. Ebesunun, Oluwaseye M. Oladimeji Received: 08 Aug. 2023; keywords: ascvd; cardiovascular; cholesterol; concentrations; disease; lagos; lcat; march; mean; nigeria; patients; plasma; pon-1; study cache: ajlm-2286.htm plain text: ajlm-2286.txt item: #231 of 530 id: ajlm-2292 author: Jalloh, Mohamed B.; Vernooij, Eva; Street, Alice title: Invisible and undervalued: A qualitative study of laboratory workers’ experiences and perceptions of laboratory strengthening in Sierra Leone date: 2024 words: 9355 flesch: 41 summary: The absence of a biosafety cabinet and regular maintenance for laboratory equipment leaves laboratory staff vulnerable with a sense of neglect and marginalisation. Of the eight interview participants, only one was female, reflecting the broader demographics of laboratory staff, with 19 male and 2 female employees at the time of the study. keywords: data; ebola; equipment; experiences; health; hospital; laboratory; leone; outbreak; participant; research; sierra; sierra leone; staff; study; technician; training; work; workers cache: ajlm-2292.htm plain text: ajlm-2292.txt item: #232 of 530 id: ajlm-2294 author: Nathalang, Oytip; Rassuree, Panasya; Intharanut, Kamphon; Chaibangyang, Wanlapa; Nogués, Núria title: Genomic analysis of KEL*03 and KEL*04 alleles among Thai blood donors date: 2024 words: 4809 flesch: 50 summary: Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Acknowledgements References About the Author(s) Oytip Nathalang Graduate Program in Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand Panasya Rassuree Graduate Program in Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand Kamphon Intharanut Graduate Program in Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand Wanlapa Chaibangyang Graduate Program in Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand Núria Nogués Laboratori d’Immunohematologia Banc de Sang i Teixits, Barcelona, Spain Citation Nathalang O, Rassuree P, Intharanut K, Chaibangyang W, Nogués N. Genomic analysis of KEL*03 and KEL*04 alleles among Thai blood donors. Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequencies of KEL*03 and KEL*04 alleles among Thai blood donors using an in-house polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) method. keywords: alleles; blood; dna; donors; frequencies; genotyping; kel*04; pcr; populations; results; samples; ssp; study; thai cache: ajlm-2294.htm plain text: ajlm-2294.txt item: #233 of 530 id: ajlm-23 author: Fortgens, Philip H.; Omar, Fierdoz title: Cardiac troponin T quantitative assay failure as a result of antibody interference date: 2013 words: 2195 flesch: 46 summary: There have been several reports of positive interference in the cTnT assay by heterophilic antibodies with the CARDIAC Troponin T Quantitative test7 and the Elecsys E1708 automated platform but, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of cTnT assay failure on the former platform. Cardiac troponin T measured by a highly sensitive assay predicts coronary heart disease, heart failure, and mortality in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. keywords: assay; cardiac; clin; ctnt; failure; interference; patient; troponin cache: ajlm-23.htm plain text: ajlm-23.txt item: #234 of 530 id: ajlm-2302 author: Severaj, Rucita; Gounden, Verena title: Effect of COVID-19 lockdown on glycated haemoglobin testing and utilisation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa date: 2024 words: 5918 flesch: 55 summary: Studies conducted in China in 2022 and Taiwan in 2021 found no significant difference in HbA1c results between the pandemic and pre-pandemic periods.33,34 Remarkably, a study conducted in Spain in 2021 instead reported improved glycaemic control during the pandemic, and this was supported by two systematic reviews and meta-analyses performed in the United Kingdom and Germany in 2021.35,36,37 In contrast to the findings of these studies, we found a significant increase in the average HbA1c result during the pandemic of 2.2 mmol/mol (0.2%) overall and in nine of the districts, indicating poorer glycaemic control during the pandemic where decreased numbers of HbA1c tests were being conducted. [> 7.0%]) in both period 1 and period 2. We also plotted the number of HbA1c test results that fell within different HbA1c ranges, and compared pre-pandemic results with results from during the pandemic. keywords: africa; control; covid-19; diabetes; hba1c; health; kwazulu; natal; pandemic; patients; results; south; study cache: ajlm-2302.htm plain text: ajlm-2302.txt item: #235 of 530 id: ajlm-231 author: Ndasi, Juliana; Dimite, Laura; Mbome, Victor; Awasom, Charles; Ngale, Elive; Akuro, Sidney; Leonard, Ewane; Bolu, Omotayo; Asong, Terrence; Njukeng, Patrick; Shang, Judith title: Decentralised facility-based training as an alternative model for SLMTA implementation: The Cameroon experience date: 2014 words: 4027 flesch: 42 summary: Laboratory improvement projects are an integral part of the SLMTA programme, and were assigned to participants after each workshop. Conclusion: Decentralised SLMTA training was effective in improving laboratory quality and should be considered as an alternative to centralised training. keywords: cameroon; health; implementation; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; programme; quality; slmta; training cache: ajlm-231.htm plain text: ajlm-231.txt item: #236 of 530 id: ajlm-2325 author: Office, Editoial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2023 words: 580 flesch: 32 summary: Adama A. Ahmad Francis Ajeneye Moses O. Akiibinu Abdul-Azeez A. Anjorin George Aryee Seth A. Attoh Oluwatoyin A. Babalola Ebi C. Bile MacDonald M. Chaava Bettina Chale-Matsau Adon Chawe Yazied Chothia Modibo Coulibaly Rotimi A. Dada Mohammed B. Danlami Tjeerd Datema Ibrahim I. Daud Alpha A Diallo Yakhya Dieye Adetoun Ejilemele Uchenna S. Ezenkwa Eyiuche D. Ezigbo Raymond D. Fatchu Tusabe Fred Renuka Gadde Kerusha Govender Lisa Graham Horace Gumba Samson M. Haumba Leriska Haupt Sandra Havyarimana Lucius C. Imoh Emmanuel O. Irek Prenika Jaglal Lavania Joseph Sudhakar Kalvatala Abera A. Kitaba Jean F. Kloppers Winny Koster Modupe A. Kuti Sylvester Y. Lokpo Ako-Egbe Louis Talkmore Maruta Gerald Mboowa Margaret Mokomane Gene Morse Shaheen Mowla Sikhulile Moyo Takudzwa J. Mtisi Timothy M. Mtonga Wilson Mtotela Graham Mutandi Leonard Mutema Jane Mwangi Koumpingnin Nebie Lucy O. Nyangau Simon O. Nyangena Collins O. Odhiambo Joseph M.O. Oduor Abiodun R. Ojewuyi Onyekachukwu F.I. Okeke Olajumoke Oladipo Ahmed Olowo-Okere Adesuyi A. Omoare Nyamongo Onkoba Augustine A. Onyeaghala Japheth A. Opintan Sophia Osawe Joachim Potgieter Pasipanodya I. Ruredzo Kwabena A.N. Sarpong Lee Schroeder Francois Smit Wendy L. Solomon Ajaykumar K. Thirumala Fabio Timeus Ralph Timperi Lara Vojnov Reubina Wadee Musau Wakabongo James W. Wambugu Camila M. Wilhelm Sheila M. Woodcock Azza A. Zulfu http://www.ajlmonline.org� https://ajlmonline.org mailto:submissions@ajlmonline.org mailto:submissions@ajlmonline.org https://ajlmonline.org https://ajlmonline.org https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/user https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/user mailto:publishing@aosis.co.za Acknowledgement to reviewers http://www.ajlmonline.org Open Access Page 1 of 1 Reviewer Acknowledgement Acknowledgement to reviewers In an effort to facilitate the selection of appropriate peer reviewers for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, we ask that you take a moment to update your electronic portfolio on https://ajlmonline.org for our files, allowing us better access to your areas of interest and expertise, in order to match reviewers with submitted manuscripts. keywords: https://ajlmonline.org; journal; reviewer cache: ajlm-2325.pdf plain text: ajlm-2325.txt item: #237 of 530 id: ajlm-2329 author: Erasmus, Rajiv; Ondoa, Pascale title: Taking the train of digital health and artificial intelligence to improve medical laboratory service in Africa: Key considerations date: 2023 words: 1622 flesch: 32 summary: Integrating digital technologies and AI into laboratory services has the potential to transform diagnostic services and contribute to the implementation of the May 2023 resolution of 76th World Health Assembly on strengthening diagnostics in Africa and other countries to improve positive patient, public and global health outcomes.14 Regional agencies such as the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have already taken the lead in developing continental frameworks to guide the implementation of digital technologies in public health systems,15 as well as in launching initiatives such as HealthConnekt to build the internet connectivity infrastructure in Africa, to allow the continent to align with the World Health Organization’s deliberate strategy to use digital technology as a force to transform primary healthcare.16 Moving forward, Africa-led knowledge networks, such as the African Society for Laboratory Medicine’s Laboratory Strengthening Community of Practice and Laboratory Directors Forum17,18 can play a major role in identifying priorities, best practices, operational requirements and ethical considerations for the implementation of digital and AI technology in African laboratory medicine. Digital technologies are also being used to streamline processes for quality assurance and laboratory keywords: africa; digital; health; laboratory; medicine cache: ajlm-2329.htm plain text: ajlm-2329.txt item: #238 of 530 id: ajlm-233 author: Lulie, Adino D.; Hiwotu, Tilahun M.; Mulugeta, Achamyeleh; Kedebe, Adisu; Asrat, Habtamu; Abebe, Abnet; Yenealem, Dereje; Abose, Ebise; Kassa, Wondwossen; Kebed, Amha; Linde, Mary K.; Ayana, Gonfa title: Perceptions and attitudes toward SLMTA amongst laboratory and hospital professionals in Ethiopia date: 2014 words: 3952 flesch: 34 summary: Future studies focusing on the cost-benefit of the SLMTA programme and long-term sustainability of results within SLMTA laboratories, as well as of the programme as a whole, would be beneficial. However, for laboratories in developing countries accreditation is a daunting challenge that only a handful of public laboratories in Africa have surmounted.14 As a result, the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa has suggested that member countries improve the performance standards of their laboratories by implementing laboratory quality management systems (LQMS), establishing intermediate quality level goals and working toward accreditation in a stepwise manner.15 The laboratory network in Ethiopia is organised according to size and scope: health centre laboratories, hospital laboratories, regional reference laboratories and national reference laboratories. keywords: ephi; health; hospital; laboratories; laboratory; management; participants; programme; quality; slmta cache: ajlm-233.htm plain text: ajlm-233.txt item: #239 of 530 id: ajlm-2335 author: Abbasi, Kamran; Ali, Parveen; Barbour, Virginia; Benfield, Thomas; Bibbins, Kirsten; Hancocks, Stephen; Horton, Richard; Laybourn-Langton, Laurie; Mash, Robert; Sahni, Peush; Sharief, Wadeia M.; Yonga, Paul; Zielinski, Chris title: Time to treat the climate and nature crisis as one indivisible global health emergency date: 2023 words: 2794 flesch: 46 summary: Over 200 health journals call on the United Nations, political leaders, and health professionals to recognise that climate change and biodiversity loss are one indivisible crisis and must be tackled together to preserve health and avoid catastrophe. The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP) on climate change is about to be held in Dubai while the 16th COP on biodiversity is due to be held in Turkey in 2024. keywords: biodiversity; change; chief; climate; editor; global; health; journal; medical; nature; united; united kingdom cache: ajlm-2335.htm plain text: ajlm-2335.txt item: #240 of 530 id: ajlm-2339 author: Mpamugo, Augustine O.; Iriemenam, Nnaemeka C.; Bashorun, Adebobola; Okunoye, Olumide O.; Bassey, Orji O.; Onokevbagbe, Edewede; Jelpe, Tapdiyel; Alagi, Matthias A.; Meribe, Chidozie; Aguolu, Rose E.; Nzelu, Charles E.; Bello, Segun; Ezra, Babatunde; Obioha, Christine A.; Ibrahim, Baffa S.; Adedokun, Oluwasanmi; Ikpeazu, Akudo; Ihekweazu, Chikwe; Croxton, Talishiea; Adebajo, Sylvia B.; Okoye, McPaul I.J.; Abimiku, Alash’le title: Lessons learnt from assessing and improving accuracy and positive predictive value of the national HIV testing algorithm in Nigeria date: 2024 words: 5782 flesch: 39 summary: Keywords: lessons learnt; HIV/AIDS; HIV rapid test; testing algorithm; Nigeria. The World Health Organization had recommended using rapid HIV tests, since the conventional enzyme immunoassay and Western Blot constituted a challenge and reduced access to testing, especially in resource-limited nations.9 keywords: abuja; aids; algorithm; control; data; evaluation; field; health; hiv; laboratory; maryland; national; nigeria; states; study; testing; united cache: ajlm-2339.htm plain text: ajlm-2339.txt item: #241 of 530 id: ajlm-234 author: Kasusse, Michael L.; Tumwesigye, Nazarius M.; Aisu, Steven; Matovu, Joseph K.B.; Wanyenze, Rhoda title: Effectiveness of the credit-line approach for support of CD4 equipment functionality in northern Uganda date: 2015 words: 3342 flesch: 45 summary: Article Information Authors: Michael L. Kasusse1,2 Nazarius M. Tumwesigye1 Steven Aisu3 Joseph K.B. Matovu1,2 Rhoda Wanyenze1,2 Affiliations: 1Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda 2MakSPH-CDC Fellowship Program, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda 3Central Public Health Laboratories, Ministry of Health Uganda, Kampala, Uganda Correspondence to: Michael Kasusse Email: lkasussem@yahoo.com Postal address: PO Box 32060, Kampala, Uganda Dates: Received: 27 Aug. 2014 Accepted: 15 Aug. 2015 Published: 30 Nov. 2015 How to cite this article: Kasusse ML, Tumwesigye NM, Aisu S, Matovu JKB, Wanyenze R. Effectiveness of the credit-line approach for support of CD4 equipment functionality in northern Uganda. Effectiveness of the credit-line approach for support of CD4 equipment functionality in northern Uganda In This Original Research... Open Access • Abstract • Introduction • Methods • Results • Discussion    • Limitations    • Recommendations    • Conclusion • Acknowledgements    • Funding sources    • Competing interests    • Authors’ contributions • References Abstract Top ↑ Background: Improving laboratory service delivery requires a functioning logistics and supply system. keywords: approach; cd4; credit; equipment; facilities; functionality; health; laboratory; line; uganda cache: ajlm-234.htm plain text: ajlm-234.txt item: #242 of 530 id: ajlm-2362 author: Oluwo, Aderonke O.; Lawal, Mary A.; Mabogunje, Cecilia A.; Okurame, Olubunmi T. title: Antibiotic susceptibility pattern among children admitted to a hospital in Nigeria: A retrospective study date: 2024 words: 4190 flesch: 40 summary: Antimicrobial resistance pattern: A report of microbiological cultures at a tertiary hospital in Tanzania. Conclusion: Antibiotic resistance is high, especially the younger Nigerian children. keywords: age; antibiotics; children; data; health; hospital; isolates; nigeria; pattern; resistance; study; susceptibility cache: ajlm-2362.htm plain text: ajlm-2362.txt item: #243 of 530 id: ajlm-2364 author: Hardie, Diana R.; Newman, Howard; Reid, Joanna; Hsiao, Nei-Yuan; van Zyl, Gert; Hans, Lucia; Odayar, Jasantha; Korsman, Stephen title: Field study to determine the reliability of HIV viral load results shows minimal impact of delayed testing in South Africa date: 2024 words: 4644 flesch: 54 summary: HIV viral load testing in the South African public health setting in the context of evolving ART guidelines and advances in technology, 2013–2022. 2008;9(9):790–793. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-1293.2008.00632.x Bonner K, Siemieniuk RA, Boozary A, Roberts T, Fajardo E, Cohn J. Expanding access to HIV viral load testing: A systematic review of RNA stability in EDTA tubes and PPT beyond current time and temperature thresholds. keywords: africa; copies; day; hiv; log; results; south; specimens; study; testing cache: ajlm-2364.htm plain text: ajlm-2364.txt item: #244 of 530 id: ajlm-2373 author: Bvumbi, Chido W.; Kouamou, Vinie; Kone, Ngalulawa; Zaranyika, Trust; Bowora, Lloyd; Matarira, Hilda T.; Chikwati, Raylton P. title: Diagnostic cut-off value of haemoglobin A1c for diabetes mellitus in Harare, Zimbabwe date: 2024 words: 2914 flesch: 50 summary: Recruitment of study participants was done from 15 February 2023 to 14 May 2023 at the Diabetic Clinic, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, a tertiary hospital. TABLE 1: Characteristics of study participants, Harare, Zimbabwe, February 2023 to May 2023. keywords: cut; diabetes; faculty; harare; hba1c; health sciences; participants; sciences; study; zimbabwe cache: ajlm-2373.htm plain text: ajlm-2373.txt item: #245 of 530 id: ajlm-2374 author: Ssedyabane, Frank; Randall, Thomas C.; Ngonzi, Joseph; Kajabwangu, Rogers; Namuli, Alexcer; Muhumuza, Joy; Najjuma, Josephine N.; Tusubira, Deusdedit title: Association between dyslipidemia and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: A case-control study in south-western Uganda date: 2024 words: 5359 flesch: 46 summary: It also presents the possible prevalence of multimorbidity involving cervical cancer and cardiovascular diseases, particularly in low-resource settings lacking preventive measures against the increasing prevalence of dyslipidaemia. Keywords: cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; dyslipidaemia; total cholesterol; low-density lipoprotein; high-density lipoprotein; triglycerides; Uganda; cervical cancer. keywords: analysis; association; cancer; cases; cin; controls; data; dyslipidaemia; hospital; mbarara; metabolic; prevalence; serum; study; uganda; women cache: ajlm-2374.htm plain text: ajlm-2374.txt item: #246 of 530 id: ajlm-2375 author: Samy, Walaa; Gaber, Osama A.; Amer, Rania M.; El-Deeb, Nahawand A.; Abdelmoaty, Ahmed A.; Sharaf, Ahmed L.; El-Gebaly, Ahmed M.; Mosbah, Rasha; Alsadik, Maha E.; Fawzy, Amal; Ahmed, Alshymaa A. title: Role of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 polymorphisms in clinical severity and outcomes of COVID-19 in Egypt date: 2024 words: 5565 flesch: 48 summary: https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.103415 Torre-Fuentes L, Matías-Guiu J, Hernández-Lorenzo L, et al. ACE2, TMPRSS2, and Furin variants and SARS-CoV-2 infection in Madrid, Spain. Möhlendick B, Schönfelder K, Breuckmann K, et al. ACE2 polymorphism and susceptibility for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity of COVID-19. keywords: ace2; cases; covid-19; disease; egypt; et al; gene; medicine; patients; rs2285666; sars; severity; study; tmprss2; university; zagazig; zagazig university cache: ajlm-2375.htm plain text: ajlm-2375.txt item: #247 of 530 id: ajlm-2381 author: Gantana, Ethan J.; Musekwa, Ernest; Chapanduka, Zivanai C. title: Advances in estimating plasma cells in bone marrow: A comprehensive method review date: 2024 words: 8228 flesch: 42 summary: Assessment of bone marrow plasma cell infiltrates in multiple myeloma: The added value of CD138 immunohistochemistry. Multiparameter flow cytometry quantification of bone marrow plasma cells at diagnosis provides more prognostic information than morphological assessment in myeloma patients. keywords: analysis; biopsy; bone; bone marrow; cd138; cell; clin; cytometry; estimation; et al; flow; imaging; immunohistochemistry; marrow; methods; myeloma; plasma; plasma cell; study cache: ajlm-2381.htm plain text: ajlm-2381.txt item: #248 of 530 id: ajlm-2384 author: Makgopa, Herbert; Kemp, Tanja; Meldau, Surita; Honey, Engela M.; Chale-Matsau, Bettina title: Maternally inherited diabetes and deafness with a variable presentation across three generations within a pedigree, South Africa date: 2024 words: 3196 flesch: 44 summary: Mutational analysis of the mitochondrial tRNALeu (UUR) gene in Tunisian patients with mitochondrial diseases. https://doi.org/10.1038/ng0892-368 Ng YS, Lim AZ, Panagiotou G, Turnbull DM, Walker M. Endocrine manifestations and new developments in mitochondrial disease. keywords: africa; deafness; diabetes; maternally; midd; mitochondrial; patients; south cache: ajlm-2384.htm plain text: ajlm-2384.txt item: #249 of 530 id: ajlm-239 author: Nkengasong, John N.; Birx, Deborah title: Quality matters in strengthening global laboratory medicine date: 2014 words: 2907 flesch: 42 summary: In 2001, Thailand established a step-wise national accreditation programme as a local alternative for improvement of laboratory quality. Hospital accreditation, as in Thailand, will most likely drive the need for laboratory quality, as active involvement of managers will create collective organisational commitment of quality improvement and a focus on patient-oriented thinking. keywords: accreditation; countries; health; laboratory; medicine; quality; slmta cache: ajlm-239.htm plain text: ajlm-239.txt item: #250 of 530 id: ajlm-2394 author: Alemu, Jemal; Gumi, Balako; Tsegaye, Aster; Sherif, Abdulaziz; Tadesse, Fisihatsion; Gebremedhin, Amha; Howe, Rawleigh title: Flow cytometric characterisation of acute leukaemia in adolescent and adult Ethiopians date: 2025 words: 6708 flesch: 47 summary: Conclusion: We observed multiple phenotypes identifying subtypes of acute leukaemia cases, extending our previous studies in Ethiopia. The sample size of 140 was calculated by using the percentage of acute leukaemia cases (among total patients within a typical a 36-month period in the haematology ward) and the margin of error set at 5%, with level of confidence at 95% (Zα/2 = 1.96). keywords: ababa; acute; addis; addis ababa; aml; blood; cases; cell; cytometry; ethiopia; expression; flow; leukaemia; like; markers; phenotype; positive; study cache: ajlm-2394.htm plain text: ajlm-2394.txt item: #251 of 530 id: ajlm-2404 author: Egyir, Beverly; Bortey, Alfred; Duedu, Kwabena O.; Boateng, Gifty; Bekoe, Franklin A.; Hedidor, George; Adjabeng, Michael; Dayie, Nicholas T.K.D.; Obeng-Nkrumah, Noah; Opintan, Japheth A. title: Implementation of antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Ghana using the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response strategy date: 2024 words: 3376 flesch: 31 summary: This is due to challenges related to logistics, infrastructure and human resource support to ensure the comprehensive implementation of AMR surveillance by laboratories within the network of a sentinel surveillance system using the IDSR approach. Considering the huge clinical and economic impact caused by AMR pathogens, it is imperative to purposively implement AMR surveillance for a more holistic integrated surveillance system to combat AMR and infectious diseases. keywords: amr; data; disease; ghana; health; idsr; pathogens; public; resistance; response; surveillance cache: ajlm-2404.htm plain text: ajlm-2404.txt item: #252 of 530 id: ajlm-2408 author: Office, Editorial title: Table of Contents Vol 12, No 1 date: 2024 words: 2121 flesch: -165 summary: February 2023 Original Research Alternative methods for calculating percentage haemolysis of red cell concentrates in peripheral blood banks in Sri Lanka Caroline A. Fernando, Deklanji T. Dissanayake, Uththara I. Hewamana, Shyamini Rathnaweera, Wickrama A. Samanthilake, Ranga Tudugala, Kithsiri B. Jayasekara, Kumudu Kuruppu African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a1987 | 23 February 2023 Original Research Antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial uropathogens in a South African regional hospital Alicia Naidoo, Afsana Kajee, Nomonde R. Mvelase, Khine Swe Swe-Han African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a1920 | 03 March 2023 Original Research Using the SLIPTA checklist to assess laboratory readiness for Joint Commission International accreditation Abdul K. El Karaaoui, Nada Assaf African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a2044 | 15 March 2023 Original Research Use of full blood count parameters and haematology cell ratios in screening for sepsis in South Africa Jason van Rensburg, Saarah Davids, Carine Smuts, Glenda M. Davison African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a2104 | 11 April 2023 Original Research Modelling CD4 reagent usage across a national hierarchal network of laboratories in South Africa Naseem Cassim, Lindi-Marie Coetzee, Deborah K. Glencross African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a2085 | 15 May 2023 Original Research Performance of two multiplex flow cytometric assays for antibody detection in Egyptian patients Alshymaa A. Ahmed, Alia A. El Shahaway, Heba M. Kadry, Nora M. Said African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a2099 | 18 May 2023 Original Research COVID-19 positive cases among asymptomatic individuals during the second wave in Ndola, Zambia Jonathan Gwasupika, Victor Daka, Justin Chileshe, Moses Mukosha, Steward Mudenda, Bright Mukanga, Ruth L. Mfune, Gershom Chongwe African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a2119 | 31 May 2023 57 65 73 80 88 96 103 110 117 Page i of iii Table of Contents Editorial Time to treat the climate and nature crisis as one indivisible global health emergency Kamran Abbasi, Parveen Ali, Virginia Barbour, Thomas Benfield, Kirsten Bibbins, Stephen Hancocks, Richard Horton, Laurie Laybourn-Langton, Robert Mash, Peush Sahni, Wadeia M. Sharief, Paul Yonga, Chris Zielinski African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a2335 | 20 November 2023 Editorial Taking the train of digital health and artificial intelligence to improve medical laboratory service in Africa: Key considerations Rajiv Erasmus, Pascale Ondoa African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a2329 | 30 November 2023 Opinion Paper Medical laboratory practice in Malawi – Current status Symon F. Nayupe, Patrick Mbulaje, Steven Munharo, Parth Patel, Don E. Lucero-Prisno III African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a1921 | 06 January 2023 Opinion Paper Why pathogen genomics is crucial in Africa’s public health Lamech M. Mwapagha African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a2166 | 22 September 2023 Review Article The COVID-19 pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa: The significance of presumed immune sufficiency Abel O. Idowu, Yusuf O. Omosun, Joseph U. Igietseme, Anthony A. Azenabor African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a1964 | 30 January 2023 Review Article Key success factors for the implementation of quality management systems in developing countries Iryna Tanasiichuk, Olha Karaman, Larysa Natrus African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a2058 | 31 January 2023 Review Article Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in human health in Tanzania: 2016–2021 Neema Camara, Nyambura Moremi, Janneth Mghamba, Eliudi Eliakimu, Edwin Shumba, Pascale Ondoa, Beverly Egyir African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a2053 | 22 May 2023 Review Article A pragmatic approach to the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism in developing countries John I. Anetor, Bose E. Orimadegun, Gloria O. Anetor African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a1946 | 30 May 2023 Review Article Epidemic forecast and preparedness for explosive-cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak in Nigeria using the preventive vaccination strategy Iseimokumo C. Peletiri, Rosemary C. Nwachukwu C. Nwachukwu, Diweni C. Peletiri, Esther Q. Onoja, Charity T. Tulagha, Ikaprite I. Igbalibo, Grace M. Ayanbimpe, Eugene I. Ikey African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a2086 | 17 November 2023 1 5 7 11 14 24 32 40 48 Vol 12, No 1 (2023) ISSN: 2225-2002 (print) | ISSN: 2225-2010 (online)African Journal of Laboratory Medicine http://www.ajlmonline.org Open Access Table of Contents ii Original Research Selected micronutrient status of school-aged children at risk of Schistosoma haematobium infection in suburban communities of Nigeria Samson E. Olerimi, Ehitare I. Ekhoye, Oriasotie S. Enaiho, Alexander Olerimi African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 12, No 1 | a2034 | 31 keywords: african; african journal; article; iii; journal; laboratory medicine; november; research; review; south; vol cache: ajlm-2408.pdf plain text: ajlm-2408.txt item: #253 of 530 id: ajlm-241 author: Nzombe, Phoebe; Luman, Elizabeth T.; Shumba, Edwin; Mangwanya, Douglas; Simbi, Raiva; Kilmarx, Peter H.; Zimuto, Sibongile N. title: Maximising mentorship: Variations in laboratory mentorship models implemented in Zimbabwe date: 2014 words: 4561 flesch: 43 summary: Maximising mentorship: Variations in laboratory mentorship models implemented in Zimbabwe. Maximising mentorship: Variations in laboratory mentorship models implemented in Zimbabwe In This Original Research... keywords: cohort; laboratories; laboratory; mentorship; model; programme; quality; slmta; training cache: ajlm-241.htm plain text: ajlm-241.txt item: #254 of 530 id: ajlm-2415 author: van der Westhuizen, Clinton; Newton-Foot, Mae; Nel, Pieter title: Performance comparison of three commercial multiplex molecular panels for respiratory viruses at a South African academic hospital date: 2024 words: 4880 flesch: 45 summary: Implementation of molecular systems for clinical diagnosis has expanded considerably and, although the local epidemiology of respiratory pathogens has been described, published data regarding the evaluation of multiplex molecular assays for respiratory specimens in sub-Saharan Africa remain limited.18,19,20 This study aimed to compare the clinical performance of the ARV, FARP and QRP on respiratory specimens in a tertiary hospital setting in South Africa by applying a CRS. keywords: arv; assays; farp; hospital; panel; qrp; results; sensitivity; south; specimens; study; targets cache: ajlm-2415.htm plain text: ajlm-2415.txt item: #255 of 530 id: ajlm-2438 author: Marabi, Phidelis M.; Musyoki, Stanslaus K.; Monari, Fred; Kosiyo, Paul M.; Ouma, Collins title: Association between coagulation indicators and menorrhagia among women in Kenya date: 2024 words: 5538 flesch: 41 summary: Furthermore, despite the substantial burden of menorrhagia (35.3%) in Western Kenya,15 and menorrhagia affecting approximately 3% of all gynaecological patients who visit the Bungoma County Referral Hospital (BCRH) clinic,16 the basic coagulation parameters of menorrhagic women compared to non-menorrhagic women are unknown. Menorrhagic women (n = 12/214; 5.6%) were more likely than non-menorrhagic women (n = 0/214; 0%) to have a family history of bleeding disorders (p < 0.001) (Table 1). keywords: bleeding; blood; coagulation; disorders; family; fibrinogen; findings; history; inr; kenya; menorrhagic; platelet; sciences; study; women cache: ajlm-2438.htm plain text: ajlm-2438.txt item: #256 of 530 id: ajlm-2457 author: Davids, Ameerah; Zemlin, Annalise E.; Kruger, Elsie C. title: Challenges with communication of critical laboratory results in a resource-limited setting in South Africa date: 2024 words: 4322 flesch: 45 summary: Challenges with communication of critical laboratory results in a resource-limited setting in South Africa. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2457 Original Research Challenges with communication of critical laboratory results in a resource-limited setting in South Africa Ameerah Davids, Annalise E. Zemlin, Elsie C. Kruger Received: 21 Mar. 2024; keywords: africa; care; clinician; laboratory; pathology; patient; results; south; study; time cache: ajlm-2457.htm plain text: ajlm-2457.txt item: #257 of 530 id: ajlm-246 author: Noden, Bruce H.; Nowaseb, Vincent; de Waal-Miller, Cornelia; van der Colf, Berta E. title: Profile, perceptions and future expectations of medical laboratory scientists in Namibia date: 2015 words: 5659 flesch: 51 summary: Discussion Top ↑ This study is the first of its kind to assess the characteristics, experiences and perceptions of medical laboratory science students in the Biomedical Science training programme in Namibia. Profile and professional expectations of medical students in Mozambique: a longitudinal study. keywords: female; future; health; laboratory; medical; namibia; perceptions; programme; science; students; study; training cache: ajlm-246.htm plain text: ajlm-246.txt item: #258 of 530 id: ajlm-248 author: Shumba, Edwin; Nzombe, Phoebe; Mbinda, Absolom; Simbi, Raiva; Mangwanya, Douglas; Kilmarx, Peter H.; Luman, Elizabeth T.; Zimuto, Sibongile N. title: Weighing the costs: Implementing the SLMTA programme in Zimbabwe using internal versus external facilitators date: 2014 words: 3576 flesch: 36 summary: To better compare the two models, we estimated SLMTA implementation costs based on a theoretical scenario, keeping all contextual variables constant across the two models. Research methods and design Top ↑ SLMTA programme Details of SLMTA programme implementation have been described elsewhere.2 To date, the SLMTA programme in Zimbabwe has been implemented in three cohorts; only cohorts I (implemented in 2010–2011) and III (implemented in 2012–2013) are included in this analysis. keywords: cost; facilitators; implementation; laboratory; programme; slmta; training; zimbabwe cache: ajlm-248.htm plain text: ajlm-248.txt item: #259 of 530 id: ajlm-2485 author: Siimane, Ts’aletseng M.; Nts’ihlele, Motlatsi E. title: Healthcare waste management knowledge, attitudes and practices of laboratory workers at a regional hospital, Lesotho date: 2024 words: 5219 flesch: 48 summary: Training intervention on viral hepatitis has been shown to increase hepatitis vaccine uptake among laboratory staff and should be implemented.13 It was not clear as to when and how often temporary storage area was emptied of laboratory waste. Summary findings of healthcare waste management practices among laboratory staff at a regional hospital, Lesotho, March 2023 to June 2023. keywords: attitudes; data; findings; healthcare; hospital; hwm; knowledge; laboratory; lesotho; management; practices; study; waste; waste management; workers cache: ajlm-2485.htm plain text: ajlm-2485.txt item: #260 of 530 id: ajlm-2505 author: Khumalo, Njabulo; Francis, Cameron A.; Baloyi, Siphiwe M.; Rusch, Jody A. title: Gamma gap and albumin-globulin ratio show poor sensitivity for monoclonal gammopathy screening in South Africa date: 2025 words: 4986 flesch: 44 summary: Including hypogammaglobulinaemic patients in the analysis confounded the results, as 41% of these patients had monoclonal proteins despite significantly lower total protein and gamma gap values. Objective: This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of gamma gap and AGR in identifying patients who require further investigation for monoclonal gammopathies in South Africa. keywords: africa; agr; albumin; cape; gamma; gamma gap; gap; monoclonal; patients; protein; sensitivity; south; town cache: ajlm-2505.htm plain text: ajlm-2505.txt item: #261 of 530 id: ajlm-2509 author: Grove, Jurette S.; Khoza, Siyabonga; Mabuza, Dineo V.; Khan, Shaida B. title: An audit of the iron status of patients at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, in Johannesburg, South Africa date: 2024 words: 5610 flesch: 46 summary: Iron status was categorised into five groups: iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), anaemia of chronic disease, IDA with anaemia of chronic disease, iron deficiency without anaemia, and iron replete based on haemoglobin, transferrin saturation, and ferritin levels. Keywords: Iron; iron status; ferritin; ferritin diagnostic threshold; iron deficiency; iron deficiency anaemia; anaemia of chronic disease. keywords: acd; anaemia; cut; data; deficiency; ferritin; iron; iron deficiency; patients; south; status; study cache: ajlm-2509.htm plain text: ajlm-2509.txt item: #262 of 530 id: ajlm-2514 author: Eliya, Timan T.; Isere, Elvis E.; Emmana, Bassey; Ugwu, Chukwuebuka; Kushim, Jonathan; Ishaku, Precious; Ibrahim, Aisha E.; Bimba, John S. title: Impact of viral load on sample pooling for reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction detection-based diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 in Nigeria date: 2025 words: 3946 flesch: 49 summary: A similar study carried out in Israel in 2020 reported that using a pooled testing approach for standard RT-PCR for COVID-19 detection with a single positive sample could detect a pool of up to 32 samples, with an estimated false-negative rate of 10%.20 A study from Malaysia, evaluating the effectiveness of pooled sample testing for COVID-19 RT-PCR, conducted in 2020 by Lim et al.,1 utilised both retrospective and prospective samples. Data management and analysis The Ct values of the test outcomes from the RT-PCR analysis of pooled samples were entered into an anonymised, password-protected Excel spreadsheet (Office 2016, Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, United States), and the data were analysed descriptively using charts and tables. keywords: covid-19; karu; nasarawa; nigeria; pcr; pooling; samples; state; study; testing; values cache: ajlm-2514.htm plain text: ajlm-2514.txt item: #263 of 530 id: ajlm-2516 author: Obi, Chikwelu L.; Olowoyo, Joshua O.; Malevu, Thembinkosi D.; Mugivhisa, Lizwe L.; Hungwe, Taurai; Ogunrombi, Modupe O.; Mkolo, Nqobile M. title: Impact of artificial intelligence and digital technology-based diagnostic tools for communicable and non-communicable diseases in Africa date: 2024 words: 9654 flesch: 41 summary: Big data involves large volume, high speed, and multiplicity of information processing for better insights, decision-making and automation.2 Quantum computing is useful in healthcare, including machine learning (ML) methods to diagnose diseases.1 Artificial intelligence is an emerging area in science and technology that may soon change every aspect of human life.3 Kayembe and Nel define AI as computer systems that can complete complex functions related to human intelligence.1 Artificial intelligence is the use of technologies that provide alternatives to human functions by allowing machines to perform effective functions that were previously carried out by humans by mimicking human action.3 From the foregoing, AI could thus be seen as a subset of digital transformation to perform different tasks that require human intelligence using computing devices such as robots.4 It is evident from the literature that AI alters the way humans perform their functions and leads to increased productivity in various sectors.5 Sub-fields of AI include: Machine Learning, which involves pattern discovery and evaluation from data sets, leading to machines’ performance improvement as the machines learn; Deep Learning, a sub-field of ML, comprising neural networks to facilitate ML in order for machines to formulate their own decisions; Natural Language Processing, a way that computers unearth data on human language to formulate decisions; and Computer Vision, which enables computers to acquire information and understanding from images or videos.6 Apart from what has been discussed earlier, AI technologies also encompass rule-based systems, robotic processing automation, clinical decision support systems, and generative adversarial networks, among others.6 Even though AI is a rapidly growing field all over the world, the adoption rate varies between developed and developing countries.7 In some countries, arguments against the use of AI include ethical use, which may violate the rights of citizens and cause loss of employment, especially for those with low skills.8 For example, through applications of deep learning in Kenya, healthcare services are now available to people without visiting hospitals or medical doctors, and in Nigeria, Zenvus, an electronic sensor, provides soil component information to farmers.3,6 South Africa has witnessed appreciable growth in AI research and application, especially in relation to power utilities and tax compliance.11 Also in South Africa, the Mukuru mobile phone application is assisting immigrants to send money home to their loved ones without physically visiting a bank for such transactions.11 In 2020, Okolo et al. also noted that the implementation of AI in African laboratories, particularly in low-resource contexts, is a growing area of interest.12 The 2023 report of Manson13 showed that AI has been included in some fields of medicine and laboratories in Africa. keywords: africa; artificial; cancer; communicable; communicable diseases; countries; data; diagnostics; digital; diseases; funding; health; healthcare; intelligence; laboratory; learning; outputs; research; review; sciences; south; south africa; study; technologies; technology; use cache: ajlm-2516.htm plain text: ajlm-2516.txt item: #264 of 530 id: ajlm-2519 author: Mthombeni, Tiyani C.; Burger, Johanita R.; Lubbe, Martha S.; Julyan, Marlene; Lekalakala-Mokaba, Molebogeng R. title: ESKAPE pathogen incidence and antibiotic resistance in patients with bloodstream infections at a referral hospital in Limpopo, South Africa, 2014–2019: A cross-sectional study date: 2024 words: 6290 flesch: 40 summary: Objective: This study reports on the incidence and AMR of bloodstream ESKAPE pathogens at a referral hospital in northern South Africa. The surveillance of ESKAPE pathogen incidence and priority drug-pathogen-resistant combinations must therefore be prioritised and strengthened to understand their magnitude.2,8,10 Against this background, this study reports on the incidence of ESKAPE pathogens, selected combinations of WHO priority drug-pathogen resistance and resistance to Reserve (last resort) antibiotics using routinely collected data of patients with bloodstream infections Limpopo province, South Africa. keywords: africa; antimicrobial; baumannii; bloodstream; data; eskape; health; hospital; incidence; infections; pathogens; pneumoniae; resistance; south; south africa; study cache: ajlm-2519.htm plain text: ajlm-2519.txt item: #265 of 530 id: ajlm-2522 author: Babafemi, Emmanuel O.; Cherian, Benny P.; Rahman, Khalid; Mogoko, Gilbert M.; Abiola, Oluwatoyin O. title: Diagnostic accuracy of real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Trichomonas vaginalis in clinical samples: A systematic review and meta-analysis date: 2025 words: 5731 flesch: 45 summary: The data were displayed graphically on forest plots and SROC plots.22 Since publication bias is not recommended in the meta-analysis for diagnostic test accuracy study, we did not evaluate it.23 No p-value for authors and publishers of diagnostic accuracy study was used, since they do not test the hypothesis that may influence decisions about publication based on the statistical significance of the results.24 Heterogeneity The heterogeneity tests for the included studies were explored with chi-squared (χ2) and I-squared (I2) statistics. Data synthesis and meta-analysis Measures of test accuracy were computed using standard methods recommended for meta-analysis of diagnostic studies. keywords: analysis; assay; detection; heterogeneity; meta; online; pcr; review; sensitivity; specificity; studies; study; test; trichomonas; trichomoniasis; vaginalis; women cache: ajlm-2522.htm plain text: ajlm-2522.txt item: #266 of 530 id: ajlm-2527 author: Finsterer, Josef title: Carriers of the m.3243A>G variant should not be labelled with an acronym before they have been systematically screened for multisystem disease date: 2024 words: 1373 flesch: 50 summary: It is noteworthy that none of the patients described by Makgopa et al. were found to have mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome. Response from Makgopa et al. Acknowledgements References About the Author(s) Josef Finsterer Neurology and Neurophysiology Centre, Vienna, Austria Citation Finsterer J. Carriers of the m.3243A>G variant should not be labelled with an acronym before they have been systematically screened for multisystem disease. keywords: letter; makgopa; midd; patient cache: ajlm-2527.htm plain text: ajlm-2527.txt item: #267 of 530 id: ajlm-253 author: Masamha, Jessina; Skaggs, Beth; Pinto, Isabel; Mandlaze, Ana Paula; Simbine, Carolina; Chongo, Patrina; de Sousa, Leonardo; Kidane, Solon; Yao, Katy; Luman, Elizabeth T.; Samogudo, Eduardo title: Working toward a sustainable laboratory quality improvement programme through country ownership: Mozambique’s SLMTA story date: 2014 words: 4132 flesch: 33 summary: Discussion Top ↑ Through SLMTA, Mozambique has begun to make substantial progress in laboratory quality improvement and has developed a plan to ensure that continued progress is both feasible and sustainable. Abstract • Introduction • Research methods and design    • Institutionalisation of the SLMTA programme    • Implementation • Results • Discussion    • Challenges    • Conclusion • Acknowledgements    • Competing interests    • Authors’ contributions    • CDC disclaimer • References Abstract Top ↑ Background: Launched in 2009, the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme has emerged as an innovative approach for the improvement of laboratory quality. keywords: health; implementation; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; moh; mozambique; national; programme; quality; slmta cache: ajlm-253.htm plain text: ajlm-253.txt item: #268 of 530 id: ajlm-2551 author: Vadivelu, Nisha; Parmar, Rashmika D.; Shingala, Hitesh; Mehta, Krunal D. title: Comparison of chromogenic and cysteine lactose electrolyte deficient agar for identification of uropathogens in Gujarat, India date: 2025 words: 5045 flesch: 39 summary: This aligns with previous research in Canada and the United States, suggesting that chromogenic media can enhance the detection of mixed cultures in urine samples.13,19 The improved detection of polymicrobial infections is particularly important given the challenges these infections pose in terms of diagnosis and treatment.30 Time and cost efficiency Our study demonstrated that chromogenic UTI agar substantially reduced the time to both preliminary and final results compared to conventional methods. In an era of increasing healthcare costs, this cost-effectiveness could be an important factor in the adoption of chromogenic media in routine clinical practice.32 Implications for clinical practice The combined benefits of improved accuracy, faster results, and cost-effectiveness suggest that chromogenic UTI agar could be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of UTIs. keywords: agar; chromogenic; cost; identification; india; infections; media; methods; samples; study; time; uti; uti agar cache: ajlm-2551.htm plain text: ajlm-2551.txt item: #269 of 530 id: ajlm-256 author: Noble, Michael; Martin, Robert; Ndihokubwayo, Jean-Bosco title: Making great strides in medical laboratory quality date: 2014 words: 1199 flesch: 46 summary: Article Information Authors: Michael A. Noble1 Robert Martin2 Jean-Bosco Ndihokubwayo3 Affiliations: 1Program Office for Laboratory Quality Management, University of British Columbia, Canada 2Department of Global Health, University of Washington, United States 3World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Republic of the Congo How to cite this article: Noble MA, Martin R, Ndihokubwayo J-B. Making great strides in medical laboratory quality. Making great strides in medical laboratory quality In This Editorial... Open Access • Content • References Content Top ↑ Whilst the observation of blood and urine as a commentary of illness and disease can be traced back to Hippocrates as early as 300 BC, the true roots and foundations of the modern medical laboratory as a vital investigation process to better understand pathology and diagnosis were established in the late-19th and early-20th keywords: accreditation; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; management; quality cache: ajlm-256.htm plain text: ajlm-256.txt item: #270 of 530 id: ajlm-2565 author: Rugera, Simon P.; Mudondo, Hope; Tumusiime, Jazira; Udu, Rahma; Kiconco, Ritah; Lumumba, Sylvia A.; Bagenda, Charles N. title: Association of obesity with hyperuricaemia among HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy in South-Western Uganda date: 2025 words: 5721 flesch: 49 summary: The information on social demographics, family background for chronic diseases (hypertension, kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases), and behavioural factors was collected by trained research assistants who directly interviewed study participants in the local language using a semi-structured questionnaire. The majority of the study participants were women (230/328; 70.1%), married or cohabiting (185/328; 56.6%), had completed the primary level of education (179/328; 54.6%), were Protestant by religion (155/328; 47.3%), and unemployed (173/328; 52.7%) (Table 1). TABLE 1: Characteristics of study participants stratified by hyperuricaemia status among HIV-positive patients in South-Western Uganda, April 2024 to June 2024. keywords: acid; association; data; health; hiv; hyperuricaemia; mbarara; obesity; participants; patients; prevalence; science; serum; study; uganda cache: ajlm-2565.htm plain text: ajlm-2565.txt item: #271 of 530 id: ajlm-2582 author: Jadali, Zohreh title: Pathobiology of HIV-related metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities: Towards a unifying mechanism date: 2024 words: 1348 flesch: 28 summary: This is supported by elevation of intermediate/inflammatory monocytes with proatherogenic properties in HIV-positive patients.5 These cells play a detrimental role in CVD progression and can express abundant tissue factor, a risk marker for CVDs.5 Lipidic environment modification is another reason for production of tissue factor in plaque macrophages; thus, interplay of lipids and immune cells might in part be responsible for the CVD progression in infected patients.5 Elevation of macrophage activation markers, soluble CD14, in HIV-positive patients provides additional evidence for the importance of the monocyte-macrophage lineage, because they can be associated with clinical CVD events and dyslipidaemia.6 Monocyte and macrophage dysfunction in cholesterol handling as a cause of HIV infection may also affect the CVD risk.5 This may occur by down-regulation of adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1, which is essential for cholesterol homeostasis and high-density lipoprotein metabolism.5 Dysregulated inflammation is another risk factor for both CVD and dyslipidaemia in HIV-positive patients.7 This is supported by evidence, including (1) the increased level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a nonspecific inflammatory marker that increases the CVD risk and dyslipidaemia, (2) the increased levels of D-dimer that can indicate a positive association with lipid indicators in patients with coronary artery disease, and (3) the increased production of interleukin-6 that occurs during HIV replication and is associated with dyslipidaemia and increased CVD risk.7 Loss of gut barrier function and the ensuing microbial translocation that is usually associated with HIV disease progression can also elicit an inflammatory cascade.8 This inflammatory response may induce CVD through alteration in the balance of T-helper 17/regulatory T-cells and their associated cytokines.9 T-helper 17/regulatory T-cells appear to be a bridge linking the gut microbiota to host metabolic disorders.9 T-helper 17 and regulatory T-cells have antagonistic effects. These clinical conditions are strongly influenced by both elements of the immune system and a broad group of lipid components.4 HIV-positive individuals also have elevated proportions of T-helper 17 cells, which may promote inflammation, and senescent cells, which may increase risk of cardiovascular disease, in hyperlipidemic conditions.4 Interleukin-2 production has also been shown to increase in these patients and can affect lipid metabolism and CVD risk.4 Cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage appear to also play a role in the complicated connection between the immune system and HIV disease, dyslipidaemia, and CVDs.5 keywords: cardiovascular; cells; cvd; hiv; immune cache: ajlm-2582.htm plain text: ajlm-2582.txt item: #272 of 530 id: ajlm-2583 author: Abhulimen, Enahoro S. title: The Human Cell Atlas: Promises, recent developments, and bridging the African single-cell data gap date: 2024 words: 2882 flesch: 43 summary: Also, its application in regenerative medicine provides the opportunity to create precise organoid models and in vitro cells, which could enable targeted cell therapies.4 Eukaryotic cells are already being synthesised, such as in the Synthetic Yeast Genome Project (Sc2.0),8 indicating the potential for the creation of synthetic human cells that could be used to study disease models or for therapeutic purposes. Single cell transcriptomics comes of age. keywords: atlas; cell; cell atlas; data; development; hca; human; lung cache: ajlm-2583.htm plain text: ajlm-2583.txt item: #273 of 530 id: ajlm-2602 author: Ndlovu, Nqobile; Erasmus, Rajiv T.; Zemlin, Annalise E. title: Narrative review: Continuous professional development training programmes in Africa and their limitations date: 2025 words: 6840 flesch: 38 summary: It is therefore worthwhile for employers to invest in CPD.17 Unfortunately, the prevailing status is that most of the CPD programmes in Africa have been funded by donors, local and international non-governmental organisations, with less support coming from governments.30 In Ethiopia, this has been attributed to lack of commitment from upper-level management in supporting CPD trainings, citing cost issues.19 In a survey in Nigeria, almost 90% of the interviewed participants indicated lack of funding to attend CPD training programmes and, as result, there was low attendance for CPD training.26 In the past, CPD training programmes have been implemented to address the lack of skills and the insufficient and skewed distribution of these health workers. keywords: africa; countries; cpd; development; health; implementation; laboratory; laboratory professionals; management; med; medical; needs; professional; programmes; quality; study; systems; training cache: ajlm-2602.htm plain text: ajlm-2602.txt item: #274 of 530 id: ajlm-2611 author: Mosha, Fausta S.; Hajjeh, Rana; Ochola, Rachel; Ghoniem, Amany; Hutin, Yvan J.F. title: Implementation of the laboratory strategic framework to strengthen health laboratory services in Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2016–2023 date: 2025 words: 4397 flesch: 37 summary: Abstract Background Description of the intervention Lessons learnt Recommendations Acknowledgements References About the Author(s) Fausta S. Mosha Department of Communicable Diseases, World Health Organization (Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office), Cairo, Egypt Rana Hajjeh Director Programme Management, World Health Organization (Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office), Cairo, Egypt Rachel Ochola WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) Programme, (Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office), Cairo, Egypt Amany Ghoniem Department of Communicable Diseases, World Health Organization (Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office), Cairo, Egypt Yvan J.-F. Hutin Department of Communicable Diseases, World Health Organization (Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office), Cairo, Egypt Citation Mosha FS, Hajjeh R, Ochola R, Ghoniem A, Hutin YJ-F. Implementation of the laboratory strategic framework to strengthen health laboratory services in Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2016–2023. Afr J Lab Med. 2025;14(1), a2611. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2611 Lessons from the Field Implementation of the laboratory strategic framework to strengthen health laboratory services in Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2016–2023 Fausta S. Mosha, Rana Hajjeh, Rachel Ochola, Amany Ghoniem, Yvan J.-F. Hutin Received: 13 Sept. 2024; Accepted: 06 Dec. 2024; keywords: capacity; eastern; framework; health; implementation; laboratory; mediterranean; mss; national; quality; regional; services cache: ajlm-2611.htm plain text: ajlm-2611.txt item: #275 of 530 id: ajlm-2613 author: Jimoh, Abdulrazaq A.; Adamu, Zainab A.; Rasheed, Mumini W.; Richard, Samuel K. title: Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in colorectal adenoma in an indigenous African population in northern Nigeria date: 2025 words: 4755 flesch: 51 summary: The possible reason why COX-2 expression is higher in CRCs than in adenomas may be that although COX-2 expression is involved in tumour initiation, it is also a marker for advanced lesions (from dysplasia in adenomas to frank malignancy and invasiveness in carcinomas).30,31 For example, it has been shown that COX-2 expression has a positive correlation with adenoma size, dysplasia, and grade but not with the tumour location or configuration, and the expression is higher in the CRC.30,32,33,34,35 This may also explain why the expression of COX-2 in colorectal adenomas demonstrates a wide variation similar to that of the CRC, from 38% to 100%, because of adenoma size, presence of dysplasia, histological subtype, and key genetic mutation.35,36 More studies are needed for Africa to explain the possible racial disparity in COX-2 expression in adenomas, because most available COX-2 studies on colorectal adenomas and CRCs are from America and Asian countries. keywords: adenomas; age; cancer; cases; colorectal; cox-2; cyclooxygenase-2; expression; grade; kano; nigeria; study; years cache: ajlm-2613.htm plain text: ajlm-2613.txt item: #276 of 530 id: ajlm-2617 author: Kennedy, Stephanie J.; Van Marle, Anne-Cecilia title: Pseudomonocytosis on a Sysmex XN haematology analyser masking the monocytopenia of hairy cell leukaemia in a South African woman date: 2025 words: 2824 flesch: 45 summary: Reducing unnecessary blood smear examinations: Can Sysmex blood cell analysers help? Keywords: hairy cell leukaemia; pseudomonocytosis; monocytopenia; haematology full blood count analyser; Sysmex XN-series. keywords: blood; cell; count; differential; haematology; hcl; series; south; sysmex cache: ajlm-2617.htm plain text: ajlm-2617.txt item: #277 of 530 id: ajlm-262 author: Yao, Katy; Luman, Elizabeth T.; Collaborating Authors, SLMTA title: Evidence from 617 laboratories in 47 countries for SLMTA-driven improvement in quality management systems date: 2014 words: 4591 flesch: 47 summary: Future studies that compare these factors, as well as results of SLMTA laboratories with non-SLMTA laboratories are needed in order to separate the impact of SLMTA implementation from natural improvement in laboratory quality over the duration of the programme. We evaluated score improvements using two-tailed t-tests for equal variances and estimated the number of tests performed by SLMTA laboratories based on star level. keywords: accreditation; audit; countries; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; programme; quality; slmta; tests cache: ajlm-262.htm plain text: ajlm-262.txt item: #278 of 530 id: ajlm-2628 author: Korf, Marizna; Rusch, Jody; Khine, Aye Aye; Strauss, Nalene; Jacobsz, Lourens; Zemlin, Annalise E.; Vreede, Helena title: Mitigating the risk of tube shortages: A blood collection tube validation study conducted in South Africa date: 2025 words: 5492 flesch: 41 summary: What this study adds: This study addresses a gap in the literature on tube validation and provides valuable insights for clinical laboratories considering a replacement. As a result, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD, UK Limited, Berkshire, United Kingdom), a prominent manufacturer of blood collection tubes, notified customers of supply challenges with the risk of global product shortages in 2021.3 Following this notice, the National Health Laboratory Service of South Africa, which is mandated by government to provide clinical laboratory services to over 80% of the population, sent a notice to healthcare workers with guidance on the efficient use of blood collection tubes. keywords: africa; blood; cape; chemical; collection; health; laboratory; south; study; technical; town; tubes; vacutainer; validation cache: ajlm-2628.htm plain text: ajlm-2628.txt item: #279 of 530 id: ajlm-2644 author: Obi, Chikwelu L.; Mkolo, Nqobile M.; Mugivhisa, Liziwe L.; Ogunrombi, Modupe O.; Mphephu, Mukhethwa M.; Naidoo, Clarissa M. title: Mpox: An emerging or re-emerging infection with a potential colossal burden on healthcare globally date: 2025 words: 9613 flesch: 46 summary: However, the general mode is through human contact with the bodily fluids of the infected animals.33,34,35 The distinction between mpox and smallpox is that mpox virus infection triggers lymphadenopathy in humans while smallpox does not. The early symptoms of mpox virus infection are muscle aches, headache, diarrhoea, fever, chills, vomiting, fatigue, and backache, which advance to fatigue, developing into secondary bacterial infections of the skin or blood and lung infections.21 keywords: africa; amplification; cases; clade; clinical; countries; detection; diagnosis; disease; dna; epidemiology; et al; genome; health; infection; laboratory; med; monkeypox; monkeypox virus; mpox; mpox virus; outbreak; patients; potential; research; review; sciences; smallpox; transmission; use; vaccination; vaccines; virus cache: ajlm-2644.htm plain text: ajlm-2644.txt item: #280 of 530 id: ajlm-2645 author: Erasmus, Rajiv T.; Obi, Chikwelu L.; Souda, Sajini title: The scourge of antimicrobial resistance: Containing a global crisis date: 2024 words: 2055 flesch: 28 summary: Global antimicrobial resistance and use surveillance system (GLASS) report: 2022. Introduction Factors contributing to the rise of antimicrobial resistance Economic burden of antimicrobial resistance Limited availability of new antimicrobials Laboratories’ role in antimicrobial resistance Conquering antimicrobial resistance: From global priority to your priority Conclusion References About the Author(s) Rajiv T. Erasmus Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cape Peninsula University, Cape Town, South Africa Division of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa Chikwelu L. Obi School of Science and Technology, Sefako Magkatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa Sajini Souda Department of Pathology, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana Citation Erasmus RT, Obi CL, keywords: africa; amr; antibiotics; health; new; resistance; use cache: ajlm-2645.htm plain text: ajlm-2645.txt item: #281 of 530 id: ajlm-265 author: Luman, Elizabeth T.; Yao, Katy; Nkengasong, John N. title: A comprehensive review of the SLMTA literature part 1: Content analysis and future priorities date: 2014 words: 6798 flesch: 40 summary: The drive for action    • Implementation    • Capacity building    • Partnership    • On-site support and mentorship    • Success factors    • Challenges    • Limitations to the study    • Feedback on the SLMTA programme • Future directions    • Progression (continued improvement in SLMTA laboratories)     There is an urgent need to move forward in four strategic directions: progression (continued improvement in SLMTA laboratories), saturation (additional laboratories within countries that have implemented SLMTA), expansion (implementation in additional countries), and extension (adapting SLMTA for implementation beyond the laboratory), to lead to transformation of overall health systems and patient care. keywords: afr; afr j; art; countries; health; implementation; improvement; j lab; laboratories; laboratory; management; pages; programme; quality; slmta cache: ajlm-265.htm plain text: ajlm-265.txt item: #282 of 530 id: ajlm-2652 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2024 words: 634 flesch: 31 summary: http://www.ajlmonline.org Open Access Page 1 of 2 Reviewer Acknowledgement Acknowledgement to reviewers In an effort to facilitate the selection of appropriate peer reviewers for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, we ask that you take a moment to update your electronic portfolio on https://ajlmonline.org for our files, allowing us better access to your areas of interest and expertise, in order to match reviewers with submitted manuscripts. As such, the identification and selection of reviewers who have expertise and interest in the topics appropriate to each manuscript are essential elements in ensuring a timely, productive peer review process. keywords: https://ajlmonline.org; journal; reviewer cache: ajlm-2652.pdf plain text: ajlm-2652.txt item: #283 of 530 id: ajlm-2653 author: Marabi, Phidelis M.; Kosiyo, Paul M.; Musyoki, Stanslaus K.; Ouma, Collins title: Thyroid and reproductive hormonal factors associated with menorrhagia among women in Kenya date: 2025 words: 6131 flesch: 40 summary: However, no statistically significant differences were observed in thyroid hormone levels, and none of the evaluated hormonal parameters had statistically significant associations with menorrhagia. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000001529 El-Meligui M, El Miligy D, Attia AH, Hassan O, Youssef N, El-Demery A. Evaluation of thyroid hormone levels in females with dysfunctional uterine bleeding. keywords: bleeding; findings; fsh; hormonal; hormone; kenya; levels; menorrhagia; oestrogen; prolactin; study; testosterone; thyroid; total; women cache: ajlm-2653.htm plain text: ajlm-2653.txt item: #284 of 530 id: ajlm-2663 author: Masemola, Kagiso M.; Kone, Ngalulawa; Chikomba, Chemedzai; Khoza, Siyabonga title: Validation of Nova Stat Profile Prime Plus point-of-care testing for dialysis in South Africa date: 2025 words: 5196 flesch: 39 summary: For classification of optimal SpKt/V, the agreement was 77.1%, with a Cohen’s kappa statistic of 0.47. TABLE 4: Comparison of Roche cobas c702 and Stat Profile Prime Plus systems for haemodialysis adequacy assessment and creatinine index measurement, Johannesburg, South Africa, June 2023 to December 2023. TABLE 5: Clinical agreement between Roche cobas c702 and Stat Profile Prime Plus for assessing minimum and optimal single pool Kt/V and creatinine index in haemodialysis, Johannesburg, South Africa, June 2023 to December 2023. It showed good agreement in haemodialysis adequacy assessment, supporting the potential of POCT in decentralising haemodialysis monitoring. keywords: adequacy; africa; agreement; bias; care; creatinine; haemodialysis; laboratory; point; roche; south; spp+; study; testing; urea cache: ajlm-2663.htm plain text: ajlm-2663.txt item: #285 of 530 id: ajlm-2667 author: Abdullahi, Sumayya; Abdullahi, Idris N.; Adekola, Hafeez A.; Baamlong, Nicholas; Dangana, Amos; Usman, Yahaya; Ahmad, Abdurrahman E.; Salisu, Sumaiya; Abdulaziz, Mukhtar M. title: Nasal carriage rate and multiple antimicrobial resistance indices of Staphylococcus aureus among healthcare students at the Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria date: 2025 words: 6910 flesch: 38 summary: A similar study in Madagascar previously reported higher S. aureus nasal carriage in female medical students and healthcare workers in 2016.39 Factors associated with Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage and molecular characteristics among the general population at a Medical College Campus in Guangzhou, South China. keywords: aureus; aureus carriage; aureus nasal; carriage; healthcare; mdr; medical; mrsa; nasal; nasal carriage; nasal s.; nigeria; prevalence; resistance; s. aureus; staphylococcus aureus; strains; students; study; university cache: ajlm-2667.htm plain text: ajlm-2667.txt item: #286 of 530 id: ajlm-2674 author: Davies, Adeyinka A.; Spruijtenburg, Bram; Meijer, Eelco F.J.; Osaigbovo, Iriagbonse I.; Balogun, Oluwaseyi; Adekoya, Abiola; Gbaja-Biamila, Titilola; Meis, Jacques F.; Oladele, Rita title: Molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility testing of Aspergillus species among patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in Nigeria date: 2025 words: 5194 flesch: 38 summary: Use of a novel panel of nine short tandem repeats for exact and high-resolution fingerprinting of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates. High-resolution genotyping of clinical Aspergillus flavus isolates from India using microsatellites. keywords: antifungal; aspergillus; aspergillus spp; azole; cpa; flavus; fumigatus; hospital; isolates; nigeria; patients; resistance; species; spp; study; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-2674.htm plain text: ajlm-2674.txt item: #287 of 530 id: ajlm-2681 author: Pillay, Bavinash; van Blydenstein, Sarah A.; Omar, Shahed title: Thromboelastography in COVID-19 patients: An observational study in the South African context date: 2025 words: 5612 flesch: 45 summary: We found a significant correlation between anti-Xa levels and R-time at 48 h, where higher anti-Xa levels appear to coincide with longer R-time. Drawbacks with anti-Xa level monitoring include the additional cost of testing with estimates as high as 55 United States dollars (USD; approximately 500 South African rand [ZAR] – 1000 ZAR, or approximately 27 USD – 55 USD) per patient per test.6 Pre-analytic factors which may impair the validity of anti-Xa levels include poor blood sampling technique, delays of two or more hours in sample analysis, inadequate centrifugation, as well as haemolysis. keywords: anti; correlation; covid-19; data; enoxaparin; levels; lmwh; patients; study; tci; thromboelastogram; time; xa levels cache: ajlm-2681.htm plain text: ajlm-2681.txt item: #288 of 530 id: ajlm-2688 author: Grobler, Shaun M.; van Marle, Anne-Cecilia title: Effects of sample age and storage temperature on the flow cytometric diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in South Africa date: 2025 words: 5477 flesch: 45 summary: Conclusion: These findings indicate that pre-analytical variables influence antigen stability in CLL samples, with better preservation at refrigerator temperature, recommending analysis within 48 h of collection. The effect of the temperature and duration of sample storage on the measurement of lymphocyte subpopulations from HIV-1-positive and control subjects. keywords: cll; diagnosis; expression; flow; matutes; samples; storage; study; temperature; time cache: ajlm-2688.htm plain text: ajlm-2688.txt item: #289 of 530 id: ajlm-269 author: Naidoo, Anneta; Parboosing, Raveen; Moodley, Pravi title: Real-time polymerase chain reaction optimised for hepatitis C virus detection in dried blood spots from HIV-exposed infants, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa date: 2016 words: 4913 flesch: 51 summary: The HCV Quantitative PCR proficiency panel (QCMD, Glasgow, Scotland) was prepared in five-fold dilutions as an external quality control standard to calculate the lower limit of detection of the optimised HCV RNA PCR assay. The use of DBS specimens for HCV PCR has several advantages.11,34,35 Firstly, they are easier to collect than whole blood and present a lower infectious hazard. keywords: africa; dbs; hcv; hepatitis; hiv; kwazulu; natal; pcr; rna; specimens; virus cache: ajlm-269.htm plain text: ajlm-269.txt item: #290 of 530 id: ajlm-2700 author: Nhlapo, Nokuthula; Jacob, Doreen; Khoza, Siyabonga; Maphayi, Mpho R. title: Comparison of second and third-generation parathyroid hormone assays at a tertiary hospital in South Africa date: 2025 words: 5507 flesch: 45 summary: https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2012.031 Einbinder Y., Benchetrit S., Golan E., Zitman-Gal T. Comparison of intact PTH and bio-intact PTH assays among non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease patients. Available PTH assays include second (intact PTH) and third (PTH 1–84) generations. keywords: africa; assays; ckd; dialysis; generation; hormone; interpretation; kidney; laboratory; parathyroid; patients; pth; samples; second; south; study cache: ajlm-2700.htm plain text: ajlm-2700.txt item: #291 of 530 id: ajlm-2723 author: Madkaiker, Deep; Ojha, Shashank; N., Arunkumar; Chawan, Kalpesh title: Effects of pre-storage leukoreduction on erythrocyte concentrates and performance of newer generation leuko-filters at a tertiary care oncology hospital in Western India date: 2025 words: 5068 flesch: 43 summary: Evaluation of a new prestorage leukoreduction filter for red blood cell units. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0018328 Pertinhez TA, Casali E, Baroni F, Berni P, Baricchi R, Spisni A. A comparative study of the effect of leukoreduction and pre-storage leukodepletion on red blood cells during storage. keywords: blood; cell; centre; filter; haemoglobin; india; indices; leukoreduction; post; research; study; transfusion; units cache: ajlm-2723.htm plain text: ajlm-2723.txt item: #292 of 530 id: ajlm-2729 author: Kuti, Modupe A.; Adeleye, Jokotade O.; Akinyemi, Joshua O.; Ogundeji, Olajumoke A.; Omoyele, Olusola O.; Obe, Oluwadamilare A.; Adewoyin, Ademola S.; Soriyan, Oyetunji O. title: Assessing the clinical implications of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol equations using Nigerian data date: 2025 words: 4953 flesch: 44 summary: This represents a less than 15% difference for an LDL cholesterol concentration of 1.81 mmol/L. Furthermore, the recently updated set of quality requirements for acceptable performance in proficiency testing programmes released by the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Act has a target value + 20% for LDL cholesterol.12 Finally, estimates of the reference change value for LDL cholesterol, derived from biological variation data have been reported to be as high as 19%.13 The above suggests that, for the vast majority of LDL cholesterol estimates by the FF, the difference from the estimates by the newer equations may not have been clinically significant. From our data, although the level of agreement between the two equations with each other in this scenario was better than with the Friedewald equation, there were still significant differences, especially when LDL cholesterol was < 1.81 mmol/L. Very similar to our findings, Sajja et al.,25 following their review of the electronic health record data from patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, reported clinically significant discordance in a pairwise comparison of the Sampson-NIH equation and the MH equation of about 23% at LDL cholesterol values of ≥ 1.81 mmol/L. keywords: cholesterol; data; equations; estimates; ldl; ldl cholesterol; lipid; mmol; nigeria; nih; sampson; triglycerides cache: ajlm-2729.htm plain text: ajlm-2729.txt item: #293 of 530 id: ajlm-2733 author: Niandat, Justine D.; Okoli, Caroline A. title: Erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency-induced anaemia in children in Jos, North-Central Nigeria date: 2025 words: 3898 flesch: 47 summary: Taleb M, Brahim AT, Yebouk C, et al. Epidemiology of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in 10 malaria-endemic countries in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. 2017;5(1):588–593. Albagshi MH., Alomran S, Sloma S, Alsuweel A, Alkhalaf H. Prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency among children in Eastern Saudi Arabia. keywords: anaemia; children; deficiency; dehydrogenase; g6pd; glucose-6; jos; nigeria; phosphate; study cache: ajlm-2733.htm plain text: ajlm-2733.txt item: #294 of 530 id: ajlm-2734 author: Badrick, Tony; Anetor, John title: Preparing medical laboratories in low- and middle-income countries for a sustainable future date: 2025 words: 2086 flesch: 34 summary: Anetor J, Anetor G. Green laboratory medicine in Africa: What is the contribution to environmental toxicity and how prepared is the continent for sustainable laboratory medicine? It may also be important to stress that there is a long-term economic benefit in implementing sustainable laboratory medicine practice. keywords: countries; environmental; impact; income; laboratories; laboratory; medicine; sustainability cache: ajlm-2734.htm plain text: ajlm-2734.txt item: #295 of 530 id: ajlm-2739 author: Katayi, Antony S.; Marabi, Phidelis M.; Musyoki, Stanslaus K. title: Feasibility analysis of the SICKLECHECK™ test kit for rapid screening of sickle cell disease at a County Referral Hospital in Kenya date: 2025 words: 5266 flesch: 50 summary: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajh.24232 Abbasi J. Study evaluates rapid sickle cell disease test. Data collection Recruitment and consent The positive cases consisted of children aged 10 weeks to 15 years attending the sickle cell clinic at Bungoma County Referral Hospital with a known diagnosis of SCD (HbSS phenotype, i.e., homozygous for sickle cell haemoglobin) or sickle cell trait (HbAS phenotype, i.e., heterozygous for sickle cell haemoglobin), confirmed by prior haemoglobin electrophoresis or HPLC results. keywords: cell; children; disease; haemoglobin; kenya; scd; sensitivity; sickle; sickle cell; sicklecheck; specificity; study; test cache: ajlm-2739.htm plain text: ajlm-2739.txt item: #296 of 530 id: ajlm-2756 author: Ndlovu, Lungile; Thembane, Nokukhanya; Jaya, Ziningi N. title: Comparative analysis of inflammatory markers in HIV-positive individuals on antiretroviral therapy versus HIV-negative individuals in South Africa date: 2025 words: 4066 flesch: 40 summary: Increase in HIV viral suppression in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Community-based cross sectional surveys 2018 and 2013. Mechanisms of systemic low-grade inflammation in HIV patients on long-term suppressive antiretroviral therapy: The inflammasome hypothesis. keywords: age; art; crp; dimer; hiv; individuals; inflammation; levels; study cache: ajlm-2756.htm plain text: ajlm-2756.txt item: #297 of 530 id: ajlm-276 author: Luman, Elizabeth T.; Yao, Katy; Nkengasong, John N. title: A comprehensive review of the SLMTA literature part 2: Measuring success date: 2014 words: 4326 flesch: 45 summary: The authors report that the starting level of laboratory quality in developing countries was very low, with 84% of SLMTA laboratories scoring below the one-star level at baseline. Results: Global programme data show improved quality in SLMTA laboratories in every country, with average improvements on audit scores of 25 percentage points. keywords: afr j; art; improvement; j lab; laboratories; laboratory; management; pages; programme; quality; slmta cache: ajlm-276.htm plain text: ajlm-276.txt item: #298 of 530 id: ajlm-2766 author: Office, Editorial title: Table of Contents Vol 13, No 1 (2024) date: 2025 words: 1440 flesch: -74 summary: A retrospective study Aderonke O. Oluwo, Mary A. Lawal, Cecilia A. Mabogunje, Olubunmi T. Okurame African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 13, No 1 | a2362 | 20 August 2024 42 49 58 64 75 83 90 97 Page i of ii Table of Contents Editorial The scourge of antimicrobial resistance: Containing a global crisis Rajiv T. Erasmus, Chikwelu L. Obi, Sajini Souda African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 13, No 1 | a2645 | 29 November 2024 Opinion Paper Fighting cervical cancer in Africa: Taking a closer look at human papillomavirus 35 Sophia U. Okeke African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 13, No 1 | a2243 | 29 January 2024 Opinion Paper Implementation of antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Ghana using the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response strategy Beverly Egyir, Alfred Bortey, Kwabena O. Duedu, Gifty Boateng, Franklin A. Bekoe, George Hedidor, Michael Adjabeng, Nicholas T.K.D. Dayie, Noah Obeng-Nkrumah, Japheth A. Opintan African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 13, No 1 | a2404 | 13 August 2024 Opinion Paper The Human Cell Atlas: Promises, recent developments, and bridging the African single-cell data gap Enahoro S. Abhulimen African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 13, No 1 | a2583 | 19 December 2024 Lessons from the Field Lessons learnt from assessing and improving accuracy and positive predictive value of the national HIV testing algorithm in Nigeria Augustine O. Mpamugo, Nnaemeka C. Iriemenam, Adebobola Bashorun, Olumide O. Okunoye, Orji O. Bassey, Edewede Onokevbagbe, Tapdiyel Jelpe, Matthias A. Alagi, Chidozie Meribe, Rose E. Aguolu, Charles E. Nzelu, Segun Bello, Babatunde Ezra, Christine A. Obioha, Baffa S. Ibrahim, Oluwasanmi Adedokun, Akudo Ikpeazu, Chikwe Ihekweazu, Talishiea Croxton, Sylvia B. Adebajo, McPaul I.J. Okoye, Alash’le Abimiku African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 13, No 1 | a2339 | 28 August 2024 Original Research Sentinel laboratory compliance with best practices in Burkina Faso’s antimicrobial resistance surveillance network Dame Yenyetou, Emmanuel Zongo, Emilie Dama, Merci Muhigwa, Issouf Sanou, Charles Sawadogo, Soumaya Ouangraoua, Ibrahim Sangare, Abdoulaye Nikiema, Anicet G. Dahourou, Abdoul S. Ouedraogo African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 13, No 1 | a2259 | 30 January 2024 Original Research Fosfomycin susceptibility testing and resistance mechanisms in Enterobacterales in South Africa Jessica S. Hurwitz, Mae Newton-Foot, Kristien Nel van Zyl, Pieter Nel African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 13, No 1 | a2252 | 19 March 2024 Original Research Genomic analysis of KEL*03 and KEL*04 alleles among Thai blood donors Oytip Nathalang, Panasya Rassuree, Kamphon Intharanut, Wanlapa Chaibangyang, Núria Nogués African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 13, No 1 | a2294 | 19 March 2024 1 4 7 12 16 23 29 35 Vol 13, No 1 (2024) ISSN: 2225-2002 (print) | Vol 13, No 1 | a2485 | 06 December 2024 Scientific Letter Carriers of the m.3243A>G variant should not be labelled with an acronym before they have been systematically screened for multisystem disease Josef Finsterer African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 13, No 1 | a2527 | 30 September 2024 Scientific Letter Pathobiology of HIV-related metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities: keywords: african; african journal; journal; laboratory medicine; research; south; vol cache: ajlm-2766.pdf plain text: ajlm-2766.txt item: #299 of 530 id: ajlm-277 author: Moyo, Kundai; Porter, Carol; Chilima, Ben; Mwenda, Reuben; Kabue, Mark; Zungu, Lutho; Sarr, Abdoulaye title: Use of laboratory test results in patient management by clinicians in Malawi date: 2015 words: 5274 flesch: 44 summary: This means that laboratory tests are not requested for all cases requiring one, and, for tests that are requested, not all influence patient management.10 In Kenya, a study was conducted to investigate reasons why clinicians failed to use laboratory test results in patient management. The most common reasons across the tests were unavailability of reagents and the perception that history taking was more important than laboratory tests. TABLE 4: Scenarios in which clinicians in Malawi did not use laboratory test results, October-November 2012. keywords: clinicians; health; laboratory; malawi; management; patient; results; services; tests; use cache: ajlm-277.htm plain text: ajlm-277.txt item: #300 of 530 id: ajlm-2770 author: Muazu, Salisu B.; Bako, Hauwa; Bello, Ahmad M.; Onuche, John N.; Salami, Faruk; Abioye, Abimbola O.; Nadabo, Zainab I.; Banya, Richard J.; Agoro, Eni-yimini S.; Adekola, Saheed A. title: Knowledge, competence, experience of healthcare practitioners using glucometers for patient care in Nigeria date: 2025 words: 5626 flesch: 42 summary: Because of the diversity of glucometer operators, some studies14,15,16,17,18,19 have assessed the knowledge, attitude and practice of individuals living with diabetes type 1 and 2 using glucometers for routine SMBG, while other studies20,21,22,23,24,25 evaluated knowledge, competency and experience of healthcare practitioners (HCPs) operating glucometers. Glucometer operators should be knowledgeable about operational limitations of certain brands of the device used for blood glucose testing. keywords: blood; care; diabetes; glucometers; glucose; hcps; health; knowledge; nigeria; participants; patient; quality; state; study; testing; training cache: ajlm-2770.htm plain text: ajlm-2770.txt item: #301 of 530 id: ajlm-278 author: Michelow, Pamela; Sherrin, Amanda; Rossouw, Louise; Mohaleamolla, Samson; Evans, Denise; Swarts, Avril; Rakhombe, Ntombiyenkosi; Smith, Jennifer S.; Firnhaber, Cynthia title: Performance of the Cellslide® automated liquid-based cytology system amongst HIV-positive women date: 2016 words: 4535 flesch: 45 summary: The Bethesda System for reporting cervical cytology: definitions, criteria and explanatory notes. Objectives: The performance of the Cellslide® automated LBC system was evaluated as a possible alternative to conventional cytology in a national cervical cancer screening programme. keywords: africa; cancer; cellslide; cytology; hiv; lbc; national; screening; south; study; women cache: ajlm-278.htm plain text: ajlm-278.txt item: #302 of 530 id: ajlm-2788 author: Davison, Glenda M. title: The silent epidemic: Tackling the burden of anaemia in Africa date: 2025 words: 1562 flesch: 47 summary: The causes of anaemia are multifactorial, and early detection can lead to prompt treatment, prevention of severe anaemia, and the timely identification of an underlying disorder which requires further investigation. HIV is closely associated with tuberculosis and both result in chronic anaemia resulting from abnormal iron metabolism and a suppressed bone marrow.5 keywords: africa; anaemia; cape; cape town; haemoglobin; health cache: ajlm-2788.htm plain text: ajlm-2788.txt item: #303 of 530 id: ajlm-279 author: Guest Editors, The Supplement Coordinators and title: Information for action: AJLM’s special issue on transforming the quality of laboratory medicine through the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation programme date: 2014 words: 681 flesch: 28 summary: This special issue provides a comprehensive collection of programme results, including a detailed description of the SLMTA methodology and variations thereof, analyses of global programme data, and a summary of the progress made in developing a cadre of indigenous SLMTA trainers to facilitate global scale-up. The more complicated work of rigorous programme evaluation – for example, studies using randomized interventions and control groups; formal calculations of cost-effectiveness; and assessment of the health impact of laboratory quality improvement – remains to be done. keywords: laboratory; programme cache: ajlm-279.htm plain text: ajlm-279.txt item: #304 of 530 id: ajlm-2794 author: Umaru, Farouk A. title: United States foreign aid freeze: An urgent call to action for support for African national laboratory programmes date: 2025 words: 1490 flesch: 32 summary: The United States Agency for International Development, established under the Foreign Aid Act of 1961 (22 USC Ch. 32: Foreign Assistance),1 is an independent agency responsible for implementing United States foreign programmes and managing Congressionally allocated funds. United States foreign aid programmes supported the procurement and technical assistance to these laboratories. keywords: hiv; international; laboratory; programmes; states; united cache: ajlm-2794.htm plain text: ajlm-2794.txt item: #305 of 530 id: ajlm-28 author: Vovor, Ahoefa; Dorkenoo, Ameyo; Layibo, Yao title: Performance d’Hemocue Hb 201+ dans le diagnostic de l’anémie de l’enfant dans les structures sanitaires du niveau périphérique au Togo date: 2013 words: 3653 flesch: 62 summary: La sensibilité et la spécificité de l’analyseur Hemocue Hb201+® étaient respectivement de 95.1% et de 65.3%. Le coefficient de corrélation de Pearson était de 0.80. keywords: dans; des; deux; d’hémoglobine; hb201; hemocue; les; l’anémie; méthodes; par; pour; taux; une; été cache: ajlm-28.htm plain text: ajlm-28.txt item: #306 of 530 id: ajlm-280 author: Ndihokubwayo, Jean-Bosco; Maruta, Talkmore; Ndlovu, Nqobile; Moyo, Sikhulile; Yahaya, Ali Ahmed; Coulibaly, Sheick Oumar; Kasolo, Francis; Turgeon, David; Abrol, Angelii P. title: Implementation of the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation date: 2016 words: 5014 flesch: 38 summary: This notably included the September 2008 resolution AFR/RC58/R2 on Public Health Laboratory Strengthening adopted during the 58th session of the WHO Regional Committee in Yaoundé, Cameroon12 and the 2008 Joint WHO-United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conference on laboratory quality systems in Lyon, France, where implementation of laboratory quality management systems in a staged approach was first recognised and endorsed by partners.13 Recognising the need for a strong laboratory system in the efforts to maximise gains made through investments in health systems, these commitments by the governments of Africa were critical in solidifying the much-needed political commitment to drive the agenda for laboratory system strengthening. The Independent Evaluating Group, established through a memorandum of understanding with WHO AFRO, implemented SLIPTA by first identifying a secretariat and second, establishing a SLIPTA Independent Advisory Group, comprising regional and international experts in laboratory quality management systems and accreditation who oversee the coordination and implementation of the process. keywords: accreditation; africa; afro; audit; health; implementation; laboratories; laboratory; management; process; quality; slipta cache: ajlm-280.htm plain text: ajlm-280.txt item: #307 of 530 id: ajlm-2802 author: Masemola, Kgaogelo R. title: From neglect to necessity: The case for routine work-up of nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae in clinical microbiology date: 2025 words: 2119 flesch: 27 summary: In the 1980s and 1990s, outbreaks and case clusters were documented in various regions.4,8 By the mid-1990s, experts were already warning of the resurgence of C. diphtheriae and the rise of nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae in hospital settings.4 Studies and surveillance reports have indicated that nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae infections are rising, often linked to intravenous drug use, homelessness, and skin infections.7,9 TABLE 1: Selected reported outbreaks and case series of nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Cutaneous diphtheria manifests as chronic, non-healing ulcers, or sores, which often serve as reservoirs for transmission.10,14 Invasive bloodstream infection and endocarditis are the most severe form of nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae disease, with a high mortality rate.1,8 Septic arthritis and osteomyelitis are less common, but are serious infections which often occur in the context of trauma or injection drug use.16 Nontoxigenic strains do not cause classic respiratory diphtheria, but they can colonise the throat and cause sore throat or tonsillitis.6 Other rare manifestations of nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae are pneumonia, urinary tract infections (especially in catheterised patients), and other localised infections.3,15 Patient outcomes The mortality associated with nontoxigenic C. diphtheriae infections varies depending on the type and severity of the infection, as well as patient-specific factors.3 keywords: article; corynebacterium; diphtheriae; dis; infect; infections; laboratory; nontoxigenic cache: ajlm-2802.htm plain text: ajlm-2802.txt item: #308 of 530 id: ajlm-2816 author: Obadare, Temitope O.; Adeyemo, Adeyemi T.; Ibrahim, Oluwaseun A.; Sule, Naheemot O.; Adeyemo, Mayowa M.; Alatise, Olusegun I. title: Bacterial agents and antibiotic resistance in febrile neutropaenia in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis date: 2025 words: 6160 flesch: 42 summary: There might be a need for improved access to newer agents, such as beta-lactam-beta-lactamase inhibitors, in Africa to treat FN caused by MDR, causing resistance to last-resort antibiotics (such as carbapenems) for improved outcomes in FN patients. Bacteremia in febrile cancer patients in Uganda. keywords: africa; antibiotic; articles; bacteria; blood; cancer; culture; data; febrile; gram; isolates; neutropenia; patients; resistance; review; studies; study; susceptibility cache: ajlm-2816.htm plain text: ajlm-2816.txt item: #309 of 530 id: ajlm-283 author: Mdlalose, Nokukhanya; Parboosing, Raveen; Moodley, Pravi title: The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in HIV-positive and HIV-negative infants: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa date: 2016 words: 4076 flesch: 50 summary: The non-statistically significant difference in HBV prevalence between the HIV-positive and HIV-negative infants suggests that high prevalence of HBV infection in children may be a problem independent of HIV. The difference in HBV prevalence between the two groups of infants was not statistically significant, suggesting that HBV infection amongst children in this region may be a problem independent of HIV. keywords: africa; hbv; hepatitis; hiv; infants; infection; kwazulu; natal; prevalence; samples; south; study; virus cache: ajlm-283.htm plain text: ajlm-283.txt item: #310 of 530 id: ajlm-2845 author: Teixeira, Miguel J.; Pretorius, Vian; Hunt, Robert C.J.G.; Morar, Sanam; Colloty, Jamie L.; Radebe, Caleb M.; Morar, Rajen title: A retrospective analysis of uropathogens isolated and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns at a regional hospital in North West province, South Africa date: 2025 words: 4924 flesch: 36 summary: TABLE 4: Trend in cumulative antimicrobial susceptibility rates at Potchefstroom Hospital, South Africa, January 2020 – December 2023. FIGURE 3: Antimicrobial susceptibility of the five most common uropathogens isolated at Potchefstroom Hospital, South Africa, January 2020 – December 2023: (a) Escherichia coli, (b) Klebsiella pneumoniae, (c) Enterococcus faecalis, (d) keywords: africa; antimicrobial; coli; hospital; pneumoniae; resistance; sensitivity; south; study; susceptibility cache: ajlm-2845.htm plain text: ajlm-2845.txt item: #311 of 530 id: ajlm-2846 author: Goran-Kouacou, Amah P.V.; Yéboah, Oppong R.; Assi, Aya U.A.; Séri, Yida J.; Dassé, Séry R. title: Antenatal Toxoplasma gondii IgG/IgM seroprevalence at the University Hospital of Cocody date: 2025 words: 3299 flesch: 40 summary: Although serological screening is recommended as part of antenatal care in several countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, its implementation remains uneven, depending on the context and the resources available.12,13 In Africa, toxoplasmosis seroprevalence, typically measured by anti-toxoplasma IgG seropositivity, varies widely among pregnant women, with rates of 44.4% in Cotonou,14 36.1% in rural Benin,13 and 51% in Morocco.15 In Côte d’Ivoire, data are scarce, with the most recent study in Abidjan reporting a seroprevalence rate of 48%,16 underlining the high level of endemicity. Furthermore, our study revealed late initiation of toxoplasmosis screening among pregnant women. keywords: cocody; côte; data; d’ivoire; hospital; igg; igm; infection; laboratory; toxoplasmosis; university; women cache: ajlm-2846.htm plain text: ajlm-2846.txt item: #312 of 530 id: ajlm-2847 author: Abbasi, Kamran; Ali, Parveen; Barbour, Virginia; Birch, Marion; Blum, Inga; Doherty, Peter; Haines, Andy; Helfand, Ira; Horton, Richard; Juva, Kati; Lapena Jr., Jose F.; Mash, Robert; Mironova, Olga; Mitra, Arun; Monteiro, Carlos; Naumova, Elena N.; Onazi, David; Ruff, Tilman; Sahni, Peush; Tumwine, James; Umaña, Carlos; Yonga, Paul; Zielinski, Chris title: Ending nuclear weapons, before they end us date: 2025 words: 2104 flesch: 49 summary: In May 2025, the World Health Assembly will vote on re-establishing a mandate for the World Health Organization to address the health consequences of nuclear weapons and war.1 Health professionals and their associations should urge their governments to support such a mandate and support the new United Nations comprehensive study on the effects of nuclear war. He noted that our survival depended on keeping intact the ‘nuclear taboo’ (which stigmatises the use of nuclear weapons as morally unacceptable).5 The nuclear taboo gains strength from recognition of compelling evidence of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear war, its severe global climatic and famine consequences, and the impossibility of any effective humanitarian response. keywords: health; internet; nuclear; states; united; university; war; weapons; world cache: ajlm-2847.htm plain text: ajlm-2847.txt item: #313 of 530 id: ajlm-2861 author: Abubakar, Ado G.; Okoli, Mary; Akinmulero, Oluwaseun O.; Thomas, Andrew; Olaleye, Temitope A.; Gabo, Simon; Awala, Samuel S.; Nwatu, Felicia; Ugboaja, Blessing; Odoh, Ifeanyi; Dattijo, Joseph; Akayi, Loveth; Esiekpe, Mudiaga; Dawurung, Ayuba; Akanbi, Olusola A.; Villeng, Felix; Item, Item I.; Okunoye, Olumide; Nwachukwu, William; Avong, James; Babatunde, Olajumoke; Parameswaran, Nishanth; Greby, Stacie; Alagi, Matthias; Swaminathan, Mahesh; Mba, Nwando; Yufenyuy, Ernest; Coughlin, Melissa; Martin, Diana; Okoye, McPaul; Iriemenam, Nnaemeka C.; Ihekweazu, Chikwe title: Lessons learnt from laboratory capacity building in supporting integrated disease serosurveillance using a multiplex bead assay in Nigeria date: 2025 words: 4479 flesch: 35 summary: Ado G. Abubakar Department of Laboratory, APIN Public Health Initiatives, Abuja, Nigeria Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria Mary Okoli Department of Laboratory, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria Oluwaseun O. Akinmulero Department of Laboratory, APIN Public Health Initiatives, Abuja, Nigeria Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria Andrew Thomas Department of Laboratory, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria Temitope A. Olaleye Department of Laboratory, APIN Public Health Initiatives, Abuja, Nigeria Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria Simon Gabo Department of Laboratory, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria Samuel S. Awala Department of Laboratory, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria Felicia Nwatu Department of Laboratory, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria Blessing Ugboaja Department of Laboratory, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria Ifeanyi Odoh Department of Laboratory, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria Joseph Dattijo Department of Laboratory, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria Loveth Akayi Department of Laboratory, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria Mudiaga Esiekpe Department of Laboratory, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria Ayuba Dawurung Department of Laboratory, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria Olusola A. Akanbi Department of Laboratory, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria Felix Villeng Department of Laboratory, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria Item I. Item Department of Laboratory, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria Olumide Okunoye Division of Global HIV and TB, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria William Nwachukwu Department of Laboratory, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria James Avong Department of Laboratory, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria Olajumoke Babatunde Department of Laboratory, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria Nishanth Parameswaran United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States Stacie Greby United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States Matthias Alagi Division of Global HIV and TB, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria Mahesh Swaminathan United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States Nwando Mba Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria Ernest Yufenyuy United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States Melissa Coughlin United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States Diana Martin Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States McPaul Okoye Division of Global HIV and TB, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria Nnaemeka C. Iriemenam Division of Global HIV and TB, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria Chikwe Ihekweazu Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria Citation Abubakar AG, Okoli M, Akinmulero OO, et al. In 2019, Luminex MAGPIX® instruments were installed at the MBA laboratory in the National Reference Laboratory, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, in Abuja, Nigeria. keywords: abuja; assay; cdc; control; cov-2; department; disease; disease control; health; laboratory; mba; nigeria; prevention; sars; states; united cache: ajlm-2861.htm plain text: ajlm-2861.txt item: #314 of 530 id: ajlm-2878 author: Olalekan, Adesola; Iwalokun, Bamidele; Aguwa, Marcellinus; Adegbite, Abosede; Bello, Barakat; Adesola, Sunday; Ojurongbe, Olusola; Ogunleye, Olayinka; Ojurongbe, Taiwo title: Infection prevention and control practices, policy adherence and knowledge of healthcare workers at COVID-19 treatment centres in Nigeria date: 2025 words: 5229 flesch: 42 summary: This comprehensive questionnaire, originally developed by the United States Agency for International Development, the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and the Health Policy Project, was adapted for this study.14 In addition, excerpts from the WHO guidelines on IPC strategies for COVID-195 were incorporated to assess that COVID-19 IPC processes were carried out across various facilities. The second section evaluated respondents’ knowledge, facility policies, and infection control practices using a three-point Likert scale with response options: keywords: 2020; control; covid-19; hcws; health; healthcare; infection; ipc; knowledge; nigeria; practices; prevention; respondents; study; table; workers cache: ajlm-2878.htm plain text: ajlm-2878.txt item: #315 of 530 id: ajlm-288 author: Bonney, Joseph H.K.; Nyarko, Edward O.; Ohene, Sally-Ann; Amankwa, Joseph; Ametepi, Ralph K.; Nimo-Paintsil, Shirley C.; Sarkodie, Badu; Agbenohevi, Prince; Adjabeng, Michael; Kyei, Nicholas N.A.; Bel-Nono, Samuel; Ampofo, William K. title: Molecular confirmation of Lassa fever imported into Ghana date: 2016 words: 4279 flesch: 53 summary: These results confirmed Lassa virus as the aetiological agent that caused the outbreak in Liberia, where Lassa fever is known to be endemic.21 It has been documented that Lassa fever seems to have two geographically-separate endemic areas: the Mano River region in the west (Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia) and Nigeria in the east.22 Abstract Background: Recent reports have shown an expansion of Lassa virus from the area where it was first isolated in Nigeria to other areas of West Africa. keywords: fever; ghana; health; lassa; liberia; patients; pcr; sequences; virus cache: ajlm-288.htm plain text: ajlm-288.txt item: #316 of 530 id: ajlm-2881 author: Machingura Ruredzo, Pasipanodya I.; Chale-Matsau, Bettina title: Mainstreaming of biomedical waste management: Best practices for clinical laboratories in Africa date: 2025 words: 1799 flesch: 33 summary: Such audits can provide data on the amount, type, and laboratory areas where waste is generated to provide a baseline for waste management initiatives.11 Laboratory management personnel are expected to adhere to and encourage implementation of national and international guidelines for biomedical waste management, and to ensure that laboratory personnel are familiar with these regulatory frameworks.15 Conclusion Research in waste management is also essential to help provide evidence for policy review and strengthening. Causes of poor waste management Poor waste management is caused by limited legal frameworks, lack of awareness of the health hazards of the waste, inadequate training in appropriate waste management, lack of proper waste management and disposal systems, inadequate financial and human resources, and lack of prioritisation of waste management.11 Furthermore, many countries lack appropriate regulations, or do not monitor and enforce them.3 The prevailing unpleasant economic climate in most LMICs further compromises biomedical waste management, thus pushing the issue further down on the agenda of policymakers. keywords: biomedical; hazardous; health; laboratories; laboratory; management; training; waste cache: ajlm-2881.htm plain text: ajlm-2881.txt item: #317 of 530 id: ajlm-2885 author: Mambote, Armand M.; Mfune, Ruth L.; Daka, Victor; Mubanga, Melai; Mubiana, Mary; Bumbangi, Flavien N.; Chanda, Chitalu; Muma, John B. title: Seroprevalence and risk factors of Brucella antibodies among patients seeking medical attention at health facilities in selected districts of Western Province in Zambia date: 2025 words: 4478 flesch: 46 summary: The disease is widespread, affecting humans, a wide range of wild animals, and economically viable domestic livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, donkeys, camels, swine, and dogs.3 Currently, 12 Brucella species have been identified; however, only B. melitensis, B. abortus, B. suis, and, on rare occasions, B. canis, are classified as causing human infection.4 Humans can become infected by consuming unpasteurised dairy products, or through direct contact with secretions from infected animals.4 Typical symptoms observed in most high-risk occupational groups affected, such as veterinarians, laboratory workers, abattoir workers, slaughterhouse workers, livestock workers, and farmers, include fever, headaches, physical weakness, sweats, and back pain.5 The disease profoundly impacts developing countries with weak public and animal health systems.2 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 500 000 new human cases are reported yearly worldwide.5 Human brucellosis studies have reported varying seroprevalences across Africa: 31.3% in Egypt,6 24.1% in Nigeria,7 5.6% in Cameroon,8 5.7% and 31.8% in Kenya,9 18.7% in Uganda,10 6.1 % in Rwanda,11 and 1.41% in Tanzania.12 However, there is scarce information on human brucellosis in Zambia, as more studies have focused on animals than humans.13,14 The findings are intended to improve stakeholder awareness and to strengthen brucellosis diagnosis, surveillance, and prevention efforts in endemic regions. Brucella seroprevalence and associated risk factors in occupationally exposed humans in selected districts of Southern Province, Zambia. keywords: antibodies; brucella; brucellosis; factors; health; participants; patients; positive; province; risk; seroprevalence; study; zambia cache: ajlm-2885.htm plain text: ajlm-2885.txt item: #318 of 530 id: ajlm-289 author: Marshall, Robyn; Vaughan, Jenifer; David, Ria; Schapkaitz, Elise; Carmona, Sergio; Wiggill, Tracey title: Primary plasma cell leukaemia in a 22-year-old woman: A case report date: 2015 words: 2846 flesch: 46 summary: Primary plasma cell leukaemia in a 22-year-old woman: A case report In This Case Studies... Open Access • FIGURE 2: Bone marrow aspirate and trephine samples of primary plasma cell leukaemia. keywords: blood; case; cell; leukemia; patient; pcl; plasma; pmid; primary cache: ajlm-289.htm plain text: ajlm-289.txt item: #319 of 530 id: ajlm-2895 author: Kaboré, Odilon D.; Gonfouli, Mélissa J.; Muhigwa, Merci; Sow, Abdourahmane; Michodigni, Fernand; Nagalo, André; Zoungrana, Jacques; Hema, Arsène; Konkobo, Augustin; Kafando, Hervé; Ouattara, Adama; Poda, Armel; Godreuil, Sylvain; Ouedraogo, Abdoul-Salam title: In vitro antibacterial activity of tigecycline against multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated at the Sourô Sanou University teaching hospital in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso date: 2025 words: 6140 flesch: 39 summary: What this study adds: This was the first report on the evaluation of tigecycline activity on MDRBs in Burkina Faso. Tigecycline activity on the two predominant isolates of Enterobacterales (E. coli and Klebsiella spp.) keywords: activity; bacteria; bobo; boni university; burkina faso; carbapenem; dioulasso; esbl; health; laboratory; mrsa; nazi boni; resistance; sciences; study; susceptibility; tigecycline; university cache: ajlm-2895.htm plain text: ajlm-2895.txt item: #320 of 530 id: ajlm-2900 author: Smith, Anthony M.; Sekwadi, Phuti; Ngomane, Hlengiwe M.; Disenyeng, Bolele; Erasmus, Linda K.; Thomas, Juno; Bogoshi, Dineo; Smouse, Shannon L.; Tau, Nomsa P. title: Whole-genome sequencing for surveillance of Salmonella at a public health institution in South Africa date: 2025 words: 6917 flesch: 36 summary: Suspected or laboratory-confirmed cases of enteric fever and clinical laboratory identifications of Salmonella isolates are ‘notifiable medical conditions’ in South Africa and it is thus mandatory for these to be reported to the Department of Health.11 The CED performs routine WGS on all Salmonella isolates received. Before implementation of WGS, presumptive Salmonella isolates were identified using traditional phenotypic microbiological methods, which included VITEK identification and serotyping performed according to the White-Kauffmann-Le Minor Scheme.13,14 keywords: africa; analysis; data; diseases; genome; health; isolates; laboratory; national; number; outbreak; salmonella; sequencing; south; south africa; subspecies; surveillance; wgs cache: ajlm-2900.htm plain text: ajlm-2900.txt item: #321 of 530 id: ajlm-2902 author: Martin, Danielle; Chomba, Rispah; Pelego, Tshegofatso; Duze, Sanelisiwe T. title: In silico and in vitro validation of a duplex polymerase chain reaction assay for detecting Cronobacter sakazakii in powdered infant milk date: 2025 words: 5252 flesch: 42 summary: The species-specific primers with the highest sensitivity and specificity for C. sakazakii detection were selected for further validation in vitro. and C. sakazakii detection were evaluated against 47 genome sequences using in silico PCR. keywords: assay; cronobacter; detection; food; formula; gene; infant; lane; pcr; pif; sakazakii; silico; species; specificity; spp cache: ajlm-2902.htm plain text: ajlm-2902.txt item: #322 of 530 id: ajlm-2903 author: Mwamba, Fales Z.; Mwape, Mwansa; Simfukwe, Brenda C.; Musunga, Nowella M.; Mathebula, Evans M; Mupeta, Geofrey title: Usability of a blood-based HIV self-test kit in Lusaka province, Zambia: A cross-sectional analysis date: 2025 words: 4261 flesch: 44 summary: The study population included all adults aged ≥ 18 years who sought HIV testing at these facilities and were willing to use the CheckNOW™ HIVST kit. Inclusion and exclusion criteria Inclusion criteria Adults aged ≥ 18 years, with no prior HIVST experience, seeking HIV testing, and willing to use the CheckNOW™ HIVST kit. keywords: blood; checknow; data; health; hiv; hivst; kit; lusaka; self; september; study; testing; zambia cache: ajlm-2903.htm plain text: ajlm-2903.txt item: #323 of 530 id: ajlm-2912 author: Goyal, Astha; Bansal, Sanjiv K.; Ganjoo, Shikhar title: Oxidative stress in acne vulgaris of varying severities in India date: 2025 words: 4721 flesch: 52 summary: TABLE 4: Oxidative biomarkers levels in controls and acne patients of varying severity, Gurugram, India, from 01 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. TABLE 5: Post-hoc multiple comparisons of oxidative stress markers between acne severity grades, Gurugram, India, from 01 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. Superoxide dismutase, CAT and GSH activities were significantly lower in acne patients in comparison to healthy controls (p < 0.001). keywords: acne; cat; correlation; grade; gurugram; india; levels; mda; patients; sod; stress; study cache: ajlm-2912.htm plain text: ajlm-2912.txt item: #324 of 530 id: ajlm-2916 author: Said, Nora M.; Mekkawy, Enas M.; Said, Dina; Abdelhamed, Dina G.; El Shahawy, Alia A.; Abdelaziz, Eman A.; Kamel, Fatma Z.; Ahmed, Alshymaa A. title: Genetic copy number variation of TLR7, T-bet, IL12B, and FcγRIIIB in Egyptian ankylosing spondylitis patients date: 2025 words: 3757 flesch: 51 summary: Association of TLR7 gene copy number variations with ankylosing spondylitis in a Chinese population: A case control study. Higher IL12b and FcγRIIIB gene copy numbers were significantly associated with a higher risk of AS (p = 0.001, odds ratio [OR]: 3.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7–8.07, and p < 0.001, OR: 5.5, 95% CI: 2.31–13.08, respectively). keywords: bet; cnvs; copy; fcγriiib; gene; il12b; number; patients; risk; spondylitis; study; tlr7; zagazig cache: ajlm-2916.htm plain text: ajlm-2916.txt item: #325 of 530 id: ajlm-2941 author: Chipofya, Elias title: A comparative framework for regulatory oversight in Malawi’s medical laboratory professionals: Lessons from Kenya and Nigeria date: 2025 words: 5428 flesch: 26 summary: This is particularly vital for medical laboratory professionals, whose work underpins most clinical decisions, directly impacting diagnostic accuracy, treatment efficacy, and, ultimately, patient safety.3 When professional oversight is weak or violated, patient safety is directly compromised, leading to inconsistent care, an erosion of public trust, and potentially catastrophic outcomes.4 The Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act of 1987 in Malawi is critically deficient, failing to establish a dedicated framework for the professionalisation, training, and continuing development of medical laboratory professionals. keywords: act; council; health; kenya; laboratory; malawi; mcm; medical; nigeria; oversight; practitioners; professional; public; regulation; training cache: ajlm-2941.htm plain text: ajlm-2941.txt item: #326 of 530 id: ajlm-2942 author: Nwaejigh, Promise C.; Ebesunun, Maria O.; Udofia, Stephen S.; Shakunle, Adebusola A. title: Apolipoproteins and high-density lipoprotein phospholipids as indicators of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in Nigeria date: 2025 words: 5469 flesch: 35 summary: Elevated Apo B levels in ASCVD patients probably indicate an increased burden of atherogenic particles, which is correlated with increased cardiovascular risk.38 Concurrently, a higher Apo B/A1 ratio suggests an imbalance favouring atherogenic particles over antiatherogenic particles, highlighting an adverse lipid profile in the ASCVD group.16 Notably, the lowest reduction in plasma Apo A1 levels and the greatest increases in both Apo B levels and the Apo B/A1 ratio were observed in patients with MI and IHD. In addition, the present study revealed significant inverse correlations between Apo A1 levels and atherogenic lipids (TC, triglycerides, LDLC, and non-HDLC), and a positive association with HDLC, suggesting a protective effect against atherosclerosis. keywords: apo; apo b; apolipoprotein; ascvd; disease; hdl; lagos; levels; lipid; nigeria; patients; phospholipids; plasma; ratio; study cache: ajlm-2942.htm plain text: ajlm-2942.txt item: #327 of 530 id: ajlm-2952 author: Maruta, Talkmore title: The role of artificial intelligence in diagnostics: A new frontier for laboratory medicine in Africa date: 2025 words: 1618 flesch: 32 summary: In diagnostics, AI systems are trained on large data sets to identify patterns in clinical, molecular, or laboratory data. Most AI diagnostic models are developed using data sets from high-income countries, which may not generalise to African populations because of differences in disease prevalence, comorbidities, and health system contexts. keywords: africa; data; diagnostics; intelligence; laboratory cache: ajlm-2952.htm plain text: ajlm-2952.txt item: #328 of 530 id: ajlm-2953 author: Kwon, Mo Se; Sematle, Khumo O.; Hans, Lucia; Korsman, Stephen; Hsiao, Nei-yuan; Hardie, Diana R. title: Using data science to investigate rising HIV low-level viraemia results at Groote Schuur laboratory in South Africa date: 2025 words: 6101 flesch: 42 summary: Conclusion: The increase in LLV at GSH was linked primarily to processing specimens from Limpopo, highlighting regional differences in HIV VL result distributions. Similarly, the cyberattack on the information technology system did not appear to alter HIV VL result distributions, although it seemed to have a chain effect later on, disrupting normal laboratory operations and referral pathways, leading to specimens being rerouted to external reference laboratories outside the province. keywords: africa; cape; copies; data; distribution; figure; hiv; laboratory; limpopo; results; south; specimens; testing; town cache: ajlm-2953.htm plain text: ajlm-2953.txt item: #329 of 530 id: ajlm-2957 author: Tumusiime, Jazira; Bagenda, Charles N.; Nzaramba, Daniel; Ruzige, Bashir; Ssemwanga, Elastus; Ssedyabane, Frank; Muyindike, Winnie R.; Kiconco, Ritah; Rugera, Simon P. title: Vitamin D deficiency and its associated factors among HIV patients at Mbarara City Health Centre IV, south-western Uganda date: 2025 words: 5798 flesch: 49 summary: Prevalence of VDD among HIV patients at Mbarara City Health Centre IV Out of the 218 study participants, 66 had Vitamin D levels < 25 ng/mL, giving an overall prevalence of VDD of 30.3%, with a 95%CI of 24.51% – 36.73%, as indicated in Figure 1. Vitamin D deficiency and its associated factors among HIV patients at Mbarara City Health Centre IV, south-western Uganda. keywords: city; deficiency; factors; health; hiv; individuals; levels; mbarara; participants; patients; prevalence; study; uganda; vdd; vitamin; vitamin d cache: ajlm-2957.htm plain text: ajlm-2957.txt item: #330 of 530 id: ajlm-2966 author: Kasonkanji, Edwards; Chikaonda, Tarsizious; Eastburg, Luke; Mulenga, Maurice; Tomoka, Tamiwe; Fedoriw, Yuri; Painschab, Matthew; Brownlee, Amy title: Diagnostic adequacy of adult bone marrow biopsies in Malawi: A retrospective cohort study date: 2025 words: 4310 flesch: 49 summary: The diagnostic biopsy shows a hypercellular, reactive bone marrow. TABLE 3: Proportion of diagnostic bone marrow samples (N = 602) depending on specimen type: Aspirate only, biopsy-only, or biopsy with aspirate, Kamuzu Central Hospital Pathology Laboratory, June 2012 – June 2024. Indication was not documented in 72 (12%) cases. TABLE 1: Clinical and specimen characteristics associated with bone marrow samples (N = 602) evaluated at Kamuzu Central Hospital Pathology Laboratory, June 2012 – June 2024. keywords: bone; central; diagnostic; hospital; kamuzu; laboratory; malawi; malignant; marrow; samples cache: ajlm-2966.htm plain text: ajlm-2966.txt item: #331 of 530 id: ajlm-297 author: Mangare, Caroline; Mbugua, Amos; Maturi, Peter; Rajab, Jamila; Blasczyk, Rainer; Heuft, Hans-Gert title: Red cell allo- and autoimmunisation in transfused sickle cell and cancer patients in Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya date: 2015 words: 5508 flesch: 52 summary: Clinical significance of RBC alloantibodies and autoantibodies in sickle cell patients who received transfusions. Red blood cell alloimmunization in sickle cell disease patients in Uganda. keywords: alloimmunisation; anti; blood; cancer; cell; patients; rbc; red; scd; sickle; study; transfusion cache: ajlm-297.htm plain text: ajlm-297.txt item: #332 of 530 id: ajlm-2973 author: Satekge, Tumelo; Okesina, Adekunle; Anetor, John; Erasmus, Rajiv title: The status of newborn screening in Africa: Situation analysis, future plans and call to action date: 2025 words: 2028 flesch: 46 summary: This threatens the long-term sustainability of NBS programmes, because funding from these external sources is unlikely to be a permanent guarantee.8,9 The Consortium of Newborn Screening in Africa initiative, in partnership with the American Society of Hematology and other organisations, have established sickle cell disease (SCD)-targeted NBS programmes in sub-Saharan African countries.10 The extremely high incidence of SCD in sub-Saharan Africa and its devastating clinical outcomes, as evidenced by high morbidity and mortality in the region, has largely informed the intervention of the Consortium of Newborn Screening in Africa and other non-governmental organisations, and has also attracted the attention of the WHO. Digital applications were introduced in Ghana to conveniently manage the SCD NBS data on the healthcare workers’ mobile phones, which also facilitates follow-ups. keywords: africa; countries; faculty; health; nbs; programmes; screening cache: ajlm-2973.htm plain text: ajlm-2973.txt item: #333 of 530 id: ajlm-3 author: Datema, Tjeerd A.M.; Oskam, Linda; Klatser, Paul R. title: Review and comparison of quality standards, guidelines and regulations for laboratories date: 2011 words: 4713 flesch: 36 summary: Review and comparison of quality standards, guidelines and regulations for laboratories In This Original Research... Open Access • Abstract • Introduction • Methodology    • Selection of laboratory quality documents    • Analysis of quality documents • Results    • Clinical quality documents       • ISO 15189       • CLSI GP26       • The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments       • JCI Clinical Laboratory Standard    • Non-clinical quality documents • Discussion    • Clinical laboratory quality documents    • Non-clinical laboratory quality documents    • National versus international laboratory quality documents    • Study limitations    • Recommendations • Acknowledgements    • Competing interests    • Authors’ contributions • References Abstract Top ↑ Background: However, non-clinical laboratory quality documents were also included to provide perspective by showing their differences when compared with clinical laboratory quality documents (explaining why they should not be used by clinical laboratories). keywords: clinical; documents; international; iso; laboratories; laboratory; quality; quality documents; requirements; standard cache: ajlm-3.htm plain text: ajlm-3.txt item: #334 of 530 id: ajlm-3015 author: Ejilemele, Adetoun title: Point-of-care testing and environmental sustainability: Balancing patient care and planetary health date: 2025 words: 1550 flesch: 46 summary: Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241548564 Kaposi A, Nagy A, Gomori G, Kocsis D. Analysis of healthcare waste and factors affecting the amount of hazardous healthcare waste in a university hospital. There is also the predicted need to dispose of single-use plastic devices with limited recyclability that will be processed as biohazardous waste.6 For various reasons, waste produced in healthcare facilities continues to increase yearly by 2% – 3%.7 While 75% – 90% of healthcare waste is non-hazardous, as much as 10% – 25% is considered hazardous.6 In LMICs, waste segregation is often limited, and healthcare waste is frequently disposed of entirely as hazardous waste into open dumpsites, usually at suboptimal temperatures, prior to incineration.6 Point-of-care test devices typically have high plastic and metal components and contribute to landfills in LMICs. keywords: care; devices; health; healthcare; poct; waste cache: ajlm-3015.htm plain text: ajlm-3015.txt item: #335 of 530 id: ajlm-3038 author: Office, Editorial title: Aknowledgement to reviewers date: 2025 words: 693 flesch: 30 summary: Publisher: publishing@aosis.co.za Tel: +27 21 975 2602 Prenika Jaglal Thumeka P. Jalavu Feyisayo E. Jegede Zacceus Jeremiah Jaco Joubert Jean F. Kloppers Adjane K. Koura Modupe A. Kuti Lynnette T. Kyokunda Sunil K. Maharana Caroline Maluleka Talkmore Maruta Altaf A. Mir Reena D. Mohanlal Margaret Mokomane Modisa S. Motswaledi Wilson Mtotela Devon Muir Pierre Mukadi-Kaningu Stephanie Murugan Graham Mutandi Benard M. Mutua Farai Muzambi Pieter Nel Apeksha Niraula Chinwe A. Nnabugwu Arnold M. Nyaga Lucy O. Nyangau Simon O. Nyangena Collins O. Odhiambo Collince O. Ogolla Chukwubike U. Okeke Onyekachukwu F.I. Okeke Mitchel O. Okumu Denis Omali Royronald O. Ongong’a Nyamongo Onkoba Chin-Yih Ou John R.P. Padde Iseimokumo C. Peletiri Joachim Potgieter Pasipanodya I. Ruredzo Jean Sakande Yahya J. Salman Salam Sawadogo Nathan Shaviya Aramide R. Shehu Anthony M. Smith Carmen Swanepoel Khine Swe Swe Han Fabio Timeus Farouk A. Umaru Rochelle van Wijk Reubina Wadee Musau Wakabongo Justyna Wojno Abdourahamane Yacouba Raj N. Yadav Rania A. Zayed Azza A. Zulfu http://www.ajlmonline.org� mailto:publishing@aosis.co.za Acknowledgement to reviewers http://www.ajlmonline.org Open Access Page 1 of 2 Reviewer Acknowledgement Acknowledgement to reviewers In an effort to facilitate the selection of appropriate peer reviewers for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, we ask that you take a moment to update your electronic portfolio on https://ajlmonline.org for our files, allowing us better access to your areas of interest and expertise, in order to match reviewers with submitted manuscripts. keywords: acknowledgement; journal; reviewer cache: ajlm-3038.pdf plain text: ajlm-3038.txt item: #336 of 530 id: ajlm-31 author: Fonjungo, Peter; Girma, Mulu; Melaku, Zenebe; Mekonen, Teferi; Tanuri, Amilcar; Hailegiorgis, Bereket; Tegbaru, Belete; Mengistu, Yohannes; Ashenafi, Aytenew; Mamo, Wubshet; Abreha, Tesfay; Tibesso, Gudetta; Ramos, Artur; Ayana, Gonfa; Freeman, Richard; Nkengasong, John N.; Zewdu, Solomon; Kebede, Yenew; Abebe, Almaz; Kenyon, Thomas A.; Messele, Tsehaynesh title: Field expansion of DNA polymerase chain reaction for early infant diagnosis of HIV-1: The Ethiopian experience date: 2013 words: 5344 flesch: 51 summary: A.T. (ICAP, Columbia University), B.H. (ICAP, Columbia University), A.R. (CDC Atlanta) and B.T. (EHNRI) validated DBS technology for EID at EHNRI HIV reference laboratory. The decentralisation of DNA PCR laboratories for EID was envisaged for six different sites to cover a greater geographic population. keywords: cdc; dbs; diagnosis; dna; ehnri; eid; ethiopia; hiv; infants; laboratories; laboratory; pcr; results; sites; testing cache: ajlm-31.htm plain text: ajlm-31.txt item: #337 of 530 id: ajlm-313 author: Vaughan, Jenifer L.; Loonat, Sakina; Alli, Nazeer title: Evaluation of the accuracy of the CellaVision™ DM96 in a high HIV-prevalence population in South Africa date: 2016 words: 3595 flesch: 42 summary: Results of DM96 analysis pre- and post-classification were compared with a manual differential white cell count and the impact of HIV infection and other variables of interest were assessed. Authors’ contributions J.L.V. (University of the Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Services) was responsible for peripheral smear and DM96 analysis, data analysis and writing the paper. keywords: africa; analysis; cells; dm96; dwcc; hiv; laboratory; samples; south cache: ajlm-313.htm plain text: ajlm-313.txt item: #338 of 530 id: ajlm-318 author: Mcnairy, Margaret; Gwynn, Charon; Rabkin, Miriam; Antelman, Gretchen; Wu, Yingfeng; Alemayehu, Bereket; Lim, Travis; Imtiaz, Rubina; Mosha, Fausta; Mwasekaga, Michael; Othman, Asha A.; Justman, Jessica title: Increased utilisation of PEPFAR-supported laboratory services by non-HIV patients in Tanzania date: 2016 words: 4773 flesch: 48 summary: Objectives: We aimed to describe the number and proportion of laboratory tests performed in 2009 and 2011 for patients referred from HIV and non-HIV services (NHSs) in a convenience sample collected from 127 laboratories supported by PEPFAR in Tanzania. Study population We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of laboratory tests from 2009 and 2011 in a convenience sample of PEPFAR-supported public laboratories in Tanzania. keywords: hiv; laboratories; laboratory; nhss; patients; proportion; referral; services; tests cache: ajlm-318.htm plain text: ajlm-318.txt item: #339 of 530 id: ajlm-325 author: Bouchet, Nicolas title: ISO 15189:2012: What changes for African laboratories? date: 2015 words: 2413 flesch: 47 summary: Quality manual For the quality manual, the 2007 version (subsection 4.2.4) proposed a plan in 23 points; the 2012 version focuses on describing six key points in a laboratory quality manual (subparagraph 4.2.2.2): the quality policy, a description of the scope of the QMS, the organisation and the structure of the laboratory, the roles and responsibilities of laboratory management, the description of the document management system and the policies established for the QMS, with reference to the activities that support them. Launched by the World Health Organization's Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) and partners, the Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) and Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programmes have emerged in recent years in Africa to support laboratories in the implementation of quality processes.2,3,4,5 As with any other quality system, ISO standards evolve and are revised periodically. keywords: iso; laboratories; laboratory; management; quality; standard; version cache: ajlm-325.htm plain text: ajlm-325.txt item: #340 of 530 id: ajlm-339 author: Mahomed, Ozayr H.; Lekalakala, Ruth; Asmall, Shaidah; Cassim, Naseem title: Implications of the introduction of laboratory demand management at primary care clinics in South Africa on laboratory expenditure date: 2016 words: 3354 flesch: 40 summary: Approximately 47% of expenditure was for laboratory tests that were indicated in the algorithmic management of patients on antiretroviral treatment. The NHLS is reimbursed by the Provincial Departments of Health on a fee-for-service billing arrangement.2 Through this payment mechanism, laboratory tests are itemised as tariff codes on an invoice, for example, tariff code 2210 denotes the haemoglobin test. keywords: ell; expenditures; health; laboratory; management; national; phc; south; tests cache: ajlm-339.htm plain text: ajlm-339.txt item: #341 of 530 id: ajlm-34 author: El-Gendy, Atef M.; Wasfy, Momtaz O.; Mansour, Adel M.; Oyofo, Buhari T.; Yousry, Marwa M.; Klena, John D. title: Heterogeneity of Campylobacter species isolated from serial stool specimens of Egyptian children using pulsed field gel electrophoresis date: 2013 words: 5683 flesch: 50 summary: MICs and disk-diffusion breakpoints for antibiotic resistance and susceptibility of Campylobacter isolates were determined according to Table 1 as described previously.14 TABLE 1: Breakpoints for antibiotic susceptibility and resistance. TABLE 2: Susceptibility testing of Campylobacter isolates. keywords: c. jejuni; campylobacter; child; children; coli; diarrhoea; infection; isolates; jejuni; months; pfge; spp cache: ajlm-34.htm plain text: ajlm-34.txt item: #342 of 530 id: ajlm-346 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2015 words: 382 flesch: 36 summary: AJLM African Journal of Laboratory Medicine In an effort to facilitate the selection of appropriate peer reviewers for The African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, we ask that you take a moment to update your electronic portfolio on www. ajlmonline.org for our files, allowing us better access to your areas of interest and expertise, in order to match reviewers with submitted manuscripts. Reviewer Acknowledgement Open Accesshttp://www.ajlmonline.org Page 1 of 1 We would like to take this opportunity to thank all reviewers for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, Volume 2: Abiy B. Ambaye Ahmed Mohamed Andrew Thaiyah Atunga Nyachieo Barbara Marston Beldinah R. Ochola Burton W. Wilcke Charles G. Massambu Chin-Yih Ou Christophe Longuet David Turgeon Debola Olayinka Dennis Ellenberger Diane Waku Edward Kamau Elizabeth Luman Eric Opiyo Fengxiang Gao Fredrick N. Nindo Gajendran Sivakumar Georges Dahourou Heather Alexander Helen Perry Henry S. Limula Jack Nyamongo Jane Mwangi Jean L. Sankale Jemal Ali Jesse Kwiek John N. Nkengasong John Sorkin Kapila Bhowan Keith P. Klugman Larry Westerman Lawrence Barker Linda de Gouveia Linda Oskam Luc Kestens Michael Aidoo Miguel E. Quiñones-Mateu Milijaona Radrianarivelojosia Musau WaKabongo Naomi Maina Olumide Ogundahuns Pascale Ondoa Patty Wilkins Paul Klatser Paula Fernandes Polyxeni Potter Sam Kariuki Samoel Khamadi Sanon Souleymane Seema Meloni Segundo R. Leon Sharon Martin Sheba Gitta Stephania K. Deme Tjeerd Datema Tom Shinnick Walter R. Campos William Lali Zilma Rey Should names have inadvertently been excluded from this list the publisher apologises and undertakes to amend the exclusion in the next issue. keywords: journal; laboratory; medicine; reviewer cache: ajlm-346.pdf plain text: ajlm-346.txt item: #343 of 530 id: ajlm-347 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2015 words: 475 flesch: 23 summary: Chantal Parkins submissions@ajlmonline. org Tel: +27 (0)21 975 2602 Fax: +27 (0)21 975 4635 159 Michael Aidoo Heather Alexander Jemal Ali Lawrence Barker Kapila Bhowan Walter R. Campos Georges Dahourou Tjeerd Datema Linda de Gouveia Stephania Koblavi Deme Dennis Ellenberger Paula Fernandes Fengxiang Gao Sheba Gitta Edward Kamau Sam Kariuki Luc Kestens Samoel Khamadi Paul Klatser Keith P. Klugman Jesse Kwiek William Lali Segundo R. Leon Henry S. Limula Christophe Longuet Naomi Maina Barbara Marston Sharon Martin Charles G. Massambu Seema Meloni Ahmed Mohamed Jane Mwangi Fredrick N. Nindo John N. Nkengasong Atunga Nyachieo Jack Nyamongo Beldinah R. Ochola Olumide Ogundahuns Debola Olayinka Pascale Ondoa Eric Opiyo Linda Oskam Chin-Yih Ou Helen Perry Polyxeni Potter Miguel E. Quiñones-Mateu Milijaona Radrianarivelojosia Zilma Rey Jean Louis Sankale Tom Shinnick Gajendran Sivakumar John Sorkin Sanon Souleymane Andrew Thaiyah David Turgeon Musau WaKabongo Diane Waku Larry Westerman Burton W. Wilcke Patty Wilkins Volume 2, Number 1 Volume 3, Number 1 Aaron O. Aboderin Michael Aidoo Umubieyi Alaine Amal Alla William Ampofo Linda de Gouveia Stephania K. Deme Alpha Diallo Dennis Ellenberger Ifeoma Enweani Nwadiuto E. Esiobu Jessie N. Githanga Esther De Gourville Jean M. Heraud John Kagira Edward Kamau Phyllis Kanki Reba Kanungo Samoel Khamadi Segundo R. Leon Henry S. Limula John F. Nahabedian Jack Nyamongo Bryan Nyary Beldinah R. Ochola Brenda Okech Eric Opiyo Wellington Oyibo Julius Oyugi Milijaona Radrianarivelojosia Zilma Rey Abdoulaye Sarr Ritu Shrivastava Andrew Thaiyah John Thuita Musau WaKabongo Larry Westerman Reviewer Acknowledgement Open Accesshttp://www.ajlmonline.org Page 1 of 1 We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who provided scientific and logistical support for this issue of the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine: Should names have inadvertently been excluded from this list the publisher apologises and undertakes to amend the exclusion in the next issue. keywords: john; journal; laboratory; medicine cache: ajlm-347.pdf plain text: ajlm-347.txt item: #344 of 530 id: ajlm-348 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2015 words: 493 flesch: 44 summary: AJLM African Journal of Laboratory Medicine In an effort to facilitate the selection of appropriate peer reviewers for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, we ask that you take a moment to update your electronic portfolio on www. ajlmonline.org for our files, allowing us better access to your areas of interest and expertise, in order to match reviewers with submitted manuscripts. Reviewer Acknowledgement Open Accesshttp://www.ajlmonline.org Page 1 of 1 We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who provided scientific and logistical support for this special issue of the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine: Should names have inadvertently been excluded from this list, the publisher apologises and undertakes to amend the exclusion in the next issue. keywords: control; journal; laboratory; medicine; prevention cache: ajlm-348.pdf plain text: ajlm-348.txt item: #345 of 530 id: ajlm-349 author: Govender, Kerusha; Parboosing, Raveen; Siyaca, Ntombizandile; Moodley, Pravikrishnen title: Dried blood spot specimen quality and validation of a new pre-analytical processing method for qualitative HIV-1 PCR, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa date: 2016 words: 4702 flesch: 51 summary: Rates of specimen rejection vary considerably and there is a paucity of data describing the frequency of each specimen quality issue.15,16 Data such as specimen quality should be analysed in order to review the performance of HIV-1 PCR testing in the field and to standardise DBS specimen collection methods, storage and testing.14 It has been shown that intense training and mentoring of nurses significantly improves the uptake of infant HIV testing and the overall quality of care.19 keywords: africa; health; hiv; kwazulu; laboratory; method; natal; pcr; pubmed; south; specimen; spot cache: ajlm-349.htm plain text: ajlm-349.txt item: #346 of 530 id: ajlm-363 author: Nkohkwo, Asa'ah; Agbor, Gabriel; Asongalem, Emmanuel; Tagny, Claude; Asonganyi, Tazoacha title: Whole blood pathogen reduction technology and blood safety in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review with regional discussion date: 2016 words: 6985 flesch: 48 summary: Another major difference between blood transfusion in low- and middle-income countries and high-income countries is that only 41.2% of all collections in Africa (1.4 million of 3.4 million) were transfused as components in 2010.9 Although there is increased use of components in sub-Saharan Africa, with the greatest need being for RBCs, it is expected that whole blood transfusions and red cell concentrates will continue to be the most requested units in the near future.10,12 Aim The aim of this review was to determine the suitability of pathogen reduction technology (PRT) for improving the safety of whole blood transfusions in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as for improving the adequacy of the blood supply available for transfusions. Ebola: call for blood transfusion safety in sub-Saharan Africa. keywords: africa; blood; blood safety; blood transfusion; cell; cerus; countries; income; mirasol; pathogen; prt; quinacrine; reduction; s-303; safety; supply; system; technology; transfusion cache: ajlm-363.htm plain text: ajlm-363.txt item: #347 of 530 id: ajlm-368 author: Pienaar, Jennifer A.; Singh, Atheesha; Barnard, Tobias G. title: The viable but non-culturable state in pathogenic Escherichia coli: A general review date: 2016 words: 6557 flesch: 44 summary: The analysis of the outer membrane subproteomes in VBNC E. coli was studied by Muela et al.,32 who discovered sets of proteins that were modulated during VBNC induction. In 2011, Pinto et al.46 tested the ability of VBNC E. coli to resuscitate under a minimal medium supplemented with different amino acids, discovering that a combination of glutamine, threonine, leucine and methionine would be adequate to trigger resuscitation of one of the tested strains (Eco3). keywords: acid; bacteria; cells; coli; e. coli; escherichia; escherichia coli; health; membrane; microbiol; pathogenic; resuscitation; state; stress; vbnc; vbnc state; water cache: ajlm-368.htm plain text: ajlm-368.txt item: #348 of 530 id: ajlm-381 author: Jegede, Feyisayo; Mbah, Henry A.; Dakata, Ado; Gwarzo, Dalhatu H.; Abdulrahman, Surajudeen A.; Kuliya-Gwarzo, Aisha title: Evaluating laboratory request forms submitted to haematology and blood transfusion departments at a hospital in Northwest Nigeria date: 2016 words: 4506 flesch: 45 summary: Evaluating laboratory request forms submitted to haematology and blood transfusion departments at a hospital in Northwest Nigeria. Laboratory testing is an essential part of the clinical decision-making process, because it provides the majority of critical information required for making timely and informed decisions for patient care.1 Relationships with laboratories and utilisation of laboratory services by physicians and other stakeholders in the healthcare system occur mainly through the use of laboratory request forms (LRFs) for two-way communication. keywords: bts; forms; hospital; information; kano; laboratory; lrfs; nigeria; patient; request; study cache: ajlm-381.htm plain text: ajlm-381.txt item: #349 of 530 id: ajlm-383 author: Orikiriza, Patrick; Nyehangane, Dan; Atwine, Daniel; Kisakye, John J.; Kassaza, Kennedy; Amumpaire, Juliet-Mwanga; Boum II, Yap title: Evaluation of the SD Bioline TB Ag MPT64 test for identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex from liquid cultures in Southwestern Uganda date: 2017 words: 3382 flesch: 48 summary: Considering the challenges of the PNB method, we assessed the performance of the SD Bioline TB Ag MPT64 assay by using PNB as gold standard to detect M. tuberculosis complex from acid-fast bacilli (AFB) positive cultures. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity, specificity and turnaround time of the SD MPT64 assay for identification of M. tuberculosis complex, in a setting with high prevalence of tuberculosis and HIV. keywords: assay; complex; cultures; mbarara; mpt64; pnb; study; tuberculosis; uganda cache: ajlm-383.htm plain text: ajlm-383.txt item: #350 of 530 id: ajlm-39 author: Cham, Fatim; Maleka, Mahlatse; Masango, Martin; Goetsch, Emma; Belabbes, El H.; Singh, Beverley; Gershy-Damet, Guy M.; Puren, Adrian title: The World Health Organization African region external quality assessment scheme for anti-HIV serology date: 2012 words: 4341 flesch: 41 summary: Hence a maximum score of 20 was attainable if participating laboratories results were 100% concordant with the expected results per distribution. At the start of the surveys, 17 laboratories enrolled in the REQAS; however the number of participating laboratories increased more than two-fold with 49 laboratories participating at the end of 2010. keywords: batch; health; hiv; laboratories; laboratory; panel; quality; reqas; results; testing cache: ajlm-39.htm plain text: ajlm-39.txt item: #351 of 530 id: ajlm-4 author: Bhowan, Kapila; Kalk, Emma; Khan, Sonjiha; Sherman, Gayle title: Identifying HIV infection in South African women: How does a fourth generation HIV rapid test perform? date: 2011 words: 3505 flesch: 51 summary: The performance of the fourth generation HIV DC RT in diagnosing HIV infection status antenatally and in the early post-partum period in comparison to the third generation HIV RT in routine use at public healthcare facilities in Gauteng, South Africa was assessed. However, where the third generation and DC HIV Ab RT results were discordant, samples were referred for confirmatory fourth generation ELISA (ARCHITECHT® HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay; Abbott Diagnostics; Wiesbaden, Germany). keywords: generation; hiv; infection; partum; post; women cache: ajlm-4.htm plain text: ajlm-4.txt item: #352 of 530 id: ajlm-404 author: De Baetselier, Irith; Taylor, Douglas; Mandala, Justin; Nanda, Kavita; Van Campenhout, Christel; Agingu, Walter; Madurai, Lorna; Barsch, Eva-Maria; Deese, Jennifer; Van Damme, Lut; Crucitti, Tania title: Verification of chemistry reference ranges using a simple method in sub-Saharan Africa date: 2016 words: 4601 flesch: 47 summary: Immunohaematological reference ranges are now well defined in Asia and Africa, and different studies have reported the need for population-specific clinical chemistry reference ranges.17 Recently, reference value studies among women and/or men in different countries in sub-Saharan Africa have been conducted.6,16,17,18,19 Laboratory reference values for healthy adults from Southern Tanzania. keywords: alt; creatinine; crrs; grade; laboratory; method; ranges; reference; site; study; trial; values; verification cache: ajlm-404.htm plain text: ajlm-404.txt item: #353 of 530 id: ajlm-41 author: Kimani, Racheal W.; Muigai, Anne W. T.; Sang, Willie; Kiiru, John N.; Kariuki, Samuel title: Virulence factors in environmental and clinical Vibrio cholerae from endemic areas in Kenya date: 2014 words: 3430 flesch: 49 summary: Virulence factors in environmental and clinical Vibrio cholerae from endemic areas in Kenya In This Original Research... Open Access • Abstract • Introduction • Research method and design    • Detection of virulence factors from environmental and clinical V. cholerae    • Amplification • Results    • Isolation of V. cholerae from environmental sources    • Detection of virulence genes from environmental and clinical V. cholerae isolates • Ethical considerations    • Potential benefits and hazards • Trustworthiness    • Reliability    • Validity • Discussion    • Isolation of environmental V. cholerae from Western and Coastal regions of Kenya    • Prevalence of virulence factors in environmental and clinical isolates of V. cholerae • Conclusion • Acknowledgements    • Conflicting interests    • Authors’ contributions • References Abstract Top ↑ Background: Since 1971, Kenya has had repeated cholera outbreaks. Discussion Top ↑ Isolation of environmental V. cholerae from Western and Coastal regions of Kenya Knowledge regarding environmental reservoirs of V. cholerae is of critical epidemiological and public health importance. keywords: cholerae; environmental; factors; genes; isolates; kenya; strains; toxr; virulence cache: ajlm-41.htm plain text: ajlm-41.txt item: #354 of 530 id: ajlm-411 author: Fhooblall, Mokshanand; Nkwanyana, Fikile; Mlisana, Koleka P. title: Evaluation of the BioFire® FilmArray® Blood Culture Identification Panel on positive blood cultures in a regional hospital laboratory in KwaZulu-Natal date: 2016 words: 4829 flesch: 41 summary: The number of positive blood cultures from the same patient, patient name, patient clinical diagnosis or antibiotic received by patient with positive blood culture were not used as exclusion criteria. FilmArray® Blood Culture Identification Panel on positive blood cultures in a regional hospital laboratory in KwaZulu-Natal. keywords: blood; blood cultures; combination; cultures; filmarray; identification; laboratory; methods; organisms; panel; results; study cache: ajlm-411.htm plain text: ajlm-411.txt item: #355 of 530 id: ajlm-420 author: Mulder, Christiaan; Mgode, Georgies; Reid, Stewart E. title: Tuberculosis diagnostic technology: an African solution … think rats date: 2017 words: 2979 flesch: 50 summary: Innovative and affordable approaches, such as tuberculosis detection rats that offer high sample throughput, could be a solution to successfully tackle tuberculosis burden in these areas and would be in line with the Zero TB Cities Project which focuses on finding the ‘how’ for tackling infectious diseases with local tools in local contexts, while not lowering standards (http://www.advanceaccessanddelivery.org/). Training tuberculosis detection rats takes an average of nine months, but they have a working lifespan of up to seven years. keywords: detection; health; mtb; pmid; pubmed; rats; rif; tuberculosis; xpert cache: ajlm-420.htm plain text: ajlm-420.txt item: #356 of 530 id: ajlm-426 author: Uwimana, Innocent; Bizimungu, Nestor; Ingabire, Fabrice; Mukamukwiye, Elyse; Sharangabo, Odette; Ngabonziza, Semuto C.; Kamanzi, Eliane title: Trends in leprosy case detection in Rwanda, 1995–2011: analysis of 17 years of laboratory data date: 2017 words: 2810 flesch: 52 summary: Trends in leprosy case detection in Rwanda, 1995–2011: analysis of 17 years of laboratory data. Afr J Lab Med. 2017;6(1), a426. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v6i1.426 Original Research Trends in leprosy case detection in Rwanda, 1995–2011: analysis of 17 years of laboratory data Innocent Uwimana, Nestor Bizimungu, Fabrice Ingabire, Elyse Mukamukwiye, Odette Sharangabo, Semuto C. Ngabonziza, Elaine Kamanzi Received: keywords: cases; detection; laboratory; leprosy; national; prevalence; reference; rwanda cache: ajlm-426.htm plain text: ajlm-426.txt item: #357 of 530 id: ajlm-429 author: Nsobya, Sam L.; Hewett, Paul C.; Kalibala, Sam; Mensch, Barbara S. title: Performance of Kalon herpes simplex virus 2 assay using dried blood spots among young women in Uganda date: 2016 words: 2444 flesch: 50 summary: However, results have been inconsistent when using the Kalon Biological HSV2 IgG ELISA assay (Kalon Biological Ltd, Surrey, United Kingdom; hereafter Kalon ELISA HSV2 assay) when measuring antibodies to gG2 with the same testing protocol.10 In a household survey conducted in 2010, sexual behavior data and DBS specimens were collected from young women aged 18–24 years in Kampala.11 When a 1:4 dilution was applied to our first 277 DBS specimens, the estimated HSV-2 prevalence was 2%. DBS testing with the Kalon ELISA HSV2 assay revealed relatively low sensitivity and specificity compared with plasma-based results on the same individuals. keywords: assay; dbs; elisa; hsv-2; hsv2; kalon; plasma; results; study cache: ajlm-429.htm plain text: ajlm-429.txt item: #358 of 530 id: ajlm-431 author: Onyebujoh, Philip C.; Thirumala, Ajay K.; Ndihokubwayo, Jean-Bosco title: Integrating laboratory networks, surveillance systems and public health institutes in Africa date: 2016 words: 2837 flesch: 32 summary: The specific administrative structures of public health laboratories within Ministries of Health differ among countries in Africa. Several elements of each component are listed for integration to achieve the goal of public health laboratories. keywords: disease; health; laboratories; laboratory; national; regional; services; surveillance; systems cache: ajlm-431.htm plain text: ajlm-431.txt item: #359 of 530 id: ajlm-432 author: Ampaire, Lucas; Muhindo, Abraham; Orikiriza, Patrick; Mwanga-Amumpaire, Juliet; Bebell, Lisa; Boum, Yap title: A review of antimicrobial resistance in East Africa date: 2016 words: 3606 flesch: 38 summary: A situational analysis of antimicrobial drug resistance in Africa: are we losing the battle? A review of antimicrobial resistance in East Africa. keywords: africa; ampicillin; amr; antibiotic; data; east; infections; resistance; review cache: ajlm-432.htm plain text: ajlm-432.txt item: #360 of 530 id: ajlm-433 author: Kalou, Mireille B.; Castro, Arnold; Watson, Amy; Jost, Heather; Clay, Stacy; Tun, Ye; Chen, Cheng; Karem, Kevin; Nkengasong, John N.; Ballard, Ronald; Parekh, Bharat title: Laboratory evaluation of the Chembio Dual Path Platform HIV-Syphilis Assay date: 2016 words: 5469 flesch: 43 summary: Moreover, in settings where access to HIV testing is prohibitive due to stigma, a combined diagnostics method could lessen stigmatisation and increase access to testing.28,29 Recommendations Operationally, the DPP HIV-Syphilis Assay, considered to be a rapid test, requires a pre-dilution step, use of second buffer and multiple steps, which may add some level of complexity for providers with limited laboratory expertise. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.04.017 Campbell S, Fedoriw Y. HIV testing near the patient: changing the face of HIV testing. keywords: assay; control; dpp; dpp hiv; health; hiv; laboratory; prevention; reference; results; states; syphilis; syphilis assay; testing; united cache: ajlm-433.htm plain text: ajlm-433.txt item: #361 of 530 id: ajlm-435 author: Ochieng' Oduor, Joseph M.; Onkoba, Nyamongo; Maloba, Fredrick; Nyachieo, Atunga title: Experimental phage therapy against haematogenous multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in mice date: 2016 words: 4257 flesch: 52 summary: Phage therapy refers to the use of bacteriophages (or phages) as antibacterial agents against bacterial pathogens.12 Currently, the use of phage therapy is common primarily in Georgia and Russia, despite once being practised globally before the advent of antibiotics.13,14,15 Mice that had phage infection (phage control group) were more active than mice in other treatment groups (clindamycin, phage and combination). keywords: aureus; clindamycin; group; infection; mdrsa; mice; phage; pneumonia; therapy; treatment cache: ajlm-435.htm plain text: ajlm-435.txt item: #362 of 530 id: ajlm-436 author: Gous, Natasha M.; Berrie, Leigh; Dabula, Patience; Stevens, Wendy title: South Africa’s experience with provision of quality HIV diagnostic services date: 2016 words: 3403 flesch: 42 summary: Conclusion If POC testing is expected to improve and support diagnostic and clinical services in South Africa, the laboratory needs to play a major role in ensuring success of the programme through a POC quality assurance framework, much the same as for laboratory testing. This has mainly been due to current reliable CD4 services with good laboratory turnaround times7 and the prohibitive cost of implementing widespread CD4 testing at the POC.15 However, with increasing testing demands, expansion of CD4 testing services is required. keywords: africa; cd4; hiv; laboratories; laboratory; national; nhls; quality; service; south; testing cache: ajlm-436.htm plain text: ajlm-436.txt item: #363 of 530 id: ajlm-439 author: Mwau, Matilu; Umuro, Mamo; Odhiambo, Collins O. title: Experience from a pilot point-of-care CD4 enumeration programme in Kenya date: 2016 words: 2967 flesch: 52 summary: At POC testing sites, 71.5% of patients received same day results, while post-implementation assessments have shown a reduction in time to initiation on antiretroviral therapy from two months8 to 27.5 days at POC testing sites.6 Challenges and lessons learnt The first phase of implementation of POC CD4 testing devices in Kenya revealed a number of challenges: Testing errors resulted in wastage of a significant number of test cartridges for the Pima device. keywords: cd4; health; hiv; kenya; national; pima; poc; quality; testing cache: ajlm-439.htm plain text: ajlm-439.txt item: #364 of 530 id: ajlm-44 author: Abbiyesuku, Fayefori M.; Agbakwuru, Augustine N.; Olawale, Olatunbosun O. title: The association between sex hormone-binding globulin and type 2 diabetes in Nigerian men date: 2013 words: 4500 flesch: 53 summary: The findings in this study argue against the widely-held explanation that hyperinsulinaemia is responsible for a decline in circulating SHBG in humans.31 The positive correlation between age and SHBG levels supports earlier finding that SHBG levels increase once people are in their sixties.32,33 This implies that the elderly should be protected from the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus but, paradoxically, age is a risk factor for development of the disease and screening is recommended from the age of 45 years.34 This would seem to argue against this observation, although the explanation could be that those that eventually develop type 2 diabetes mellitus are genetically disposed toward having low circulating SHBG levels, as was suggested by Ding et al.25 The statistical difference between the SHBG concentration in the two groups suggests that SHBG estimation could be useful in the management of type 2 diabetes. Five (25%) subjects in the control group had SHBG levels above the upper limit of the reference interval whilst the others were within the reference range. keywords: concentration; diabetes; globulin; glucose; hormone; insulin; levels; mellitus; men; resistance; sex; shbg; subjects; type cache: ajlm-44.htm plain text: ajlm-44.txt item: #365 of 530 id: ajlm-440 author: Mbengue, Mouhamed A.S.; Sarr, Moussa; Diaw, Papa A.; Diallo, Papa A. N.; Toure, Maimouna D.; Faye, Ndeye F.F.N.; Gueye, Bousso; Kane, Ndeye C.T.; Mboup, Souleymane title: Establishing a national laboratory quality system for HIV diagnosis and monitoring in resource-limited settings: Experience from Senegal date: 2016 words: 2294 flesch: 44 summary: Costing and cost-effectiveness of HIV POC testing With regard to the 90-90-90 goals, the affordability of viral load testing and CD4 count measures is a key factor in plans to expand HIV laboratory services and scaling antiretroviral therapy across Senegal. AFRIQUALAB aims to improve laboratory quality in Africa through regular organisation and distribution of proficiency testing panels across the African continent, including in francophone countries. keywords: health; hiv; laboratories; laboratory; quality; senegal; testing cache: ajlm-440.htm plain text: ajlm-440.txt item: #366 of 530 id: ajlm-442 author: Meyers, Adrienne F.A.; Bergeron, Michèle; Thakar, Madhuri; Ding, Tao; Martel, Alexandre; Sandstorm, Paul; Mahajan, Bharati; Abraham, Philip; Kabra, Sandhya; Singh, Namita; Peter, Trevor; Ball, Terry B. title: QASI: A collaboration for implementation of an independent quality assessment programme in India date: 2016 words: 4279 flesch: 38 summary: This led to a demonstrable improvement in CD4 testing quality and illustrates how country-specific training significantly improved CD4 enumeration performance for better clinical management of HIV care in India. This study describes how QASI helped develop the capacity for managing a sustainable national CD4 EQA programme in India. keywords: aids; canada; cd4; hiv; india; level; national; programme; qasi; quality; training cache: ajlm-442.htm plain text: ajlm-442.txt item: #367 of 530 id: ajlm-445 author: Chongo, Patrina; Sitoe, Nádia; Viegasa, Sofia; Pinto, Isabel; Macave, Admiro; Sitoe, Fernando; Vubila, Adolfo; Mabunda, Nédio; Gudoa, Eduardo S.; Jani, Ilesh V. title: Quality assurance for point-of-care testing in Mozambique’s National Health Service date: 2016 words: 1959 flesch: 42 summary: For example, training of lay counsellors for HIV testing and of nurses for POC CD4 testing has required the establishment of specific training packages and appropriate supervision checklists. HIV testing is performed in laboratories and at the POC within several departments of health facilities by using a serial algorithm of two rapid tests to detect antibodies against HIV. keywords: health; laboratory; maputo; mozambique; national; quality; testing cache: ajlm-445.htm plain text: ajlm-445.txt item: #368 of 530 id: ajlm-447 author: Aisu, Steven; Nyegenye, Wilson; Bigira, Victor; Kiyaga, Charles; Dfendu, Michael; Acellam, Sam; Walwema, Richard; Nakiyingi, Lydia; Sewanyana, Isaac; Namakula, Aida; Batamwita, Richard; Lali, William title: Quality assurance as an integral component of diagnostic testing in clinical laboratories and point-of-care testing: The Uganda experience date: 2016 words: 2410 flesch: 41 summary: As Uganda scales up the new World Health Organization/UNAIDS 90-90-90 strategy,6 there has been a steep rise in the number of people in need of HIV testing and viral load monitoring across the country. Thus, in Uganda, EID and viral load testing use Roche Molecular Diagnostics and Abbott Molecular laboratory methods, while CD4 and HIV testing use a mix of conventional analysers and POC devices, including BD FACSCalibur®, BD FACSCount®, Partec CyFlow® Counter and Alere Pima™ for CD4 counts, and ELISA and rapid diagnostics tests for HIV. keywords: assurance; health; hiv; laboratory; national; quality; testing; uganda cache: ajlm-447.htm plain text: ajlm-447.txt item: #369 of 530 id: ajlm-448 author: Zimuto, Sibongile; Mtambara, Agrippa; Cheng, Ben; Cunningham, Brad; Taruvinga, Rodney; Boeras, Debrah I.; Simbi, Raiva title: Quality assurance for point-of-care testing in Zimbabwe date: 2016 words: 2297 flesch: 42 summary: National quality assurance programme for HIV A national quality assurance programme for HIV POC testing should provide clear guidance on selection and deployment of test equipment and methods.8 There should be a system of validation and/or verification of test methods, equipment and devices before they are put into use. Zimbabwe national guidelines on HIV testing and counselling keywords: eqa; hiv; national; poc; programme; quality; testing; zimbabwe cache: ajlm-448.htm plain text: ajlm-448.txt item: #370 of 530 id: ajlm-449 author: Mashamba-Thompson, Tivani P.; Sartorius, Benn; Stevens, Fred C.J.; Drain, Paul K. title: Experiential Bloom’s Taxonomy learning framework for point-of-care diagnostics training of primary healthcare workers date: 2016 words: 2431 flesch: 45 summary: An ‘enforcement’ approach to implementation is unlikely to achieve results.20 Rather, an approach developed through mutual consent and agreement is much more likely to be effective in the long term.20 Conclusion Delivery of high quality POC diagnostic services requires highly competent and dedicated staff. We suggest incorporating a framework borrowed from Bloom’s taxonomy17 to guide the objectives of an experiential learning programme and to ensure quality of POC diagnostics services provided in PHC clinics (Table 1). keywords: care; diagnostics; healthcare; learning; phc; poc; point; quality; testing cache: ajlm-449.htm plain text: ajlm-449.txt item: #371 of 530 id: ajlm-45 author: Githii, Susan; Revathi, Gunturu; Muigai, Anne; Kariuki, Samuel title: Carriage rate and serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae amongst children in Thika Hospital, Kenya date: 2013 words: 3552 flesch: 46 summary: Pneumococcal study group in Brazil for the Sireva project. Pneumococcal resistance to antibiotics. keywords: antimicrobial; carriage; children; kenya; pneumoniae; rate; resistance; serotypes; streptococcus; study cache: ajlm-45.htm plain text: ajlm-45.txt item: #372 of 530 id: ajlm-452 author: Kebede, Adisu; Kebede, Yenew; Desale, Adino; Mulugeta, Achamyeleh; Yaregal, Zelalem; Gebreegziabxier, Atsbeha; Tedla, Yared; Zeh, Clement; Ayana, Gonfa title: Quality assurance for point-of-care testing: Ethiopia’s experience date: 2016 words: 2364 flesch: 34 summary: In addition, improving implementation of quality POC testing will include strengthening national capacity for ongoing evaluation and validation of new POC testing technologies by supporting the national product selection advisory group. The national quality assurance programme will focus on implementing a comprehensive quality assurance programme for POC testing services that will include strengthening the laboratory–clinic interface, improving the supply chain system through collaboration with supply agencies, ensuring availability of service agreements for all new equipment and building capacity for in-country proficiency testing production through training on and implementation of the ISO/IEC 17043 standard. keywords: ethiopia; health; hiv; laboratories; laboratory; poc; quality; testing cache: ajlm-452.htm plain text: ajlm-452.txt item: #373 of 530 id: ajlm-453 author: Vanker, Naadira; Faull, Norman H.B. title: Laboratory test result interpretation for primary care doctors in South Africa date: 2017 words: 4546 flesch: 41 summary: The findings were that clinicians experienced uncertainty due to inconsistencies in the receipt of results, problems with the report format, and difficulties with interpretation of results in 8.3% of diagnostic encounters.7 Research conducted in South Africa also demonstrated the uncertainty that doctors experience with laboratory test result interpretation. Introduction Laboratory services play an integral role in the healthcare system - from primary- through to tertiary-level care – since diagnostic tests can either confirm or exclude a tentative diagnosis, or screen for potential diseases.1 The underlying purpose of laboratory testing lies in the association between laboratory test results and the potential to improve a patient’s health status. keywords: care; challenges; diagnostic; doctors; interpretation; laboratory; primary; respondents; results; study; test cache: ajlm-453.htm plain text: ajlm-453.txt item: #374 of 530 id: ajlm-455 author: Abubakar, Ado; Peters, Samuel; Balogun, Oyebimpe; Osawe, Sophia; Mamman, Ille; Barde, Joshua; Ojo, Emmanuel; Ezati, Nicholas; Bango, Jide; Ngige, Evelyn; Emeribe, Anthony; Abimiku, Alash'le title: Implementing quality assurance for laboratory-based and point-of-care HIV testing in Nigeria date: 2016 words: 2664 flesch: 35 summary: HIV situation in Nigeria Laboratory infrastructure and HIV-related testing in Nigeria Quality assurance framework and policy for HIV laboratory and point-of-care testing Quality assurance framework for HIV early infant diagnosis and viral load Existing quality assurance programmes Lessons learnt Conclusion and way forward Acknowledgements References About the Author(s) Quality assurance framework and policy for HIV laboratory and point-of-care testing The national EQA framework in Nigeria is conducted through a centralised system, adopting last-mile distribution through a courier company (Figure 2). keywords: assurance; hiv; laboratories; laboratory; load; national; nigeria; quality; testing cache: ajlm-455.htm plain text: ajlm-455.txt item: #375 of 530 id: ajlm-460 author: Pathmanathan, Ishani; Date, Anand; Coggin, William L.; Nkengasong, John; Piatek, Amy S.; Alexander, Heather title: Rolling out Xpert MTB/RIF® for tuberculosis detection in HIV-positive populations: An opportunity for systems strengthening date: 2017 words: 7636 flesch: 41 summary: Opportunities for system strengthening along the tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment cascade Finding presumptive tuberculosis patients The WHO recommends Xpert MTB/RIF as the initial diagnostic test in individuals with suspected HIV-associated or MDR tuberculosis, which eliminates the additional clinic visit needed to perform sputum microscopy followed by Xpert MTB/RIF if negative.11,43 WHO guidelines also recommend that people living with HIV be evaluated at every clinical encounter for cough, fever, weight loss or night sweats, with positive symptom screens prompting further diagnostic evaluation; this screening algorithm has a 79% overall sensitivity (90% in clinical settings) and 50% specificity.44,45 Subsequent Xpert MTB/RIF diagnostic testing further increases case detection sensitivity and specificity; however, to test the maximum number of people living with HIV for presumptive tuberculosis, correctly-performed symptom screening is often required first. Rolling out Xpert MTB/RIF® for tuberculosis detection in HIV-positive populations: An opportunity for systems strengthening. keywords: care; diagnostic; dis; et al; health; hiv; internet; laboratory; mtb; people; quality; rif; smear; sputum; systems; testing; treatment; tuberculosis; xpert; xpert mtb cache: ajlm-460.htm plain text: ajlm-460.txt item: #376 of 530 id: ajlm-463 author: Chikaonda, Tarsizio; Ketseoglou, Irene; Nguluwe, Nelson; Krysiak, Robert; Thengolose, Isaac; Nyakwawa, Felix; Rosenberg, Nora E.; Stanley, Christopher; Mpunga, James; Hoffman, Irving F.; Papathanasopoulos, Maria A.; Hosseinipour, Mina; Scott, Lesley; Stevens, Wendy title: Molecular characterisation of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from Malawi date: 2017 words: 5491 flesch: 47 summary: Findings from this study emphasise the need for a national representation of sputum specimens from tuberculosis-infected patients to assess the magnitude of tuberculosis rpoB gene mutations that are responsible for rifampicin resistance in Malawi. Obtaining consent was waived because the study used previously-stored and residual sputum pellets, and consent from patients was given during recruitment and/or this was part of routine testing for tuberculosis drug resistance. keywords: dna; drug; gene; malawi; mtb; mutations; mycobacterium; resistance; rifampicin; rpob; sequencing; strains; tuberculosis; xpert; xpert mtb cache: ajlm-463.htm plain text: ajlm-463.txt item: #377 of 530 id: ajlm-464 author: Chikaonda, Tarsizio; Nguluwe, Nelson; Barnett, Brian; Gokhale, Runa H.; Krysiak, Robert; Thengolose, Isaac; Rosenberg, Nora E.; Stanley, Christopher; Mpunga, James; Hoffman, Irving F.; Hosseinipour, Mina; Scott, Lesley; Stevens, Wendy title: Performance of Xpert® MTB/RIF among tuberculosis outpatients in Lilongwe, Malawi date: 2017 words: 5722 flesch: 48 summary: Prior studies have shown greater accuracy of Xpert MTB/RIF as compared to smear microscopy6 and sensitivities of Xpert MTB/RIF ranging from 78% to 100% for smear-positive/culture-positive samples.21,22 Since Xpert MTB/RIF identified 58/219 (26.5%) of smear-negative samples, it can therefore assist in rapid detection of tuberculosis cases among smear-negatives and has the potential to impact patient care, although a small percentage (17%, 12/70) of the smear-negative/culture-positive cases was missed by Xpert MTB/RIF. However, there is very little information regarding the performance characteristics of Xpert MTB/RIF in Malawi. keywords: culture; hiv; lilongwe; malawi; mtb; negative; resistance; rif; rifampicin; smear; study; tuberculosis; xpert; xpert mtb cache: ajlm-464.htm plain text: ajlm-464.txt item: #378 of 530 id: ajlm-468 author: Salu, Olumuyiwa B.; James, Ayorinde B.; Oke, Bamidele O.; Orenolu, Mercy R.; Anyanwu, Roosevelt A.; Abdullah, Maryam A.; Happi, Christian; Idris, Jide; Abdus-Salam, Ismail A.; Nasidi, Abdul-Salam; Ogunsola, Folashade T.; Tomori, Oyewale; Omilabu, Sunday A. title: Biosafety level-2 laboratory diagnosis of Zaire Ebola virus disease imported from Liberia to Nigeria date: 2016 words: 3370 flesch: 44 summary: We describe the rapid and safe identification of the first imported case of Ebola virus disease in a traveler to Lagos, Nigeria, using conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in a biosafety level (BSL)-2 facility. Case presentation: On 20 July 2014, a traveler arrived from Liberia at Lagos International Airport and was admitted to a private hospital in Lagos, with clinical suspicion of Ebola virus disease. keywords: case; college; disease; ebola; fever; health; laboratory; lagos; medicine; nigeria; rna; university; virus cache: ajlm-468.htm plain text: ajlm-468.txt item: #379 of 530 id: ajlm-471 author: Best, Michele; Sakande, Jean title: Practical recommendations for strengthening national and regional laboratory networks in Africa in the Global Health Security era date: 2016 words: 7437 flesch: 35 summary: National laboratory network laboratories should be able to conduct testing to support integrated disease surveillance for at least 10 priority infectious diseases, as described earlier. Abstract History of laboratory networks in Africa The Global Health Security Agenda and National Laboratory Networks Major requirements for functional national laboratory networks Acknowledgements References About the Author(s) Michele Best Corporate Director of Laboratories, Dimensions Healthcare System, Cheverly, Maryland, United States Jean Sakande Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso Citation Best M, Sakande J. Practical recommendations for strengthening national and regional laboratory networks in Africa in the Global Health Security era. keywords: africa; country; development; health; laboratories; laboratory; laboratory network; management; national; network; plan; public; quality; services; system; testing cache: ajlm-471.htm plain text: ajlm-471.txt item: #380 of 530 id: ajlm-48 author: Kamau, Edward M. title: Navigating laboratory services quality in challenging environments: A perspective for implementation in small, low-income countries and post-conflict settings date: 2013 words: 2609 flesch: 30 summary: One of the main constraints associated with laboratory quality systems in challenging circumstances is the failure to realise that, as a public good, laboratory services should be achieved equitably and to the highest attainable level, making the case for the hard-to-reach populations a daunting task with regard to the provision of patient services that are comparable in quality to those offered elsewhere. Navigating laboratory services quality in challenging environments: A perspective for implementation in small, low-income countries and post-conflict settings. keywords: countries; health; laboratory; management; quality; services; system cache: ajlm-48.htm plain text: ajlm-48.txt item: #381 of 530 id: ajlm-482 author: Perovic, Olga; Schultsz, Constance title: Stepwise approach for implementation of antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Africa date: 2016 words: 4563 flesch: 31 summary: Investigation of sources of potential bias in laboratory surveillance for anti-microbial resistance. It addresses sampling strategies, human resources, procurement and maintenance issues for AMR testing at routine clinical and national reference and public health laboratories involved in AMR surveillance. keywords: amr; antimicrobial; countries; data; health; internet; laboratories; laboratory; national; resistance; surveillance; system cache: ajlm-482.htm plain text: ajlm-482.txt item: #382 of 530 id: ajlm-484 author: Jean Louis, Frantz; Huang, Jennifer Y.; Nebie, Yacouba K.; Koivogui, Lamine; Jayaraman, Gayatri; Abiola, Nadine; Vansteelandt, Amanda; Worrel, Mary C.; Shang, Judith; Murphy, Louise B.; Fitter, David L.; Marston, Barbara J.; Martel, Lise title: Implementation of broad screening with Ebola rapid diagnostic tests in Forécariah, Guinea date: 2017 words: 4509 flesch: 44 summary: The OraQuick® Ebola Rapid Antigen test (OraQuick® Ebola RDT; OraSure Technologies, Inc., Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States) received an Emergency Use Authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration in July 2015 for whole blood testing.5,6,7 The OraQuick® Ebola RDT has a manufacturer-reported sensitivity of 84% (95% confidence interval While all febrile patients should have been eligible for both malaria and Ebola RDT tests, most febrile patients had a malaria RDT done, but only about half of febrile patients were tested for EVD. keywords: ebola; evd; forécariah; health; implementation; oraquick; patients; pcr; rdt; rdts; testing cache: ajlm-484.htm plain text: ajlm-484.txt item: #383 of 530 id: ajlm-490 author: Albert, Heidi; de Dieu Iragena, Jean; Kao, Kekeletso; Erni, Donatelle; Mekonen, Teferi; Onyebujoh, Philip C. title: Implementation of quality management systems and progress towards accreditation of National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratories in Africa date: 2017 words: 4657 flesch: 39 summary: Implementation of a strong quality management system (QMS) and laboratory accreditation are key to improving patient care. Fifty-four per cent of countries in the African Region reported having a formal QMS toward achieving laboratory accreditation implemented at the NTRL in 2014.1 However, the extent of progress toward accreditation of individual laboratories remains unclear. keywords: accreditation; african; laboratories; laboratory; ntrls; qms; quality; region; survey; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-490.htm plain text: ajlm-490.txt item: #384 of 530 id: ajlm-491 author: Viegas, Sofia O.; Azam, Khalide; Madeira, Carla; Aguiar, Carmen; Dolores, Carolina; Mandlaze, Ana P.; Chongo, Patrina; Masamha, Jessina; Cirillo, Daniela M.; Jani, Ilesh V.; Gudo, Eduardo S. title: Mozambique’s journey toward accreditation of the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory date: 2017 words: 4739 flesch: 36 summary: The main mandate of the National Program for Laboratory Accreditation was to provide institutional leadership for SLMTA implementation at the Ministry of Health, as well as the framework for laboratory accreditation in Mozambique. Improving quality management systems of laboratories in developing countries: an innovative training approach to accelerate laboratory accreditation. keywords: accreditation; da saúde; health; laboratory; maputo; mozambique; ntrl; process; quality; saúde; slmta; staff cache: ajlm-491.htm plain text: ajlm-491.txt item: #385 of 530 id: ajlm-494 author: Cowan, Elliot P. title: A framework for the assessment and implementation of diagnostics in outbreak situations date: 2016 words: 3679 flesch: 42 summary: In the context of an outbreak situation, this includes the identification of the outbreak agent, the clinical course of the disease, and availability of potential targets around which a test could be developed (i.e., nucleic acid sequences, antigens, etc.), variants of the agent, epidemiology (location, movement, etc.), well-characterised specimens for test development and monitoring of test performance once the outbreak-use IVD is in clinical use, and simple and clear policies and procedures to accept a test for outbreak use. There are a number of additional challenges that must be addressed at this step, including technical barriers (for example, it is much easier to develop a nucleic acid test than a serological test); the time required to develop a test that is adequate to meet the needs of the outbreak situation; access to specimens from endemic areas for test development; the ability to manufacture the test at a scale sufficient to meet the need; and identifying manufacturers willing to develop and produce tests that will likely only be used during an outbreak situation. keywords: assessment; ivd; ivds; outbreak; test; use cache: ajlm-494.htm plain text: ajlm-494.txt item: #386 of 530 id: ajlm-496 author: Alemnji, George; Edghill, Lisa; Guevara, Giselle; Wallace-Sankarsingh, Sacha; Albalak, Rachel; Cognat, Sebastien; Nkengasong, John; Gabastou, Jean-Marc title: Development and implementation of the Caribbean Laboratory Quality Management Systems Stepwise Improvement Process (LQMS-SIP) Towards Accreditation date: 2017 words: 4409 flesch: 33 summary: Joint WHO-CDC conference on laboratory quality systems, Lyon, April 2008 – joint statement and recommendations. For example, the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre/European Union-funded project, carried out between 2002–2007, designed and implemented a 30-month blended accredited training programme on laboratory quality systems improvement that graduated 40 senior laboratory staff, initiated the Caribbean Laboratory Accreditation Scheme, and recommended that the International Standard ISO 15189 be the recognised standard in the Caribbean for medical laboratories.8 Despite these efforts, reports indicate that by 2008 only nine (5.2%) of the estimated 173 laboratories in the Caribbean region were accredited. keywords: accreditation; caribbean; health; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; lqms; process; quality; sip; stepwise; systems cache: ajlm-496.htm plain text: ajlm-496.txt item: #387 of 530 id: ajlm-497 author: Okeke, Iruka N. title: Laboratory systems as an antibacterial resistance containment tool in Africa date: 2016 words: 7212 flesch: 38 summary: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31079-0 O’Neill J. Review on antimicrobial resistance: Antimicrobial resistance: Tackling a crisis for the health and wealth of nations. The recent World Health Organization (WHO) global action plan on antimicrobial resistance7 outlines five strategic objectives for resistance containment, as follows: Improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance through effective communication, education and training. keywords: antibacterial; antibiotic; care; data; et al; health; infections; information; laboratories; laboratory; patients; resistance; surveillance; susceptibility; systems; testing; tests; use cache: ajlm-497.htm plain text: ajlm-497.txt item: #388 of 530 id: ajlm-498 author: Ondoa, Pascale; Datema, Tjeerd; Keita-Sow, Mah-Sere; Oskam, Linda; Ndihokubwayo, Jean-Bosco; Isadore, Jocelyn; Nkengasong, John; Lewis, Kim title: A new matrix for scoring the functionality of national laboratory networks in Africa: introducing the LABNET scorecard date: 2016 words: 5716 flesch: 32 summary: These tools are either facility-oriented (e.g., WHO Laboratory Assessment Tool facility assessment,20 WHO SLIPTA21) and/or address individual aspects of laboratory system,22 and/or are narrowed to one disease,23 and/or are not specific to laboratories,24 and/or measure absence of key components without sufficiently characterising the discrete levels of laboratory network capabilities to guide performance improvement The latter option will allow the collection of in-depth information on national laboratory network capabilities, in the context of a larger assessment of country preparedness for health security. keywords: africa; assessment; capabilities; capability; country; health; internet; labnet; laboratory; laboratory network; national; network; organization; scorecard; systems; world cache: ajlm-498.htm plain text: ajlm-498.txt item: #389 of 530 id: ajlm-5 author: Mine, Madisa; Moyo, Sikhulile; Stevens, Penny; Michael, Kurt; Novitsky, Vladimir; Makhaola, Kgomotso; Asmelash, Aida; Molefhabangwe, S’khatele; Woldegabriel, Elias; Mothowaeng, Gaseboloke; Maruta, Talkmore; Kamhukamwe, Charity; Mangwendeza, Phibeon M.; Holmes-Pretorius, Molly; Mtoni, Isaac; Motswaledi, Modisa; Musonda, Rosemary; Ndwapi, Ndwapi; Makhema, Joseph; Marlink, Richard; Seipone, Khumo; Gaolathe, Tendani; Essex, Max title: Immunohaematological reference values for HIV-negative healthy adults in Botswana date: 2011 words: 4375 flesch: 46 summary: Our study shows that clinical reference values developed within the region are more appropriate for the Botswanan population than those adopted from developed countries. Laboratory reference values for healthy adults from southern Tanzania. keywords: adults; blood; botswana; cd4; health; hiv; intervals; laboratory; reference; study; table; values cache: ajlm-5.htm plain text: ajlm-5.txt item: #390 of 530 id: ajlm-502 author: Aliyu, Gambo; Ezati, Nicholas; Iwakun, Mosunmola; Peters, Sam; Abimiku, Alash’le title: Diagnostic system strengthening for drug resistant tuberculosis in Nigeria: impact and challenges date: 2017 words: 3266 flesch: 34 summary: Experience establishing tuberculosis laboratory capacity in a developing country setting. The trained scientists from zonal tuberculosis reference laboratories now perform these tests in their respective laboratories and train their colleagues. keywords: biosafety; bsl-3; capacity; drug; laboratories; laboratory; modular; national; nigeria; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-502.htm plain text: ajlm-502.txt item: #391 of 530 id: ajlm-508 author: Kennedy, Stephen B.; Dogba, John B.; Wasunna, Christine L.; Sahr, Philip; Eastman, Candace B.; Bolay, Fatorma K.; Mason, Gloria T.; Kieh, Mark W.S. title: Pre-Ebola virus disease laboratory system and related challenges in Liberia date: 2016 words: 3174 flesch: 29 summary: These pre-EVD laboratory challenges, among others, included: Lack of integration between public health surveillance and laboratory diagnostic services, resulting in fragmented service delivery. Laboratory services In general, there are two main categories of laboratory services in Liberia. keywords: center; health; laboratory; liberia; national; partnership; research; services; system cache: ajlm-508.htm plain text: ajlm-508.txt item: #392 of 530 id: ajlm-509 author: Kennedy, Stephen B.; Wasunna, Christine L.; Dogba, John B.; Sahr, Philip; Eastman, Candace B.; Bolay, Fatorma K.; Mason, Gloria T.; Kieh, Mark W.S. title: The laboratory health system and its response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Liberia date: 2016 words: 3178 flesch: 32 summary: Pre-Ebola virus disease laboratory system Prior to the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in Liberia, the structure of the system regulating the laboratory environment was fragmented and not well coordinated. Pre-Ebola virus disease laboratory system and related challenges in Liberia. keywords: disease; ebola; evd; health; laboratory; liberia; national; research; system; virus cache: ajlm-509.htm plain text: ajlm-509.txt item: #393 of 530 id: ajlm-519 author: Onyebujoh, Philip C.; Thirumala, Ajay K.; Piatek, Amy title: Stronger tuberculosis laboratory networks and services in Africa essential to ending tuberculosis date: 2017 words: 3922 flesch: 29 summary: Tuberculosis laboratory services in Africa Public health laboratory organisational structures and services for the diagnosis of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, are heterogeneous and suffer from several challenges in Africa.5,6 Assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats regarding tuberculosis laboratory services provide possibilities for objective interventions at both the country and the regional level in Africa (Table 1). TABLE 1: Key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for tuberculosis laboratory services in Africa.† TABLE 2: New tuberculosis and relapse cases notified in Africa, 2010–2015.† TABLE 3: keywords: africa; dst; global; health; internet; laboratories; laboratory; services; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-519.htm plain text: ajlm-519.txt item: #394 of 530 id: ajlm-535 author: Cheng, Ben; Cunningham, Brad; Boeras, Debrah I.; Mafaune, Patron; Simbi, Raiva; Peeling, Rosanna W. title: Data connectivity: A critical tool for external quality assessment date: 2016 words: 2718 flesch: 47 summary: POC tests connected to an informatics system capable of distinguishing EQA from routine samples via the sample ID can dramatically help improve turnaround time for EQA results, thereby allowing for action to be taken if necessary. Post-proof of concept The proof-of-concept pilot highlighted the potential for improvement in turn-around time from testing to reporting of EQA results, as well as reducing the overall administrative burden of these events. keywords: connectivity; data; eqa; health; poc; quality; results; testing cache: ajlm-535.htm plain text: ajlm-535.txt item: #395 of 530 id: ajlm-537 author: Mahomed, Sharana; Dlamini-Mvelase, Nomonde R.; Dlamini, Moses; Mlisana, Koleka title: Failure of BACTEC™ MGIT 960™ to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex within a 42-day incubation period date: 2017 words: 2518 flesch: 42 summary: We therefore undertook a study to document our experience regarding MGIT tube cultures that became positive beyond the usual 42-day incubation period. MGIT tubes are incubated until the instrument flags them positive. keywords: bactec; days; laboratory; mgit; system; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-537.htm plain text: ajlm-537.txt item: #396 of 530 id: ajlm-540 author: Zungu, Lutho I.; Magombo, Termson; Chikaonda, Tarsizio; Thomas, Rachel; Mwenda, Reuben; Kandulu, James; Chilima, Benson; Chiwaula, Mavuto; Mbene, Alwin; Saka, Emmanuel title: A national quality assurance programme for point-of-care testing in Malawi date: 2016 words: 2033 flesch: 43 summary: Similarly, Malawi has various partnerships with numerous EQA providers to support quality testing. Besides the ongoing implementation pilot of POC testing for EID in tertiary, secondary and primary care settings, Malawi is also considering POC testing for HIV viral load in 2016 and 2017 on the most relevant platforms available on the market. keywords: assurance; health; hiv; malawi; poc; quality; testing cache: ajlm-540.htm plain text: ajlm-540.txt item: #397 of 530 id: ajlm-545 author: Cassim, Naseem; Smith, Honora; Coetzee, Lindi M.; Glencross, Deborah K. title: Programmatic implications of implementing the relational algebraic capacitated location (RACL) algorithm outcomes on the allocation of laboratory sites, test volumes, platform distribution and space requirements date: 2017 words: 4180 flesch: 44 summary: CD4 laboratories would increase to 41 in scenario B and 61 in scenario C. POC testing would be offered at two sites in scenario B and 20 sites in scenario C. Conclusion: The RACL algorithm provides an objective methodology to address coverage gaps through the allocation of CD4 laboratories and POC sites for a given T. The ITSDM model aims to ensure efficient, cost-effective provision of quality testing across all health districts.1 This ‘full coverage’ model strives toward equitable access to CD4 testing by providing technology that appropriately matches service delivery requirements, based on factors such as test volumes, distances from referring clinics to CD4 laboratories, and the package of clinical services offered by health facilities.1 Five testing tiers, along with a sixth coordinating tier, are defined in the ITSDM model: (1) true point-of-care (POC) services (Tier 1), reserved for hard-to-reach areas, where nursing staff attending to patients operate the testing system (< 3 tests per system per day) and initiate patients onto antiretroviral therapy; (2) POC hubs (Tier 2), namely, ‘mini-laboratories’ using only POC equipment for all relevant HIV and tuberculosis tests at a rate of < 10 samples per day in rural health districts; (3) community laboratories (Tier 3) processing less than 100 samples per day; (4) district laboratories (Tier 4) processing between 100 and 299 samples per day; (5) high volume centralised laboratories (Tier 5) processing in excess of 300 samples per day; and (6) Tier 6, representing a national reference/‘monitoring and evaluation’ centre responsible for coordination, harmonisation and standardisation of testing, as well as coordination of training and quality control across a national network of laboratories and related testing sites.1 It would also be cost effective to consolidate Tier 4 and/or Tier 5 laboratories into larger centralised laboratories (‘super-laboratory’/Tier 6 level) that could process in excess of 600 samples per day, depending on efficiency of local transport systems.1 This would, however, create coverage gaps that would need to be addressed with POC in remote ‘hard to reach’ areas.1 An analysis of test volumes identified that the majority of CD4 samples were received from primary healthcare clinics (67%), with a further 8% from larger community healthcare centres; this tells us that hospitals only account for 25% of test volumes.1 This confirms the decentralisation of CD4 test requests. keywords: algorithm; cd4; health; laboratories; laboratory; poc; scenario; sites; testing; volumes cache: ajlm-545.htm plain text: ajlm-545.txt item: #398 of 530 id: ajlm-549 author: Wurie, Isatta title: Sierra Leone laboratory systems – now and future date: 2016 words: 2415 flesch: 26 summary: Going forward: From now to the future For laboratory services to reach the goal of supporting an improved healthcare system, the following restructuring and strengthening framework platform is being developed, where it is lacking, or in an accelerated and strengthened implementation mode, where it existed. Moving forward, the government has put in place a service-level agreement that ensures health-sector commitments and coordinated support for laboratory services. keywords: disease; health; laboratories; laboratory; leone; national; services; sierra cache: ajlm-549.htm plain text: ajlm-549.txt item: #399 of 530 id: ajlm-554 author: Murtagh, Maurine M. title: Quality assurance for point-of-care diagnostic testing: It is not negotiable date: 2016 words: 855 flesch: 38 summary: The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has developed a simple costing model that can quantify the significant value of diagnostic quality assurance and the serious consequences of not incorporating quality assurance into diagnostic programmes, both in terms of the cost of lives lost and the cost of unnecessary or incorrect treatment. Investments in diagnostic quality assurance systems will pay dividends for years to come, improving both patient outcomes and healthcare economics in-country. keywords: assurance; quality; testing cache: ajlm-554.htm plain text: ajlm-554.txt item: #400 of 530 id: ajlm-556 author: Boeras, Debrah I.; Peeling, Rosanna W. title: External quality assurance for HIV point-of-care testing in Africa: A collaborative country-partner approach to strengthen diagnostic services date: 2016 words: 2261 flesch: 41 summary: Strengthening laboratory workforce by training and certifying laboratory professionals and clinicians through standardised frameworks; Transforming laboratory testing quality by enrolling laboratories in quality improvement programmes to achieve accreditation by international standards; Developing strong, harmonised regulatory systems for diagnostic products as defined by the Global Harmonization Taskforce; and Building a network of national public health reference laboratories to improve early disease detection and collaborative research. 2015: WHO/US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention point-of-care (POC) handbook;10 2016: 27 of the 47 (57%) The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to the continued advancement of laboratory diagnostics in Africa and quality laboratory services and point-of-care testing. keywords: assurance; laboratory; medicine; poc; point; quality; testing cache: ajlm-556.htm plain text: ajlm-556.txt item: #401 of 530 id: ajlm-557 author: Meyers, Adrienne F.A.; Sandstrom, Paul; Denny, Thomas N.; Hurlston, Mackenzie; Ball, Terry B.; Peeling, Rosanna W.; Boeras, Debrah I. title: Quality assurance for HIV point-of-care testing and treatment monitoring assays date: 2016 words: 4503 flesch: 42 summary: Benefits of external quality assessment programmes There is strong evidence to indicate that participation in EQA programmes significantly improves testing performance.23,26,27 EQA International will continue to identify robust and cost-effective EQA technologies for quality POC testing, integrating novel technologies to support sustainable country-owned EQA programmes in Africa. keywords: assessment; assurance; care; cd4; eqa; health; hiv; load; manitoba; poc; point; programmes; quality; testing cache: ajlm-557.htm plain text: ajlm-557.txt item: #402 of 530 id: ajlm-558 author: Nkengasong, John; Boeras, Debrah I.; Abimiku, Alash'le; Peeling, Rosanna W. title: Assuring the quality of diagnostic testing: The future is now date: 2016 words: 1442 flesch: 39 summary: The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided leadership through several landmark events, starting with the Maputo Declaration for strengthening laboratory health systems in January 2008,3 followed by the Lyon statement on the need for developing countries to establish practical quality management systems in April 2008.4 Specifically in Africa, the Yaoundé resolution was issued by the WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) in 2008 to strengthen public health laboratories in the WHO African region.5 Since July 2009, several African countries, donors, the WHO and implementing partners launched a programme for strengthening laboratory management, with the aim of accelerating national laboratory services toward ISO 15189 accreditation in the African region. Joint WHO–CDC conference on health laboratory quality systems. keywords: health; laboratory; medicine; poc; quality; testing cache: ajlm-558.htm plain text: ajlm-558.txt item: #403 of 530 id: ajlm-56 author: Arneson, Wendy; Robinson, Cathy; Nyary, Bryan title: Biomedical laboratory science education: standardising teaching content in resource-limited countries date: 2013 words: 4349 flesch: 41 summary: New medical laboratory teaching content was developed in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Kenya using national instructors, tutors, and experts and consulting medical laboratory educators from the United States of America (USA). Following approval of the curriculum, workshops were held with the same educators and USA consultant educators to develop standardised medical laboratory teaching content. keywords: content; countries; curriculum; faculty; laboratory; lesson; medical; plans; students; teaching; usa cache: ajlm-56.htm plain text: ajlm-56.txt item: #404 of 530 id: ajlm-560 author: Boeras, Debrah I.; Peeling, Rosanna W.; Onyebujoh, Philip; Yahaya, Ali A.; Gumede-Moeletsi, Hieronyma N.; Ndihokubwayo, Jean B. title: The WHO AFRO external quality assessment programme (EQAP): Linking laboratory networks through EQA programmes date: 2016 words: 2230 flesch: 30 summary: External quality assessment programmes for the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa WHO AFRO collaborated with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa as the EQA provider.2 The WHO/NICD microbiology EQAP was started in May 2002 and currently, over 90 laboratories in 45 African countries participate in this programme at a cost of USD 150 000/year (Figure 4). FIGURE 4: World Health Organization-National Institute for Communicable Diseases microbiology external quality assessment programme for potential bacterial epidemics, tuberculosis and malaria in the African region (since 2002). keywords: africa; health; laboratory; organization; quality; testing; world cache: ajlm-560.htm plain text: ajlm-560.txt item: #405 of 530 id: ajlm-576 author: Albert, Heidi; Trollip, Andre; Erni, Donatelle; Kao, Kekeletso title: Developing a customised approach for strengthening tuberculosis laboratory quality management systems toward accreditation date: 2017 words: 5342 flesch: 40 summary: Conclusion: Lessons learnt from early implementation of TB SLMTA suggest that a structured training and mentoring programme can build a foundation towards further quality improvement in tuberculosis laboratories. Structured mentoring, and institutionalisation of QMS into country programmes, is needed to support tuberculosis laboratories to achieve accreditation. keywords: accreditation; checklist; implementation; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; programme; quality; slmta; trainers; training; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-576.htm plain text: ajlm-576.txt item: #406 of 530 id: ajlm-578 author: Ondoa, Pascale; van der Broek, Ankie; Jansen, Christel; de Bruijn, Hilde; Schultsz, Constance title: National laboratory policies and plans in sub-Saharan African countries: gaps and opportunities date: 2017 words: 7504 flesch: 38 summary: Laboratory services in the context of HIV/AIDS: yes/ no Laboratory services in the context of Tuberculosis: yes/ no Laboratory services in the context of Malaria: yes/ no Blood transfusion services yes/ no Other: [please provide] C: Human Resources for laboratory services: (for this section the documents of all stakeholders will be analysed) (indicate in which plan information is found) 9: Is there evidence that there is a shortage on laboratory personnel? Yes/ no/ not clear 10: If yes, on what kind of indicators/criteria is this evidence based? Information on current staffing coverage (lab workers related to inhabitants) in the country?: Yes/ no/ not clear Information on the establishment for laboratory workers (the staff for which, in the public sector, a position and salary is reserved): Yes/ no/ not clear Information on targets for numbers of laboratory staff: Yes/ no/ not clear Based on workload studies: Yes/ no/ not clear Based on minimum packages of activities for health services: Yes/ no/ not clear International comparison: Yes/ no/ not clear Other: [please provide] Source: 11: What kind of laboratory staff is lacking? Document review A data collection form was developed (Supplementary Document 2) and translated into a list of 88 codes pertaining to various aspects of national laboratory policy and strategic planning (Supplementary Document 3). keywords: budget; countries; country; development; documents; health; laboratory; laboratory services; national; no/; plan; policies; policy; resources; services; yes/ cache: ajlm-578.htm plain text: ajlm-578.txt item: #407 of 530 id: ajlm-579 author: Peter, Trevor; Keita, Mah-Sere; Nkengasong, John title: Building laboratory capacity to combat disease outbreaks in Africa date: 2016 words: 969 flesch: 34 summary: Laboratory testing played a key role in the response, and a number of key improvements in laboratory capacity have been made since 2014, with support from African and international partners, including the African Society for Laboratory Medicine, the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among others. Moving forward, the continent needs to set a new trajectory in healthcare development that will prevent future Ebola outbreaks from reaching the 2014 scale, as well as tackle the other disease challenges that Africa disproportionately carries. The tools, guidance and vision they provide should become the blueprint for laboratory capacity necessary to combat disease outbreaks in Africa and for strengthening health security programmes internationally. keywords: africa; health; laboratory; outbreak cache: ajlm-579.htm plain text: ajlm-579.txt item: #408 of 530 id: ajlm-585 author: Wakaria, Eric N.; Rombo, Charles O.; Oduor, Margaret; Kambale, Serah M.; Tilock, Kimberly; Kimani, Daniel; Makokha, Ernest; Mwamba, Peter M.; Mwangi, Jane title: Implementing SLMTA in the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service: lessons learned date: 2017 words: 4435 flesch: 42 summary: Programme ownership was a key consideration; hence, SLMTA activities were included in the performance contracts of the heads of RBTCs and the quality managers. P.M.M., S.M.K. and K.T. participated in implementation of SLMTA activities and contributed to conceptual design and writing of the manuscript. keywords: audit; blood; facilities; improvement; kenya; knbts; laboratory; quality; slmta; stars; transfusion cache: ajlm-585.htm plain text: ajlm-585.txt item: #409 of 530 id: ajlm-586 author: Nkengasong, John N. title: The diagnostic-clinical chasm: Work in progress? date: 2016 words: 839 flesch: 41 summary: For instance, as precision medicine – the ability to individualise patient care with a combination of information unique to an individual to identify prevention and treatment strategies based on genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors – continues to take centre stage in the 21st century in the developed world, laboratory diagnostic testing will play an even greater role. The question is how could such technologies be effectively established in public health laboratories in Africa to better prepare them for outbreak investigations and other applications? keywords: africa; chasm; laboratory cache: ajlm-586.htm plain text: ajlm-586.txt item: #410 of 530 id: ajlm-589 author: Fondoh, Victor N.; Mom, Njong A. title: Mother-to-child transmission of HIV and its predictors among HIV-exposed infants at Bamenda Regional Hospital, Cameroon date: 2017 words: 5021 flesch: 51 summary: The median age at HIV diagnosis was 6 weeks (range = 2–48 weeks), and 601 infants (69.0%) were in the age group 0–6 weeks, of which 30 (5.0%) were positive for HIV. Similarly, infants aged 0–6 weeks at the time of HIV diagnosis were less likely to be infected with HIV compared to those aged > 6–72 weeks (adjusted OR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.61–4.72). keywords: cameroon; cart; child; data; hiv; infants; intervention; mother; rhb; transmission cache: ajlm-589.htm plain text: ajlm-589.txt item: #411 of 530 id: ajlm-590 author: Asrat, Habtamu; Kebede, Abebaw; Abebe, Abnet; Meaza, Abyot; Hailu, Getinet; Desale, Adinew; Gashu, Andargachew; Kassa, Wondwossen; Mekonnen, Tesfaye; Abose, Ebisea; Girmachew, Feven; Yenealem, Dereje; Mulugeta, Achamyeleh; Ayana, Gonfa; Desta, Kassu title: Performance evaluation of tuberculosis smear microscopists working at rechecking laboratories in Ethiopia date: 2017 words: 4078 flesch: 45 summary: Most of the study participants worked in hospital laboratories (n = 268, 68.9%); 241 (62%) participants had more than five years of work experience in tuberculosis smear microscopy services, 201 (51.7%) held a Bachelors degree, and 319 (82%) had gone through tuberculosis smear microscopy in-service training. TABLE 2:  Implementation of proficiency testing in conjunction with a rechecking system for external quality assurance in tuberculosis laboratories in Mexico. keywords: ababa; addis; errors; ethiopia; health; laboratories; microscopy; participants; smear; study; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-590.htm plain text: ajlm-590.txt item: #412 of 530 id: ajlm-598 author: Bulane, Atang; Hoosen, Anwar title: Use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry analyser in a diagnostic microbiology laboratory in a developing country date: 2017 words: 3962 flesch: 47 summary: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is based on proteomic profiling and allows for rapid identification of pathogens. The introduction of the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) method, which is based on proteomic profiling, has provided fast, reliable and cost-effective identification of bacteria and yeast.2,3,4 The MALDI-TOF MS assay has also shown the ability to directly identify bacteria or fungi from positive blood cultures.5,6,7 keywords: blood; gram; identification; isolates; maldi; time; tof cache: ajlm-598.htm plain text: ajlm-598.txt item: #413 of 530 id: ajlm-6 author: Maruta, Talkmore; Motebang, David; Mathabo, Lebina; Rotz, Philip J.; Wanyoike, Joseph; Peter, Trevor title: Impact of mentorship on WHO-AFRO Strengthening Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) date: 2012 words: 4994 flesch: 42 summary: The method is less dedicated to training in specific technical skills but more focused on training laboratory staff on the management of laboratories related to accreditation. Establishing well-structured laboratory mentorship programmes has been suggested as a means of accelerating a laboratory’s path toward accreditation.3 Various methods of laboratory mentorship have been described and implemented in both developing and developed countries.7,8,9 keywords: accreditation; afro; checklist; health; laboratories; laboratory; management; mentorship; quality; slipta; weeks cache: ajlm-6.htm plain text: ajlm-6.txt item: #414 of 530 id: ajlm-606 author: Adams, Faieqa; Bellairs, Gregory R.M.; Bird, Arthur R.; Oguntibeju, Oluwafemi O. title: Metabolic effects occurring in irradiated and non-irradiated red blood cellular components for clinical transfusion practice: An in vitro comparison date: 2018 words: 5083 flesch: 45 summary: B-lymphocytes may be regarded as vectors for the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease prions.14 Transfusion-related immunomodulatory effects, which include post-operative infections leading to mortality due to multi-organ failure, is another transfusion reaction.6,15 In order to minimise or prevent these adverse reactions, blood transfusion establishments prepare leucocyte-reduced and irradiated blood component products. In South Africa, procedures are completed according to a departmental standard operating procedure document and staff must comply with the relevant Acts and the standards of practice for blood transfusion. keywords: africa; blood; day; haemoglobin; haemolysis; irradiation; leucocyte; levels; plasma; products; rbcc; red; south; storage; transfusion cache: ajlm-606.htm plain text: ajlm-606.txt item: #415 of 530 id: ajlm-608 author: Piatek, Amy title: Tuberculosis diagnostic networks: Moving beyond the laboratory to end tuberculosis in Africa date: 2017 words: 1055 flesch: 32 summary: Although undiagnosed tuberculosis is a small proportion of the overall missing cases, increasing prevalence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis will eventually diminish Africa’s current successes toward stopping the tuberculosis epidemic.1 Even if all Africans with presumptive tuberculosis or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis accessed a diagnostic facility, the predominant testing method using smear microscopy will accurately detect tuberculosis in 20% to 80% of tuberculosis cases, depending on the report and method used.2 Tuberculosis is a curable disease when diagnosed early and treated with an appropriate drug regimen, yet 750 000 Africans die unnecessarily every year from tuberculosis. keywords: africa; network; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-608.htm plain text: ajlm-608.txt item: #416 of 530 id: ajlm-609 author: Kalule, John B.; Keddy, Karen H.; Smith, Anthony; Nicol, Mark P.; Robberts, Lourens title: Development of a real-time PCR assay and comparison to CHROMagarTM STEC to screen for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in stool, Cape Town, South Africa date: 2017 words: 4788 flesch: 52 summary: Tamura K, Sakazaki R, Murase M, Kosako Y. Serotyping and categorisation of Escherichia coli strains isolated between 1958 and 1992 from diarrhoeal diseases in Asia. Recommendations for diagnosis of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli infections by clinical laboratories. keywords: assay; chromagartmstec; coli; detection; escherichia; pcr; stec; stx1; stx2; time; toxin cache: ajlm-609.htm plain text: ajlm-609.txt item: #417 of 530 id: ajlm-612 author: Irek, Emmanuel O.; Obadare, Temitope O.; Udonwa, Patrick A.; Laoye, Olajumoke; Abiri, Oyekola V.; Adeoye, Adenike O.; Aboderin, Aaron O. title: Cylindrocarpon lichenicola keratomycosis in Nigeria: the challenge of limited access to effective antimicrobials date: 2017 words: 1718 flesch: 41 summary: Right eye examination showing hypopyon, corneal ulcer measuring 5.5 x 4 mm with irregular margins. FIGURE 2: Right eye examination under slit lamp with fluorescein dye highlighting the corneal ulcer. keywords: eye; ife; ile; lichenicola; nigeria; osun state cache: ajlm-612.htm plain text: ajlm-612.txt item: #418 of 530 id: ajlm-615 author: Ashaka, Oluwaseyi S.; Agbede, Olajide O.; Omoare, Adesuyi A.; Ernest, Samuel K. title: Human parvovirus B19-induced anaemia in pre-school children in Ilorin, Nigeria date: 2018 words: 2511 flesch: 48 summary: A total of 17 (29.8%) anaemic children and 18 (15.7%) non-anaemic children were positive for parvovirus B19 infection. A total of 57 participants were anaemic, of whom 17 (29.8%) were positive for parvovirus B19 infection; 115 participants were non-anaemic, of whom 18 (15.7%) were positive for parvovirus B19 infection (Table 1). keywords: anaemia; b19; children; human; ilorin; infection; parvovirus; study cache: ajlm-615.htm plain text: ajlm-615.txt item: #419 of 530 id: ajlm-621 author: Nabaigwa, Barbara I.; Mwambi, Bashir; Okiria, John; Oyet, Caesar title: Common uropathogens among diabetic patients with urinary tract infection at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda date: 2018 words: 2413 flesch: 52 summary: Another study, by Wilke et al., found similar associations between age and UTI.17 Higher numbers of cases of UTI among older diabetic patients could be the result of decreased urinary flow, coupled with incomplete bladder emptying resulting from neuropathy, reductions in oestrogen with loss of vaginal flora among women and prostate disease in men.17 Our study revealed that hyperglycaemia was positively associated with UTI among diabetic patients. Barbara I. Nabaigwa International Health Sciences University, Kampala, Uganda Bashir Mwambi International Health Sciences University, Kampala, Uganda John Okiria International Health Sciences University, Kampala, Uganda Caesar Oyet International Health Sciences University, Kampala, Uganda Citation Nabaigwa BI, Mwambi B, Okiria J, Oyet C. Common uropathogens among diabetic patients with urinary tract infection at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda. keywords: diabetes; infection; patients; prevalence; study; tract; uganda; urine; uti cache: ajlm-621.htm plain text: ajlm-621.txt item: #420 of 530 id: ajlm-622 author: Akindigh, Terver M.; Joseph, Abba O.; Robert, Chrisitiana O.; Okojokwu, Ocheme J.; Okechalu, Juliet N.; Anejo-Okopi, Aje J. title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus co-infection among HIV-1-positive patients in North-Central Nigeria: The urgent need for surveillance date: 2019 words: 2802 flesch: 45 summary: Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Nigeria, 2000–2013: A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2004;3(1):10–12. Ott JJ, Stevens GA, Groeger J, Wiersma S. Global epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection: New estimates of age-specific HBsAg seroprevalence and endemicity. keywords: hbv; hepatitis; hiv; infection; jos; nigeria; patients; prevalence; virus cache: ajlm-622.htm plain text: ajlm-622.txt item: #421 of 530 id: ajlm-63 author: Boru, Waqo G.; Kikuvi, Gideon; Omollo, Jared; Abade, Ahmed; Amwayi, Samuel; Ampofo, William; Luman, Elizabeth T.; Oundo, Joseph title: Aetiology and factors associated with bacterial diarrhoeal diseases amongst urban refugee children in Eastleigh, Kenya: A case control study date: 2013 words: 4122 flesch: 52 summary: For this study, a health facility-based, matched case–control study was conducted to determine bacterial aetiology and associated risk factors for diarrhoea amongst young urban refugee children in Eastleigh, Nairobi. Article Information Authors: Waqo G. Boru1 Gideon Kikuvi2 Jared Omollo1 Ahmed Abade1 Samuel Amwayi1 William Ampofo3 Elizabeth T. Luman4 Joseph Oundo1,5 Affiliations: 1Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Kenya2Institute of Tropical Medicine, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya 3Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon 4Center for Global Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States 5Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Kenya Correspondence to: Waqo Boru Postal address: Ministry of Health, Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Box 20750–00200, Nairobi, Kenya Dates: Received: 07 May 2012 Accepted: 11 Oct. 2012 Published: 03 Sept. 2013 How to cite this article: Boru WG, Kikuvi G, Omollo J. Aetiology and factors associated with bacterial diarrhoeal diseases amongst urban refugee children in Eastleigh, Kenya: keywords: cases; children; controls; diarrhoea; eastleigh; factors; health; isolates; kenya; refugee; research; study cache: ajlm-63.htm plain text: ajlm-63.txt item: #422 of 530 id: ajlm-631 author: Nnukwu, Samuel E.; Utsalo, Simon J.; Oyero, Olufunmilayo G.; Ntemgwa, Michel; Ayukekbong, James A. title: Point-of-care diagnosis and risk factors of infantile, rotavirus-associated diarrhoea in Calabar, Nigeria date: 2017 words: 3471 flesch: 47 summary: This finding is in contrast with our previous report where the risk of rotavirus infection was higher among consumers of water from boreholes or wells compared with consumers of tap water.19 The fact that rotavirus was not detected in children without diarrhoea suggests that asymptomatic rotavirus infection is rare. There was no statistically significant difference in rotavirus prevalence based on the source of drinking water. TABLE 2: Risk factors of rotavirus infection among children younger than age 5 years in Calabar, Nigeria, August to December 2015. keywords: age; calabar; children; control; diarrhoea; infection; nigeria; prevalence; rotavirus; study; test; years cache: ajlm-631.htm plain text: ajlm-631.txt item: #423 of 530 id: ajlm-637 author: Sayed, Shahin; Lester, Susan C.; Wilson, Michael; Berney, Daniel; Masia, Ricard; Moloo, Zahir; Stall, Jennifer; Eslan, Alexia; Ayers, Stephanie; Mutuku, Angela; Guarner, Jeannette title: Creation and pilot testing of cases for case-based learning: A pedagogical approach for pathology cancer diagnosis date: 2017 words: 4286 flesch: 51 summary: Case based learning – A review of the literature: Is there scope for this educational paradigm in prehospital education? This paper focuses on the process of creating standardised cancer cases and the pilot testing of the same. keywords: cancer; cases; cbl; faculty; learning; massachusetts; pathology; pilot; questions; teaching; testers; testing; united states cache: ajlm-637.htm plain text: ajlm-637.txt item: #424 of 530 id: ajlm-638 author: Amukele, Timothy title: Africa CDC: Establishing Integrated Surveillance and Laboratory Networks for Rapid Disease Detection and Response, Control, Prevention, and Clinical Care in Africa date: 2017 words: 2089 flesch: 51 summary: All groups returned with clear recommendations on the role Africa CDC could play in AMR going forward. The private sector is well equipped to extend the reach and capacity of the public health role that Africa CDC is serving in the community. keywords: africa; cdc; control; disease; health; laboratory; public cache: ajlm-638.htm plain text: ajlm-638.txt item: #425 of 530 id: ajlm-642 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2017 words: 332 flesch: 42 summary: AJLM African Journal of Laboratory Medicine In an effort to facilitate the selection of appropriate peer reviewers for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, we ask that you take a moment to update your electronic portfolio on www. ajlmonline.org for our files, allowing us better access to your areas of interest and expertise, in order to match reviewers with submitted manuscripts. AJLM 4_1 Reviewer Acknolegdement.indd Reviewer Acknowledgement Open Accesshttp://www.ajlmonline.org Page 1 of 1 We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who provided scientific and logistical support for this issue of the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine: Should names have inadvertently been excluded from this list, the publisher apologises and undertakes to amend the exclusion in the next issue. keywords: journal; laboratory; reviewer cache: ajlm-642.pdf plain text: ajlm-642.txt item: #426 of 530 id: ajlm-643 author: Kaindjee-Tjituka, Francina; Sawadogo, Souleymane; Mutandi, Graham; Maher, Andrew D.; Salomo, Natanael; Mbapaha, Claudia; Neo, Marytha; Beukes, Anita; Gweshe, Justice; Muadinohamba, Alexinah; Lowrance, David W. title: Task-shifting point-of-care CD4+ testing to lay health workers in HIV care and treatment services in Namibia date: 2017 words: 4790 flesch: 55 summary: Public report, product: Pima CD4 test. In contrast, lay health workers are not qualified to interpret CD4 results, nor can they initiate patients on ART. keywords: art; care; cd4; health; hiv; lay; patients; pima; poc; results; testing; workers cache: ajlm-643.htm plain text: ajlm-643.txt item: #427 of 530 id: ajlm-645 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2017 words: 447 flesch: 32 summary: Michael Z. Wang Mick Mulders Jane Mwangi Nicaise Ndembi Clement B. Ndongmo John N. Nkengasong Michael A. Noble Bryan Nyary Beldinah R. Ochola Igho Ofotokun Iruka N. Okeke Pascale Ondoa Ketan Patel Helen Perry Pedro C. Pires Zilma Rey Pierre Rollin Ahmed Saleh Michel Segondy Timothy Su Ralph Timperi Farouk A. Umaru Raquel Villegas Larry Westerman Katy Yao Ernest Yufenyuy Reviewers 2015 Reviewers 2016 Should names have inadvertently been excluded from this list, the publisher apologises and undertakes to amend the exclusion in the next issue. AJLM 5_1.indb Reviewer Acknowledgement Open Accesshttp://www.ajlmonline.org Page 1 of 1 We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who provided scientific and logistical support for this issue of the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine: AJLM African Journal of Laboratory Medicine keywords: journal; laboratory; medicine; reviewer cache: ajlm-645.pdf plain text: ajlm-645.txt item: #428 of 530 id: ajlm-646 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2017 words: 276 flesch: 43 summary: AJLM African Journal of Laboratory Medicine In an effort to facilitate the selection of appropriate peer reviewers for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, we ask that you take a moment to update your electronic portfolio on www. ajlmonline.org for our files, allowing us better access to your areas of interest and expertise, in order to match reviewers with submitted manuscripts. AJLM 5_2_2014.indb Reviewer Acknowledgement Open Accesshttp://www.ajlmonline.org Page 1 of 1 We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who provided scientific and logistical support for this issue of the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine: Should names have inadvertently been excluded from this list, the publisher apologises and undertakes to amend the exclusion in the next issue. keywords: journal cache: ajlm-646.pdf plain text: ajlm-646.txt item: #429 of 530 id: ajlm-647 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2017 words: 292 flesch: 42 summary: AJLM African Journal of Laboratory Medicine In an effort to facilitate the selection of appropriate peer reviewers for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, we ask that you take a moment to update your electronic portfolio on www. ajlmonline.org for our files, allowing us better access to your areas of interest and expertise, in order to match reviewers with submitted manuscripts. AJLM 5_2 Introduction.indd Reviewer Acknowledgement Open Accesshttp://www.ajlmonline.org Page 1 of 1 We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who provided scientific and logistical support for this issue of the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine: Should names have inadvertently been excluded from this list, the publisher apologises and undertakes to amend the exclusion in the next issue. keywords: journal; laboratory cache: ajlm-647.pdf plain text: ajlm-647.txt item: #430 of 530 id: ajlm-65 author: Balinandi, Stephen; Bakamutumaho, Barnabas; Kayiwa, John T.; Ongus, Juliette; Oundo, Joseph; Awor, Anna C.; Lutwama, Julius J. title: The viral aetiology of influenza-like illnesses in Kampala and Entebbe, Uganda, 2008 date: 2013 words: 3763 flesch: 52 summary: This kit has been used elsewhere to identify respiratory viruses in similar specimens.20,21 The assay was performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Only Rhinovirus A and all influenza viruses were detected across all ages. TABLE 2: Frequency and prevalence of respiratory viruses amongst patients presenting with influenza-like illness at Kiswa Health Center and Entebbe Hospital, Uganda, between August 2008 and December 2008; n = 369. Mixed viral infections Of the 172 that tested positive for respiratory agents, there were 24 (14.0%) cases with mixed infections of two or three viruses. keywords: health; ili; infections; influenza; study; surveillance; uganda; virus; viruses cache: ajlm-65.htm plain text: ajlm-65.txt item: #431 of 530 id: ajlm-657 author: Beyanga, Medard; Gerwing-Adima, Lisa; Jackson, Kahima; Majaliwa, Benjamin; Shimba, Henrico; Ezekiel, Simon; Massambu, Charles; Majige, Dickson; Mwasegaka, Michael; Mtotela, Wilson; Mateta, Patrick; Kasang, Christa title: Implementation of the laboratory quality management system (ISO 15189): Experience from Bugando Medical Centre Clinical Laboratory – Mwanza, Tanzania date: 2018 words: 4077 flesch: 37 summary: Laboratory quality improvement in Tanzania. Laboratory mentorship and document development A laboratory mentor and an advisor were identified to guide laboratory management during the development of laboratory policies and procedures. keywords: accreditation; implementation; laboratory; management; medical; procedures; quality; results; staff; system; tanzania cache: ajlm-657.htm plain text: ajlm-657.txt item: #432 of 530 id: ajlm-658 author: Senamela, Tshiphiri; Kock, Marleen; Becker, Piet; Potgieter, Joachim J.C. title: Detection of the Janus kinase 2 V617F mutation using a locked nucleic-acid, real-time polymerase chain reaction assay date: 2018 words: 2714 flesch: 51 summary: The ratio of wild-type to mutant probe that provided optimal results was 1:8 (Figures 1 and 2 show how a heterozygous sample amplifies when the 1:1 and 1:8 ratios of mutant to wild-type probes were used). During the experiment, it was noted that the standard 1:1 wild-type to mutant probe ratio did not provide optimal results. keywords: assay; dna; jak2; mutant; mutation; pcr; pretoria; time; type; v617f cache: ajlm-658.htm plain text: ajlm-658.txt item: #433 of 530 id: ajlm-659 author: Mtisi, Takudzwa J.; Maponga, Charles; Monera-Penduka, Tsitsi G.; Mudzviti, Tinashe; Chagwena, Dexter; Makita-Chingombe, Faithful; DiFranchesco, Robin; Morse, Gene D. title: Strategic establishment of an International Pharmacology Specialty Laboratory in a resource-limited setting date: 2018 words: 3948 flesch: 28 summary: Strategic partnerships were beneficial in navigating challenges leading to laboratory development and training new investigators. This lack of expedient supply chains for instrument engineers threatened to slow down laboratory development. keywords: development; health; international; ipsl; laboratory; pharmacology; research; sciences; training; university; zimbabwe cache: ajlm-659.htm plain text: ajlm-659.txt item: #434 of 530 id: ajlm-66 author: Nyamngee, Amase; Edungbola, Luke D.; Agbede, Olajide O.; Salami, Alakija K.; Nwabuisi, Charles; Akanbi II, Aliu A.; Ibrahim, Olatunde O.K.; Tilahun, Muchae; Moser, Douglas B. title: Prevalence, intensity and complications of Microsporidium spores amongst HIV-positive hospital patients in Ilorin, Nigeria date: 2013 words: 3867 flesch: 45 summary: Prevalence, intensity and complications of Microsporidium spores amongst HIV patients in Ilorin, Nigeria. Laboratory testing for microsporidia in HIV patients should be performed routinely so as to identify the organism for prompt medical attention. keywords: hiv; ilorin; intensity; microsporidiasis; microsporidium; patients; prevalence; spores; study; university cache: ajlm-66.htm plain text: ajlm-66.txt item: #435 of 530 id: ajlm-661 author: Nkengasong, John; Boeras, Debrah I.; Abimiku, Alash’le; Peeling, Rosanna W. title: Corrigendum: Assuring the quality of diagnostic testing: the future is now date: 2017 words: 304 flesch: 34 summary: The author list and affiliations are hereby corrected to: John Nkengasong US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States Debrah I. Boeras International Diagnostic Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom Alash’le Abimiku Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States Rosanna W. Peeling International Diagnostic Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom The errors have been corrected in the PDF version of the article. Authors: John Nkengasong1 Debrah I. Boeras2 Alash’le Abimiku3 Rosanna W. Peeling2 Affiliations: 1US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States 2International Diagnostic Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom 3Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States Corresponding author: Debrah Boeras, dboeras@globalhealthig.com Date: Published: 19 July 2017 How to cite this article: Nkengasong J, Boeras DI, Abimiku A, Peeling RW. keywords: medicine; united cache: ajlm-661.pdf plain text: ajlm-661.txt item: #436 of 530 id: ajlm-664 author: Ismael, Nalia; Augusto, Orvalho; Vubil, Adolfo; Viegas, Sofia O.; Miambo, Fernanda; Chongo, Patrina; Mabunda, Nédio title: External Quality Assessment Programme for Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV-1, Mozambique, 2011–2014 date: 2018 words: 3127 flesch: 52 summary: Implementation of external quality assurance HIV-1 DNA programme Between 2011 and 2014, all laboratory technicians performing EID for HIV using DBS were informed about the availability of proficiency testing panels provided by the National EQA Program of Mozambique and were encouraged to enroll and participate. These results reinforce observations made by other studies that training and experience significantly affects the accuracy of proficiency panel testing over time.22,23,24 keywords: hiv; laboratory; mozambique; number; panels; programme; quality; results; technicians; testing cache: ajlm-664.htm plain text: ajlm-664.txt item: #437 of 530 id: ajlm-665 author: Coetzee, Lindi-Marie; Cassim, Naseem; Glencross, Deborah K. title: Using laboratory data to categorise CD4 laboratory turn-around-time performance across a national programme date: 2018 words: 4551 flesch: 44 summary: Conclusion This study demonstrated the feasibility of establishing laboratory TAT performance using secondary data from the corporate data warehouse. Audits as a tool for continued improvement of laboratory TAT was recently reported for chemistry results in a typical South African teaching hospital, confirming its application in TAT root cause analysis of outlying performers.15 In addition, a system for long-term monitoring of performance should also be in place to ensure continued acceptable performance by all testing laboratories. keywords: cd4; laboratories; laboratory; percentile; performance; samples; target; tat; testing; time cache: ajlm-665.htm plain text: ajlm-665.txt item: #438 of 530 id: ajlm-676 author: Mbuthia, Anne N.; Mwangi, Eunice M.; Ong'ombe, Musa O. title: Organisational management of hospital blood transfusion services in Nairobi County, Kenya: Evidence of implementation date: 2019 words: 3788 flesch: 42 summary: Organisational management of hospital blood transfusion services in Nairobi County, Kenya: Evidence of implementation. Afr J Lab Med. 2019;8(1), a676. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v8i1.676 Original Research Organisational management of hospital blood transfusion services in Nairobi County, Kenya: Evidence of implementation Anne N. Mbuthia, Eunice M. Mwangi, Musa O. Ong’ombe Received: 11 Sept. 2017; Accepted: 19 Dec. 2018; Published: 26 Aug. 2019 keywords: blood; hospitals; kenya; management; nairobi; quality; respondents; service; study; transfusion cache: ajlm-676.htm plain text: ajlm-676.txt item: #439 of 530 id: ajlm-679 author: Okeke, Iruka N. title: Honing in on disease etiology date: 2017 words: 929 flesch: 56 summary: Laboratory test result interpretation for primary care doctors in South Africa. For more common conditions, access to laboratory testing is critical for public health, as well as patient care. keywords: afr; laboratory; testing cache: ajlm-679.htm plain text: ajlm-679.txt item: #440 of 530 id: ajlm-68 author: Amoo, Oluemi S.; Taiwo, Idowu A.; Salu, Olumuyiwa O.; Okwuraiwe, Azuka P.; Onwuamah, Chika K.; Awe, Morenike A.; Oforomeh, Osaga O.; Onwujekwe, Daniel I.; Ezechi, Oliver C.; Ajuma, Audu R. title: Comparison of the COBAS/Ampliprep Taqman and Amplicor HIV-1 monitor tests in Lagos, Nigeria date: 2013 words: 2607 flesch: 49 summary: Therefore, accurate measurement of HIV-1 viral load is essential to provide clinicians with valuable information to determine treatment decisions. Materials and method Top ↑ In a retrospective study between May and November 2011, 176 archived plasma samples previously tested with the Amplicor monitor test and stored at −80 °C in the Human Virology Laboratory were assayed for HIV-1 viral load using the Amplicor monitor version 1.5 HIV-1 viral load technique. keywords: amplicor; ampliprep; assays; cobas; load; monitor; samples; taqman; version cache: ajlm-68.htm plain text: ajlm-68.txt item: #441 of 530 id: ajlm-681 author: Cassim, Naseem; Coetzee, Lindi M.; Stevens, Wendy S.; Glencross, Deborah K. title: Addressing antiretroviral therapy-related diagnostic coverage gaps across South Africa using a programmatic approach date: 2018 words: 7372 flesch: 47 summary: The seven steps used in the algorithm are described below: Step 1: Display service coverage precinct for the HIV viral load test A list of HIV viral load laboratories was compiled, including latitude and longitude coordinates. Not all health districts have equivalent ART-related coverage in particular for CD4 and HIV viral load testing. keywords: africa; art; candidate; cd4; coverage; daily; data; gaps; health; hiv; laboratories; laboratory; load; national; nhls; service; south; south africa; testing; tuberculosis; volumes cache: ajlm-681.htm plain text: ajlm-681.txt item: #442 of 530 id: ajlm-690 author: Zhang, Annie; Jumbe, Enoch; Krysiak, Robert; Sidiki, Sabeen; Kelley, Holden V.; Chemey, Elly K.; Kamba, Chancy; Mwapasa, Victor; García, Juan I.; Norris, Alison; Pan, Xueliang J.; Evans, Carlton; Wang, Shu-Hua; Kwiek, Jesse J.; Torrelles, Jordi B. title: Low-cost diagnostic test for susceptible and drug-resistant tuberculosis in rural Malawi date: 2018 words: 4642 flesch: 43 summary: In Malawi, there are approximately two smear and microscopy facilities per 100 000 people and one laboratory capable of performing tuberculosis drug susceptibility tests per 10 million people.3 Culture-based diagnostic methods remain the gold standard for drug susceptibility testing, but can take up to 86 days to yield results.4 In 2010, the WHO recommended GeneXpert MTB/RIF® as an initial tuberculosis diagnostic test. Recommendations To determine the accuracy of diagnosis of tuberculosis drug resistance, the tuberculosis CX-test needs to be tested in countries with a high prevalence of drug resistance, where it can be compared to culture-confirmed drug susceptibility testing and GeneXpert MTB/RIF®. keywords: afb; drug; genexpert; malawi; mtb; ohio; positive; rif; smear; test; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-690.htm plain text: ajlm-690.txt item: #443 of 530 id: ajlm-698 author: Mbah, Henry A.; Jegede, Feyisayo E.; Abdulrahman, Surajudeen A.; Oyeyi, Tinuade I. title: Evaluation of standard diagnostic rapid test kits for malaria diagnosis among HIV patients in Kano, Nigeria date: 2018 words: 5607 flesch: 48 summary: Performance of malaria rapid diagnostic test in comparison with standard microscopy Different malaria parasite densities The MRDT showed a sensitivity of about 72% among HIV-positive patients with malaria density count between 0 and 499 cells/µL and greater than 1000 cells/µL. TABLE 3: Performance of malaria rapid diagnostic test in comparison with standard blood smear microscopy at different malaria parasite density, fever status, cotrimoxazole prophalaxis,CD4+ count and ART status MRDT performance was significantly different from BSM findings, regardless of malaria parasite density count of participants (p < 0.005). keywords: art; cells/µl; count; diagnosis; hiv; malaria; microscopy; mrdt; nigeria; participants; performance; sensitivity; study; test cache: ajlm-698.htm plain text: ajlm-698.txt item: #444 of 530 id: ajlm-7 author: Ochodo, Eleanor A.; Leeflang, Mariska M.G. title: Systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy for evidence-based diagnostic practice in Africa date: 2012 words: 2235 flesch: 43 summary: In order to promote the use of diagnostic test accuracy reviews in Africa, the African Society for Laboratory Medicine can help to promote the use of high standard diagnostic test accuracy reviews to guide evidence-based diagnostic practice. Systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy for evidence-based diagnostic practice in Africa. keywords: accuracy; africa; cochrane; evidence; internet; reviews; test cache: ajlm-7.htm plain text: ajlm-7.txt item: #445 of 530 id: ajlm-708 author: Zhou, Zhiyong; Tang, Kevin; Zhang, Guoqing; Wadonda-Kabondo, Nellie; Moyo, Kundai; Rowe, Lori A.; DeVos, Joshua R.; Wagar, Nick; Zheng, Du-Ping; Guo, Hongxiong; Nkengasong, John; Frace, Mike; Sammons, Scott; Yang, Chunfu title: Detection of minority drug resistant mutations in Malawian HIV-1 subtype C-positive patients initiating and on first-line antiretroviral therapy date: 2018 words: 6560 flesch: 51 summary: TABLE 2: Number of drug resistance mutations detected by two sequencing methods against PIs, NRTIs and NNRTIs from plasma specimens collected from patients before ART initiation and at virologic failure† Prevalence of minority drug resistance mutations in patients experiencing virologic failure after antiretroviral therapy Overall, minority DRMs were detected by deep sequencing in 90.5% (19/21) of the patients failing ART. Abstract Background: Minority drug resistance mutations (DRMs) that are often missed by Sanger sequencing are clinically significant, as they can cause virologic failure in individuals treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs. keywords: art; control; drms; drug; global; hiv-1; minority; mutations; patients; resistance; samples; sanger; sequencing; states; study; united cache: ajlm-708.htm plain text: ajlm-708.txt item: #446 of 530 id: ajlm-715 author: Vaughan, Jenifer L.; Alli, Nazeer; Havyarimana, Sandra; Benade, Estee title: Assessment of International Consensus Group for Haematology smear review rules among patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Johannesburg, South Africa date: 2018 words: 2892 flesch: 46 summary: Overview of malaria detection technology achieved with automated hematology analyzer XN-30. Until more sensitive technologies for incidental malaria detection are widely available, clinical vigilance for this condition is required. keywords: detection; haematology; johannesburg; malaria; patients; rules; samples; south cache: ajlm-715.htm plain text: ajlm-715.txt item: #447 of 530 id: ajlm-722 author: Abimiku, Alash'le G.; Croxton, Talishea; Ozumba, Petronilla J.; Agala, Ndidi; Balogun, Olasinbo; Jonathan, Emmanuel; Onyemata, Enzenwa; Ndifon, Kachimi; Nadoma, Sunji; Anazodo, Thankgod; Peters, Sam; Beiswanger, Christine M. title: Blueprint for building a biorepository in a resource-limited setting that follows international best practices date: 2019 words: 7413 flesch: 31 summary: Biorepository management workshop: Expanded training on some of the above topics, including accreditation processes, biorepository best practices, biorepository services, cost modelling for services, disaster planning, critical samples, stakeholders, funding and establishing policies. Readiness assessment The I-HAB conducted a number of baseline assessments of its readiness to operate according to international biorepository practices using the ISBER self-assessment tool.5 The ISBER checklist evaluated the biorepository’s records, management reviews, organisation and personnel, client management, equipment, internal audit, purchasing and inventory, information management, process control and external quality assurance, corrective actions, occurrence and incident management, and facilities and safety (Figure 1). keywords: abuja; activities; biorepository; biospecimens; h3africa; hab; health; human; ihvn; institute; laboratory; management; nigeria; practices; quality; research; staff; support; training; united; virology cache: ajlm-722.htm plain text: ajlm-722.txt item: #448 of 530 id: ajlm-731 author: Molaudzi, Mulalo; Molepo, Julitha title: The use of real-time polymerase chain reaction and an adenosine deaminase assay for diagnosing pleural tuberculosis date: 2019 words: 4201 flesch: 52 summary: Due to the paucibacillary nature of pleural tuberculosis, the sensitivity of pleural fluid microscopy (about 10%) and culture (about 20%) in pleural tuberculosis cases is low.3,4,5 Culture also has a longer turn-around time, ranging from 4 to 8 weeks.6 The poor sensitivity and specificity of the conventional methods of diagnosis suggest the need for more effective methods, such as an adenosine deaminase assay (ADA) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Pleural fluid ADA has been shown to be a valuable biochemical marker that has a high sensitivity and specificity for pleural tuberculosis diagnosis.7 The use of ADA as a diagnostic marker has additional merits, since results can be produced rapidly.8 Molecular diagnostic tests such as qPCR have been used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis. keywords: ada; adenosine; assay; cases; deaminase; diagnosis; fluid; sensitivity; specificity; study; time; tuberculosis; units cache: ajlm-731.htm plain text: ajlm-731.txt item: #449 of 530 id: ajlm-732 author: Kubi, Joyce A.; Mutocheluh, Mohamed; Bonney, Joseph H.K.; Ampofo, William K.; Odoom, John K. title: Molecular detection of enterovirus D68 among children with acute respiratory tract infection in Ghana date: 2019 words: 3665 flesch: 52 summary: TABLE 3: Details of patients with enterovirus D68 infection. Molecular detection of enterovirus D68 among children with acute respiratory tract infection in Ghana. keywords: cases; children; d68; enterovirus; ghana; infections; influenza; patients; samples; study cache: ajlm-732.htm plain text: ajlm-732.txt item: #450 of 530 id: ajlm-739 author: Cuylaerts, Vicky; De Baetselier, Irith; Muvunyi, Claude M.; Mwambarange, Lambert; Smet, Hilde; Rusine, John; Musengamana, Viateur; van de Wijgert, Janneke; Crucitti, Tania title: Implementation and evaluation of the Presto combined qualitative real-time assay for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Rwanda date: 2019 words: 5045 flesch: 46 summary: Notwithstanding this study’s small sample size, the Presto assay’s sensitivity and specificity for C. trachomatis detection was in line with two previous studies.6,7 To date no reports have been found on the current presence of the C. trachomatis Swedish variant strain in Rwanda or Africa, but it has become a global requirement that newly designed PCR assays for C. trachomatis detection also detect the C. trachomatis Swedish variant.8 keywords: assay; detection; gonorrhoeae; pcr; presto; presto assay; rwanda; samples; time; trachomatis cache: ajlm-739.htm plain text: ajlm-739.txt item: #451 of 530 id: ajlm-740 author: Schmitz, Mary E.; Chang, Karen; Arnett, Nichole; Kohatsu, Luciana; Lemwayi, Ruth; Mwasekaga, Michael; Nkengasong, John; Bolu, Omotayo; Mosha, Fausta; Westerman, Larry title: Onsite healthcare worker acceptability and performance of the point-of-care Pima CD4 assay in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania date: 2019 words: 6138 flesch: 49 summary: The Alere Pima™ CD4 assay (Pima CD4) is the CD4 point-of-care test for HIV management in Tanzania. Objectives: To evaluate healthcare workers’ acceptance and performance of Pima CD4 testing. Pima CD4 testing was performed at all study sites by healthcare workers using all three specimen collection methods on the day of specimen collection. keywords: assay; blood; cd4; healthcare; healthcare workers; hiv; microtube; pima; pima cd4; results; specimen; study; tanzania; testing; united; workers cache: ajlm-740.htm plain text: ajlm-740.txt item: #452 of 530 id: ajlm-741 author: Singh-Moodley, Ashika; Ismail, Husna; Perovic, Olga title: An overview of antimicrobial resistance surveillance among healthcare-associated pathogens in South Africa date: 2018 words: 5248 flesch: 30 summary: The primary objectives of the LARS programme were to determine the number of cases reported from selected hospitals for selected pathogens, to describe antimicrobial susceptibility of the significant treatment regimens for the pathogens45 and a secondary objective was molecular characterisation of resistance genes.26,27,30 In 2014, antimicrobial resistance surveillance data on Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from patients with bacteraemia were published30; isolates were submitted by sentinel laboratories in five regions of South Africa from mid-2010 to mid-2012. Abstract Introduction Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in healthcare-associated pathogens in Africa Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in healthcare-associated pathogens in South Africa Acknowledgements References About the Author(s) Ashika Singh-Moodley Centre for Healthcare-associated infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa Husna Ismail Centre for Healthcare-associated infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa Olga Perovic Centre for Healthcare-associated infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa Citation Singh-Moodley A, Ismail H, Perovic O. An overview of antimicrobial resistance surveillance among healthcare-associated pathogens in South Africa. keywords: africa; agents; antimicrobial; aureus; data; healthcare; infections; isolates; pathogens; resistance; south; south africa; surveillance cache: ajlm-741.htm plain text: ajlm-741.txt item: #453 of 530 id: ajlm-742 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2017 words: 324 flesch: 31 summary: AJLM African Journal of Laboratory Medicine In an effort to facilitate the selection of appropriate peer reviewers for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, we ask that you take a moment to update your electronic portfolio on www. ajlmonline.org for our files, allowing us better access to your areas of interest and expertise, in order to match reviewers with submitted manuscripts. Reviewer Acknowledgement Open Accesshttp://www.ajlmonline.org Page 1 of 1 The Editors and Guest Editors would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who provided scientific and logistical support for this issue of the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine: Should names have inadvertently been excluded from this list, the publisher apologises and undertakes to amend the exclusion in the next issue. keywords: journal; laboratory cache: ajlm-742.pdf plain text: ajlm-742.txt item: #454 of 530 id: ajlm-743 author: Abusharib, Abuobieda B. title: Morphological patterns of anaemia among pregnant women from Sudan date: 2019 words: 4695 flesch: 44 summary: in neighbouring Ethiopia reported a lower prevalence of the dimorphic pattern (4%) among pregnant women.5 However, results from Rajasthan state in India showed the microcytic hypochromic pattern to be the most frequent (51%), followed by normocytic normochromic (32%), dimorphic (13%) and macrocytic (4%).15 These results were also supported by a further study from Maharashtra state in India, which demonstrated microcytic hypochromic as the most common pattern in pregnancy (55.4%);16 the latter findings can be attributed to the fact that most of the Indian participants were vegetarian, and the tendency to develop iron anaemia rather than mixed deficiency anaemia is greater in this population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphology of RBCs among anaemic pregnant women and examine differences in morphological features across some clinical characteristics of study participants. keywords: anaemia; b12; folate; iron; microcytic; participants; pattern; pregnancy; study; trimester; vitamin cache: ajlm-743.htm plain text: ajlm-743.txt item: #455 of 530 id: ajlm-744 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2017 words: 421 flesch: 29 summary: In an effort to facilitate the selection of appropriate peer reviewers for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, we ask that you take a moment to update your electronic portfolio on www. ajlmonline.org for our files, allowing us better access to your areas of interest and expertise, in order to match reviewers with submitted manuscripts. It is good practice as reviewer to update your personal details regularly to ensure contact with you throughout your professional term as reviewer for the African Journal of Laboratory Medicine. keywords: http://www.ajlmonline.org; http://www.ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/user; journal; laboratory; reviewer cache: ajlm-744.pdf plain text: ajlm-744.txt item: #456 of 530 id: ajlm-747 author: Abdullahi, Kabir; Mohammed, Yahaya; Sahabi, Saddiku A.; Dalhat, Mahmood M. title: Coexistence of Kaposi sarcoma and Molluscum contagiosum on the same site in a HIV-AIDS patient: A very rare occurrence date: 2019 words: 1435 flesch: 44 summary: Consequently, all efforts should be made to ensure adherence to treatment by HIV patients to optimise outcomes. We present a case report of a patient living with HIV, with multiple skin lesions, for which both diseases were diagnosed. keywords: contagiosum; kaposi; molluscum; sarcoma; sciences cache: ajlm-747.htm plain text: ajlm-747.txt item: #457 of 530 id: ajlm-748 author: Njau, Allan N.; Gakinya, Samuel M.; Sayed, Shahin; Moloo, Zahir title: Xpert® MTB/RIF assay on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues in the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis date: 2019 words: 4113 flesch: 51 summary: Xpert MTB/RIF can be used on fresh or frozen tissue specimens for diagnosis of tuberculosis with good results. Objectives: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the potential utility of Xpert MTB/RIF and to compare its performance to Ziehl-Neelsen staining for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from FFPE tissues using histological features from haematoxylin and eosin staining as the gold standard. keywords: assay; diagnosis; formalin; mtb; rif; specimens; study; tissues; tuberculosis; xpert; xpert mtb cache: ajlm-748.htm plain text: ajlm-748.txt item: #458 of 530 id: ajlm-756 author: Isezuo, Khadijat O.; Sani, Usman M.; Waziri, Usman M.; Garba, Bilkisu I.; Mohammed, Yahaya; Legbo, Joy F.; Aquil, Nazish P.; Abubakar, Fatima I.; Omar, Memuna title: Ecthyma gangrenosum on the face of a malnourished child with Pseudomonas sepsis: Simulating Cancrum oris date: 2018 words: 2798 flesch: 51 summary: Cancrum oris (Noma) is a gangrenous necrosis of the face that begins as a gingival ulcer and progresses rapidly to destroy contiguous tissues in malnourished children. Facial necrosis in malnourished children may be due to EG. keywords: danfodiyo; department; ecthyma; gangrenosum; hospital; nigeria; noma; pseudomonas; teaching; university cache: ajlm-756.htm plain text: ajlm-756.txt item: #459 of 530 id: ajlm-757 author: Cassim, Naseem; Coetzee, Lindi M.; Govender, Nelesh P.; Glencross, Deborah K. title: District and sub-district analysis of cryptococcal antigenaemia prevalence and specimen positivity in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa date: 2018 words: 4943 flesch: 47 summary: Health district CrAg positivity and prevalence were calculated, with the latter using de-duplicated patient data. Data from a previously reported study showed a CrAg positivity of 2.4% in the Northern Cape versus 7.3% in KwaZulu-Natal.5 Within KwaZulu-Natal, district CrAg positivity ranged from 6.2% in Amajuba to 9.2% in King Cetshwayo district, with the Umkhanyakude district reporting the second highest CrAg positivity at 8.9%.5 KwaZulu-Natal is the second most populous province in South Africa and has the highest HIV prevalence.6 There are 11 079 700 people living in the province representing 19.8% of the national population.7 keywords: africa; crag; data; district; health; kwazulu; natal; national; positivity; samples; south cache: ajlm-757.htm plain text: ajlm-757.txt item: #460 of 530 id: ajlm-76 author: Mbow, Moustapha; Santos, Ndèye S.S.; Camara, Makhtar; Ba, Awa; Niang, Aliou; Daneau, Géraldine; Wade, Djibril; Diallo, Abdou A.; Toupane, Maxim; Diakhaté, Maïmouna; Lèye, Nafissatou; Diaw, Papa A.; Mboup, Souleymane; Kestens, Luc; Dieye, Tandakha N. title: HIV and Tuberculosis co-infection impacts T-cell activation markers but not the numbers subset of regulatory T-cells in HIV-1 infected patients date: 2013 words: 5983 flesch: 56 summary: Sousa AE, Carneiro J, Meier-Schellersheim M, et al. CD4 T cell depletion is linked directly to immune activation in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 and HIV-2 but only indirectly to the viral load. Relationship between T cell activation and CD4+ T cell count in HIV-seropositive individuals with undetectable plasma HIV RNA levels in the absence of therapy. keywords: activation; cd4; cd8; cells; counts; hiv; infection; patients; study cache: ajlm-76.htm plain text: ajlm-76.txt item: #461 of 530 id: ajlm-760 author: Smith, Anthony M. title: Review of molecular subtyping methodologies used to investigate outbreaks due to multidrug-resistant enteric bacterial pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa date: 2019 words: 7781 flesch: 39 summary: Clonal spread of this MDR ST313 strain was first reported from Kenya and Malawi in 2009, with the strain showing resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, sulphamethoxazole, trimethoprim, streptomycin and kanamycin.20 In Kenya, a more recent analysis of Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak isolates, using WGS-SNP analysis, identified a single clade of MDR ST313 strains showing resistance to ampicillin, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, sulphamethoxazole and trimethoprim; extended-spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) genes blaCTX-M-15, blaTEM-1 and blaOXA-1 were also harboured by the isolates.21 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0087991 Jackson BR, Tarr C, Strain E, et al. keywords: africa; analysis; cholerae; dis; et al; infect; isolates; mdr; microbiol; outbreak; pfge; resistance; salmonella; south; strains; subtyping; vibrio; wgs cache: ajlm-760.htm plain text: ajlm-760.txt item: #462 of 530 id: ajlm-761 author: Grundmann, Hajo; Gelband, Hellen title: Antimicrobial resistance surveillance with whole genome sequencing in Africa: It’s (about) time date: 2018 words: 1870 flesch: 37 summary: Background: Prospects for laboratory-based surveillance in Africa and novel opportunities The most accomplished example of repurposing routine laboratory susceptibility results for AMR surveillance and the basic model for WHO’s system is the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (EARS-Net). More well-trained personnel both in the laboratory and bioinformatics aspects will be needed as well as, online tools and software that will facilitate the routine analysis of data.10 Where does that lead us in pushing forward with AMR surveillance in Africa in 2018? keywords: africa; amr; health; laboratory; public; surveillance; wgs cache: ajlm-761.htm plain text: ajlm-761.txt item: #463 of 530 id: ajlm-77 author: Maruta, Talkmore; Rotz, Philip; Peter, Trevor title: Setting up a structured laboratory mentoring programme date: 2013 words: 5805 flesch: 38 summary: Size of laboratories to be mentored    • Number of mentors and their available time    • Skill level and experience of mentor    • Funding    • Logistics • Mentor support and integration • Supervision and accountability • Measuring laboratory progress and mentoring effectiveness • Structured reporting • Summary • Acknowledgements    • Competing interests    • Authors’ contributions • References Abstract Top ↑ Introduction: Laboratory mentoring programmes can be an important vehicle to establish and solidify quality management systems and help laboratories achieve accreditation goals. Ultimately, laboratory mentoring programmes are accountable to the MOH’s laboratory leadership. keywords: accreditation; approach; laboratories; laboratory; management; mentoring; mentors; mentorship; programme; quality; time; training cache: ajlm-77.htm plain text: ajlm-77.txt item: #464 of 530 id: ajlm-770 author: Ibrahim, Rajiha A.; Teshal, Amete M.; Dinku, Surafel F.; Abera, Negga A.; Negeri, Abebe A.; Desta, Feven G.; Seyum, Eyasu T.; Gemeda, Adugna W.; Keficho, Wubshet M. title: Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Ethiopia: Implementation experiences and lessons learned date: 2018 words: 2967 flesch: 31 summary: TABLE 1: Priority surveillance pathogens by specimen for inclusion in Ethiopia AMR surveillance. A standardised assessment tool was used to better understand the conditions and capacities of potential AMR surveillance sites. keywords: amr; ethiopia; health; implementation; laboratory; national; resistance; sites; surveillance cache: ajlm-770.htm plain text: ajlm-770.txt item: #465 of 530 id: ajlm-775 author: Gous, Natasha M.; Onyebujoh, Philip C; Abimiku, Alash'le; Macek, Chris; Takle, Jeff title: The role of connected diagnostics in strengthening regional, national and continental African disease surveillance date: 2018 words: 4564 flesch: 39 summary: Comparing national infectious disease surveillance systems: China and the Netherlands. Existing disease surveillance systems and laboratory information systems (e.g. Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System, Global Early Warning System, DISA, District Health Management Information System-2) are robust tools with well-established processes. keywords: africa; amr; cdc; data; disease; health; information; laboratory; national; outbreak; response; surveillance; systems; time cache: ajlm-775.htm plain text: ajlm-775.txt item: #466 of 530 id: ajlm-778 author: Mohammed, Yahaya; Aboderin, Aaron O.; Okeke, Iruka N.; Olayinka, Adebola T. title: Antimicrobial resistance of Vibrio cholerae from sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review date: 2018 words: 5357 flesch: 46 summary: This reflects a worrisome neglect of research on V. cholerae resistance trends from sub-Saharan Africa, despite the high prevalence of V. cholerae and its almost seasonal occurrence.29,37 We were able to retrieve some of the identified full text reviews from major databases by personally contacting the corresponding authors, which we recommend for researchers from developing countries like ours. They also demonstrated that resistant isolates possessed a multi-resistance transmissible plasmid that encoded trimethoprim (dhfrXII) and aminoglycoside resistance (ant(3”)-1a).4 In Kenya, Urassa et al.16 documented resistance to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, ampicillin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol by V. cholerae during two separate outbreaks.16 Another study from Kenya by Scrascia et al.17 showed resistance of V. cholerae to chloramphenicol, streptomycin and cotrimoxazole.17 Sang and colleagues18 in Kenya were able to demonstrate resistance to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, ampicillin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol among V. cholerae isolates.18 Dromigny and colleagues19 conducted a study in Madagascar in 2002 among V. cholerae isolates and documented resistance to tetracycline, ampicillin, nalidixic acid and nitrofurantoin.19 Dengo-Baloi et al.20 performed a study in Mozambique to determine the antibiotic resistance patterns of V. cholerae O1 Ogawa. keywords: africa; articles; biotype; cholerae; isolates; nigeria; resistance; review; studies; study; tor; vibrio cache: ajlm-778.htm plain text: ajlm-778.txt item: #467 of 530 id: ajlm-781 author: Ismail, Nazir; Ismail, Farzana; Omar, Shaheed V.; Blows, Linsay; Gardee, Yasmin; Koornhof, Hendrik; Onyebujoh, Philip C. title: Drug resistant tuberculosis in Africa: Current status, gaps and opportunities date: 2018 words: 5767 flesch: 47 summary: Abstract Introduction Situation analysis of drug resistant tuberculosis in Africa Towards ending drug resistant tuberculosis in Africa Acknowledgements References Appendix 1 About the Author(s) Drug resistant tuberculosis in Africa: Current status, gaps and opportunities. keywords: africa; burden; cases; countries; data; drug; health; national; resistance; south; testing; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-781.htm plain text: ajlm-781.txt item: #468 of 530 id: ajlm-783 author: Siwele, Bakani A.; Makhado, Ndivhuho A.; Mariba, Matodzi T. title: Late diagnosis of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in a child at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa: A case report date: 2019 words: 2836 flesch: 44 summary: In the advanced stages of spinal tuberculosis disease, a significant proportion of patients present with neurological impairment.9,13 Kyphotic deformity is seen in 95% of cases, although the deformity may not develop in the early stages or in less severe cases.2,14 Less than 40% of patients present with constitutional symptoms of generalised body malaise, loss of appetite, weight loss, night sweats and fever.5,7 The majority of spinal tuberculosis cases can be managed non-surgically. Keywords: spinal tuberculosis; extrapulmonary tuberculosis; multidrug-resistant tuberculosis; laboratory diagnosis; radiological improvement. keywords: case; diagnosis; figure; patient; spinal; spine; t12; treatment; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-783.htm plain text: ajlm-783.txt item: #469 of 530 id: ajlm-784 author: Ouologuem, Dinkorma T.; Kone, Cheick O.; Fofana, Bakary; Sidibe, Bakary; Togo, Amadou H.; Dembele, Demba; Toure, Sekou; Koumare, Sekou; Toure, Ousmane; Sagara, Issaka; Toure, Abdoulaye; Dao, Adama; Doumbo, Ogobara K.; Djimde, Abdoulaye A. title: Differential infectivity of gametocytes after artemisinin-based combination therapy of uncomplicated falciparum malaria date: 2018 words: 4890 flesch: 38 summary: The effect of the current ACT regimens on gametocyte infectivity is unclear. Objectives: (p < 10−4), whereas artesunate-sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine decreased gametocyte infectivity in this setting (p = 0.03). keywords: amodiaquine; artesunate; bamako; department; diseases; falciparum; gametocyte; infectivity; malaria; mali; plasmodium; pyrimethamine; sulfadoxine; treatment; university cache: ajlm-784.htm plain text: ajlm-784.txt item: #470 of 530 id: ajlm-786 author: Gobusamang, Ellen; Nyepetsi, Naledi G.; Motswaledi, Modisa S.; Kasvosve, Ishmael title: Hyperuricaemia is associated with dyslipidemia but not HbA1c among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Botswana date: 2019 words: 2659 flesch: 46 summary: High serum uric acid and increased risk of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Role of uric acid in hypertension, renal disease, and metabolic syndrome. keywords: acid; botswana; cholesterol; diabetes; hyperuricaemia; patients; serum; study cache: ajlm-786.htm plain text: ajlm-786.txt item: #471 of 530 id: ajlm-789 author: Gutierrez, Cristina; Somoskovi, Akos; Natarajan, Kris; Bell, David title: Need for better adherence to optimal incubation temperature for quality laboratory diagnostics and antibiotic resistance monitoring date: 2018 words: 1032 flesch: 32 summary: FIGURE 1: Incubation temperature in 12 laboratories from seven countries for isolation, subculture and DST of 26 pathogenic bacteria or pathogenic bacteria groups frequently isolated from clinical specimens. Acknowledgements References About the Author(s) Cristina Gutierrez Independent consultant, Vigo, Spain Akos Somoskovi Global Health Technologies, Global Good Fund, Intellectual Ventures Laboratory, Bellevue, Washington, United States Kris Natarajan Global Health Technologies, Global Good Fund, Intellectual Ventures Laboratory, Bellevue, Washington, United States David Bell Global Health Technologies, Global Good Fund, Intellectual Ventures Laboratory, Bellevue, Washington, United States Citation Gutierrez C, Somoskovi A, Natarajan K, Bell D. Need for better adherence to optimal incubation temperature for quality laboratory diagnostics and antibiotic resistance monitoring. keywords: incubation; temperature cache: ajlm-789.htm plain text: ajlm-789.txt item: #472 of 530 id: ajlm-792 author: Motswaledi, Modisa S.; Kasvosve, Ishmael; Oguntibeju, Oluwafemi O. title: Potential role of Lu/BCAM in HIV-related atherosclerosis date: 2019 words: 2869 flesch: 37 summary: Among HIV-negative controls, there was no correlation between monocytes and total cholesterol or non-HDL cholesterol. When patients were segregated according to their Lub phenotypes, the correlation between non-HDL cholesterol with phagocytes improved for both monocytes (r = −0.442, p = 0.018; Figure 1) and neutrophils (r = −0.369, p = 0.053; Figure 2). keywords: adhesion; cholesterol; hdl; hiv; lub; monocytes; patients; sciences cache: ajlm-792.htm plain text: ajlm-792.txt item: #473 of 530 id: ajlm-793 author: Desalegn, Daniel M.; Taddese, Boja D.; Yemanebrhane, Nebiyou; Getahun, Mulye S.; Kitila, Kumera T.; Dinku, Tariku T.; Asferie, Kassahun D.; Wolde, Elizabeth A.; Tura, Gemechis B.; Mersha, Tilahun B.; Rorissa, Alemayhu W.; Wondimagegnehu, Daniel D.; Hailu, Tinsae K.; Bika, Abrham T. title: Medical laboratory accreditation in a resource-limited district health centre laboratory, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia date: 2019 words: 3729 flesch: 35 summary: Background In developing countries, the expansion of laboratory diagnostic infrastructure has increased to the extent of meeting the needs of evidence-based treatment.1 Along with investing in accessibility, simultaneous improvements in the quality of laboratory services are needed to ensure the quality of health services.1,2 Laboratory service in resource-limited settings is very weak and quality assurance system practices are either very weak or do not exist at all.3 Laboratory testing errors can mislead clinicians and cause serious harm to patients, but the errors can be reduced by establishing a comprehensive laboratory quality management system.1,4 The implementation of a laboratory quality management system enables the healthcare system to provide reliable services and strengthens the overall quality of patient care. Quality indicators A quality indicator is an objective measure that potentially evaluates all performance improvements in laboratory services based on ISO 15189 standards (turn-around time, external laboratory assessment, customer satisfaction, laboratory service interruption, equipment downtime, specimen rejection and laboratory supplies stock level). keywords: accreditation; addis; addis ababa; ethiopia; health; ketema; laboratory; management; process; quality; services cache: ajlm-793.htm plain text: ajlm-793.txt item: #474 of 530 id: ajlm-796 author: Irek, Emmanuel O.; Amupitan, Adewale A.; Obadare, Temitope O.; Aboderin, Aaron O. title: A systematic review of healthcare-associated infections in Africa: An antimicrobial resistance perspective date: 2018 words: 5626 flesch: 42 summary: Hospital infections. Conclusion: This review shows a paucity of HCAI surveillance in Africa and an emergence of AMR priority pathogens. keywords: africa; amr; articles; control; countries; global; hcai; health; healthcare; hospital; infections; patients; resistance; review; spp; studies; surveillance; world cache: ajlm-796.htm plain text: ajlm-796.txt item: #475 of 530 id: ajlm-799 author: Jali, Ayanda G.; Nkambule, Bongani B. title: Prevalence and aetiology of moderate and severe thrombocytopenia in a tertiary and quaternary centre in KwaZulu-Natal date: 2020 words: 3381 flesch: 41 summary: Moreover, in our study thrombocytopenia was particularly common among patients admitted to haematology and oncology wards, intensive care units, neonatal intensive care units and medical wards, while a minority of thrombocytopenia cases (1.7%) were from non-haematology clinics. In fact, seasonal variations in platelet counts have been reported with lower platelet counts observed in spring and summer, while slightly elevated platelet counts have been observed in autumn and winter.14,15 Notably our study period fell within a low thrombocytopenia season (summer and autumn); this may suggest that the reported platelet counts in patients with severe thrombocytopenia were not influenced by seasonal variations but may have led to an underestimation of thrombocytopenia in our setting. keywords: aetiology; count; haematology; hospital; natal; patients; platelet; prevalence; south; study; thrombocytopenia cache: ajlm-799.htm plain text: ajlm-799.txt item: #476 of 530 id: ajlm-8 author: Carter, Jane Y.; Lema, Orgenes E.; Wangai, Magdaline W.; Munafu, Charles G.; Rees, Philip H.; Nyamongo, Jackson A. title: Laboratory testing improves diagnosis and treatment outcomes in primary health care facilities date: 2012 words: 3830 flesch: 47 summary: Laboratory diagnosis may reduce drug costs if return visits for second or third treatments are avoided. Essential clinical diagnostic equipment and laboratory tests were established at each health centre. keywords: change; diagnosis; health; laboratory; patients; results; study; testing; tests; treatment; use cache: ajlm-8.htm plain text: ajlm-8.txt item: #477 of 530 id: ajlm-801 author: Omar, Shaheed V.; Joseph, Lavania; Said, Halima M.; Ismail, Farzana; Ismail, Nabila; Gwala, Thabisile L.; Ismail, Nazir A. title: Whole genome sequencing for drug resistance determination in Mycobacterium tuberculosis date: 2019 words: 2918 flesch: 32 summary: However, sequence analysis requires an understanding of the associated genetic targets and drug resistance mutations. Next-generation ion torrent sequencing of drug resistance mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. keywords: africa; drug; genome; health; laboratory; national; resistance; sequencing; south; tuberculosis; wgs cache: ajlm-801.htm plain text: ajlm-801.txt item: #478 of 530 id: ajlm-803 author: Salu, Olumuyiwa B.; James, Ayorinde B.; Bankolé, Honoré S.; Agbla, Jijoho M.; Da Silva, Magloire; Gbaguidi, Fernand; Loko, Christian F.; Omilabu, Sunday A. title: Molecular confirmation and phylogeny of Lassa fever virus in Benin Republic 2014–2016 date: 2019 words: 4001 flesch: 49 summary: Molecular confirmation and phylogeny of Lassa fever virus in Benin Republic 2014–2016. Afr J Lab Med. 2019;8(1), a803. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v8i1.803 Original Research Molecular confirmation and phylogeny of Lassa fever virus in Benin Republic 2014–2016 Olumuyiwa B. Salu, Ayorinde B. James, Honoré S. Bankolé, Jijoho M. Agbla, Magloire Da Silva, Fernand Gbaguidi, Christian F. Loko, Sunday A. Omilabu Received: 09 keywords: benin; fever; health; laboratory; lagos; lassa; lasv; medicine; nigeria; republic; rna; samples; university; virus cache: ajlm-803.htm plain text: ajlm-803.txt item: #479 of 530 id: ajlm-804 author: Rhodes, Daniel; Carcelain, Guislaine; Keeney, Mike; Parizot, Christophe; Benjamins, Dominika; Genesta, Laurine; Zhang, Jin; Rohrbach, Justin; Lawrie, Denise; Glencross, Deborah K. title: Assessment of the AQUIOS flow cytometer – An automated sample preparation system for CD4 lymphocyte PanLeucogating enumeration date: 2019 words: 6851 flesch: 52 summary: Discussion In this study, we compared PLG on the AQUIOS Flow Cytometer versus PLG CD4 counts generated by FC500 instruments. For method comparison, the number and percentage for sex, adult or paediatric specimens, mean age, CD4 count and percentage and CD4 count range were calculated. keywords: adults; aquios; cd4; cells/µl; clin; count; flow; france; hiv; laboratory; mean; plg; positive; reference; samples; south; states; testing; united cache: ajlm-804.htm plain text: ajlm-804.txt item: #480 of 530 id: ajlm-805 author: Otokunefor, Kome; Otokunefor, Tosanwumi V.; Omakwele, Godwin title: Multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Port Harcourt, Nigeria date: 2018 words: 3283 flesch: 49 summary: Some previous studies assessing rates of MDR tuberculosis in Nigeria had reported higher rates of 6.9%, 8%, 10.4% and 10.6% from Awka, three different cities, Cross Rivers and Kano respectively and extremely higher rates of 53.6%.28,29,30,31,32 Others reported fairly similar rates of 4% from Calabar and Abuja, and 5.2% from Cross Rivers.33,34,35 With respect specifically to MDR tuberculosis rates in new cases, results of this study were quite similar to previous reported rates of 3%,32 4%33 and 5.2%,35 but lower than the pooled rate of 6.0% reported in a recent review on drug resistant tuberculosis in Nigeria.7 Despite the relatively low rate of MDR tuberculosis noted in this study, a 46.7% resistance rate against any of the first-line drugs was noted. Tuberculosis drug resistance in Southern Mozambique: Results of a population-level survey in the district of Manhiça. keywords: drug; harcourt; mdr; multi; nigeria; port; rates; resistance; study; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-805.htm plain text: ajlm-805.txt item: #481 of 530 id: ajlm-806 author: Mwanza, Winnie; Milimo, Deborah; Chilufya, Maureen M.; Kasese, Nkatya; Lengwe, Maina C.; Munkondya, Stembiso; de Haas, Petra; Ayles, Helen; Muyoyeta, Monde title: Diagnosis of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis: Discordant results by diagnostic methods date: 2018 words: 3078 flesch: 42 summary: Three patients had positive rifampicin resistance results on both Xpert MTB/RIF and MTBDRplus (Table 2), but rifampicin resistance was not detected with MGIT drug susceptibility testing (Tables 3 and 4). Abstract The performance of the Xpert© MTB/RIF and MTBDRplus assays for the detection of rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis was compared to culture-based drug susceptibility testing in 30 specimens with rifampicin-resistant and rifampicin-indeterminate Xpert MTB/RIF results collected between March 2012 and March 2014. keywords: medicine; mtb; resistance; rif; rifampicin; school; tuberculosis; xpert; zambia cache: ajlm-806.htm plain text: ajlm-806.txt item: #482 of 530 id: ajlm-809 author: Abdullahi, Kabir; Umar, Mohammed; Sahabi, Saddiku M. title: Utilisation of fine needle aspiration cytology and biopsy in Sokoto, Nigeria: A five-year review date: 2019 words: 2003 flesch: 48 summary: Utilisation of fine needle aspiration cytology and biopsy in Sokoto, Nigeria: A five-year review. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v8i1.809 Brief Report Utilisation of fine needle aspiration cytology and biopsy in Sokoto, Nigeria: keywords: aspiration; cases; fine; fnac; needle; nigeria; sokoto cache: ajlm-809.htm plain text: ajlm-809.txt item: #483 of 530 id: ajlm-81 author: Sanon, Souleymane; Gansane, Adama; Ouattara, Lamoussa P.; Traore, Abdoulaye; Ouedraogo, Issa N.; Tiono, Alfred; Taramelli, Donatella; Basilico, Nicoletta; Sirima, Sodiomon B. title: In vitro antiplasmodial and cytotoxic properties of some medicinal plants from western Burkina Faso date: 2013 words: 5020 flesch: 49 summary: Synergistic in vitro antimalarial activity of plant extracts used as traditional herbal remedies in Mali. The use of microfluorometric method for activity-guided isolation of antiplasmodial compound from plant extracts. keywords: activity; antimalarial; antiplasmodial; combretum; effects; extracts; ficus; ic50; methanol; plants; study; terminalia; vitro; water cache: ajlm-81.htm plain text: ajlm-81.txt item: #484 of 530 id: ajlm-810 author: Abebe, Gemeda; Aragaw, Dossegnaw; Tadesse, Mulualem title: Fluorescence microscopy for the diagnosis of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in Ethiopia date: 2020 words: 4146 flesch: 47 summary: Sensitivity of direct versus concentrated sputum smear microscopy in HIV – Infected persons suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis. Sputum samples were examined by ZN sputum smear microscopy. keywords: bleach; culture; ethiopia; microscopy; patients; pulmonary; smear; sputum; study; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-810.htm plain text: ajlm-810.txt item: #485 of 530 id: ajlm-812 author: Umoh, Nse O.; Nwamini, Chimezie F.; Inyang, Nyoho J.; Umo, Anthony N.; Usanga, Victor U.; Nworie, Amos; Elom, Michael O.; Ukwah, Boniface N. title: Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis amongst primary school children in Ikwo and Ohaukwu Communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria date: 2020 words: 4263 flesch: 42 summary: Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis amongst primary school children in Ikwo and Ohaukwu Communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Afr J Lab Med. 2020;9(1), a812. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v9i1.812 Original Research Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis amongst primary school children in Ikwo and Ohaukwu Communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria Nse O. Umoh, Chimezie F. Nwamini, Nyoho J. Inyang, Anthony N. Umo, Victor U. Usanga, Amos Nworie, Michael O. Elom, Boniface N. Ukwah Received: 09 keywords: disease; ebonyi; health; infection; nigeria; prevalence; schistosomiasis; state; students; study; water cache: ajlm-812.htm plain text: ajlm-812.txt item: #486 of 530 id: ajlm-82 author: Githang’a, Jessie; Hurwitz, Nina title: Haematopathology diagnosis: Role of multidisciplinary training workshops date: 2013 words: 1769 flesch: 39 summary: Article Information Authors: Jessie Githang’a1 Nina Hurwitz2 Affiliations: 1Department of Human Pathology, University of Nairobi, Kenya2Department of Pathology, University of Basel, Switzerland Correspondence to: Jessie Githang’a Postal address: PO Box 19601-00202, Nairobi, Kenya Dates: Received: 27 Sep. 2012 Accepted: 20 Aug. 2013 Published: 27 Nov. 2013 How to cite this article: Githang’a J, Hurwitz N. Haematopathology diagnosis: Role of multidisciplinary training workshops. Haematopathology diagnosis: Role of multidisciplinary training workshops In This Opinion Papers... Open Access • Introduction    • Background    • Scope       • Format of Workshops       • Objectives       keywords: cancer; diagnosis; haematopathology; international; training; workshops cache: ajlm-82.htm plain text: ajlm-82.txt item: #487 of 530 id: ajlm-823 author: Tebuka, Erius; Charles, Mwesige; Bhuko, Jeffer O. title: Prevalence and risk factors for red blood cell alloimmunisation among sickle cell patients in Mwanza City, Tanzania date: 2020 words: 3219 flesch: 48 summary: Prevalence and risk factors for red blood cell alloimmunisation among sickle cell patients in Mwanza City, Tanzania. Afr J Lab Med. 2020;9(1), a823. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v9i1.823 Original Research Prevalence and risk factors for red blood cell alloimmunisation among sickle cell patients in Mwanza City, Tanzania Erius Tebuka, Mwesige Charles, Jeffer O. Bhuko Received: 01 keywords: alloantibodies; alloimmunisation; blood; cell; patients; red; scd; sickle; study; transfusion cache: ajlm-823.htm plain text: ajlm-823.txt item: #488 of 530 id: ajlm-825 author: Opintan, Japheth A. title: Leveraging donor support to develop a national antimicrobial resistance policy and action plan: Ghana’s success story date: 2018 words: 3043 flesch: 45 summary: Healthcare associated infections in Ghana project [homepage on the Internet]. Available from: https://www.amrindustryalliance.org/case-study/antimicrobial-testing-leadership-and-surveillance-atlas/ Ghana NAP. keywords: activities; amr; ghana; health; ministry; nap; policy; resistance; support cache: ajlm-825.htm plain text: ajlm-825.txt item: #489 of 530 id: ajlm-830 author: Varma, Jay K.; Oppong-Otoo, John; Ondoa, Pascale; Perovic, Olga; Park, Benjamin J.; Laxminarayan, Ramanan; Peeling, Rosanna W.; Schultsz, Constance; Li, Han; Ihekweazu, Chikwe; Sall, Amadou A.; Jaw, Baboucarr; Nkengasong, John N. title: Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s framework for antimicrobial resistance control in Africa date: 2018 words: 2969 flesch: 34 summary: Table 1 lists the high priority activities Africa CDC will pursue for each of these areas. TABLE 1: Priority areas for Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention framework for antimicrobial resistance control, 2018–2023. Implementation of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s framework From 4–5 April 2018, Africa CDC convened AMR focal points from African countries and partners to review the Africa CDC AMR framework and prioritise activities for the next year. keywords: africa; amr; animal; antimicrobial; cdc; control; disease; disease control; framework; health; prevention; resistance cache: ajlm-830.htm plain text: ajlm-830.txt item: #490 of 530 id: ajlm-837 author: Pasipamire, Munyaradzi; Broughton, Edward; Mkhontfo, Mandzisi; Maphalala, Gugu; Simelane-Vilane, Batsabile; Haumba, Samson title: Detecting tuberculosis in pregnant and postpartum women in Eswatini date: 2020 words: 6018 flesch: 43 summary: The WHO has recommended three options for tuberculosis symptom screening based on availability of Xpert MTB/RIF assay, chest X-ray and also HIV status of the individual.16 Participants held clinic cards which were checked for evidence of tuberculosis symptom screening at their last clinical encounter to ascertain routine tuberculosis screening coverage at their previous visit. keywords: culture; data; eswatini; health; hiv; negative; participants; postpartum; prevalence; results; screening; sputum; study; symptom; tool; tuberculosis; women cache: ajlm-837.htm plain text: ajlm-837.txt item: #491 of 530 id: ajlm-840 author: Jaglal, Prenika; Pillay, Melendhran; Mlisana, Koleka title: Resazurin microtitre plate assay and Sensititre® MycoTB for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance in a high tuberculosis resistance setting date: 2019 words: 5322 flesch: 42 summary: Sensititre MycoTB MIC plate for testing Mycobacterium tuberculosis susceptibility to first- and second-line drugs. Resistance to rifabutin was observed in 93.5% (58/62) of XDR tuberculosis isolates with the majority 27% (17/62) showing an MIC of 16 µg/mL (Figure 4) at a critical concentration of 0.5 µg/mL. keywords: apm; assay; isolates; mic; mycotb; plate; resistance; sensititre; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-840.htm plain text: ajlm-840.txt item: #492 of 530 id: ajlm-841 author: Mtonga, Timothy M.; Choonara, Faheema E.; Espino, Jeremy U.; Kachaje, Chimwemwe; Kapundi, Kenneth; Mengezi, Takondwa E.; Mumba, Soyapi L.; Douglas, Gerald P. title: Design and implementation of a clinical laboratory information system in a low-resource setting date: 2019 words: 4870 flesch: 45 summary: Keywords: low-resource setting; laboratory testing; laboratory information system; Malawi; informatics interventions. However, such comprehensive electronic health record systems have low penetration in low-resource settings where the burden of disease is high and laboratory errors are further exacerbated by poor infrastructure, shortages in trained workforce and informational challenges.1,11 Although laboratory information systems (LIS) have been shown to help reduce laboratory errors, little information is available on the implementation of these in low-resource settings. keywords: functionality; hospital; implementation; information; kch; laboratory; lis; process; resource; specimen; system; testing cache: ajlm-841.htm plain text: ajlm-841.txt item: #493 of 530 id: ajlm-843 author: Fondoh, Victor N.; Awasom, Charles N.; Enow-Tanjong, Rebecca; Fondoh, Richard M.; Njukeng, Patrick; Shang, Judith; Ndasi, Juliana; Samje, Moses; Muluh, Claris N.; Kinge, Thompson N. title: Evaluation of corrective actions of feedback from clinicians on Clinical Laboratory Services at Bamenda Regional Hospital Laboratory, Cameroon date: 2020 words: 5385 flesch: 37 summary: The statements were assessed using a 5-point Likert ranking as follows: poor (1), fair (2), good (3), very good (4), excellent (5).17 The statements covered the following areas: accuracy (correctness of laboratory results), reliability (trustworthiness of laboratory results), waiting time (time between sample collection and dispatch of results), communication (management of information by the laboratory), response to emergencies (attention to emergency tests), staff-client relationship (the bond between laboratory staff and clinicians), cleanliness (neatness of the laboratory and staff), duty consciousness (awareness of laboratory staff to perform their duty promptly), specimen collection (effectiveness of phlebotomists), issuing of results (effectiveness of delivery of results), approach (the way laboratory staff attended to patients and clinicians) and general satisfaction (the overall assessment of the service). At the end of the surveys, reports were presented to laboratory staff during the staff meetings and to clinicians in the laboratory-clinic interface (hospital coordination and scientific) meeting. keywords: actions; bamenda; clinicians; hospital; laboratory; rate; results; satisfaction; staff; survey; time; waiting cache: ajlm-843.htm plain text: ajlm-843.txt item: #494 of 530 id: ajlm-846 author: Kullin, Brian R.; Reid, Sharon; Abratt, Valerie title: Clostridium difficile in patients attending tuberculosis hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa, 2014–2015 date: 2018 words: 6381 flesch: 47 summary: Toxin A-negative toxin B-positive ribotype 017 Clostridium difficile is the dominant strain type in patients with diarrhoea attending tuberculosis hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa. Production of actin-specific ADP-ribosyltransferase (binary toxin) by strains of Clostridium difficile. keywords: africa; cape; cdi; clin; clostridium; difficile; hospital; infection; isolates; patients; strains; study; town; toxin; tuberculosis; ward cache: ajlm-846.htm plain text: ajlm-846.txt item: #495 of 530 id: ajlm-852 author: Oloume, Martin E.; Mouliom, Abas; Melingui, Bernard F.; Belinga, Suzanne; Nana, Julie S.; Tejiokem, Mathurin; Sack, Francoise N.; Manga, Jeanne; Epote, Annie R. title: Haematological values in a healthy adult population in Yaoundé, Cameroon date: 2019 words: 3873 flesch: 54 summary: Moreover, there is great variation in baseline parameters pertaining to full blood cell count among medical laboratories. Factors such as age, sex and race in addition to environment can significantly influence blood count parameters.1,2,3 The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommends that laboratories develop their own local values.4 keywords: blood; cameroon; cell; centre; count; laboratory; parameters; population; reference; study; values; women; yaoundé cache: ajlm-852.htm plain text: ajlm-852.txt item: #496 of 530 id: ajlm-853 author: Jalavu, Thumeka P.; Rensburg, Megan; Erasmus, Rajiv title: Clinical staff knowledge and awareness of point-of-care-testing best practices at Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa date: 2020 words: 5645 flesch: 50 summary: In many hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa, POCT is performed by clinical staff because of the limited availability of medical technologists, who are primarily employed in core laboratories with limited numbers, if any, involved in hospital POCT. Clinical staff are therefore at the forefront of hospital POCT in sub-Saharan Africa and a good source of information about the practices, successes, and limitations of hospital POCT in this setting. keywords: care; clinical; hospital; participants; patient; poct; point; quality; staff; study; testing; training; use cache: ajlm-853.htm plain text: ajlm-853.txt item: #497 of 530 id: ajlm-854 author: Govender, Shanthie; Mbambo, Lungile; Nyirenda, Makandwe; Sebitloane, Motshedisi; Abbai, Nathlee title: Herpes simplex virus-2 infections in pregnant women from South Africa: Evaluation of the ImmunoFLOW rapid test date: 2020 words: 2535 flesch: 52 summary: The performance of the ImmunoFLOW was comparable to other published reports on HSV-2 rapid tests, which reported sensitivities and specificities > Other published studies on HSV-2 rapid tests have not reported on the performance of those tests in the presence of other viral infections, such as HIV, or genital symptoms relating to infection. keywords: africa; hsv-2; immunoflow; medicine; natal; south; study; test; women cache: ajlm-854.htm plain text: ajlm-854.txt item: #498 of 530 id: ajlm-86 author: Luman, Elizabeth title: The African Journal of Laboratory Medicine – Advancing Laboratory Medicine and Science in Africa date: 2012 words: 856 flesch: 30 summary: The expansion of laboratory-related research, management, and policy discussion has led to a critical need for effective and timely communication that advances all aspects of laboratory science on the continent. ASLM takes an aggressive, forward-looking approach to advancing laboratory services by fostering new research; providing opportunities for mentorship; and building capacity to develop and sustain laboratory practice, science, and policy for better programme implementation and outcomes. keywords: journal; laboratory; medicine cache: ajlm-86.htm plain text: ajlm-86.txt item: #499 of 530 id: ajlm-861 author: Whitaker, Brett; Alroy, Karen A.; Guthrie, Erica; Schildecker, Sarah; Hiers, Susan; Woodard, Jill; Balajee, S. Arunmozhi title: Strengthening laboratory capacity for detection of respiratory viral pathogens through the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) framework date: 2019 words: 3023 flesch: 33 summary: Strengthening laboratory capacity for detection of respiratory viral pathogens through the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) framework. Afr J Lab Med. 2019;8(1), a861. https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v8i1.861 Lessons from the Field Strengthening laboratory capacity for detection of respiratory viral pathogens through the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) framework Brett Whitaker, Karen A. Alroy, Erica Guthrie, Sarah Schildecker, Susan Hiers, Jill Woodard, S. Arunmozhi Balajee Received: 10 July 2018; Accepted: 17 Jan. 2019; keywords: cdc; countries; disease; health; influenza; laboratory; pcr; respiratory; states; united cache: ajlm-861.htm plain text: ajlm-861.txt item: #500 of 530 id: ajlm-864 author: Kalule, John B.; Tomusange, Joseph; Namatovu, Teddy title: Serological detection of brucellosis among febrile, malaria-negative children and domesticated dogs in an urban African setting date: 2020 words: 5398 flesch: 53 summary: We hypothesised that the use of a confirmatory serological test (RPPA) in addition to routinely used screening serological tests (BAPA, Card and SPT) would enable us to rule out positive reactions due to vaccination of tested animals, previous infection history, or cross reactions34 and thus figure out the true seroprevalence of brucellosis due to B. abortus and B. suis in this setting. Cross-reactivity in serological tests for brucellosis: A comparison of immune response of Escherichia coli O157: keywords: abortus; blood; brucella; brucellosis; card; dogs; human; malaria; rppa; samples; screening; study; test cache: ajlm-864.htm plain text: ajlm-864.txt item: #501 of 530 id: ajlm-880 author: Makita-Chingombe, Faithful; Ocque, Andrew J.; DiFrancesco, Robin; Maponga, Charles; Muzambi, Farai; Monera-Penduka, Tsitsi G.; Mudzviti, Tinashe; Mtisi, Takudzwa J.; Morse, Gene D. title: Development and validation of a high performance liquid chromatography method to determine nevirapine in plasma in a resource-limited setting date: 2019 words: 4774 flesch: 35 summary: Results Method development Sample treatment was successful using protein precipitation (400 µL acetonitrile), and a minimal amount of plasma sample (180 µL) was sufficient for the method. Furthermore, to avoid matrix effects frequently encountered with clinical plasma samples, costly internal standards are required. keywords: hplc; laboratory; method; nevirapine; new; pharmacology; pharmacy; plasma; sample; school; sciences; university; york; zimbabwe cache: ajlm-880.htm plain text: ajlm-880.txt item: #502 of 530 id: ajlm-885 author: Mesman, Annelies W.; Bangura, Musa; Kanawa, Sahr M.; Gassimu, Joseph S.; Dierberg, Kerry L.; Sheku, Mohamed M.; Orozco, J. Daniel; Marsh, Regan H. title: A comprehensive district-level laboratory intervention after the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone date: 2019 words: 4591 flesch: 42 summary: However, many low-income countries lack adequate laboratory services at the community, district and even national levels, hence laboratories have been referred to as the ‘Achilles heel’ in efforts to combat disease.1 The World Health Organization (WHO) has included laboratory services in the ‘basic minimum package’ for health interventions in low-resource settings,2 and it is recommended to invest in integrated laboratory services, rather than disease-specific programmes.3 Laboratory services are required for clinical diagnosis, patient care, treatment and monitoring and have an important public health role in surveillance of disease and antimicrobial resistance. keywords: boston; equipment; health; hiv; hospital; laboratory; leone; massachusetts; national; quality; services; sierra; testing; tests; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-885.htm plain text: ajlm-885.txt item: #503 of 530 id: ajlm-887 author: Ramsamy, Yogandree; Essack, Sabiha Y.; Sartorius, Benn; Patel, Miriam; Mlisana, Koleka P. title: Antibiotic resistance trends of ESKAPE pathogens in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa: A five-year retrospective analysis date: 2018 words: 5300 flesch: 37 summary: The largest antimicrobial resistance surveillance data set from sub-Saharan Africa was published in 2017 and reflected antimicrobial resistance trends from isolates implicated in bloodstream infections from adults and children in Malawi over a 19-year period were described.9 There have been no long-term surveillance data reports describing ESKAPE pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance patterns from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, except for national sentinel site surveillance describing antimicrobial resistance among K. pneumoniae isolates from bloodstream infections from 2009–2012. Evidence before this study Pathogen surveillance and antimicrobial resistance surveillance informs effective antimicrobial prescribing, in addition to controlling the spread of resistant pathogens within the local environment. keywords: africa; antimicrobial; data; eskape; health; kwazulu; natal; pathogens; pneumoniae; resistance; south; study; surveillance cache: ajlm-887.htm plain text: ajlm-887.txt item: #504 of 530 id: ajlm-889 author: Presser, Lance D. title: Establishing diagnostic training programs in resource-poor settings: The case of Sierra Leone date: 2020 words: 3430 flesch: 40 summary: In a recent publication, another international partner stated: The absence of staff, stuff, space, and systems needed to detect outbreaks of infectious disease such as the recent Ebola epidemic in West Africa, and diagnose other medical conditions has underscored the need to not only set up diagnostic equipment in places where it is scarce, but also invest resources into training laboratory personnel. Ideally, the MoHS should be in charge of: developing and providing training materials and standard operating procedures that are easily adaptable to all laboratories; providing individualised training assessments to guide personalised future training as well as laboratory operations refresher training on a regular basis. keywords: diagnostics; health; laboratory; leone; mriglobal; outbreak; programme; sierra; staff; training cache: ajlm-889.htm plain text: ajlm-889.txt item: #505 of 530 id: ajlm-89 author: Oladele, Rita O.; Bakare, Rashidi A.; Petrou, Michael A.; Oduyebo, Oyinlola O.; Richardson, Malcolm title: Candidaemia in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria date: 2014 words: 3573 flesch: 44 summary: Study subjects included patients presenting with haematological malignancies; ICU patients; very low birth weight (VLBW) premature neonates (temperature > 38 °C or < 35 °C); patients who had undergone multiple abdominal surgical procedures during their current admission; diabetic patients with persistent pyrexia; and HIV patients. Exclusion criteria included non-consenting patients, patients without clinical signs of infection and patients already receiving empirical antifungal therapy. keywords: blood; candidaemia; hospital; infect; nigeria; patients; risk; spp; study cache: ajlm-89.htm plain text: ajlm-89.txt item: #506 of 530 id: ajlm-9 author: Mothabeng, David; Maruta, Talkmore; Lebina, Mathabo; Lewis, Kim; Wanyoike, Joe; Mengstu, Yohannes title: Strengthening Laboratory Management Towards Accreditation: The Lesotho experience date: 2012 words: 4338 flesch: 45 summary: In addition, the tool required the facilitator to document coaching provided to the SLMTA participant or other staff with regard to the improvement project, as well as in relation to other areas of laboratory improvement. This could result in the exclusion of laboratories from the SLMTA programme and a missed opportunity for laboratory improvement. keywords: cohort; improvement; laboratories; laboratory; lesotho; programme; quality; slmta cache: ajlm-9.htm plain text: ajlm-9.txt item: #507 of 530 id: ajlm-904 author: Ali, Hammad; Minchella, Peter; Chipungu, Geoffrey; Kim, Evelyn; Kandulu, James; Midiani, Dalitso; Kim, Andrea; Swaminathan, Mahesh; Gutreuter, Steve; Nkengasong, John; Singer, Daniel title: Infant HIV diagnosis and turn-around time for testing in Malawi, 2015 date: 2020 words: 5680 flesch: 55 summary: Objective: This study assessed factors associated with HIV positivity among infants in Malawi and turn-around times for infant HIV testing. Keywords: HIV; Malawi; infant HIV testing; turn-around time. keywords: art; data; hiv; infants; laboratory; malawi; months; positivity; testing; time; tuberculosis; turn cache: ajlm-904.htm plain text: ajlm-904.txt item: #508 of 530 id: ajlm-909 author: Cassim, Naseem; Ahmad, Ahsan; Wadee, Reubina; George, Jaya A.; Glencross, Deborah K. title: Using Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine clinical term codes to assign histological findings for prostate biopsies in the Gauteng province, South Africa: Lessons learnt date: 2020 words: 6216 flesch: 49 summary: Based on the surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results programme standard, the 2015 report should have been published by 2018.9 The programme itself, on which the South African reporting standard is based, is comprised of 11 registries in five states and six metropolitan areas in the United States which generate annual cancer data approximately 28 months after diagnosis.8 Both internationally and nationally, cancer surveillance is defined as an ongoing, timely, and systematic collection and analysis of cancer data to assess risk factors, screening, diagnosis, and cancer incidences and deaths.9 The aim of surveillance is to analyse and disseminate cancer data to identify challenges and opportunities in the delivery of timeous cancer control programmes.9 The cancer registry reporting is a time-intensive process requiring trained coders to review each narrative biopsy report individually and to manually add the applicable ICD-O-3 codes to the reporting system.15 This can take hundreds of hours of manual database building to report PCa data. keywords: africa; biopsies; cancer; code; data; diagnosis; health; lookup; national; pca; prostate; south; sub; table cache: ajlm-909.htm plain text: ajlm-909.txt item: #509 of 530 id: ajlm-91 author: Gounden, Verena; Rampursat, Yashna title: An audit of immunofixation requesting practices at a South African referral laboratory date: 2014 words: 3292 flesch: 42 summary: Nevertheless, the practice of routine reflex or reflective IFE testing following the detection of a suspected monoclonal band or other suspicious findings on SPEP or UPEP is commonplace in many laboratories.4 Reflex testing refers to the practice of automatic addition of laboratory tests to an existing test request on the basis of laboratory-defined algorithms. The soaring costs of laboratory testing, accompanied by increased demand, result in laboratory management having to perform intense scrutiny of test request practices, including reflex and reflective testing. keywords: globulin; ife; ifes; laboratory; monoclonal; patients; spep; testing cache: ajlm-91.htm plain text: ajlm-91.txt item: #510 of 530 id: ajlm-915 author: Okeke, Iruka N. title: Building resources to meet evolving laboratory medicine challenges in Africa date: 2018 words: 1283 flesch: 54 summary: Building resources to meet evolving laboratory medicine challenges in Africa References About the Author(s) Building resources to meet evolving laboratory medicine challenges in Africa. keywords: afr; lab; laboratory cache: ajlm-915.htm plain text: ajlm-915.txt item: #511 of 530 id: ajlm-916 author: Sikhosana, Mpho L.; Salloo, Asma; Birkhead, Monica; McCarthy, Kerrigan title: Atypical presentation of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in paediatric burns patients in a large tertiary hospital, South Africa date: 2019 words: 2458 flesch: 45 summary: Is prophylactic acyclovir treatment warranted for prevention of herpes simplex virus infections in facial burns? Case presentation: Eight paediatric burns patients with ages ranging between 10 months and 5 years presented with a febrile maculopapular rash illness in a paediatric ward of a large South African tertiary hospital. keywords: africa; burns; cases; herpes; infections; patients; south; virus cache: ajlm-916.htm plain text: ajlm-916.txt item: #512 of 530 id: ajlm-922 author: Moran, Zelda R.; Frimpong, Atta B.; Castañeda-Casado, Pablo; Frimpong, Francis K.; de Lorenzo, Manuela B.; Ben Amor, Yanis title: Tropical Laboratory Initiative: An innovative model for laboratory medicine in rural areas date: 2019 words: 4501 flesch: 46 summary: Our experience demonstrates that laboratory services can be affordable and most components already exist, even in rural areas. Our model could be used as a template for increasing access to laboratory services in low-resource rural communities worldwide. keywords: clinics; ghana; health; laboratory; model; patients; results; services; system; tests; tli cache: ajlm-922.htm plain text: ajlm-922.txt item: #513 of 530 id: ajlm-924 author: Kariuki, Samuel; Keddy, Karen H.; Antonio, Martin; Okeke, Iruka N. title: Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Africa: Successes, gaps and a roadmap for the future date: 2018 words: 1891 flesch: 43 summary: When AMR surveillance data are published in a journal, compared with submitting national data to a supra-governmental organisation, these data need not be fully comprehensive or subscribe to a predetermined list of pathogens or antimicrobials. We are pleased to find that the special issue’s Call for Papers increased the overall frequency of submissions in this area and so subsequent regular issues of the journal are likely to continue the exposition of AMR surveillance in Africa that this issue has initiated. keywords: afr j; africa; amr; j lab; lab med; med; surveillance cache: ajlm-924.htm plain text: ajlm-924.txt item: #514 of 530 id: ajlm-929 author: Madeira, Carla M.; Azam, Khalide I.; Sato, Daisy N.; Khosa, Celso; Bhatt, Nilesh; Viegas, Sofia O. title: Evaluation of the Ogawa-Kudoh method for tuberculosis isolation in two health units in Mozambique date: 2020 words: 3272 flesch: 41 summary: Handbook on tuberculosis laboratory diagnostic methods in the European Union – Updated 2018 Similar studies performed in Brazil (in 1999, 2006, and 2018) and Peru (in 2007) also found significant differences between the contamination rates obtained with OK and with standard mycobacterial culture methods, again showing that the OK method is efficient in recovering mycobacteria and efficiently killing contaminants.8,9,10,11 keywords: culture; health; laboratory; method; mozambique; reference; results; tuberculosis cache: ajlm-929.htm plain text: ajlm-929.txt item: #515 of 530 id: ajlm-933 author: Haumba, Samson M.; Toda, Mitsuru; Jeffries, Rossana; Ehrenkranz, Peter; Pasipamire, Munyaradzi; Ao, Trong; Lukhele, Nomthandazo; Mazibuko, Sikhathele; Mkhontfo, Mandzisi; Smith, Rachel M.; Chiller, Tom title: Prevalence of cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) among HIV-positive patients in Eswatini, 2014–2015 date: 2020 words: 4991 flesch: 49 summary: There were seven true positives, 33 false positives (i.e., positive on urine CrAg LFA but negative on plasma CrAg LFA), 128 true negatives, and zero false negatives (i.e., negatives on urine CrAg LFA but positive on plasma CrAg LFA) (Table 2). TABLE 2: Sensitivity and specificity of urine cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay compared with plasma cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay for patients with a CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3, Eswatini, August 2014 to March 2015. There were seven true positives, 16 false positives (i.e., positive on urine CrAg LFA but negative on plasma CrAg LFA), 68 true negatives, and zero false negatives (i.e., negatives on urine CrAg LFA but positive on plasma CrAg LFA) (Table 3). TABLE 3: Sensitivity and specificity of urine cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay compared with the plasma cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay for patients with a CD4 count < 100 cells/mm3, Eswatini, August 2014 to March 2015. keywords: cd4; cells; crag; disease; eswatini; hiv; lfa; mm3; patients; plasma; prevalence; screening; study; urine cache: ajlm-933.htm plain text: ajlm-933.txt item: #516 of 530 id: ajlm-934 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers date: 2018 words: 699 flesch: 23 summary: Publisher: publishing@aosis.co.za Tel: +27 21 975 2602 Tel: 086 1000 381 Bio-Belu Abaye Teferi Mekonen Abera Aaron O. Aboderin Olukemi Adekanmbi Avelin Aghokeng Ehsan Ahmadpour Gilbert Akankwasa Ezekiel R. Akinkunmi Kabiru Akinyemi Chantal Akoua Sidney Akuro William K. Ampofo Timothy Amukele Aje J. Anejo-Okopi Kingsley Anukam Eunice Aroyewun Rosemary A. Audu George Awungafac Emmanuel O. Babafemi Oluwatoyin A. Babalola Andrew L. Baughman Lily Bebora Yanis Ben Amor A. Bhagyalakshmi Emily Blodget Arlin B. Blood Sonia Boender Rodrigo Boguen Seye Bolaji Valerie F. Boltz Joseph H.K. Bonney Aytbay K. Bulashev Robert Butcher Jane Y. Carter Kelvin Charambira Abhijit Chaudhury Nelson Chimbiya Olivia Coburn-Flynn Gunnar Dahlen Ludwig Deml Adinew Desale Karidia Diallo Alpha A. Diallo Adetoun Ejilemele Emmanuel Fajardo Raymond D. Fatchu Nicholas A. Feasey Muniba Firoz Tom Ford Liliana Garneata Lisa Gerwing-Adima Martin Gonzo Jeannette Guarner Xu-Xiao Guo William P. Hausdorff Sandra Havyarimana Marianne K. Henderson Ekua Houphouet Hiroshi Ichimura Chikwe Ihekweazu Seth Inzaule Emmanuel O. Irek Henry Kajumbula John Bosco Kalule Kekeletso Kao Sam Kariuki Karen H. Keddy Aderemi Kehinde Stephen B. Kennedy Glena Kerubo Luc Kestens John Kiiru Daniel Kimani Olayinka Kotila Masanari Kuwabara Gideon Kye-Duodu George Boateng Kyei Sylvia LaCourse Joyce C.M. Lam Denise Lawrie Shirley Lecher H-X Ma Tatjana Makarovska-Bojadzieva Talkmore Maruta Tapfumanei Mashe Joshua Mbanga Ruth McNerney Mulugeta Melku Adrienne F.A. Meyers Yogita Mistry Philippe Morency-Potvin Meade Morgan Rasha Mosallam Patrick Musicha Lilian Musila Bashir Mwambi Jacob Seroni Mwebi Erika Nascimento Vusumuzi Ncube Nicaise Ndembi Nqobile Ndlovu Abdoulaye Nikiema Richard Njouom Bernard Nkrumah Ifeyinwa D. Nnakenyi Jacinta Nwogu Andrew Nyerere Joseph Okebe Iruka N. Okeke Debola Olayinka Pascale Ondoa Anthony Onipede Robert Onsare Japheth A. Opintan J. Daniel Orozco Chin-Yih Ou Judith Owen Nadir Paksoy Ursula Panzer Rajinder Parshad Ketan Patel Ishani Pathmanathan Robert Perry Oluwafemi A. Popoola Busadee Pratumvinit Bethanie Rammer Roy M. Robins-Browne Lizbeth Salazar Sanchez David Jahbiuk Sambian Willie Sang Sandra P. Santander Shahin Sayed Candice Sher-Locketz Neeraj Sidharthan Aminder Singh Vipul Singh Anthony M. Smith Aliyah Sohani Arvinda Sooka Paul D. Stamper A.P. Sunjaya Paul A. Tambyah Ajaykumar K. Thirumala Leopold Tientcheu Ralph Timperi Kwasi Torpey Florette Treurnicht Obioma Uchendu Kinglsley N. Ukwaja Johannes van As such, the identification and selection of reviewers who have expertise and interest in the topics appropriate to each manuscript are essential elements in ensuring a timely, productive peer review process. keywords: https://ajlmonline.org; journal; laboratory; medicine; peer; publication; reviewer cache: ajlm-934.pdf plain text: ajlm-934.txt item: #517 of 530 id: ajlm-935 author: Croxton, Talishiea; Agala, Ndidi; Jonathan, Emmanuel; Balogun, Olasinbo; Ozumba, Petronilla J.; Onyemata, Enzenwa; Lawal, Shefiya; Mamven, Manmak; Ajayi, Samuel; Melikam, Sylvia E.; Owolabi, Mayowa; Ovbiagele, Bruce; Adu, Dwomoa; Ojo, Akinlolu; Beiswanger, Christine; Abimiku, Alash'le title: H3Africa partnerships to empower clinical research sites to generate high-quality biological samples date: 2020 words: 5510 flesch: 40 summary: I-HAB also provided Project A with order information for biological shipping materials. I-HAB employed a four-pronged approach of needs assessment, training and mentorship, piloting, and continuous quality improvement to help sites to collect, process, store, and transport high-quality biospecimens for future research. keywords: biospecimens; dna; h3africa; hab; laboratory; mentorship; nigeria; pilot; project; quality; research; shipment; sites; training; university cache: ajlm-935.htm plain text: ajlm-935.txt item: #518 of 530 id: ajlm-937 author: Robinson, Cathy; Johnson, James; Yao, Katy; Bui, Hien title: Critical success factors for Vietnamese laboratories striving to implement quality management systems date: 2020 words: 2705 flesch: 38 summary: One of the factors mentioned by both participants and experts is a perceived, or real, lack of knowledge by both laboratory managers and laboratory staff on QMS. A larger study would offer more insight into CSFs that affect medical laboratory QMS success. keywords: laboratories; laboratory; participants; qms; quality; staff; study; success cache: ajlm-937.htm plain text: ajlm-937.txt item: #519 of 530 id: ajlm-939 author: Demba, Rodgers N.; Aradi, Sylviah M.; Mwau, Matilu; Mwanda, Walter O. title: Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus protein ORF75 among HIV-1 patients in Kenya date: 2020 words: 4467 flesch: 55 summary: Higher levels of neutralizing antibodies against KSHV in KS patients compared to asymptomatic individuals from Zambia. PLoS Approximately 95% of KS cases can be detected using a polymerase chain reaction. keywords: aids; associated; cases; gene; herpesvirus; hiv; kaposi; kshv; orf75; patients; sarcoma; study; tissue cache: ajlm-939.htm plain text: ajlm-939.txt item: #520 of 530 id: ajlm-943 author: Office, Editorial title: Table of Contents Vol 7, No 1 (2018) date: 2018 words: 860 flesch: -100 summary: 97 Page i of i Table of Contents i Editorial Building resources to meet evolving laboratory medicine challenges in Africa Iruka N. Okeke African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 1 | a915 | 29 November 2018 Lessons from the Field Strategic establishment of an International Pharmacology Specialty Laboratory in a resource-limited setting Takudzwa J. Mtisi, Charles Maponga, Tsitsi G. Monera-Penduka, Tinashe Mudzviti, Dexter Chagwena, Faithful Makita-Chingombe, Robin DiFranchesco, Gene D. Morse African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 1 | a659 | 12 February 2018 Lessons from the Field Implementation of the laboratory quality management system (ISO 15189): Experience from Bugando Medical Centre Clinical Laboratory – Mwanza, Tanzania Medard Beyanga, Lisa Gerwing-Adima, Kahima Jackson, Benjamin Majaliwa, Henrico Shimba, Simon Ezekiel, Charles Massambu, Dickson Majige, Michael Mwasegaka, Wilson Mtotela, Patrick Mateta, Christa Kasang African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 1 | a657 | 31 July 2018 Original Research Detection of minority drug resistant mutations in Malawian HIV-1 subtype C-positive patients initiating and on first-line antiretroviral therapy Zhiyong Zhou, Kevin Tang, Guoqing Zhang, Nellie Wadonda-Kabondo, Kundai Moyo, Lori A. Rowe, Joshua R. DeVos, Nick Wagar, Du-Ping Zheng, Hongxiong Guo, John Nkengasong, Mike Frace, Scott Sammons, Chunfu Yang African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 1 | a708 | 30 May 2018 Original Research Low-cost diagnostic test for susceptible and drug-resistant tuberculosis in rural Malawi Annie Zhang, Enoch Jumbe, Robert Krysiak, Sabeen Sidiki, Holden V. Kelley, Elly K. Chemey, Chancy Kamba, Victor Mwapasa, Juan I. García, Alison Norris, Xueliang J. Pan, Carlton Evans, Shu-Hua Wang, Jesse J. Kwiek, Jordi B. Torrelles African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 1 | a690 | 04 AJLM 7(1)_Contents.indd http://www.ajlmonline.org Open Access Table of Contents i Original Research Evaluation of standard diagnostic rapid test kits for malaria diagnosis among HIV patients in Kano, Nigeria Henry A. Mbah, Feyisayo E. Jegede, Surajudeen A. Abdulrahman, Tinuade I. Oyeyi African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 1 | a698 | 05 December 2018 Original Research Metabolic effects occurring in irradiated and non-irradiated red blood cellular components for clinical transfusion practice: An in vitro comparison Faieqa Adams, Gregory R.M. Bellairs, Arthur R. Bird, Oluwafemi O. Oguntibeju African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 1 | a606 | 06 December 2018 Case Study Ecthyma gangrenosum on the face of a malnourished child with Pseudomonas sepsis: Simulating Cancrum oris Khadijat O. Isezuo, Usman M. Sani, Usman M. Waziri, Bilkisu I. Garba, Yahaya Mohammed, Joy F. Legbo, Nazish P. Aquil, Fatima I. Abubakar, Memuna Omar African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 1 | a756 | 05 December 2018 Brief Report Detection of the Janus kinase 2 V617F mutation using a locked nucleic-acid, real-time polymerase chain reaction assay Tshiphiri Senamela, Marleen Kock, Piet Becker, Joachim J.C. keywords: african; african journal; journal; laboratory medicine; medicine; vol cache: ajlm-943.pdf plain text: ajlm-943.txt item: #521 of 530 id: ajlm-944 author: Office, Editorial title: Table of Contents Vol 7, No 2 (2018) date: 2018 words: 777 flesch: -129 summary: The role of connected diagnostics in strengthening regional, national and continental African disease surveillance Natasha M. Gous, Philip C. Onyebujoh, Alash’le Abimiku, Chris Macek, Jeff Takle African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 2 | a775 | 06 December 2018 1 3 9 20 29 36 40 43 Vol 7, No 2 (2018): African Laboratories in Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance ISSN: 2225-2002 (print) | ISSN: 2225-2010 (online)African Journal of Laboratory Medicine AJLM 7(2)_Contents.indd http://www.ajlmonline.org Open Access Table of Contents i Original Research Clostridium difficile in patients attending tuberculosis hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa, 2014–2015 Brian R. Kullin, Sharon Reid, Valerie Abratt African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 2 | a846 | 06 December 2018 Original Research Antibiotic resistance trends of ESKAPE pathogens in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa: A five-year retrospective analysis Yogandree Ramsamy, Sabiha Y. Essack, Benn Sartorius, Miriam Patel, Koleka P. Mlisana African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 2 | a887 | 06 December 2018 Original Research Multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Port Harcourt, Nigeria Kome Otokunefor, Tosanwumi V. Otokunefor, Godwin Omakwele African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 2 | a805 | 06 December 2018 Original Research Differential infectivity of gametocytes after artemisinin-based combination therapy of uncomplicated falciparum malaria Dinkorma T. Ouologuem, Cheick O. Kone, Bakary Fofana, Bakary Sidibe, Amadou H. Togo, Demba Dembele, Sekou Toure, Sekou Koumare, Ousmane Toure, Issaka Sagara, Abdoulaye Toure, Adama Dao, Ogobara K. Doumbo, Abdoulaye A. Djimde African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 2 | a784 | 06 December 2018 Lessons from the Field Leveraging donor support to develop a national antimicrobial resistance policy and action plan: Ghana’s success story Japheth A. Opintan African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 2 | a825 | 06 December 2018 Lessons from the Field Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Ethiopia: Implementation experiences and lessons learned Rajiha A. Ibrahim, Amete M. Teshal, Surafel F. Dinku, Negga A. Abera, Abebe A. Negeri, Feven G. Desta, Eyasu T. Seyum, Adugna W. Gemeda, Wubshet M. Keficho African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 2 | a770 | 06 December 2018 Scientific Letter Need for better adherence to optimal incubation temperature for quality laboratory diagnostics and antibiotic resistance monitoring Cristina Gutierrez, Akos Somoskovi, Kris Natarajan, David Bell African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 2 | a789 | 06 December 2018 Brief Report Diagnosis of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis: Discordant results by diagnostic methods Winnie Mwanza, Deborah Milimo, Maureen M. Chilufya, Nkatya Kasese, Maina C. Lengwe, Stembiso Munkondya, Petra de Haas, Helen Ayles, Monde Muyoyeta African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 2 | a806 | 06 December 2018 49 58 66 70 76 80 84 86 Page i of i Table of Contents i Editorial Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Africa: Successes, gaps and a roadmap for the future Samuel Kariuki, Karen H. Keddy, Martin Antonio, Iruka N. Okeke African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 2 | a924 | 06 December 2018 Review Article An overview of antimicrobial resistance surveillance among healthcare-associated pathogens in South Africa Ashika Singh-Moodley, Husna Ismail, Olga Perovic African Journal of Laboratory Medicine | Vol 7, No 2 | a741 | 06 December 2018 keywords: december; journal; laboratory medicine; medicine; vol cache: ajlm-944.pdf plain text: ajlm-944.txt item: #522 of 530 id: ajlm-947 author: Cassim, Naseem; Tepper, Manfred E.; Coetzee, Lindi M.; Glencross, Deborah K. title: Timely delivery of laboratory efficiency information, Part I: Developing an interactive turnaround time dashboard at a high-volume laboratory date: 2020 words: 5470 flesch: 47 summary: Study design A retrospective descriptive study design was used to analyse and report laboratory TAT data for a specific set of tests (Table 1). A recent evaluation of TAT for HIV programmes reported a methodology to further categorise laboratory TAT performance using three additional measures:3 (1) median TAT, (2) 75th percentile TAT (tail size) and (3) percentage within cut-off TAT. keywords: cut; dashboard; data; laboratory; national; performance; south; table; tat; test; testing; time cache: ajlm-947.htm plain text: ajlm-947.txt item: #523 of 530 id: ajlm-948 author: Cassim, Naseem; Coetzee, Lindi M.; Tepper, Manfred E.; Perelson, Louella; Glencross, Deborah K. title: Timely delivery of laboratory efficiency information, Part II: Assessing the impact of a turn-around time dashboard at a high-volume laboratory date: 2020 words: 5313 flesch: 43 summary: The hypothesis was that an interactive TAT dashboard delivering week-by-week information about laboratory TAT provides the impetus for continuous service review and implementation of appropriate corrective action, where required, to ensure the timeliness of laboratory reporting. Initially, the three measures described above were reported in Microsoft Excel (Redmond, Washington, United States) worksheet format from August 2016 to June 2017.4 Thereafter, from July 2017, an interactive dashboard was developed that reported TAT data for a basket of tests using the Microstrategy Desktop (Tysons, Virginia, United States) analytics tool.5 Previously, the static reports and, more recently, the interactive dashboard reports are distributed to area (province), business (district) and laboratory managers. keywords: cut; dashboard; data; health; laboratory; national; percentile; performance; review; study; tat; testing; time; week cache: ajlm-948.htm plain text: ajlm-948.txt item: #524 of 530 id: ajlm-97 author: Office, Editorial title: Acknowledgement to reviewers of Volume 1, Issue 1 date: 2013 words: 585 flesch: 27 summary: AJLM African Journal of Laboratory Medicine In an effort to facilitate the selection of appropriate peer reviewers for The African Journal of Laboratory Medicine, we ask that you take a moment to update your electronic portfolio on www. ajlmonline.org for our files, allowing us better access to your areas of interest and expertise, in order to match reviewers with submitted manuscripts. Diallo Jean-Louis Sankale Souleymane Sanon Abdoulaye Sarr Aly Savadogo Barry Schoub Connie Sexton Savitri Sharma Tom Shinnick Elijah Songok John David Sorkin Sanon Souleymane Wendy Stevens Lizzie Tchongwe Kevin Tetteh Andrew Thaiyah Oyewale Tomori Daniel Tullo David Turgeon Nzovu Ulenga Kathleen Victoir Anne von Gottberg Diane Waku-Kouomou Ndadilnasiya Endie Waziri Burton Wilcke Daniel Asrat Woldetsadik Nicole Wolter Chunfu Yang Clement Zeh Should names have inadvertently been excluded from this list the publisher apologises and undertakes to amend the exclusion in the next issue. keywords: david; details; jean; john; journal; laboratory; linda; medicine; reviewer cache: ajlm-97.pdf plain text: ajlm-97.txt item: #525 of 530 id: ajlm-974 author: Mudenda, Victor; Malyangu, Evans; Sayed, Shahin; Fleming, Kenneth title: Addressing the shortage of pathologists in Africa: Creation of a MMed Programme in Pathology in Zambia date: 2020 words: 4739 flesch: 45 summary: As there are very few publications describing the creation of pathologist training programmes in Africa,4,5,6 and as many other LMICs have a similar lack of pathologists as in Zambia, exploring the problems the Zambia MMed faced and overcame, and describing the lessons learned from this process, may act as a roadmap for such countries. It is likely that such hybrid programmes are more achievable and sustainable if the countries involved are part of a regional grouping and are facilitated by an independent body such as COPECSA. Acknowledgements We are grateful to many colleagues who helped devise the curriculum, taught in the programme and mentored residents. keywords: health; kingdom; pathologists; pathology; programme; training; united; university; year; zambia cache: ajlm-974.htm plain text: ajlm-974.txt item: #526 of 530 id: ajlm-975 author: Okoye, Jude O.; Ngokere, Anthony A.; Onyenekwe, Charles C.; Omotuyi, Olaposi; Dada, Deborah I. title: Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus and herpes simplex virus 2 co-presence severely dysregulates miRNA expression date: 2021 words: 6154 flesch: 48 summary: (a) p53 gene expression was higher among participants with HPV mono-infection and lowest in control group, participants who had no viral infections (None); (b) CD4+ T-cell counts were higher among the control group (None) and lower among those with EBV and HSV-2 co-infection; (c) Ki67 expression was higher among participants with HPV infection and lower in the control (None); (d) SCCA1 expression was higher among participants with HPV mono-infection and lower in those with EBV mono-infection; (e) snapshots of gel amplicons of p53 gene and normalising gene (β-actin) based on viral status (plotted as a). The findings of this study revealed that HSV-2 mono-infection was associated with minimal miR-21-related oncogenic activity when compared with EBV and HPV infection. keywords: cancer; cell; ebv; ebv mono; expression; group; hpv; hsv-2; infection; mir-200c; mir-21; mono; participants; study cache: ajlm-975.htm plain text: ajlm-975.txt item: #527 of 530 id: ajlm-979 author: Sayed, Shahin; Mutasa, Rudo; Kaaya, Ephata; Mudenda, Victor; Rajiv, Erasmus; Vuhahula, Edda; Rajab, Jamilla; Lukande, Robert; Walong, Edwin; Mutuku, Angela; Fleming, Kenneth title: Establishing the College of Pathologists of East, Central and Southern Africa – The Regional East Central and Southern Africa College of Pathology date: 2020 words: 4540 flesch: 37 summary: Recommendations The establishment of a regional college of pathology in ECSA is a first step in harmonising pathology training and standardising the practice of pathology within the region. Furthermore, the proposed accreditation of training sites lends itself to improvement in the quality of pathology training and subsequent practice. keywords: africa; central; college; copecsa; east; health; pathologists; pathology; region; southern; training; university cache: ajlm-979.htm plain text: ajlm-979.txt item: #528 of 530 id: ajlm-988 author: Swart, Celeste; Meldau, Surita; Centner, Chad M.; Marais, Adrian D.; Omar, Fierdoz title: Validation of PHASE for deriving N-acetyltransferase 2 haplotypes in the Western Cape mixed ancestry population date: 2020 words: 5169 flesch: 44 summary: These haplotypes include various combinations of NAT2 SNVs.15 NAT2*4 is classified as the wild type and is associated with fast (normal) acetylator status, as are the NAT2*12A (c.803A>G) and NAT2*13A (c.282C>T) haplotypes. Objective: This study aimed to identify the NAT2 haplotypes and assess the accuracy of PHASE version 2.1.1 in assigning NAT2 haplotypes to a mixed ancestry population from the Western Cape. keywords: acetylation; africa; ancestry; cape; data; haplotypes; isoniazid; methods; nat2; phase; population; samples; south; study; town cache: ajlm-988.htm plain text: ajlm-988.txt item: #529 of 530 id: ajlm-991 author: Gupta, Shilpi; Kumar, Mahadevan; Shergill, Shelinder P.S.; Tandel, Kundan title: Evaluation of ceftriaxone-sulbactam-disodium edetate adjuvant combination against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative organisms date: 2020 words: 4084 flesch: 42 summary: Quality control of CSE antibiotic discs was done using E. coli American Type Culture Collection 25922 and a laboratory-characterised sensitive isolate of Acinetobacter baumanii (Strain no. AHRR1205/2017). Arora S, Munshi N. Comparative assessment of antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Gram negative pathogens isolated from intensive care unit patients in Pune. keywords: antibiotic; clinical; coli; cse; esbl; gram; hospital; india; isolates; mbl; study; susceptibility cache: ajlm-991.htm plain text: ajlm-991.txt item: #530 of 530 id: ajlm-997 author: Oyom, Anthony P.; Okello, Emmanuel; Acam, Victoria; Aramo, Christine; Mwambi, Bashir; Okiria, John C.; Oyet, Caesar title: Prevalence and antifungal susceptibility of gastrointestinal candidiasis among diabetic patients: A cross-sectional study date: 2020 words: 5468 flesch: 46 summary: We aimed to determine antifungal susceptibility of gastrointestinal Candida isolates from DM patients with persistent diarrhoea at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya. Antifungal susceptibility of gastrointestinal Candida isolates A total of 25 of the 37 isolates (67.6%) were susceptible to fluconazole and 3/37 (8.1%) isolates were resistant to fluconazole. keywords: albicans; antifungal; candida; candidiasis; diabetes; fluconazole; health; international; isolates; patients; prevalence; species; study; susceptibility; type; university cache: ajlm-997.htm plain text: ajlm-997.txt