African Journal of Laboratory Medicine最新文献

{"title":"The status of newborn screening in Africa: Situation analysis, future plans and call to action.","authors":"Tumelo Satekge, Adekunle Okesina, John Anetor, Rajiv Erasmus","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2973","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2973","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"14 1","pages":"2973"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12505460/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145259398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of artificial intelligence in diagnostics: A new frontier for laboratory medicine in Africa.","authors":"Talkmore Maruta","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2952","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2952","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"14 1","pages":"2952"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12505451/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145259411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the clinical implications of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol equations using Nigerian data.","authors":"Modupe A Kuti, Jokotade O Adeleye, Joshua O Akinyemi, Olajumoke A Ogundeji, Olusola O Omoyele, Oluwadamilare A Obe, Ademola S Adewoyin, Oyetunji O Soriyan","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2729","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2729","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Newer equations, which are more accurate than the Friedewald formula (FF), have been published for the calculation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The impact of their adoption on decision-making has not been examined in Nigerian laboratories.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examined the clinical implications of differences in estimating LDL cholesterol by the FF, Martin-Hopkins (MH), and Sampson-National Institutes of Health (NIH) equations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between 01 January 2019 and 31 December 2023, lipid profile data, and the associated gender, were retrieved from the laboratory information system of Synlab Nigeria for persons aged 18-75 years. Differences in LDL cholesterol estimates from the three equations, and agreement with category assignments that determine clinical decisions, were examined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Lipid profile data from 19 126 records were retrieved. This included data from 8234 (43.1%) women. The difference between FF estimates of LDL cholesterol and the other two equations was less than 10% for over 96% of the data. This difference increased with triglyceride levels. There was at least substantial agreement in the clinical category assignment of the equations, (ĸ > 0.715, <i>p</i> < 0.001). However, when triglycerides were > 1.69 mmol/L, the FF classification of < 1.81 mmol/L was classified as > 1.81 mmol/L in 43.3% and 25.1% of cases by MH and Sampson-NIH, respectively. For triglycerides > 4.51 mmol/L, there was constant bias, with MH higher than Sampson-NIH.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Using the FF formula may significantly impact primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Switching to the MH or Sampson-NIH equation is advisable.</p><p><strong>What this study adds: </strong>This study provides a basis for Nigerian laboratories to switch from the Friedewald formula to one of the newer equations for the calculation of LDL cholesterol.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"14 1","pages":"2729"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12505489/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145259475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From neglect to necessity: The case for routine work-up of nontoxigenic <i>Corynebacterium diphtheriae</i> in clinical microbiology.","authors":"Kgaogelo R Masemola","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2802","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2802","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"14 1","pages":"2802"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12505431/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145259422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preparing medical laboratories in low- and middle-income countries for a sustainable future.","authors":"Tony Badrick, John Anetor","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2734","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2734","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"14 1","pages":"2734"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12505473/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145259447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of second and third-generation parathyroid hormone assays at a tertiary hospital in South Africa.","authors":"Nokuthula Nhlapo, Doreen Jacob, Siyabonga Khoza, Mpho R Maphayi","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2700","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2700","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Parathyroid hormone (PTH) measurement is key for diagnosing parathyroid disorders, and for management of chronic kidney disease. Available PTH assays include second (intact PTH) and third (PTH 1-84) generations. Data comparing interchangeable use are insufficient.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The objective of this study was to compare intact and 1-84 PTH assays to determine the difference in analytical performance and impact on clinical interpretation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A method comparison was done on residual samples with PTH requests (06 April 2022 - 21 September 2022) from a tertiary hospital in South Africa. Parathyroid hormone was measured using both intact PTH and 1-84 PTH assays. Clinical performance was compared in the diagnosis of hypo- and hyperparathyroidism, and in pre-dialysis and dialysis chronic kidney disease patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 481 samples, intact PTH had a higher median concentration than PTH 1-84 (9.85 pmol/L vs. 8.51 pmol/L, <i>p</i> < 0.0001), but the two showed good correlation (<i>r</i> = 0.994, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). Regression analysis revealed systematic (intercept = 0.887 pmol/L [95% confidence interval: 0.788 - 1.005]) and proportional differences (slope = 0.713 pmol/L, [95% confidence interval: 0.703 - 0.723]), with increased deviations at higher concentrations. The average bias was 18.5%, exceeding allowable limits. Among the 276 patients (170 women, 106 men, age range: 18-89 years) included in the clinical study, interpretation was unchanged.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A bias was observed between the PTH assays, indicating that they should not be used interchangeably. However, no changes in clinical interpretation were observed when one assay was used over the other.</p><p><strong>What this study adds: </strong>The study confirms the recommendation by Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes for the use of assay-specific upper limit of normal instead of generic cut-off in dialysis patients. This study further highlights the need for standardisation of PTH assays.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"14 1","pages":"2700"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12421447/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145041635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacterial agents and antibiotic resistance in febrile neutropaenia in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Temitope O Obadare, Adeyemi T Adeyemo, Oluwaseun A Ibrahim, Naheemot O Sule, Mayowa M Adeyemo, Olusegun I Alatise","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2816","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2816","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Febrile neutropaenia (FN) is an oncology emergency, but there is a paucity of data on it in Africa.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to review and aggregate data on FN in the context of antibiotic resistance.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Published original articles between 1991 and 2024 were systematically searched in Google Scholar, PubMed, and African Journals Online databases (grey literature excluded). 'Febrile neutropenia' was combined by Boolean terms 'OR' and 'AND' with individual countries for the searched terms. Data aggregation on bacteria isolates and antibiotics was done using Microsoft Excel.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 16 637 articles retrieved, 15 (from nine countries) with 1216 non-duplicate isolates were included in the analyses after exclusion of irrelevant and duplicate articles. There were 57.0% (698/1225) Gram-positive and 43.3% (527/1225) Gram-negative bacteria. Aggregated resistance to antibiotics for Gram-positive bacteria was 71.8% (163/227), for ampicillin, 74.3% (226/304), for cefoxitin, 64.1% (25/39), and 54.0% (47/87) for oxacillin, while that of Gram-negative bacteria was 35.5% (184/519) for ciprofloxacin, 60.6% (168/277) for ceftriaxone, 65.9% (89/135) for cefuroxime, and 38.2% (153/401) for imipenem. <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> had 68.8% (22/32) resistance to oxacillin/methicillin and 10% (1/10) resistance to vancomycin. <i>Klebsiella</i> spp. was 50% (9/18) resistant to quinolones, 75.9% (22/29) resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, and 25.0% (4/16) resistant to carbapenems, while <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp. was 85.7% (6/7) resistant to gentamycin.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This review highlighted the paucity of data and the emergence of multidrug resistance in FN in Africa. There is a need for antibiotic-resistance surveillance and antibiotic stewardship to optimise therapy in FN in Africa.</p><p><strong>What this study adds: </strong>To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review of FN in Africa in the context of available laboratory resources across the African regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"14 1","pages":"2816"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12421475/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145041669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mainstreaming of biomedical waste management: Best practices for clinical laboratories in Africa.","authors":"Pasipanodya I Machingura Ruredzo, Bettina Chale-Matsau","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2881","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2881","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"14 1","pages":"2881"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339890/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144838149","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in colorectal adenoma in an indigenous African population in northern Nigeria.","authors":"Abdulrazaq A Jimoh, Zainab A Adamu, Mumini W Rasheed, Samuel K Richard","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2613","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2613","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The clinical significance of adenoma is as a result of being a precancerous lesion with long latency, harbouring of invasive carcinoma, bearing similar clinical features with colorectal cancer, and as part of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes. Over-expression of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme has been noticed in adenomas with unfavourable features. However, this information is limited in Africa.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to assess the proportion of adenomas in northern Nigeria that over-express COX-2.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This 5-year retrospective, descriptive, hospital-based study examined the COX-2 immunohistochemistry of all histologically diagnosed colorectal adenomas in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria, between 01 January 2015 and 31 December 2019. Age, sex, site, diagnosis, and grade were obtained from the Kano cancer registry and slide reviews of cases.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were cases of 29 adenoma (male, <i>n</i> = 20; female, <i>n</i> = 9). Adenoma occurred more commonly among male patients (M:F, 2.2:1), in the age group 40-79 years, and included tubular adenomas (62.1%), tubulovillous adenomas (27.6%), and villous adenomas (10.3%). Over-expression of COX-2 was observed in 3.4%. There was no association between COX-2 expression and age, sex, site, histological subtype, or grade.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Over-expressed COX-2 was observed in only 3.4% of adenomas, which may indicate its early involvement in the spectrum of adenoma-carcinoma sequence.</p><p><strong>What this study adds: </strong>It provides key information about COX-2 expression in adenoma in an African population, which may serve as a rationale for other studies regarding COX-2 targets for chemoprevention and therapy in adenoma and colorectal cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"14 1","pages":"2613"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339808/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144838147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility analysis of the SICKLECHECK™ test kit for rapid screening of sickle cell disease at a County Referral Hospital in Kenya.","authors":"Antony S Katayi, Phidelis M Marabi, Stanslaus K Musyoki","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2739","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2739","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The burden of sickle cell disease in Western Kenya is substantial; however, there is limited research on the effectiveness of rapid diagnostic tests for the condition.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study evaluated the feasibility of using the SICKLECHECK™ rapid test kit for detecting sickle cell disease at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, Kenya.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was carried out between October 2023 and February 2024 and included both healthy children and children with a known haemoglobin phenotype. The SICKLECHECK™ rapid screening test was compared to Bio-Rad^™ high-performance liquid chromatography, which served as the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy were calculated using MedCalc^™ statistical software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study involved 194 children (98 girls and 96 boys), aged between 10 weeks and 15 years, with haemoglobin profiles sickle cell negative (<i>n</i> = 78), sickle cell trait (<i>n</i> = 21), and sickle cell disease (<i>n</i> = 95). The SICKLECHECK™ test demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and accuracy exceeding 97%, with a positive predictive value of 94.18% for haemoglobin A. It also effectively distinguished between normal (sensitivity 97.44%, specificity 99.14%), carrier (sensitivity 90.48%, specificity 98.27%), and disease (sensitivity 98.95%, specificity 98.99%) phenotypes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Based on the findings in this study, SICKLECHECK^™ could be a reliable point-of-care diagnostic tool for sickle cell disease. The encouragement of healthcare facilities, especially in resource-limited settings, to adopt the SICKLECHECK^™ rapid test for routine screening and diagnosis of sickle cell disease is recommended.</p><p><strong>What this study adds: </strong>This study highlights the diagnostic reliability of the SICKLECHECK^™ rapid test in accurately identifying and differentiating sickle cell disease, trait, and normal haemoglobin phenotypes, reinforcing its potential role in strengthening early diagnosis efforts in clinical settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"14 1","pages":"2739"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12339871/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144838148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}