African Journal of Laboratory Medicine最新文献

{"title":"The deployment of mobile diagnostic laboratories for Ebola virus disease diagnostics in Sierra Leone and Guinea.","authors":"Lance D Presser, Jeanette Coffin, Lamine Koivogui, Allan Campbell, Julian Campbell, Fatmata Barrie, Jone Ngobeh, Zein Souma, Samuel Sorie, Doris Harding, Alimou Camara, Pepe Tohonamou, Basala Traore, Frank A Hamill, Joe Bogan, Sharon Altmann, Casey Ross, Jay Mansheim, Robert Hegerty, Scott Poynter, Scott Shearrer, Carmen Asbun, Brendan Karlstrand, Phil Davis, Jane Alam, David Roberts, Paul D Stamper, Jean Ndjomou, Nadia Wauquier, Mohamed Koroma, Alhaji Munu, Jason McClintock, Mar Mar, True Burns, Stephen Krcha","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1414","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1414","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ebola virus emerged in West Africa in December 2013. The ease of mobility, porous borders, and lack of public health infrastructure led to the largest Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak to date.</p><p><strong>Intervention: </strong>The 2013 EVD outbreak signalled the need for laboratory diagnostic capabilities in areas without strong public health systems. As part of the United States' Department of Defense response, MRIGlobal was contracted to design, fabricate, equip, deploy, and operate two mobile diagnostic laboratories (MDLs). The first laboratory analysed blood samples from patients in an adjacent Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC) and buccal swabs from the deceased in the community in Moyamba, Sierra Leone. The second laboratory was deployed to support an ETC in Conakry, Guinea. The Department of Defense provided real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays that were deployed and validated on-site.</p><p><strong>Lessons learnt: </strong>Prompt and accurate molecular diagnostics reduced sample turn-around times from over 24 h to under 4 h. Experienced laboratory staff tested up to 110 samples per day and on-site engineering proved necessary for MDL setup and operation. As the Ebola response slowed, the sustainment of the MDLs' operations was prioritised, including staff training and the transition of the MDLs to local governments. Training programmes for local staff were prepared in Sierra Leone and Guinea.</p><p><strong>Recommendations: </strong>The MRIGlobal MDL team significantly contributed to establishing increased laboratory capacity during the EVD outbreak in West Africa. Using the MDLs for molecular diagnosis is highly recommended until more sustainable solutions can be provided.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"10 1","pages":"1414"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8603149/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39687876","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":"Biobanking of COVID-19 specimens during the pandemic: The need for enhanced biosafety.","authors":"Olayinka S Ilesanmi,&nbsp;Aanuoluwapo A Afolabi","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1379","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1379","url":null,"abstract":"Biobanking holds promising benefits particularly for improving the understanding of specific diseases and illnesses,1 as evidenced for the Zika virus disease. Research using biobanked blood samples helped resolve the ‘dengue-like syndrome’ misunderstanding associated with the Zika virus. Secondly, it provided comprehensive knowledge on the possibility for vertical transmission of the Zika virus between mother and child, as well as transmission via sexual relationships and blood transfusions.2 Biobanked biological samples could be kept for indefinite periods, allowing for long-term retrospective research in the future. The disease control opportunities that abound in biobanking can only be activated through efficient biobank structures.","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"10 1","pages":"1379"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8602961/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39683524","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":"Molecular red cell genotyping of rare blood donors in South Africa to enhance rare donor-patient blood matching.","authors":"Lavendri Govender, Rosaley D Prakashchandra, Pavitra Pillay, Ute Jentsch","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1400","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1400","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Molecular red cell genotyping is devoid of serology limitations such as the scarcity of rare antisera and the possibility of inconclusive results due to biological interferences. Blood incompatibility can result in immune transfusion reactions such as haemolytic transfusion reactions or haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The study aimed to use molecular red cell genotyping to identify rare blood group donors among South African blood donors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Red cell genotyping data were extracted retrospectively from the BIDS XT genotyping software in the Immunohaematology Reference Laboratory from January 2015 to August 2016. The ID CORE XT genotyping assay was used to identify the single nucleotide polymorphisms of 10 blood groups system alleles in 150 donors. Associations between the resultant genotypes and predicted phenotypes, ABO group, RhD type, race group and gender were studied.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant red cell genetic variability was noted among the numerous South African donor genotypes identified in this study. Genotyping further confirmed the presence of at least one of the 16 rare genotypes in 50 donors. Group O Black donors were associated with two rare blood types, while several other rare blood types were found only in White donors, supporting an association between ABO/Rh subtype, race group and rare blood types.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Targeted screening of donors for antigen-negative rare blood units for patients should be done to reduce the risk of haemolytic transfusion reactions and haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"10 1","pages":"1400"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2021-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8517807/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39556654","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":"Call for emergency action to limit global temperature increases, restore biodiversity, and protect health.","authors":"Lukoye Atwoli,&nbsp;Abdullah H Baqui,&nbsp;Thomas Benfield,&nbsp;Raffaella Bosurgi,&nbsp;Fiona Godlee,&nbsp;Stephen Hancocks,&nbsp;Richard Horton,&nbsp;Laurie Laybourn-Langton,&nbsp;Carlos Augusto Monteiro,&nbsp;Ian Norman,&nbsp;Kirsten Patrick,&nbsp;Nigel Praities,&nbsp;Marcel G M Olde Rikkert,&nbsp;Eric J Rubin,&nbsp;Peush Sahni,&nbsp;Richard Smith,&nbsp;Nicholas J Talley,&nbsp;Sue Turale,&nbsp;Damián Vázquez","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1707","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1707","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"10 1","pages":"1707"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8517796/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39556655","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":"Pre-evaluation assessment of serological-based COVID-19 point-of-care lateral flow assays in Kenya.","authors":"James H Kimotho,&nbsp;Abdiaziz A Gosar,&nbsp;Ronald Inyangala,&nbsp;Paulyne Wairimu,&nbsp;Fred Siyoi,&nbsp;Damaris Matoke-Muhia,&nbsp;Cecilia Wanjala,&nbsp;Jeremiah Zablon,&nbsp;Moses Orina,&nbsp;Lucy Muita,&nbsp;Jacqueline Thiga,&nbsp;Lameck Nyabuti,&nbsp;Eunice Wainaina,&nbsp;Joseph Mwangi,&nbsp;Alice Mumbi,&nbsp;Samuel Omari,&nbsp;Ann Wanjiru,&nbsp;Samson M Nzou,&nbsp;Missiani Ochwoto","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1317","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1317","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Timely testing is a key determinant of management outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests are currently the mainstay for COVID-19 testing. However, serological point-of-care tests (PoCTs) can be useful in identifying asymptomatic and recovered cases, as well as herd immunity.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to assess COVID-19 PoCTs in Kenya to support the emergency use authorisation of these tests.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between March 2020 and May 2020, 18 firms, of which 13 were from China, submitted their PoCTs to the national regulatory authority, the Pharmacy and Poison Board, who in turn forwarded them to the Kenya Medical Research Institute for pre-evaluation assessment. The tests were run with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction COVID-19-positive samples. Pre-COVID-19 plasma samples that were collected in June 2019 were used as negative samples. The shelf lives of the PoCTs ranged from 6 to 24 months.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Only nine (50%) tests had sensitivities ≥ 40% (range: 40% - 60%) and the ability of these tests to detect IgM ranged from 0% to 50%. Many (7/18; 38.9%) of the kits had very weak IgM and IgG band intensities (range: 2-3).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Serological-based PoCTs available in Kenya can only detect COVID-19 in up to 60% of the infected population.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"10 1","pages":"1317"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8517658/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39558203","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":"Higher proportion of non-classical and intermediate monocytes in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients in Egypt: A possible prognostic marker.","authors":"Asmaa M Zahran,&nbsp;Hanaa Nafady-Hego,&nbsp;Sawsan M Moeen,&nbsp;Hanan A Eltyb,&nbsp;Mohammed M Wahman,&nbsp;Asmaa Nafady","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1296","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1296","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Interaction between multiple myeloma (MM) cells and proximal monocytes is expected during plasma cell proliferation. However, the role of monocyte subsets in the disease progression is unknown.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study evaluated circulating monocyte populations in MM patients and their correlation with disease severity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Peripheral monocytes from 20 patients with MM attending Assiut University Hospital in Assiut, Egypt, between October 2018 and August 2019 were processed using a flow cytometry procedure and stratified using the intensity of expression of CD14 and CD16 into classical (CD16^-CD14⁺⁺), intermediate (CD16⁺CD14⁺⁺), and non-classical (CD16⁺⁺CD14⁺) subsets. The data were compared with data from 20 healthy control participants with comparable age and sex.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In patients with MM, the percentage of classical monocytes was significantly lower (mean ± standard error: 77.24 ± 0.66 vs 83.75 ± 0.5), while those of non-classical (12.44 ± 0.5 vs 8.9 ± 0.34) and intermediate (10.3 ± 0.24 vs 7.4 ± 0.29) monocytes were significantly higher when compared with those of controls (all <i>p</i> < 0.0001). Proportions of non-classical and intermediate monocytes correlated positively with serum levels of plasma cells, M-protein, calcium, creatinine and lactate dehydrogenase, and correlated negatively with the serum albumin level. Proportions of classical monocytes correlated positively with albumin level and negatively correlated with serum levels of M-protein, plasma cells, calcium, creatinine, and lactate dehydrogenase.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Circulating monocyte subpopulations are skewed towards non-classical and intermediate monocytes in MM patients, and the intensity of this skewness increases with disease severity.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"10 1","pages":"129"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8424713/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39416479","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":"Strategic site selection for placement of HIV early infant diagnosis point-of-care technology within a national diagnostic network in Lesotho.","authors":"Anafi Mataka,&nbsp;Esther A J Tumbare,&nbsp;Tsietso Motsoane,&nbsp;David Holtzman,&nbsp;Monkoe Leqheka,&nbsp;Kolisang Phatsoane,&nbsp;Emma Sacks,&nbsp;Anthony Isavwa,&nbsp;Appolinaire Tiam","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1156","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1156","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>New technologies for rapid point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests hold great potential for improving the health outcomes of HIV-exposed infants. POC testing for HIV early infant diagnosis (EID) was introduced in Lesotho in late 2016. Here we highlight critical requirements for selecting routine POC EID sites to ensure a sustainable and optimised EID diagnostic network.</p><p><strong>Intervention: </strong>Lesotho introduced POC EID in a phased approach that included assessments of national databases to identify sites with high test volumes, the creation of local networks of sites to potentially increase access to POC EID, and a standardised capacity assessment to determine site readiness. Potential site networks comprising 'hub' testing sites and 'spoke' specimen referring sites were created.</p><p><strong>Lessons learnt: </strong>After determining optimal placement, a total of 29 testing facilities were selected for placement of POC EID to potentially increase access to 189 facilities through the use of a hub-and-spoke model. Site capacity assessments identified vital human resources and infrastructure capacity gaps that needed to be addressed before introducing POC EID and informed appropriate POC platform selection.</p><p><strong>Recommendations: </strong>POC placement involves more than just purchasing the testing platforms. Considering the relatively small proportion of sites that can be eligible for placement of a POC platform, utilising a hub-and-spoke model can maximise the number of health facilities served by a POC platform while reducing the necessary capacity building and infrastructure investments to fewer sites.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"10 1","pages":"1156"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8424766/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39419172","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":"Operational analysis of the national sickle cell screening programme in the Republic of Uganda.","authors":"Arielle G Hernandez,&nbsp;Charles Kiyaga,&nbsp;Thad A Howard,&nbsp;Isaac Ssewanyana,&nbsp;Grace Ndeezi,&nbsp;Jane R Aceng,&nbsp;Russell E Ware","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1303","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1303","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sickle cell anaemia is a common global life-threatening haematological disorder. Most affected births occur in sub-Saharan Africa where children usually go undiagnosed and die early in life. Uganda's national sickle cell screening programme was developed in response to a 2014 sickle cell surveillance study that documented a high disease prevalence.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study describes the temporal and financial aspects of Uganda's 2014-2019 sickle cell screening programme.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>National sickle cell screening data from Uganda's Central Public Health Laboratories were used to calculate turn-around times (TATs) from sample collection to delivery, testing, and result reporting for blood samples collected from February 2014 to March 2019. The parameters affecting specific TATs were assessed. The exact programme expenditures were analysed to determine cost per test and per positive sickle cell disease case detected.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 278 651 samples were analysed. The median TAT from sample collection to laboratory receipt was 8 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 6-12), receipt to testing was 3 days (IQR: 1-7), and testing to result reporting was 6 days (IQR: 3-12). Altogether, the sample continuum averaged 16 days (IQR: 11-24). Lower level healthcare facilities were associated with longer sample delivery TATs. Calendar months (January and December) and larger sample volumes impacted testing and result reporting TATs. The cost per test was $4.46 (United States dollars [USD]) and $483.74 USD per positive case detected.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Uganda's sickle cell screening programme is efficient and cost-effective. Universal newborn screening is the best strategy for detecting sickle cell anaemia in Uganda.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"10 1","pages":"1303"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8424771/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39419174","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 24-hour versus random urine samples for determination and quantification of Bence Jones protein in a South African population.","authors":"Ashandree Reddy,&nbsp;Nadine Rapiti,&nbsp;Verena Gounden","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1228","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1228","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The International Myeloma Working Group and College of American Pathologists recommend a 24-h urine collection to determine the Bence Jones protein (BJP) excretion level for monitoring treatment response in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). There are several issues related to sample collection and the method is prone to inaccuracy.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study compared measured 24-h to random urine collections for the quantitation of BJP in a South African population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sixty-six patients with MM submitted random urine samples with their routine 24-h urine collection from April 2016 - March 2018. Measured 24-h urine BJP was compared to two estimated 24-h BJP excretions calculated as follows: Estimation 1 (E1): Estimated 24-h BJP (mg/24 h) = Urine BJP/Creatinine ratio (mg/mmol) × 10. Estimation 2 (E2): Estimated 24-h BJP (mg/24 h) = Urine BJP/Creatinine ratio (mg/mmol) × 15 mg/kg for women or × 20 mg/kg for men.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Correlation of estimation equations E1 and E2 to the measured 24-h urine BJP was 0.893. Patients showed no difference in classification of treatment response using either the E1 or E2 estimation equations when compared to the measured 24-h urine BJP results.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrates that the estimated 24-h BJP shows a high degree of correlation with the measured 24-h BJP and can likely be used to monitor treatment response in South African patients with MM.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"10 1","pages":"1228"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8424753/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39419173","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":"Could ante-mortem computed tomography be useful in forensic pathology of traumatic intracranial haemorrhage?","authors":"Mmachuene I Hlahla,&nbsp;Moshibudi J Selatole","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/ajlm.v10i1.1040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Imaging techniques have proven valuable in forensic pathology practice, with computed tomography being preferred for forensic use. In the era of virtual autopsy and a low- to middle-income, resource-constrained country, a question arises as to whether ante-mortem computed tomography (ACT) could be cost-effective by reducing the number of invasive autopsies performed.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>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.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eighty-five cases of ACT and autopsy reports from 01 January 2014 to 31 December 2016 from the Polokwane Forensic Pathology Laboratory, South Africa, were analysed retrospectively. Using Cohen's kappa statistics, measures of agreement and resultant discrepancy rates were determined. Also, the discrepancy patterns for each identified factor was also analysed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The discrepancy rate between ACT and autopsy detection of haemorrhage was 24.71% while diagnostic categorisation of haemorrhage was 55.3%. Classification discrepancy was most observed in subarachnoid haemorrhages and least observed in extradural haemorrhages. A markedly reduced level of consciousness, hospital stay beyond two weeks and three or fewer years of doctors' experience contributed to classification discrepancies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Ante-mortem computed tomography should be used only as an adjunct to autopsy findings. However, the low discrepancy rate seen for extradural haemorrhages implies that ACT may be useful in the forensic diagnosis of extradural haemorrhages.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"10 1","pages":"1040"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2021-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8335788/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39313681","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}