African Journal of Laboratory Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Comparative analysis of inflammatory markers in HIV-positive individuals on antiretroviral therapy versus HIV-negative individuals in South Africa.","authors":"Lungile Ndlovu, Nokukhanya Thembane, Ziningi N Jaya","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2756","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2756","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>HIV is associated with chronic inflammation and immune activation, which can persist even in individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART), increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, neurocognitive disorders, and other inflammatory conditions.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study comparatively investigates inflammatory markers among HIV-positive individuals receiving ART with those in HIV-negative individuals.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analysed retrospective laboratory results, including viral load, C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer, from 275 individuals (aged 0-39 years) treated at a tertiary hospital in South Africa. The study period commenced on 02 December 2023 and ended on 28 October 2024. Spearman's rank correlation was used to evaluate relationships among demographic factors, viral load, and inflammatory markers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Findings revealed that HIV-positive individuals had significantly higher CRP levels (<i>r</i> = 0.140, <i>p</i> = 0.010), indicating persistent inflammation despite ART. D-dimer levels remained high within normal ranges across the sample, suggesting a generally low thrombotic risk, though elevated in a small subset of HIV-positive individuals. It also revealed that CRP levels were notably higher among male patients (<i>r</i> = 0.133, <i>p</i> = 0.014) compared to female patients. The age group with the highest inflammatory markers, such as CRP, were young adults (18-39 years old). Distribution results show the predominant gender being female (<i>n</i> = 211; 76.7%) versus male (<i>n</i> = 64; 23.3%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the need for tailored strategies to manage inflammation and reduce cardiovascular risks in HIV-positive individuals, especially young adults and male patients.</p><p><strong>What this study adds: </strong>This study provides insight into specific inflammatory markers that are reduced or elevated in people living with HIV. It also assessed how ART influences the immune response in HIV-positive individuals, particularly in terms of inflammation. This can help in developing targeted therapies and monitoring disease progression.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"14 1","pages":"2756"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12505422/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145259413","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":"Flow cytometric characterisation of acute leukaemia in adolescent and adult Ethiopians.","authors":"Jemal Alemu, Balako Gumi, Aster Tsegaye, Abdulaziz Sherif, Fisihatsion Tadesse, Amha Gebremedhin, Rawleigh Howe","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2394","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v14i1.2394","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Flow cytometric characterisation of acute leukaemia is a key diagnostic approach for clinical management of patients, but is minimally practised in resource-constrained settings like Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to determine the immunophenotypes of acute leukaemia by flow cytometry at Tikur Anbessa Specialised Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted on adolescent and adult inpatients consecutively admitted from April 2019 to June 2021. Peripheral blood samples were stained for surface and cytoplasmic markers, and analysed by four-colour flow cytometry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 140 cases aged 13 years to 76 years, 74 (53%) were men and 66 (47%) were women, 68 (49%) had acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL), 65 (46 %) had acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML), and 7 (5.0%) had acute leukaemia non-otherwise specified. Acute lymphocytic leukaemia was more common among adolescent and male cases; AML was more common among adult and female cases. Among ALL subtypes, B-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia cases (73.5%) were more common than T-cell acute lymphocytic leukaemia (26.5%). A subset of acute leukaemia, CD19+/CD56+ AML was identified in 3 cases (6% of AML). Of the B-cell ALL cases, 21 (42%) were CD34+/CD10+/CD66c+, 10% were CD34+/CD10+/CD66c-, 32% were CD34-/CD10+, and 6% were CD34+/CD10-. An unexpectedly high number of T-cell ALL cases that lacked surface CD3 were observed to have significantly higher levels of aberrantly expressed myeloid markers.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We observed multiple phenotypes identifying subtypes of acute leukaemia cases, extending our previous studies in Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>What this study adds: </strong>This study extends previous studies by describing phenotypically defined subsets of ALL and AML which, in addition to diagnosis, may have useful prognostic value for clinicians.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"14 1","pages":"2394"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11830883/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143449629","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 Human Cell Atlas: Promises, recent developments, and bridging the African single-cell data gap.","authors":"Enahoro S Abhulimen","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2583","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2583","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"2583"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11736541/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143013754","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":"Healthcare waste management knowledge, attitudes and practices of laboratory workers at a regional hospital, Lesotho.","authors":"Ts'aletseng M Siimane, Motlatsi E Nts'ihlele","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2485","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2485","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Safe management of healthcare waste (HW) safeguards laboratory biosafety and biosecurity. Knowledge and attitudes influence HW practices, presenting a need for evidence of the current status.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practice of laboratory workers towards waste management at a regional hospital laboratory in Lesotho.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was conducted from March 2023 to June 2023 using a mixed-methods descriptive case study design. The entire population (<i>n</i> = 30) of technical and non-technical laboratory workers and generated waste were sampled. A structured questionnaire and an observational checklist were used to collect data. Waste generation was assessed by weighing and measuring waste volumes. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All respondents (26/26; 100%) can define HW and (3/3) laboratory assistants (100%) gave correct responses for three questions, namely: risk associated with HW, waste container colour-coding, and disposal requirements. Knowledge on waste management responsibilities ranged between 0% (0/4) for cleaners and 54.5% (6/11) among laboratory technicians. Attitudes were mainly positive, and practices conformed in part to standard operating procedures. Infectious solid waste comprised 77% of solid HW, while 63% of chemical liquid waste emanated from the full blood count area.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Knowledge exists among workers and attitudes are predominantly positive; however, some unsafe practices continue, thus knowledge is not fully translated to safe practices. Regular training and measuring and recording of HW were recommended.</p><p><strong>What this study adds: </strong>The study contributes understanding of the status of HW knowledge, attitudes and management practices, highlighting the need for compliance monitoring.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"2485"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11736819/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143013750","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":"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.","authors":"Tiyani C Mthombeni, Johanita R Burger, Martha S Lubbe, Marlene Julyan, Molebogeng R Lekalakala-Mokaba","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2519","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2519","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There is a paucity of research on the incidence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of <i>Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, and <i>Enterobacter</i> spp. (ESKAPE) pathogens in Africa because of the inadequate establishment of AMR surveillance systems.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study reports on the incidence and AMR of bloodstream ESKAPE pathogens at a referral hospital in northern South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective descriptive study used routinely collected bloodstream isolates (pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing performed using automated systems) from the South African National Health Laboratory Service, from January 2014 to December 2019. Resistant phenotypes analysed included methicillin-resistant <i>S. aureus</i> and carbapenem-resistant <i>A. baumannii</i>.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The ESKAPE pathogen incidence rate was stable from 2014 to 2019 (<i>p</i> = 0.133). The most isolated pathogens were <i>S. aureus</i> (268/746; 35.9%) and <i>A. baumannii</i> (200/746; 26.8%). <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> increased from 39 isolates in 2014 to 75 in 2019 (<i>p</i> = 0.132). The incidence rate of <i>A. baumannii</i> increased from 11.9% (16/134) in 2015 to 37.8% (68/180) in 2019 (<i>p</i> = 0.009). Most isolates (417/746; 55.9%) were from the neonatal ward. Carbapenem-resistant <i>A. baumannii</i> increased from 68.8% (11/16) in 2014 to 75.0% (51/68) in 2019 (<i>p</i> = 0.009). Methicillin-resistant <i>S. aureus</i> decreased from 56.0% (14/25) in 2016 to 17.3% (13/75) in 2019 (<i>p</i> = 0.260).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Routine data provide essential information on the incidence of ESKAPE pathogens and AMR phenotypes, serving as a basis for an antibiogram, a surveillance tool in antibiotic stewardship programmes.</p><p><strong>What this study adds: </strong>The study provided local information on the incidence and AMR pattern of ESKAPE pathogens, which is essential when developing empiric treatment protocols for appropriate antibiotic prescribing and infection prevention and control practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"2519"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11621878/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142796065","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 scourge of antimicrobial resistance: Containing a global crisis.","authors":"Rajiv T Erasmus, Chikwelu L Obi, Sajini Souda","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2645","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2645","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"2645"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11621875/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142796066","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":"Impact of artificial intelligence and digital technology-based diagnostic tools for communicable and non-communicable diseases in Africa.","authors":"Chikwelu L Obi, Joshua O Olowoyo, Thembinkosi D Malevu, Liziwe L Mugivhisa, Taurai Hungwe, Modupe O Ogunrombi, Nqobile M Mkolo","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2516","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2516","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology, as advanced human-created tools, are influencing the healthcare sector.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This review provides a comprehensive and structured exploration of the opportunities presented by AI and digital technology to laboratory diagnostics and management of communicable and non-communicable diseases in Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analyses guidelines and Bibliometric analysis as its methodological approach. Peer-reviewed publications from 2000 to 2024 were retrieved from PubMed^®, Web of Science™ and Google Scholar databases.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study incorporated a total of 1563 peer-reviewed scientific documents and, after filtration, 37 were utilised for systematic review. The findings revealed that AI and digital technology play a key role in patient management, quality assurance and laboratory operations, including healthcare decision-making, disease monitoring and prognosis. Metadata reflected the disproportionate research outputs distribution across Africa. In relation to non-communicable diseases, Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco lead in cardiovascular, diabetes and cancer research. Representing communicable diseases research, Algeria, Egypt, and South Africa were prominent in HIV/AIDS research. South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Egypt lead in malaria and tuberculosis research.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Facilitation of widespread adoption of AI and digital technology in laboratory diagnostics across Africa is critical for maximising patient benefits. It is recommended that governments in Africa allocate more funding for infrastructure and research on AI to serve as a catalyst for innovation.</p><p><strong>What this study adds: </strong>This review provides a comprehensive and context-specific analysis of AI's application in African healthcare.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"2516"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12242046/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144609886","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":"Pathobiology of HIV-related metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities: Towards a unifying mechanism.","authors":"Zohreh Jadali","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2582","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2582","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"2582"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11538354/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142591838","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":"An audit of the iron status of patients at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, in Johannesburg, South Africa.","authors":"Jurette S Grove, Siyabonga Khoza, Dineo V Mabuza, Shaida B Khan","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2509","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2509","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Iron deficiency is a common disorder, especially in developing countries. Accurately assessing iron status remains challenging, particularly for patients with chronic diseases such as HIV and chronic kidney disease, prevalent in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to determine how ferritin cut-offs affect iron status classification in adult patients treated at a tertiary hospital in South Africa. Additionally, it assessed the frequency of these conditions and the impact of age and gender on iron status.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective study analysed iron profiles in adult patients from 01 October 2020 to 31 March 2021. 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. The impact of using two different ferritin cut-off values (15 µg/L and 30 µg/L) was investigated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 3221 complete iron profiles. There was a predominance of female patients (2.2:1 ratio). Anaemia of chronic disease was the most prevalent iron disorder (39%), regardless of ferritin cut-off. Using a higher ferritin cut-off of 30 µg/L significantly increased the detection rates of both IDA and iron deficiency without anaemia (<i>p</i> < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study suggests that a higher ferritin threshold (30 µg/L) might improve diagnosis of iron disorders in settings with high inflammatory diseases. Further studies are needed to refine thresholds. Local guidelines should be adjusted to consider higher ferritin cut-offs, and longitudinal studies are recommended to evaluate long-term outcomes.</p><p><strong>What this study adds: </strong>This study confirms the use of higher ferritin cut-offs for enhanced detection of iron deficiency states. The findings also emphasise the ongoing need for establishing simple, standardised, and accurate methods for iron status classification.</p>","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"2509"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11538453/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142591835","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":"Carriers of the m.3243A>G variant should not be labelled with an acronym before they have been systematically screened for multisystem disease.","authors":"Josef Finsterer","doi":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2527","DOIUrl":"10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2527","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":45412,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Laboratory Medicine","volume":"13 1","pages":"2527"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11447612/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142373166","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}