We would like to highlight an update in the diagnostic approach to tuberculosis (TB) investigation. While smear microscopy for acid fast bailli (AFB) has long been used for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) detection, it is no longer recommended as the initial...
Why the name change? The term PCOS is increasingly recognised as misleading because pathological ovarian cysts are not a defining feature. PMOS better reflects the multisystem endocrine and metabolic nature of the disorderPMOS
This report is a summary of the results obtained from various molecular respiratory panels performed across PathCare laboratories during June 2026 (epidemiological weeks 23-26). The data is dependent on submission of samples by clinicians and therefore may not be...
Worldwide, approximately 250 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), with the prevalence in South Africa being approximately 7%.1 HBV can be transmitted through perinatal transmission, horizontal transmission during childhood,...
This report is a summary of the results obtained from various molecular respiratory panels performed across PathCare laboratories during May 2026 (epidemiological weeks 19-22). The data is dependent on submission of samples by clinicians and therefore may not be...
This report summarises respiratory pathogen PCR panel results for specimens submitted for testing to the private pathology practices that are members of the NPG from January to March 2026.NPG Respiratory Pathogen Statistics Q1
Serum biomarkers of infection such as CRP, ESR, synovial fluid leucocyte count and neutrophil percentage are useful tests to support the diagnosis of PJI. However, it is important to define the infecting microorganism to direct antimicrobial therapy. Pre-operative...
This update is a report of the PathCare susceptibility data for key surveillance organisms isolated from blood culture samples, taken from patients in the Western Cape, over a four-year period, 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2025. Bloodstream infections (BSI’s) are...
This report is a summary of the results obtained from various molecular respiratory panels performed across PathCare laboratories during April 2026 (epidemiological weeks 14-18). The data is dependent on submission of samples by clinicians and therefore may not be...
PathCare antimicrobial susceptibility data for common community-acquired organisms isolated from patients in the Western Cape province during 2025 have been updated. In comparison with the previous surveillance period¹, current recommendations for empiric...