With the identification of cases of monkeypox in various non-endemic countries since early May 2022, heightened vigilance is required in order to contain the spread of this virus. Monkeypox virus is transmitted by contact with infected animals or humans, or other...
There is currently a global stock shortage of Betanoid (betamethasone) tablets. Betanoid is used in the Dexamethasone Suppression Test for screening of Cushing’s Syndrome. PathCare will, until further notice, be unable to supply patients with Betanoid tablets. ...
Testing for respiratory pathogens using comprehensive multiplex molecular panels has become a valuable diagnostic tool to assist in early identification of causative organisms. Appropriate use supports timely and directed antimicrobial therapy, especially for...
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases declared the start of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season in week 7 (week ending 20 February) and the positivity rate has continued to increase through March and April.Circulation of adenovirus, parainfluenza...
Enteric fever includes typhoid fever (an infection caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi) and paratyphoid fever (infections caused by Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotypes Paratyphi A, B or rarely, C) Paratyphoid fever isclinically indistinguishable...
Due to a rapid increase in serious infections related to especially carbapenemase producing Enterobacterales, the clinical use of the polymyxin antibiotics colistin (polymyxin E), and polymyxin B has recently resurged as salvage therapy for otherwise untreatable...
Key considerations:A key issue is the small volume of sample that is available. It is not feasible to perform all tests on all samples whilst maintaining optimum sensitivity.Therefore, it is the clinician's responsibility to prioritise testing for each...
Below we present the PathCare susceptibility data for common community-acquired respiratory tract organisms isolated from lower respiratory tract samples of patients in the Eastern Cape during 2018. As this data reflects the susceptibility of all isolates,...
Pathcare Reference Laboratory has recently instituted a rapid blood culture ID technique where organisms from positive blood cultures can now be identified after about 4 hours from the time when the blood culture system flags the blood culture bottle as...