South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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The outcome and response of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) to steroids have been linked to race. ⋯ Our study shows a rising incidence of FSGS, with the majority of patients having SRNS, particularly black African children. This highlights the need for alternative efficacious therapy in the management of this disease. Also, a higher percentage of black African children with both MCD and FSGS were SS on histopathological examination, which was in keeping with reports from other regions in SA. There are still major challenges for the inclusion of all children into a chronic dialysis and transplant programme.
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The most common clinical indication for renal biopsy in the early post-transplant period is early graft dysfunction (EGD), which may present either as delayed graft function (DGF) or acute graft dysfunction. Even though it is a valuable diagnostic tool, renal allograft biopsy is not without risk of major complications. Recent studies have suggested that, with modern immunosuppressive induction regimens and more accurate ways to determine high immunological risk transplants, early acute rejection (AR) is uncommon and routine biopsy for EGD does not result in a change in management. ⋯ Considering the relative safety and high rate of detection of AR, a liberal approach to renal biopsy for EGD remains justifiable in our setting.
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The basis of a manuscript is the research question, which is reported within a standard publication structure. The 'Background' section clarifies the question. ⋯ The 'Discussion' section describes how findings of the study relate to current knowledge and the practical implications of the results, and suggests future studies. This structure differs from that of a thesis, the aims of which are broader than reporting on a specific research question.
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Historical Article
Human brucellosis in South Africa: A review for medical practitioners.
Brucellosis is recognised as a neglected zoonotic tropical disease of global health and economic importance. Medical practitioner unawareness of the disease is reported to contribute to the overall neglect. ⋯ The overall aim of this review article is to increase medical practitioner capacity to detect, diagnose and treat brucellosis in the SA context. A brief review of the literature on human brucellosis in SA is presented, together with a discussion of current issues related to medical detection, treatment and management of brucellosis, applicable to the SA context.