South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis (APD) is a rare autoimmune response to raised endogenous progesterone levels that occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Cutaneous, mucosal lesions and other systemic manifestations develop cyclically during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle when progesterone levels are elevated. APD symptoms usually start 3 - 10 days before menstruation and resolve 1 - 2 days after menstruation ceases. ⋯ We performed an intradermal test using progesterone, which was positive. She was treated with oral contraceptive pills and the symptoms were resolved. This is a typical case of APD triggered by increased sensitivity to endogenous progesterone induced a few months after medical abortion.
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Editorial
Unpacking the new proposed regulations for South African traditional health practitioners.
South Africa (SA) has legislation that regulates almost all of its healthcare systems. The Traditional Health Practitoners Act finally provides legitimisation of an overwhelmingly popular indigenous healthcare system. However, as a consequence of the legal acknowledgement of traditional health practitioners, traditional medicine products must now also be brought under regulatory measures. If traditional medicines are to be prescribed, marketed and sold as part of a healthcare system recognised under SA law, they must meet the same stringent standards.
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Scaling up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in South Africa (SA) has resulted in an increase in the number of patients on the national ART programme and an increased workload for ART service providers nationwide. ⋯ Immunological and virological outcomes after 5 years on treatment were good. Both these positive outcomes showed that the ART programme was a success. Improved data quality and patient follow-up will further strengthen programme outcomes.