South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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SARS-CoV-2 continues to be a major issue in resource-limited settings, particularly owing to the limited supply of vaccinescaused by inequitable distribution. ⋯ There were nine lineages circulating in Zimbabwe during the second wave. The B.1.351 was dominant, accounting for >75%.There were over 3 000 mutations on the diagnostic genes and lineage B.1.351, contributing almost two-thirds of the mutations. The S-genehad the most mutations and the E-gene was the least mutated.
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Substantial additional efforts are needed to prevent, find and successfully treat tuberculosis (TB) in South Africa (SA). In thepast decade, an increasing body of mathematical modelling research has investigated the population-level impact of TB prevention and careinterventions. To date, this evidence has not been assessed in the SA context. ⋯ We describe a body of mathematical modelling research with a focus on TB prevention and care in SA. We found higherestimates of impact reported in studies of preventive interventions, highlighting the need to invest in TB prevention in SA. However, studyheterogeneity and inconsistent baseline scenarios limit the ability to compare impact estimates between studies. Combinations, rather thansingle interventions, are likely needed to reach the End TB Strategy targets in SA.
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major post-surgical complication that contributes to morbidity and mortality. AKI is welldocumented after cardiac surgery. However, less is known regarding the incidence and risk factors following major non-cardiac surgery.Globally the incidence of AKI post major surgery has been evaluated; however, there are no data available for South Africa (SA). ⋯ The results of our study are in keeping with international literature regarding the incidence of AKI after major non-cardiacsurgery. The risk factor profile, however, is in several regards different from what has been found elsewhere.
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Since the identification of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antibodies about 15 years ago, many patients with rapidly progressing psychiatric symptoms, abnormal movements, seizures or unexplained coma, have been diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis (AE). The symptom onset is often unspecific and might mimic psychiatric disease, but the later course is frequently characterized by severe disease, often requiring intensive care. Clinical and immunological criteria are helpful in identifying the patients, but no biomarkers exist to guide the clinician in therapy or predict outcome. ⋯ AE subtypes associated with antibodies against extracellular epitopes can occur with or without tumours. Because the antibodies bind and alter the function of the antigen, the effects are often reversible if immunotherapy is initiated, and the prognosis is favourable in most instances. The first part of this series will introduce the topic, provide an overview of current neuronal surface antibodies and how they present, describe the most common subtype, anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, and discuss the difficulties in recognizing patients with underlying AE amongst patients with new onset psychiatric disorders.
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