Latest News
-
Lancet Cares Tuberculosis (TB)
How do I know if I have TB? You may not feel ill or show any symptoms if your immune system can keep the bacteria under control [...] -
If Pathologists didn't exist where would the answers come from?
Pathology is the study of the nature and causes of diseases. It underpins every aspect of medicine, from diagnosis to monitoring [...]
-
Travel Vaccinations
Vaccinations for travel in Africa
We recommend that you visit a doctor or travel medicine provider four to six weeks before you embark on travel in Africa, as most vaccines take time to become effective. However, if you have fewer than four weeks before your date of departure, you will still benefit from receiving the vaccines as well as other health-related travel information.
-
Influenza Season 2012
Influenza viruses are RNA viruses with segmented genomes that have the important characteristic of mutation. These are either minor drift mutations or significant shift mutations that create viruses to which human populations have varying degrees of immunological memory. In some instances, new viruses are created by mutational changes or reassortment with influenza viruses that circulate in animals, (e.g. pigs, ducks) to which human populations are immunologically naïve. These may lead to global pandemics, sometimes with significant mortality.
-
Rubella
Rubella is an enveloped RNA virus belonging to the Family Togaviridae, genus Rubivirus. Rubella virus infection is generally a mild exanthematous disease associated with lowgrade fever, lymphadenopathy, and a short-lived morbilliform rash also known as "German measles" because it was originally described by a German physician in the late 1800's. Rubella virus was first isolated in 1962 and vaccines are prepared from live attenuated virus.
-
Hepatitis C Diagnosis
HCV is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity with about 180 million people chronically infected worldwide [1]. In 1989, Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was identified as the agent responsible for viral hepatitis not attributed to either hepatitis A or hepatitis B virus (so called "Non A, Non B hepatitis")[2]. HCV is a small RNA virus within the genus hepacivirus, family Flavirididae that is hard to grow in regular viral cell culture. Genetic analysis has identified 6 distinct genotypes of HCV that circulate in particular geographic areas. In the US and Western Europe the most common genotype is 1 and in South Africa genotype 5 is the commonest. The average prevalence of HCV infection in South Africa is 2.4% (1-3.8%) [3].
-
Diagnosis of HIV in Infants less than 18 Months Old
Maternal HIV-specific antibodies may be detectable in the infant up to the age of 18 months. For this reason, the diagnosis of HIV infection in infants depends on detection of the virus. HIV-1 DNA PCR is the test of choice.
-
-
Diagnosis of HIV in Individuals greater than 18 Months Old
HIV-1/2 is diagnosed either by detecting HIV-specific antibodies or the virus itself. In individuals >18 months old the detection of HIV-specific antibodies remains the recommended method for routine diagnosis.
-
-
Rabies
There is a current outbreak of rabies in dogs in Johannesburg which was first detected in May 2010. In spite of an extensive state run animal immunization campaign, during August-Sept 2010 rabies was confirmed in 11 domestic dogs from the following area; Sophiatown, Eldorado Estates, Meredale, Kibler Park and Dobsonville. Dogs in the surrounding areas may also be affected.
-
HPV Genotyping
Persistent infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) is implicated in >99% of cervical cancers. There are >40 different genotypes of HPV that infect humans, but only 13-18 genotypes are considered to be high-risk for the development of cervical cancer. Of the high-risk genotypes, type 16 and type 18 are responsible for approximately 70% of all cervical cancer. The detection of high-risk genotypes increases the sensitivity and cost-effectiveness of cervical cancer screening programmes by detecting high-risk lesions earlier and reducing the need for unnecessary interventions. High risk HPV detection is therefore the biomarker of the disease process, whereas cytology is an assessment of stage of progression.
-
Hepatitis B and the Health Care Worker
Hepatitis B virus infection is prevalent in South Africa. Approximately 10% of the population are chronic carriers.
-
Influenza A
The emergence of Pandemic Influenza A H1N1 2009 last year highlighted the importance of influenza A, causing clinicians and patients to become more aware of influenza A testing and treatment. Fortunately the pandemic strain was not as virulent as was initially feared. It has however served to remind us of the importance of influenza A.
Careers
To learn more about the exciting career opportunities available at Lancet Laboratories, please consult The Star Workplace, where all Lancet vacancies are advertised or contact our Human Resources department on 011 358 0877
