Combined central and peripheral demyelination in two siblings, immune mediated or genetic?

We report unusual cases of combined central and peripheral demyelination in two siblings related to pregnancy, each presenting with progressive tetraparesis and cranial nerve palsies. The elder sister had a relapsing-remitting course with optic nerve dysfunction and died during a relapse from respiratory insufficiency. The younger sister presented with disorientation and acute-onset limb and facial weakness.

A modified Delphi study to determine the contents of a seizure diary for patients living with epilepsy in South Africa.

Background: Epilepsy is a debilitating chronic medical condition affecting many patients globally. A seizure diary is used in monitoring and managing patients with epilepsy. In South Africa, no standardized diary is currently being used.

The integrity of psychophysical visual function in non-immunocompromised PLHIV (NIPLHIV) without retinitis on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Purpose: The present study investigated the integrity of contrast sensitivity (CS), colour vision, and pattern evoked vision potentials (VEP) in non-immunocompromised people living with HIV (NIPLHIV) without retinitis.

Methods: All participants were visually asymptomatic and no history of ocular disorders, with CD4 counts above 350 cells/mm, low viral loads and on ART. Thirty NIPLHIV and 30 age-matched HIV negative control groups underwent F100 hue colour assessment, Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity assessment and pattern-reversal VEP.

Experience of the new seizure diary in the Free State and Northern Cape.

Background: Epilepsy is a neurological disease affecting adults and children globally. A seizure diary is one of the self-management tools for tracking seizures. This study aims to ascertain the experience of a new seizure diary by persons completing the diary in the Free State and Northern Cape of South Africa.

The perceptions and attitudes of patients with epilepsy to the use of a seizure diary, South Africa.

Background: Epilepsy is responsible for a significant proportion of the world's disease burden, affecting around 50 million people globally. A seizure diary is a self-management tool for epilepsy focusing on self-monitoring, tracking seizures and other symptoms. This study aimed to determine the perceptions and attitudes to the seizure diary in patients with epilepsy in the Free State and Northern Cape of South Africa.

Current norms and practices in using a seizure diary for managing epilepsy: A scoping review.

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic and debilitating condition affecting people of all ages in many nations. Healthcare practitioners look for effective ways to track patients' seizures, and a seizure diary is one of the methods used. This scoping review sought to identify current norms and practices for using seizure diaries to manage epilepsy.

The relationship between retinal structure and visual function in non-immuno-compromised people living with HIV without retinitis on antiretroviral therapy.

Background: This study sought to establish the association between retinal morphology, visual function and linear parameters of cerebral atrophy in non-immunocompromised people living with HIV (NIPLHIV).

Methods: Sixty participants (30 NIPLHIV, 30 controls), aged 18-45 years, were sourced from an outpatient clinic in South Africa. NIPLHIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) had elevated CD4 counts and low viral loads.

The Integrity of Retinal Morphology in Non-immunocompromised People Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy.

Significance: Non-immunocompromised people living with HIV (NIPLHIV) share a similar immunocompetence to non-HIV (HIV) people with an elevated cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) count in the era of antiretroviral therapy (ART). This has reduced the incidence of HIV retinopathy, thus raising the question of the integrity of the retinal morphology in NIPLHIV with longer life expectancy.

Purpose: The study assessed the retinal thickness and volume of NIPLHIV without retinitis on ART and attempted to find associations with linear parameters of cerebral atrophy.

The neuromyelitis optica presentation and the aquaporin-4 antibody in HIV-seropositive and seronegative patients in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: The association of the anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP-4) water channel antibody with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) syndrome has been described from various parts of the world. There has been no large study describing this association from southern Africa, an HIV endemic area. HIV patients often present with visual disturbance or features of a myelopathy but seldom both either simultaneously or consecutively.