Serum albumin nadir as marker of inflammatory response in abdominal trauma.

Background: Serum albumin levels decrease following major trauma, for various reasons. We postulated that the serum albumin nadir (SAN) level would correlate negatively with severity of physiological insult.

Methodology: This retrospective cohort study included all patients with abdominal trauma admitted to the Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital during 2017 and 2018.

Case study: Boomslang envenomation in North-Eastern South Africa.

Boomslang (Dispholidus typus) bites are rare in South Africa. This snake's venom is known to be potently haemotoxic, producing a consumptive coagulopathy through the activation of clotting factors II, X, and possibly IX. Monovalent Boomslang antivenom, produced by the South African Vaccine Producers, is highly effective in treating patients who present with haemotoxic envenomation.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in two young women.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare benign condition which must be differentiated from secondary pneumomediastinum due to chest trauma, abscess formation or Boerhaave's syndrome. We present two young women with SPM due to chronic self-induced vomiting and starvation associated with psychosis and pregnancy-associated vomiting respectively. This report highlights the exclusionary diagnostic pathway, the principles of conservative management and the need for a tailored multidisciplinary approach to enhance patient recovery and prevent future recurrence.

The spectrum, management and outcome of cellulitis in subtropical South Africa.

Background: This study aimed to ascertain the microbiology, severity stratification, and clinical outcomes of cellulitis based on our current management for comparison with international reports.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients with cellulitis treated by the department of surgery at Ngwelezana Hospital over an 18-month period. Severity of cellulitis was graded, and a comparison was made of the Eron and Modified Dundee classifications.

Adding one more to the list: A new species of (Cestoda: Lecanicephalidea) from the Oman cownose ray in South Africa.

A new species of Shipley and Hornell, 1906 was recovered from the Oman cownose ray ( Boulenger) from the body of water off the south-eastern coastline of the KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. n. sp.