Perforated peptic ulcer - a case series and an African perspective.

Background: Perforation of peptic ulcer (PPU) is the most morbid complication of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) with scant recent reports from sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to describe a PPU series from a single centre in South Africa and contrast the findings with other recent reports from sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: A retrospective study of PPU at Kalafong Hospital in Pretoria was performed.

Risk factors for progression of chronic kidney disease: An investigation in prepubertal children.

Aim: Previous studies on progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children have included older post-pubertal subjects. This study attempted to evaluate risk factors for progression of CKD in pre-pubertal children.

Methods: An observational study of children aged 2-10 years with an eGFR within the limits of >30 and <75 mL/min/1.

The adjunctive use of carbimazole during radioactive iodine treatment reduces the cure rate of Graves' disease.

Background: Radioactive iodine (RAI) is widely used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Adjunctive antithyroid drugs (ATDs) are commonly prescribed to treat the hyperthyroid state before the RAI has taken effect. However, there is no consensus on the use of or timing of adjunctive ATD treatment with RAI.

Leucocyte count and C-reactive protein cannot be relied upon in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in HIV-infected patients.

Background: South Africa has the highest prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the world, and is commonly found in association with appendicitis. Atypical presentation of appendicitis in the presence of HIV infection makes clinical diagnosis of appendicitis unreliable, and inflammatory markers are commonly used as adjuncts. The aim of this study was ascertain the value of inflammatory markers in the diagnosis of appendicitis in patients with and without HIV infection.

Rat bite injuries in children: description of a novel classification.

Purpose: Rats are common intruders into human settlements. Apart from their role as disease vectors, they can also cause bite injuries. We describe the clinical course of a series of children with rat bites, and characterise the injures.