Body composition estimates from bioelectrical impedance and its association with cardiovascular risk.

Background:  Screening for traditional risk factors of cardiovascular disease is well known in primary healthcare (PHC) settings. However, other risk factors through newer tools (such as bioelectrical impedance analysis [BIA]) could also be predictors of increased cardiovascular risk (CVR). Body composition estimates (body fat percentage, body water percentage, body lean mass) by BIA and its association to CVR have been studied with variable results.

COVID-19 severity and in-hospital mortality in an area with high HIV prevalence.

Background: HIV infection causes immune dysregulation affecting T-cell and monocyte function, which may alter coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathophysiology.

Objectives: We investigated the associations among clinical phenotypes, laboratory biomarkers, and hospitalisation outcomes in a cohort of people hospitalised with COVID-19 in a high HIV prevalence area.

Method: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in Tshwane, South Africa.

Post-procedural septic arthritis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: species are often considered as contaminants when cultured from clinical samples. may be a pathogen in certain circumstances and is known to cause musculoskeletal infections. This report aims to educate clinicians and clinical microbiology laboratories on musculoskeletal infections and to heighten awareness that species should not always be dismissed as contaminants.

Outbreak of Ralstonia mannitolilytica bacteraemia in patients undergoing haemodialysis at a tertiary hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.

Background: Ralstonia species are Gram-negative bacilli of low virulence. These organisms are capable of causing healthcare associated infections through contaminated solutions. In this study, we aimed to determine the source of Ralstonia mannitolilytica bacteraemia in affected patients in a haemodialysis unit.

Bacterial pathogens in peritoneal dialysis peritonitis: Insights from next-generation sequencing.

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) peritonitis is a feared complication of PD, with significant sequelae for the patient. The cause of PD peritonitis is largely due to a single organism (≥75% of cases) and rarely due to multiple organisms.

Methods: In this pilot study, we investigated 25 cases of PD peritonitis with 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques.