Retrospectively diagnosed familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia following total parathyroidectomy in an asymptomatic patient.

Background: Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) is a rare, benign condition that shares characteristics with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), a more sinister condition that requires surgical intervention. This case report demonstrates misdiagnosis of FHH and highlights important learning points to prevent this in the future.

Case Presentation: Hypercalcaemia was incidentally discovered in a 21-year-old patient who had no symptoms of hypercalcaemia and no significant family history.

Effect of COVID-19 lockdown on glycated haemoglobin testing and utilisation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: Diabetic monitoring and treatment guidelines are easily accessible, but compliance is poor in KwaZulu-Natal. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a devastating impact on diabetic healthcare, both directly and through public health interventions.

Objective: This study aimed to close the gaps in knowledge concerning glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) test utilisation and how this was affected by the COVID-19 lockdown in KwaZulu-Natal.

Comparative cost analysis of point-of-care versus laboratory-based testing to initiate and monitor HIV treatment in South Africa.

Background: The number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in need of treatment monitoring in low-and-middle-income countries has been rapidly expanding, placing an increasing burden on laboratories. Promising new point-of-care (POC) test have the potential to reduce laboratory workloads, but the implementation cost is uncertain. We sought to estimate the costs of decentralized POC testing compared to centralized laboratory testing for PLHIV initiating treatment in South Africa.

Parvovirus B19 in South African blood donors.

Background: Parvovirus B19 (PVB19) is transmitted via transfusion of blood and blood products. PVB19 is resistant to viral inactivation methods, which poses a threat to blood safety. We investigated the prevalence of PVB19 antibodies and DNA in healthy blood donors from the South African National Blood Bank Service to evaluate the necessity of PVB19 DNA testing.

Gestational influenza and bipolar disorder in adult offspring.

Importance: Gestational influenza has been associated previously with schizophrenia in offspring, but the relationship between this exposure and bipolar disorder (BD) is unclear. The identification of gestational influenza as a risk factor for BD may have potential for preventive approaches.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that maternal influenza during pregnancy is related to BD among offspring.