Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infection in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been infrequently described in Africa.

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes and associations of severe disease in children hospitalized with MIS-C in KwaZulu-Natal.

Methods: Retrospective multicenter study of children (0-13 years) who met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for MIS-C.

Bacteraemia and antibiotic sensitivity in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in neonatal intensive care populations worldwide. Data on rates of bacteraemia and antibiotic resistance patterns are limited, particularly in the developing world.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed positive blood cultures obtained in the neonatal intensive care unit between 01 January 2015 and 31 December 2015.

Soft Tissue Sepsis Places a Massive Burden on Regional and Tertiary Surgical Services in KZN Province South Africa.

Background: Frequently, surgical intervention is needed to treat soft tissue sepsis (STS). Ideally, most STS should be managed at the lowest level of surgical care close to the patient's home and a well-functioning surgical service will be able to deliver this safely and effectively. This study interrogates the burden of STS in the province of KwaZulu-Natal and reviews at which level in the health system the operative management of STS is being dealt with.

The Impact of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Exposure on Respiratory Syncytial Virus-associated Severe Respiratory Illness in South African Infants, 2011-2016.

From 2011 through 2016, we conducted surveillance for severe respiratory illness in infants. Human immunodeficiency virus exposure significantly increased the risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated hospitalization in infants aged <5 months. More than 60% of RSV-associated hospitalizations occurred in the first 4 months of life and may be preventable through maternal vaccination or birth-dose monoclonal antibody.

Challenges and clinical relevance of molecular detection of Bordetella pertussis in South Africa.

Background: We assessed the utility of a multi-target, real-time PCR assay for Bordetella pertussis detection and diagnosis in patients with severe respiratory illness (SRI), influenza-like illness (ILI), and asymptomatic controls.

Methods: Real-time PCR detection of IS481, pIS1001, hIS1001 and ptxS1 was performed on nasopharyngeal specimens (SRI, ILI and controls) and induced sputum (SRI) collected from June 2012 to May 2016 through respiratory illness surveillance. Using PCR cycle threshold (C) value cut-offs, IS481 positive cases were classified as confirmed (C < 35) or possible (C 35-39) pertussis disease.

The Role of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Influenza- and Respiratory Syncytial Virus-associated Hospitalizations in South African Children, 2011-2016.

Background: Data describing influenza- or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated hospitalized illness in children aged <5 years in Africa are limited.

Methods: During 2011-2016, we conducted surveillance for severe respiratory illness (SRI) in children aged <5 years in 3 South African hospitals. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were tested for influenza and RSV using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Performance of Surveillance Case Definitions in Detecting Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Among Young Children Hospitalized With Severe Respiratory Illness-South Africa, 2009-2014.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRTI) in young children, but data on surveillance case definition performance in estimating burdens have been limited.

Methods: We enrolled children aged <5 years hospitalized for ALRTI (or neonatal sepsis in young infants) through active prospective surveillance at 5 sentinel hospitals in South Africa and collected nasopharyngeal aspirates from them for RSV molecular diagnostic testing between 2009 and 2014. Clinical data were used to characterize RSV disease and retrospectively evaluate the performance of respiratory illness case definitions (including the World Health Organization definition for severe acute respiratory infection [SARI]) in identifying hospitalized children with laboratory-confirmed RSV according to age group (<3, 3-5, 6-11, 12-23, and 24-59 months).

Hospital-acquired infections in paediatric medical wards at a tertiary hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) impact care and costs in hospitals across the globe. There are minimal data on HAIs in sub-Saharan Africa and data specific to paediatrics are especially limited.

Objective: To describe the incidence of HAIs in the paediatric medical units at Grey's Hospital, a tertiary government hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Epidemiology of Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants.

Background: Increased morbidity and mortality from lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) has been suggested in HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) children; however, the contribution of respiratory viruses is unclear. We studied the epidemiology of LRTI hospitalization in HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) and HEU infants aged <6 months in South Africa.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled hospitalized infants with LRTI from 4 provinces from 2010 to 2013.

The incidence, spectrum and outcomes of traumatic bladder injuries within the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service.

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the incidence, spectrum and outcomes of traumatic bladder injury in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and to identify the current optimal investigation and management of patients with traumatic bladder injuries.

Methods: The Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service (PMTS) trauma registry was interrogated retrospectively for all traumatic bladder injuries between 1 January 2012 and 31 October 2014.

Results: Of 8129 patients treated by the PMTS over the study period, 58 patients (0.

High nasopharyngeal pneumococcal density, increased by viral coinfection, is associated with invasive pneumococcal pneumonia.

Background: We identified factors associated with pneumococcal colonization, high colonization density, and invasive pneumococcal pneumonia among patients hospitalized with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs).

Methods: In 2010, 4025 cases were enrolled in surveillance in South Africa. A total of 969 of 4025 systematically selected nasopharyngeal-oropharyngeal specimens (24%) were tested for respiratory viruses and Streptococcus pneumoniae by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Advances in fetal genetic diagnosis and therapy: ethical issues and appropriate technology in cost-restrained countries.

The advent of ultrasound in the 1970s heralded a milestone that could give real-time information about fetal abnormalities, and thereby improve diagnostic accuracy. This knowledge could not be used effectively to benefit the fetus for which it was intended. The 1980s saw science catching up with diagnostic advances, and fetal abnormalities could realistically be treated with an expectation of satisfactory outcomes.