https://sajid.co.za/index.php/sajid/issue/feedSouthern African Journal of Infectious Diseases2024-03-17T11:20:16+01:00AOSIS Publishingsubmissions@sajid.co.zaOpen Journal Systems<a id="readmorebanner" href="/index.php/sajid/pages/view/journal-information" target="_self">Read more</a> <img style="padding-top: 2px;" src="/public/web_banner.svg" alt="" />https://sajid.co.za/index.php/sajid/article/view/525Characterisation and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of non-tuberculous mycobacteria2024-01-10T13:18:35+01:00Abraham J. le Rouxbrahamleroux77@gmail.comAnneke van der Spoel van DijkvdSvDijkA@ufs.ac.zaMotlatji R.B. Malobamalobamb@ufs.ac.za<p><strong>Background:</strong> Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) management comprises prolonged therapy that includes macrolides. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria can cause disease in patients with predisposing conditions such as HIV and structural lung disease. Local data on NTM disease and macrolide resistance are scarce, and routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing is currently not performed for NTM in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Objectives:</strong> This study aims to characterise NTM isolated at Tshepong National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) according to species and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern.</p><p><strong>Method:</strong> A retrospective data analysis of NTM isolates from Tshepong NHLS was performed from January to June 2020. GenoType<sup>®</sup> NTM-DR was performed on selected isolates where the assay can confirm the species and determine resistance to macrolides and aminoglycosides.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Of the 194 collected NTM isolates, 183 were included in the study. Patients’ ages ranged from 1 day to 81 years (median 36 years). The most common specimen was sputum (84.7%), followed by gastric aspirate (6.6%). The most common NTM isolated were <em>Mycobacterium (M.) intracellulare</em> (67.6%), <em>M. fortuitum</em> (12.6%), <em>M. species</em> (4.3%), <em>M. kansasii</em> (3.9%), and <em>M. scrofulaceum</em> (3.9%). Macrolide resistance occurred in 2.8% of tested isolates; no aminoglycoside resistance was detected. Although most isolates were from males (62.3%), resistance was observed only in females.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> <em>M. intracellulare</em> predominated, with only two <em>M. intracellulare</em> and two <em>M. abscessus</em> isolates showing macrolide resistance; aminoglycoside resistance was absent.</p><p><strong>Contribution:</strong> This study highlights the need for increased awareness of NTM, regular nationwide NTM surveillance, and monitoring of resistance trends to guide future patient management and ensure good treatment outcomes.</p>2024-01-05T06:00:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 Abraham J. le Roux, Anneke van der Spoel van Dijk, Motlatji R.B. Malobahttps://sajid.co.za/index.php/sajid/article/view/539Non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae endocarditis: A cluster of five cases2024-03-01T13:28:04+01:00Tamsin Lovelocktlovelock@gmail.comMignon du Plessismignond@nicd.ac.zaClinton van der Westhuizencwesthuizen8@gmail.comJacques T. Jansontlovelock@gmail.comCharlene LawrenceCharlene.Lawrence@westerncape.gov.zaArifa Parkeraparker@sun.ac.zaAlfonso Pecoraroapecoraro@sun.ac.zaHans Prozeskyhwp@sun.ac.zaAnne von Gottbergannev@nicd.ac.zaJantjie Taljaardjjt@sun.ac.za<p><strong>Background:</strong> Classical toxin-mediated respiratory diphtheria has become less common because of widespread effective vaccination globally but invasive disease as a result of non-toxigenic strains of <em>Corynebacterium diphtheriae</em> is not prevented by vaccination and may result in severe disease, including infective endocarditis (IE).</p><p><strong>Objectives:</strong> To describe the outbreak and subsequent investigation of a cluster of five cases of non-toxigenic <em>C. diphtheriae</em> endocarditis.</p><p><strong>Method:</strong> A retrospective observational case series of five cases of non-toxigenic <em>C. diphtheriae</em> endocarditis identified in the rural West Coast district of the Western Cape province of South Africa between May 2021 and June 2021.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Non-toxigenic <em>C. diphtheriae</em> IE had an aggressive clinical course with high mortality in this cohort. Only one of five patients survived to hospital discharge. The surviving patient received a prompt diagnosis with early surgical intervention but still had a complicated clinical course. Notably, only one case had a pre-existing risk factor for IE, namely a prosthetic valve. Whole genome sequencing of clinical isolates confirmed that all isolates were of the same novel sequence type of non-toxigenic <em>C. diphtheriae</em> but despite a thorough investigation no epidemiological link was ever found between the cases.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Non-toxigenic strains of <em>C. diphtheriae</em> are less well known but may be highly virulent and cause severe invasive disease.</p><p><strong>Contribution:</strong> This is the largest cluster of non-toxigenic <em>C. diphtheriae</em> IE ever described in South Africa and expands the body of literature on this unusual but possibly emerging infection.</p>2024-02-21T15:15:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 Tamsin Lovelock, Mignon du Plessis, Clinton van der Westhuizen, Jacques T. Janson, Charlene Lawrence, Arifa Parker, Alfonso Pecoraro, Hans Prozesky, Anne von Gottberg, Jantjie Taljaardhttps://sajid.co.za/index.php/sajid/article/view/575Erratum: Prevalence and distribution of selected cervical human papillomavirus types in HIV infected and HIV uninfected women in South Africa, 1989–2021: A narrative review2024-02-01T13:14:21+01:00Rixongile R. Rikhotsorikhotsorrrr@gmail.comEmma M. Mitchellemm6z@virginia.eduDaniel T. Wilsondtw2t@virginia.eduAubrey Doedeald7dt@virginia.eduNontokozo D. Matumedaphneymatume@yahoo.comPascal O. Bessongpascal.bessong@univen.ac.za<p>No abstract available.</p>2024-01-30T09:00:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 Rixongile R. Rikhotso, Emma M. Mitchell, Daniel T. Wilson, Aubrey Doede, Nontokozo D. Matume, Pascal O. Bessonghttps://sajid.co.za/index.php/sajid/article/view/597Erratum: Investigation of two suspected diarrhoeal-illness outbreaks in Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, South Africa, April–July 2013: The role of rotavirus2024-03-17T11:20:16+01:00Andronica M. Shonhiwamoipones@nicd.ac.zaGenevie Ntshoegenevien@nicd.ac.zaNoreen Crispnoreencrisp2@gmail.comAyo J. Olowolagbaayo.olowolagba@gmail.comVusi Mbuthuvusi.mbuthu@durban.gov.zaMaureen B. Taylormaureen.taylor@up.ac.zaJuno Thomasjunot@nicd.ac.zaNicola Pagenicolap@nicd.ac.za<p>No abstract available.</p>2024-03-15T11:23:00+01:00Copyright (c) 2024 Andronica M. Shonhiwa, Genevie Ntshoe, Noreen Crisp, Ayo J. Olowolagba, Vusi Mbuthu, Maureen B. Taylor, Juno Thomas, Nicola Page