Article
Immunology
Sarah Leavitt, Karen R. Jacobson, Elizabeth J. Ragan, Jacob Bor, Jennifer Hughes, Tara C. Bouton, Tania Dolby, Robin M. Warren, Helen E. Jenkins
Summary: South Africa decentralized treatment for rifampin-resistant tuberculosis in 2011 to reduce hospitalization durations and enable local treatment. A study in Western Cape Province found that patients from Cape Town had shorter hospitalizations and travel distances to TB hospitals compared to those from other areas.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Athi Baliso, Laura Jane Heathfield, Victoria Elaine Gibbon
Summary: The identification of unknown human remains, especially those that are decomposed or burnt, is a global challenge, and Forensic Anthropology Cape Town (FACT) provides services to assist the South African government in identification. However, there is a lack of empirical data on anthropologically analyzed forensic cases in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This retrospective study reviewed anthropological data from 2006 to 2018 to assess the factors impacting successful identification. The study found that most decedents were male and over 35 years old, and the lack of medical records on ante-mortem injuries hindered the use of this information. Positive identifications were reached for 37% of cases, with highly accurate anthropological estimations for sex, age at death, and stature. However, 63% of cases remained unidentified, mainly due to skeletal completeness and pathological conditions. The study advocates for the routine use of forensic anthropology services for skeletonized remains in South Africa to positively impact human identification, and emphasizes the value of retrospective and region-specific studies to improve identification rates globally.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ana Lucia Espinosa Dice, Angela M. Bengtson, Kevin M. Mwenda, Christopher J. Colvin, Mark N. Lurie
Summary: This study investigates the geospatial characteristics and trends of clinic transfers among PLWH on ART in South Africa's Western Cape Province. The results show that clinic transfers are common and may cluster in urban areas, highlighting the need for improved integration of health information systems and HIV care.
Article
Virology
Nokwazi Nkosi, Wolfgang Preiser, Gert van Zyl, Mathilda Claassen, Nadine Cronje, Jean Maritz, Howard Newman, Kerrigan McCarthy, Genevie Ntshoe, Vivien Essel, Stephen Korsman, Diana Hardie, Heidi Smuts
Summary: An outbreak of enterovirus-associated aseptic meningitis occurred in the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa from November 2018 to May 2019, with Echovirus 4 identified as the main causative strain. Stool samples proved valuable for molecular typing in cerebrospinal fluid confirmed enterovirus-associated aseptic meningitis cases.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Karla Therese L. Sy, Sarah Leavitt, Margaretha de Vos, Tania Dolby, Jacob Bor, C. Robert Horsburgh, Robin M. Warren, Elizabeth M. Streicher, Helen E. Jenkins, Karen R. Jacobson
Summary: Our study identified spatial hotspots of XDR-TB and pre-XDR-TB among individuals with RR-TB in high burden areas, as well as hotspots of amikacin-resistant and ofloxacin-resistant TB. This suggests that interventions to reduce XDR-TB may need to target specific geographic locations, and further research is needed to understand the transmission of XDR-TB in these areas.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jessica Chiliza, Richard Laing, Frank Goodrich Feeley, Christina P. C. Borba
Summary: This study used a mixed-methods approach to assess program sustainability factors for donor-funded programs. The results suggest key factors for sustainability include stable resources, local understanding, strong relationships, and leadership. More staff are needed at health facility and community levels to ensure service sustainability, and coordination with experienced local organizations is crucial before, during, and after program implementation.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kudzai Mugejo, Bongani Ncube, Crispen Mutsvangwa
Summary: This study assessed the availability of irrigation water, performance of irrigation infrastructure, and water governance systems in Genadendal, South Africa. The study found sufficient agricultural water resources for smallholder farmers relying on dams during the drought period, while those relying on the Riviersonderend River experienced severe water shortages. Poor infrastructure performance and dysfunctional water governance systems contributed to water insecurity. The study recommends adequate funding for infrastructure operation and maintenance, training for smallholder farmers in water management, and further research on water loss and effective water governance.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Isaac Busayo Oluwatayo, Tamunotonye Mayowa Braide
Summary: This paper examines the determinants of household vulnerability to drought in the Western Cape province, South Africa. The study reveals that factors such as the age of the household head, communication of water restrictions by the authorities, household water consumption in the last two years, and public cooperation with water restrictions are significant factors influencing households' vulnerability to drought. It was also discovered that female-headed and older household members are more vulnerable to drought than their male-headed and younger members respectively. The paper concludes that stakeholders in the province should be better prepared to implement proactive policies with regard to climate disasters in order to minimize vulnerability to drought among households.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Elrike Hugo, Anton Doubell, Jan Steyn, Jane Moses
Summary: Degenerative conduction system disease is less likely to be the cause of AVB in younger pacemaker recipients. There is a lack of data on this group as well as on younger pacemaker recipients who received pacemakers for reasons other than AVB.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Letodi L. Mathulwe, Karin Jacobs, Antoinette P. Malan, Klaus Birkhofer, Matthew F. Addison, Pia Addison
Summary: Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are important soil-dwelling entomopathogens used for biological control against pest insects, with Metarhizium majus potentially demonstrating high pathogenicity in laboratory tests.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Noluxabiso Mangwana, Edward Archer, Christo J. F. Muller, Wolfgang Preiser, Gideon Wolfaardt, Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern, Alno Carstens, Ludwig Brocker, Candice Webster, David McCarthy, Renee Street, Angela Mathee, Johan Louw, Mongezi Mdhluli, Rabia Johnson
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of targeted wastewater surveillance for mitigating outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 in student residences at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, showing success in early detection and management strategies, as well as tracking the surge of Delta and Omicron variants in the student residences.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ahmed Abdella, Endayen Deginet, Fitsum Weldegebreal, Indeshaw Ketema, Bajrond Eshetu, Assefa Desalew
Summary: This study reveals the treatment outcomes and associated factors of tuberculous meningitis in children in eastern Ethiopia. The study findings indicate that the treatment outcomes of tuberculous meningitis in this region are unfavorable, with around two-thirds of children experiencing poor outcomes. Factors such as nutritional status, duration of illness, hydrocephalus, and disease stage were identified as significantly associated with poor treatment outcomes at discharge.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Athi Baliso, Laura Jane Heathfield, Victoria Elaine Gibbon
Summary: Based on a retrospective study of forensic cases in the Western Cape province of South Africa, the challenges of estimating post-mortem interval (PMI) were identified, including the absence of regional taphonomy standards and factors such as skeletal completeness, presence of clothing, and entomological evidence. The study also highlighted the importance of identifying common areas and contexts for the discovery of decomposed bodies in the region.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
W. M. de Kock, R. C. Blamey, C. J. C. Reason
Summary: The south Western Cape of South Africa experiences substantial rainfall events in some summers, which can help mitigate the frequent winter droughts. Research shows that atmospheric rivers and cutoff lows are the main causes of summer heavy rainfall events, playing a crucial role in drought recovery.
JOURNAL OF HYDROMETEOROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
P. Goldblatt, J. C. Manning, J. A. van der Walt
Summary: The newly discovered Geissorhiza mellimontana is a narrow endemic species of Western Cape, South Africa, closely related to the relatively widespread G. scillaris A.Dietr. It exhibits larger and more robust characteristics with distinct floral features compared to its relative species.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2021)