HIV and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection: The diagnostic challenges of dual pandemics

The first critically ill patient admitted to our hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, during the COVID-19 pandemic was co-infected with HIV and SARS-CoV-2. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) and other respiratory opportunistic infections share many clinical features with severe COVID-19. Our understanding of the nuances of co-management of HIV and COVID-19 is evolving. We describe the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges presented by this case

Leadership and early strategic response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic at a COVID-19 designated hospital in South Africa

While many countries are preparing to face the COVID-19 pandemic, the reported cases in Africa remain low. With a high burden of both communicable and non-communicable disease and a resource-constrained public healthcare system, sub-Saharan Africa is preparing for the coming crisis as best it can. We describe our early response as a designated COVID-19 provincial hospital in Cape Town, South Africa (SA).While the first cases reported were related to international travel, at the time of writing there was evidence of early community spread. The SAgovernment announced a countrywide lockdown from midnight 26 March 2020 to midnight 30 April 2020 to stem the pandemic and save lives. However, many questions remain on how the COVID-19 threat will unfold in SA, given the significant informal sector overcrowding and poverty in our communities. There is no doubt that leadership and teamwork at all levels is critical in influencing outcomes

Association of water-borne conidial fungi with epiphytic tree fern [Drynaria quercifolia]

The live and dead tissues, and trapped leaf litter by the epiphytic tree fern Drynaria quercifolia associated with riparian tree species of Konaje (west coast) and Sampaje (Western Ghat) streams of India during dry (summer) and wet (monsoon) seasons yielded 37 species of water-borne conidial fungi on bubble chamber incubation. Dead bracket leaves of fern possess the highest species as well as conidia in Konaje, while the trapped leaf litter in Sampaje. During summer, the diversity was highest in bracket leaves in both locations, while in monsoon season it was highest in rhizomes of Konaje and in trapped leaf litter in Sampaje. Even though the conidial output from tissues of Drynaria and trapped leaf litter were not equivalent to stream submerged leaf litter, the species richness ranged between 40% and 75% in Konaje and Sampaje streams. As stable epiphyte, Drynaria exposed to wet and dry regimes in tree canopies of west coast and Western Ghats likely to serve as host for perfect states of water-borne hyphomycetes

Prayers and beliefs among relatives of children admitted in pediatrics wards

Context: Spirituality/Religion is important to many parents and they may call upon God to make the child healthier and normal. Aims: We surveyed parents/relatives of children admitted to in-patient services for their praying practices and beliefs thereof. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional survey in 150 parents/relatives of patients admitted to pediatric ward, pediatric intensive care (PICU) unit, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (50 each). Materials and Methods: We collected demographic, praying practices' information and asked them to fill a Prayer Questionnaire Score Chart which classified the individual's religiosity. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used for analysis. Results: Hindus constituted 126 (84%) participants. In 118 (78.67%) cases, mothers responded to survey. Average time of prayer in PICU (159 min) was more than NICU (109 min) and pediatric ward (114 min). Average frequency of prayer before admission (10.49) was less significant than frequency of prayer after admission (13.64) (P value < 0.001). Most of the people, 91 (60.67%), prayed by standing near statues of God or praying silently while recalling God's images. Almost all people, 149 (99.33%), believed that both medical care and prayer were required for recovery of patient. According to patient's relatives, average 52% recovery of patient was due to medicine. Conclusions: Prayer was an integral component of parents/relatives' daily spiritual/religious ritual that was directed toward the admitted child's recovery. Statistically significant increase in frequency of praying after admission indicates the importance of prayers and spirituality in their minds as a part of treatment

Leadership and early strategic response to the SARS-CoV- 2 pandemic at a COVID-19 designated hospital in South Africa

CITATION: Parker, A. et al. 2020. Leadership and early strategic response to the SARS-CoV- 2 pandemic at a COVID-19 designated hospital in South Africa. South African Medical Journal, 110(6), doi:10.7196/SAMJ.2020v110i6.14809.The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaWhile many countries are preparing to face the COVID-19 pandemic, the reported cases in Africa remain low. With a high burden of both communicable and non-communicable disease and a resource-constrained public healthcare system, sub-Saharan Africa is preparing for the coming crisis as best it can. We describe our early response as a designated COVID-19 provincial hospital in Cape Town, South Africa (SA).While the first cases reported were related to international travel, at the time of writing there was evidence of early community spread. The SA government announced a countrywide lockdown from midnight 26 March 2020 to midnight 30 April 2020 to stem the pandemic and save lives. However, many questions remain on how the COVID-19 threat will unfold in SA, given the significant informal sector overcrowding and poverty in our communities. There is no doubt that leadership and teamwork at all levels is critical in influencing outcomes.http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/12912Publisher's versio