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1.
Afr. j. lab. med. (Print) ; 11(1): 1-9, 2022. tables
Article in English | AIM | ID: biblio-1379028

ABSTRACT

Background: In low-resource settings, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is detected by traditional culture-based methods and ensuring the quality of such services is a challenge. The AMR Scorecard provides laboratories with a technical assessment tool for strengthening the quality of bacterial culture, identification, and antimicrobial testing procedures. Objective: To evaluate the performance of the AMR Scorecard in 11 pilot laboratory evaluations in three countries also assessed with the Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) checklist.Methods: Pilot laboratory evaluations were conducted in Cameroon, Ethiopia and Kenya between February 2019 and March 2019. Assessors with previous SLIPTA and microbiology experience were trained. Assessors performed the laboratory assessments using the SLIPTA and AMR Scorecard tools.Results: Weaknesses in technical procedures and the quality management systems were identified in all areas and all laboratories. Safety had the highest mean performance score (SLIPTA: 68%; AMR Scorecard: 73%) while management review had the lowest (SLIPTA: 32%; AMR Scorecard: 8%) across all laboratories. The AMR Scorecard scores were generally consistent with SLIPTA scores. The AMR Scorecard identified technical weaknesses in AMR testing, and SLIPTA identified weaknesses in the quality management systems in the laboratories.Conclusion: Since the AMR Scorecard identified important gaps in AMR testing not detected by SLIPTA, it is recommended that microbiology laboratories use SLIPTA and the AMR Scorecard in parallel when preparing for accreditation. Expanding the use of the AMR Scorecard is a priority to address the need for quality clinical microbiology laboratory services in support of optimal patient care and AMR surveillance.


Subject(s)
Drug Resistance, Microbial , Urine , Blood Cells , Clinical Competence , Laboratories
2.
S. Afr. gastroenterol. rev ; 15(1): 5-8, 2017.
Article in English | AIM | ID: biblio-1270143

ABSTRACT

The human gut microbiome can be considered a 'new' internal organ, with a metabolic capacity exceeding that of the liver, or our primary connection to the environment, linking us to the world's ecology. The density of microbes within the colon is one of the highest in nature, and it is estimated that the number of microbes within our gut match or exceed that of our host human cell count, whilst their genetic machinery outnumbers our own by 100:1. This helps explain the remarkable new findings that show our microbiome not only affects the health and function of our intestines, but also has a strong influence on general body health through its close interaction with the gut immune system and through its production of bioactive metabolites that are absorbed and affect distant organ function. A state of dysbiosis can occur when its food source, fiberrich foods, becomes depleted and when oral antibiotics are used. Dysbiosis has been linked to an increasing list of human diseases, and in particular to 'westernized' diseases, such as colon cancer, allergy, diabetes, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, and atherosclerosis, which pose the major threat to healthcare in the USA today


Subject(s)
Bacteria/classification , Colon , Dysbiosis , Microbiota/etiology
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