African Journal of Laboratory Medicine

Elizabeth Luman

Afr J Lab Med

The &lt;I&gt;African Journal of Laboratory Medicine&lt;/I&gt; – Advancing Laboratory Medicine and Science in Africa

《非洲实验室医学杂志》——推动非洲实验室医学与科学发展

Enahoro S. Abhulimen

The Human Cell Atlas: Promises, recent developments, and bridging the African single-cell data gap

人类细胞图谱：承诺、最新进展与弥合非洲单细胞数据差距

Background: Safe management of healthcare waste (HW) safeguards laboratory biosafety and biosecurity. Knowledge and attitudes influence HW practices, presenting a need for evidence of the current status.Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practice of laboratory workers towards waste management at a regional hospital laboratory in Lesotho.Methods: The study was conducted from March 2023 to June 2023 using a mixed-methods descriptive case study design. The entire population (n = 30) of technical and non-technical laboratory workers and generated waste were sampled. A structured questionnaire and an observational checklist were used to collect data. Waste generation was assessed by weighing and measuring waste volumes. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.Results: All respondents (26/26; 100%) can define HW and (3/3) laboratory assistants (100%) gave correct responses for three questions, namely: risk associated with HW, waste container colour-coding, and disposal requirements. Knowledge on waste management responsibilities ranged between 0% (0/4) for cleaners and 54.5% (6/11) among laboratory technicians. Attitudes were mainly positive, and practices conformed in part to standard operating procedures. Infectious solid waste comprised 77% of solid HW, while 63% of chemical liquid waste emanated from the full blood count area.Conclusion: Knowledge exists among workers and attitudes are predominantly positive; however, some unsafe practices continue, thus knowledge is not fully translated to safe practices. Regular training and measuring and recording of HW were recommended.What this study adds: The study contributes understanding of the status of HW knowledge, attitudes and management practices, highlighting the need for compliance monitoring.

Ts’aletseng M. Siimane

Motlatsi E. Nts’ihlele

Healthcare waste management knowledge, attitudes and practices of laboratory workers at a regional hospital, Lesotho

莱索托地区医院实验室工作人员医疗废物管理知识、态度与实践

Rajiv T. Erasmus

Chikwelu L. Obi

Sajini Souda

The scourge of antimicrobial resistance: Containing a global crisis

抗菌药物耐药性的祸害：遏制全球危机

Background: There is a paucity of research on the incidence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. (ESKAPE) pathogens in Africa because of the inadequate establishment of AMR surveillance systems.Objective: This study reports on the incidence and AMR of bloodstream ESKAPE pathogens at a referral hospital in northern South Africa.Methods: This retrospective descriptive study used routinely collected bloodstream isolates (pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing performed using automated systems) from the South African National Health Laboratory Service, from January 2014 to December 2019. Resistant phenotypes analysed included methicillin-resistant S. aureus and carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii.Results: The ESKAPE pathogen incidence rate was stable from 2014 to 2019 (p = 0.133). The most isolated pathogens were S. aureus (268/746; 35.9%) and A. baumannii (200/746; 26.8%). Staphylococcus aureus increased from 39 isolates in 2014 to 75 in 2019 (p = 0.132). The incidence rate of A. baumannii increased from 11.9% (16/134) in 2015 to 37.8% (68/180) in 2019 (p = 0.009). Most isolates (417/746; 55.9%) were from the neonatal ward. Carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii increased from 68.8% (11/16) in 2014 to 75.0% (51/68) in 2019 (p = 0.009). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus decreased from 56.0% (14/25) in 2016 to 17.3% (13/75) in 2019 (p = 0.260).Conclusion: Routine data provide essential information on the incidence of ESKAPE pathogens and AMR phenotypes, serving as a basis for an antibiogram, a surveillance tool in antibiotic stewardship programmes.What this study adds: The study provided local information on the incidence and AMR pattern of ESKAPE pathogens, which is essential when developing empiric treatment protocols for appropriate antibiotic prescribing and infection prevention and control practices.

Tiyani C. Mthombeni

Johanita R. Burger

Martha S. Lubbe

Marlene Julyan

Molebogeng R. Lekalakala-Mokaba

ESKAPE pathogen incidence and antibiotic resistance in patients with bloodstream infections at a referral hospital in Limpopo, South Africa, 2014–2019: A cross-sectional study

南非林波波省转诊医院血流感染患者中ESKAPE病原体发生率及抗生素耐药性，2014-2019年：一项横断面研究

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology, as advanced human-created tools, are influencing the healthcare sector.Aim: This review provides a comprehensive and structured exploration of the opportunities presented by AI and digital technology to laboratory diagnostics and management of communicable and non-communicable diseases in Africa.Methods: The study employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews, Meta-Analyses guidelines and Bibliometric analysis as its methodological approach. Peer-reviewed publications from 2000 to 2024 were retrieved from PubMed®, Web of Science™ and Google Scholar databases.Results: The study incorporated a total of 1563 peer-reviewed scientific documents and, after filtration, 37 were utilised for systematic review. The findings revealed that AI and digital technology play a key role in patient management, quality assurance and laboratory operations, including healthcare decision-making, disease monitoring and prognosis. Metadata reflected the disproportionate research outputs distribution across Africa. In relation to non-communicable diseases, Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco lead in cardiovascular, diabetes and cancer research. Representing communicable diseases research, Algeria, Egypt, and South Africa were prominent in HIV/AIDS research. South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Egypt lead in malaria and tuberculosis research.Conclusion: Facilitation of widespread adoption of AI and digital technology in laboratory diagnostics across Africa is critical for maximising patient benefits. It is recommended that governments in Africa allocate more funding for infrastructure and research on AI to serve as a catalyst for innovation.What this study adds: This review provides a comprehensive and context-specific analysis of AI’s application in African healthcare.

Joshua O. Olowoyo

Thembinkosi D. Malevu

Lizwe L. Mugivhisa

Taurai Hungwe

Modupe O. Ogunrombi

Nqobile M. Mkolo

Impact of artificial intelligence and digital technology-based diagnostic tools for communicable and non-communicable diseases in Africa

非洲传染病和非传染病人工智能与数字技术诊断工具的影响

Abbreviation	Afr. J. Lab. Med.
Journal Impact	0.91
Quartiles(Global)	MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL(Q4)

ISSN	2225-2002, 2225-2010
h-index	17

Publication Information	Publisher: AOSIS (Pty) Ltd，Publishing cycle: ，Journal Type: journal，Open Access Journals: Yes
Basic data	Year of publication: 2016，Proportion of original research papers: 92.31%，Self Citation Rate:10.00%， Gold OA Rate: 96.55%
Average review cycle	网友分享经验：12 Weeks

African Journal of Laboratory Medicine

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The <I>African Journal of Laboratory Medicine</I> – Advancing Laboratory Medicine and Science in Africa

The Human Cell Atlas: Promises, recent developments, and bridging the African single-cell data gap

Healthcare waste management knowledge, attitudes and practices of laboratory workers at a regional hospital, Lesotho

The scourge of antimicrobial resistance: Containing a global crisis

ESKAPE pathogen incidence and antibiotic resistance in patients with bloodstream infections at a referral hospital in Limpopo, South Africa, 2014–2019: A cross-sectional study

The Human Cell Atlas: Promises, recent developments, and bridging the African single-cell data gap

Healthcare waste management knowledge, attitudes and practices of laboratory workers at a regional hospital, Lesotho

The scourge of antimicrobial resistance: Containing a global crisis

ESKAPE pathogen incidence and antibiotic resistance in patients with bloodstream infections at a referral hospital in Limpopo, South Africa, 2014–2019: A cross-sectional study

Impact of artificial intelligence and digital technology-based diagnostic tools for communicable and non-communicable diseases in Africa