Routine diagnostic laboratory (C17 - GSH):
The C17/GSH Chemical Pathology Laboratory offers a combined Routine and Emergency (24 hours a day STAT) diagnostic service to Groote Schuur Hospital, as well as to some peripheral hospitals such as Victoria Hospital and False Bay Hospital. Some of the more specialised tests offered are not performed elsewhere in Cape Town, and the laboratory therefore also offers a service to Red Cross Children's Hospital, Tygerberg Hospital and the private sector.
The service includes a broad range of classic Chemical Pathology tests, as well as certain slightly more specialised tests such as red cell transketolase, adenosine deaminase & specific serum proteins such as alpha-1-antitrypsin and caeruloplasmin.
Endocrinology tests include TSH, TESTO, SHBG, PRA, PTH, PSA, PROG, PRL, LH, INS, HGH, GAST, FT4, FT3, FSH, E2, E1, DHEAS, CORT, BHCG, B2-MG, ALDO, AFP, ACTH, 17-OHP, 11-DOC.
For a list of staff at the C17 laboratory go here
| Inherited Metabolic Disease Laboratory (Genetic) |
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The Inherited Metabolic Disease section provides a diagnostic service for a wide range of inborn errors of metabolism diseases which broadly fall into the following groups:
mitochondrial myopathies (MELAS, MERRF, NARP, Leigh syndrome, LHON, and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency), homocysteine metabolism, ketone body utilisation disorders, purine and pyrimidine metabolism, amino acidurias, urea cycle defects, and molecular defects in the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and thiopurine
S-methyltransferase gene.
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MOLECULAR & DIAGNOSTIC LAB
Online database of tests offered through the NHLS for diagnosis and management of inborn errors of metabolism.
Contact us at:
| Tel: |
+27-21-4044449 |
| |
+27-21-4066219 |
| Fax: |
+27-21-4488150 |
| email: |
Dr Tricia Owen |
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This section also offers a comprehensive tissue culture service and metabolic assays.
For further information contact:
Dr Pete Berman tel 406-6392 or
Prof David Marais
Screening for drugs of abuse are performed in the Department of Pharmacology.
Clinical Lipidology led by Dr Dirk Blom at Groote Schuur Hospital and UCT, works closely with laboratory-based lipidology in chemical pathology. Regular meetings ensure most appropriate management and diagnostic work-up. Other laboratories or clinicians may also contact us directly for consultations and work-up.
The conventional lipid profiling in the GSH laboratory and private laboratories suffices for the bulk of clinical management, but further clinical and laboratory evaluation are recommended if the total cholesterol is <2.5 mmol/l, exceeds 7.5 mmol/l, or the LDL cholesterol is <1.5 mmol/l or exceeds 5.0 mmol/l, the fasting triglyceride exceeds 5 mmol/l (>15 mmol/l being a very high risk for pancreatitis. HDL cholesterol is investigated if <0.7 mmol/l or >2.0 mmol/l. Other reasons for further investigation are cutaneous or tendinous xanthomata or suspected metabolic disorders such as in cholesterol biosynthesis (Smith Lemli Opitz Syndrome) and cholesterol metabolism (phytosterolaemia, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis). Fatty acid metabolism errors such as adrenaleukodystrophy errors of oxidation are also of interest.
Specialized work-up includes lipoprotein electrophoresis, lipoprotein ultracentrifugation, enzyme assays, cell culture and genetic tests supported in a large part by the Medical Research Council grant to the Cape Heart Group. Whilst curent research focus is on familial hypercholesterolaemia and hyperalphalipoproteinaemia locally and in collaboration, we strive to provide a comprehensive diagnostic service for unusual and severe lipid disorders, and to research these disorders in Southern Africa.
Contact us at:
| Routine diagnostic laboratory (Red Cross Children's Hospital): |
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Red Cross Children’s Hospital NHLS Division of Chemical Pathology provides a paediatric routine and specialized academic chemistry service to the Groote Schuur/Red Cross/Mowbray Maternity hospital complex in Cape Town and is geared for processing small sample volumes. The unit specialises in the diagnosis and management of a wide range of inborn errors of metabolism including sweat testing for cystic fibrosis. Furthermore, the laboratory utilises an extensive network of reference laboratories to provide a comprehensive diagnostic and consultation service to clinicians regarding paediatric specific disease.
Contact us at:
Institute of Child Health Building 1st Floor
Red Cross Children's Hospital
Rondebosch
Cape Town
South Africa
7700
Tel: +27-21-6585226/4/0
Fax: +27-21-6585225
The Chemical Pathology Laboratory, in co-operation with the other Divisions in the Dept of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, offer a Clinical Trials service both to Pharmaceutical companies and to clinicians performing academic studies.
For further information, please contact:
Chemical Pathology Clinical Trials Manager:
Dr Heleen Vreede
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