Overview
Respiratory Isolation Laboratory
The Respiratory Isolation Laboratory is a National Influenza Centre that is part of the WHO Influenza Program and its main function is Influenza surveillance.
This is done by implementing the Viral Watch surveillance system and this has been operated by the NICD since 1984. In 2006 the Viral Watch Program was expanded to include centers from the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, as well as the Western Cape.
In 2004, 12 sites were active and this has increased to 65 sites throughout Gauteng.
The Viral Watch Program consists of a network of general practioners who are requested to submit throat / nasal swabs for Influenza isolation from patients with clinical symptoms suggestive of Influenza.
The Viral Watch program specifically aims to fulfill two main objectives:
- Provide data on circulating Influenza strains for the update of the Southern hemisphere vaccine
- Provide data on the timing and extent of the Influenza season in South Africa
The Diagnostic Respiratory Laboratory also tests for other respiratory viruses sent in from hospitals, private clinics and other laboratories. These viruses include: Influenza A & B, Parainfluenza 1, 2 & 3, Adenovirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Cytomegalo Virus.
General Isolation Laboratory
The General Isolation Laboratory serves as a Diagnostic facility for hospitals and clinics specializing in culturing viruses such as: Herpes Simplex type 1 & 2, Cytomegalo-, Varicella Zoster- and Adenoviruses.
The Laboratory also offers the specialized CM pp65 antigen test.
This Laboratory is involved with the Measles EPI program. Urines are received with every blood specimen being sent. The urines of serology IgM positive patients are tested by the Molecular Unit using PCR technique. Urine results are not for diagnostic purposes, but are used for Measles research purposes only. PCR testing is very important for the identification of circulating strains or determining “import” strains. The vaccine strain is also detected by this method and in this way one could distinguish between the vaccine strain and “wild” type virus.
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