Division of Medical Virology
??Diagnostic Virology Services
?As part of National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) Tygerberg, the Division’s diagnostic section offers a comprehensive repertoire of SANAS-accredited virological laboratory tests. It serves a population of over 3 million people living in the Western Cape Province, including patients treated at Tygerberg Academic Hospital and at hospitals in its referral area, and also receives samples for specialised tests from outside the province.
The diagnostic laboratory is managed by Ms Tania Stander. The Division's technologists and technicians conduct laboratory testing, while virological pathologists assisted by registrars provide medical oversight, sign out results and liaise with clinicians.
During 2023, the diagnostic section performed over 180,000 HIV viral load tests, almost 130,000 serological tests, almost 36,000 non-HIV molecular tests and close to 25,000 HIV PCR tests for early infant diagnosis. The test repertoire includes routine sequencing, mostly to diagnose drug resistance in patients failing antiretroviral therapy. Genotypic antiretroviral drug resistance testing is a good example for the need to conduct research in order to provide data to help determine what type and level of diagnostic testing is needed to optimise patient management in a cost-effective manner.
The busy diagnostic section also provides superb training opportunities for registrars, intern medical scientists and final year BTech students.
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