Mandile Samantha Thobela

Ms. Mandile Samantha Thobela


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

9Years (2018-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
31 July 2018 in The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MTMandile Samantha Thobela
Mandile Samantha Thobela
ASAnthony M. Smith
Anthony M. Smith
SMShelina Moonsamy
Shelina Moonsamy
HPHeleen Du Plessis
Heleen Du Plessis
NGNevashan Govender
Nevashan Govender
KKKaren Helena Keddy
Karen Helena Keddy
Introduction: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by acute or subacute symmetrical ascending motor weakness, areflexia, and mild-to-moderate sensory abnormalities. Campylobacter jejuni is reported to be the most common bacterium associated with GBS cases. Despite the eradication of polio, the number of reported GBS cases remains considerably high in South Africa with the causative agents not being well described. Methodology: The aim of the study was to investigate the proportion of Campylobacter spp. detected in stool specimens from patients with symptoms of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). Stool specimens from patients presenting with AFP, that were negative for polio and non-polio enteroviruses (NPENT), were processed and screened for the presence of Campylobacter spp. using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results: Of the 512 stool specimens screened between October 2014 to December 2015, 12% (62/512) were positive for Campylobacter spp. Of these 62 Campylobacter infections: 77.4% (48/62) was C. jejuni; 19.4% (12/62) was Campylobacter coli; 3.2% (2/62) was mixed infections of C. jejuni and C. coli. Conclusions: True association of the disease with Campylobacter spp. will enable the proportion of Campylobacter-induced GBS to be better described in South Africa; this can only be done through systematic studies that include bacterial culture and serology together with molecular methodologies.