Browsing by Author "Motala, C"

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    The Allergy Clinic: 50 years
    (Health and Medical Publishing Group, 2006) Weinberg, E G; Potter, P C; Motala, C
    There has been an allergy clinic at Red Cross Children’s Hospital from the day that the doors opened 50 years ago. This may not appear surprising given the prevalence of allergic conditions in children, but even today few major teaching hospitals in South Africa have paediatric allergy clinics – this despite the recent International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) which ranked South Africa twelfth in prevalence out of the 56 countries surveyed.
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    Guideline for the management of chronic asthma in children - 2009 update
    (2009) Motala, C; Green, R J; Manjra, A I; Potter, P C; Zar, H J
    Objective. To revise the guideline for the diagnosis and management of chronic asthma in children in view of the following considerations: the existing South African Childhood Asthma Working Group (SACAWG) guideline for the management of chronic childhood asthma was produced 10 years ago; diagnosis of asthma in young children remains a challenge; evidence-based treatment is the new paradigm; new treatment approaches to achieving and maintaining control; therapeutic roles of several medications have evolved; morei studies and data on treatment in young children; new medications and formulations; a change of emphasis in assessing asthma control to guide treatment changes. The main aim of the guideline is to promote a better standard of treatment based on the understanding of the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy of asthma, and encouraging uniformity in asthma management. Evidence. A detailed literature review by a working group of clinicians from relevant disciplines. The strategies recommended are classified according to the evidence category in Appendix B, and denoted as Evidence A, B, C and D. Recommendations. These include an appropriate diagnostic approach, environmental control measures, treatment options, definition of asthma control, and strategies to achieve control. Endorsement. The guideline document was endorsed by the South African Thoracic Society (SATS), the National Asthma Education Programme (NAEP), the South African Paediatric Association (SAPA) and the South African Academy of Family Practice.
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    Sensitisation to three cockroach species in Southern Africa
    (2005) Lopata, A L; Jeebhay, M; Groenewald, M; Manjra, A; Du Toit, G; Sibanda, E N; Calvert, J; Lee, S; Schinkel, M; Fenemore, B; Motala, C; Potter, P C
    Cockroaches are important allergen sources in many countries, especially in the tropics. Cockroaches produce several allergens that are major risk factors for rhinitis and asthma. Worldwide, the prevalence of cockroach sensitivity varies between 30% and 70%.Geographical differences exist with regard to cockroach allergen exposure and sensitivity within countries and between countries. No data are available for Africa in this regard. Currently the diagnosis of cockroach sensitivity in southern Africa relies mainly on the detection of specific IgE to Blatella germanica (German cockroach), while a number of other species are found close to human dwellings. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and distribution of sensitisation to three different cockroach species among subjects residing in four different geographical regions in southern Africa. Strong IgE reactivity particular to B. germanica was found among subjects residing in Pretoria and Harare. By contrast strong IgE responses to other cockroach species, Periplaneta americana and Blatta orientalis, were observed in subjects living in Cape Town and Durban. The levels of specific IgE antibodies to all three cockroach species appeared to be higher in Cape Town than those from the other three cities investigated. Monosensitivity to all three cockroach species was observed and minimal cross-reactivity to house-dust mite. These data show that allergy to P. americana and B. orientalis are an important diagnostic consideration in temperate and coastal regions of southern Africa, whereas sensitisation to B. germanica appears to predominate in regions of higher altitude such as Pretoria and Harare.