Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects the mesothelial lining (mesothelium) which is present around certain organs in different parts of the body. It may be more likely to occur in the lining around the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesothelioma) although it can also occur in the lining around the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) or testicles. Mesothelioma has received a significant amount of media attention, especially pleural mesothelioma (lung), due to its link with environmental factors and asbestos. In South Africa, mesothelioma has been in the spotlight more than once, mainly relating to claims against mining companies.
Extreme drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) or also known as extensive drug-resistant tuberculosis is multi drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) that is resistant to three or more of the six classes of second-line drugs use for the treatment of tuberculosis. XDR-TB received widespread media attention in 2008 when a number of cases were reported in KwaZulu Natal (KZN), South Africa. This was due to a study in The Lancet that brought to light the outbreak of the highly virulent XDR-TB in KZN, South Africa.
