An emerging infection is defined as an infection which has newly appeared in a population while a re-emerging infection is one which has existed in the past but its incidence is rapidly increasing. The reasons for the emergence and re-emergence of infections are not well understood but appear to be associated with factors that involve the pathogen, the host and the environment. These factors are often inter-related and act together in a complex manner to bring about changes in patterns of infection. Pathogens are extremely resourceful and possess mechanisms to adapt to new hosts and environments as well as to acquire new virulence traits. Host factors include herd immunity, social behaviour and demographics. Environmental factors like the climate, deforestation and new technologies have an impact on the emergence of infections. The challenge is to contain an infection when it emerges but more importantly to prevent its emergence in the first place. As the emergence of an infection is complex and multifactorial, a multidisciplinary approach is required. Health based strategies alone are insufficient. Social, economic and environmental measures and the political will to implement appropriate policies are equally important.
MeSH terms: Environment; Health Policy; Humans; Infection/etiology*; Infection/epidemiology; Malaysia/epidemiology
Colorectal cancer is currently the third most common cancer in Malaysia. Elevated expression of COX-2, an induced cyclooxygenase isoenzyme, has been seen in colonic adenomas and colorectal carcinoma. There is evidence that inhibition of this COX-2 can decrease the risk of colorectal cancer. Selective COX-2 inhibitors may have a role in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer in high-risk individuals.
A hospital based retrospective study of amoebiasis was carried out for a ten-year period at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. Of the 51 cases traced, 30 (59%) had amoebic dysentery, 20 (39%) were amoebic liver abscess (ALA) and one patient had both conditions. Entameoba histolytica trophozoites were identified in 13 (43%) of the amoebic dysenteric stools and 9 (30%) from biopsy. Of the 20 (39%) ALA cases, only one showed parasites in the stool and biopsy. Majority of the patients with dysentery were Malays while Chinese comprised 40% with ALA. Males predominated overall with a male female ratio of 3:1, while for ALA it was 9:1. Most of ALA were single (71.4%) and were localised in the right lobe. The majority of the patients were unemployed. Eighty three percent (83%) of the patients presented with diarrhoea or dysentery followed by abdominal pain while those with ALA had fever, chills, rigors and pain in the right hypochondrium. Eighty percent of the ALA cases showed hepatomegaly. All patients responded to treatment with metronidazole.
The risk factors and modes of death following acute diarrhoeal illness in children admitted to University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur between 1982 and 1997 were studied retrospectively. Among 4,689 cases of acute gastroenteritis admitted, ten deaths were noted. The case mortality rate was 2.1/1000 admissions. All deaths were infants below one year, with eight females and two males. Acute renal failure and acute pulmonary oedema were common preceding events. Female sex, infants less than twelve months, the presence of hyper or hyponatraemia and moderate to severe dehydration on admission were risk factors for deaths.
Motivation, especially on the relationship of remuneration of government doctors to it, has long been an issue of concern. This study sought to elucidate the demotivating factors in service and the perceived discrepancy in income. It was conducted amongst doctors serving in the Ministry of Health, Negeri Sembilan, using self-administered questionnaires. Factors considered demotivating were remuneration, workload and recognition given. Career development, promotion prospects, issues with superiors, resources and patient attitudes were other factors identified. On average, respondents expect an income of 1.63 times more than their current drawn salary and 87.2% cited rewards as a recommendation to improve their satisfaction in service. In-service training was desired by almost all. Though the medical profession has traditionally been viewed as altruistic in nature, doctors in service are voicing out their views and perception, and they should be heard.
MeSH terms: Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Income*; Malaysia; Motivation*; National Health Programs/economics*; Physicians/psychology*; Surveys and Questionnaires
The aim of this study was to find out the indicator as a marker of person who are exposed to pesticides (organophospate). Up to now the serum cholinesterase is used as a marker. This new method will not taking blood vein since this be the obstacle in conducting research in a rural area.
A consecutive series of 32 diabetic patients, 16 male and 16 female, who presented to the authors with critical limb ischaemia was reviewed over a two-year period. Atherosclerotic risk factors and co-morbidities were present in 56% of these patients. Diagnostic angiography was performed in all patients. Revascularization was achieved in 91% of the cases with three perioperative deaths. Ten bypasses were anastomosed distally to one of the crural or ankle arteries at the foot. Major amputations were required in five patients who had had revascularization and in 4 of these gross sepsis was the main factor responsible for limb loss despite patent grafts. The primary graft patency rates at one month and one year were 96% and 90% respectively. Surgical reconstruction was possible in the majority of diabetic patients with critical ischaemia and should be offered to patients preferably before the establishment of gross sepsis to improve limb salvage.
Appropriateness of medical admissions from a Malaysian public primary care clinic (Outpatient Department, Hospital Ipoh) was assessed by two physicians using a modified appropriateness evaluation protocol. Of 122 admissions between 16/6/96 and 15/7/96, 107 records (88%) could be traced from the records office. Eighty percent (86/107) were found to be appropriate and 20% (21/107) inappropriate admissions. Inappropriate admissions included admissions to the wrong discipline and patients who could be investigated and stabilised as outpatients or could be referred to specialist clinics. Protocols, provisions for urgent referrals and medical updates for doctors are recommended.
Study site: Outpatient Department, Hospital Ipoh
MeSH terms: Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities*; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hospitalization*; Hospitals, General; Humans; Malaysia; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Primary Health Care*; Regional Health Planning*; Retrospective Studies
Sudden cardiac death is a known complication of acromegaly. Little is known of the exact mechanism leading to sudden cardiac death in these patients. Ventricular tachyarrhythmias may be an important cause. If this is so, clinical markers of ventricular tachyarrhythmias may be more common in this group of patients. The presence of these markers allow better risk stratification among acromegalic patients.
This open labelled, randomised, controlled study was designed to compare the induction and recovery characteristics of sevoflurane and halothane anaesthesia in children. Forty American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) physical status class 1 or 2 children (aged 1-10 year, weighed less than 25 kg) scheduled for elective urological procedure lasting less than one hour were allocated randomly to receive either sevoflurane (group S, n = 20) or halothane (group H, n = 20). The induction time in children receiving sevoflurane was significantly shorter than in those receiving halothane (mean (SD) 46 (13.6) second vs 69 (19.4) seconds, p < 0.005). The emergence from anaesthesia was also faster in children receiving sevoflurane than in those receiving halothane (mean (SD) 9 min (4.3 min) vs 21 min (8.9 min), p < 0.001). No major adverse effects were encountered in each group. We concluded that sevoflurane is comparable to halothane in Malaysian children.
Hepatitis B surface antigen can be serologically defined as ayw1, ayw2, ayw3, ayw4, ayr, adw2, adw4 and adrq+ or adrq-. A study of common HBsAg subtypes in 44 HBsAg reactive sera in University Hospital was conducted using a solid-phase sandwich EIA. Eleven samples were found not typable and among the 33 typable HBsAg reactive sera, 3 HBsAg subtypes: adw, adr and ayw were identified. Subtype adw was found in 66.7% (22/33) of the typable HBsAg reactive sera; 24.2% (8/33) was of subtype adr and 6.0% (2/33) of subtype ayw. One sample was found to be reactive to both adw and adr. HBsAg subtype adw was found more commonly in Chinese but among the Malays, HBsAg subtype adr appeared to predominate. However, the small sample size precludes firm conclusions on the predominant subtype among the Malays.
MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Female; Hepatitis B Antibodies/analysis*; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/analysis*; Hospitals, University*; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Protein Isoforms/analysis
A rare case of diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma in a 71 year-old Malay man with no previous history of asbestos or radiation exposure is described. The clinical manifestation was a large abdominal mass. At laparotomy he was found to be in the advanced stage of the disease. The tumour was not resectable and patient was sent home. He gradually deteriorated and died three months after diagnosis was made. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of peritoneal mesothelioma which has not been previously reported are described.
The first two cases of asbestosis in Malaysia are reported. Both had considerable occupational exposure to asbestos dust in the past, with a long latency period exceeding 30 years. One case presented with distinctive clinical and radiological features, while the other case was only confirmed by histological diagnosis. The usefulness of modern investigation techniques such as CT scan in the diagnosis of asbestosis is also illustrated.
A 12 year-old Chinese schoolgirl presented with left-sided scoliosis at the age of 9 years. She has a rare defect in lipid metabolism, which is not known to be associated with spinal deformity. Her scoliotic curve deteriorated despite bracing. We report a rare occurrence of scoliosis in patient with lipodystrophy and the difficulty of using instrumented fusion in treating this condition.
A 14 year old girl presented in 1986 with a huge perineal swelling which was progressively increasing in size and associated with loss of weight and loss of appetite. Biopsy from the mass revealed rhabdomyosarcoma of the vulva. She was treated with chemotherapy and radium implant. She responded well to the regime. Fibrosis of the vulva and vagina caused difficulty in consummation. Once it was corrected, she conceived easily and proceeded to a normal pregnancy and delivery.