Browse publications by year: 2021

  1. Elliecpearl Jasca J, Annita Seok KY, Suraini L, Chun YA, Julian R, Sano M, et al.
    Biocontrol Sci, 2021;26(4):201-205.
    PMID: 35013016 DOI: 10.4265/bio.26.201
    Pathogenic marine fungi, Lagenidium thermophilum is known causative agent in the crustacean industry. Current disinfection practice in hatchery has risks and negative impacts which prompts suitable substitute to synthetic antifungal agents. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the antifungal potential of postbiotic from four potential probiotics towards marine oomycetes, L. thermophilum IPMB 1401. The screening test showed that the Lactobacillus plantarum GS12 and Bacillus cereus GS15 postbiotics were positive for antifungal activity on L. thermophilum IPMB 1401. These two bacterial extracts have minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at 50%. The toxicity assay on MIC level of the postbiotic revealed that the cumulative mortality of brine shrimp nauplii exposed to B. cereus postbiotic was significantly lower compared to L. plantarum GS12 postbiotic and formalin. This indicates a high potential of B. cereus GS15 as a prospect for alternative control method for fungal infections in the crustacean culture industry.
    MeSH terms: Antifungal Agents; Bacillus cereus; Oomycetes*; Lagenidium*; Lactobacillus plantarum*
  2. Pandy V, Khan Y, Yarlagadda DP, Tatinada SP
    Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars), 2021;81(4):328-334.
    PMID: 35014982
    Methanolic extract of Morinda citrifolia unripe fruit (MMC) was tested against heroin addiction using a mouse modified runway model of drug‑seeking. Habituation sessions were carried out for 10 min/d for 3 days. On day 0, the total run time of each mouse was noted (the start box to goal box) during the preconditioning test. This was followed by the conditioning session (30 min), in which the animals were conditioned with escalating doses of heroin hydrochloride (5, 10, 20, 40 and 40 mg/kg) for 5 days upon entry into the goal box. On day 6, the run time of each mouse, from start to goal box, was recorded during the post conditioning test. Extinction trials were performed for the next 5 days, in which no drug/saline was injected upon goal box entry. On day 13, a priming dose of heroin (8 mg/kg) was given to reinstate drug seeking in the mice. MMC given as oral doses (1, 3 and 5 g/kg) dose‑dependently prolonged the run time to reach the goal box, indicating MMC attenuated heroin reinforcement. Moreover, MMC (5 g/kg) was found to reverse the heroin‑seeking on extinction trial 1 and 2. MMC was also found to reverse heroin‑induced reinstatement in mice. This study demonstrates that MMC attenuated heroin seeking at different phases of drug self‑administration in a mouse modified runway model.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Heroin*; Fruit; Plant Extracts/pharmacology; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use; Morinda*
  3. Hasnidar, Sibarani R, Sinar S, Mulyadi
    Gac Sanit, 2021;35 Suppl 2:S583-S587.
    PMID: 34929906 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2021.10.088
    OBJECTIVE: This study discusses the role of Batubara Malay women in maintaining health and preserving culinary through the Menotou Banjo tradition. The Menotou Banjo tradition is a tradition of growing rice in the Malay community in Batubara Regency, North Sumatra Province.

    METHOD: The research method used, namely qualitative with interactive models. The interactive model uses four stages, namely data collection, data condensation, data display, and conclusions: drawing/verifying. The research approach used is a Anthropolinguistics.

    RESULTS: The results showed the role of Batubara Malay women in maintaining the health of themselves and their families through healthy food during the rice planting season. The serving of food and cakes during the implementation of the Menotou Banjo tradition is a symbol of the ability and skills of the Batubara Malay woman in gathering almost the same food into various types of food. In addition, Batubara Malay women also have a high social and mutual cooperation in social life.

    CONCLUSION: The conclusion of the research shows that the Batubara Malay woman has an important role in maintaining health and also helps her husband to earn a living for family survival. Thus the next generation of healthy, prosperous, and intelligent people will be created.

    MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Income*; Indonesia; Malaysia
  4. Zakaria NA, Ab-Murat N, Che Musa MF
    Int J Dent Hyg, 2021 Dec 24.
    PMID: 34951747 DOI: 10.1111/idh.12571
    OBJECTIVE: To assess Malaysian dental therapists' job satisfaction, motivation, turnover intention and perceived future roles, following recent changes in the regulations that allow them to provide dental care within their scope of practice in the private sector.

    METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to public dental therapists who were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Questions included items on social structure, job satisfaction and motivation (based on the Warr-Cook-Wall scale), turnover intention (based on four cognitive processes) and perceived future roles. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the predictors of dental therapists' turnover intention.

    RESULTS: Overall, a majority (>90%) of the participants had high job satisfaction and job motivation, with total mean scores of 45.70 ± 6.86 and 21.16 ± 2.63, respectively. A total of 8.3% intended to leave the public sector to work in a different organization. Of those who chose to remain as a dental therapist in the next five years, only 7% considered working in the private sector. The significant predictors for turnover intention were educational attainment, years of working experience, job satisfaction level and future preferred working sector.

    CONCLUSION: Although the newly introduced Dental Act allows dental therapists to expand their roles to the private setting, very few intended to do so. This could be related to them having a high level of job satisfaction and job motivation while serving in the public sector.

  5. Li NYD, Moore DJ, Thompson MA, Welfare E, Rappolt M
    Chem Phys Lipids, 2021 Dec 28;243:105165.
    PMID: 34971600 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2021.105165
    Humectants are used widely in topical formulations as they provide cosmetic and health benefits to skin. Of particular interest to our laboratories is the interaction of humectants in phospholipid based topical skin care formulations. This study probed the effects of three exemplary humectants on a fully hydrated lecithin system (DPPC) by use of X-ray scattering and differential scanning calorimetry. While the three humectants affected the nanostructure of 1, 2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, DPPC, bilayers in a similar manner, leading to an increased membrane order, differences in the effect on the thermal behaviour of DPPC suggest that betaine and sarcosine interacted via a different mechanism compared to acetic monoethanolamide, AMEA. At concentrations above 0.4 M, betaine and sarcosine stabilised the gel phase by depletion of the interfacial water via the preferential exclusion mechanism. At the same time, a slight increase in the rigidity of the membrane was observed with an increase in the membrane thickness. Overall, the addition of betaine or sarcosine resulted in an increase in the pre- and main transition temperatures of DPPC. AMEA, on the other hand, decreases both transition temperatures, and although the interlamellar water layer was also decreased, there was evidence from the altered lipid chain packing, that AMEA molecules are present also at the bilayer interface, at least at high concentrations. Above the melting point in the fluid lamellar phase, none of the humectants induced significant structural changes, neither concerning the bilayer stacking order nor its overall membrane fluidity. An humectant-induced increase in the Hamaker constant is the most plausible explanation for the observed reduction of the inter-bilayer distances, both in the gel and fluid phase.
  6. Hamad RS, Abd El-Moaty HI
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):476-483.
    PMID: 35001914 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.092
    Parasite immune response against schistosomal antigens involves both the innate and adaptive immune response. Tregs have a suppressive effect and play a role on the parasite's immune evasion. This study aimed to evaluate active compounds of Allium sativum (AS) ethanol extract and the impact of AS extract alone or in combination with praziquantel on Tregs and anti-inflammatory cytokines TGF- β and IL-10 in mice infected with S. mansoni . Phytochemical screening of AS bulbs for various active constituents and qualitative and quantitative analysis of the flavonoids and phenolic acids were done using HPLC. Measurement of splenocytes Treg cell phenotypes and anti-inflammatory cytokines TGF- β and IL-10 was done by flow cytometric analysis. The data are expressed as mean ± SD. Statistical significance was determined by one-way ANOVA utilizing the statistical package (SPSS version 17.0). HPLC of AS ethanol extract revealed presence of 22 and 18 compounds of flavonoids and phenolic acids, respectively. S. mansoni infection upregulated the Treg cells subsets (CD4, CD25, Foxp3) frequencies and the levels of TGF- β and IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokines when compared to healthy control. AS ethanol extract alone or combined with PZQ decreases the production of Treg cells from spleen in addition to the reduction in anti- inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF- β. This study recommends that the combination of AS ethanol extract and PZQ may play a role in maintaining the homeostasis of the immune system during schistosomiasis by decreasing Tr eg cells and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL- 10 and TGF- β production.
  7. Sangdee A, Sangdee K, Bunchalee P, Seephonkai P
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):484-490.
    PMID: 35001915 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.093
    In our present study, the hexane fraction from the root of the Thai medicinal plant Strophioblachia fimbricalyx Boerl. was purified and the purification led to the isolation of 3-acetylaleuritolic acid, trigonostemone and 3,6,9-trimethoxyphenanthropolone. The aims of this work are to evaluate antibacterial activity of these three isolated compounds from our local plant and to study their mechanism of actions toward target pathogenic bacteria (Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria). The antibacterial activity of isolated compounds was primary screened by agar well diffusion method and the active compound was subjected to determine for MIC and MBC values by microdilution method. The kinetic study of the bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity time-kill experiment (24 h) and mechanism of action on cell morphology toward target bacteria detected by scanning electron microscope of the active compound were further evaluated. Results indicate that among the tested three compounds, trigonostemone was the only active one. It exhibited an inhibitory effect on the growth of Gram positive bacteria , methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) DMST 2933, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) DMST 20651 and Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778 with the MIC/MBC values of 12.5/25.0, 6.25/6.25 and 6.25/6.25 mg/mL, respectively . Trigonostemone possessed time- and concentration-dependent bacteriostatic activity against S. aureus (MSSA) DMST 2933 and bactericidal activity against B. cereus ATCC 11778. It caused bacteriostatic activity against S. aureus (MSSA) DMST 2933 at the concentration of 2 × MIC by changing cell morphology and bactericidal activity against B. cereus ATCC 11778 at the concentration of 2 × MIC after 4 h by inducing cell size variations at the concentrations of 2 × MIC, respectively. This finding suggests that trigonostemone isolated from the root of S. fimbricalyx has a potential to be used as natural antibacterial compound against S. aureus (MSSA) DMST 2933 and B. cereus ATCC 11778 bacterial strains.
  8. Hawash Y, Jaafer N, Alpakistany T
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):491-498.
    PMID: 35001916 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.094
    There is a demand for patients to self-diagnose their sexually transmitted infections (self- testing), particularly during the coronavirus pandemic to prevent infection spread. We enrolled a cohort of Saudi women in a single-visit prospective study, which was the first of its kind performed in the country. Our aim was to evaluate the OSOM® Trichomonas (OSOM) test, a single-use, point-of-care rapid test, for its efficacy and accessibility as a self-test for Trichomonas vaginalis (Trichomonas) infection. At a public hospital's gynecology clinic, women received sufficient training on specimen collection and OSOM self-testing. The women's infection status was re-evaluated using direct wet mount microscopy and clinician performed OSOM using additional swabs. Specimens with discordant results were sorted using an in- house polymerase chain reaction (PCR). 174 women aged 18 to 35 were registered and self- tested at the clinic under the supervision of a gynecologist between June and December 2020, with 84.4 percent (147/174) having a valid result on the first or repeat OSOM. Infection was detected in 12.2% (18/147) of participants, with two-thirds of them symptomatic. Young age, low education, the existence of vaginitis symptoms, and unemployment were identified as key risk factors for infection in the study population, with statistically significant differences seen among women only in terms of education level and employment status (p<0.001). The OSOM self-test performed well (83.3% sensitivity and 98.4% specificity), outperforming the wet mount microscopy (72.2% sensitivity and 100% specificity) and comparable to the clinicians' OSOM (88.8% sensitivity and 100% specificity). The patients' and clinicians' OSOM tests were strongly correlated, with a kappa of 0.89 and a 97.9% agreement. Self-collection of vaginal swabs was accepted and preferred by most women (94%) over the clinician-collection. Overall, our study's findings may have important consequences for the implementation of Trichomonas screening based on OSOM self-testing approach in the study's population.
    MeSH terms: Point-of-Care Testing*; Female; Humans; Prospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Trichomonas vaginalis
  9. Khoo CK, Norlina D, Roshaslinda D, Iti Suraya Hani M MS, Zunaida B, Mohd Hasrul AH, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):499-504.
    PMID: 35001917 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.095
    African swine fever (ASF) is a transboundary haemorrhagic viral disease that affected domestic and wild pigs of all ages. The disease is caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV) and was introduced to China in 2018 before spreading rapidly to neighbouring Asian countries. As such, putting countries free from ASF like Malaysia at risk. ASF is highly lethal with no vaccine or treatment available. In February 2021, we confirmed backyard pigs from various locations in Sabah were infected with ASF using real time polymerase chain reaction (real- time PCR). Further characterization of the Sabah ASFVs indicated that they were of p72 genotype II with intergenic region (IGR) variant II that displayed an addition tandem repeat sequence (TRS) insertion, similar to ASFV from Indonesia, V ietnam and China. These results indicate and support the transboundary expansion of a homogenotypic ASFV (p72 genotype II and IGR variant II) in the Europe and Asia-Pacific, emphasizing the need for a holistic international collaboration in control and preventing further spreading of the current ASF pandemic. Importantly, our results informed the first detection and characterization of ASF, a disease previously not detected in Malaysia. This information is crucial for further mitigation and preventive measures.
  10. Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):505-510.
    PMID: 35001918 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.096
    Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease, is caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium and constitutes a serious public health problem. Because current insecticides used to control malaria face resistance due to continuous use, new alternatives are prompted. Considering this context, and the insecticidal potential of vertebrate venoms/secretions, crude and methanolic extracts from two frog species were tested as larvicides against Anopheles darlingi . Skin secretions of Rhinella marina and Rhaebo guttatus were obtained by manual stimulation. Then, methanol was added to obtain steroidal fractions from both venoms. Mosquitos were captured in suburban areas of Porto Velho and An. darlingi females were later fed with blood and stimulated to oviposit. The larvae were fed with fish food until the 3 rd and 4 th instars. For the larvicidal assays, crude secretions and methanolic fractions of both frog species were evaluated, and larvae mortality was recorded after 48 hours. Crude extracts and steroidal fractions from both species had larvicidal effects, with an LC 50 of 127.5 and 133 ppm for the crude extract and steroidal fraction of R. marina , and an LC 50 of 37.5 and 35.8 ppm for the crude extract and steroidal secretion of R. guttatus, respectively. The present work reports for the first time the larvicidal effects of the skin secretions from bufonid species occurring in the western Amazon region. Further studies should be carried out to investigate the purified components responsible for the observed activity.
  11. Uddin AHMM, Hossain D, Ahsan MI, Atikuzzaman M, Karim MR
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):511-539.
    PMID: 35001919 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.091
    Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoon which causes toxoplasmosis, an important zoonotic disease that is endemic worldwide. Common sources of T. gondii infection in humans are food or water contaminated with oocysts and raw or undercooked meat with cysts. In animals, common sources of infection include feed, water, or litter contaminated with oocysts. The diagnosis and molecular characterization of T. gondii infection in humans and animals is crucial due to public and veterinary health importance. Various traditional and serological methods have been used in clinical practice for toxoplasmosis diagnosis, but interpreting the results remains a challenge. Several molecular techniques have also been used for the detection and genetic characterization of T. gondii , but primarily in research settings. In this paper, we review the techniques that are currently used for the diagnosis and genetic characterization of T. gondii in humans and animals, along with their advantages and disadvantages. The techniques reviewed have laid the groundwork for the future development of more effective and precise detection and characterization of T. gondii . These advances will contribute to a better understanding of epidemiology, prevention and control of toxoplasmosis. Thus, this review would be of particular interest to clinical physicians, veterinarians and researchers.
  12. Jannat K, Hasan A, Bondhon TA, Mahboob T, Paul AK, Jahan R, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):540-551.
    PMID: 35001920 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.097
    Despite the huge loss of lives and massive disruption of the world economy by the COVID -19 pandemic caused by SARS -CoV-2, scientists are yet to come out with an effective therapeutic against this viral disease . Several vaccines have obtained 'emergency approval ', but difficulties are being faced in the even distribution of vaccines amongst high- and low- income countries . On top of it, comorbidities associated with COVID -19 like diabetes, hypertension and malaria can seriously impede the treatment of the main disease, thus increasing the fatality rate . This is more so in the context of sub -Saharan African and south Asian countries . Our objective was to demonstrate that a single plant containing different phytoconstituents may be used for treatment of COVID -19 and comorbidities . Towards initial selection of a plant, existing scientific literature was scanned for reported relevant traditional uses, phytochemicals and pharmacological activities of a number of plants and their phytoconstituents pertaining to treatment of COVID-19 symptoms and comorbidities. Molecular docking studies were then performed with phytochemicals of the selected plant and SARS-CoV-2 components - Mpro, and spike protein receptor binding domain and hACE2 interface using AutoDock V ina. We showed that crude extracts of an indigenous African plant, Costus afer having traditional antidiabetic and antimalarial uses, has phytochemicals with high binding affinities for Mpro, and /or spike protein receptor binding domain and hACE2 interface; the various phytochemicals with predicted high binding energies include aferoside C, dibutyl phthalate, nerolidol, suginal, and ± -terpinene, making them potential therapeutics for COVID -19. The results suggest that crude extracts and phytochemicals of C. afer can function as a treatment modality for COVID -19 and comorbidities like especially diabetes and malaria .
    MeSH terms: Binding Sites; Humans; Comorbidity; Plant Preparations/therapeutic use*; Pandemics; Molecular Docking Simulation; Phytochemicals/pharmacology; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  13. Beh CC, Zulkufli NS, Loh LM, Cheng KW, Choo LM, Cheah MW, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):552-560.
    PMID: 35001921 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.098
    Understanding of antibody kinetics against SARS-CoV-2 and its vaccines is rapidly evolving. This study aims to (1) determine post-vaccination seroprevalence; (2) compare antibody levels between vaccine types and various clinical/demographic determinants; and (3) determine post-vaccination antibody concentrations against time. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study involving 148 healthcare employees all over Malaysia. IgG Spike (RBD), IgM Spike and IgG Nucleocapsid concentration medians were compared using Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal-Wallis tests. Chi Square and Spearman correlation coefficient tests were performed to identify variables associated with antibody titers. A scatter plot of IgG Spike (RBD) against time from last vaccine dose was also plotted. At 1-month post-vaccination, all employees successfully seroconverted regardless of vaccine type, health status and COVID- 19 history. Comirnaty, convalescent, female or Malay vaccinees had significantly higher IgG Spike (RBD) titers compared to their respective counterparts. No correlation was found between age and IgG Spike (RBD) levels. Concentration of all three antibodies waned with time post-vaccination, with IgM Spike and IgG Nucleocapsid waning faster than IgG Spike (RBD).
    MeSH terms: Antibodies, Viral/blood*; Cross-Sectional Studies; Health Personnel/statistics & numerical data*; Humans; Immunoglobulin G/blood; Immunoglobulin M/blood; Malaysia/epidemiology; Retrospective Studies; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  14. Hadi FS, Ghazali S, Ahmad N, Ramli SR
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):561-567.
    PMID: 35001922 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.099
    Melioidosis is a disease of public health importance associated with high case-fatality rates in animals and humans caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei ), a gram- negative bacterium that lives in tropical soil environments. This study determined the seropositivity for melioidosis among patients admitted to healthcare centres in Malaysia, from 2015 to 2019 and identified factors related to it. A total of 26,665 serum samples of suspected melioidosis patients from Malaysia hospitals were tested for IgM against B. pseudomallei. About 16.4% of total samples were seropositive and majority of them were 55 years old and above. However, younger people aged less than 15 years old were the most susceptible to the infection (AOR 3.04, p <0.001, 95% CI: 2.73, 3.39). Melioidosis infection was the highest in Sarawak (15.1%) while Perlis was the least exposed to the infection (0.9%). Further analyses showed that patients with chronic lung disease (adjusted OR: 4.03, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 2.77, 5.86) were more susceptible to melioidosis infection. In conclusion, although serology testing is not a gold standard test in diagnosing melioidosis, it has been used as a tool in treatment monitoring and disease surveillance among patients and at-risk community in the endemic hot-spots regions.
  15. Mokhtar AS, Muslimin M, Mat-Saat AY, Ghazali AM, Ismail AK, Abdul-Aziz NM
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):568-577.
    PMID: 35001923 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.100
    We report two confirmed human bite cases by Lactrodectus geometricus , also known as the brown widow spider. These are the first reported bite envenomation incidents by L. geometricus in Malaysia. The incidents occurred in Tawau, Sabah and Paka, Terengganu. Both men were bitten on their ear while putting on motorcycle helmets. The spiders appeared to have nested in the helmets. The dead specimens were collected and sent to the Invertebrate and Vertebrate Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Parasitology, Universiti Malaya for identification. The species identity was confirmed by DNA barcoding.
  16. Siti Alawiyah JAN, Rauff-Adedotun AA, Aishah S, Rusydi Abdul Hafiz R, Zary Shariman Y, Farah Haziqah MT
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):578-589.
    PMID: 35001924 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.101
    Most poultry farms in Malaysia preferred rearing chickens either for eggs or/and meat than turkeys. This is due to several challenges such as parasitic load and heat stress in rearing turkey. Blastocystis is one of the most common protozoan parasites infecting poultry. As no study was conducted on Blastocystis infection in turkey in Malaysia, this study aims to determine the current status, the morphological characteristics and subtyping of Blastocystis from turkey reared either in closed house or free-range system in Penang, Malaysia. It was found that the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. infection in turkeys were moderately high with 41.6% (25/60) in the closed house and 45.0% (45/100) in free-range system as infection was higher in the female turkeys with no gastrointestinal signs and symptoms. Vacuolar form was the most common form found in the in vitro culture ranged between 5 to 20 μm in diameter with a rough surface coat and undulating cell surface viewed under the scanning electron microscope. Meanwhile, the ultrastructure of the cells from turkey isolates were varies with partially expanded electron-opaque vacuoles to electron-dense in fully distended vacuoles. Interestingly, sequence analysis for 30 positive Blastocystis isolates from turkeys revealed one subtypes with three alleles namely, ST7 allele 99 (73.4%, n=22), ST7 allele 100 (23.3%, n=7) and ST7 allele 101 (3.3%, n=1). Findings from this study added to our understanding on Blastocystis infection in turkey production.
  17. Mokhtar AS, Sahimin N, Hanapi IRM, Lau YL, Zain SNM, AbuBakar S, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):590-593.
    PMID: 35001925 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.102
    Ectoparasitic infestations including pediculosis capitis are common in people of disadvantaged communities as they live in overcrowded institutions, a condition that often favourable for disease transmission. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of head lice infestation among disadvantaged children aged between five to 14 years-old living in five poor conditions located across the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Of total 335 children examined, 14% were positively infected with head lice. Molecular analysis using the universal cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( COI) barcoding gene on total of 167 head lice collected in this study indicated they are belonging to the A and C clades; confirming the global distribution of clade A and expansion of clade C in Southeast Asia, which is reported for the first time in Malaysia.
  18. Mohd Hanapi IR, Sahimin N, Lewis JW, Lau YL, Othman J, Tedong PA, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):594-604.
    PMID: 35001926 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.103
    The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports over 80 million people are displaced worldwide with approximately 26.3 million categorized as refugees and over a million residing temporarily in South East Asia. Despite the lack of national legislative framework in place for refugees and asylum seekers (RAS), Malaysia hosts approximately 178,140 as registered with UNHCR and the majority originate from Myanmar. In this review, we examine refugees from South East Asia, particularly from Myanmar that have contributed to the largest influx of refugees to this region with a focus on their health status. The present study traces barriers to the health care of refugees in the country of asylum and also the challenges faced by these communities in accessing health services.
  19. Madhurya L, Urvashisahu -, Ezhilvendan S, Sumithradevi S, Vivekbabu CS
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):605-612.
    PMID: 35001927 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.104
    Globally, COVID-19 outbreak is a major social issue in the current trend. SARS-CoV2 is a novel coronavirus causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in human and it is spreading rapidly among human population. In order to prevent SARS-CoV2 infection and managing this corona disease, WHO formula based alcoholic hand sanitisers are being widely used as one of the primary preventive agent and the demand is increasing worldwide. Herbal extracts and/or their phytochemicals have been considered as natural sources for formulating herbal hand sanitizers as alternative to alcoholic products. In this correspondence, we have described about the probable mechanistic action of herbal bioactives to fight against COVID-19 virus. Understanding of mechanistic action of bioactives could be useful to formulate herbal hand sanitizers and the products have high demand in the global sanitizer market.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Plant Preparations/pharmacology*; Hand Sanitizers*
  20. Khoo HY, Lee HY, Khor CS, Tan KK, AbuBakar S
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Dec 01;38(4):613-621.
    PMID: 35001928 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.4.105
    The recommended test guidelines for Zika virus (ZIKV) include using both molecular and serological tools. While the molecular tools are useful for detecting acute infection, the serological tools are useful for the detection of previous infections. Nevertheless, detection of ZIKV-specific antibodies remains a challenge due to the high cross-reactivity between ZIKV and other flaviviruses such as dengue virus (DENV) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). The objective of this study is to evaluate the commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of ZIKV IgG. In this study, we evaluated 6 commercially available anti-ZIKV IgG ELISA kits. Pre-characterized serum panels consisting of 70 sera were selected for the evaluation. The diagnostic accuracy of each ELISA kits was determined and compared to the gold standard, Foci Reduction Neutralization Test (FRNT). The present study established that the performance of the NS1-based anti-ZIKV IgG ELISA kit was superior to that which uses of the E protein as antigen. Overall, commercial ZIKV IgG ELISA showed varying test performances, with some achieving moderate to high test sensitivities and specificities. When compared against the FRNT, the test sensitivities ranged from 7.1% to 78.6%, whereas, the test specificities ranged from 40.0% to 100%. Limitation to the study includes the cross reactivity between flavivirus and specificity of the kit in addressing the cross reactivity.
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