Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 60 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Lat-Lat H, Hassan L, Rehana AS, Sheikh-Omar AR, Chandrasegaram S
    Trop Biomed, 2006 Jun;23(1):61-8.
    PMID: 17041553
    A study on causes of lung condemnation in 25 abattoirs from peninsular Malaysia for a period of seven years (1998-2004) was conducted by examining the records at the Department of Veterinary Services headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 5.3% of lungs from 233,417 cattle and buffaloes were condemned from 1998 to 2004. The main cause of condemnation was congestion (2.98%). The percentage of lungs that were condemned due to parasitic infection among the total population slaughtered was low (0.11%). Parasitic infection contributed to 2.1% of all lungs condemned. It was also found that the prevalence of parasitic infection in the lungs was generally much higher in buffaloes than in cattle.
  2. Lat-Lat H, Hassan L, Sani RA, Sheikh-Omar AR, Hishamfariz M, Ng V
    Trop Biomed, 2007 Jun;24(1):77-81.
    PMID: 17568380 MyJurnal
    This paper presents investigation of lungworm disease outbreaks that is based on retrospective examination of cases recorded between 1994 and 2000 on a government beef cattle breeding centre in the state of Pahang, peninsular Malaysia. The breed of cattle on the centre was Nelore and the mean population over a 7-year period (from 1994 to 2000) was 1612. All animals were allowed to graze on pasture and mixed grazing was practiced on the farm. The routine de-worming programme was performed using levamisole and ivermectin from 1994 to 1998 and abamectin in 1999 and 2000 on 1 to 3-month-old calves and an annual dose given to the adult cattle. Nelore was introduced into the farm in 1991, three years before the first outbreak from Brazil where Dictyocaulus viviparus infection had been reported. No lungworm infection had been observed in the farm prior to the animal introduction. Within the 7-year period, 36 fatalities occurred and the annual mortality rate due to lungworm infection was 0.31%. The highest rate was recorded in 1997. Among the total 36 deaths, about 75% of deaths occurred in calves aged between 6 months and 12 months, 67% were males and 33% were female cattle. The highest number of deaths (19%) occurred in the month of November. In conclusion, D. viviparus infection may have been introduced into a tropical climate along with consignments of cattle from lungworm endemic areas resulting in fatal disease outbreaks for a few years following the animal's initial introduction.
  3. Suriya R, Hassan L, Omar AR, Aini I, Tan CG, Lim YS, et al.
    Zoonoses Public Health, 2008 Sep;55(7):342-51.
    PMID: 18667027 DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2008.01138.x
    Following a series of H5N1 cases in chickens and birds in a few states in Malaysia, there was much interest in the influenza A viruses subtypes that circulate among the local pig populations. Pigs may act as a mixing vessel for avian and mammal influenza viruses, resulting in new reassorted viruses. This study investigated the presence of antibodies against influenza H1N1 and H3N2 viruses in pigs from Peninsular Malaysia using Herdcheck Swine Influenza H1N1 and H3N2 Antibody Test Kits. At the same time, the presence of influenza virus was examined from the nasal swabs of seropositive pigs by virus isolation and real time RT-PCR. The list of pig farms was obtained from the headquarters of the Department of Veterinary Services, Malaysia, and pig herds were selected randomly from six of 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 727 serum and nasal swab samples were collected from 4- to 6-month-old pigs between May and August 2005. By ELISA, the seroprevalences of swine influenza H1N1 and H3N2 among pigs were 12.2% and 12.1% respectively. Seropositivity for either of the virus subtypes was detected in less than half of the 41 sampled farms (41.4%). Combination of both subtypes was detected in 4% of all pigs and in 22% of sampled farms. However, no virus or viral nucleic acid was detected from nasal samples. This study identified that the seropositivity of pigs to H1N1 and H3N2 based on ELISA was significantly associated with factors such as size of farm, importation or purchase of pigs, proximity of farm to other pig farms and the presence of mammalian pets within the farm.
  4. Sohayati AR, Zaini CM, Hassan L, Epstein J, Siti Suri A, Daszak P, et al.
    J. Zoo Wildl. Med., 2008 Dec;39(4):674-6.
    PMID: 19110718
    Collection of biological samples from pteropid bats requires chemical restraint of the bats to minimize risks to humans and stress to the bat. The effectiveness of an intravenous combination of ketamine and xylazine for short-term restraint of wild-caught variable flying foxes (Pteropus hypomelanus) in a field situation was evaluated. Eight adult male variable flying foxes were injected intravenously with 0.1 ml of ketamine and xylaxine containing 5 mg of ketamine and 1 mg of xylazine. The mean induction time was 80 +/- 20 sec, and mean immobilization time was 26 +/- 10 min. The ketamine-xylazine combination used in this study produced effective short-term immobilization of wild variable flying foxes for the collection of biological samples.
  5. Paramasvaran S, Sani RA, Hassan L, Hanjeet K, Krishnasamy M, John J, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2009 Apr;26(1):67-72.
    PMID: 19696729
    Rodents were collected from five wet markets (Chow Kit, Dato Keramat, Setapak, Jinjang and Kepong) in Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory between March to April 2006. Ninety seven rats were trapped using wire traps measuring 29 x 22 x 50 cm baited with fruits, coconuts, dried fish or sweet potatoes. A total of 17 different species of parasites were identified from three species of rats out of which 11 (65%) were identified to be zoonotic. The helminths identified from the urban rats were nematodes- Capillaria hepatica, Gongylonema neoplasticum, Heterakis spumosa, Heterakis sp., Masterphorus muris, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Physolaptera sp., Pterogodermatis sp., Rictularia tani and Syphacia muris; cestodes- Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Hymenolepis sabnema, Hymenolepis sp., Raillietina sp. and Taenia taeniaeformis, and acanthocephalan- Moniliformis moniliformis. The following parasites are of potential medical importance: C. hepatica, G. neoplasticum, R. tani, S. muris, H. diminuta, H. nana, Raillietina sp. and T. taeniaeformis.
  6. Getachew YM, Hassan L, Zakaria Z, Saleha AA, Kamaruddin MI, Che Zalina MZ
    Trop Biomed, 2009 Dec;26(3):280-8.
    PMID: 20237442 MyJurnal
    Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is an emerging nosocomial pathogen in humans. The use of antibiotics in human therapy and in the production of food animals has been incriminated in the emergence of this organism. The present study describes the distribution of VRE species, the vancomycin-resistant genes detected, the vancomycin resistance pattern observed, and the genetic diversity of the isolates found in live broiler chickens in Malaysia. Overall 140 VRE were isolated with species comprising Enterococcus faecalis (48%), Enterococcus faecium (25.7%), Enterococcus gallinarum (12.1%), Enterococcus casseliflavus (1.4%) and other Enterococcus species (12.8%). Vancomycin resistance gene vanA and intrinsic genes vanC1 and vanC2/3 were detected in the study population. VanA was detected in 15 (63.9%) of E. faecium, 23 (22.4%) of E. faecalis and in 3 (17.6%) E. gallinarum isolates. E-test was conducted on randomly selected 41 of the isolates and the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of vancomycin for five (11.9%) of tested isolates is more than 256 μg/ml. Genotypic analysis using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) showed genetic diversity within the Enterococcus species.
  7. Paramasvaran S, Sani RA, Hassan L, Krishnasamy M, Jeffery J, Oothuman P, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2009 Dec;26(3):303-11.
    PMID: 20237444 MyJurnal
    A total of 204 rodents comprising 14 host species from four different habitats were examined. Nine rodent species were trapped from the forest and another five species were trapped from the coastal, rice field and urban habitats. Rattus rattus diardii (67%) was the predominant rodent species examined. Fifty six (47.3%) rodents and shrews were found to be infested with at least one of the 20 species of ectoparasite recovered. Mites belonging to the family Trombiculidae were the predominant ectoparasite species recovered. Ticks belonging to the family Ixodidae were recovered mainly from the forest dwelling rodents. Polyplax spinulosa and Hoplopleura pacifica were the common lice species found infesting the urban rodents. Xenopsylla cheopis was the only flea species recovered. The following ecto-parasites have been incriminated as important vectors or as mechanical carriers for the transmission of zoonotic diseases: Ixodes granulatus, Dermacentor sp. Haemaphysalis sp., Amblyomma sp. Ascoschoengastia indica, Leptotrombidium deliense, Ornithonyssus bacoti, Laelaps nuttalli, H. pacifica, P. spinulosa and Xenopsylla cheopis. Urban and forest rodents were significantly higher in ecto-parasitic infestation, compared to rats from the other two habitats. However, there was no significant statistical association between male and female rodents infested with ectoparasites.
  8. Lat-Lat H, Sani RA, Hassan L, Sheikh-Omar AR, Jeyabalan S, Hishammfariz M, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2010 Aug;27(2):236-40.
    PMID: 20962721 MyJurnal
    Bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus is highly endemic in temperate regions. However, the occurrence of the lungworm has not been reported in any South East Asian country. The main aim of the present study was to detect the presence of lungworm in cattle in peninsular Malaysia and to examine the morphology of the parasite. A cross-sectional study was carried out in which 602 animals from four large scale government cattle farms and one dairy smallholder farm were sampled. In addition, 283 lungs from 11 abattoirs around the country were examined. Faecal samples were examined using the Baermann technique while post-mortem examination was performed on the lungs. Approximately 5% of faecal samples and 1% of lungs were positive for lungworm. Based on the morphology of adult lungworm, eggs and first stage larvae, Malaysian bovine lungworms were D. viviparus.
  9. Aklilu E, Zunita Z, Hassan L, Chen HC
    Trop Biomed, 2010 Dec;27(3):483-92.
    PMID: 21399590
    Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is known to cause nosocomial infections and is now becoming an emerging problem in veterinary medicine. The objective of the study was to determine the presence of MRSA in 100 cats and dogs sampled between November 2007 and April 2008 at the University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia. MRSA was detected in 8% of pets sampled. Ten percent (5/50) and 6% (3/50) of the isolates were from dogs and cats, respectively. All MRSA isolates possessed the mecA gene and were found to be resistant to at least three antimicrobials with a minimum of Oxacillin MIC of 8 μg/mL. One isolate (CT04) had an extremely high MIC of >256 μg/mL. The MLST type ST59 found in this study have been reported earlier from Singapore and other countries as a strain from animal and community-associated MRSA respectively. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed five pulsotypes. Two isolates from cats (CT27 and CT33) and three isolates from dogs (DG16, DG20, and DG49) were respectively assigned to pulsotypes B and D. The study suggests that cats and dogs in Malaysia are potential reservoirs for MRSA.
  10. Rahman SA, Hassan SS, Olival KJ, Mohamed M, Chang LY, Hassan L, et al.
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2010 Dec;16(12):1990-3.
    PMID: 21122240 DOI: 10.3201/eid1612.091790
    We isolated and characterized Nipah virus (NiV) from Pteropus vampyrus bats, the putative reservoir for the 1998 outbreak in Malaysia, and provide evidence of viral recrudescence. This isolate is monophyletic with previous NiVs in combined analysis, and the nucleocapsid gene phylogeny species.
  11. Sohayati AR, Hassan L, Sharifah SH, Lazarus K, Zaini CM, Epstein JH, et al.
    Epidemiol Infect, 2011 Oct;139(10):1570-9.
    PMID: 21524339 DOI: 10.1017/S0950268811000550
    This study aimed to describe the transmission dynamics, the serological and virus excretion patterns of Nipah virus (NiV) in Pteropus vampyrus bats. Bats in captivity were sampled every 7-21 days over a 1-year period. The data revealed five NiV serological patterns categorized as high and low positives, waning, decreasing and increasing, and negative in these individuals. The findings strongly suggest that NiV circulates in wild bat populations and that antibody could be maintained for long periods. The study also found that pup and juvenile bats from seropositive dams tested seropositive, indicating that maternal antibodies against NiV are transmitted passively, and in this study population may last up to 14 months. NiV was isolated from the urine of one bat, and within a few weeks, two other seronegative bats seroconverted. Based on the temporal cluster of seroconversion, we strongly believe that the NiV isolated was recrudesced and then transmitted horizontally between bats during the study period.
  12. Bande F, Arshad SS, Hassan L, Zakaria Z, Sapian NA, Rahman NA, et al.
    BMC Vet Res, 2012 Mar 22;8:33.
    PMID: 22439903 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-33
    BACKGROUND: Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are major causes of morbidity and mortality in domestic and wild felids. Despite the clinical importance of feline retroviruses and the growing interest in cats as pets, information about FeLV and FIV in Malaysia is presently insufficient to properly advise veterinarians and pet owners. A cross-sectional study was carried out from January 2010 to December 2010 to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with FeLV and FIV among domestic cats in peninsular Malaysia. Plasma samples were harvested from the blood of 368 domestic cats and screened for evidence of FeLV p27 antigen and FIV antibodies, using an immunochromatographic kit. Additionally, data on cat demographics and health were collected using a structured questionnaire, and were evaluated as potential risk factors for FeLV or FIV status.

    RESULTS: Of the 368 cats that were evaluated in this study, 12.2% (45/368; 95% CI = 8.88 - 15.58) were positive for FeLV p27 antigen, 31.3%, (115/368; 95% CI = 26.51 - 35.99) were seropositive to FIV antibodies, and 4.3% (16/368; 95% CI = 2.27 - 6.43) had evidence of both viruses. Factors found to significantly increase the risk for FeLV seropositivity include sex, age, behaviour, sickness, and living in a multi-cat household. Seropositive response to FIV was significantly associated with sex, neuter status, age, behaviour, and health status.

    CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that FeLV and FIV are common among domestic cats in peninsular Malaysia, and that factors related to cat demographics and health such as age, sex, behaviour, health status and type of household are important predictors for seropositive status to FeLV or FIV in peninsular Malaysia. High prevalence of FeLV or FIV observed in our study is of concern, in view of the immunosuppressive potentials of the two pathogens. Specific measures for control and prevention such as screening and routine vaccination are needed to ensure that FeLV and FIV are controlled in the cat population of peninsular Malaysia.

  13. Getachew Y, Hassan L, Zakaria Z, Zaid CZ, Yardi A, Shukor RA, et al.
    J Appl Microbiol, 2012 Nov;113(5):1184-95.
    PMID: 22906187 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05406.x
    This study determined the risk factors and characteristics of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) among individuals working with animals in Malaysia.
  14. Bamaiyi PH, Hassan L, Khairani-Bejo S, Zainal Abidin M, Ramlan M, Krishnan N, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2012 Dec;29(4):513-8.
    PMID: 23202595
    A study was carried out to isolate Brucella melitensis using established bacteriological and PCR techniques in Brucella seropositive goats in farms in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Pulau Pinang. Brucella melitensis was isolated from 7 of 134 reactors with the highest isolation from the vaginal swabs (57.14%) followed by the spleen (28.57%), uterine fluid (14.29%). No Brucella was isolated from the lymph nodes. PCR confirmed all the seven isolates as B. melitensis and isolates were phylogenetically related to other isolates from India, Iran, and Israel but most closely related to isolates from Singapore.
  15. Aklilu E, Zakaria Z, Hassan L, Hui Cheng C
    PLoS One, 2012;7(8):e43329.
    PMID: 22937034 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0043329
    Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a problem in veterinary medicine and is no longer considered as a mere nosocomial pathogen. We studied the occurrence of MRSA in veterinary personnel, cats and dogs and the environmental premises in University Veterinary Hospital (UVH). We found the prevalence of MRSA as follows: UVH 2/28 (7.1%) staff, 8/100 (8%) of the pets [5/50 (10%) of the dogs and 3/50 (6%) of the cats)], and 9/28 (4.5%) of the environmental samples. Antibiotic sensitivity tests (AST) show multi-resistance characteristics of the MRSA and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for the isolates ranged from 1.5 µg to >256 µg/ml. Molecular typing by using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), staphylococcal protein A typing (spa typing) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was conducted and the results from MLST indicated that an isolate from a veterinary personnel (PG21), typed as ST1241 belonged to the same clonal complex (CC) as the two isolates from two dogs (DG16 and DG20), both being typed as ST59. The PFGE results revealed that the two isolates from two veterinary personnel, PG21 and PG16 belonged to closely related MRSA strains with isolates from dog (DG36) and from environmental surface (EV100) respectively. The fact that PFGE revealed close similarity between isolates from humans, a dog and environmental surfaces indicates the possibility for either of them to be the source of MRSA and the potential routes and risks of spread.
  16. Rahman SA, Hassan L, Epstein JH, Mamat ZC, Yatim AM, Hassan SS, et al.
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2013 Jan;19(1):51-60.
    PMID: 23261015 DOI: 10.3201/eid1901.120221
    We conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal studies to determine the distribution of and risk factors for seropositivity to Nipah virus (NiV) among Pteropus vampyrus and P. hypomelanus bats in Peninsular Malaysia. Neutralizing antibodies against NiV were detected at most locations surveyed. We observed a consistently higher NiV risk (odds ratio 3.9) and seroprevalence (32.8%) for P. vampyrus than P. hypomelanus (11.1%) bats. A 3-year longitudinal study of P. hypomelanus bats indicated nonseasonal temporal variation in seroprevalence, evidence for viral circulation within the study period, and an overall NiV seroprevalence of 9.8%. The seroprevalence fluctuated over the study duration between 1% and 20% and generally decreased during 2004-2006. Adult bats, particularly pregnant, with dependent pup and lactating bats, had a higher prevalence of NiV antibodies than juveniles. Antibodies in juveniles 6 months-2 years of age suggested viral circulation within the study period.
  17. Ramanoon SZ, Robertson ID, Edwards J, Hassan L, Isa KM
    Trop Anim Health Prod, 2013 Feb;45(2):373-7.
    PMID: 22826115 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-012-0226-x
    This is a retrospective study of the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Peninsular Malaysia between 2001 and May 2007. In total, 270 outbreaks of FMD were recorded. Serotype O virus (89.95 %) and serotype A (7.7 %) had caused the outbreaks. Significant differences on the occurrence of FMD were found between the years (t = 5.73, P = 0.000, df = 11), months (t = 4.7, P = 0.000, df = 11), monsoon season (t = 2.63, P = 0.025, df = 10) and states (t = 4.84, P = 0.001, df = 10). A peak of outbreaks observed in 2003 could be due to increased animal movement and the other peak in 2006 could be due to a compromised FMD control activities due to activities on the eradication of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Cattle (86 % of outbreaks) suffered the most. However, no difference in disease occurrence between species was observed. The populations of cattle (r = 0.672, P = 0.023) and sheep (r = 0.678, P = 0.022) were significantly correlated with occurrence of FMD. Movement of animals (66 % of outbreaks) was the main source for outbreaks. A combination of control measures were implemented during outbreaks. In conclusion, the findings of this study show that FMD is endemic in Peninsular Malaysia, and information gained could be used to improve the existing control strategy.
  18. Elshafie EI, Sani RA, Hassan L, Sharma R, Bashir A, Abubakar IA
    Res Vet Sci, 2013 Apr;94(2):285-9.
    PMID: 23021152 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2012.09.004
    A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Trypanosoma evansi infection among horses, using a total of 527 blood samples obtained from eight states in Peninsular Malaysia. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on risk factors associated with T. evansi seroprevalence. The overall seroprevalence detected by card agglutination test for T. evansi (CATT/T. evansi) was 13.90% (73/527, CI: 11.2-17.1%). Female and exogenous horses showed a higher risk in association with the disease seroprevalence compared to other groups. The majority of the horse owners were not familiar with surra (85.30%). However, most of them were very cautious with the health of their animals. In conclusion, this study showed that T. evansi occurred in low frequency among horses in Peninsular Malaysia, and the good management system adopted by horse owners was probably responsible for the low T. evansi occurrence.
  19. Aklilu E, Zunita Z, Hassan L, Cheng CH
    Vet Microbiol, 2013 Jun 28;164(3-4):352-8.
    PMID: 23523336 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.02.030
    In this study, we report the molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among veterinary students and personnel in Malaysia. Nasal and oral swabs were collected from 103 veterinary medicine students and 28 personnel from a veterinary hospital. Antibiotic sensitivity test (AST), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test, and PCR amplifications of nucA and mecA gene were performed. Molecular characterization of the isolates was conducted using multilocus sequence typing (MLST), staphylococcal protein A gene (spa) typing, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results from MLST show the presence of the pandemic and widespread MRSA clones, ST5 and ST59. Spa gene typing revealed spa type t267 which has a wide geographical distribution. A new spa type, t5697 was found in this study. Fingerprint analysis by using PFGE show heterogeneity of the isolates. These findings affirm the importance of MRSA in veterinary settings and underscore the need for further extensive research to devise contextual control and prevention strategies.
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links