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WITHDRAWN: Preliminary investigation on Mycoplasma maculosum isolated from chickens

Mohd-Zain Z, Tan LJ

Res Vet Sci, 2010 Nov 09.
PMID: 21067786

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the authors. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.
Fulltext Molecular insights of co-trimoxazole resistance genes in Haemophilus influenzae isolated in Malaysia

Mohd-Zain Z, Kamsani NH, Ahmad N

Trop Biomed, 2013 Dec;30(4):584-90.
PMID: 24522126 MyJurnal

In the last few decades, co-trimoxazole (SXT), an antibacterial combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, has been used for treatment of upper respiratory tract infection due to Haemophilus influenzae. The usage of this antibiotic has become less important due to emergence of SXT-resistant strains worldwide. Most reports associate SXT resistance to the presence of variants of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) dfrA genes which are responsible for trimethoprim resistance; while the sulfamethoxazole (SMX) resistance are due to sulfonamide (SUL) genes sul1 and sul2 and/or mutation in the chromosomal (folP) gene encoding dihydropteroate synthetase (DHPS). This study aims to detect and analyse the genes that are involved in SXT resistance in H. influenzae strains that were isolated in Malaysia. Primers targeting for variants of dfrA, fol and sul genes were used to amplify the genes in nine SXT-resistant strains. The products of amplification were sequenced and multiple alignments of the assembled sequences of the local strains were compared to the sequences of other H. influenzae strains in the Genbank. Of the five variants of the dhfA genes, dfrA1 was detected in three out of the nine strains. In contrast to intermediate strains, at least one variant of folP genes was detected in the resistant strains. Multiple nucleotide alignment of this gene revealed that strain H152 was genetically different from the others due to a 15-bp nucleotide insert in folP gene. The sequence of the insert was similar to the insert in folP of H. influenzae strain A12, a strain isolated in United Kingdom. None of the strains had sul1 gene but sul2 gene was detected in four strains. Preliminary study on the limited number of samples shows that the TMP resistance was attributed to mainly to dfrA1 and the SMX was due to folP genes. Presence of sul2 in addition to folP in seven strains apparently had increased their level of resistance. A strain that lacked sul1 or sul2 gene, its resistance to sulfonamide was attributed to a 15-bp DNA insert in the folP gene.
Fulltext Antibiotic susceptibility profile of Haemophilus influenzae and transfer of co-trimoxazole resistance determinants

Mohd-Zain Z, Kamsani NH, Ismail IS, Ahmad N

Trop Biomed, 2012 Sep;29(3):372-80.
PMID: 23018500 MyJurnal

Prior to the implementation of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination worldwide, H. influenzae has been one of the main causative agents of community acquired pneumonia and meningitis in children. Due to the lack of information on the characteristics of the H. influenzae isolates that have previously been collected in Malaysia, the H. influenzae were assessed of their microbial susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics. Emphasis was made on strains that were resistance to co-trimoxazole (SXT) and their mode of transfer of the antibiotic resistance determinants were examined. A collection of 34 H. influenzae isolates was serotyped and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed to 11 antibiotics. To the isolates that were found to be resistant to co-trimoxazole, minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) to SXT was performed using Etest while agar dilution method was used to measure the individual MICs of trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SUL). These isolates were also examined for presence of plasmid by PCR and isolation method. Conjugal transfers of SXT-resistant genes to SXT-susceptible hosts were performed to determine their rate of transfer. Result showed that 20.6% of the total number of isolates was serotype B while the remaining was non-typeable. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of all the isolates revealed that 58.8% was resistant to at least one antibiotic. Majority of these isolates were equally resistant to ampicillin and tetracycline (29.4% each), followed by resistance to SXT (26.5%). From nine isolates that were found to be SXT-resistant, five contained plasmid/s. Conjugal transfer experiment showed that these five isolates with plasmid transferred SXT-resistance determinants at a higher frequency than those without. From these observations, it is postulated that plasmid is not involved in the transfer of SXT-resistance genes but presence of plasmid facilitates their transfer. The information obtained from this study provides some basic knowledge on the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the H. influenzae isolates and their mode of transfer of SXT-resistance genes.
Fulltext Frequency and molecular epidemiology of Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene in Staphylococcus aureus colonising HIV-infected patients

Mohd-Zain Z, Mohd-Nawi SFA, Adnan A, Kumar S

Malays J Pathol, 2017 Aug;39(2):115-122.
PMID: 28866692 MyJurnal

BACKGROUND: HIV-infected patients pose a high risk of contracting skin and soft tissue infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Those who are colonized with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) that carry Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) are predisposed to severe infections that could lead to necrotic skin infections. However the association of S. aureus specifically methicillin sensitive S. aureus carrying PVL gene in HIV patients has not been widely reported. Here, we study the prevalence and the molecular epidemiology of PVL-producing S. aureus in HIV-infected patients.
METHODS: Swabs from four body sites of 129 HIV-infected patients were cultured for S. aureus and identified by standard microbiological procedures. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disk diffusion against penicillin, erythromycin, clindamycin, and cotrimoxazole. PCR was used to detect the PVL gene and genetic relationship between the isolates was determined by using pulse field gel electrophoresis.
RESULTS: A total of 51 isolates of S. aureus were obtained from 40 (31%) of the patients. The majority (43.1%) of the isolates were obtained from the anterior nares. Thirteen (25.5%) of all the isolates were resistant to more than one category of antibiotics, with one isolate identified as MRSA. Thirty-eight (74.5%) isolates (including the MRSA isolate) carried PVL gene where the majority (44.7%) of these isolates were from the anterior nares. A dendogram revealed that the isolates were genetically diverse with 37 distinct pulsotypes clustered in 11 groups.
CONCLUSION: S. aureus obtained from multiple sites of the HIV patients were genetically diverse without any clonality observed.
Fulltext Characteristics and outcomes of paracetamol poisoning cases at a general hospital in Northern Malaysia

Mohd Zain Z, Fathelrahman AI, Ab Rahman AF

Singapore Med J, 2006 Feb;47(2):134-7.
PMID: 16435055

Paracetamol is available as an over-the-counter medication in many countries including Malaysia. This drug has been implicated in many poisoning cases admitted to hospitals throughout the country.
Fulltext Pentaplex PCR assay for detection of hemorrhagic bacteria from stool samples

Al-Talib H, Latif B, Mohd-Zain Z

J Clin Microbiol, 2014 Sep;52(9):3244-9.
PMID: 24958797 DOI: 10.1128/JCM.00891-14

Diarrheal diseases cause illness and death among children younger than 10 years in developing countries. Conventional testing for the detection of hemorrhagic bacteria takes 2 to 5 days to yield complete information on the organism and its antibiotic sensitivity pattern. Hence, in the present study, we developed a molecular-based diagnostic assay that identifies common hemorrhagic bacteria in stool samples. A set of specific primers were designed for the detection of Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), and Campylobacter spp., suitable for use in a one-tube PCR assay. The assay in the present study simultaneously detected five genes, namely, ompC for the Salmonella genus, virA for the Shigella genus, eaeA for EHEC, 16S rRNA for the Campylobacter genus, and hemA for an internal control. Specific primer pairs were successfully designed and simultaneously amplified the targeted genes. Validation with 20 Gram-negative and 17 Gram-positive strains yielded 100% specificity. The limit of detection of the multiplex PCR assay was 1 × 10(3) CFU at the bacterial cell level and 100 pg at the genomic DNA level. Further evaluation of the multiplex PCR with 223 bacterium-spiked stool specimens revealed 100% sensitivity and specificity. We conclude that the developed multiplex PCR assay was rapid, giving results within 4 h, which is essential for the identification of hemorrhagic bacteria, and it might be useful as an additional diagnostic tool whenever time is important in the diagnosis of hemorrhagic bacteria that cause diarrhea. In addition, the presence of an internal control in the multiplex PCR assay is important for excluding false-negative cases.
Amperometric microbiosensor as an alternative tool for investigation of D-serine in brain

Mohd Zain Z, Ab Ghani S, O'Neill RD

Amino Acids, 2012 Nov;43(5):1887-94.
PMID: 22865247 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-012-1365-0

This paper discusses the application of a reagentless, selective microbiosensor as a useful alternative tool for monitoring D-serine in neural samples. The main components of the 125-μm-diameter disk biosensor were D-amino acid oxidase for D-serine sensitivity (linear region slope, 61 ± 7 μA cm(-2) mM(-1); limit of detection, 20 nM), and poly-phenylenediamine for rejection of electroactive interference. The response time of the biosensor was of the order of 1 s, ideal for 'real-time' monitoring, and detection of systemically administered D-serine in brain extracellular fluid is demonstrated. Exploitation of this probe might resolve queries involving regulation of D-serine in excitotoxicity, and modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor function by D-serine and glycine in the central nervous system.
Self-poisoning by drugs and chemicals: variations in demographics, associated factors and final outcomes

Fathelrahman AI, Ab Rahman AF, Mohd Zain Z

Gen Hosp Psychiatry, 2008 Sep-Oct;30(5):467-70.
PMID: 18774431 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2008.04.004

OBJECTIVE: Drug overdose exposures were compared with chemical poisoning in terms of demographics, associated factors and final outcomes.
METHOD: Deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) cases admitted to Penang General Hospital during the years 2000-2004 were studied. Chi-square, independent t-test and binary logistic were used whenever applicable.
RESULTS: Indian patients were more likely to use household products, whereas Malay and Chinese patients were more likely to take drug overdoses (P=.001). Drug overdose victims experienced more socioeconomic problems (P=.05) and were more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (P=.052). Chemical poisoning patients presented earlier (P=.011), were hospitalized for shorter time (P=.001) and had a higher rate of mortality (P=.01).
CONCLUSION: The present study has identified a unique ethnic variation in the choice of suicide attempts from toxic substances. DSP associated with drug overdose showed significant morbidity, but increased mortality was seen in chemical poisoning.
MS 04-044: demographic features of drug and chemical poisoning in northern Malaysia

Fathelrahman AI, Ab Rahman AF, Mohd Zain Z

Clin Toxicol (Phila), 2005;43(2):89-94.
PMID: 15822759

Acute poisoning is a significant health problem all over the world. In Malaysia, nationwide data on poisoning pattern is scarce and incomplete. The objectives of our study were to determine the pattern of acute drug and chemical poisoning at Penang General Hospital (PGH), in the northern region of Malaysia, and to compare poisoning characteristics between different ethnic groups. The study was a retrospective case review of all poisoned patients admitted to PGH during the years 2000-2002. We collected data concerning demographic parameters of patients, information about the agent(s) implicated, and circumstances surrounding the event. There were 493 poisoning incidents. Nearly two-thirds of the poisoned cases involved female patients. The predominant mode of poisoning was intentional (51.5%). The age group 15.1-30 years ranked at the top, constituting 55.2% of all cases. Drugs were the predominant agents implicated. Among cases associated with drugs, paracetamol was the main causative agent (44.7%). Chinese patients constituted 37.7% of all poisoning cases, followed by the Indians (31.6%) and Malays (26.6%). Between ethnic groups, Indian patients were found to have the highest rate of poisoning admission of 75.2 per 100,000 persons.
Phylogenetic relationship of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae isolated in Malaysia

Mohd-Zain Z, Kamsani NH, Ahmad N, Clarke SC

Infect Genet Evol, 2015 Dec;36:240-3.
PMID: 26394107 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.09.017

The epidemiology of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) remains poorly understood. We therefore sought to determine the genetic relationship of 25 NTHi isolated from various states in Malaysia using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The majority of isolates were obtained from sputum. There were 24 novel sequence types (STs). Eight isolates were single-locus variants, the remainder being singletons. Clustering was not based on clinical site of isolation or geographical origin. Despite the limited number of isolates examined in this study, we demonstrate that NTHi isolates in Malaysia are diverse and warrant further investigation.
Maternal and neonatal effects of Acinetobacter colonisation in preterm premature rupture of membrane and term labour

Sood M, Mohd Zain Z, Abu NA, Chee SC, Mohd Nor NS

Med J Malaysia, 2019 02;74(1):40-44.
PMID: 30846661

INTRODUCTION: Some anecdotal reports suggest that maternal colonisation with Acinetobacter baumannii during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal effects, including preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM). The objective of this study was to compare the maternal and neonatal effects of A. baumannii colonisation in cases with PPROM and those with spontaneous onset of labour at term.
METHODS: The recruitment of participants' was carried out at Selayang Hospital, Selangor, Malaysia. Vaginal swabs were prospectively taken from 104 patients of PPROM and 111 with spontaneous onset of labour at term. Swabs were also taken from the axillae and ears of their babies. These swabs were cultured to isolate A. baumannii. Maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes were documented.
RESULTS: Sixteen mothers were A. baumannii positive, eight from each group respectively. None of the cases developed chorioamnionitis or sepsis. Those positive were four cases of PPROM and two babies of term labour. None of the babies developed sepsis.
CONCLUSIONS: This study does not support the suggestion that A. baumannii colonisation during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Fulltext Nutritional status, hemoglobin level and their associations with soil-transmitted helminth infections between Negritos (indigenous) from the inland jungle village and resettlement at town peripheries

Muslim A, Lim YA, Mohd Sofian S, Shaari SA, Mohd Zain Z

PLoS One, 2021;16(1):e0245377.
PMID: 33439889 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245377

This study compared the current nutritional status, hemoglobin levels and their associations with soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections between two categories of Negritos (indigenous): (i) Inland Jungle Villages (IJV) (ii) and Resettlement Plan Scheme (RPS) near town peripheries, decades after redevelopment and demarginalization. A total of 416 Negritos (IJV: 149; RPS: 267) was included for nutritional profiling based on anthropometric analysis. However, only 196 (IJV: 64; RPS: 132) individuals consented to blood taking for the hemoglobin (Hb) measurements. Subsequently, the association of undernutrition and anemia with STH infections were determined based on univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The overall prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight amongst children and adolescents (n = 343) were 45.8%, 42.3% and 59.1%, respectively. In adults (n = 73), the prevalence of underweight was low (6.8%) but overweight and obese was prominent (26.0%). For anemia (n = 196), an overall prevalence rate of 68.4% were observed with 80% and 70.4% of children aged 2-6 y/o and aged 7-12 y/o, respectively being anemic. Comparatively, the prevalence of underweight (WAZ) was significantly higher in the RPS versus the IJV (P = 0.03) In the IJV, children aged ≤ 6 y/o and having STH poly-parasitism were associated with underweight (P = 0.01) and moderate-severe T. trichiura infection was associated with anemia. Whilst in the RPS, underweight was highly associated with only T. trichiura infection (P = 0.04). Wasting was significantly associated with young children aged ≤10 in both IJV (P = 0.004) and RPS (P = 0.02). Despite efforts in improving provision of facilities and amenities among the indigenous, this study highlighted a high magnitude of nutritional issues among the Negritos especially those in the RPS and their likely association with STH infections and decades of demarginalization. Joint nutritional intervention strategies with mass anti-helminthic treatment are imperative and urgently needed to reduce the undernutrition problems especially among indigenous children.
Fulltext Development of Magnesium Aluminate (MgAl2O4) Nanoparticles for refractory crucible application

Khan SA, Mohd Zain Z, Siddiqui Z, Khan W, Aabid A, Baig M, et al.

PLoS One, 2024;19(1):e0296793.
PMID: 38227597 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296793

Ceramics are the oxides of metals and nonmetals with excellent compressive strength. Ceramics usually exhibit inert behavior at high temperatures. Magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4), a member of the ceramic family, possesses a high working temperature up to 2000°C, low thermal conductivity, high strength even at elevated temperatures, and good corrosion resistance. Moreover, Magnesium Aluminate Nanoparticles (MANPs) can be used in the making of refractory crucible applications. This study focuses on the thermal behavior of Magnesium Aluminate Nanoparticles (MANPs) and their application in the making of refractory crucibles. The molten salt method is used to obtain MANPs. The presence of MANPs is seen by XRD peaks ranging from 66° to 67°. The determination of the smallest crystallite size of the sample is achieved by utilizing the Scherrer formula and is found to be 15.3 nm. The SEM micrographs provided further information, indicating an average particle size of 91.2 nm. At 600°C, DSC curves show that only 0.05 W/g heat flows into the material, and the TGA curve shows only 3% weight loss, which is prominent for thermal insulation applications. To investigate the thermal properties, crucibles of pure MANPs and the different compositions of MANPs and pure alumina are prepared. During the sintering, cracks appear on the crucible of pure magnesium aluminate. To explore the reason for crack development, tablets of MgAl2O4 are made and sintered at 1150°C. Ceramography shows the crack-free surfaces of all the tablets. Results confirm the thermal stability of MANPs at high temperatures and their suitability for melting crucible applications.
Fulltext Antibiofilm properties of chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles found against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Palanisamy NK, Ferina N, Amirulhusni AN, Mohd-Zain Z, Hussaini J, Ping LJ, et al.

J Nanobiotechnology, 2014 Jan 14;12:2.
PMID: 24422704 DOI: 10.1186/1477-3155-12-2

Nanomedicine is now being introduced as a recent trend in the field of medicine. It has been documented that metal nanoparticles have antimicrobial effects for bacteria, fungi and viruses. Recent advances in technology has revived the use of silver nanoparticles in the medical field; treatment, diagnosis, monitoring and control of disease. It has been used since ancient times for treating wide range of illnesses. Bacterial cells adheres to surfaces and develop structures known as biofilms. These structures are natural survival strategy of the bacteria to invade the host. They are more tolerant to commonly used antimicrobial agents, thus being more difficult to be controlled. This leads to increase in severity of infection. In this study, we have investigated the effect of silver nanoparticles in the formation of biofilm in multidrug resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Observation showed that biofilm formation occurred at bacterial concentration of 10(6) cfu/ml for the sensitive strain of P. aeruginosa while in the resistant strain, the biofilm was evident at bacterial concentration of about 10(3) cfu/ml. The biofilm were then tested against various concentrations of silver nanoparticles to determine the inhibitory effect of the silver nanoparticles. In the sensitive strain, 20 μg/ml of silver nanoparticles inhibited the growth optimally at bacterial concentration of 10(4) cfu/ml with an inhibition rate of 67%. Similarly, silver nanoparticles inhibited the formation of biofilm in the resistant strain at an optimal bacterial concentration of 10(5) cfu/ml with an inhibition rate of 56%. Thus, silver nanoparticles could be used as a potential alternative therapy to reduce severity of disease due to P. aeruginosa infections.
Fulltext Comparison of the Anaerocult A and the oil blocking methods for the in vitro cultivation of Entamoeba histolytica

Mohd Shah NA, Wan Abdul Wahab WN, Mohd Nawi SF, Mohd-Zain Z, Latif B, Suhaimi R

Malays J Pathol, 2015 Dec;37(3):271-4.
PMID: 26712674 MyJurnal

Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent for human amoebiasis, is among the most deadly parasites, accounting for the second highest mortality rate among parasitic diseases. Because this parasite dwells in low oxygen tension, for its cultivation, microaerophilic conditions are required to mimick the human gut environment. Several methods developed for optimal growth environment are commercially available and some are conventionally modified in-house which include the Anaerocult A and oil blocking preparation methods. This study was undertaken to compare the reliability of the Anaerocult A and the oil blocking methods in generating anaerobic environment for cultivation of E. histolytica. The trophozoites of E. histolytica HM1: IMSS strains were axenically cultivated in TYI-S-33 medium in culture incubated anaerobically by using Anaerocult A (Merck) and mineral oil blocking method. The outcomes of both methods were determined by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of metronidazole against E. histolytica by giving a score to the growth pattern of the trophozoites. The reliability of both methods was assessed based on susceptibility testing of E. histolytica to metronidazole. The MIC obtained by both anaerobic condition methods was 6.25 ug/ ml, thus showing that oil-blocking method is comparable to the Anaerocult A method and therefore, considered as a reliable method for generating an anaerobic environment for the cultivation of E. histolytica.
Fulltext Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in medical students of Universiti Teknologi MARA

Mohd Zain Z, Johari MF, Mohd Husin NS, Rozman NS, Ab Rashid A, Bahanuddin L, et al.

Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences, 2017;2(1):29-34.
MyJurnal

Introduction: To determine the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal carriage and detection of S. aureus leukotoxins among medical students of Universiti Teknologi MARA. Methods: Both sides of the anterior nares of 136 volunteers, comprising 68 preclinical and 68 clinical medical students, were swabbed and immediately cultured onto mannitol salt agar for growth of S. aureus. Standard microbiological techniques were conducted to identify and confirm the S. aureus colonies and susceptibility test against oxacillin were conducted by using Kirby-Bauer method to determine their resistance to methicillin. Polymerase chain reaction was performed for detection of leukotoxins, i.e., Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) and -haemolysin genes. Results: Nineteen students (14%) consisting of 10 preclinical (14.7%) and 9 clinical (13.2%) were nasal carriers of S. aureus. However, none of the S. aureus isolates were MRSA. No PVL gene was detected but eight of them were positive for -haemolysin gene. Conclusion: There were no MRSA nasal carriers among the medical students, but a low prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriers was detected. These carriers do not pose as high risk because none of the strains of S. aureus possess both the -haemolysin toxin and the PVL toxin that are associated with tissue necrosis.
A voltammetric immunosensor based on a nanoporous alumina millirod for detection of porcine serum albumin

Mahmud AH, Salahuddin NM, Md Jani AM, Abu Bakar NF, Zainal Abidin SAS, Mohd Zain Z, et al.

Food Chem, 2023 Jun 15;411:135493.
PMID: 36689871 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135493

A voltammetric immunosensor was developed for detection of porcine serum albumin (PSA) to identify raw meat products adulterated with pork. A novel strategy to fabricate multiple individual nanoporous alumina (NPA) millirods (length, 5.0 mm; diameter, 1.0 mm) as the biorecognition platform is described. Each NPA millirod was covalently bioconjugated with anti-PSA capturing antibodies (α-PSAC). Following immunocapture, the PSA bound to the α-PSAC/NPA millirod bioconjugate were tagged with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with anti-PSA detection antibodies as the signaling probe. Subsequently, the AuNPs were voltammetrically analyzed to quantify the target PSA. The immunosensor exhibited 100 % specificity and high sensitivity to PSA with a limit of detection (LoD) of 50 (range, 0-1000) pg/mL (R2 = 0.9907). Real-world applicability was successfully validated using pork/beef adulterated mixtures with a LoD of 0.05 % (w/w). Overall, the detection performance of the proposed immunosensor was excellent and, thus, is suitable for surveillance of food safety and quality.

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