Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 36 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Zainulabid UA, Siew SW, Musa SM, Soffian SN, Periyasamy P, Ahmad HF
    Microbiol Resour Announc, 2023 Feb 16;12(2):e0099522.
    PMID: 36633414 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00995-22
    Here, we present a 4,508,936-bp complete genome sequence of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain HW002Y, which was isolated from the tap water in an intensive care unit at Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia). Sequencing was performed using a Nanopore Flongle flow cell.
  2. Ng BH, Low HJ, Nik Nuratiqah NA, Faisal AH, Soo CI, Periyasamy P, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2021 07;76(4):454-460.
    PMID: 34305104
    INTRODUCTION: Knowledge and adequate practice of preventive measures among health care workers (HCWs) are important to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among doctors and nurses in the medical department in Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia between November 18, 2020 and December 18, 2020 during the third wave of COVID-19 epidemic in Malaysia. We studied the knowledge and practice of preventive measures of COVID-19 among doctors and nurses in the COVID-19 or sudden acute respiratory infection (SARI) wards and general medical wards. Data was collected using a validated self-designed google form online-questionnaire.

    RESULTS: A total of 407 subjects completed the study and 80.8% were females; 55.8% were aged between 30-39 years; 46.4% were medical doctors. The main source of COVID-19 knowledge was the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) website (35.1%). Majority (97%) had sufficient knowledge and 82% practiced proper preventive measures. Doctors had a higher mean knowledge score compared to nurses (p < 0.001). HCWs working in COVID-19 or SARI wards scored higher in knowledge questions compared to those in the general medical wards (p = 0.020). Nurses practiced better preventive measures (p < 0.001). Good knowledge could not be predicted based on professions (OR: 0.222, 95% CI: 0.048 - 1.028, p = 0.054). Majority were unable to recall the proper steps of donning (85.8%) and doffing (98.5%).

    CONCLUSIONS: Although majority had good knowledge and practiced proper preventive measures, there was a poor recall in donning and doffing steps regardless of place of practice. The MOH website is a useful platform for tailored continuous medical education and regular updates on COVID-19. Regular training and retraining on donning and doffing of PPE is needed to bridge this gap.

  3. Tan JK, Leong D, Munusamy H, Zenol Ariffin NH, Kori N, Hod R, et al.
    BMC Infect Dis, 2021 Mar 09;21(1):249.
    PMID: 33750347 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-05849-7
    BACKGROUND: Presymptomatic COVID-19 patients have been identified as a major stumbling block in efforts to break the chain of transmission. Studies on temporal dynamics of its shedding suggests it peaks 1-2 days prior to any symptom onset. Therefore, a large proportion of patients are actively spreading the disease unknowingly whilst undetected. However, lengthy lockdowns and isolation leads to a host of socioeconomic issues and are impractical. Conversely, there exists no study describing this group and their clinical significance despite their key role in disease transmission.

    METHODS: As a result, we devised a retrospective study to look at the prevalence of presymptomatic patients with COVID-19 from data sourced via our medical records office. Subsequently, we identify early indicators of infection through demographic information, biochemical and radiological abnormalities which would allow early diagnosis and isolation. In addition, we will look into the clinical significance of this group and their outcome; if it differs from asymptomatic or symptomatic patients. Descriptive statistics were used in addition to tabulating the variables and corresponding values for reference. Variables are compared between the presymptomatic group and others via Chi-square testing and Fisher's exact test, accepting a p value of p = 0.019) and these group of patients were likely to receive treatment (p

  4. Ding CH, Yusoff H, Muttaqillah NAS, Tang YL, Tan TL, Periyasamy P, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2018 Apr;40(1):69-72.
    PMID: 29704387 MyJurnal
    Pneumocystis pneumonia is an important human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated opportunistic infection, and especially so in pregnant HIV-positive patients. We report a case of a 40-year-old woman in her first trimester of pregnancy who initially presented with acute gastroenteritis symptoms but due to a history of high-risk behaviour and the observation of oral thrush, she was worked up for HIV infection. Her retroviral status was positive and her CD4+ T cell count was only 8 cells/µL. She was also worked up for pneumocystis pneumonia due to the presence of mild resting tachypnoea and a notable drop in oxygen saturation (from 100% to 88%) following brief ambulation. Her chest radiograph revealed bilaterally symmetrical lower zone reticular opacities and Giemsa staining of her bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was negative for Pneumocystis jirovecii cysts. However, real-time P. jirovecii polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on the same BAL specimen revealed the presence of the organism. A course of oral co-trimoxazole plus prednisolone was commenced and her clinical condition improved.
  5. Mustafa N, Periyasamy P, Kamaruddin N
    Med J Malaysia, 2009 Sep;64(3):238-9.
    PMID: 20527277 MyJurnal
    Cushing's syndrome is a pathological condition associated with excessive cortisol production, the commonest etiology being Cushing's disease. Corticosteroids in high doses have been used in the management of Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) with favourable outcome. We describe a patient with Cushing's disease who developed SJS, one week after taking sperulina a product from sea-weed while waiting for transphenoidal surgery.
  6. Mahaletchumy T, Muhamad M, Mohammad Kazmin NE, Kori N, Periyasamy P
    Clin Nucl Med, 2021 Jul 01;46(7):e360-e362.
    PMID: 33443945 DOI: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000003513
    Severe COVID-19 infection is associated with significant coagulopathy. We would like share a case of an asymptomatic 26-year-old man who tested positive for COVID-19 and had elevated d-dimer levels. Because of inconclusive CTPA findings, V/Q (ventilation/perfusion) SPECT/CT was performed, which confirmed the presence of pulmonary embolism. This case highlights the fact that pulmonary embolism should not be overlooked in a COVID-19 patient who has raised d-dimer levels, even in the absence of symptoms. It also highlights the importance of performing a V/Q study when CTPA results are inconclusive or when there are contraindications for iodinated contrast media.
  7. Lee CC, Kwa ALH, Apisarnthanarak A, Feng JY, Gluck EH, Ito A, et al.
    Clin Chem Lab Med, 2020 11 26;58(12):1983-1991.
    PMID: 31926074 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2019-1122
    Introduction Recently, an expert consensus on optimal use of procalcitonin (PCT)-guided antibiotic stewardship was published focusing mainly on Europe and the United States. However, for Asia-Pacific countries, recommendations may need adaptation due to differences in types of infections, available resources and standard of clinical care. Methods Practical experience with PCT-guided antibiotic stewardship was discussed among experts from different countries, reflecting on the applicability of the proposed Berlin consensus algorithms for Asia-Pacific. Using a Delphi process, the group reached consensus on two PCT algorithms for the critically ill and the non-critically ill patient populations. Results The group agreed that the existing evidence for PCT-guided antibiotic stewardship in patients with acute respiratory infections and sepsis is generally valid also for Asia-Pacific countries, in regard to proposed PCT cut-offs, emphasis on diagnosis, prognosis and antibiotic stewardship, overruling criteria and inevitable adaptations to clinical settings. However, the group noted an insufficient database on patients with tropical diseases currently limiting the clinical utility in these patients. Also, due to lower resource availabilities, biomarker levels may be measured less frequently and only when changes in treatment are highly likely. Conclusions Use of PCT to guide antibiotic stewardship in conjunction with continuous education and regular feedback to all stakeholders has high potential to improve the utilization of antibiotic treatment also in Asia-Pacific countries. However, there is need for adaptations of existing algorithms due to differences in types of infections and routine clinical care. Further research is needed to understand the optimal use of PCT in patients with tropical diseases.
  8. Jamaluddin NAH, Periyasamy P, Lau CL, Ponnampalavanar S, Lai PSM, Ramli R, et al.
    Antibiotics (Basel), 2021 May 04;10(5).
    PMID: 34064457 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10050531
    Antimicrobial resistance remains a significant public health issue, and to a greater extent, caused by the misuse of antimicrobials. Monitoring and benchmarking antimicrobial use is critical for the antimicrobial stewardship team to enhance prudent use of antimicrobial and curb antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings. Employing a comprehensive and established tool, this study investigated the trends and compliance of antimicrobial prescribing in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Malaysia to identify potential target areas for quality improvement. A point prevalence survey method following the National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (NAPS) was used to collect detailed data on antimicrobial prescribing and assessed a set of quality indicators associated with antimicrobial use. The paper-based survey was conducted across 37 adult wards, which included all adult in-patients on the day of the survey to form the study population. Of 478 patients surveyed, 234 (49%) patients received at least one antimicrobial agent, with 357 antimicrobial prescriptions. The highest prevalence of antimicrobial use was within the ICU (80%). Agents used were mainly amoxicillin/β-lactamase inhibitor (14.8%), piperacillin/β-lactamase inhibitor (10.6%) and third-generation cephalosporin (ceftriaxone, 9.5%). Intravenous administration was ordered in 62.7% of prescriptions. Many antimicrobials were prescribed empirically (65.5%) and commonly prescribed for pneumonia (19.6%). The indications for antimicrobials were documented in the patients' notes for 80% of the prescriptions; however, the rate of review/stop date recorded must be improved (33.3%). One-half of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis was administered for more than 24 h. From 280 assessable prescriptions, 141 (50.4%) were compliant with guidelines. Treating specialties, administration route, class of antimicrobial, and the number of prescriptions per patient were contributing factors associated with compliance. On multivariate analysis, administering non-oral routes of antimicrobial administration, and single antimicrobial prescription prescribed per patient was independently associated with non-compliance. NAPS can produce robust baseline information and identifying targets for improvement in antimicrobial prescribing in reference to current AMS initiatives within the tertiary care teaching hospital. The findings underscore the necessity to expand the AMS efforts towards reinforcing compliance, documentation, improving surgical prophylaxis prescribing practices, and updating local antibiotic guidelines.
  9. Ding CH, Tzar MN, Rahman MM, Muttaqillah NA, Redzuan SR, Periyasamy P
    Pak J Med Sci, 2014 Jul;30(4):914-6.
    PMID: 25097544
    Fungaemia due to Paecilomyces lilacinus is generally not considered in AIDS patients because this condition is not categorised as an AIDS-indicator illness. We report a case of a 25-year-old lady who presented to our hospital with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, with the subsequent development of refractory fungaemia, multi-organ failure and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Amphotericin B was given as empirical antifungal therapy. HIV screening was reactive and Paecilomyces lilacinus was isolated from her blood. The fungaemia did not resolve after one week of amphotericin B treatment. The addition of itraconazole was also unsuccessful in clearing the fungaemia. Accurate mycological diagnosis is important in the care of AIDS patients with fungaemia because of the risk of treatment failure with empirical therapy.
  10. Wahab AA, Nurazizah SMA, Ding CH, Muttaqillah NAS, Nordashima AS, Kori N, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Sep 01;40(3):290-294.
    PMID: 37897160 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.3.003
    Melioidosis is endemic in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia. Liver abscess is not uncommon in melioidosis, but it is usually associated with bacteremia. We presented a case of a 55-year-old gentleman with underlying end-stage renal failure who presented with non-specific abdominal pain for three months. Initial blood investigations showed leukocytosis and increased C-reactive protein. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed multiple hypodense lesions in the liver and spleen. The culture of the liver specimen obtained through the ultrasound-guided isolated Burkholderia pseudomallei. He was given an adjusted dose of intravenous ceftazidime due to underlying renal failure. Melioidosis serology also returned positive for IgM with titer >1:1280. His blood cultures were reported negative three times. Despite on antibiotics for five weeks, there was no significant improvement of the liver abscesses was observed. He was unfortunately infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus during his admission and passed away due to severe COVID-19 pneumonia.
  11. Ngiu CS, Said MS, Periyasamy P, Low SF
    BMJ Case Rep, 2010;2010.
    PMID: 22778377 DOI: 10.1136/bcr.11.2009.2421
    Rituximab is a B-cell-depleting monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody. It is widely used in haematology and rheumatology. However, usage of rituximab in immunosupressed patient has been associated with various opportunistic infections. The authors reported a case of refractory rheumatoid arthritis treated with rituximab, which later presented with non-resolving pneumonia with pulmonary nodule. Percutaneous computer tomogram guided lung biopsy was arranged to confirm the suspicion of tuberculosis, but did not yield conclusive results. Later, she presented left-chest abscess and underwent incision and drainage. The pus culture and sensitivity confirmed pulmonary nocardiosis with chest wall dissemination. She was treated with 2-week course of trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole and responded. The authors also reviewed published cases of nocardiosis post-rituximab.
  12. Tan HJ, Goh CH, Khoo CS, Ng CF, Tan JK, Wan Zaidi WA, et al.
    Neurol Clin Neurosci, 2023 Jan;11(1):17-26.
    PMID: 36714457 DOI: 10.1111/ncn3.12677
    BACKGROUND: Neurological involvement associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection has been reported from different regions of the world. However, data from South East Asia are scarce. We described the neurological manifestations and their associated factors among the hospitalized COVID-19 patients from an academic tertiary hospital in Malaysia.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients was conducted. The neurological manifestations were divided into the self-reported central nervous system (CNS) symptoms, stroke associated symptoms, symptoms of encephalitis or encephalopathy and specific neurological complications. Multiple logistic regression was performed using demographic and clinical variables to determine the factors associated with outcome.

    RESULTS: Of 156 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with mean age of 55.88 ± 6.11 (SD) years, 23.7% developed neurological complications, which included stroke, encephalitis and encephalopathy. Patients with neurological complications were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (p = 0.033), symptoms of stroke [limb weakness (p p p p = 0.006) and seizure (p = 0.019)]. Unvaccinated patients had a 4.25-fold increased risk of having neurological complications (adjusted OR = 4.25; 95% CI: 1.02, 17.71, p = 0.047). Anosmia and dysgeusia were less associated with neurological complications (adjusted OR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.96, p = 0.044). The odds of neurological complications were increased by 18% in patients with leukocytosis (adjusted OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.003, p = 0.0460).

    CONCLUSIONS: Stroke, encephalitis and encephalopathy were the common neurological complications from our study. Diabetes mellitus, presence of symptoms of stroke, symptoms of encephalitis or encephalopathy, leukocytosis, and being unvaccinated against COVID-19 were the associated risk factors of developing neurological complications.

  13. Ng BH, Nuratiqah NA, Andrea YLB, Faisal AH, Soo CI, Najma K, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2020 07;75(4):368-371.
    PMID: 32723996
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID- 19) was first reported in Malaysia in March 2020. We describe here the clinical characteristics and computed tomography (CT) patterns in asymptomatic young patients who had laboratory-confirmed COVID-19.

    METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study where 25 male in-patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz. Demographics, clinical data and CT images of these patients were reviewed by 2 senior radiologists.

    RESULTS: In total there were 25 patients (all males; mean age [±SD], 21.64±2.40 years; range, 18-27 years). Patients with abnormal chest CT showed a relatively low normal absolute lymphocytes count (median: 2.2 x 109/L) and absolute monocyte count (median: 0.5 x 109/L). Lactate dehydrogenase was elevated in 5 (20%) of the patients. The procalcitonin level was normal while elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, platelet and C-reactive protein were common. Baseline chest CT showed abnormalities in 6 patients. The distribution of the lesions were; upper lobe 3 (12%) lower lobe 3 (12%) with peripheral distribution 4 (16%). Of the 25 patients included, 4 (16%) had ground glass opacification (GGO), 1 (4%) had a small peripheral subpleural nodule, and 1 (4%) had a dense solitary granuloma. Four patients had typical CT features of COVID-19.

    CONCLUSION: We found that the CT imaging showed peripheral GGO in our patients. They remained clinically stable with no deterioration of their respiratory symptoms suggesting stability in lung involvement. We postulate that rapid changes in CT imaging may not be present in young, asymptomatic, non-smoking COVID-19 patients. Thus the use of CT thoraxfor early diagnosis may be reserved for patients in the older agegroups, and not in younger patients.

  14. Klionsky DJ, Abdel-Aziz AK, Abdelfatah S, Abdellatif M, Abdoli A, Abel S, et al.
    Autophagy, 2021 Jan;17(1):1-382.
    PMID: 33634751 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2020.1797280
    In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field.
  15. Saeed N, Khoo CS, Remli R, Law ZK, Periyasamy P, Osman SS, et al.
    Front Neurol, 2018;9:966.
    PMID: 30564184 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00966
    Leptospirosis is a spirochetal zoonotic disease with a wide clinical spectrum, often underdiagnosed especially when presented as an acute neurological manifestation. We report a case of a 24-year-old man with serologically positive leptospirosis, who presented with altered sensorium, seizures and subsequently developed cortical blindness. His brain MRI revealed bilateral occipital and later parietal lobe cerebritis.
  16. Rajalingham S, Said MS, Shaharir SS, AbAziz A, Periyasamy P, Anshar FM
    BMJ Case Rep, 2011;2011.
    PMID: 22675098 DOI: 10.1136/bcr.08.2011.4675
    Dermatomyositis is a rare rheumatic disease which predominantly affects the muscles and skin requiring a protracted course of immunosuppressants which may predispose the patients to opportunistic infections. A 49-year-old lady was diagnosed to have dermatomyositis in August 2010 based on history, significantly raised creatine kinase level and muscle biopsy findings. She had recurrent admissions due to fever, myalgia and muscle weakness. She had spiking temperature despite high dose steroids, broad-spectrum antibiotics and antifungal agents. This prompted extensive investigation which leads us to the additional diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis involving the lungs, muscles and bones. This case demonstrates the challenge in controlling the disease activity of dermatomyositis with immunosuppressants in the setting of disseminated tuberculosis.
  17. Wan Jamaludin WF, Periyasamy P, Wan Mat WR, Abdul Wahid SF
    J Clin Virol, 2015 Aug;69:91-5.
    PMID: 26209387 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2015.06.004
    Infection associated hemophagocytic syndrome is increasingly recognized as a potentially fatal complication of dengue fever. It should be suspected with prolonged fever beyond seven days associated with hepatosplenomegaly, hyperferritinemia, worsening cytopenias and development of multiorgan dysfunction. Surge of similar pro-inflammatory cytokines observed in dengue associated hemophagocytic syndrome and multiorgan dysfunction may indicate they are part of related inflammatory spectrum. A proportion of patients recovered with supportive therapy, however most required interventions with corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin or chemotherapy. We report three cases of dengue associated IAHS with good outcome following early recognition and treatment with dexamethasone and intravenous immunoglobulin.
  18. Loong LS, Siew Mei Lai P, Jamaluddin NAH, Naina-Mohamed I, Periyasamy P, Lau CL, et al.
    J Infect Dev Ctries, 2022 Dec 31;16(12):1877-1886.
    PMID: 36753656 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.15925
    INTRODUCTION: Malaysia is an upper-middle-income country with national antimicrobial stewardship programs in place. However, hospitals in this country are faced with a high incidence of multidrug-resistant organisms and high usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Therefore, this study aimed to use a standardized audit tool to assess clinical appropriateness, guideline compliance, and prescribing patterns of antimicrobial use among medical patients in two tertiary hospitals in Malaysia to benchmark practice.

    METHODOLOGY: A prospective hospital-wide point prevalence survey was carried out by a multidisciplinary team in April 2019 at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and the Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Data was collected from the patient's electronic medical records and recorded using the Hospital National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey toolkit developed by the National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship, Australia.

    RESULTS: The appropriateness of prescriptions was 60.1% (UMMC) and 67% (HCTM), with no significant difference between the two hospitals. Compliance with guidelines was 60.0% (UMMC) and 61.5% (HCTM). Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial (UMMC = 16.9%; HCTM = 11.9%).

    CONCLUSIONS: The appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing in medical wards, compliance with guidelines, and prescribing patterns were similar between the two hospitals in Malaysia. The survey identified several areas of prescribing that would need targeted AMS interventions.

Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

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

External Links