Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 26 in total

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  1. Zeehaida M, Zueter A, Zairi NZ, Zunulhisham S
    Trop Biomed, 2015 Sep;32(3):545-50.
    PMID: 26695216 MyJurnal
    Trichuris Dysentery Syndrome (TDS) is a severe persistent trichuriasis associated with heavy worm build-up in the colon that continues to be neglected and underestimated in endemic countries. Trichuriasis is most prevalent in children in tropical countries, and that increases the risk of TDS. We reported a series of four preschool children of both genders chronically having TDS over a period ranging from several months to years presenting with anaemia. The hemoglobin levels ranged from 4.6 to 9.1 g/dl on first admissions. Despite treatment, the cases were reported to have failure to thrive with persistent anaemia. It was concluded that TDS should be considered in endemic areas among children presenting with chronic bloody diarrhea and anaemia.
  2. Van Rostenberghe H, Noraida R, Wan Pauzi WI, Habsah H, Zeehaida M, Rosliza AR, et al.
    Jpn J Infect Dis, 2006 Apr;59(2):120-1.
    PMID: 16632913
    Pantoea infections are uncommon in humans. Most reports have involved adults or children after thorn injuries. There are only a few reports of systemic infections with Pantoea. This is the first report of the clinical picture of systemic Pantoea spp. infection in neonates as observed during an outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit caused by infected parenteral nutrition solutions. Even though detected early, the infections had a fulminant course, causing septicemic shock and respiratory failure. Pulmonary disease was prominent and presented mainly as pulmonary hemorrhage and adult respiratory distress syndrome. The organism was sensitive to most antibiotics used in neonatal intensive care units, but the clinical response to antibiotic therapy was poor. The fatality rate was very high: 7 out of 8 infected infants succumbed to the infection (87.5%).
  3. Norsarwany M, Abdelrahman Z, Rahmah N, Ariffin N, Norsyahida A, Madihah B, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2012 Sep;29(3):479-88.
    PMID: 23018511
    Strongyloidiasis is an infection caused by the intestinal nematode Strongyloides stercoralis. Infected healthy individuals are usually asymptomatic, however it is potentially fatal in immunocompromised hosts due to its capacity to cause an overwhelming hyperinfection. Strongyloidiasis could be missed during routine screening because of low and intermittent larval output in stool and variable manifestations of the symptoms. We present two cases of strongyloidiasis occurring in children with solid organ malignancies suspected to have the infection based on their clinical conditions and treatment history for cancer. Both patients were diagnosed by molecular and serological tests and were successfully treated. Thus, strongyloidiasis in patients undergoing intensive treatment for malignancies should be suspected, properly investigated and treated accordingly.
  4. Win TT, Sitiasma H, Zeehaida M
    Trop Biomed, 2011 Apr;28(1):64-7.
    PMID: 21602770
    Infections and mTalignancies are common causes of pleural effusion. Among infectious causes, hyperinfection syndrome of Strongyloides stercoralis may occur in immunosuppressive patient. A 62-year-old man, known case of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was presented with recurrent NHL stage IV and had undergone salvage chemotherapy. Patient subsequently developed pneumonia with bilateral pleural effusion and ascites. We reported rhabditiform larvae of S. stercoralis in pleural fluid of both lungs without infiltration by lymphoma cells. Stool for microscopic examination also revealed rhabditiform larvae of S. stercoralis. This patient was a known case of NHL receiving chemotherapy resulting in immunosuppression state. Although S. stercoralis infection is not very common compared to other parasitic infections, it is common in immunosuppressive patients and may present with hyperinfection. Therefore, awareness of this parasite should be kept in mind in immunosuppressive patients.
  5. Zeehaida M, Zairi NZ, Rahmah N, Maimunah A, Madihah B
    Trop Biomed, 2011 Apr;28(1):188-93.
    PMID: 21602786
    Transmission of soil-transmitted helminthes infection is by faecal oral route, and is influenced by food preference. Kelantanese love to consume ulam which are raw vegetables and herbs. Some of the herbs grow on grounds with high humidity and are abundant near drainage areas, these are also places with higher likelihood of harbouring viable parasite ova. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of soiltransmitted helminthes in vegetables, herbs and fruits found in our local setting. The results by microscopy showed that there was no helminthes ovum or protozoan parasite in the samples. However, Strongyloides stercoralis rhabdatiform larvae were identified in water samples used to wash pegaga, kesum and water spinach, and the number of larvae observed were 152, 9 and 16 respectively. Analysis by real-time PCR confirmed the microscopic observation of this helminth. This study highlighted that vegetables and herbs are likely sources of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Thus vegetable sellers as well as the food handlers are the two important groups who are at high risk of acquiring the infection.
  6. Azira NM, Zeehaida M
    Trop Biomed, 2010 Apr;27(1):115-9.
    PMID: 20562820 MyJurnal
    Strongyloides stercoralis is a widespread, soil-transmitted helminth affecting humans. Autoinfection occurs in S. stercoralis infection and this leads to a continuous build-up of worm burden in human host. This may lead to hyperinfection syndrome which has the potential to cause serious life-threatening disease especially in immunocompromised and immunosuppressed patients. Thus, patient with underlying risk factors should be suspicious of having this infection as severe strongyloidiasis carries a high mortality rate if the diagnosis is delayed. Here, we report a case of S. stercoralis hyperinfection in a diabetic patient.
  7. Azira N MS, Zeehaida M
    Trop Biomed, 2012 Dec;29(4):626-31.
    PMID: 23202608
    Trichuris dysentery syndrome is caused by Trichuris trichiura which contributes to one of the most common helminthic infections in the world. It is associated with heavy colonic infection that manifests as mucoid diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, rectal prolapse, iron deficiency anaemia, and finger clubbing. Here, we report a case of trichuris dysentery syndrome complicated with severe chronic iron deficiency anaemia in a 4-year-old girl who required blood transfusion. The nematode was visualized on stool microscopic and colonoscopic examination. A longer duration of anti-helminthic treatment is required to achieve effective and better outcome.
  8. Azidah AK, Mohd Faizal MA, Lili HY, Zeehaida M
    Trop Biomed, 2014 Mar;31(1):31-5.
    PMID: 24862042 MyJurnal
    Plasmodium knowlesi has been recently identified as the "fifth human malaria species" following the discovery in Malaysian Borneo of a large focus of this simian malaria parasite in humans. Even though it shares microscopic similarities with Plasmodium malariae, it may cause severe illness with risk of fatality. We describe a case of P. knowlesi infection causing multi-organ failure in a patient who was successfully managed due to early recognition of the infection. Clinicians in this region should be more aware of the infection as it is not as rare as previously thought. This case write up highlight the case of severe malaria infection which presented with multi organ involvement which is caused by P. knowlesi.
  9. Zeehaida M, Zairi NZ, Tan ZN, Wong WK, Lim BH
    Trop Biomed, 2009 Dec;26(3):366-8.
    PMID: 20237453
    The screening for anti-amoebic antibody among a group of donors was to obtain negative control serum samples for an on-going antigen development assay in diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess. Out of 200 samples, 125 (62.5%) were negative, whereas 44 (21.5%) had IHA titer of less than 1:128 and 31 (16.0%) of the samples had significant IHA titers of 1:128 or more, in which 2 serum samples gave titers of 1:4096.
  10. Suresh S, Nor-Masniwati S, Nor-Idahriani MN, Wan-Hazabbah WH, Zeehaida M, Zunaina E
    Clin Ophthalmol, 2012;6:147-50.
    PMID: 22291456 DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S26844
    BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunoglobulin (Ig) G avidity of serological toxoplasmosis testing in patients with ocular inflammation and to determine the clinical manifestations of ocular toxoplasmosis.

    METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients presenting with ocular inflammation to the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia between 2005 and 2009 was undertaken. Visual acuity, clinical manifestations at presentation, toxoplasmosis antibody testing, and treatment records were analyzed.

    RESULTS: A total of 130 patients with ocular inflammation were reviewed retrospectively. The patients had a mean age of 38.41 (standard deviation 19.24, range 6-83) years. Seventy-one patients (54.6%) were found to be seropositive, of whom five (3.8%) were both IgG and IgM positive (suggestive of recently acquired ocular toxoplasmosis) while one (0.8%) showed IgG avidity ≤40% (suggestive of recently acquired ocular toxoplasmosis) and 65 patients (50.0%) showed IgG avidity >40% (suggestive of reactivation of toxoplasmosis infection). Chorioretinal scarring as an ocular manifestation was significantly more common in patients with seropositive toxoplasmosis (P = 0.036). Eighteen patients (13.8%) were diagnosed as having recent and/or active ocular toxoplasmosis based on clinical manifestations and serological testing.

    CONCLUSION: Ocular toxoplasmosis is a clinical diagnosis, but specific toxoplasmosis antibody testing helps to support the diagnosis and to differentiate between reactivation of infection and recently acquired ocular toxoplasmosis.

  11. Azira NM, Abdel Rahman MZ, Zeehaida M
    Malays J Pathol, 2013 Jun;35(1):71-6.
    PMID: 23817397 MyJurnal
    Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode infecting humans. The actual prevalence of infestation with this parasite in our setting is not well established. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the age, sex and co-morbid conditions among patients with S. stercoralis infestation as well as to study the common manifestations of strongyloidiasis in our patients. Records of patients with positive S. stercoralis larvae from January 2000 to December 2012 in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan were reviewed. Ten patients were male and two were female. Their ages ranged from 19 to 78 years old. The majority (92%) of cases, presented with intestinal symptoms and 50% with moderate to severe anaemia. Thirty percent of cases had extraintestinal manifestations such as cough, sepsis and pleural effusion. Ninety-two percent of the patients had a comorbid illness. Most patients were immunocompromised, with underlying diabetes mellitus, retroviral disease, lymphoma and steroid therapy contributing to about 58% of cases. Only 58% were treated with anti-helminthic drugs. Strongyloidiasis is present in our local setting, though the prevalence could be underestimated.
  12. Al-Jashamy K, Murad A, Zeehaida M, Rohaini M, Hasnan J
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2010;11(6):1765-8.
    PMID: 21338230
    Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer mortality among men and women worldwide; the risk of its occurrence has been shown to be increased by chronic bacterial infections. A case control study was therefore carried out at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) to determine the incidence of colorectal cancer associated with S. bovis infection. A total of 166 stool specimens were collected from diseased patients and healthy individuals and S. bovis isolates were identified. Suspected colon tumor and cancer cases were diagnosed and confirmed. It was found that overall prevalence of S. bovis was 41 (24.7%) out of 166 cases studied. Some 41(48.6%) of these S. bovis isolates was found in patients with colonic polyps, adenocarcinomas, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and chronic gastrointestinal tract (GIT). It was also found that colorectal cancer incidence was 24.7%, adenocarinomas accounting for 51% with the highest incidence in the sigmoid part of the colon. Among the IBD and chronic GIT cases, ulcerative colitis featured in the majority of cases (41.4%). In conclusion, there is a high incidence of colorectal cancer associated with S. bovis.
  13. Norsyahida A, Riazi M, Sadjjadi SM, Muhammad Hafiznur Y, Low HC, Zeehaida M, et al.
    Parasite Immunol., 2013 May-Jun;35(5-6):174-9.
    PMID: 23448095 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12029
    Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were developed for the detection of IgG, IgG4 and IgE antibodies against Strongyloides stercoralis. A commercial ELISA (IVD Research, USA) was also used, and the sensitivities and specificities of the four assays were determined. Serum samples from 26 patients with S. stercoralis infection and 55 patients with other infections or no infection were analysed. Sensitivities of the IgG4 , IgG, IgE and IgG (IVD) assays were 76.9%, 84.6%, 7.7% and 84.6%, respectively, while the specificities were 92.7%, 81.8%, 100% and 83.6%, respectively. If filariasis samples were excluded, the specificities of the IgG4 -ELISA and both IgG-ELISAs increased to 100% and 98%, respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between IgG- and IgG4 -ELISAs (r = 0.4828; P = 0.0125). IgG- and IgG- (IVD) ELISAs (r = 0.309) were positively correlated, but was not significant (P = 0.124). Meanwhile there was no correlation between IgG4 - and IgG- (IVD) ELISAs (r = 0.0042; P = 0.8294). Sera from brugian filariasis patients showed weak, positive correlation between the titres of antifilarial IgG4 and the optical densities of anti-Strongyloides IgG4 -ELISA (r = 0.4544, P = 0.0294). In conclusion, the detection of both anti-Strongyloides IgG4 and IgG antibodies could improve the serodiagnosis of human strongyloidiasis. Furthermore, patients from lymphatic filariasis endemic areas who are serologically diagnosed with strongyloidiasis should also be tested for filariasis.
  14. Tan ZN, Wong WK, Nik Zairi Z, Abdullah B, Rahmah N, Zeehaida M, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2010 Apr;27(1):79-88.
    PMID: 20562817 MyJurnal
    Entamoeba histolytica causes about 50 million infections worldwide with a death rate of over 100,000 annually. In endemic developing countries where resources are limited, microscopic examinations based on Wheatley trichrome staining is commonly used for diagnosis of intestinal amoebiasis. Other than being a time-consuming method, it must be performed promptly after stool collection as trophozoites disintegrate rapidly in faeces. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacies of Eosin-Y, Wheatley trichrome and Iodine stains in delineating the diagnostic features of the parasite, and subsequently to determine the suitable microscopy observation period for detection of erythrophagocytic and non-erythrophagocytic trophozoites spiked in semi-solid stool sample. Wheatley trichrome staining technique was performed using the standard method while the other two techniques were performed on the slides by mixing the respective staining solution with the spiked stool sample. One million of axenically cultured non-erythrophagocytic E. histolytica and erythrophagocytic E. histolytica were separately spiked into 2 g of fresh semisolid faeces. Percentage viability of the trophozoites in the spiked stool sample was determined at 30 minute intervals for eight hours using the 0.4% Trypan blue exclusion method. The results showed that Eosin-Y and Wheatley trichrome stained the karyosome and chromatin granules better as compared to Iodine stain. The percentage viability of non-erythrophagocytic trophozoites decreased faster than the erythrophagocytic form in the first 5 hours and both dropped to ~10% in the 6th hour spiked sample. In conclusion, Eosin-Y staining technique was found to be the easiest to perform, most rapid and as accurate as the commonly used Wheatley trichrome technique; Eosin-Y stained slide sealed with DPX could also be kept as a permanent record. A period not exceeding 6 hours after stool collection was found to be the most suitable in order to obtain good microscopy results of viable trophozoites.
  15. Azira NM, Zeehaida M, Nurul Khaiza Y
    Malays J Pathol, 2013 Jun;35(1):65-9.
    PMID: 23817396 MyJurnal
    The human leucocyte antigen (HLA) has been documented to be involved in various disease susceptibilities or in resistance against certain diseases. An important element in susceptibility and resistance to disease is ethnic genetic constitution. Cognizant of this, the present study aimed at studying the prevalence of particular HLA class II in a normal healthy Malay population which may serve as a guide for further genetic and immunological studies related to the Malay Malaysian population. The study involved 40 normal healthy Malay persons in Kelantan. HLA typing was conducted on venous blood samples through a polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer method (low resolution Olerup SSP© HLA Typing Kits). The study found HLA DR12 and HLA DQ8 to be the most frequent HLA class II type. HLA DQ5 was significantly associated with female subjects.
  16. Siti Hafsyah MH, Ibrahim NR, Noraida R, Ismail AA, Anani Aila MZ, Hajissa K, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2021 Sep;76(5):731-733.
    PMID: 34508383
    Neonatal invasive Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection is a rare occurrence nowadays. Prior maternal vaginal colonization is an important factor in early neonatal disease. We report a case of invasive and fatal infection in a neonate. At Day 1 of life, a term baby was found to be lethargic, with poor feeding, and later became unresponsive. Consequently, the baby was immediately brought to the Emergency Department of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan via ambulance. Despite the active resuscitation efforts in the hospital, the baby died. An autopsy was carried out to determine the cause of death. The mother was noted to have puerperal pyrexia secondary to vaginal discharge. Her high vaginal swab culture was positive for GAS. GAS was also isolated from the intracardiac blood, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, and umbilical swab of the baby, giving evidence to the aetiology of the mortality. Vaginal colonization of GAS is an important factor for high morbidity and mortality for both mother and infant due to its invasiveness and virulence.
  17. Abdelrahman MZ, Zeehaida M, Rahmah N, Norsyahida A, Madihah B, Azlan H, et al.
    Parasitol Int, 2012 Sep;61(3):508-11.
    PMID: 22575692 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2012.04.005
    Strongyloides stercoralis infection can persist in the host for several decades, and patients with cancer and other clinical conditions who are exposed to immunosuppressive therapy are at risk of developing hyperinfection.
  18. Tan ZN, Wong WK, Noordin R, Zeehaida M, Olivos GA, Lim BH
    Trop Biomed, 2013 Jun;30(2):250-6.
    PMID: 23959490 MyJurnal
    Entamoeba histolytica causes amoebic diarrhoea, colitis and liver abscess (ALA). Diagnosis of ALA is difficult, as most patients do not have simultaneous intestinal amoebic infection. At Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), diagnosis of ALA relies on a combination of clinical findings, ultrasound examination of the liver and serodiagnosis using a commercial kit. In this study, two in-house indirect ELISAs were developed and evaluated. One of the in-house assays utilises E. histolytica crude soluble antigen (CSA) to detect serum IgG specific to the parasite whereas the other uses E. histolytica ether extract antigen (EEA). Preparation of CSA requires a sonicator to lyse the amoeba whereas EEA was prepared by chemically solubilizing the trophozoites. Based on the cut-off value of mean optical density + 3SD, CSA-ELISA showed 100% (24/24) sensitivity and 93.33% (210/225) specificity; while EEA-ELISA showed 91.67% (22/24) sensitivity and 95.11% (214/225) specificity. In conclusion, both the in-house indirect ELISAs were found to be efficacious for diagnosis of ALA; and the EEA is easier to prepare than the commonly used CSA.
  19. Zaidah AR, Chan YY, Asma HS, Abdullah S, Nurhaslindawati AR, Salleh M, et al.
    PMID: 18564692
    This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in HIV-infected patients using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Stool specimens were collected from HIV infected patients who were admitted to Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II, Kota Bharu, Malaysia, for various indications from December 2004 to December 2005. A modified acid-fast stain was performed on the direct stool smears, then the stool specimens were further tested using nested PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium parvum, with a built-in internal control (IC). Out of 59 samples, 11 were positives. Nested PCR identified a total of nine samples (16%) compared to microscopy, which identified only three samples. All PCR negative results showed IC amplicons, suggesting that these samples were true negatives and were not due to inhibition of PCR. This study highlights the importance of molecular diagnosis in determining the true prevalence and epidemiology of C. parvum.
  20. Azira NM, Zairi NZ, Amry AR, Zeehaida M
    Trop Biomed, 2012 Sep;29(3):398-404.
    PMID: 23018503 MyJurnal
    Plasmodium knowlesi is a simian malaria parasite and is recently recognized as the fifth malaria parasite infecting humans. Manifestation of the infection may resemble other infection particularly dengue fever leading to inappropriate management and delay in treatment. We reported three cases of naturally acquired P. knowlesi in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Clinical manifestations were quite similar in those cases. Microscopically, the diagnosis might be challenging. These cases were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction method which serves as a gold standard.
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