Methods: We carried out fogging with Pyrethroid insecticide (Detral 2.5 EC) at 10 different sites in a forest situated in the state of Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia. Across the sites, we counted the numbers of knocked-down invertebrates and identified them based on morphology to different taxa. We constructed Bayesian hierarchical Poisson regression models to investigate the effects of fogging on: (1) a target invertebrate taxon (Diptera) 3-h post-fogging; (2) selected non-target invertebrate taxa 3-h post-fogging; and (3) an invertebrate pollinator taxon (Lepidoptera) 24-h post-fogging.
Results: A total of 1,874 invertebrates from 19 invertebrate orders were knocked down by the fogging treatment across the 10 sites. Furthermore, 72.7% of the invertebrates counted 3-h post-fogging was considered dead. Our regression models showed that given the data and prior information, the probability that fogging had a negative effect on invertebrate taxa 3-h post-fogging was 100%, with reductions to 11% of the pre-fogging count of live individuals for the target invertebrate taxon (Diptera), and between 5% and 58% of the pre-fogging count of live individuals for non-target invertebrate taxa. For the invertebrate pollinator, the probability that fogging had a negative effect 24-h post-fogging was also 100%, with reductions to 53% of the pre-fogging count of live individuals.
Discussion: Our Bayesian models unequivocally demonstrate that fogging has detrimental effects on one pollinator order and non-target invertebrate orders, especially taxa that have comparatively lower levels of chitinisation. While fogging is effective in killing the target order (Diptera), no mosquitos were found dead in our experiment. In order to maintain urban biodiversity, we recommend that health authorities and the private sector move away from persistent insecticide fogging and to explore alternative measures to control adult mosquito populations.
METHODS: Retrospective data on demographics, clinical presentation, outcomes and laboratory findings of 450 children admitted into Tuanku Jaafar Hospital in Seremban, Malaysia from 2008 to 2013 with documented diagnosis of RSV ALRI were collected and analysed.
RESULTS: Most admissions were children below 2 years old (85.8%; 386/450). Commonest symptoms were fever (84.2%; 379/450), cough (97.8%; 440/450) and rhinorrhea (83.6%; 376/450). The median age among febrile patients (n = 379) was 9.0 months with interquartile range (IQR) of 4.0-19.0 months whereas the median age among those who were apyrexial (n = 71) was 2 months with IQR of 1-6 months (P-value <0.001). 15.3% (69/450) needed intensive care and 1.6% (7/450) died. Young age, history of prematurity, chronic comorbidity and thrombocytosis were significantly associated with prolonged hospital stay, PICU admission and mortality.
CONCLUSIONS: Infants less than 6 months old with RSV ALRI tend to be afebrile at presentation. Younger age, history of prematurity, chronic comorbidity and thrombocytosis are predictors of severe RSV ALRI among Malaysian children. Case fatality rate for Malaysian children below 5 years of age with RSV ALRI in our centre is higher than what is seen in developed countries, suggesting that there is room for improvement.
METHODS: One Hundred thirty biopsy-proven patients with Class III/IV without or with Class V LN were randomized to receive GC (intravenous methylprednisolone for three days then oral prednisolone) with either TAC (target trough level 6 - 8ng/mL) or MMF (1g twice a day) for 96 weeks. Primary endpoint was Sustained Renal Response (SRR) at week 96, defined as proteinuria reduction over 50% and estimated glomerular filtration rate no less than 60mL/min per 1.73m2, and no disease flare or rescue therapies. Secondary endpoints included rates of Complete Renal Remission (CRR) and Partial Renal Remission (PRR) at week 96, SRR at week 48, and adverse events (AE).
RESULTS: TAC and MMF groups (65 patients each) showed no significant difference in the rates of SRR (58.5% vs 69.2% respectively) and CRR (55.4% vs 63.1% respectively) at week 96. SRR rates for TAC and MMF groups were 63.1% vs 66.2% at week 48, respectively. Overall, AE rates did not differ between TAC and MMF groups (80.0% in both). Acute kidney injury and tremors were more frequent in TAC group, while leucopoenia was more frequent in MMF group. Three deaths occurred, all in the MMF group. Treatment-related serious adverse events (SAE) and infection resulting in SAE were significantly more frequent in the MMF group.
CONCLUSIONS: Dual immunosuppressive regimen with TAC and GC showed no difference in efficacy but different safety profile compared with MMF and GC over 96 weeks, when used as continuous induction-maintenance treatment for LN.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with study number NCT02630628.