Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 845 in total

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  1. Wameadesa N, Sae-lim A, Hayeebilan F, Rattanachuay P, Sukhumungoon P
    PMID: 29642296
    Local Thai and imported Malaysian beef in southern Thailand area carry
    several Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serotypes. STEC O104 is an
    important pathogen capable of causing outbreaks with considerable morbidity
    and mortality. This study investigated the presence of E. coli O104 from local Thai
    and imported Malaysian beef obtained from markets in Hat Yai City, Songkhla
    Province during August 2015 - February 2016. Thirty-one E. coli O104 strains
    were isolated from 12 beef samples (16% and 23% Thai and imported Malaysian,
    respectively). Thirty strains possessed aggA (coding for a major component of
    AAF/I fimbriae), a gene associated with enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) pathotype,
    and all strains carried fimH (encoding Type 1 fimbriae). Thirty strains
    belonged to phylogenetic group B1 and one strain (from Malaysian beef) to group
    A. Agglutination of yeast cells was observed among 29 E. coli O104 strains. Investigation
    of stx2 phage occupancy loci demonstrated that sbcB was occupied in 12
    strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility assay revealed that 7 strains were resistant
    to at least one antimicrobial agent and two were multi-drug resistant. One strain
    carried extended spectrum β-lactamase gene blaCTX-M and three carried blaTEM. PFGE-generated DNA profiling showed identical DNA pattern between that of
    one EAEC O104 strain from Thai beef and another from Malaysian beef, indicating
    that these two strains originated from the same clone. This is the first report
    in Thailand describing the presence of EAEC O104 from both Thai and imported
    Malaysian beef and their transfer between both countries. Thorough surveillance
    of this pathogen in fresh meats and vegetables should help to prevent any possible
    outbreak of E. coli O104.
  2. Yahya NA, Saub R, Nor MM, Yusoff N
    PMID: 29642311
    Dentists can offer their patients who smoke tobacco assistance with smoking cessation. We conducted this study to assess dental patient knowledge about the effects of smoking and perceptions and attitudes regarding the role of dentists in smoking cessation counselling. We conducted this study to inform tobacco cessation programs that could potentially include dentists. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire among 375 patients. The mean age of subjects was 33.4 years; females comprised 51.5%. Participants were divided into 3 groups: those who never smoked (n = 263, 70.7%), smokers (n = 92, 24.7%), and ex-smokers (n = 17, 4.5%). Significantly more participants (p = 0.046) who never smoked (92.9%) knew smoking can cause bad breath than smokers(86.9%). Significantly more participants (p = 0.002) who never smoked (74.8%) knew smoking can cause periodontal disease than smokers (57.6%). Significantly
    more participants (p < 0.001) who never smoked (84.5%) knew smoking can cause
    oral cancer than smokers (66.7%). Significantly more participants (p < 0.001) who never smoked (86.7%) knew smoking can cause lung cancer than smokers (69.7%). Significantly more participants who never smoked (85.5%) felt dentists should be interested in the smoking status of their patients (p = 0.004) than smokers (72.6%). Significantly more participants (p = 0.08) who never smoked (69.6%) stated dentists should give smoking cessation advice than smokers/ex-smokers (59.0%). Smoker/ex-smokers had less knowledge about the effects of smoking on oral and general health than non-smokers. Both smokers/ex-smokers and non-smokers felt dentists should provide smoking cessation advice.
  3. Suleiman M, Muhammad J, Jelip J, William T, Chua TH
    PMID: 29644840
    The horseshoe crab (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda) is consumed by those
    residing near the coastal areas of Kota Marudu District in Malaysia, as it is considered
    a delicacy. During June to August, 2011 thirty cases of tetrodotoxin poisoning
    were reported from Kota Marudu District following ingestion of horseshoe
    crabs caught in Kota Marudu Bay. The purpose of this study is to describe this
    case series in order to determine risk factors to prevent further outbreaks. There
    were six confirmed and 24 probable cases of tetrodotoxin poisoning identified in
    the study area during the study period as diagnosed by clinical presentation and
    laboratory findings. Symptoms included dizziness (80%), circumoral and lingual
    numbness (80%), hand and feet numbness (63.3%), nausea and vomiting (30%)
    and weakness and difficulty in breathing (26.6%). Three cases (10%) died while 27
    cases recovered. Forty-seven percent of the cases had onset of symptoms within
    30 minutes of ingestion and 14% 31-60 minutes after ingestion of horseshoe crab
    meat. Urine samples were collected from the cases, while horseshoe crabs, cockles
    and sea water from the epidemic area were also taken for analysis. Tetrodotoxin
    was detected in the urine of six cases; the highest concentrations recorded were
    among the three cases who died. High tetrodotoxin concentrations were found
    in the hepatic cecum and eggs of the tested horseshoe crabs. Dinoflagellates were
    not detected in the sea water or cockle samples. Intensive health education was
    initiated quickly to stop other members of the Marudu Bay community from
    consuming the horseshoe crabs. This is the first documented epidemic of tetrodotoxin
    poisoning in Sabah.
  4. Mia MS, Begum RA, Er AC, Pereira JJ
    PMID: 29634177
    Dengue is endemic in all parts of Malaysia. However, there is limited data regarding the cost burden of this disease at household level. We aimed to
    examine the cost of dengue infection at the household level in Seremban District,
    Malaysia. This cost assessment can provide an insight to policy-makers about
    economic impact of dengue infection in order to guide and prioritize control strategies.
    The data were collected via interview. We evaluated120 previous dengue
    infection patients registered at the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital, Seremban District,
    Malaysia. The average duration of dengue illness was 9.69 days. The average
    household days lost was 18.7; students lost an average of 6.3 days of school and
    patients and caregivers lost an average of 12.5 days of work. The mean total cost
    per case of dengue infection was estimated to be USD365.16 with the indirect
    cost being USD327.90 (89.8% of the total cost) and the direct cost being USD37.26
    (10.2% of the total cost). Our findings suggest each episode of dengue infection
    imposes a significant financial burden at the household level in Seremban District,
    Malaysia; most of the burden being indirect cost. This cost needs to be factored
    into the overall cost to society of dengue infection. This data can inform policy
    makers when allocating resources to manage public health problems in Malaysia.
  5. Yusof ZYM, Hassan WNW, Razak IA, Hashim SMN, Tahir MKAM, Keng SB
    PMID: 29641164
    This study aimed to evaluate the association between dental students’
    personality traits and stress levels in relation to dental education programs among
    senior dental students in University Malaya (UM) in Malaysia and National University
    of Singapore (NUS). A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered
    questionnaire was conducted on UM and NUS senior dental students. The questionnaire
    comprised items on demographic background, the Big Five Inventory
    Personality Traits (BFIPT) test and a modified Dental Environment Stress (DES)
    scale. Rasch analysis was used to convert raw data to interval scores. Analyses
    were done by t-test, Pearson correlation, and Hierarchical regression statistics.
    The response rate was 100% (UM=132, NUS=76). Personality trait Agreeableness
    (mean=0.30) was significantly more prevalent among UM than NUS students
    (mean=0.15, p=0.016). In NUS, Neuroticism (mean=0.36) was significantly more
    prevalent than in UM (mean=0.14, p=0.002). The DES mean score was higher
    among NUS (mean=0.23) than UM students (mean=0.07). In UM, Neuroticism
    was significantly correlated with stress levels (r=0.338, p<0.001). In NUS, these
    were Neuroticism (r=0.278, p=0.015), Agreeableness (r=0.250, p=0.029) and Conscientiousness
    (r=-0.242, p=0.035) personality traits. The correlation was strongest
    for personality trait Neuroticism in both schools. Hierarchical regression analysis
    showed that gender and Neuroticism were significant predictors for students’
    stress levels (p<0.05) with the latter exerting a bigger effect size (R2=0.18) than
    gender (R2=004). This study showed that gender and Neuroticism personality
    trait were significant predictors for stress levels among selected groups of dental
    students in Southeast Asia. Information on students’ personality may be useful in
    new students’ intake, stress management counseling and future program reviews.
  6. Shaharudin R, Ahmad N, Kamaluddin MA, Veloo Y
    PMID: 29620800
    Burkholderia pseudomallei is an important causative organism of fatal community bacteremia especially in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Outbreaks of melioidosis have been reported post-floods and -typhoons. A cross sectional study was conducted in January 2015, following a major flood in Kelantan, Malaysia to detect presence of B. pseudomallei from soil. A total of 89 soil samples were cultured for B. pseudomallei on Ashdown agar. Putative colonies underwent further staining and biochemical testing prior to confirmation by PCR. Rate of detection was 1%, although low, it nevertheless indicated a risk for melioidosis among flood victims in Kelantan. Flood affected individuals should be made aware of symptoms of melioidosis and healthcare providers must have a high index of suspicion of patients presenting with fever. Such subjects should be screened for the possibility of melioidosis and given prompt treatment to avoid preventable death.
  7. Tan WL, Soelar SA, Mohd Suan MA, Hussin N, Cheah WK, Verasahib K, et al.
    PMID: 27405126
    Leptospirosis is endemic in Southeast Asia, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Oceania. Malaysia was categorized as a probable endemic country without any available data. Thus, this study was conducted to determine incidence, case fatality rate and mortality rate of leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a notifiable disease in Malaysia since 2010 whereby probable or confirmed cases must be notified to relevant health district office. There were 3,665 and 4,457 probable and laboratory confirmed leptospirosis cases notified in 2012 and 2013, respectively. In the 2-year period, the most common age group of patients was 19 years old or less (23.3%) with male:female ratio of 2.61:1. Students consisted about 16.9% of patients, followed by agriculture-based or plantation workers (14.7%). Overall age-standardized incidence rate of leptospirosis in Malaysia for 2012 and 2013 was 29.02 per 100,000. Overall case fatality rate was 1.47% for 2-year period and overall age-standardized mortality rate was 0.45 per 100,000. Leptospirosis is an emerging public health concern in Malaysia and may pose a significant health impact and burden to the nation in the coming years if not well controlled.
  8. Anuar TS, Bakar NH, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Moktar N, Osman E
    PMID: 27405127
    The epidemiology and environmental factors affecting transmission of human microsporidiosis are poorly understood. We conducted the present study to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with asymptomatic intestinal microsporidiosis among aboriginal school children in the Kuala Krau District, Pahang State, Malaysia. We collected stool samples from 255 school children and examined the samples using Gram-chromotrope Kinyoun stain. We also collected demographic, socioeconomic, environmental and personal hygiene information using a pre-tested questionnaire. Sixty-nine of the children was positive for microsporidia: 72.5% and 27.5% were low (1+) and moderate (2+) excretions of microsporidia spores, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed being aged 10 years (p = 0.026), using an unsafe water supply as a source for drinking water (p = 0.044) and having close contact with domestic animals (p = 0.031) were all significantly associated with microsporidial infection among study subjects. Our findings suggest asymptomatic intestinal microsporidiosis is common in the study population, more than previously reported. In the study population, control measures need to be implemented, such as good personal hygiene, proper sanitation and safe drinking water supply.
  9. Pengpid S, Peltzer K
    PMID: 27244964
    The aim of this study was to assess overweight or obesity and associated factors in school-going adolescents in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries. The analysis included 30,284 school children 13-15 years of age from seven ASEAN members participating in the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) between 2007 and 2013. The overall prevalence of overweight or obesity across seven ASEAN countries (excluding Brunei) was 9.9%, significantly higher in boys (11.5%) than in girls (8.3%). Among eight ASEAN countries, the highest prevalence of overweight or obesity was in Brunei Darus-salam (36.1%), followed by Malaysia (23.7%), and the lowest was in Myanmar (3.4%) and Cambodia (3.7%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that younger age, coming from an upper middle country, never been hungry, and not walking or biking to school were associated with overweight or obesity. In addition, among boys, having three or more servings of vegetables per day and having no close friends, and among girls, having fast foods two or more times per week, been victims of bullying and having peer support were additional factors associated with overweight or obesity. Increased strategies utilizing a number of the risk factors identified are needed to prevent and treat overweight or obesity in adolescents in ASEAN member countries.
    Study name: Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS)
  10. Zong Z, Wang X, Deng Y
    PMID: 27244959
    A previously healthy Chinese male working in Malaysia returned to China with high fever. A blood culture showed Burkholderia pseudomallei strain WCBP1. This isolate was sequenced, showing type, ST881, which appears to be present in Malaysia. WCP1 had unusual susceptibility to aminoglycosides and habored the Yersinia-like fimbrial gene cluster for virulence. The patient's condition deteriorated rapidly but he recovered after receiving meropenem and intensive care support. Melioidosis is a potential problem among Chinese imigrant workers with strains new to China being identified.
  11. Abdul Latiff L, Tajik E, Ibrahim N, Abubakar AS, Ali SS
    PMID: 27086434
    Research in the field of factors associated with depression among adolescents is lacking in Malaysia. The aims of the present study were to assess the current prevalence of depression and its related factors among secondary school students in Pasir Gudang, South Malaysia. In this cross sectional study, 2,927 secondary school students (13-17 years old) from urban areas were screened for symptoms of mental disorder as well as demographic and risk behaviors using a validated Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) 12 questionnaire. The majority of the respondents (53.8%) were Malay, of which 53.1% were female. Symptoms of mild depression were found in 33.2% of the respondents, while the prevalence of the symptoms of moderate, severe, and extremely severe depression was 21.5%, 18.1%, and 3.0%, respectively. Logistic regression suggested that participants who were Chinese or had a lower average grade were three times more likely to have depression, while those who came from a single-parent family were twice as likely to have this condition. This study indicated that academic performance and risk behaviors along with the demographic characteristics are important contributors to adolescent depression.
  12. Awang H, Mansor N, Rodrigo SK
    PMID: 26867371
    Illness and injury have a significant impact on employees, their families and employers. The consequences faced by an injured worker could lead to disability, which could then lead to inability to work. This study examined the patterns of the Return to Work (RTW) using data from The Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) of Malaysia RTW database from 2010 to 2013. Factors of successful return to work, employees' salary upon returning to formal employment were also investigated. Gender, age, year of injury, industry, and job hierarchy were found to be significant predictors of employees' salary upon returning to work. Although there are other costs involved on the part of employers and employees, themselves, in the long term the financial returns that can be brought back by injured workers who have successfully returned to work combined with the qualitative benefits substantially outweighs the costs of RTW program.
  13. Riahi S, Mei IL, Idris FB, George E, Noor SM
    PMID: 26863862
    Pre-donation screening declarations and hemoglobin (Hb) testing are measures used to determine the quality of donated blood. The copper sulphate (CuSo4) method used to screen for blood abnormalities can give inaccurate results if strict quality control is not applied. Blood donors who are carriers of thalassemia and those with mild iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are usually asymptomatic and frequently missed at blood donation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the red blood cell (RBC) indices related disorders among blood donors who were deemed qualified to donate blood after screening with CuSo4 method. One hundred fifty-eight volunteer blood donors at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), who had passed the CuSo4 screening method, were recruited for this study. Their bloods specimens were examined with a complete blood count. Subjects with a low mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) level were examined further by checking a serum ferritin level, Hb quantification, and molecular analysis to examine for common RBC disorders. Fourteen point six percent of subjects had a low Hb level, two (1.3%) had IDA and four (2.5%) had thalassemia or some other hemoglobinopathy. Using a MCH level < 27 pg as a cut-off point, 58 subjects (36.7%) had suspected IDA, thalassemia or some other hemoglobinopathy. Eight point nine percent of subjects with a normal Hb level had thalassemia, and 3.8% had IDA. Malaysia has a high prevalence of thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies. Pre-donation accurate screening is crucial to protect the quality of blood transfusion products. Public education regarding RBC disorders especially among blood donors is important.
  14. Afizah AN, Mahirah MN, Azahari AH, Asuad MK, Nazni WA, Lee HL
    PMID: 26863856
    Ovitrap surveillance was conducted in 2012 and 2006 in Malay and Aboriginal Villages on Carey Island. In each village, standard ovitraps were placed indoors and outdoors at randomly selected houses/locations. All L3 larvae recovered were identified up to species level. Results demonstrated that only larvae of Aedes albopictus were found in all the positive ovitraps placed indoors and outdoors. In 2012, a high ovitrap index (OI) of 66.7% indoor and 84.0% outdoor in the Malay Village; and 62.5% indoor and 88.0% outdoor in Aboriginal Village with an apparent absence of Aedes aegypti. In 2006, a 100% OI was recorded in all ovitraps set indoors and outdoors in both villages.
  15. Anuar TS, Moktar N, Salleh FM, Al-Mekhlafi HM
    PMID: 26863854
    Clinical manifestations of giardiasis vary from asymptomatic infection to chronic diarrhea. A total of 611 stool samples from Aboriginal participants residing in Jelebu, Gerik and Temerloh States, Malaysia, ages 2 to 74 years were screened for Giardia intestinalis using microscopic examination and sequence analysis of a fragment of nested-PCR amplified triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) gene. Demographic data was collected through a structured questionnaire. tpi was successfully amplified from 98/110 samples microscopically positive for G. intestinalis, with 62 and 36 belonging to assemblage A and B, respectively. There is a significant correlation between assemblage A and symptomatic infection only in participants of < 15 years of age. In the other age group, host factors may have more effects on the presence of clinical signs and symptoms than G. intestinalis assemblage types.
  16. Anuar TS, Hasim L, Moktar N, Salleh FM, Al-Mekhlafi HM
    PMID: 26863855
    Dientamoeba fragilis is a trichomonad parasite that can infect the gastrointestinal tract of humans causing gastrointestinal disease. Little is known about its epidemiology. We evaluated the prevalence of D. fragilis by conducting a cross sectional study of an Orang Asli population in rural Malaysia. We examined stool samples from 150 participants for D. fragilis using Wheatley's trichrome stain and collected demographic data from each participant using a structured questionnaire. Five participants (3.3%) had D. fragilis in their stool; four of these were aged < 15 years; 3 were male and 2 were female. All participants with positive stool sample for D. fragilis were symptomatic; 3 had diarrhea and 2 had other gastrointestinal symptoms. D. fragilis is present in the study population. Further studies are needed to determine the virulence, pathogenicity and mode of transmission of D. fragilis in the study population.
  17. Patchanee P, Boonkhot P, Kittiwan N, Tadee P, Chotinun S
    PMID: 26867391
    Food-borne illness caused by Salmonella enterica remains a public health problem and results in economic loss worldwide. With the up-coming establish- ment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) allowing unrestricted move- ment of labor and goods, there is a higher risk of pathogen transmission among the AEC countries. This study characterized and investigated the spatial and temporal associations of S. enterica strains isolated in AEC countries during 1940- 2012 compared with those isolated in northern-Thailand during 2011-2013. Of the 173 S. enterica strains examined, 68 sequence types (STs) and 32 clonal complexes (CCs) were identified by multi loci sequence typing. Twenty-one strains belonged to four sequence types new to AEC countries, and they constituted only two CCs. A number of strains originated from various countries with multiple hosts, were highlighted. There was evidence of strains circulating in the AEC region well over a decade. Such information will be important in formulating biosecurity measures, as well as in educating regarding the risk of disease transmission in AEC.
  18. Tham JS, Zanuddin H
    PMID: 26867387
    Abstract. This paper examines the effectiveness of media in public awareness of the HIV/AIDS issue among the public in an area in central Selangor, comprising Kuala Lumpur and its surroundings and suburbs in Malaysia. Cross-sectional survey questionnaires were distributed to 384 respondents about accessing the public awareness of modes of HIV transmission, perceptions and attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as people's understanding about government policies to curb HIV/AIDS. Health care practitioners and newspapers were the preferred sources of information seeking on HIV/AIDS among the public. Most of the respondents were aware of the modes of HIV transmission. However, they were some respondents who still have misconceptions about the modes of transmission. Most of the respondents were not aware about the government's significant policies to address HIV/AIDS in the region. Overall, the respondents had certain knowledge about HIV transmission modes and moderate positive perceptions and attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. Future studies should be conducted to examine about who sets the agenda in the media, and apart from gatekeepers, who are the real decision makers in deciding what is important to inform the public.
  19. Nurin-Zulkifli IM, Chen CD, Wan-Norafikah O, Lee HL, Faezah K, Izzul AA, et al.
    PMID: 26867376
    Surveillance of mosquitoes and their distribution in association with rainfall, relative humidity, and temperature were conducted in selected suburban and forested areas, namely, Sungai Penchala (Kuala Lumpur) and Taman Alam (Selangor) for 12 months. Armigeres kesseli was the most abundant species in Sungai Penchala while Aedes butleri was the most dominant species in Taman Alam. A positive correlation between mosquito distribution and rainfall was observed in selected mosquito species in Sungai Penchala (Armigeres kesseli, r = 0.75; Armigeres subalbatus, r = 0.62; and Aedes albopictus, r = 0.65) and Taman Alam (Armigeres sp, r = 0.59; Ae. butleri, r = 0.85; and Ae. albopictus, r = 0.62). However, no significant cor- relation was found either between selected mosquito species in both study areas and relative humidity or temperature. Results obtained suggested that vector control programs to be conducted based on temporal distribution of vectors in order to achieve beneficial outcomes with effective costing.
  20. Sermwittayawong N, Nishibuchi M, Sawangjaroen N, Vuddhakul V
    PMID: 26867373
    During 2009 to 2010, a total of 408 blood samples collected from malaria patients in Ranong (149) and Yala (259) Provinces, Thailand were investigated for Plasmodium spp using microscopic examination. There are no statistical differences in the prevalence of P. falciparum and P. vivax in samples collected from Ranong and Yala (46% vs 52%, and 54% vs 45%, respectively). Single nucleotide polymorphism of codon 86 in pfmdr1 (encoding P. falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1) was investigated among 75 samples of P. falciparum and 2 samples of P. knowlesi. A pfmdr1 N86Y mutation was detected in 1 out of 29 samples and 45 out of 46 samples obtained from Ranong and Yala Provinces, respectively. It is interesting that pfmdr1 was detected in two P. knowlesi DNA samples obtained previously from Ranong Province which was 99% homologous to pfmdr1 obtained from falciparum parasites in the same area but the mutation was not observed. The difference in multidrug resistance protein in Plasmodium obtained from those two border areas of Thailand will be of use in monitoring drug resistance in these border regions of the country.
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