Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 52 in total

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  1. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the water resources of the Kuang River catchment, Northern Thailand
    Chuah CJ, Mukhaidin N, Choy SH, Smith GJD, Mendenhall IH, Lim YAL, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2016 08 15;562:701-713.
    PMID: 27110981 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.03.247
    A catchment-scale investigation of the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the Kuang River Basin was carried out during the dry and rainy seasons. Water samples were collected from the Kuang River and its tributaries as well as a major irrigation canal at the study site. We also investigated the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infection among dairy and beef cattle hosts. Cryptosporidium and/or Giardia were detected in all the rivers considered for this study, reflecting their ubiquity within the Kuang River Basin. The high prevalence of Cryptosporidium/Giardia in the upper Kuang River and Lai River is of a particular concern as both drain into the Mae Kuang Reservoir, a vital source of drinking-water to many local towns and villages at the research area. We did not, however, detected neither Cryptosporidium nor Giardia were in the irrigation canal. The frequency of Cryptosporidium/Giardia detection nearly doubled during the rainy season compared to the dry season, highlighting the importance of water as an agent of transport. In addition to the overland transport of these protozoa from their land sources (e.g. cattle manure, cess pits), Cryptosporidium/Giardia may also be re-suspended from the streambeds (a potentially important repository) into the water column of rivers during storm events. Faecal samples from dairy and beef cattle showed high infection rates from various intestinal parasites - 97% and 94%, respectively. However, Cryptosporidium and Giardia were only detected in beef cattle. The difference in management style between beef (freeranging) and dairy cattle (confined) may account for this disparity. Finally, phylogenetic analyses revealed that the Cryptosporidium/Giardia-positive samples contained C. ryanae (non-zoonotic) as well as Giardia intestinalis assemblages B (zoonotic) and E (non-zoonotic). With only basic water treatment facilities afforded to them, the communities of the rural area relying on these water supplies are highly at risk to Cryptosporidium/Giardia infections.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium/growth & development*
  2. Fulltext Molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in HIV/AIDS patients in Malaysia
    Asma I, Sim BL, Brent RD, Johari S, Yvonne Lim AL
    Trop Biomed, 2015 Jun;32(2):310-22.
    PMID: 26691260 MyJurnal
    Cryptosporidiosis is a particular concern in immunocompromised individuals where symptoms may be severe. The aim of this study was to examine the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of Cryptosporidium infections in HIV/AIDS patients in Malaysia in order to identify risk factors and facilitate control measures. A modified Ziehl-Neelsen acid fast staining method was used to test for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in the stools of 346 HIV/AIDS patients in Malaysia. Standard coproscopical methods were used to identify infections with other protozoan or helminths parasites. To identify the species of Cryptosporidium, DNA was extracted and nested-PCR was used to amplify a portion of the SSU rRNA gene. A total of 43 (12.4%) HIV-infected patients were found to be infected with Cryptosporidium spp. Of the 43 Cryptosporidium-positive HIV patients, 10 (23.3%) also harboured other protozoa, and 15 (34.9%) had both protozoa and helminths. The highest rates of cryptosporidiosis were found in adult males of Malay background, intravenous drug users, and those with low CD4 T cell counts (i.e., < 200 cells/mm3). Most were asymptomatic and had concurrent opportunistic infections mainly with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. DNA sequence analysis of 32 Cryptosporidium isolates identified C. parvum (84.3%), C. hominis (6.3%), C. meleagridis (6.3%), and C. felis (3.1%). The results of the present study revealed a high prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in hospitalized HIV/AIDS patients. The results also confirmed the potential significance of zoonotic transmission of C. parvum in HIV infected patients, as it was the predominant species found in this study. However, these patients were found to be susceptible to a wide range of Cryptosporidium species. Epidemiological and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates provides clinicians and researchers with further information regarding the origin of the infection, and may enhance treatment and control strategies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium/classification*; Cryptosporidium/genetics*; Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification
  3. Fulltext Identification of Cryptosporidium from Dairy Cattle in Pahang, Malaysia
    Hisamuddin NH, Hashim N, Soffian SN, Amin MH, Wahab RA, Mohammad M, et al.
    Korean J Parasitol, 2016 Apr;54(2):197-200.
    PMID: 27180579 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2016.54.2.197
    Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite, can cause cryptosporidiosis which is a gastrointestinal disease that can infect humans and livestock. Cattle are the most common livestock that can be infected with this protozoan. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia and to find out the association between the occurrence of infection and 3 different ages of cattle (calves less than 1 year, yearling, and adult cattle). The samples were processed by using formol-ether concentration technique and stained by modified Ziehl Neelsen. The results showed that 15.9% (24/151) of cattle were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium in calves less than 1 year was the highest with the percentage of 20.0% (11/55) followed by yearling and adult cattle, with the percentage occurrence of 15.6 % (7/45) and 11.8% (6/51), respectively. There was no significant association between the occurrence and age of cattle and presence of diarrhea. Good management practices and proper hygiene management must be taken in order to reduce the infection. It is highly important to control the infection since infected cattle may serve as potential reservoirs of the infection to other animals and humans, especially animal handlers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium/classification*; Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification
  4. Fulltext Occurrence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium (oo)cysts in the river water of two recreational areas in Selangor, Malaysia
    Azman J, Init I, Wan Yusoff WS
    Trop Biomed, 2009 Dec;26(3):289-302.
    PMID: 20237443 MyJurnal
    This study is the first report on the occurrence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium (oo)cysts in recreational rivers water from Malaysia. It was carried out in water samples at two rivers, 'Sungai Congkak' and 'Sungai Batu', located in Selangor State. The occurrence of both Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum (oo)cysts was higher in Sungai Congkak (50% or 15/30 and 10% or 3/30 respectively) than Sungai Batu (16% or 5/30 and 3.3% or 1/30 respectively). The mean density of cysts/L was 0.72 in Sungai Congkak and 0.023 in Sungai Batu, and that of oocysts/L was 0.023 in Sungai Congkak and 0.0033 in Sungai Batu, showing that the occurrence of Giardia was higher and more frequent than Cryptosporidium in both rivers. Sungai Congkak also showed higher faecal coliforms count (ranging from 0.48x10³ to 73x10³ CFU/100 mL) than Sungai Batu (0.41x10³ to 16x10³ CFU/100 mL). On the other hand, the Giardia and Cryptosporidium (oo)cysts and faecal coliforms were more concentrated at the downstream station, followed by midstream and upstream stations which might be due to human factors where settlements and recreation areas were located around and between midstream and downstream stations. The (oo)cysts and faecal coliforms also increased during public holidays due to the significantly higher number of visitors (bathers) compared with the week days. All the parameters (physical, faecal coliforms and rainfall) did not show consistent significant correlation (based on r values of Pearson correlation analysis) with both protozoa, therefore these parameters are not suitable as indicator for the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium (oo)cysts in both rivers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium/growth & development; Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification*
  5. Molecular diagnosis and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in exotic birds of southwest of Iran
    Jalas M, Tavalla M
    Trop Biomed, 2018 Dec 01;35(4):944-950.
    PMID: 33601843
    Cryptosporidium parasites can infect a wide range of vertebrate hosts including reptiles, mammals, and birds. Due to the zoonotic nature of cryptosporidiosis and its close contact with exotic birds and humans, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in exotic birds of southwest of Iran, by the staining and molecular methods. In the present research, 369 stool specimens were randomly collected from exotic birds and stained by modified acid-fast stain using Ziehl-Neelsen method. The slides were examined using light microscopy at a magnification of 100X. Then, the extracted DNA was amplified using the PCR method. Finally, all genotypes and positive samples from PCR assay were sequenced by Bioneer Company (Daejeon, South Korea). Among 369 stool specimens, 25 and 27 cases were found to be positive for Cryptosporidium spp. by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining and the PCR methods, respectively. Based on the genotyping, C. avian genotype III and C. meleagridis were detected in 25 and 2 stool samples, respectively. The results revealed a relatively high prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in exotic birds in the southwest of Iran. Due to the zoonotic nature of C. meleagridis, these exotic birds can be a significant source of cryptosporidiosis. It is important that high-risk people, including immune-deficient patients, receive correct information about the risk of indirect and direct contact with infected exotic birds.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium
  6. Current status and future trends in Cryptosporidium and Giardia epidemiology in Malaysia
    Lim YA, Ahmad RA, Smith HV
    J Water Health, 2008 Jun;6(2):239-54.
    PMID: 18209286 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2008.023
    Cryptosporidium and Giardia are major causes of diarrhoeal diseases of humans worldwide, and are included in the World Health Organisation's 'Neglected Diseases Initiative'. Cryptosporidium and Giardia occur commonly in Malaysian human and non-human populations, but their impact on disease, morbidity and cost of illness is not known. The commonness of contributions from human (STW effluents, indiscriminate defaecation) and non-human (calving, lambing, muck spreading, slurry spraying, pasturing/grazing of domestic animals, infected wild animals) hosts indicate that many Malaysian environments, particularly water and soil, are sufficiently contaminated to act as potential vehicles for the transmission of disease. To gain insight into the morbidity and mortality caused by human cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis, they should be included into differential diagnoses, and routine laboratory testing should be performed and (as for many infectious diseases) reported to a centralised public health agency. To understand transmission routes and the significance of environmental contamination better will require further multidisciplinary approaches and shared resources, including raising national perceptions of the parasitological quality of drinking water. Here, the detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia should be an integral part of the water quality requirement. A multidisciplinary approach among public health professionals in the water industry and other relevant health- and environment-associated agencies is also required in order to determine the significance of Cryptosporidium and Giardia contamination of Malaysian drinking water. Lastly, adoption of validated methods to determine the species, genotype and subgenotype of Cryptosporidium and Giardia present in Malaysia will assist in developing effective risk assessment, management and communication models.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium/classification; Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification
  7. New species of Cryptosporidium Tyzzer, 1907 (Apicomplexa) from amphibian host: morphology, biology and phylogeny
    Jirků M, Valigurová A, Koudela B, Krízek J, Modrý D, Slapeta J
    Folia Parasitol., 2008 Jun;55(2):81-94.
    PMID: 18666410
    Cryptosporidium fragile sp. n. (Apicomplexa) is described from black-spined toads, Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider) (Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae) from the Malay Peninsula. The parasitized animals were directly imported from Malaysia and harboured C. fragile at the time of arrival. Oocysts were subspherical to elliptical with irregular contour in optical section, measuring 6.2 (5.5-7.0) x 5.5 (5.0-6.5) microm. Oocyst wall was smooth and colourless in light microscopy. The endogenous development of C. fragile in the stomach of black-spined toad was analysed in detail using light and electron microscopy. Cryptosporidian developmental stages were confined to the surface of gastric epithelial cells. In transmission experiments, C. fragile has not been infective for one fish species, four amphibian species, one species of reptile and SCID mice. Full length small subunit rRNA gene sequence was obtained. Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed distinct status of C. fragile within the clade of species with gastric localisation including Cryptosporidium muris Tyzzer, 1907, Cryptosporidium serpentis Levine, 1980 and Cryptosporidium andersoni Lindsay, Upton, Owens, Morgan, Mead et Blagburn, 2000. Described characteristics differentiate C. fragile from the currently recognized Cryptosporidium species. Our experience with the description of C. fragile has led us to revise the recommended criteria for an introduction of a new Cryptosporidium species name. C. fragile is the first species described and named from an amphibian host. Its prevalence of 83% (15/18) in black-spined toads within the 3 months after importation calls for strict quarantine measures and import regulation for lower vertebrates.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium/classification*; Cryptosporidium/genetics; Cryptosporidium/growth & development*; Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification
  8. Fulltext Contribution of cattle farms towards river contamination with Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in Sungai Langat Basin
    Farizawati S, Lim YA, Ahmad RA, Fatimah CT, Siti-Nor Y
    Trop Biomed, 2005 Dec;22(2):89-98.
    PMID: 16883273 MyJurnal
    A study to determine the contribution of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts from cattle farms was carried out at the Langat Basin. This study investigated the contribution of cattle farms, located near Sungai Langat and Sungai Semenyih, towards river contamination with these cysts and oocysts. The findings showed that out of 24 samples of water taken from Sungai Semenyih, 4.2% was positive for Giardia cysts with a concentration of 1.3 cysts/L and 20.8% were positive with Cryptosporidium oocysts with a range of 0.7 - 2.7 oocysts/L. At Sungai Langat, from the 43 samples taken, 23.3% were positive for Giardia cysts with a range of 1.5 - 9 cysts/L whereas 11.6% were positive with Cryptosporidium oocysts with a range of 2.5 - 240 oocysts/L. Isolation of cysts and oocysts in bovine faecal materials revealed that 14.6% of faecal samples were positive for Giardia cysts which had a range of 75 - 1.3x104 cysts/g and 25% were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts with a range of 50 - 3.9x105 oocysts/g. From the cattle wastewater, 98% were positive with oocysts and 6.7% with cysts. The concentrations were between 20 - 3.1x103 oocysts/mL for Cryptosporidium and 4 - 75 cysts/mL for Giardia. Given that the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia are high amongst the cattle and the positive findings of the (oo)cysts in the river samples, it could be deduced that there is a very high possibility of the cattle farms contaminating the river with Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts. Viability study of Cryptosporidium oocysts in the surrounding soil and pond within the cattle farm showed that the viability of Cryptosporidium oocysts decreased with time. It was estimated that it will take 52 days for all the oocysts from both environment to be non-viable. With a viability rate of approximately 2 months in a cattle farm setup, river water contaminated with Cryptosporidium oocysts has a high chance of acting as an agent of transmission. As cattle farms are also inhabited by the owners and their families, this problem may pose a threat to humans (e.g. children) especially if they are dependent on the river water as their source of water for their daily activities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium/growth & development; Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification*
  9. Cryptosporidium infection: epidemiology, clinical, diagnosis and management
    Sinniah, B., Sinniah, D.
    Malaysian Journal of Child Health, 1992;4(1):27-32.
    MyJurnal
    Cryptosporidium is an intestinal protozoan parasite which causes diarrhoea in animals and has recently been reported to cause similar symptoms in man. Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic infection and the first human case was reported in 1976.2 Since then the number of cases has increased by the hundreds especially among patients with acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS), as a result of the severe symptoms that they cause in the im-munosuppressed patients and also due to the better screening techniques which have been developed resulting in the detection of cases.3 To date 20 species of Cryptosporidium have been reported but these cannot be differentiated morphologically. The differences are based mainly on the host from which the parasites were recovered. The species responsible for causing infection in man is Cryptosporidium parvum.4 Of the 20 species reported several are invalid because the oocysts of some of them were found to be the same as the sporocyst of Sarcocystis. It is now concluded that there are only two species that infect mammals (C. Muris and C. parvum). (Copied from article).
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium; Cryptosporidium parvum
  10. Low prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum in hospitalized children in Kota Bharu, Malaysia
    Menon BS, Abdullah S, Mahamud F, Morgan UM, Malik AS, Choo KE, et al.
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2001 Jun;32(2):319-22.
    PMID: 11556583
    The aim of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum in hospitalized children in Kota Bharu, Malaysia. Over a 19 month study period, 258 stool samples were examined from 159 children; 109 with diarrhea and 50 controls without diarrhea. Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay were used to detect C. parvum and the samples were also examined for the presence of other intestinal parasites. Only 1 of the 109 (0.9%) children with acute diarrhea was positive for C. parvum by microscopy and PCR. Thirty-one percent of children were infested with other intestinal parasites, the most common being Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura. In conclusion, we found C. parvum to be an uncommon infective agent in hospitalized children with or without diarrhea in Kota Bharu, Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium parvum/isolation & purification*
  11. Fulltext High diversity of Cryptosporidium subgenotypes identified in Malaysian HIV/AIDS individuals targeting gp60 gene
    Iqbal A, Lim YA, Surin J, Sim BL
    PLoS One, 2012;7(2):e31139.
    PMID: 22347442 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031139
    Currently, there is a lack of vital information in the genetic makeup of Cryptosporidium especially in developing countries. The present study aimed at determining the genotypes and subgenotypes of Cryptosporidium in hospitalized Malaysian human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium/genetics*; Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification
  12. Fulltext Elongation factor-1α is a novel protein associated with host cell invasion and a potential protective antigen of Cryptosporidium parvum
    Matsubayashi M, Teramoto-Kimata I, Uni S, Lillehoj HS, Matsuda H, Furuya M, et al.
    J Biol Chem, 2013 Nov 22;288(47):34111-34120.
    PMID: 24085304 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M113.515544
    The phylum Apicomplexa comprises obligate intracellular parasites that infect vertebrates. All invasive forms of Apicomplexa possess an apical complex, a unique assembly of organelles localized to the anterior end of the cell and involved in host cell invasion. Previously, we generated a chicken monoclonal antibody (mAb), 6D-12-G10, with specificity for an antigen located in the apical cytoskeleton of Eimeria acervulina sporozoites. This antigen was highly conserved among Apicomplexan parasites, including other Eimeria spp., Toxoplasma, Neospora, and Cryptosporidium. In the present study, we identified the apical cytoskeletal antigen of Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) and further characterized this antigen in C. parvum to assess its potential as a target molecule against cryptosporidiosis. Indirect immunofluorescence demonstrated that the reactivity of 6D-12-G10 with C. parvum sporozoites was similar to those of anti-β- and anti-γ-tubulins antibodies. Immunoelectron microscopy with the 6D-12-G10 mAb detected the antigen both on the sporozoite surface and underneath the inner membrane at the apical region of zoites. The 6D-12-G10 mAb significantly inhibited in vitro host cell invasion by C. parvum. MALDI-TOF/MS and LC-MS/MS analysis of tryptic peptides revealed that the mAb 6D-12-G10 target antigen was elongation factor-1α (EF-1α). These results indicate that C. parvum EF-1α plays an essential role in mediating host cell entry by the parasite and, as such, could be a candidate vaccine antigen against cryptosporidiosis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium parvum/immunology*; Cryptosporidium parvum/metabolism; Cryptosporidium parvum/pathogenicity
  13. Fulltext Revisiting the global problem of cryptosporidiosis and recommendations
    Shrivastava AK, Kumar S, Smith WA, Sahu PS
    Trop Parasitol, 2017 Jan-Jun;7(1):8-17.
    PMID: 28459010 DOI: 10.4103/2229-5070.202290
    Cryptosporidiosis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium species, which is a leading cause of diarrhea in a variety of vertebrate hosts. The primary mode of transmission is through oral routes; infections spread with the ingestion of oocysts by susceptible animals or humans. In humans, Cryptosporidium infections are commonly found in children and immunocompromised individuals. The small intestine is the most common primary site of infection in humans while extraintestinal cryptosporidiosis occurs in immunocompromised individuals affecting the biliary tract, lungs, or pancreas. Both innate and adaptive immune responses play a critical role in parasite clearance as evident from studies with experimental infection in mice. However, the cellular immune responses induced during human infections are poorly understood. In this article, we review the currently available information with regard to epidemiology, diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, and strategies being used to control cryptosporidiosis infection. Since cryptosporidiosis may spread through zoonotic mode, we emphasis on more epidemiological surveillance-based studies in developing countries with poor sanitation and hygiene. These epidemiological surveys must incorporate fecal source tracking measures to identify animal and human populations contributing significantly to the fecal burden in the community, as mitigation measures differ by host type.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium
  14. Prevalence of and management factors contributing to Cryptosporidium sp. infection in pre-weaned and post-weaned calves in Johor, Malaysia
    Muhid A, Robertson I, Ng J, Ryan U
    Exp Parasitol, 2011 Feb;127(2):534-8.
    PMID: 21050848 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2010.10.015
    A cross-sectional study was carried out to identify species and determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. shedding in pre-weaned and post-weaned dairy calves and to identify management factors that may be contributing to disease. A total of 240 calf faecal samples were collected from 16 farms in two districts in Johor, Malaysia, and screened by PCR. The overall Cryptosporidium prevalence was 27.1%. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium species in pre-weaned calves was 32.4% for C. parvum, 26.5% for C. bovis, followed by C. andersoni (20.6%), C. ryanae (11.8%) and mixed sp. (8.8%). The prevalence of Cryptosporidium species in post-weaned calves was 35% for C. bovis followed by C. andersoni and C. ryanae (30% each) and mixed sp. (5%). Subtyping analysis of 8 of the 11 C. parvum isolates at the gp60 locus identified five isolates as IIdA15G1, one as IIa18A3R1 and two isolates as IIa17G2R1. Management factors that increased the risk of Cryptosporidium infection included having other cattle farms close by, feeding calves with saleable milk, keeping pre-weaned calves in pens with slatted floors and keeping post-weaned calves in pens with a sand floor.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium/genetics; Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification
  15. Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in HIV-infected patients in Malaysia using a molecular approach
    Zaidah AR, Chan YY, Asma HS, Abdullah S, Nurhaslindawati AR, Salleh M, et al.
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2008 May;39(3):511-6.
    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.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium parvum/genetics; Cryptosporidium parvum/isolation & purification*
  16. Immigrant Health Study. 5. Faecal pathogens in foreign workers. [Abstract]
    Suresh K, Rajah S, Khairul Anuar A, Anuar Zaini MZ, Saminathan R, Ramakrishnan S
    JUMMEC, 1998;3:62-63.
    One hundred seventy three stool samples were obtained from workers from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan and others. The stool samples were examined for Ascaris, Trichuris, Hookworm, Schistosomes, trematodes and cestodes. The protozaon parasites included Bnlantidiirrir coli, Blastocystis honlinis, Cyclospora cryptosporidium, Microsporidiirin, Entamoeeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, lodamoeba butschilli. Of these 21.9%, 17% and 1% of the population studied had hookworm, Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides infections respectively. There was only one Indonesian reported to have Hymenolepis nana infections. The most common protozoan seen in the faecal sample is Blastocystis hominis (36%) followed by Giardia lamblia (4%). Most of the stools positive with these faecal pathogens were semisolid especially the ones positive for the protozoan. We have also shown Blastocystis from the Indonesian workers show very small forms almost 3-5 in size compared to the normal size of 10-15 pm in the other nationalities. These forms show a distinct growth profile in cultures and appears to be more resistant to temperature changes than Blastocystis seen in the other two nationalities. The high incidence of Hookworm and Trichuris infections is suggestive that if these workers are left unheated their productivity will be hampered by other possible serious complications such as anaemia, weight loss, abdominal pain with diarrhoea1 stools and nausea. There are increasing reports that Blastocystis hominis is pathogenic. Flatulence, abdominal discomfort and the increase in the frequency of the passing watery stool has been noted in patients infected with the parasite. Since most of the workers are generally housed in crowded rooms it is highly likely that this will facilitate transmission through the faecal-oral route of both Giardia and Blastocystis possibly increasing the incidences of these infections among workers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium
  17. Human intestinal protozoa in fresh asparagus from different types of markets in northwest Mexico
    Morales-Figueroa GG, Castro-García M, Esparza-Romero J, López-Mata MA, Quihui-Cota L
    Trop Biomed, 2019 Sep 01;36(3):718-725.
    PMID: 33597494
    Caborca is one of the most productive asparagus-growing regions in the state of Sonora in northwest Mexico, an area where some fresh fruits and vegetables are sold at unregulated open-air street markets. This is a cross-sectional study in which fifty bundles of asparagus for exportation, 50 bundles of sub-standard asparagus, and 50 bundles of asparagus from open-air markets were selected randomly and then subjected to Faust, Kinyoun and ELISA testing to detect intestinal parasites. Pearson's chi-square (χ2) and Student-NewmanKeuls tests were used to estimate differences among the sampling site groups (P < 0.05). The pathogens Cryptosporidium spp. (29%) G. intestinalis (5%) and Cyclospora spp. (3%) were found in the asparagus sold in the region. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was higher in both the sub-standard asparagus and the product sampled from the open-air markets than in the samples for exportation (P < 0.05). This is the first study to demonstrate contamination by intestinal parasites in asparagus sold in different markets in northwest Mexico.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification
  18. Fulltext The health of Malaysia’s “Orang Asli” peoples: a review of the scientific evidence on nutritional outcome, parasite infestations, and discussion on implications for clinical practice
    Phua, K.L.
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2015;15(1):0-0.
    MyJurnal
    The Orang Asli of Malaysia continue to experience poor health. There appears to be stagnation of certain aspect of their health status. Underweight (low weight-for-age) and stunting (low height-for-age) are significant amongst Orang Asli children. Worm infestation such as Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm continue to afflict Orang Asli communities in Malaysia. Orang Asli communities can also be afflicted by other kinds of parasites, e.g. malaria parasites, microsporida parasites and Cryptosporidium parasites. Thus, primary care doctors who treat Orang Asli patients should be on the lookout for malnutrition and its effects (including anaemia, iodine deficiency, Vitamin A deficiency) as well as worm and parasite infestations. Such patients may need to undergo de-worming at regular intervals because of the tendency to get re-infected. Primary care doctors also need to be aware of possible interactions between infestations and nutritional deficiencies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium
  19. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection among children admitted to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan
    Asady A, Ismail S, Marsitah AJ, Pakeer O
    Med J Malaysia, 2019 12;74(6):468-471.
    PMID: 31929470
    INTRODUCTION: Cryptosporidium spp. is identified as an important cause of diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality worldwide particularly in children below five years of age and immunocompromised individuals. Infections are present among cattle and humans. Until now, there is no report on its prevalence in humans in Kuantan. The aim of this study is to record the prevalence and associated risk factors of Cryptosporidium spp. infection among children admitted to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA), Kuantan.

    METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among children admitted to the Paediatrics ward in HTAA between December 2017 and May 2018. Faecal samples were examined using wet smear and Modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) staining techniques. Data on demography and hygiene practices was collected using a pretested questionnaire, and analysed using SPSS version 22.

    RESULTS: One hundred thirty five children (95.6% were of Malay ethnicity) were included in the study. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection was 25.2%. The prevalence was slightly higher in females (28.1%) than males (23.1%). The prevalence was higher than expected. This study showed that some risk factors namely children's age and trash disposal methods were significantly associated with Cryptosporidium spp. infection (p<0.05).

    CONCLUSION: Higher prevalence could possibly be due to an outbreak of this infection or until now undetected.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium/microbiology*
  20. Occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in Wrinkled Hornbill and other birds in the Kuala Lumpur National Zoo
    Rohela M, Lim YA, Jamaiah I, Khadijah PY, Laang ST, Nazri MH, et al.
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2005;36 Suppl 4:34-40.
    PMID: 16438177
    The occurrence of a coccidian parasite, Cryptosporidium, among birds in the Kuala Lumpur National Zoo was investigated in this study. A hundred bird fecal samples were taken from various locations of the zoo. Fecal smears prepared using direct smear and formalin ethyl acetate concentration technique were stained with modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain. Samples positive for Cryptosporidium with Ziehl-Neelsen stain were later confirmed using the immunofluorescence technique and viewed under the epifluorescence microscope. Six species of bird feces were confirmed positive with Cryptosporidium oocysts. They included Wrinkled Hornbill (Aceros corrugatus), Great Argus Pheasant (Argusianus argus), Black Swan (Cygnus atratus), Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides), Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus), and Moluccan Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccencis). These birds were located in the aviary and lake, with the Moluccan Cockatoo routinely used as a show bird. Results obtained in this study indicated that animal sanctuaries like zoos and bird parks are important sources of Cryptosporidium infection to humans, especially children and other animals.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification*
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