Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 78 in total

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  1. Fulltext Whole genome sequencing of amplified Plasmodium knowlesi DNA from unprocessed blood reveals genetic exchange events between Malaysian Peninsular and Borneo subpopulations
    Benavente ED, Gomes AR, De Silva JR, Grigg M, Walker H, Barber BE, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2019 07 08;9(1):9873.
    PMID: 31285495 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46398-z
    The zoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi parasite is the most common cause of human malaria in Malaysia. Genetic analysis has shown that the parasites are divided into three subpopulations according to their geographic origin (Peninsular or Borneo) and, in Borneo, their macaque host (Macaca fascicularis or M. nemestrina). Whilst evidence suggests that genetic exchange events have occurred between the two Borneo subpopulations, the picture is unclear in less studied Peninsular strains. One difficulty is that P. knowlesi infected individuals tend to present with low parasitaemia leading to samples with insufficient DNA for whole genome sequencing. Here, using a parasite selective whole genome amplification approach on unprocessed blood samples, we were able to analyse recent genomes sourced from both Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. The analysis provides evidence that recombination events are present in the Peninsular Malaysia parasite subpopulation, which have acquired fragments of the M. nemestrina associated subpopulation genotype, including the DBPβ and NBPXa erythrocyte invasion genes. The NBPXb invasion gene has also been exchanged within the macaque host-associated subpopulations of Malaysian Borneo. Our work provides strong evidence that exchange events are far more ubiquitous than expected and should be taken into consideration when studying the highly complex P. knowlesi population structure.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics*
  2. Fulltext Two sympatric types of Plasmodium ovale and discrimination by molecular methods
    Zaw MT, Lin Z
    J Microbiol Immunol Infect, 2017 Oct;50(5):559-564.
    PMID: 28065415 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2016.08.004
    Plasmodium ovale is widely distributed in tropical countries, whereas it has not been reported in the Americas. It is not a problem globally because it is rarely detected by microscopy owing to low parasite density, which is a feature of clinical ovale malaria. P.o. curtisi and P.o. wallikeri are widespread in both Africa and Asia, and were known to be sympatric in many African countries and in southeast Asian countries. Small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSUrRNA) gene, cytochrome b (cytb) gene, and merozoite surface protein-1 (msp-1) gene were initially studied for molecular discrimination of P.o. curtisi and P.o. wallikeri using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. DNA sequences of other genes from P. ovale in Southeast Asia and the southwestern Pacific regions were also targeted to differentiate the two sympatric types. In terms of clinical manifestations, P.o. wallikeri tended to produce higher parasitemia levels and more severe symptoms. To date, there have been a few studies that used the quantitative PCR method for discrimination of the two distinct P. ovale types. Conventional PCR with consequent DNA sequencing is the common method used to differentiate these two types. It is necessary to identify these two types because relapse periodicity, drug susceptibility, and mosquito species preference need to be studied to reduce ovale malaria. In this article, an easier method of molecular-level discrimination of P.o. curtisi and P.o. wallikeri is proposed.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  3. Fulltext Three Divergent Subpopulations of the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium knowlesi
    Divis PC, Lin LC, Rovie-Ryan JJ, Kadir KA, Anderios F, Hisam S, et al.
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2017 04;23(4):616-624.
    PMID: 28322705 DOI: 10.3201/eid2304.161738
    Multilocus microsatellite genotyping of Plasmodium knowlesi isolates previously indicated 2 divergent parasite subpopulations in humans on the island of Borneo, each associated with a different macaque reservoir host species. Geographic divergence was also apparent, and independent sequence data have indicated particularly deep divergence between parasites from mainland Southeast Asia and Borneo. To resolve the overall population structure, multilocus microsatellite genotyping was conducted on a new sample of 182 P. knowlesi infections (obtained from 134 humans and 48 wild macaques) from diverse areas of Malaysia, first analyzed separately and then in combination with previous data. All analyses confirmed 2 divergent clusters of human cases in Malaysian Borneo, associated with long-tailed macaques and pig-tailed macaques, and a third cluster in humans and most macaques in peninsular Malaysia. High levels of pairwise divergence between each of these sympatric and allopatric subpopulations have implications for the epidemiology and control of this zoonotic species.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  4. The isolation, characterization and antifungal susceptibilities of Cryptococcus neoformans from bird excreta in Klang Valley, Malaysia
    Tay ST, Chai HC, Na SL, Hamimah H, Rohani MY, Soo-Hoo TS
    Mycopathologia, 2005 Jun;159(4):509-13.
    PMID: 15983736
    The occurrence of Cryptococcus neoformans in bird excreta in Klang valley, Malaysia was determined in this study. Of 544 samples of bird excreta collected from a local zoo, pet shops and public areas, 20 strains of C. neoformans were isolated. All C. neoformans strains were serotype A and thus identified as C. neoformans variety grubii. All did not produce color changes on canavanine-glycine-bromothymol blue agar. All were of alpha-mating types, as determined by a pheromone-specific PCR assay. The antifungal susceptibility testing using agar diffusion method Neo-sensitabs showed that all were susceptible to amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  5. Fulltext The detection of pfcrt and pfmdr1 point mutations as molecular markers of chloroquine drug resistance, Pahang, Malaysia
    Atroosh WM, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Mahdy MA, Surin J
    Malar J, 2012;11:251.
    PMID: 22853645 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-11-251
    Malaria is still a public health problem in Malaysia with chloroquine (CQ) being the first-line drug in the treatment policy of uncomplicated malaria. There is a scarcity in information about the magnitude of Plasmodium falciparum CQ resistance. This study aims to investigate the presence of single point mutations in the P. falciparum chloroquine-resistance transporter gene (pfcrt) at codons 76, 271, 326, 356 and 371 and in P. falciparum multi-drug resistance-1 gene (pfmdr1) at codons 86 and 1246, as molecular markers of CQ resistance.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  6. Fulltext Simian malaria in wild macaques: first report from Hulu Selangor district, Selangor, Malaysia
    Akter R, Vythilingam I, Khaw LT, Qvist R, Lim YA, Sitam FT, et al.
    Malar J, 2015 Oct 05;14:386.
    PMID: 26437652 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-015-0856-3
    BACKGROUND: Malaria is a vector-borne parasitic disease which is prevalent in many developing countries. Recently, it has been found that Plasmodium knowlesi, a simian malaria parasite can be life-threatening to humans. Long-tailed macaques, which are widely distributed in Malaysia, are the natural hosts for simian malaria, including P. knowlesi. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of simian malaria parasites in long-tailed macaques in the district of Hulu Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia.

    METHODS: A total of 70 blood samples were collected from Macaca fascicularis dwelling in the forest of Hulu Selangor by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. DNA was extracted using PureLink™ Genomic DNA Kits. Conventional and nested PCR were used to detect the genus and species of Plasmodium parasites respectively. In addition, phylogenetic analysis was carried out to confirm the species of Plasmodium parasites.

    RESULTS: Thirty-five (50 %) of the 70 samples were positive for Plasmodium using genus-specific primers. These positive samples were then subjected to nested PCR targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA genes to detect all five simian malaria parasites: namely, P. knowlesi, Plasmodium inui, Plasmodium cynomolgi, Plasmodium fieldi, and Plasmodium coatneyi. All five species of simian malaria parasites were detected. Of these, P. inui was the predominant (65.7 %), followed by P. knowlesi (60 %), P. cynomolgi (51.4 %) P. coatneyi (45.7 %) and P. fieldi (2.9 %). A total of nine macaques had mono-infection with P. knowlesi (four), P. cynomolgi (two), P. coatneyi (two) and P. fieldi (one). Eleven of the macaques had dual infections while 12 had triple infections. Three macaques were infected with four species of Plasmodium. Molecular and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the five species of Plasmodium parasites.

    CONCLUSION: This study has provided evidence to elucidate the presence of transmission of malaria parasites among the local macaques in Hulu Selangor. Since malaria is a zoonosis, it is important to determine the new control strategies for the control of malaria.

    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  7. Fulltext Sequence analysis on the mitochondrial COXI gene of recent clinical isolates of Plasmodium knowlesi in Klang Valley, peninsular Malaysia
    Fong MY, Lau YL, Chin LC, Al-Mekhlafi AM
    Trop Biomed, 2011 Aug;28(2):457-63.
    PMID: 22041769
    The cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COXI) gene sequences of three recent (2007-2008) clinical Plasmodium knowlesi isolates from Klang Valley, peninsular Malaysia, were determined and compared with those of older (1960's) peninsular Malaysia, recent isolates from Sarawak (on Borneo Island), and an isolate from Thailand. Multiple alignment of the sequences showed that the three clinical isolates were more similar to the older peninsular Malaysia isolates than to those from Sarawak and Thailand. Phylogenetic tree based on the COXI sequences revealed three distinct clusters of P. knowlesi. The first cluster consisted of isolates from peninsular Malaysia, the second consisted of Sarawak isolates and the third composed of the Thailand isolate. The findings of this study highlight the usefulness of mitochondrial COXI gene as a suitable marker for phylogeographic studies of P. knowlesi.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  8. Fulltext Sarcocystis nesbitti infection in human skeletal muscle: possible transmission from snakes
    Lau YL, Chang PY, Tan CT, Fong MY, Mahmud R, Wong KT
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2014 Feb;90(2):361-4.
    PMID: 24420776 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.12-0678
    Sarcocystis nesbitti is an intracellular protozoan parasite found as sarcocysts within muscle fibers of intermediate hosts (monkey and baboon). The definitive host is suspected to be the snake. We report two cases from a larger cohort of 89 patients who had fever, headache, and generalized myalgia after a trip to Pangkor Island, Malaysia. Sarcocysts were detected in skeletal muscle biopsy specimens by light and electron microscopy from these two patients. DNA sequencing based on the 18S ribosomal DNA region identified the Sarcocystis species as S. nesbitti. We also identified S. nesbitti sequences in the stools of a snake (Naja naja). Phylogenetic analysis showed that these sequences form a cluster with most of the other known Sarcocystis species for which the snake is a definitive host. We believe these two patients were likely to have symptomatic acute muscular sarcocystosis after S. nesbitti infection that may have originated from snakes.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  9. Fulltext Population expansion and gene flow in Giardia duodenalis as revealed by triosephosphate isomerase gene
    Choy SH, Mahdy MA, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Low VL, Surin J
    Parasit Vectors, 2015;8:454.
    PMID: 26373536 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1084-y
    Giardia duodenalis is a protozoan parasite that can cause significant diarrhoeal diseases. Knowledge of population genetics is a prerequisite for ascertaining the invasion patterns of this parasite. In order to infer evolutionary patterns that could not be uncovered based on the morphological features, a population genetic study with the incorporation of molecular marker was carried out to access the genetic structure of G. duodenalis isolated from the Malaysian population and the global populations.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  10. Fulltext Plasmodium vivax population structure and transmission dynamics in Sabah Malaysia
    Abdullah NR, Barber BE, William T, Norahmad NA, Satsu UR, Muniandy PK, et al.
    PLoS One, 2013;8(12):e82553.
    PMID: 24358203 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082553
    Despite significant progress in the control of malaria in Malaysia, the complex transmission dynamics of P. vivax continue to challenge national efforts to achieve elimination. To assess the impact of ongoing interventions on P. vivax transmission dynamics in Sabah, we genotyped 9 short tandem repeat markers in a total of 97 isolates (8 recurrences) from across Sabah, with a focus on two districts, Kota Marudu (KM, n = 24) and Kota Kinabalu (KK, n = 21), over a 2 year period. STRUCTURE analysis on the Sabah-wide dataset demonstrated multiple sub-populations. Significant differentiation (F ST  = 0.243) was observed between KM and KK, located just 130 Km apart. Consistent with low endemic transmission, infection complexity was modest in both KM (mean MOI  = 1.38) and KK (mean MOI  = 1.19). However, population diversity remained moderate (H E  = 0.583 in KM and H E  = 0.667 in KK). Temporal trends revealed clonal expansions reflecting epidemic transmission dynamics. The haplotypes of these isolates declined in frequency over time, but persisted at low frequency throughout the study duration. A diverse array of low frequency isolates were detected in both KM and KK, some likely reflecting remnants of previous expansions. In accordance with clonal expansions, high levels of Linkage Disequilibrium (I A (S) >0.5 [P<0.0001] in KK and KM) declined sharply when identical haplotypes were represented once (I A (S)  = 0.07 [P = 0.0076] in KM, and I A (S) = -0.003 [P = 0.606] in KK). All 8 recurrences, likely to be relapses, were homologous to the prior infection. These recurrences may promote the persistence of parasite lineages, sustaining local diversity. In summary, Sabah's shrinking P. vivax population appears to have rendered this low endemic setting vulnerable to epidemic expansions. Migration may play an important role in the introduction of new parasite strains leading to epidemic expansions, with important implications for malaria elimination.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  11. Fulltext Plasmodium ovale infection in Malaysia: first imported case
    Lim YA, Mahmud R, Chew CH, T T, Chua KH
    Malar J, 2010;9:272.
    PMID: 20929588 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-9-272
    BACKGROUND:
    Plasmodium ovale infection is rarely reported in Malaysia. This is the first imported case of P. ovale infection in Malaysia which was initially misdiagnosed as Plasmodium vivax.

    METHODS:
    Peripheral blood sample was first examined by Giemsa-stained microscopy examination and further confirmed using a patented in-house multiplex PCR followed by sequencing.

    RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
    Initial results from peripheral blood smear examination diagnosed P. vivax infection. However further analysis using a patented in-house multiplex PCR followed by sequencing confirmed the presence of P. ovale. Given that Anopheles maculatus and Anopheles dirus, vectors of P. ovale are found in Malaysia, this finding has significant implication on Malaysia's public health sector.

    CONCLUSIONS:
    The current finding should serve as an alert to epidemiologists, clinicians and laboratory technicians in the possibility of finding P. ovale in Malaysia. P. ovale should be considered in the differential diagnosis of imported malaria cases in Malaysia due to the exponential increase in the number of visitors from P. ovale endemic regions and the long latent period of P. ovale. It is also timely that conventional diagnosis of malaria via microscopy should be coupled with more advanced molecular tools for effective diagnosis.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  12. Fulltext Plasmodium knowlesi: reservoir hosts and tracking the emergence in humans and macaques
    Lee KS, Divis PC, Zakaria SK, Matusop A, Julin RA, Conway DJ, et al.
    PLoS Pathog, 2011 Apr;7(4):e1002015.
    PMID: 21490952 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002015
    Plasmodium knowlesi, a malaria parasite originally thought to be restricted to macaques in Southeast Asia, has recently been recognized as a significant cause of human malaria. Unlike the benign and morphologically similar P. malariae, these parasites can lead to fatal infections. Malaria parasites, including P. knowlesi, have not yet been detected in macaques of the Kapit Division of Malaysian Borneo, where the majority of human knowlesi malaria cases have been reported. In order to extend our understanding of the epidemiology and evolutionary history of P. knowlesi, we examined 108 wild macaques for malaria parasites and sequenced the circumsporozoite protein (csp) gene and mitochondrial (mt) DNA of P. knowlesi isolates derived from macaques and humans. We detected five species of Plasmodium (P. knowlesi, P. inui, P. cynomolgi, P. fieldi and P. coatneyi) in the long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques, and an extremely high prevalence of P. inui and P. knowlesi. Macaques had a higher number of P. knowlesi genotypes per infection than humans, and some diverse alleles of the P. knowlesi csp gene and certain mtDNA haplotypes were shared between both hosts. Analyses of DNA sequence data indicate that there are no mtDNA lineages associated exclusively with either host. Furthermore, our analyses of the mtDNA data reveal that P. knowlesi is derived from an ancestral parasite population that existed prior to human settlement in Southeast Asia, and underwent significant population expansion approximately 30,000-40,000 years ago. Our results indicate that human infections with P. knowlesi are not newly emergent in Southeast Asia and that knowlesi malaria is primarily a zoonosis with wild macaques as the reservoir hosts. However, ongoing ecological changes resulting from deforestation, with an associated increase in the human population, could enable this pathogenic species of Plasmodium to switch to humans as the preferred host.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  13. Fulltext Plasmodium knowlesi malaria during pregnancy
    Barber BE, Bird E, Wilkes CS, William T, Grigg MJ, Paramaswaran U, et al.
    J Infect Dis, 2015 Apr 1;211(7):1104-10.
    PMID: 25301955 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu562
    BACKGROUND: Plasmodium knowlesi is the commonest cause of malaria in Malaysia, but little is known regarding infection during pregnancy.
    METHODS: To investigate comparative risk and consequences of knowlesi malaria during pregnancy, we reviewed (1) Sabah Health Department malaria-notification records created during 2012-2013, (2) prospectively collected data from all females with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed malaria who were admitted to a Sabah tertiary care referral hospital during 2011-2014, and (3) malaria microscopy and clinical data recorded at a Sabah tertiary care women and children's hospital during 2010-2014.
    RESULTS: During 2012-2013, 774 females with microscopy-diagnosed malaria were notified, including 252 (33%), 172 (20%), 333 (43%), and 17 (2%) with Plasmodium falciparum infection, Plasmodium vivax infection, Plasmodium malariae/Plasmodium knowlesi infection, and mixed infection, respectively. Among females aged 15-45 years, pregnancy was reported in 18 of 124 (14.5%), 9 of 93 (9.7%), and 4 of 151 (2.6%) P. falciparum, P. vivax, and P. malariae/P. knowlesi notifications respectively (P = .002). Three females with knowlesi malaria were confirmed as pregnant: 2 had moderate anemia, and 1 delivered a preterm low-birth-weight infant. There were 17, 7, and 0 pregnant women with falciparum, vivax, and knowlesi malaria, respectively, identified from the 2 referral hospitals.
    CONCLUSIONS: Although P. knowlesi is the commonest malaria species among females in Sabah, P. knowlesi infection is relatively rare during pregnancy. It may however be associated with adverse maternal and pregnancy outcomes.
    KEYWORDS: Plasmodium knowlesi; malaria; maternal anemia; pregnancy; preterm delivery
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  14. Fulltext Phylogenetic analysis of simian Plasmodium spp. infecting Anopheles balabacensis Baisas in Sabah, Malaysia
    Chua TH, Manin BO, Daim S, Vythilingam I, Drakeley C
    PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2017 Oct;11(10):e0005991.
    PMID: 28968395 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005991
    BACKGROUND: Anopheles balabacensis of the Leucospyrus group has been confirmed as the primary knowlesi malaria vector in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo for some time now. Presently, knowlesi malaria is the only zoonotic simian malaria in Malaysia with a high prevalence recorded in the states of Sabah and Sarawak.

    METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Anopheles spp. were sampled using human landing catch (HLC) method at Paradason village in Kudat district of Sabah. The collected Anopheles were identified morphologically and then subjected to total DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Plasmodium parasites in the mosquitoes. Identification of Plasmodium spp. was confirmed by sequencing the SSU rRNA gene with species specific primers. MEGA4 software was then used to analyse the SSU rRNA sequences and bulid the phylogenetic tree for inferring the relationship between simian malaria parasites in Sabah. PCR results showed that only 1.61% (23/1,425) of the screened An. balabacensis were infected with one or two of the five simian Plasmodium spp. found in Sabah, viz. Plasmodium coatneyi, P. inui, P. fieldi, P. cynomolgi and P. knowlesi. Sequence analysis of SSU rRNA of Plasmodium isolates showed high percentage of identity within the same Plasmodium sp. group. The phylogenetic tree based on the consensus sequences of P. knowlesi showed 99.7%-100.0% nucleotide identity among the isolates from An. balabacensis, human patients and a long-tailed macaque from the same locality.

    CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first study showing high molecular identity between the P. knowlesi isolates from An. balabacensis, human patients and a long-tailed macaque in Sabah. The other common simian Plasmodium spp. found in long-tailed macaques and also detected in An. balabacensis were P. coatneyi, P. inui, P. fieldi and P. cynomolgi. The high percentage identity of nucleotide sequences between the P. knowlesi isolates from the long-tailed macaque, An. balabacensis and human patients suggests a close genetic relationship between the parasites from these hosts.

    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  15. Phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of Blastocystis hominis isolates implicates subtype 3 as a subtype with pathogenic potential
    Tan TC, Suresh KG, Smith HV
    Parasitol Res, 2008 Dec;104(1):85-93.
    PMID: 18795333 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-1163-5
    Despite frequent reports on the presence of Blastocystis hominis in human intestinal tract, its pathogenicity remains a matter of intense debate. These discrepancies may be due to the varying pathogenic potential or virulence of the isolates studied. The present study represents the first to investigate both phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of B. hominis obtained from symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Symptomatic isolates had a significantly greater size range and lower growth rate in Jones' medium than asymptomatic isolates. The parasite cells of symptomatic isolates exhibited rougher surface topography and greater binding affinity to Canavalia ensiformis (ConA) and Helix pomatia (HPA). The present study also identifies further phenotypic characteristics, which aided in differentiating the pathogenic forms from the non-pathogenic forms of B. hominis. Blastocystis subtype 3 was found to be correlated well with the disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  16. PCR fingerprinting of Blastocystis isolated from symptomatic and asymptomatic human hosts
    Tan TC, Suresh KG, Thong KL, Smith HV
    Parasitol Res, 2006 Sep;99(4):459-65.
    PMID: 16628457
    Genomic DNA from 16 Blastocystis hominis isolates comprising of eight asymptomatic isolates (A1-A8) and eight symptomatic isolates (S1-S8) was amplified by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR) using 38 arbitrary 10-mer primers. Six primers (A10, B5, C20, D1, F6, and F10) generated reproducible DNA fingerprints. AP-PCR amplification revealed similar DNA fingerprints among all symptomatic isolates (S1-S8) with common bands at 850 bp using primer A10, 920 bp using primer B5, and 1.3 kbp using primer D1. Isolates A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, and A7 showed similar DNA banding patterns and all asymptomatic isolates (A1-A8) shared a major band at 1 kbp using primer B5. Isolates A2 and A8 showed distinct DNA banding patterns that differed from the remainder of the isolates. The results of the phylogenetic analyses showed that all symptomatic isolates (S1-S8) formed a clade with >70% similarity among the isolates and which were clearly separate from asymptomatic isolates A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, and A7. Asymptomatic isolates A2 and A8 formed two distinct and separate clades. AP-PCR revealed higher genetic variability within the asymptomatic isolates than within the symptomatic isolates. The present study suggests that AP-PCR can be a valuable method for differentiating between isolates of B. hominis and our results support the hypothesis that our asymptomatic and symptomatic B. hominis isolates may represent two different strains/species with varying pathogenic potential.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics*
  17. 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: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  18. Myxozoan infection of the Malaysian mahseer, Tor tambroides, of Tasik Kenyir Reservoir, Malaysia: description of a new species Myxobolus tambroides sp.n
    Székely C, Shaharom F, Cech G, Mohamed K, Zin NA, Borkhanuddin MH, et al.
    Parasitol Res, 2012 Oct;111(4):1749-56.
    PMID: 22782473
    Tor tambroides, a common and appreciated cyprinid fish of the Tasik Kenyir water reservoir in Malaysia, is one of the species selected for propagation. This fish was first successfully propagated in Malaysia by the Department of Agriculture, Sarawak, Malaysia, and the breeding program continued throughout the country. The gills were frequently infected by a Myxobolus species to be described as Myxobolus tambroides sp. n. The small, 50 to 70 μm, round plasmodia of this species is located intralamellarly. Plasmodia were filled with pyriform myxospores, 9.9 and 7.4 μm wide. In sutural view, the caudal end of the myxospores had a distinctive valvular groove, parallel with the suture. Plasmodia caused deformations on the affected and the neighbouring gill lamellae. The 18S rDNA sequence of M. tambroides sp.n. did not show a close relationship with any other Myxobolus spp., represented in the GenBank. This might be an emerging parasite likely to impact the propagation of this fish.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  19. Fulltext Myxosporean hyperparasites of gill monogeneans are basal to the multivalvulida
    Freeman MA, Shinn AP
    Parasit Vectors, 2011;4:220.
    PMID: 22115202 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-220
    Myxosporeans are known from aquatic annelids but parasitism of platyhelminths by myxosporeans has not been widely reported. Hyperparasitism of gill monogeneans by Myxidium giardi has been reported from the European eel and Myxidium-like hyperparasites have also been observed during studies of gill monogeneans from Malaysia and Japan.The present study aimed to collect new hyperparasite material from Malaysia for morphological and molecular descriptions. In addition, PCR screening of host fish was undertaken to determine whether they are also hosts for the myxosporean.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
  20. Fulltext Mutational analysis of Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase genes in the interior division of Sabah, Malaysia
    Lau TY, Sylvi M, William T
    Malar J, 2013;12:445.
    PMID: 24321120 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-12-445
    The sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine (SDX/PYR) combination had been chosen to treat uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Malaysia for more than 30 years. Non-silent mutations in dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (dhps) genes are responsible for the resistance to pyrimethamine and sulphadoxine, respectively. This study reports the mutational analysis of pfdhfr and pfdhps in single Plasmodium falciparum infection isolates from the interior division of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Protozoan/genetics
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