Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 58 in total

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  1. Melioidosis as an emerging global problem
    Dance DA
    Acta Trop, 2000 Feb 05;74(2-3):115-9.
    PMID: 10674638
    There is remarkably little known about the incidence of melioidosis outside a few countries (Thailand, Australia, Singapore and Malaysia). Presumably it is widespread in tropical south east Asia. Elsewhere there are tantalising glimpses of the tip of what may be a large iceberg. Since a specific diagnosis of melioidosis requires awareness on the part of clinicians, and the existence of a laboratory capable of isolating and identifying Burkholderia pseudomallei, a luxury not available in most rural tropical areas, the size of this iceberg is likely to remain unknown for the foreseeable future. There is mounting evidence that the disease is endemic in the Indian sub-continent and the Caribbean, and there have been unsubstantiated reports of recent cases in South Africa and the Middle East. It is unclear whether melioidosis has really spread to such areas relatively recently, or has been there but unrecognised for a long time. Almost all cases diagnosed in temperate climates have been imported from the tropics, with the exception of a unique outbreak which occurred in France in the mid-1970s. With increasing world wide travel of both humans and other animals, the potential exists for melioidosis to spread to new and fertile pastures.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases*
  2. Update: Outbreak of acute febrile illness among athletes participating in Eco-Challenge-Sabah 2000--Borneo, Malaysia, 2000
    Stone SC, McNutt E
    Ann Emerg Med, 2001 Jul;38(1):83-4.
    PMID: 11423818
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases/statistics & numerical data
  3. Skin and subcutaneous infections in south-east Asia
    Nor NM, Baseri MM
    Curr. Opin. Infect. Dis., 2015 Apr;28(2):133-8.
    PMID: 25706913 DOI: 10.1097/QCO.0000000000000150
    We reviewed current literature on four different skin and subcutaneous infections which are often touted as 'emerging diseases' of south-east Asia, namely melioidosis, penicilliosis, sporotrichosis and Mycobacterium marinum infection. Lack of consensus treatment guidelines, high treatment costs and limited investigative capability in certain endemic areas are among the challenges faced by managing physicians. With the increase in borderless travelling, it is hoped that this review will facilitate better understanding and heighten the clinical suspicion of such infections for clinicians in other parts of the world.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases*
  4. Fulltext Long-Tailed Macaque Response to Deforestation in a Plasmodium knowlesi-Endemic Area
    Stark DJ, Fornace KM, Brock PM, Abidin TR, Gilhooly L, Jalius C, et al.
    Ecohealth, 2019 12;16(4):638-646.
    PMID: 30927165 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-019-01403-9
    Land-use changes can impact infectious disease transmission by increasing spatial overlap between people and wildlife disease reservoirs. In Malaysian Borneo, increases in human infections by the zoonotic malaria Plasmodium knowlesi are hypothesised to be due to increasing contact between people and macaques due to deforestation. To explore how macaque responses to environmental change impact disease risks, we analysed movement of a GPS-collared long-tailed macaque in a knowlesi-endemic area in Sabah, Malaysia, during a deforestation event. Land-cover maps were derived from satellite-based and aerial remote sensing data and models of macaque occurrence were developed to evaluate how macaque habitat use was influenced by land-use change. During deforestation, changes were observed in macaque troop home range size, movement speeds and use of different habitat types. Results of models were consistent with the hypothesis that macaque ranging behaviour is disturbed by deforestation events but begins to equilibrate after seeking and occupying a new habitat, potentially impacting human disease risks. Further research is required to explore how these changes in macaque movement affect knowlesi epidemiology on a wider spatial scale.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases
  5. Epidemiology of endemic diseases in the plantations in Peninsular Malaysia
    Lo EKC
    Family Practitioner, 1982;5:7-11.
    The importance of epidemiology and epidemilogical knowledge of plantation health and disease in the planning of health care & effective management of a plantation is highlighted. The results of the survey of endemic diseases in the estates in Peninsular Malaysia are presented and compared with national disease patterns. The disease patterns in the plantations are similar to those for the country in general. Differences that exist are due to differences in the ecology of the plantations. The health effects of ecological changes consequent on development and progress are referred to. Most of the endemic communicable diseases encountered in the plantations can be prevented and controlled through the improvement of the micro environment of the plantations and the utilisation of simple available appropriate technologies for health care and services.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases
  6. Fulltext Primary dapsone resistant Mycobacterium leprae in a non endemic country
    Jamil A, Noor NM, Osman AS, Baseri MM, Muthupalaniappen L
    Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol, 2013 Jul-Aug;79(4):527-9.
    PMID: 23760326 DOI: 10.4103/0378-6323.113096
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases*
  7. An outbreak of histoplasmosis among healthy young Japanese women after traveling to Southeast Asia
    Ohno H, Ogata Y, Suguro H, Yokota S, Watanabe A, Kamei K, et al.
    Intern. Med., 2010;49(5):491-5.
    PMID: 20190491
    Histoplasmosis, caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, is an endemic mycosis in many countries of the world except for Japan. Outbreaks of histoplasmosis among Japanese people are very rare and are mainly imported by travelers. We report an outbreak of histoplasmosis among healthy Japanese people who traveled to a resort area in Southeast Asia. Three young Japanese women traveled to Langkawi island, Malaysia and stayed on the island for five days without visiting caves, a known reservoir of H. capsulatum. All three individuals developed flu-like symptoms with multiple nodule shadows on chest X rays or chest CT scans at around ten days after their return to Japan. Serum samples obtained from the three subjects were positive for anti-Histoplasma antibody and specific PCR for H. capsulatum on lung biopsy specimens and the serum from one patient was positive. The clinical course of all three patients improved without the use of anti-fungal agents and no recurrence has been confirmed. Clinical attendants should consider histoplasmosis when they see patients with flu-like symptoms with abnormal chest X-rays after visiting H. capsulatum endemic areas, especially Southeast Asia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases*
  8. Fulltext Association of DSM-5 Betel-Quid Use Disorder With Oral Potentially Malignant Disorder in 6 Betel-Quid Endemic Asian Populations
    Lee CH, Ko AM, Yang FM, Hung CC, Warnakulasuriya S, Ibrahim SO, et al.
    JAMA Psychiatry, 2018 03 01;75(3):261-269.
    PMID: 29417149 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.4307
    Importance: Betel-quid (BQ) is the fourth most popular psychoactive agent worldwide. An emerging trend across Asia is the addictive consumption of BQ, which is associated with oral cancer and other health consequences.

    Objective: To investigate the validity and pattern of DSM-5-defined BQ use disorder (BUD) and its association with oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) among Asian populations.

    Design, Setting, and Participants: In-person interviews were conducted from January 1, 2009, to February 28, 2010, among a random sample of 8922 noninstitutionalized adults from the Asian Betel-quid Consortium study, an Asian representative survey of 6 BQ-endemic populations. Statistical analysis was performed from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2016.

    Main Outcomes and Measures: Participants were evaluated for BUD using DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorder and for OPMD using a clinical oral examination. Current users of BQ with 0 to 1 symptoms were classified as having no BUD, those with 2 to 3 symptoms as having mild BUD, those with 4 to 5 symptoms as having moderate BUD, and those with 6 or more symptoms as having severe BUD.

    Results: Among the 8922 participants (4564 women and 4358 men; mean [SD] age, 44.2 [0.2] years), DSM-5 symptoms showed sufficient unidimensionality to act as a valid measure for BUD. The 12-month prevalence of DSM-5-defined BUD in the 6 study populations was 18.0% (mild BUD, 3.2%; moderate BUD, 4.3%; and severe BUD, 10.5%). The 12-month proportion of DSM-5-defined BUD among current users of BQ was 86.0% (mild BUD, 15.5%; moderate BUD, 20.6%; and severe BUD, 50.0%). Sex, age, low educational level, smoking, and drinking were significantly associated with BUD. Among individuals who used BQ, family use, high frequency of use, and amount of BQ used were significantly linked to moderate to severe BUD. Compared with individuals who did not use BQ, those who used BQ and had no BUD showed a 22.0-fold (95% CI, 4.3-112.4) risk of OPMD (P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases*
  9. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiling and genomic diversity of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from a teaching hospital in Malaysia
    Kong BH, Hanifah YA, Yusof MY, Thong KL
    Jpn J Infect Dis, 2011;64(4):337-40.
    PMID: 21788713
    The resistance phenotypes and genomic diversity of 185 Acinetobacter baumannii isolates obtained from the intensive care unit (ICU) of a local teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur from 2006 to 2009 were determined using antimicrobial susceptibility testing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Antibiogram analyses showed that the isolates were fully resistant to β-lactam antimicrobials and had high resistance rates to the other antimicrobial agents tested. However, the isolates were susceptible to polymyxin B. Resistance to cefoperazone/sulbactam was only detected in strains isolated from 2007 to 2009. Some environmental isolates and an isolate from the hands of a healthcare worker (HCW) had identical resistance profiles and PFGE profiles that were closely related to patient isolates. Cluster analyses based on the PFGE profiles showed there was a persistent clone of endemic isolates in the ICU environment. The transmission route from HCWs to fomites to patients, which caused a long-term infection in the ICU of the University Malaya Medical Centre, was observed in this study. These data provide a better understanding of A. baumannii epidemiology within the hospital and the possible transmission routes. Knowledge of changes in the resistance rates of A. baumannii in our local hospital will improve antimicrobial therapy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases
  10. Molecular characterization of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium isolated from human, food, and animal sources in Malaysia
    Ngoi ST, Lindstedt BA, Watanabe H, Thong KL
    Jpn J Infect Dis, 2013;66(3):180-8.
    PMID: 23698477
    Salmonella Typhimurium is an important nontyphoidal Salmonella serovar associated with foodborne diseases in many parts of the world. This organism is the major causative agent of nontyphoidal salmonellosis in Malaysia. We aimed to investigate the genetic profiles of the strains isolated from clinical, zoonotic, and dietary sources in Malaysia using multilocus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). By focusing on the 5 common variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci, we found that PFGE (D = 0.99) was more discriminative than MLVA (D = 0.76). The low MLVA score might be because of a lack of VNTR loci STTR6 (81.0%) and STTR10pl (76.2%). Both subtyping methods suggested that our S. Typhimurium strains were largely endemic with limited genetic variation. Furthermore, we observed that biphasic S. Typhimurium strains were dominant (99%) and multidrug resistance was prevalent (50%) within our sample pool. The most frequently observed phenotypes were resistance to compound sulfonamides (49%), tetracycline (51%), and streptomycin (52%). In this study, we documented the genetic relationship, antimicrobial resistance characteristics, and flagellar-phase dominance among S. Typhimurium strains found in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases
  11. Fulltext Mathematical modelling of dengue pattern in Penang, Malaysia
    Norzaida Abas, Rafidah Mohd Shamsuddin, Noor Shazwani Osman, Syafrina Abd. Halim
    Journal of Advanced Research Design, 2017;37(1):9-15.
    MyJurnal
    Dengue fever is an endemic disease in many tropical and subtropical regions. In
    Malaysia, it is the leading public health challenge despite the extensive intervention
    programs by the related authorities. Distribution of dengue cases in Malaysia varies
    according to states and districts where cases are more distinct in urban and suburban
    areas. Preparedness strategies of dengue cases could be more successful with some
    comprehensive and technical analysis on disease incidences. Hence, the present study
    analyses dengue cases using mathematical modelling in the state of Penang, one of the
    more urbanised state. In particular, two time series models are fitted to the dengue
    data from the region in order to identify the mathematical model that best describe
    the data. Results show that both proposed models are able to represent the cases
    rather well; however numerical inspection revealed that Double Exponential
    Smoothing method is the better choice. Subsequently, the identified model is used to
    make forecasting on the number of expected cases. Results show that dengue cases in
    Penang are expected to increase gradually.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases
  12. Genetic diversity of Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi A from different geographical regions in Asia
    Goh YL, Puthucheary SD, Chaudhry R, Bhutta ZA, Lesmana M, Oyofo BA, et al.
    J Appl Microbiol, 2002;92(6):1167-71.
    PMID: 12010557
    Subtyping of Salmonella Paratyphi A isolates from India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia was carried out by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to assess the extent of genetic diversity of these isolates from different endemic countries.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases
  13. Fulltext Current concerns and perspectives on Zika virus co-infection with arboviruses and HIV
    Rothan HA, Bidokhti MRM, Byrareddy SN
    J Autoimmun, 2018 05;89:11-20.
    PMID: 29352633 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.01.002
    Dissemination of vector-borne viruses, such as Zika virus (ZIKV), in tropical and sub-tropical regions has a complicated impact on the immunopathogenesis of other endemic viruses such as dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The consequences of the possible co-infections with these viruses have specifically shown significant impact on the treatment and vaccination strategies. ZIKV is a mosquito-borne flavivirus from African and Asian lineages that causes neurological complications in infected humans. Many of DENV and CHIKV endemic regions have been experiencing outbreaks of ZIKV infection. Intriguingly, the mosquitoes, Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus, can simultaneously transmit all the combinations of ZIKV, DENV, and CHIKV to the humans. The co-circulation of these viruses leads to a complicated immune response due to the pre-existence or co-existence of ZIKV infection with DENV and CHIKV infections. The non-vector transmission of ZIKV, especially, via sexual intercourse and placenta represents an additional burden that may hander the treatment strategies of other sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV. Collectively, ZIKV co-circulation and co-infection with other viruses have inevitable impact on the host immune response, diagnosis techniques, and vaccine development strategies for the control of these co-infections.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases
  14. A probable case of poliomyelitis imported to Malaysia
    Tay CG, Ong LC, Goh KJ, Rahmat K, Fong CY
    J Clin Neurosci, 2015 Dec;22(12):1994-5.
    PMID: 26254091 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2015.07.001
    We report a previously well 10-month-old Somalian girl who acquired asymmetric lower limb weakness in July 2013 in Mogadishu, Banadir, before arriving in Malaysia at 12 months of age. In May 2013, there was a wild poliomyelitis outbreak in that area, as reported by the World Health Organization. Laboratory investigation, including cerebrospinal fluid, was unremarkable, and electrophysiological studies showed active axonal denervation in the left lower limb. The whole spine T2-weighted MRI revealed non-enhancing hyperintensities of the bilateral anterior horn cells, predominantly on the left side at T11-12. The viral isolations from two stool specimens at her presentation to our centre, 2 months after the onset of illness and 2 weeks apart, were negative. Despite lacking the acute virological evidence of poliomyelitis, in view of the girl's clinical, electrophysiological and classical spinal neuroradiological features, together with her temporal relationship with a World Health Organization reported wild poliomyelitis outbreak, we believe these findings are consistent with a diagnosis of imported poliomyelitis. A review at 30 months of age showed persistent left lower limb monoplegia with little recovery. Our patient reiterates the importance of maintaining awareness of wild polio importation, and keeping abreast of the latest news of global poliomyelitis outbreaks when treating patients with flaccid paralysis, even if they arrive from non-endemic poliomyelitis areas.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases*
  15. Fulltext Coinfection, coepidemics of COVID-19, and dengue in dengue-endemic countries: A serious health concern
    Miah MA, Husna A
    J Med Virol, 2021 01;93(1):161-162.
    PMID: 32633829 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26269
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases*
  16. Emergency field sanitation
    O'Dwyer JJ
    Journal of the Malaya Branch of the British Medical Association, 1940;3:387-95.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases
  17. Fulltext Geographic distribution of Tick-borne encephalitis virus complex
    Im JH, Baek JH, Durey A, Kwon HY, Chung MH, Lee JS
    J Vector Borne Dis, 2020 1 1;57(1):14-22.
    PMID: 33818450 DOI: 10.4103/0972-9062.308794
    A comprehensive understanding of the geographic distribution of the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) complex is necessary due to increasing transboundary movement and cross-reactivity of serological tests. This review was conducted to identify the geographic distribution of the TBEV complex, including TBE virus, Alkhurma haemorrhagic fever virus, Kyasanur forest disease virus, louping-ill virus, Omsk haemorrhagic fever virus, and Powassan virus. Published reports were identified using PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library. In addition to TBEV complex case-related studies, seroprevalence studies were also retrieved to assess the risk of TBEV complex infection. Among 1406 search results, 314 articles met the inclusion criteria. The following countries, which are known to TBEV epidemic region, had conducted national surveillance studies: Austria, China, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, and Slovakia. There were also studies/reports on human TBEV infection from Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Netherland, and Turkey. Seroprevalence studies were found in some areas far from the TBEV belt, specifically Malaysia, Comoros, Djibouti, and Kenya. Kyasanur forest disease virus was reported in southwestern India and Yunnan of China, the Powassan virus in the United States, Canada, and east Siberia, Alkhurma haemorrhagic fever virus in Saudi Arabia and east Egypt, and Louping-ill virus in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and east Siberia. In some areas, the distribution of the TBEV complex overlaps with that of other viruses, and caution is recommended during serologic diagnosis. The geographic distribution of the TBEV complex appears to be wide and overlap of the TBE virus complex with other viruses was observed in some areas. Knowledge of the geographical distribution of the TBEV complex could help avoid cross-reactivity during the serologic diagnosis of these viruses. Surveillance studies can implement effective control measures according to the distribution pattern of these viruses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases/prevention & control*
  18. Fulltext Mapping of mosquito breeding sites in malaria endemic areas in Pos Lenjang, Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia
    Ahmad R, Ali WN, Nor ZM, Ismail Z, Hadi AA, Ibrahim MN, et al.
    Malar J, 2011;10:361.
    PMID: 22166101 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-10-361
    The application of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to the study of vector transmitted diseases considerably improves the management of the information obtained from the field survey and facilitates the study of the distribution patterns of the vector species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases*
  19. Fulltext Limitations of microscopy to differentiate Plasmodium species in a region co-endemic for Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium knowlesi
    Barber BE, William T, Grigg MJ, Yeo TW, Anstey NM
    Malar J, 2013;12:8.
    PMID: 23294844 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-12-8
    In areas co-endemic for multiple Plasmodium species, correct diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment and surveillance. Species misidentification by microscopy has been reported in areas co-endemic for vivax and falciparum malaria, and may be more frequent in regions where Plasmodium knowlesi also commonly occurs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases
  20. Fulltext Residual malaria in Jazan region, southwestern Saudi Arabia: the situation, challenges and climatic drivers of autochthonous malaria
    Al-Mekhlafi HM, Madkhali AM, Ghailan KY, Abdulhaq AA, Ghzwani AH, Zain KA, et al.
    Malar J, 2021 Jul 13;20(1):315.
    PMID: 34256757 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03846-4
    BACKGROUND: Saudi Arabia and Yemen are the only two countries in the Arabian Peninsula that are yet to achieve malaria elimination. Over the past two decades, the malaria control programme in Saudi Arabia has successfully reduced the annual number of malaria cases, with the lowest incidence rate across the country reported in 2014. This study aims to investigate the distribution of residual malaria in Jazan region and to identify potential climatic drivers of autochthonous malaria cases in the region.

    METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out from 1 April 2018 to 31 January 2019 in Jazan region, southwestern Saudi Arabia, which targeted febrile individuals attending hospitals and primary healthcare centres. Participants' demographic data were collected, including age, gender, nationality, and residence. Moreover, association of climatic variables with the monthly autochthonous malaria cases reported during the period of 2010-2017 was retrospectively analysed.

    RESULTS: A total of 1124 febrile subjects were found to be positive for malaria during the study period. Among them, 94.3 and 5.7% were infected with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, respectively. In general, subjects aged 18-30 years and those aged over 50 years had the highest (42.7%) and lowest (5.9%) percentages of malaria cases. Similarly, the percentage of malaria-positive cases was higher among males than females (86.2 vs 13.8%), among non-Saudi compared to Saudi subjects (70.6 vs 29.4%), and among patients residing in rural rather than in urban areas (89.8 vs 10.2%). A total of 407 autochthonous malaria cases were reported in Jazan region between 2010 and 2017. Results of zero-inflated negative binomial regression analysis showed that monthly average temperature and relative humidity were the significant climatic determinants of autochthonous malaria in the region.

    CONCLUSION: Malaria remains a public health problem in most governorates of Jazan region. The identification and monitoring of malaria transmission hotspots and predictors would enable control efforts to be intensified and focused on specific areas and therefore expedite the elimination of residual malaria from the whole region.

    Matched MeSH terms: Endemic Diseases/statistics & numerical data
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