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A new species of clearwing moth (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Osminiini) from Peninsular Malaysia, exhibiting bee-like morphology and behaviour

Skowron MA, Munisamy B, Hamid SB, Węgrzyn G

Zootaxa, 2015;4032(4):426-34.
PMID: 26624378 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4032.4.7

A new species of Sesiidae, tribe Osminiini from Peninsular Malaysia, Heterosphecia pahangensis Skowron, displaying numerous bee-mimicking features, is described. DNA barcodes showed significant differences with related taxa. However, the paucity of Sesiidae barcodes from Southeast Asia prevents meaningful taxonomic comparisons. The closest match out of published data on Sesiidae barcodes is Heterosphecia bantanakai, Arita & Gorbunov (2000a) from the tribe Osminiini, which has 9.98% sequence divergence from Heterosphecia pahangensis. Photographs of the moth in its natural habitat are shown. Behavioural aspects, such as mud-puddling and mode of flight, are described and presented in a video.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Groups
A needle in a haystack: the new genus Bernadottea (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae, Winnertziinae) with four new species in the Old World

Jaschhof M, Jaschhof C

Zootaxa, 2018 Feb 15;4379(4):529-538.
PMID: 29689964 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.4.5

A new genus of Winnertziini (Cecidomyiidae: Winnertziinae) named Bernadottea gen. nov. is introduced to absorb four new species from various different parts of the Old World: B. natalensis sp. nov. from South Africa, B. honshuensis sp. nov. from Japan, and B. pahangensis sp. nov. and B. selangorensis sp. nov. from Malaysia. Bernadottea are distinguished from previously known Winnertziini by the unusually complex genitalia of males, and from most members of this tribe by the absence of the fourth medial vein (M4). Another feature of Bernadottea is their rare occurrence in samples of Winnertziini taken by hand or by traps, a circumstance presumably expressing their scarcity in nature, at least at ground level. The new taxa are described based on the morphology of males, while females and larvae remain unknown.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Groups
Clinical and pathologic differences between BRCA1-, BRCA2-, and non-BRCA-associated breast cancers in a multiracial developing country

Yip CH, Taib NA, Choo WY, Rampal S, Thong MK, Teo SH

World J Surg, 2009 Oct;33(10):2077-81.
PMID: 19649760 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-009-0146-8

Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 confer an increased risk to breast and other cancers, but to date there have only been limited numbers of studies of BRCA1- and BRCA2-associated cancers among Asians. Malaysia is a multiracial country with three main races: Malays, Chinese, Indians. We determined whether tumor pathologic features and clinical features differ in patients with and without BRCA mutations in this Asian population.

Matched MeSH terms: Continental Population Groups
Ulcerative colitis in a multiracial Asian country: racial differences and clinical presentation among Malaysian patients

Tan YM, Goh KL

World J Gastroenterol, 2005 Oct 07;11(37):5859-62.
PMID: 16270398

AIM: Inflammatory bowel disease appears to be uncommon among Asians. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC) in Malaysian patients and to establish the spectrum of the disease seen in Malaysian patients. Three major Asian races: Malay, Chinese, and Indian co-exist in Malaysia and we sought to determine if there were any racial differences in the prevalence and presentation of disease. Racial differences for several other gastrointestinal diseases have previously been observed and found to be extremely interesting.
METHODS: Data were obtained retrospectively from a review of the medical records of in- and out-patients with a diagnosis of UC at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur between 1985 and 1998.
RESULTS: There were 45 confirmed cases of UC of which 3 were foreigners, who were excluded from analysis. Thirty new cases of UC were diagnosed during the study period. Their mean age at presentation was 33.0+/-10.0 years. The highest prevalence of UC was 17.9/100 000 hospital admissions in the Indians, followed by 11.2/100 000 hospital admissions in the Chinese. The lowest prevalence was 3.7/100 000 hospital admissions in the Malays. The prevalence of UC was significantly higher in the Indians and the Chinese when compared with the Malays with an OR of 4.89 (CI = 2.02-12.24; chi2 = 15.45, P<0.001) and 3.06 (CI = 1.24-7.78; chi2 = 6.30; P = 0.012) respectively. The extent of colonic disease was similar in the Malay and Indian patients. In contrast, distal or left-sided colitis predominated in the Chinese with an OR of 8.17 (95%CI = 1.31-64.87; chi2 = 5.53, P = 0.02). Extraintestinal manifestations were uncommon (11.9%).
CONCLUSION: UC is an uncommon disease in Malaysia, but racial differences exist. The Indians had the highest prevalence of UC with the Chinese demonstrating the least extensive disease.

Matched MeSH terms: Continental Population Groups
High Seroprevalence Against Typhus Group and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae in Rural Indigenous Populations of Peninsular Malaysia

Tappe D, Gross Y, Ngui R, Rauch J, Tay ST, Lim YAL

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 2019 05;19(5):323-327.
PMID: 30540546 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2391

Rickettsioses of the typhus group (TG) and spotted fever group (SFG) are emerging bacterial infections worldwide, especially in the tropics. Only a few studies on these pathogens and their respective clinical diseases have been conducted in Malaysia. Here, we performed a seroprevalence study among 544 healthy, afebrile indigenous people (Orang Asli) from peninsular Malaysia for TG and SFG rickettsioses in nine rural and peri-urban settlements. The study population encompassed children, adolescents, and adults. The overall seroprevalence of rickettsiosis in the Orang Asli was 48.5%, with 27.9% seroprevalence against TG rickettsiae and 20.6% seroprevalence against SFG rickettsiae. In 7.9% of the study participants, antibodies against both rickettsial groups were found. The highest seropositivity rates against TG and SRG rickettsiae were detected in young children and adults. Overall, there were no gender differences. Seroprevalences were similar among inhabitants of different settlements, except for two localities. More studies are needed to shed more light on the ecology and risk factors for TG and SFG rickettsioses in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Groups*
HPV information needs, educational messages and channel of delivery preferences: views from developing country with multiethnic populations

Wong LP

Vaccine, 2009 Feb 25;27(9):1410-5.
PMID: 19150379 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.12.045

This qualitative study used focus group discussions (FGDs) to evaluate information needed in order to make informed human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination decision, opinion on the most acceptable public education messages, and channel of delivery in a multiethnic, multicultural and multireligion country. A total of 19 FGDs were conducted among mothers of eligible vaccinees, young women eligible for the vaccine, and men. Messages that carry accurate information about HPV-cervical cancer link, the HPV preventive vaccines and at the same time minimize the stigma of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) vaccine were preferred. Educational messages for future HPV educational intervention were developed and methods to effectively convey to the public the need for HPV vaccination were identified. The findings serve as a basis for future intervention to develop research-based communication materials and strategies.

Matched MeSH terms: Continental Population Groups
Fulltext Comparison of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among Communities Living in Hotspot and Non-Hotspot Areas of Dengue in Selangor, Malaysia

Ghani NA, Shohaimi S, Hee AK, Chee HY, Emmanuel O, Alaba Ajibola LS

Trop Med Infect Dis, 2019 Feb 15;4(1).
PMID: 30781369 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4010037

BACKGROUND: Dengue has affected more than one-third of the world population and Malaysia has recorded an increase in the number of dengue cases since 2012. Selangor state recorded the highest number of dengue cases in Malaysia. Most of the dengue infections occur among people living in hotspot areas of dengue. This study aims to compare Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among communities living in hotspot and non-hotspot dengue areas.
METHOD: Communities living in 20 hotspot and 20 non-hotspot areas in Selangor were chosen in this study where 406 participants were randomly selected to answer questionnaires distributed at their housing areas. Total marks of each categories were compared using t-test.
RESULT: Results show that there were significant mean differences in marks in Knowledge (p value: 0.003; 15.41 vs. 14.55) and Attitude (p value: < 0.001; 11.41 vs. 10.33), but not Practice (p value 0.101; 10.83 vs. 10.47) categories between communities of non-hotspot and hotspot areas. After considering two confounding variables which are education level and household income, different mean marks are found to be significant in Knowledge when education level acts as a covariate and Attitude when both act as covariates.
CONCLUSION: Overall results show that people living in non-hotspot areas had better knowledge and attitude than people living in hotspot areas, but no difference was found in practice. This suggests that public health education should be done more frequently with people with a low education background and low household income, especially in hotspot areas to fight dengue outbreak and make dengue cases decrease effectively.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Groups
Fulltext Seroprevalence of toxocariasis among Orang Asli (Indigenous people) in Malaysia using two immunoassays

Romano N, Nor Azah MO, Rahmah N, Lim Y AL, Rohela M

Trop Biomed, 2010 Dec;27(3):585-94.
PMID: 21399601 MyJurnal

Toxocariasis is a zoonotic helminthic infection of humans caused by the dog roundworm (Toxocara canis) or cat roundworm (Toxocara cati). There are two main human syndromes: visceral larva migrans (VLM), which are characterized by symptoms associated with major organs and ocular larva migrans (OLM), in which pathological effects on the host are restricted to the eye and the optic nerve. The present study evaluated the seroprevalence of toxocariasis among the Orang Asli with an IgG4-ELISA using recombinant antigens (rTES-26, rTES-30 and rTES-120) and an IgG-ELISA commercial kit (Cypress Diagnostic, Belgium). A total of 188 serum samples were analyzed using IgG4-ELISA recombinant antigens while 83 were tested using IgG-ELISA. Overall, 9 out of 188 (4.8%) samples were positive with the former assay: rTES-26 (2.7%) and rTES-30 (2.1%); and 63 out of 83 (75.9%) were positive with the IgG-ELISA. In general, the seroprevalence of toxocariasis among males (9.5%) was higher compared to females (1%). Children below 12 years (6.3%) have higher seroprevalence rate compared to adults (1.2%). Out of 59 IgG positive samples, 56 (94.9%) were also positive with soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections which may indicate high false positivity. None of the IgG4- ELISA positive samples were positive with STH infections. Of 9 positive samples with IgG4-ELISA, 7 were also positive with IgG-ELISA giving the probability of true cases. The present finding indicated that exposure to Toxocara infection is not unusual among Malaysian aborigines, and it affects both sexes and all age groups. As a prevention strategy, more effective public health programmes to promote better understanding on the consequences of toxocariasis among the Orang Asli communities are deemed necessary.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Groups
Fulltext A review of human leptospirosis in Malaysia

El Jalii IM, Bahaman AR

Trop Biomed, 2004 Dec;21(2):113-9.
PMID: 16493403 MyJurnal

This paper reviews the literature on human leptospirosis in Malaysia from its first description in 1925 until the present day. Fletcher diagnosed the first case of human leptospirosis in Malaysia in 1925. Following Fletcher, many investigations on human leptospirosis in Malaysia disclosed a high prevalence of infection. These investigations indicated that the disease was endemic in the country. Examination of 1993 suspected human cases of leptospirosis by Tan indicated 28 % of the cases were positive. In a recent survey, 2190 serum samples from patients with different clinical manifestations in the country disclosed 12.6% were positive for antibodies to leptospires. The risk to leptospiral infection with respect to occupation, location, sex, race and age groups was demonstrated. Both civilians and military personnel were affected. Thirty-seven serovars from thirteen serogroups have been identified in the country. Recent studies on animal leptospirosis showed that the disease was highly endemic in the animal population. It is considered that the majority of leptospirosis cases in humans were due to association of man with animals and disease-infected environment.

Matched MeSH terms: Animal Population Groups
Risk factors and incidence of posttransplant diabetes mellitus in renal transplant recipients

Foo SM, Wong HS, Morad Z

Transplant Proc, 2004 Sep;36(7):2139-40.
PMID: 15518776

OBJECTIVE:
This study reviewed the incidence of post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) and risk factors for its development among renal transplant recipients in Malaysia.

METHODS:
Records of all kidney recipients with no known diabetes mellitus prior to transplantation and followed for at least 6 months posttransplant were selected for this retrospective study. PTDM was diagnosed according to American Diabetic Association/WHO criteria or the need to start insulin or an oral hypoglycemic agent. The data set included recipient age, gender, race, weight, donor type, duration of transplant, HCV antibody status, and immunosuppressive medication.

RESULTS:
Of the 316 patients who fulfilled the selection criteria, 13.3% had PTDM. Gender, race, type of donor, HCV serologic status, and use of tacrolimus did not differ significantly between recipients with versus without PTDM. However, recipients who developed PTDM were significantly older (median age 50.5 versus 42.0 years, P < 0.0001), had significantly longer posttransplant follow-up (median duration 125.5 versus 85.0 months, P = .0030) and weighed more at transplantation/first follow-up (median weight 57.6 versus 52.3 kg, P = .0103).

CONCLUSION:
The overall cumulative incidence of PTDM in this study was similar to the published reports. Older age, longer posttransplant duration, and heavier weight were the only variables significantly associated with PTDM.

Matched MeSH terms: Continental Population Groups
Comparison of patient survival between various subgroups among renal transplant patients: a single center experience

Go KW, Teo SM

Transplant Proc, 2004 Sep;36(7):2046-7.
PMID: 15518740

To compare patient graft survival between various subgroups among renal transplant patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Continental Population Groups
Antibodies to Sarcocystis in Malaysians

Thomas V, Dissanaike AS

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1978;72(3):303-6.
PMID: 97821

Sera from 243 donors belonging to the four main ethnic groups in West Malaysia (Orang Asli, Malays, Chinese and Indians) were tested, using the indirect fluorescent antibody technique for the prevalence of antibodies to Sarcocystis. Almost 20% reacted positively at dilutions of 1:64 or higher and eight among the Orang Asli and Malays gave the highest titres of 1:256. Prevalence was highest in the Orang Asli and lowest in Chinese. 22 sera also reacted positively to Toxoplasma, whether due to polyparasitism or cross-reaction is, as yet, unknown.

Matched MeSH terms: Continental Population Groups
Molecular analysis of HLA Class I and Class II genes in four indigenous Malaysian populations

Jinam TA, Saitou N, Edo J, Mahmood A, Phipps ME

Tissue Antigens, 2010 Feb;75(2):151-8.
PMID: 20003135 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2009.01417.x

This is the first report of high-resolution human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing in four indigenous groups in Malaysia. A total of 99 normal, healthy participants representing the Negrito (Jehai and Kensiu), Proto-Malay (Temuan) and a native group of Borneo (Bidayuh) were typed for HLA-A, -B, -DRB1 and -DQB1 genes using sequence-based typing. Eleven HLA-A, 26 HLA-B, 16 HLA-DRB1 and 14 HLA-DQB1 alleles were detected, including a new allele, HLA-B*3589 in the Jehai. Highly frequent alleles were A*2407, B*1513, B*1801, DRB1*0901, DRB1*1202, DRB1*1502, DQB1*0303 and DQB1*0502. Principal component analysis based on high-resolution HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 allele frequencies showed close affinities among all four groups, including the Negritos, with other Southeast Asian populations. These results showed the scope of HLA diversity in these indigenous minority groups and may prove beneficial for future disease association, anthropological and forensic studies.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Groups/genetics*
HLA polymorphism in three indigenous populations of Sabah and Sarawak

Dhaliwal JS, Shahnaz M, Azrena A, Irda YA, Salawati M, Too CL, et al.

Tissue Antigens, 2010 Feb;75(2):166-9.
PMID: 20196825 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2009.01410.x

One hundred and fifty-eight Kadazan, Iban and Bidayuh individuals registered with the Malaysian Marrow Donor Registry were typed for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, HLA-B and HLA-DR. Six, seven and eight HLA-A alleles as well as 13, 15 and 16 HLA-B alleles were detected in the Kadazan, Bidayuh and Iban, respectively. The most common HLA-A allele in all three groups was HLA-A*24 with a frequency of 0.456, 0.490 and 0.422 in the Kadazan, Bidayuh and Iban, respectively. The most common HLA-B allele detected in the Kadazan was HLA-B*40 with a frequency of 0.333; for the Bidayuh and the Iban it was HLA-B*15 with a frequency of 0.460 and 0.275, respectively. The HLA-DR allele with the highest frequency in the Kadazan was HLA-DR*1502 with a frequency of 0.500. In the Iban and the Bidayuh, HLA-DRB1*1202 was the most common DR allele with frequencies of 0.235 and 0.310, respectively. The two most common haplotypes for the Kadazan are A*34-B*38-DR*1502 and A*24-B*40-DR*0405, whereas for the Bidayuh they are A*24-B*15-DR*1602 and A*24-B*35-DR*1202 and for the Iban they are A*34-*B15-DR*1502 and A*24-B*15-DR*1202.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Groups/genetics*
Molecular analysis of HLA-B in the Malaysian aborigines

Hirayama K, Zaidi AS, Lokman Hakim S, Kimura A, Ong KJ, Kikuchi M, et al.

Tissue Antigens, 1996 Dec;48(6):692-7.
PMID: 9008312

We have examined 56 unrelated individuals from Malaysian aborigines for their DNA polymorphism of the HLA-B gene by sequence specific oligonucleotide probe (SSO) method. Using the SSO hybridization, we found that one specific DNA allele with a B*1513 like pattern of epitope combination (ECB1513) was dominant among the Melayu Asli (Af = 41.9%) and the Senoi (Af = 24%). To determine the nucleotide sequences of ECB1513, a DNA fragment spanning from the beginning of exon 1 to the middle of exon 4 of the HLA-B gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from two ECB1513 positive individuals, and the PCR products were cloned and sequenced. This sequencing analysis confirmed that ECB1513 was identical to HLA-B*1513 in exon 1, 2, 3, and 4. Amino acid sequence of this major allele, HLA-B*1513, in the aborigines especially around the peptide binding groove (B and F pockets), was compared with that of African B*5301 that had been suggested to confer resistance to malaria infection in Africa. The amino acid residues composing of the F pocket were completely identical in B*1513 and B*5301. These observations suggest that a common environmental factor, the malaria infection, might have independently enhanced the selection of functional change in the polymorphic portion of HLA-B gene in Africa and in South-East Asia.

Matched MeSH terms: Continental Population Groups
Anticoagulation control in different ethnic groups receiving vitamin K antagonist therapy for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation

Zulkifly H, Cheli P, Lutchman I, Bai Y, Lip GYH, Lane DA

Thromb Res, 2020 08;192:12-20.
PMID: 32416364 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2020.04.001

BACKGROUND: Efficacy and safety of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) is optimised in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients when the International Normalised Ratio (INR) is 2.0-3.0. Anticoagulation control comparing different ethnic groups is limited, although epidemiological studies suggest poorer INR control in non-white cohorts.
METHODS: VKA control was assessed retrospectively by time-in-the-therapeutic range (TTR) (Rosendaal method) and percentage INR-in-range (PINRR) in 991 White, Afro-Caribbean and South-Asian AF patients [overall mean (SD) age 71.6 (9.4) years; 55% male; mean (SD) CHA2DS2-VASc score 3.4 (1.6)] over a median (IQR) follow-up of 5.2 (3.2-7.0) years.
RESULTS: Compared to Whites, mean (SD) TTR and PINRR were significantly lower in South-Asians [TTR 67.9% vs. 60.5%; PINRR 58.8% vs. 51.6%, respectively] and Afro-Caribbeans [TTR 67.9% vs. 61.3%; PINRR 58.8% vs. 53.1%, respectively], despite similar INR monitoring intensity. Logistic regression revealed non-white ethnicity [OR 2.62; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] (1.67-4.10) and OR 3.47 (1.44-8.34)] and anaemia [OR 1.65 (1.00-2.70) and OR 6.27 (1.89-20.94)] as independent predictors of both TTR and PINRR

Matched MeSH terms: Continental Population Groups
Fulltext Seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in renal patients

Nissapatorn V, Leong TH, Lee R, Init-Ithoi, Ibrahim J, Yen TS

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2011 Mar;42(2):237-47.
PMID: 21710842

Toxoplasmosis is an important parasitic disease in immunosuppressed patients. This prospective study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence, associated risk factors and the incidence of clinically confirmed toxoplasmosis among renal patients at the University of Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We interviewed 247 renal patients, each of whom answered an epidemiological questionnaire, and collected blood samples for measurement of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA. Overall seroprevalence of latent toxoplasmosis was observed in 126 (51%) renal patients. Race (Malays), marital status (married) and primary level of education, were all factors associated with a greater chance of Toxoplasma infection. A case of clinically confirned toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in a renal transplant recipient as a result of immunosuppression. Based on the findings obtained, this preliminary study shows a high prevalence of latent toxoplasmosis in renal patients. Risk factors may have significantly contributed to Toxoplasma acquisition in these patients. We recommend further studies be carried out to monitor for trends in toxoplasmosis among immunosuppressed patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Continental Population Groups
Angiotensin-1 converting enzyme I/D gene polymorphism: scenario in Malaysia

Jayapalan JJ, Muniandy S, Chan SP

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2008 Sep;39(5):917-21.
PMID: 19058590

Discrepancies in angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (ACE) allele genetic susceptibility with disease etiology have been attributed to ethnic differences. We investigated ACE gene polymorphism of the multiethnic Malaysian population by utilizing nested polymerase chain reaction. Allelic frequency of 0.65 and 0.35 for I and D allele, respectively in the pooled population was comparable with other Asian populations. A significant association was found between the Malaysian ethnic groups and ACE I/D genotype. The II genotype was found at higher frequency among the Malays but a greater frequency of DD genotype among Indians.

Matched MeSH terms: Continental Population Groups
Fulltext Parasitic infections among Orang Asli (aborigine) in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Hakim SL, Gan CC, Malkit K, Azian MN, Chong CK, Shaari N, et al.

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2007 May;38(3):415-9.
PMID: 17877212

In April 2004, an outbreak of acute diarrheal illness occurred among the Orang Asli (aborigine) in the Cameron Highlands, Pahang State, Peninsular Malaysia, where rotavirus was later implicated as the cause. In the course of the epidemic investigation, stool samples were collected and examined for infectious agents including parasites. Soil transmitted helminthes (STH), namely Ascaris lumbricoides (25.7%), Trichuris trichiura (31.1%) and hookworm (8.1%), and intestinal protozoa, which included Giardia lamblia (17.6%), Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar (9.4%), Blastocystis hominis (8.1%) and Cryptosporidium parvum (2.7%), were detected. Forty-four (59.5%) were infected with at least one parasite, 24 (32.4%), 12 (16.2%) and 8 (10.8%) had single, double and triple parasitic infections, respectively. STH were prevalent with infections occurring as early as in infancy. Giardia lamblia, though the most commonly found parasite in samples from symptomatic subjects, was within the normally reported rate of giardiasis among the various communities in Malaysia, and was an unlikely cause of the outbreak. However, heavy pre-existing parasitic infections could have contributed to the severity of the rotavirus diarrheal outbreak.

Matched MeSH terms: Population Groups*
Schistosomiasis malayensis-like infection among the Penan and other interior tribes (Orang Ulu) in upper Rejang River Basin Sarawak Malaysia

Sagin DD, Ismail G, Fui JN, Jok JJ

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2001 Mar;32(1):27-32.
PMID: 11485090

A serosurvey of various indigenous interior tribes (Orang Ulu) in upper Rejang River Basin Sarawak Malaysia, the site of a multibillion Ringgit hydroelectric power project, found 6.8% of the individual surveyed were seropositive for schistosomiasis, as determined by ELISA method using the soluble egg antigen of Schistosoma malayensis Baling strain. In all age group, the seroprevalence rate is higher (9.5%) in males than in females (4.5%) except for the 31-40 age group. Seroprevalence of schistosomiasis was found to increase with age with the above 60 age group having the highest rate followed by the 31-40 age group. Seroprevalence rate among the tribes ranges from 4.1% among the Penan to 11.6% among the Kajang. There was no seroevidence of schistosomiasis among the Ukits. A snail survey found four snail species including Brotia species, the intermediate host of the lung fluke Paragonimus westermani, however no schistosome snail host was identified. Although schistosomiasis malayensis-like infection may be endemic in the area, its public health significance remains undetermined.

Matched MeSH terms: Continental Population Groups

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