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  1. Shift in parasitic infections during the Corona pandemic: a hospital-based retrospective study
    Hawash Y, Ismail KH, Abdel-Wahab M
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Jun 01;38(2):94-101.
    PMID: 34172696 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.2.038
    The Corona pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) calls on the Saudi government to take action to control the infection. The government closed borders, prohibited travel, limited outdoor movements, and told primary and secondary care facilities to reduce all regular non-urgent health services. It is not known whether these measures have impacted the prevalence of parasitic intestinal infections. This study has therefore been carried out to investigate this issue. Dataset of 217 stool samples submitted to the King Faisal Medical Complex (KFMC) Microbiology Laboratory in Taif, Saudi Arabia for parasitological examination during the pandemic (January-June 2020) and 649 samples submitted during the corresponding months of the previous year (January-June 2019) were extracted and analyzed. Overall, 24.1% (209/866) of samples were parasitespositives; 26.6% (173/649) before and 16.5% (36/217) during the pandemic, with 79% reduction. There was a significant difference in gender-parasitism between the two periods where the majority of parasitism were for males (p<0.001). Infections were frequent in patients aged 5- 14 years both before (84/649; 12.9%) and during (12/217; 5.5%) the pandemic, with significant difference observed between the two cohorts (p<0.002). Moreover, the majority of infected patients were non-Saudi (67.9%; 142/209), with a significant difference in nationality reported, (p=0.024). Protozoa were identified in 21.8% (189) of all samples investigated, of which, Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba coli, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar and Cryptosporidium species were identified in 6.1% (53), 5.4% (47), 5.0% (44), 2.8% (25), and 2.3% (20), respectively. Helminths were diagnosed in 2.3% (20/866) of samples. Eggs of hookworm, Ascaris, Taenia spp, and Hymenolepis nana were detected in 0.9% (8), 0.5% (5), 0.3% (3) and 0.4% (4), respectively. In parallel with our research hypothesis, a substantial decrease in the burden of intestinal parasitic infections was recorded with the lock-down measures taken during the Corona pandemic.
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology*
  2. Intestinal parasites, eosinophilia, haemoglobin and gamma globulin of Malay, Chinese and Indian schoolchildren
    Bisseru B, Abdul Aziz bin Ahmad
    Med J Malaya, 1970 Sep;25(1):29-33.
    PMID: 4098546
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology*
  3. Anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia among aboriginal schoolchildren in rural Peninsular Malaysia: an update on a continuing problem
    Al-Mekhlafi MH, Surin J, Atiya AS, Ariffin WA, Mahdy AK, Abdullah HC
    Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2008 Oct;102(10):1046-52.
    PMID: 18617209 DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.05.012
    A cross-sectional study to determine the current prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and to investigate the possible risk factors for IDA was carried out on 241 aboriginal schoolchildren (120 boys, 121 girls) aged 7-12 years and living in remote areas in Pos Betau, Pahang, Malaysia. Haemoglobin (Hb) level was measured and serum iron status was assessed by serum ferritin (SF), serum iron (SI) and total iron binding capacity measurements. Socioeconomic data were collected using pre-tested questionnaires. All children were screened for intestinal parasitic infections. Overall, 48.5% (95% CI 42.3-54.8) of children were anaemic (Hb<12 g/dl). The prevalence of IDA was 34% (95% CI 28.3-40.2), which accounted for 70.1% of the anaemia cases. The prevalence of IDA was significantly higher in females than males. Low levels of mothers' education and low household income were identified as risk factors for IDA. Severe trichuriasis also found to be associated with low SF and SI. Logistic regression confirmed low levels of mothers' education and gender as significant risk factors for IDA. Improvement of socioeconomic status and health education together with periodic mass deworming should be included in public health strategies for the control and prevention of anaemia and IDA in this population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
  4. Current prevalence and predictors of protein-energy malnutrition among schoolchildren in rural Peninsular Malaysia
    Al-Mekhlafi MS, Surin J, Atiya AS, Ariffin WA, Mahdy AK, Abdullah HC
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2008 Sep;39(5):922-31.
    PMID: 19058591
    A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the current prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) among Orang Asli schoolchildren and to investigate the potential predictors of malnutrition. A total of 241 (120 males and 121 females) Orang Asli schoolchildren age 7-12 years living in remote areas of Pos Betau, Pahang participated voluntarily in this study. Anthropometric and socioeconomic data were collected and the children were screened for intestinal parasitic infections. The overall prevalences of mild and significant underweight conditions were 52.3% and 37.3%, respectively, and the prevalences of mild stunting and wasting were 43.6% and 43.1%, respectively, while the prevalences of significant stunting and wasting were 43.6% and 5.6%, respectively. There was a significant association between gender (male) and malnutrition (p = 0.029). The results also showed a higher prevalence of stunting among children age < or = 10 years than in older children (p = 0.001). Other independent variables, including socioeconomic status and intestinal parasitic infections, had no significant associations with malnutrition indices. PEM is prevalent among schoolchildren in rural Malaysia and therefore of public health concern since PEM diminishes immune function and impairs cognitive function and educational performance. School-based programs of prevention through health education and interventions should be considered as an essential part of measures to improve the quality of life of schoolchildren in rural Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
  5. Gastrointestinal parasites of zoonotic importance observed in the wild, urban, and captive populations of non-human primates in Malaysia
    Adrus M, Zainudin R, Ahamad M, Jayasilan MA, Abdullah MT
    J Med Primatol, 2019 02;48(1):22-31.
    PMID: 30370934 DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12389
    BACKGROUND: A study was undertaken to determine gastrointestinal (GI) parasites commonly found in Malaysia's non-human primates (NHP) living in three different types of populations (wild, urban, and captive) and the basis of major GI parasites of zoonotic importance.

    METHODS: A total of 308 samples was collected and microscopically screened from the NHP in the wild (n = 163), urban (n = 76), and captive (n = 69) populations. The samples were taken from 12 species of local NHPs.

    RESULTS: At least, 44 species of GI parasites comprising of protozoans (seven species), nematodes (26 species), cestodes (five species), trematodes (five species), and pentastomida (one species) were detected. There were no significant differences for the overall prevalence and no great differences in GI parasite species among the wild, urban, and captive NHP populations.

    CONCLUSION: The most common GI parasite was Ascaris spp. (49.7%), followed by Oesophagostomum spp. (26.9%), and 31 species discovered in this study are of known public health importance.

    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
  6. Fulltext Intestinal nematode infections and efficacy study of oxantel-pyrantel pamoate among plantation workers
    Zahedi M, Oothuman P, Sabapathy NN, Abu Bakar N
    Med J Malaysia, 1980 Sep;35(1):31-7.
    PMID: 7253995
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
  7. Fulltext The prevalence of intestinal parasites among children at the General Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    Idruss H, Zahedi M, Ainiyah AJ
    Med J Malaysia, 1982 Dec;37(4):373-7.
    PMID: 7167092
    A prevalence study for intestinal parasites among 305 infants and young children was conducted at the Paediatric wards of the General Hospital Kuala Lum.pur, Malaysia. 40.8 percent of children were infected with at least one type of intestinal parasites: 39 percent were found to be infected with intestinal helminths and 4.26 percent with intestinal protozoa. Ascaris formed 17.38 percent of the infestation followed by Trichuris (14.75 percent) and hookworm (2.95 percent); 0.3 percent of the cases had Strongyloides stercoralis; 2.30 percent and 2.62 percent of the children had Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia respectively. Indian children were the predominant group found infected, followed by the Chinese and Ma lays. A significant drop in infestation rate of soil-transmitted helminths was detected among the Malays. The significance of the changing pattern in the epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminths is
    discussed. A brief review of literature is also presented.
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology*
  8. Fulltext Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among communities living in different habitats and its comparison with one hundred and one studies conducted over the past 42 years (1970 to 2013) in Malaysia
    Sinniah B, Hassan A KR, Sabaridah I, Soe MM, Ibrahim Z, Ali O
    Trop Biomed, 2014 Jun;31(2):190-206.
    PMID: 25134888 MyJurnal
    Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common diseases affecting mankind causing major public health problems to billions of people living in developing countries. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in various communities residing in different habitats in Malaysia and compare the findings with 101 studies conducted over the past 42 years (1970-2013). A cross-sectional study design was conducted with the aid of a questionnaire to collect relevant information about the study population. Faecal samples were examined using the direct smear and formal ether sedimentation techniques. A total of 342 children were examined amongst whom 24.6% were positive for intestinal parasitic infections. Results showed that 32.3% of rural children, 20.6% of urban squatters and 5.4% of children from flats were positive for one or more parasites. The most common parasite encountered was Trichuris trichiura (20.2%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (10.5%) and hookworm (6.7%). No case of hookworm was reported in urban children whereas 12.2% of rural children were positive. The most common protozoan parasite detected was Entamoeba coli (3.2%) followed by Giardia intestinalis (1.8%), Entamoeba histolytica (1.8%) and Blastocystis hominis (1.2%). Nearly one-fifth (18.4%) of the children had single infection followed by double (12.0%) and triple infections (1.2%). Orang Asli (indigenous) children (44.3%) had the highest infection rate followed by Indians (20.2%), Malays (14.0%) and Chinese (11.9%). Twenty-eight studies carried out on plantation communities with regards to intestinal parasitic infections in Malaysia from 1970 to 2013 showed a steady decline in the prevalence rate ranging from 95.0% in the seventies to 37.0 % in 2012. Intestinal parasitic infections were more common in Orang Asli communities with prevalence ranging from over 90% in the seventies and fluctuating below 70% in most studies between 2000 to 2013 except for two studies that showed a prevalence of 98.2% and 100%. The prevalence rate among urban squatters, urban residents and those living in flats showed dramatic decrease in prevalence rate.
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology*
  9. Nutrition of Iban children of the Sut and Mujong Rivers
    Anderson AJ
    J Trop Pediatr, 1981 02;27(1):26-35.
    PMID: 7218412 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/27.1.26
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
  10. Prevalence of intestinal helminths among patients admitted to the Balik Pulau district hospital on Penang island
    Khan SM, Anuar AK
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1977 Jun;8(2):260-4.
    PMID: 918716
    Faecal samples from patients admitted to the District Hospital in Balik, Pulau, Penang revealed high infection rates for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms. The prevalence rates were Trichuris trichiura 51.7%, Ascaris lumbricoides 31.9% and hookworm 37.2%. The overall highest infection is among the Malays (79%), the least being among the Chinese (61.1%). The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was highest in the 11-20 age group. The prevalence of Trichura was highest in the 51-60 age group, Ascaris and Trichuris infections is higher among the males but hookworm infection is higher among the females. 72.6% of the patients were infected with at least one type of helminth and 32.9% of the patients were infected with at least 2 types of helminths.
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology*
  11. Fulltext Occurrence of enteric parasitic infections among HIV-infected individuals and its relation to CD4 T-cell counts with a special emphasis on coccidian parasites at a tertiary care centre in South India
    Swathirajan CR, Vignesh R, Pradeep A, Solomon SS, Solomon S, Balakrishnan P
    Indian J Med Microbiol, 2017 Jan-Mar;35(1):37-40.
    PMID: 28303816 DOI: 10.4103/ijmm.IJMM_16_164
    CONTEXT: Diarrhoea is one of the major complications occurring in over 90% of HIV-infected individuals in developing countries. Coccidian group of parasites, being opportunistic pathogens, have been implicated as the most common causative agents of diarrhoea among HIV-infected population.

    AIMS: The aim was to study the magnitude of parasitic diarrhoea with special context to coccidian parasitic infections in HIV-infected individuals and their association with the patient's immunological status measured by CD4 T-cell counts.

    SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This investigation was performed between January 2002 and December 2014 at a tertiary HIV care centre in Chennai, South India.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stool samples were collected and microscopically observed for parasites using direct, formal-ether-concentrated wet mounts and modified acid-fast staining for coccidian parasites. CD4 T-cell counts were done by FACScount.

    STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: All statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism software, version 5.0, andP < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

    RESULTS: Coccidian parasitic infection accounted for about 23.4% of parasitic infections, and of these, Cystoisospora belli was observed to be the most common cause of diarrhoea (88.8%), followed by Cryptosporidium spp. (9.9%) and Cyclospora spp. (1.3%). Trend analysis of coccidian aetiology during the study period revealed a significant rise in the positivity of C. belli and Cryptosporidium spp. (P = 0.001). Among the HIV patients with CD4+ T-cell counts <200 cells/μL, Cryptosporidium infection was most common (90%), followed by infection with C. belli(61.4%).

    CONCLUSIONS: Coccidian parasites continue to be the most common aetiological agent of diarrhoea among patients with HIV. The increasing trend of positivity of both cystoisosporiasis and cryptosporidiosis over the study period and the high positivity of cryptosporidiosis in patients with lower CD4+ T-cell counts are issues of serious concern. The findings call for the need for the early diagnosis of coccidian parasites and appropriate intervention among HIV-infected patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology*
  12. A parasitological study of Pulau Pinang and Pulau Perhentian Kechil, off Trengganu, West Malaysia. I. Malaria and filariasis
    Yap LF, Ramachandran CP, Balasingam E
    Med J Malaya, 1968 Dec;23(2):118-22.
    PMID: 4240821
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
  13. Intestinal parasitic infections in an estate hospital (rubber, oil palm) in Selangor State, Malaysia
    Bisseru B
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1971 Mar;2(1):89-90.
    PMID: 5112353
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology*
  14. Fulltext The effect of repeated chemotherapy on the prevalence and intensity of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infection
    Chan L, Kan SP, Bundy DA
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1992 Jun;23(2):228-34.
    PMID: 1439974
    The prevalence and intensity of intestinal nematode infections were assessed during 3 anthelminthic interventions in an urban community in Malaysia. The prevalence levels of Ascaris lumbricoides at Interventions 1, 2 and 3 were 30.6%, 18.9% and 15.5%, respectively and the mean intensities were 1.9, 0.75 and 0.81 worms per person. For Trichuris trichiura, the prevalence levels at Interventions 1, 2 and 3 were 46.9%, 21.6% and 15.7%, respectively. The mean intensities for T. trichiura at Interventions 1, 2 and 3 were 3.30, 0.92 and 0.07 worms per person. No gender-related prevalence and intensity were observed for the two geohelminths in this community. Prevalences and intensity had convex age profiles. Although repeated chemotherapeutic intervention reduced both prevalence and intensity levels, intensity was a more sensitive indicator than prevalence. The results indicate that age-targetting treatment at school children of 7-12 years of age would be an appropriate strategy for this community.
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
  15. Fulltext Critique of article: "Prevalence and Distribution of Intestinal and Blood Parasites Among Ibans in the Nanga Atoi in the Second Division of Sarawak" (sic). By Neo CB, Cheah YK, Chin PW, et al
    Hardin S, Kiyu A, Chang Moh Seng
    Med J Malaysia, 1988 Sep;43(3):269-71.
    PMID: 3241591
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology*
  16. [Investigation on the parasites of alien laborers in Kaohsiung]
    Yen CM, Tsen LT, Leu SN, Chung LY, Hsieh HC, Chen ER
    Gaoxiong Yi Xue Ke Xue Za Zhi, 1995 Jul;11(7):390-7.
    PMID: 7650778
    In the past year, stool specimens of 1,732 alien laborers were examined for intestinal parasites. There was no significant difference in the positive rate between males and females. All alien laborers were examined in 3 hospitals and the positive rates were 24.8% (191/769), 13.6% (109/804) and 12.6% (20/159). Broken down by nationality, the positive rates in laborers from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia were 23.9% (192/803), 20.3% (62/305), 12.1% (60/498) and 4.8% (6/126) respectively. Of all alien laborers, 17.2% (297/1,732) had single infections of parasites and 1.3% (23/1,732) had multiple infections. Opisthorchis viverrinii was the most prevalent parasite found in infected alien laborers. 91.5% of alien laborers were aged from 21 to 40-years-old and had positive rates of parasites reaching 91.0%. The time of arrival in Taiwan had an effect in all alien laborers examined for parasites. The positive rate in laborers arriving during April to June was 22.7% which was significantly higher than the 16.3% for laborers arriving in other months.
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology*
  17. Providing maternal and child care in rural Malaysia
    Chen PC
    Trop Geogr Med, 1977 Dec;29(4):441-8.
    PMID: 610030
    Since Independence, gained in 1957, major changes have occurred in the rural areas of Malaysia not least amongst which has been the provision of maternal and child care services to hitherto neglected areas. In the first part of this paper, the demographic and disease patterns are described. The second part outlines the general development efforts and describes in greater detail the rural health services that have been organized in Malaysia. In the concluding section, changes in mortality and morbidity are examined.
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
  18. Isospora corvi Ray, Shivnani, Oommen and Bhaskaran, 1952 from the common house crow (Corvus splendens Vieillot) of Selangor, peninsular Malaysia
    Poon SK, Chew WK
    Folia Parasitol., 1991;38(3):201-7.
    PMID: 1808029
    Faecal samples of 56 common house crows (Corvus splendens Vieillot) were collected from the Petaling Jaya and Kelang districts of Selangor, peninsular Malaysia, and examined for coccidia. Intestinal tracts of 8 of the above crows wee histologically examined under light microscopy to determine the site of coccidial infection and the endogenous stages present. Fifty three (94.6%) crows had coccidial oocysts morphologically conforming to only one species of Isospora in their faeces at the time they were examined. The sporulated oocysts were found to be Isospora corviae (Ray et al. 1952) which has been emended to I. corvi. These oocysts are redescribed in greater detail. Corvus splendens is a new host record for I. corvi. Coccidial infection was observed in all the intestinal tracts and generally confined to the anterior two thirds of the intestine. The parasites occurred within intestinal epithelial cells, located usually above the host cell nucleus. Developmental stages of both the asexual and sexual phases were found in the epithelium, and are deemed to be the endogenous stages of I. corvi on the basis of the oocysts recovered from the same crows used for histological study. These stages are described here for the first time. The prevalence of I. corvi, its relationship with the host C. splendens, and its probable transmission from C. macrorhynchus are discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
  19. Occurrence of gastrointestinal nematodes in captive nonhuman primates at Matang Wildlife Centre, Sarawak
    Teo SZ, Tuen AA, Madinah A, Aban S, Chong YL
    Trop Biomed, 2019 Sep 01;36(3):594-603.
    PMID: 33597481
    Gastrointestinal nematodes can cause assorted health problems to human and other primates. The status of gastrointestinal nematodes in non-human primates remained less documented in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of gastrointestinal nematodes recovered from the fecal samples of captive non-human primates at the Matang Wildlife Centre (MWC), Sarawak. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 60 non-human primates of six species (i.e. Orangutan, Bornean gibbon, Silvered Leaf monkey, Slow loris, Pig-tailed macaque, and Long-tailed macaque) and processed using simple fecal floatation method and fecal sedimentation method. This study shows high prevalence of nematode infection (>=50%) and co-infection (22 from 45 infected individuals) in all species of captive non-human primates found in MWC, except one individual of young Silvered Leaf monkey was negative for nematode. From these, eight genera of 11 species and one unknown nematode larvae were recovered and among them Oesophagostomum sp., Ascaris sp., and Strongyloides sp. were the most common nematodes infecting the non-human primates. All the Bornean gibbon (n=7) were found to be infected with nematodes. Moreover, Long-tailed macaques at the centre were heavily infected by Ascaris sp. (number of total count, nt = 2132; total mean abundance, MA=113.70). This is the first report of high prevalence nematode infection on multiple species of captive non-human primates in a wildlife centre located in Sarawak. Some of the nematodes are of zoonotic potential. This information is important for health care management, both in-situ and ex-situ conservations of captive and free-ranging nonhuman primates.
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
  20. Fulltext Intestinal parasitism in Malayan aborigines (Orang Asli)
    Dunn FL
    Bull World Health Organ, 1972;46(1):99-113.
    PMID: 4537337
    Surveys were conducted in the southern Malay peninsula to assess intestinal parasitism in the aboriginal ethnic minority groups. Faecal specimens from 1 273 persons were examined by the thiomersal-iodine-formol direct-smear technique. Prevalences are reported and, for helminth infections, data on worm burdens. The state of sanitation in each of 9 cultural-ecological groups was assessed by means of a simplified system of scoring for variables. Particular attention was paid to relationships between cultural and ecological factors, sanitation, and observed patterns of intestinal parasitism. The author also discusses the fact that the number of parasitic species diminishes in habitats simplified by man, whereas an increase occurs in the prevalence and intensity of the more adaptable species that persist in ecosystems of low complexity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology*
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