Displaying publications 281 - 300 of 1514 in total

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  1. Emergence of Nipah virus in Malaysia
    Uppal PK
    Ann N Y Acad Sci, 2000;916:354-7.
    PMID: 11193645
    A pig-borne virus causing viral encephalitis amongst human beings in Malaysia was detected in 1997 by the Ministry of Health. Initially, the disease was considered to be Japanese encephalitis. Subsequently, it was thought to be a Hendra-like viral encephalitis, but on 10th April, 1999 the Minister of Health announced this mysterious and deadly virus to be a new virus named Nipah virus. The virus was characterized at CDC, Atlanta, Georgia. The gene sequencing of the enveloped virus revealed that one of the genes had 21% difference in the nucleotide sequence with about 8% difference in the amino acid sequence from Hendra virus isolated from horses in Australia in 1994. The virus was named after the village Nipah. In all, the Ministry of Health declared 101 human casualties, and 900,000 pigs were culled by April, 1999. The worst affected area in Malaysia was Negri Sembilan. The symptoms, incubation period in human being and pigs, animal to human transmission, threat of disease to other livestock, and control program adopted in Malaysia is described.
    Matched MeSH terms: Horse Diseases/virology; Swine Diseases/virology; Zoonoses/virology
  2. Hendra virus disease in horses
    Westbury HA
    Rev. - Off. Int. Epizoot., 2000 Apr;19(1):151-9.
    PMID: 11189712
    The author provides an account of the discovery of a previously undescribed disease of horses and a description of the studies involved in determining the aetiology of the disease. The causative virus, now named Hendra virus (HeV), is the reference virus for a proposed new genus within the virus family Paramyxoviridae. The virus is a lethal zoonotic agent able to cause natural disease in humans and horses and experimentally induced disease in cats, guinea-pigs and mice. The virus also naturally infects species of the family Megachiroptera, mainly subclinically, and such animals are the natural host of HeV. The virus appears to transmit readily between species of Megachiroptera, but not readily between horses under natural and experimental conditions, or from horses to humans. The method of transmission from bats to horses is not known. Three incidents of HeV disease in horses have been recorded in Australia--two in 1994 which caused the death of two humans and fifteen horses and one in 1999 which involved the death of a single horse. Hendra virus is related to Nipah virus, the virus that caused disease and mortality in humans, pigs, dogs and cats in Malaysia during 1998 and 1999.
    Matched MeSH terms: Horse Diseases/virology*; Zoonoses/virology*; Paramyxoviridae Infections/virology*
  3. Diagnosis of nipah virus encephalitis by electron microscopy of cerebrospinal fluid
    Chow VT, Tambyah PA, Yeo WM, Phoon MC, Howe J
    J Clin Virol, 2000 Dec;19(3):143-7.
    PMID: 11090749
    BACKGROUND: between 1998 and 1999, an outbreak of potentially fatal viral encephalitis erupted among pig farm workers in West Malaysia, and later spread to Singapore where abattoir workers were afflicted. Although Japanese encephalitis virus was initially suspected, the predominant aetiologic agent was subsequently confirmed to be Nipah virus, a novel paramyxovirus related to but distinct from Hendra virus.

    OBJECTIVE: to describe a case of Nipah virus encephalitis in a pig farm worker from Malaysia.

    STUDY DESIGN: the clinical, laboratory and radiological findings of this patient were scrutinized. Special emphasis was placed on the electron microscopic analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen from this patient.

    RESULTS: the neurological deficits indicative of cerebellar involvement were supported by the magnetic resonance imaging that showed prominent cerebellar and brainstem lesions. CSF examination provided further evidence of viral encephalitis. Complement fixation and/or RT-PCR assays were negative for Japanese encephalitis, herpes simplex, measles and mumps viruses. ELISA for detecting IgM and IgG antibodies against Hendra viral antigens were equivocal for the CSF specimen, and tested initially negative for the first serum sample but subsequently positive for the repeat serum sample. Transmission electron microscopy of negatively-stained preparations of CSF revealed enveloped virus-like structures fringed with surface projections as well as nucleocapsids with distinctive helical and herringbone patterns, features consistent with those of other paramyxoviruses, including Hendra virus.

    CONCLUSION: this case report reiterates the relevant and feasible role of diagnostic electron microscopy for identifying and/or classifying novel or emerging viral pathogens for which sufficiently specific and sensitive tests are lacking.

    Matched MeSH terms: Cerebrospinal Fluid/virology*; Paramyxoviridae Infections/virology; Encephalitis, Viral/virology
  4. HHV-6 antigen and viral DNA detected in cervical cells from archived tissue using histochemical staining and hybridization
    Yadav M, Arivananthan M, Kumar S
    Clin Diagn Virol, 1996 Oct;7(1):23-33.
    PMID: 9077427
    BACKGROUND: Human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6), an ubiquitous virus, is the causative agent for exanthem subitum. The virus is frequently associated with lymphoproliferative disorders and other diseases. Recently, we have reported the frequent presence of HHV-6 in oral carcinoma and the present study extends the observation to cervical carcinoma.

    OBJECTIVE: To examine the presence of HHV-6 in cervical carcinoma.

    STUDY DESIGN: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cervical carcinoma tissues were examined for the presence of HHV-6 by immunohistochemistry using two monoclonal antibodies that react to HHV-6-encoded p41/38 and gp116/64/54. In situ hybridization with variant-specific probes were used to type the HHV-6 DNA sequences present.

    RESULTS: A total of 14/26 (53.9%) carcinoma tissue specimens and 5/8 (62.5%) normal tissue specimens were positive for viral antigens. In situ hybridization studies revealed the presence of HHV-6 DNA sequences in 10/26 (38.5%) carcinoma tissue specimens and 1/8 (12.5%) normal tissue specimens. In the normal tissue, the HHV-6 was present in the endocervical ciliated columnar-epithelial cells and some cells in the subepithelial mucosa but in the carcinoma, the transformed cells were positive for the virus.

    CONCLUSIONS: HHV-6 viral proteins and DNA were found in more than one third of the cervical tissue examined suggesting possible viral expression in these tumours. The significance of the distribution and role of the HHV-6 in cervical tissue remains unclear. Since HHV-6 has an oncogenic potential, the virus may cooperate with other transforming agents for the progression of the disease.

    Matched MeSH terms: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/virology*; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/virology*; Exanthema Subitum/virology*
  5. Rotavirus electropherotypes from the Kuala Lumpur Hospital: a re-examination after an interval of seven years
    Yap KL, Lim YH, Tan SC
    Malays J Pathol, 1998 Jun;20(1):25-30.
    PMID: 10879260
    The objective of this study was to ascertain the extent changes have occurred in the epidemiology of human rotavirus electropherotypes from the same location 7 to 8 years after an earlier study. Genomic RNA profiles of rotaviruses from diarrhoeic children admitted to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital from April to December 1996 were determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. A total of 179 group A rotaviruses were detected from 870 children: 175 with legible staining of all RNA segments were classified into 14 distinct electropherotypes (10 and 4 with long and short migration patterns respectively). In addition, the results revealed: high predominance of long pattern electropherotypes (94% of the total electropherotypes); most long electropherotypes with RNA profiles which all 11 RNAs migrated separately (8 of 10 electropherotypes); all short electropherotypes had segments 2 and 3 that co-migrated; presence of a very numerically dominant electropherotype (75% of all electropherotypes); frequent co-circulation of the dominant electropherotype-present throughout the study period--with other electropherotypes present for limited periods; sequential temporal appearances by similar electropherotypes. These observations were similar to that of an earlier study conducted in 1988/89. Nevertheless, the dominant electropherotype in the present study was different and not among the electropherotypes detected in the earlier study.
    Matched MeSH terms: Diarrhea, Infantile/virology; Feces/virology; Rotavirus Infections/virology
  6. Contamination of foods by food handlers: experiments on hepatitis A virus transfer to food and its interruption
    Bidawid S, Farber JM, Sattar SA
    Appl Environ Microbiol, 2000 Jul;66(7):2759-63.
    PMID: 10877765
    Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an important pathogen which has been responsible for many food-borne outbreaks. HAV-excreting food handlers, especially those with poor hygienic practices, can contaminate the foods which they handle. Consumption of such foods without further processing has been known to result in cases of infectious hepatitis. Since quantitative data on virus transfer during contact of hands with foods is not available, we investigated the transfer of HAV from artificially contaminated fingerpads of adult volunteers to pieces of fresh lettuce. Touching the lettuce with artificially contaminated fingerpads for 10 s at a pressure of 0.2 to 0.4 kg/cm(2) resulted in transfer of 9.2% +/- 0.9% of the infectious virus. The pretreatments tested to interrupt virus transfer from contaminated fingerpads included (i) hard-water rinsing and towel drying, (ii) application of a domestic or commercial topical agent followed by water rinsing and towel drying, and (iii) exposure to a hand gel containing 62% ethanol or 75% liquid ethanol without water rinsing or towel drying. When the fingerpads were treated with the topical agents or alcohol before the lettuce was touched, the amount of infectious virus transferred to lettuce was reduced from 9.2% to between 0.3 and 0.6% (depending on the topical agent used), which was a reduction in virus transfer of up to 30-fold. Surprisingly, no virus transfer to lettuce was detected when the fingerpads were rinsed with water alone before the lettuce was touched. However, additional experiments with water rinsing in which smaller volumes of water were used (1 ml instead of 15 ml) showed that the rate of virus transfer to lettuce was 0.3% +/- 0.1%. The variability in virus transfer rates following water rinsing may indicate that the volume of water at least in part influences virus removal from the fingerpads differently, a possibility which should be investigated further. This study provided novel information concerning the rate of virus transfer to foods and a model for investigating the transfer of viral and other food-borne pathogens from contaminated hands to foods, as well as techniques for interrupting such transfer to improve food safety.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fingers/virology; Hepatitis A/virology; Lettuce/virology
  7. Elucidation of Nipah virus morphogenesis and replication using ultrastructural and molecular approaches
    Goldsmith CS, Whistler T, Rollin PE, Ksiazek TG, Rota PA, Bellini WJ, et al.
    Virus Res, 2003 Mar;92(1):89-98.
    PMID: 12606080
    Nipah virus, which was first recognized during an outbreak of encephalitis with high mortality in Peninsular Malaysia during 1998-1999, is most closely related to Hendra virus, another emergent paramyxovirus first recognized in Australia in 1994. We have studied the morphologic features of Nipah virus in infected Vero E6 cells and human brain by using standard and immunogold electron microscopy and ultrastructural in situ hybridization. Nipah virions are enveloped particles composed of a tangle of filamentous nucleocapsids and measured as large as 1900 nm in diameter. The nucleocapsids measured up to 1.67 microm in length and had the herringbone structure characteristic for paramyxoviruses. Cellular infection was associated with multinucleation, intracytoplasmic nucleocapsid inclusions (NCIs), and long cytoplasmic tubules. Previously undescribed for other members of the family Paramyxoviridae, infected cells also contained an inclusion formed of reticular structures. Ultrastructural ISH studies suggest these inclusions play an important role in the transcription process.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brain/virology; Paramyxoviridae Infections/virology; Encephalitis, Viral/virology
  8. New virus emerges in Malaysia
    Caplan CE
    CMAJ, 1999 Jun 1;160(11):1607.
    PMID: 10374006
    Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/virology*; Swine Diseases/virology*; Virus Diseases/virology*
  9. Isolation of Nipah virus from Malaysian Island flying-foxes
    Chua KB, Koh CL, Hooi PS, Wee KF, Khong JH, Chua BH, et al.
    Microbes Infect., 2002 Feb;4(2):145-51.
    PMID: 11880045
    In late 1998, Nipah virus emerged in peninsular Malaysia and caused fatal disease in domestic pigs and humans and substantial economic loss to the local pig industry. Surveillance of wildlife species during the outbreak showed neutralizing antibodies to Nipah virus mainly in Island flying-foxes (Pteropus hypomelanus) and Malayan flying-foxes (Pteropus vampyrus) but no virus reactive with anti-Nipah virus antibodies was isolated. We adopted a novel approach of collecting urine from these Island flying-foxes and swabs of their partially eaten fruits. Three viral isolates (two from urine and one from a partially eaten fruit swab) that caused Nipah virus-like syncytial cytopathic effect in Vero cells and stained strongly with Nipah- and Hendra-specific antibodies were isolated. Molecular sequencing and analysis of the 11,200-nucleotide fragment representing the beginning of the nucleocapsid gene to the end of the glycoprotein gene of one isolate confirmed the isolate to be Nipah virus with a sequence deviation of five to six nucleotides from Nipah virus isolated from humans. The isolation of Nipah virus from the Island flying-fox corroborates the serological evidence that it is one of the natural hosts of the virus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Chiroptera/virology*; Fruit/virology; Paramyxoviridae Infections/virology
  10. Current trends of Hepatitis C virus genotypes and associated risk factors in hemophilia patients in Pakistan
    Yaqoob M, Khan S, Atta S, Khan SN
    Trop Biomed, 2020 Dec 01;37(4):1000-1007.
    PMID: 33612752 DOI: 10.47665/tb.37.4.1000
    Hemophilia is a rare bleeding disorder that needs plasma or clotting factor concentrate transfusion. Therefore chances of blood-borne pathogens like HCV transmission increase due to high prevalence in healthy donors. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of HCV genotypes and associated risk factors in hemophilia patients of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Blood samples and data were collected from 672 hemophiliacs after proper consent obtained from each patient. Samples were analyzed for anti-HCV, HCV RNA and HCV genotype/s detection. Of the total, 22.32% (150) were anti-HCV positive, of which HCV RNA was detected in 18.45% (124) individuals. HCV genotype 3a was found with significantly higher prevalence (p<0.05) (19.35%) as compared to 2a (16.13%) and 1a (12.90%). HCV-3b and HCV-4 were found each in 3.22% samples. Dual infection of genotypes was found in 22.58% of individuals and 22.58% HCV RNA positive sampels were not typed. A total of 572 (85.12%) subjects had hemophilia A and 100 (14.88%) had hemophilia B. In hemophiliacs A the most dominant genotype was 3a (19.27%) while in hemophilia B, genotype 1a was prevalent (26.67%). Whole blood and plasma transfusion were observed as the main risk factors of HCV. It is concluded that HCV genotype 3a and 2a are prevalent in hemophilia patients of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan and the main risk factor observed was an unscreened whole blood transfusion.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hemophilia B/virology; Hemophilia A/virology; Hepatitis C/virology
  11. Seroprevalence of Pteropine orthoreovirus in humans remain similar after nearly two decades (2001-2002 vs. 2017) in Tioman Island, Malaysia
    Leong WJ, Quek XF, Tan HY, Wong KM, Muhammad HS, Mohamed NA, et al.
    J Med Virol, 2022 02;94(2):771-775.
    PMID: 34708881 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27422
    Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) is an emerging zoonotic respiratory virus that can be transmitted from bats to humans. In Malaysia, aside from PRV2P (Pulau virus) being isolated from Pteropus hypomelanus sampled in Tioman Island, PRV3M (Melaka virus), PRV4K (Kampar virus), and PRV7S (Sikamat virus) were all isolated from samples of patients who reported having a disease spectrum from acute respiratory distress to influenza-like illness and sometimes even with enteric symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. Screening of sera collected from human volunteers on Tioman Island in 2001-2002 demonstrated that 12.8% (14/109) were positive for PRV2P and PRV3M. Taking all these together, we aim to investigate the serological prevalence of PRV (including PRV4K and PRV7S) among Tioman Island inhabitants again with the assumption that the seroprevalence rate will remain nearly similar to the above reported if human exposure to bats is still happening in the island. Using sera collected from human volunteers on the same island in 2017, we demonstrated seroprevalence of 17.8% (28/157) against PRV2P and PRV3M, respectively. Seropositivity of 11.4% among Tioman Island inhabitants against PRV4K and PRV7S, respectively, was described in this study. In addition, the seroprevalence of 89.5% (17/19), 73.6% (14/19), 63.0% (12/19), and 73.6% (14/19) against PRV2P, PRV3M, PRV4K, and PRV7S, respectively, were observed among pteropid bats in the island. We revealed that the seroprevalence of PRV among island inhabitants remains nearly similar after nearly two decades, suggesting that potential spill-over events in bat-human interface areas in the Tioman Island. We are unclear whether such spillover was directly from bats to humans, as suspected for the PRV3M human cases, or from an intermediate host(s) yet to be identified. There is a high possibility of the viruses circulating among the bats as demonstrated by high seroprevalence against PRV in the bats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Chiroptera/virology*; Reoviridae Infections/virology; Zoonoses/virology
  12. Enterovirus 71 encephalomyelitis and Japanese encephalitis can be distinguished by topographic distribution of inflammation and specific intraneuronal detection of viral antigen and RNA
    Wong KT, Ng KY, Ong KC, Ng WF, Shankar SK, Mahadevan A, et al.
    Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol, 2012 Aug;38(5):443-53.
    PMID: 22236252 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2990.2011.01247.x
    To investigate if two important epidemic viral encephalitis in children, Enterovirus 71 (EV71) encephalomyelitis and Japanese encephalitis (JE) whose clinical and pathological features may be nonspecific and overlapping, could be distinguished.
    Matched MeSH terms: Central Nervous System/virology; Encephalitis, Japanese/virology; Enterovirus Infections/virology
  13. Update on temporal and spatial abundance of dengue vectors in Penang, Malaysia
    Saifur RG, Hassan AA, Dieng H, Ahmad H, Salmah MR, Satho T, et al.
    J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 2012 Jun;28(2):84-92.
    PMID: 22894118
    It is important to obtain frequent measurements of the abundance, distribution, and seasonality of mosquito vectors to determine the risk of disease transmission. The number of cases of dengue infection has increased in recent years on Penang Island, Malaysia, with recurring epidemics. However, ongoing control attempts are being critically hampered by the lack of up-to-date information regarding the vectors. To overcome this problem, we examined the current situation and distribution of dengue vectors on the island. Residences throughout the urban, suburban, and rural areas were inspected through wet and dry seasons between February 2009 and February 2010. Two vectors were encountered in the survey, with Aedes aegypti present in especially high numbers mostly in urban areas. Similar observations were noted for Ae. albopictus in rural areas. The former species was more abundant in outdoor containers, while the latter showed almost equivalent abundance both outdoors and indoors. The dengue virus was active in both urban and rural areas, and the number of cases of infection was higher in areas where Ae. aegypti was predominant. The abundance of immature Ae. albopictus was positively correlated with rainfall (r2 = 0.461; P < 0.05), but this was not the case for Ae. aegypti. For both species, the size of immature populations tended to increase with increasing intensity of rain, but heavy rains resulted in population loss. In addition to updating data regarding the larval habitats and locations (outdoors and indoors), this study highlighted the importance of spatial vector control stratification, which has the potential to reduce costs in control programs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aedes/virology*; Insect Vectors/virology*; Larva/virology
  14. Fulltext Henipavirus pathogenesis in human respiratory epithelial cells
    Escaffre O, Borisevich V, Carmical JR, Prusak D, Prescott J, Feldmann H, et al.
    J Virol, 2013 Mar;87(6):3284-94.
    PMID: 23302882 DOI: 10.1128/JVI.02576-12
    Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) are deadly zoonotic viruses for which no vaccines or therapeutics are licensed for human use. Henipavirus infection causes severe respiratory illness and encephalitis. Although the exact route of transmission in human is unknown, epidemiological studies and in vivo studies suggest that the respiratory tract is important for virus replication. However, the target cells in the respiratory tract are unknown, as are the mechanisms by which henipaviruses can cause disease. In this study, we characterized henipavirus pathogenesis using primary cells derived from the human respiratory tract. The growth kinetics of NiV-Malaysia, NiV-Bangladesh, and HeV were determined in bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells (NHBE) and small airway epithelial cells (SAEC). In addition, host responses to infection were assessed by gene expression analysis and immunoassays. Viruses replicated efficiently in both cell types and induced large syncytia. The host response to henipavirus infection in NHBE and SAEC highlighted a difference in the inflammatory response between HeV and NiV strains as well as intrinsic differences in the ability to mount an inflammatory response between NHBE and SAEC. These responses were highest during HeV infection in SAEC, as characterized by the levels of key cytokines (interleukin 6 [IL-6], IL-8, IL-1α, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1], and colony-stimulating factors) responsible for immune cell recruitment. Finally, we identified virus strain-dependent variability in type I interferon antagonism in NHBE and SAEC: NiV-Malaysia counteracted this pathway more efficiently than NiV-Bangladesh and HeV. These results provide crucial new information in the understanding of henipavirus pathogenesis in the human respiratory tract at an early stage of infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Epithelial Cells/virology*; Giant Cells/virology; Respiratory Mucosa/virology
  15. Fulltext Impact of larviciding with a Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis formulation, VectoBac WG, on dengue mosquito vectors in a dengue endemic site in Selangor State, Malaysia
    Lee HL, Chen CD, Masri SM, Chiang YF, Chooi KH, Benjamin S
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2008 Jul;39(4):601-9.
    PMID: 19058596
    The field bioefficacy of a wettable granule (WG) formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), VectoBac WG (Bti strain AM65-52) against dengue vectors, Aedes aegypti and Ae albopictus; was evaluated in a suburban residential area (TST) and in a temporary settlement site (KB) in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Pre-control ovitrap surveillance of the trial sites indicated a high population of both types of Aedes mosquitoes. The populations were monitored continuously by weekly ovitrapping. Bti was sprayed biweekly at a dosage of 500 g/ha by using a mist-blower. The spray application was targeted into outdoor larval habitats. If required, Bti formulation was also applied directly into indoor water-holding containers at 8 g/1,000 l. Based on ovitrap surveillance, a significant reduction in Aedes populations was evident 4 weeks after initiating the first Bti treatment. The ovitrap index (OI) and the larvae density decreased drastically in both trial sites. In TST, the indoor OI was significantly reduced from 57.50 +/- 7.50% to 19.13 +/- 5.49% (p<0.05), while the outdoor OI decreased from 38.89 +/- 11.11% to 15.36 +/- 5.93%. In KB, similarly, the OI was significantly reduced by more than half, from 66.66 +/- 6.67% to 30.26 +/- 2.99% (p< 0.05). In all cases, the reduction in OI was paralleled by reduction in larval density.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aedes/virology; Dengue/virology; Insect Vectors/virology
  16. The rabies situation in Far East Asia
    Fu ZF
    Dev Biol (Basel), 2008;131:55-61.
    PMID: 18634466
    This study evaluated rabies epidemiology in Far EastAsia. Questionnaires were sent by the OIE to Far East Asian countries and eight questionnaires were returned. Data were collected from these returns, as well as from recent publications, to gather information regarding rabies epidemiology in these countries. More than 29,000 human deaths were reported in 2006 in Far East Asia, representing more than 50% of all human rabies cases around the globe. There are only a few countries or regions from which no human rabies was reported in 2006 such as Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. In many of these rabies endemic countries, the number of human rabies cases has not changed much during the past decade. The only country with a steady decline is Thailand, where the number of cases has decreased from around 200 to about 20 cases per year. The most dramatic changes were observed in China. Human rabies cases declined from around 5,000 cases per year in the 1980s to about 160 in the mid-1990s. However, these trends have since been reversed. A steady increase has been reported over the past 10 years with more than 3,200 cases reported in 2006. Although there are many factors that contribute to the epidemic or endemic nature of rabies in these countries, the single most important factor is the failure to immunize domestic dogs, which transmit rabies to humans. Dog vaccination is at or below 5% in many of these countries, and cannot stop the transmission of rabies from dogs to dogs, thus to humans. It is thus most importantforthese countries to initiate mass vaccination campaigns in dog populations in order to stop the occurrence of human rabies in Far East Asia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animals, Domestic/virology; Animals, Wild/virology; Disease Reservoirs/virology
  17. Fulltext Temperature related storage evaluation of an RT-PCR test kit for the detection of dengue infection in mosquitoes
    Ooi CP, Rohani A, Zamree I, Lee HL
    Trop Biomed, 2005 Jun;22(1):73-6.
    PMID: 16880757
    The rapid detection of dengue infection in mosquito vectors is important for early warning to forestall an outbreak. Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) provides a rapid method for dengue detection in man and mosquitoes. An RT-PCR kit developed by the Medical Entomology Unit, Institute for Medical Research to detect dengue infection in mosquitoes, was tested for its shelf life at 3 storage temperatures: room temperature, refrigerator and freezer. Test kits were tested once every 3 days for kits stored at room temperature, and once every week for those stored at refrigerator and freezer temperatures. The results showed that the test kit could only be stored above its recommended storage temperature of -20 degrees C for not more than 3 days. DNA 100 bp markers in the kits appeared to be stable at the tested temperatures and were usable up to the 20th day when stored at 2 degrees C and below.
    Matched MeSH terms: Dengue/virology; Insect Vectors/virology*; Culicidae/virology*
  18. Fulltext Effect of chemical fogging on immature Aedes mosquitoes in natural field conditions
    Chua KB, Chua IL, Chua IE, Chua KH
    Singapore Med J, 2005 Nov;46(11):639-44.
    PMID: 16228097
    Dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever are common and serious arboviral diseases endemic in a number of countries situated in both the tropical and subtropical belts.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aedes/virology; Dengue/virology; Insect Vectors/virology
  19. Purification and characterization of Nipah virus nucleocapsid protein produced in insect cells
    Eshaghi M, Tan WS, Ong ST, Yusoff K
    J Clin Microbiol, 2005 Jul;43(7):3172-7.
    PMID: 16000431
    The nucleocapsid (N) protein of Nipah virus (NiV) is a major constituent of the viral proteins which play a role in encapsidation, regulating the transcription and replication of the viral genome. To investigate the use of a fusion system to aid the purification of the recombinant N protein for structural studies and potential use as a diagnostic reagent, the NiV N gene was cloned into the pFastBacHT vector and the His-tagged fusion protein was expressed in Sf9 insect cells by recombinant baculovirus. Western blot analysis of the recombinant fusion protein with anti-NiV antibodies produced a band of approximately 62 kDa. A time course study showed that the highest level of expression was achieved after 3 days of incubation. Electron microscopic analysis of the NiV recombinant N fusion protein purified on a nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid resin column revealed different types of structures, including spherical, ring-like, and herringbone-like particles. The light-scattering measurements of the recombinant N protein also confirmed the polydispersity of the sample with hyrdrodynamic radii of small and large types. The optical density spectra of the purified recombinant fusion protein revealed a high A(260)/A(280) ratio, indicating the presence of nucleic acids. Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that the recombinant N protein exhibited the antigenic sites and conformation necessary for specific antigen-antibody recognition.
    Matched MeSH terms: Swine Diseases/virology; Spodoptera/virology; Henipavirus Infections/virology
  20. [Nipah virus infection]
    Kaku Y
    Uirusu, 2004 Dec;54(2):237-42.
    PMID: 15745162
    Nipah virus (NiV), emerged in Peninsular Malaysia, caused an outbreak of severe febrile encephalitis in humans and respiratory diseases in pigs between 1998 and 1999. By May of 1999, the death of 105 humans and the culling of about 1.1 million pigs were reported. Fruitbats of Pteropid species were identified as the natural reservoir hosts. The epidemiological studies suggested that NiV was introduced into pig farms by fruitbats, and was than transmitted to humans (mainly pig farmers) and other animals such as dogs, cats and horses. In 2004, NiV reappeared in Bangladesh with greater lethality. In contrast to the Malaysia case, epidemiologic characteristics of this outbreak suggested the possibility of fruitbats-to-person, or person-to-person transmission. In this article, the epidemiological comparison between two outbreaks in Malaysia and Bangladesh, and the new-trends of virological studies of NiV will be discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Chiroptera/virology; Zoonoses/virology; Henipavirus Infections/virology
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