Displaying publications 3421 - 3440 of 4701 in total

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  1. Intestinal spirochaetes (Brachyspira spp.) colonizing flocks of layer and breeder chickens in Malaysia
    Amin MM, Phillips ND, La T, Robertson ID, Hampson DJ
    Avian Pathol, 2014;43(6):501-5.
    PMID: 25246135 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2014.966056
    Avian intestinal spirochaetosis causes problems including delayed onset of lay and wet litter in adult chickens, and results from colonization of the caecae/rectum with pathogenic intestinal spirochaetes (genus Brachyspira). Because avian intestinal spirochaetosis has not previously been studied in South East Asia, this investigation was undertaken in Malaysia. Faecal samples were collected from 25 farms and a questionnaire was administered. Brachyspira species were detected by polymerase chain reaction in 198 of 500 (39%) faecal samples from 20 (80%) farms, including 16 (94%) layer and four (50%) breeder farms. Pathogenic Brachyspira pilosicoli was identified in five (29%) layer and two (25%) breeder farms whilst pathogenic Brachyspira intermedia was detected in nine (53%) layer and one (12.5%) of the breeder farms. Twelve (80%) layer farms had egg production problems and 11 (92%) were positive for Brachyspira: three (25%) for B. pilosicoli and six (50%) for B. intermedia. Of three breeder farms with egg production problems, one was colonized with B. pilosicoli. Three of ten layer farms with wet litter were positive for B. pilosicoli and six for B. intermedia. Of four breeder farms with wet litter, one was colonized with B. pilosicoli and one with B. intermedia. No significant associations were found between colonization and reduced egg production or wet litter, perhaps because so many flocks were colonized. A significant association (P = 0.041) occurred between a high prevalence of colonization and faecal staining of eggs. There were significant positive associations between open-sided housing (P = 0.006), and flocks aged >40 weeks (P < 0.001) and colonization by pathogenic species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brachyspira/isolation & purification*
  2. Fulltext Characterization of multiple-antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella enterica Subsp. enterica isolated from indigenous vegetables and poultry in Malaysia
    Yoke-Kqueen C, Learn-Han L, Noorzaleha AS, Son R, Sabrina S, Jiun-Horng S, et al.
    Lett Appl Microbiol, 2008 Mar;46(3):318-24.
    PMID: 18179445 DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2007.02311.x
    The aims of this communication were to study characterization of serogroups among Salmonella isolates and the relationship of antimicrobial resistance to serogroups. Multiple antimicrobial resistance (MAR) was performed on 189 Salmonella enterica isolates associated with 38 different serovars that were recovered from poultry and four types of indigenous vegetables.
    Matched MeSH terms: Salmonella enterica/isolation & purification
  3. Chemistry and pharmacology of analgesic indole alkaloids from the rubiaceous plant, Mitragyna speciosa
    Takayama H
    Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), 2004 Aug;52(8):916-28.
    PMID: 15304982
    The leaves of a tropical plant, Mitragyna speciosa KORTH (Rubiaceae), have been traditionally used as a substitute for opium. Phytochemical studies of the constituents of the plant growing in Thailand and Malaysia have led to the isolation of several 9-methoxy-Corynanthe-type monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, including new natural products. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic and/or synthetic methods. The potent opioid agonistic activities of mitragynine, the major constituent of this plant, and its analogues were found in in vitro and in vivo experiments and the mechanisms underlying the analgesic activity were clarified. The essential structural features of mitragynines, which differ from those of morphine and are responsible for the analgesic activity, were elucidated by pharmacological evaluation of the natural and synthetic derivatives. Among the mitragynine derivatives, 7-hydroxymitragynine, a minor constituent of M. speciosa, was found to exhibit potent antinociceptive activity in mice.
    Matched MeSH terms: Indole Alkaloids/isolation & purification
  4. The study of seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus and an investigation into the lifestyle behaviours of the aborigines in Malaysia
    Wong LP, Alias H, Choy SH, Goh XT, Lee SC, Lim YAL, et al.
    Zoonoses Public Health, 2020 05;67(3):263-270.
    PMID: 31927794 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12681
    Malaysia is a non-endemic country for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. However, seroprevalence as high as 50% among samples of aboriginal people were reported over two decades ago. A total of 207 samples collected from seven aboriginal villages in rural settlements across two states in Malaysia were analysed for anti-HEV IgG and IgM by an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Following the detection of anti-HEV seroprevalence, we organized health outreach to inform and educate the community. Qualitative interviews were conducted with individuals tested positive for anti-HEV antibodies. Data derived from interviews and observations were used to investigate possible lifestyle behaviours associated with HEV infection. Anti-HEV IgG was detected in six samples (5.9%) from the village of Dusun Kubur. Qualitative inquiry and observation study revealed poor dietary and household hygiene, contaminated food and water, contact with animal faeces, unsanitary and domestic waste disposal, and wildlife reservoirs could be the contributing factors for transmission and acquisition of HEV infection. Investigation during health outreach is important to provide insights for future empirical research and implementation for improvement of lifestyle behaviours among the aborigines. Managing the risk of HEV infection in the aborigines may reduce the risk of HEV transmission to the local communities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hepatitis E virus/isolation & purification*
  5. Isolation and characterization of a phenol-degrading Rhodococcus sp. strain AQ5NOL 2 KCTC 11961BP
    Arif NM, Ahmad SA, Syed MA, Shukor MY
    J Basic Microbiol, 2013 Jan;53(1):9-19.
    PMID: 22581645 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.201100120
    In this work, we report on the isolation of a phenol-degrading Rhodococcus sp. with a high tolerance towards phenol. The isolate was identified as Rhodococcus sp. strain AQ5NOL 2, based on 16S rDNA analysis. The strain degraded phenol using the meta pathway, a trait shared by many phenol-degraders. In addition to phenol biodegradation, the strain was also capable of degrading diesel. Strain AQ5NOL 2 exhibited a broad optimum temperature for growth on phenol at between 20 °C and 35 °C. The best nitrogen sources were ammonium sulphate, glycine or phenylalanine, followed by proline, nitrate, leucine, and alanine (in decreasing efficiency). Strain AQ5NOL 2 showed a high tolerance and degradation capacity of phenol, for it was able to register growth in the presence of 2000 mg l(-1) phenol. The growth of this strain on phenol as sole carbon and energy source were modeled using Haldane kinetics with a maximal specific growth rate (μ(max)) of 0.1102 hr(-1), a half-saturation constant (K(s) ) of 99.03 mg l(-1) or 1.05 mmol l(-1), and a substrate inhibition constant (K(i)) of 354 mg l(-1) or 3.76 mmol l(-1). Aside from phenol, the strain could utilize diesel, 2,4-dinitrophenol and ρ-cresol as carbon sources for growth. Strain AQ5NOL 2 exhibited inhibition of phenol degradation by Zn(2+), Cu(2+), Cr(6+), Ag(+) and Hg(2+) at 1 mg l(-1).
    Matched MeSH terms: Rhodococcus/isolation & purification*
  6. Genome characterization of a novel vibriophage VpKK5 (Siphoviridae) specific to fish pathogenic strain of Vibrio parahaemolyticus
    Lal TM, Sano M, Ransangan J
    J Basic Microbiol, 2016 Aug;56(8):872-88.
    PMID: 26960780 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.201500611
    Vibrio parahaemolyticus has long been known pathogenic to shrimp but only recently it is also reported pathogenic to tropical cultured marine finfish. Traditionally, bacterial diseases in aquaculture are often treated using synthetic antibiotics but concern due to side effects of these chemicals is elevating hence, new control strategies which are both environmental and consumer friendly, are urgently needed. One promising control strategy is the bacteriophage therapy. In this study, we report the isolation and characterization of a novel vibriophage (VpKK5), belonging to the family Siphoviridae that was specific and capable of complete lysing the fish pathogenic strain of V. parahaemolyticus. The VpKK5 exhibited short eclipse and latent periods of 24 and 36 min, respectively, but with a large burst size of 180 pfu/cell. The genome analysis revealed that the VpKK5 is a novel bacteriophage with the estimated genome size of 56,637 bp and has 53.1% G + C content. The vibriophage has about 80 predicted open reading frames consisted of 37 complete coding sequences which did not match to any protein databases. The analysis also found no lysogeny and virulence genes in the genome of VpKK5. With such genome features, we suspected the vibriophage is novel and could be explored for phage therapy against fish pathogenic strains of V. parahaemolyticus in the near future.
    Matched MeSH terms: Siphoviridae/isolation & purification
  7. Seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies among market workers and food handlers in the central state of Malaysia
    Samsudin S, Sakinah SNS, Malina O, Norliza BA, Noh MA, Fairuz A, et al.
    Trop Med Int Health, 2018 03;23(3):327-333.
    PMID: 29356240 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13033
    OBJECTIVE: The high prevalence of leptospirosis in humans is of great public health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies and distribution of serovars, and to assess the usefulness of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a screening method for leptospiral antibodies in a high-risk healthy community.

    METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 231 market workers and food handlers in wet markets and food premises from two localities in central Malaysia. Respondents' background information was obtained using a questionnaire. Serum samples were tested for leptospiral antibodies using ELISA and microscopic agglutination test (MAT).

    RESULTS: Seroprevalence of leptospirosis among healthy workers was 46.3%. Detection of seropositivity was higher by MAT (46%) than ELISA (15%). We observed high seropositivity among local workers (49%), food handlers (49.5%), females (60.8%) and those aged 34 years and older (46.3%). Local strain LEP175 was the predominant serovar, followed by WHO strain Patoc.

    CONCLUSION: Overall seroprevalence among healthy food handlers and market workers was high in this study. The workplace places susceptible individuals at risk of leptospirosis.

    Matched MeSH terms: Leptospira/isolation & purification*
  8. Field validation of sensitivity and specificity of rapid test for detection of Brugia malayi infection
    Jamail M, Andrew K, Junaidi D, Krishnan AK, Faizal M, Rahmah N
    Trop Med Int Health, 2005 Jan;10(1):99-104.
    PMID: 15655019
    We conducted a field study of a rapid test (Brugia Rapid) for detection of Brugia malayi infection to validate its sensitivity and specificity under operational conditions. Seven districts in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia, which are endemic for brugian filariasis, were used to determine the test sensitivity. Determination of specificity was performed in another state in Malaysia (Bachok, Kelantan) which is non-endemic for filariasis but endemic for soil-transmitted helminths. In Sarawak both the rapid test and thick blood smear preparation were performed in the field. The rapid test was interpreted on site, whereas blood smears were taken to the district health centres for staining and microscopic examination. Sensitivity of Brugia Rapid dipstick as compared with microscopy of thick blood smears was 87% (20/23; 95% CI: 66.4-97.2) whereas the specificity was 100% (512/512). The lower sensitivity of the test in the field than in laboratory evaluations (> or =95%), was probably due to the small number of microfilaraemic individuals, in addition to difficulties in performing the test in remote villages by field personnel. The overall prevalence of brugian filariasis as determined by the dipstick is 9.4% (95% CI: 8.2-0.5) while that determined by microscopy is 0.90% (95% CI: 0.5-1.3) thus the dipstick detected about 10 times more cases than microscopy. Equal percentages of adults and children were found to be positive by the dipstick whereas microscopy showed that the number of infected children was seven times less than infected adults. The rapid dipstick test was useful as a diagnostic tool for mapping and certification phases of the lymphatic filariasis elimination programme in B. malayi-endemic areas.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brugia malayi/isolation & purification*
  9. Multicentre laboratory evaluation of Brugia Rapid dipstick test for detection of brugian filariasis
    Rahmah N, Shenoy RK, Nutman TB, Weiss N, Gilmour K, Maizels RM, et al.
    Trop Med Int Health, 2003 Oct;8(10):895-900.
    PMID: 14516300
    A multicentre evaluation of the Brugia Rapid dipstick test was performed using 1263 serum samples in four international laboratories, i.e. T.D. Medical College (TDMC, India), National Institutes of Health (NIH, USA), Swiss Tropical Institute (STI, Switzerland) and Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC, Netherlands). In comparison with microscopy, the dipstick demonstrated sensitivities of 97.2% (70 of 72) at TDMC, 91.6% (175 of 191) at LUMC and 100% (six of six) at STI. Sera of chronic patients showed a positivity rate of 11.3% (19 of 168) and 61.2% (71of 116) at TDMC and LUMC, respectively. All 266 sera of non-endemic normals from STI, NIH and LUMC tested negative with the dipstick. At LUMC, sera of 'endemic normals' (amicrofilaraemics with no clinical disease) from an area with approximately 35% microfilaria positivity showed 60.8% positive results (31 of 51), thus demonstrating the likelihood of many cryptic infections occurring in this population. Specificities of the test with Onchocerca volvulus sera were 98.8% (80 of 81) and 100% (10 of 10) at the NIH and STI, respectively; while specificity with Loa loa sera at the NIH was 84.6% (44 of 52). At the STI, the dipstick test also demonstrated 100% specificity when tested with 75 sera from various protozoan and helminthic infections.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brugia malayi/isolation & purification*
  10. The prevalence of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes in Sekong Province, Lao PDR in relation to malaria transmission
    Vythilingam I, Phetsouvanh R, Keokenchanh K, Yengmala V, Vanisaveth V, Phompida S, et al.
    Trop Med Int Health, 2003 Jun;8(6):525-35.
    PMID: 12791058
    A longitudinal study was conducted on the prevalence of Anopheles in three malaria endemic villages in Sekong province, in the southern region of Lao PDR, from August 2000 to October 2001. All night, human landing collections took place in August and October 2000 and April and October 2001, and blood smears were taken for malaria parasites during the same period. Mosquitoes were tested for sporozoite antigen using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In August 2000 (wet season) and April 2001 (dry season) the ovaries of the mosquitoes were examined for parity. A total of 16 species of Anopheles were caught in the study sites of which An. dirus A, An. maculatus sl and An. jeyporiensis were positive for sporozoites. The entomological inoculation rate (EIR) ranged from 0.06 to 0.25. There was a good correlation between EIR and vectorial capacity in the wet season, especially in Pai Mai where the prevalence of malaria was also high during the wet seasons (11.8 and 10.53). An. dirus A showed ambivalence in their choice of feeding as approximately 50% attacked man indoors and an equal proportion outdoors. An dirus A was the main vector in Pai Mai. The parous rate did not significantly differ between the wet and dry season, although it was higher in the dry season. In Takaio the parasite prevalence ranged from 8.7% (dry season) to 37.1% (wet season) and An. jeyporiensis was the vector, and the risk of infection was 0.85 in the dry season while 0.99 in the wet season. In Toumgno An. maculatus sl was the vector and infection was found only in August and October 2000. However, malaria prevalence ranged from 9.69 to 20.4% and was equally high in the dry season. Cattle were also present close to the houses in all the villages and this might be a contributory factor in the prevalence of malaria.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plasmodium/isolation & purification*
  11. Short communication: use of a recombinant antigen-based ELISA to determine prevalence of brugian filariasis among Malaysian schoolchildren near Pasir Mas, Kelantan-Thailand border
    Rahmah N, Lim BH, Azian H, Ramelah TS, Rohana AR
    Trop Med Int Health, 2003 Feb;8(2):158-63.
    PMID: 12581442
    Brugian filariasis infects 13 million people in Asia. The routine prevalence survey method using night thick blood smear is not sensitive enough to reflect the actual infection prevalence. In 1997-2001, only three microfilaraemic cases (of 5601 individuals screened; 0.05%) were reported in Pasir Mas, a district in Kelantan (Malaysia), which shares a border with Thailand. We therefore investigated the infection prevalence in this district by employing a sensitive and specific serological assay (Brugia-Elisa). This test is based on detection of specific IgG4 antibody against a Brugia malayi recombinant antigen. A total of 5138 children, aged 7-12 years, from 16 primary schools, were tested. Eighteen pupils in eight schools, located in five subdistricts, tested positive, giving an overall prevalence rate of 0.35%. Infection in these children is significant as they represent more recent cases. These subdistricts should be included in the national filariasis elimination programme.
    Matched MeSH terms: Brugia malayi/isolation & purification*
  12. Removal of poly-histidine fusion tags from recombinant proteins purified by expanded bed adsorption
    Abdullah N, Chase HA
    Biotechnol Bioeng, 2005 Nov 20;92(4):501-13.
    PMID: 16080185
    Enzymatic methods have been used to cleave the C- or N-terminus polyhistidine tags from histidine tagged proteins following expanded bed purification using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC). This study assesses the use of Factor Xa and a genetically engineered exopeptidase dipeptidyl aminopeptidase-1 (DAPase-1) for the removal of C-terminus and N-terminus polyhistidine tags, respectively. Model proteins consisting of maltose binding protein (MBP) having a C- or N-terminal polyhistidine tag were used. Digestion of the hexahistidine tag of MBP-His(6) by Factor Xa and HT15-MBP by DAPase-1 was successful. The time taken to complete the conversion of MBP-His(6) to MBP was 16 h, as judged by SDS-PAGE and Western blots against anti-His antibody. When the detagged protein was purified using subtractive IMAC, the yield was moderate at 71% although the overall recovery was high at 95%. Likewise, a yield of 79% and a recovery of 97% was obtained when digestion was performed with using "on-column" tag digestion. On-column tag digestion involves cleavage of histidine tag from polyhistidine tagged proteins that are still bound to the IMAC column. Digestion of an N-terminal polyhistidine tag from HT15-MBP (1 mg/mL) by the DAPase-I system was superior to the results obtained with Factor Xa with a higher yield and recovery of 99% and 95%, respectively. The digestion by DAPase-I system was faster and was complete at 5 h as opposed to 16 h for Factor Xa. The detagged MBP proteins were isolated from the digestion mixtures using a simple subtractive IMAC column procedure with the detagged protein appearing in the flowthrough and washing fractions while residual dipeptides and DAPase-I (which was engineered to exhibit a poly-His tail) were adsorbed to the column. FPLC analysis using a MonoS cation exchanger was performed to understand and monitor the progress and time course of DAPase-I digestion of HT15-MBP to MBP. Optimization of process variables such as temperature, protein concentration, and enzyme activity was developed for the DAPase-I digesting system on HT15-MBP to MBP. In short, this study proved that the use of either Factor Xa or DAPase-I for the digestion of polyhistidine tags is simple and efficient and can be carried out under mild reaction conditions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carrier Proteins/isolation & purification
  13. Kinetics based reaction optimization of enzyme catalyzed reduction of formaldehyde to methanol with synchronous cofactor regeneration
    Marpani F, Sárossy Z, Pinelo M, Meyer AS
    Biotechnol Bioeng, 2017 12;114(12):2762-2770.
    PMID: 28832942 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26405
    Enzymatic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) to methanol (CH3 OH) can be accomplished using a designed set-up of three oxidoreductases utilizing reduced pyridine nucleotide (NADH) as cofactor for the reducing equivalents electron supply. For this enzyme system to function efficiently a balanced regeneration of the reducing equivalents during reaction is required. Herein, we report the optimization of the enzymatic conversion of formaldehyde (CHOH) to CH3 OH by alcohol dehydrogenase, the final step of the enzymatic redox reaction of CO2 to CH3 OH, with kinetically synchronous enzymatic cofactor regeneration using either glucose dehydrogenase (System I) or xylose dehydrogenase (System II). A mathematical model of the enzyme kinetics was employed to identify the best reaction set-up for attaining optimal cofactor recycling rate and enzyme utilization efficiency. Targeted process optimization experiments were conducted to verify the kinetically modeled results. Repetitive reaction cycles were shown to enhance the yield of CH3 OH, increase the total turnover number (TTN) and the biocatalytic productivity rate (BPR) value for both system I and II whilst minimizing the exposure of the enzymes to high concentrations of CHOH. System II was found to be superior to System I with a yield of 8 mM CH3 OH, a TTN of 160 and BPR of 24 μmol CH3 OH/U · h during 6 hr of reaction. The study demonstrates that an optimal reaction set-up could be designed from rational kinetics modeling to maximize the yield of CH3 OH, whilst simultaneously optimizing cofactor recycling and enzyme utilization efficiency.
    Matched MeSH terms: Methanol/isolation & purification
  14. Allelic variants of acidic proline-rich proteins observed in Japanese, Chinese, and Malays
    Shintani M, Minaguchi K, Suzuki K, Lim KA
    Biochem Genet, 1990 Apr;28(3-4):173-84.
    PMID: 2383244
    Three new variants of acidic proline-rich proteins (At, Au, Aw) were found in human parotid saliva by isoelectric focusing and basic gel electrophoresis. Electrophoretic comparison of the purified proteins and their tryptic peptides suggested minor charge and size differences from other acidic PRPs. Genetic and biochemical studies indicate that the At and Aw proteins are allelic products of the PRH1 locus. Gene frequencies of the At productive allele (PRH1(6)) in Japanese, Chinese, and Malays were 0.008, 0.012, and 0.004, respectively. The Au protein was also found in Japanese (2 in 746 samples), Chinese (1 in 215 samples), and Malays (1 in 220 samples), however, the Aw protein was found only in one Japanese (n = 746). These three proteins were not found in 106 Indian subjects.
    Matched MeSH terms: Peptides/isolation & purification
  15. Heteroplasmy, length, and sequence characterization of the mitochondrial control region in Tomistoma schlegelii
    Kaur T, Ong AH
    Biochem Genet, 2011 Oct;49(9-10):562-75.
    PMID: 21461907 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-011-9431-y
    This study describes the organization of the repetitive pattern in the mtDNA control region of Tomistoma schlegelii. Using newly designed primers, we detected length variations of approximately 50-100 bp among individuals, and only one individual showed a heteroplasmic band. Sequencing the region after CSB III revealed two main patterns: a repeat motif and a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) pattern. The VNTR region, with a core unit of 104 bp, consisting of four motifs and a short AT chain, is implicated in the length variation seen among individuals of Tomistoma. A conserved motif seen in a family unit indicated that the repeat pattern was stably inherited from the maternal parent to all offspring. A combination of VNTR patterns specific to different crocodilians was seen in Tomistoma, and the overall secondary structure was shown to be similar to that in Crocodylus and Gavialis.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Mitochondrial/isolation & purification
  16. Proteinase, phospholipase, biofilm forming abilities and antifungal susceptibilities of Malaysian Candida isolates from blood cultures
    Tay ST, Abidin IA, Hassan H, Ng KP
    Med Mycol, 2011 Jul;49(5):556-60.
    PMID: 21254967 DOI: 10.3109/13693786.2010.551424
    This study was conducted to determine the proteinase, phospholipase, and biofilm forming abilities of Candida isolates in blood cultures of specimens from patients at the University Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Proteinase and phospholipase activities were detected in 93.7% and 73.3%, respectively, of 15 Candida albicans isolates. Amongst the 26 non-C. albicans Candida isolates, proteinase and phospholipase activities were detected in 88.5% and 7.7% of the isolates, respectively. There was no significant difference in the expression levels of proteinase amongst the Candida isolates studied (P = 0.272), but the phospholipase activity of C. albicans was significantly higher than that of the non-C. albicans Candida isolates (P = 0.003). There was no significant difference in the biofilm forming abilities of C. albicans and non-C. albicans Candida isolates on the polystyrene microtiter wells (P = 0.379). In addition, the findings of this study demonstrate increased resistance of Candida isolates in biofilms to amphotericin and fluconazole, as compared to their planktonic counterparts.
    Matched MeSH terms: Candida albicans/isolation & purification
  17. Isolates of the emerging pathogen Candida auris present in the UK have several geographic origins
    Borman AM, Szekely A, Johnson EM
    Med Mycol, 2017 Jul 01;55(5):563-567.
    PMID: 28204557 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myw147
    Candida auris has recently emerged as a serious nosocomial health risk, with widespread outbreaks in numerous hospitals worldwide and the existence of geographic region-specific discrete clonal lineages. Here we have compared the rDNA sequences of 24 isolates of Candida auris from 14 different hospital centers in the United Kingdom with those of strains from different international origins present in the public sequence databases. Here we show that UK isolates of C. auris fall into three well-supported clades corresponding to lineages that have previously been reported from India, Malaysia and Kuwait, Japan and Korea, and South Africa, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Candida/isolation & purification
  18. In vitro antiplasmodial and cytotoxicity activities of crude extracts and major compounds from Goniothalamus lanceolatus
    Kaharudin FA, Zohdi RM, Mukhtar SM, Sidek HM, Bihud NV, Rasol NE, et al.
    J Ethnopharmacol, 2020 May 23;254:112657.
    PMID: 32045683 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112657
    ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Malaria, a devastating infectious disease which was initially recognized as episodic fever, is caused by parasitic protozoan of the genus Plasmodium. Medicinal plants with ethnobotanical information to treat fever and/or malaria has been the key element in identifying potential plant candidates for antimalarial screening. Goniothalamus lanceolatus Miq. (Annonaceae) is used as a folk remedy, particularly to treat fever and skin diseases.

    AIM OF THE STUDY: In this context, supported with previous preliminary data of its antiplasmodial activity, this study was undertaken to determine the in vitro antiplasmodial and cytotoxicity activities of G. lanceolatus crude extracts and its major compounds.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vitro antiplasmodial activity was determined by parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay on chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and chloroquine-resistant (K1) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The cytotoxicity activity was evaluated using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay on hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and normal liver (WRL-68) cell lines.

    RESULTS: The root methanol extract possessed potent antiplasmodial activity against both P. falciparum 3D7 and K1 strains (IC50 = 2.7 μg/ml, SI = 140; IC50 = 1.7 μg/ml, SI = 236). Apart from the DCM extract of stem bark and root that were found to be inactive (IC50 > 50 μg/ml) against 3D7 strain, all other tested crude extracts exhibited promising (5< IC50  30 µg/ml, CC50 > 10 µM, respectively), except for the hexane and DCM extracts of root, which exerted mild cytotoxicity on HepG2 cell line (IC50 

    Matched MeSH terms: Phytochemicals/isolation & purification
  19. Potential Reservoir and Associated Factors for West Nile Virus in Three Distinct Climatological Zones
    DeCarlo C, Omar AH, Haroun MI, Bigler L, Bin Rais MN, Abu J, et al.
    Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 2017 10;17(10):709-713.
    PMID: 28873035 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.2098
    West Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic single-strand RNA arbovirus (family Flaviviridae: Flavivirus), transmitted among avian hosts in enzootic cycles by a mosquito vector. The virus has a significant disease effect on humans and equines when it bridges into a cycle with various sequelae with epidemic potential. This study was carried out to identify the potential spectrum of WNV hosts in three geographic areas with climatologically distinct features: Malaysia, Qatar, and the United States of America (U.S.). Serum samples were collected from avian and mammal species suspected to be reservoirs for the virus at these areas in a cross-sectional epidemiologic study. The samples were tested for the presence of antibodies against the virus using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data on putative risk factors were also collected and analyzed for significance of association with seropositivity using the logistic regression analysis. Among the tested avian and mammalian species, raccoons had the highest seroconversion rate (54%) followed by crows (30%), horses (27%), camels (10%), other avian species (7%), and canine species (3%). It was almost twice as likely to detect seroconversion among these mammalian and avian species in the fall in comparison to other seasons of the year. Only mammalian and avian species and seasons of the year were significantly associated with the likelihood of seroconversion to WNV when we controlled for other factors in the multivariate analysis. Our data from the U.S. showed that raccoons and camels are susceptible to infection by the virus and may play a role in the perpetuation of endemic foci for the disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: West Nile virus/isolation & purification*
  20. Updates on chikungunya epidemiology, clinical disease, and diagnostics
    Sam IC, Kümmerer BM, Chan YF, Roques P, Drosten C, AbuBakar S
    Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 2015 Apr;15(4):223-30.
    PMID: 25897809 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2014.1680
    Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an Aedes-borne alphavirus, historically found in Africa and Asia, where it caused sporadic outbreaks. In 2004, CHIKV reemerged in East Africa and spread globally to cause epidemics, including, for the first time, autochthonous transmission in Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania. The epidemic strains were of the East/Central/South African genotype. Strains of the Asian genotype of CHIKV continued to cause outbreaks in Asia and spread to Oceania and, in 2013, to the Americas. Acute disease, mainly comprising fever, rash, and arthralgia, was previously regarded as self-limiting; however, there is growing evidence of severe but rare manifestations, such as neurological disease. Furthermore, CHIKV appears to cause a significant burden of long-term morbidity due to persistent arthralgia. Diagnostic assays have advanced greatly in recent years, although there remains a need for simple, accurate, and affordable tests for the developing countries where CHIKV is most prevalent. This review focuses on recent important work on the epidemiology, clinical disease and diagnostics of CHIKV.
    Matched MeSH terms: Chikungunya virus/isolation & purification*
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