Displaying publications 21 - 39 of 39 in total

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  1. Fulltext Cross-sectional serosurvey for Japanese encephalitis specific antibody from animal sera in Malaysia 1993
    Oda K, Igarashi A, Kheong CT, Hong CC, Vijayamalar B, Sinniah M, et al.
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1996 Sep;27(3):463-70.
    PMID: 9185254
    Serum specimens were collected from 6 species of animals living in 9 states of Malaysia including Sabah, North Borneo in 1993. Antibodies against Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus in these sera were detected by means of hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) and neutralization (NT) tests. By HI test, 702 of 2,152 (32.6%) sera showed positive results. Higher positive rates were obtained by the NT test, in which 1,787 of 1,927 (92.7%) sera had antibodies against JE virus. All serum specimens with positive HI were confirmed as positive by the NT. Swine sera showed especially higher rates of antibody positive and higher antibody titers compared with other animals. These results suggest that JE infections are widely distributed among many animals of Malaysia, and pig is the most susceptible amplifier host for JE virus.
  2. Fulltext Potential New H1N1 Neuraminidase Inhibitors from Ferulic Acid and Vanillin: Molecular Modelling, Synthesis and in Vitro Assay
    Hariono M, Abdullah N, Damodaran KV, Kamarulzaman EE, Mohamed N, Hassan SS, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2016 12 20;6:38692.
    PMID: 27995961 DOI: 10.1038/srep38692
    We report the computational and experimental efforts in the design and synthesis of novel neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors from ferulic acid and vanillin. Two proposed ferulic acid analogues, MY7 and MY8 were predicted to inhibit H1N1 NA using molecular docking. From these two analogues, we designed, synthesised and evaluated the biological activities of a series of ferulic acid and vanillin derivatives. The enzymatic H1N1 NA inhibition assay showed MY21 (a vanillin derivative) has the lowest IC50 of 50 μM. In contrast, the virus inhibition assay showed MY15, a ferulic acid derivative has the best activity with the EC50 of ~0.95 μM. Modelling studies further suggest that these predicted activities might be due to the interactions with conserved and essential residues of NA with ΔGbind values comparable to those of oseltamivir and zanamivir, the two commercial NA inhibitors.
  3. Fulltext Development of live attenuated Enterovirus 71 vaccine strains that confer protection against lethal challenge in mice
    Yee PTI, Tan SH, Ong KC, Tan KO, Wong KT, Hassan SS, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2019 03 18;9(1):4805.
    PMID: 30886246 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41285-z
    Besides causing mild hand, foot and mouth infections, Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is associated with neurological complications and fatality. With concerns about rising EV-A71 virulence, there is an urgency for more effective vaccines. The live attenuated vaccine (LAV) is a more valuable vaccine as it can elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses. A miRNA-based vaccine strain (pIY) carrying let-7a and miR-124a target genes in the EV-A71 genome which has a partial deletion in the 5'NTR (∆11 bp) and G64R mutation (3Dp°l) was designed. The viral RNA copy number and viral titers of the pIY strain were significantly lower in SHSY-5Y cells that expressed both let-7a and miR-124a. Inhibition of the cognate miRNAs expressed in RD and SHSY-5Y cells demonstrated de-repression of viral mRNA translation. A previously constructed multiply mutated strain, MMS and the pIY vaccine strain were assessed in their ability to protect 4-week old mice from hind limb paralysis. The MMS showed higher amounts of IFN-γ ex vivo than the pIY vaccine strain. There was absence of EV-A71 antigen in the skeletal muscles and spinal cord micrographs of mice vaccinated with the MMS and pIY strains. The MMS and pIY strains are promising LAV candidates developed against severe EV-A71 infections.
  4. Fulltext A green and efficient synthetic methodology towards the synthesis of 1-allyl-6-chloro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxamide derivatives
    Gill MSA, Azzman N, Hassan SS, Shah SAA, Ahemad N
    BMC Chem, 2022 Dec 08;16(1):111.
    PMID: 36482476 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-022-00902-1
    Quinolone is a privileged scaffold in medicinal chemistry and 4-Quinolone-3-Carboxamides have been reported to harbor vast therapeutic potential. However, conversion of N-1 substituted 4-Quinolone 3-Carboxylate to its corresponding carbamates is highly restrictive. This motivated us to adopt a much simpler, scalable and efficient methodology for the synthesis of highly pure N-1 substituted 4- Quinolone-3-Carboxamides with excellent yields. Our adopted methodology not only provides a robust pathway for the convenient synthesis of N-1 substituted 4- Quinolone-3-Carboxamides which can then be explored for their therapeutic potential, this may also be adaptable for the derivatization of other such less reactive carboxylate species.
  5. Pharmacological advances in anti-retroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection: A comprehensive review
    Azzman N, Gill MSA, Hassan SS, Christ F, Debyser Z, Mohamed WAS, et al.
    Rev Med Virol, 2024 Mar;34(2):e2529.
    PMID: 38520650 DOI: 10.1002/rmv.2529
    The discovery of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs over the past 36 years has introduced various classes, including nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitor, fusion, and integrase strand transfer inhibitors inhibitors. The introduction of combined highly active anti-retroviral therapies in 1996 was later proven to combat further ARV drug resistance along with enhancing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) suppression. As though the development of ARV therapies was continuously expanding, the variation of action caused by ARV drugs, along with its current updates, was not comprehensively discussed, particularly for HIV-1 infection. Thus, a range of HIV-1 ARV medications is covered in this review, including new developments in ARV therapy based on the drug's mechanism of action, the challenges related to HIV-1, and the need for combination therapy. Optimistically, this article will consolidate the overall updates of HIV-1 ARV treatments and conclude the significance of HIV-1-related pharmacotherapy research to combat the global threat of HIV infection.
  6. Cross Talk between MicroRNAs and Dengue Virus
    Macha NO, Komarasamy TV, Harun S, Adnan NAA, Hassan SS, Balasubramaniam VRMT
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2024 Apr 02.
    PMID: 38579704 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0546
    Dengue fever (DF) is an endemic infectious tropical disease and is rapidly becoming a global problem. Dengue fever is caused by one of the four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes and is spread by the female Aedes mosquito. Clinical manifestations of DF may range from asymptomatic to life-threatening severe illness with conditions of hemorrhagic fever and shock. Early and precise diagnosis is vital to avoid mortality from DF. A different approach is required to combat DF because of the challenges with the vaccines currently available, which are nonspecific; each is capable of causing cross-reaction and disease-enhancing antibody responses against the residual serotypes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to be implicated in DENV infection and are postulated to be involved in most of the host responses. Thus, they might be a suitable target for new strategies against the disease. The involvement of miRNAs in cellular activities and pathways during viral infections has been explored under numerous conditions. Interestingly, miRNAs have also been shown to be involved in viral replication. In this review, we summarize the role of known miRNAs, specifically the role of miRNA Let-7c (miR-Let-7c), miR-133a, miR-30e, and miR-146a, in the regulation of DENV replication and their possible effects on the initial immune reaction.
  7. Admission Clinicopathological Factors Associated with Prolonged Hospital Stay Among Hospitalized Patients with Dengue Viral Infections
    Willeam Peter SS, Hassan SS, Khei Tan VP, Ngim CF, Azreen Adnan NA, Pong LY, et al.
    Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 2019 07;19(7):549-552.
    PMID: 30668248 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2379
    Background:
    There is an escalation of frequency and magnitude of dengue epidemics in Malaysia, with a concomitant increase in patient hospitalization. Prolonged hospitalization (PH) due to dengue virus (DENV) infections causes considerable socioeconomic burden. Early identification of patients needing PH could optimize resource consumption and reduce health care costs. This study aims to identify clinicopathological factors present on admission that are associated with PH among patients with DENV infections.
    Methods:
    This study was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital in Southern Malaysia. Relevant clinical and laboratory data upon admission were retrieved from medical records of 253 consecutive DENV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen and PCR-positive hospitalized patients. The DENV serotype present in each patient was determined. Patients were stratified based on duration of hospital stay (<4 vs. ≥4 days). Data were analyzed using IBM® SPSS® 25.0. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the association between PH and admission parameters.
    Results:
    Of 253 DENV hospitalized patients, 95 (37.5%) had PH (≥4 days). The mean duration of hospital stay was 3.43 ± 2.085 days (median = 3 days, interquartile range = 7 days). Diabetes mellitus (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.261, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.130-18.406, p = 0.001), DENV-2 serotype (AOR = 2.581, 95% CI = 1.179-5.650, p = 0.018), duration of fever ≤4 days (AOR = 2.423, 95% CI = 0.872-6.734, p = 0.09), and a shorter preadmission fever duration (AOR = 0.679, 95% CI = 0.481-0.957, p = 0.027) were independently associated with PH. However, PH was not found to be associated with symptoms on admission, secondary DENV infections or platelet count, hematocrit, or liver enzyme levels on admission.
    Conclusions:
    Early identification of these factors at presentation may alert clinicians to anticipate and recognize challenges in treating such patients, leading to more focused management plans that may shorten the duration of hospitalization.
  8. Risk factors and clinical outcome of profound thrombocytopenia in adult patients with DENV infections
    Dhanoa A, Rajasekaram G, Hassan SS, Ramadas A, Azreen Adnan NA, Lau CF, et al.
    Platelets, 2017 Nov;28(7):724-727.
    PMID: 28287000 DOI: 10.1080/09537104.2017.1293802
    Severe thrombocytopenia is common in dengue virus (DENV) infections. However, studies focusing on the role of profound thrombocytopenia (PT) (nadir platelet counts ≤ 20 000/mm3) in DENV infections are scarce. This study aims to identify the associated features and outcome of DENV patients with PT. It involves 237 adult hospitalized patients who were DENV PCR positive. The presence of comorbidity (AOR = 4.625; 95% CI = 1.113-19.230), higher admission hematocrit (AOR = 1.213; 95% CI = 1.067-1.379), lower admission albumin (AOR = 0.870; 95% CI = 0.766-0.988) and lower admission platelets (AOR = 0.980; 95% CI = 0.969-0.991) was associated with platelets ≤ 20 000/mm3 in multivariate logistic regression. PT was not affected by DENV serotypes, coinfections and secondary DENV infections. Patients with PT had significantly higher risk of experiencing warning signs (AOR = 3.709, 95% CI = 1.089-12.634) and longer hospital stay (AOR = 1.943, 95% CI = 1.010-3.774). However, severe dengue disease, hemorrhagic manifestations and need for intensive care were not significantly associated with PT.
  9. Fulltext The association between obesity and dengue virus (DENV) infection in hospitalised patients
    Tan VPK, Ngim CF, Lee EZ, Ramadas A, Pong LY, Ng JI, et al.
    PLoS One, 2018;13(7):e0200698.
    PMID: 30016369 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200698
    Both obesity and DENV infections are growing public health concerns that have far-ranging socioeconomic effects, especially in developing countries. Despite the increasing prevalence of these conditions, there is a scarcity of data investigating the potential relationships between these two entities. Our study aims to examine the influence of obesity on various clinical and laboratory parameters amongst patients with DENV infections. A total of 335 hospitalized patients aged >12 years who were DENV non-structural protein 1 (NS1) antigen-positive were enrolled in this study. Clinical and laboratory variables were compared between patients with and without obesity. Multivariate analysis showed that the following admission clinical findings and laboratory results were independently associated with obesity; chills and rigors (AOR:2.653, 95% CI: 1.286-5.474), higher temperature (AOR:1.485, 95% CI: 1.080-2.042), higher systolic BP (AOR:1.057, 95% CI:1.037-1.078), raised haematocrit (AOR: 1.953, 95% CI: 1.010-3.778), elevated creatinine (AOR:3.504, 95% CI:1.351-9.008) and elevated ALT (AOR: 4.146, 95% CI:1.878-9.154). Obesity was found to be significantly associated with hospitalization >3 days (AOR: 1.990, 95% CI: 1.134-3.494) and the presence of increasing haematocrit with decreasing platelets (AOR: 2.134, 95% CI = 1.235-3.688). Serial assessment of laboratory data revealed that peak haematocrit was significantly higher and nadir platelets levels were significantly lower in obese patients. Both peak and admission levels of leukocyte counts, AST, ALT and creatinine were significantly higher in the obese group. Conversely, both admission and nadir albumin levels were lower for the obese group, although only nadir albumin levels achieved statistical significance. These findings support closer clinical monitoring of obese patients who present with DENV infections, as this patient cohort may possess an increased tendency towards developing more severe clinical manifestations of DENV infections as compared to non-obese patients.
  10. Fulltext Impact of dengue virus (DENV) co-infection on clinical manifestations, disease severity and laboratory parameters
    Dhanoa A, Hassan SS, Ngim CF, Lau CF, Chan TS, Adnan NA, et al.
    BMC Infect Dis, 2016 08 11;16(1):406.
    PMID: 27514512 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1731-8
    BACKGROUND: The co-circulation of 4 DENV serotypes in geographically expanding area, has resulted in increasing occurrence of DENV co-infections. However, studies assessing the clinical impact of DENV co-infections have been scarce and have involved small number of patients. This study explores the impact of DENV co-infection on clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters.

    METHODS: This retrospective study involved consecutive hospitalized patients with non-structural protein 1 (NS1) antigen positivity during an outbreak (Jan to April 2014). Multiplex RT-PCR was performed directly on NS1 positive serum samples to detect and determine the DENV serotypes. All PCR-positive serum samples were inoculated onto C6/36 cells. Multiplex PCR was repeated on the supernatant of the first blind passage of the serum-infected cells. Random samples of supernatant from the first passage of C6/36 infected cells were subjected to whole genome sequencing. Clinical and laboratory variables were compared between patients with and without DENV co-infections.

    RESULTS: Of the 290 NS1 positive serum samples, 280 were PCR positive for DENV. Medical notes of 262 patients were available for analysis. All 4 DENV serotypes were identified. Of the 262 patients, forty patients (15.3 %) had DENV co-infections: DENV-1/DENV-2(85 %), DENV-1/DENV-3 (12.5 %) and DENV-2/DENV-3 (2.5 %). Another 222 patients (84.7 %) were infected with single DENV serotype (mono-infection), with DENV- 1 (76.6 %) and DENV- 2 (19.8 %) predominating. Secondary dengue infections occurred in 31.3 % patients. Whole genome sequences of random samples representing DENV-1 and DENV-2 showed heterogeneity amongst the DENVs. Multivariate analysis revealed that pleural effusion and the presence of warning signs were significantly higher in the co-infected group, both in the overall and subgroup analysis. Diarrhoea was negatively associated with co-infection. Additionally, DENV-2 co-infected patients had higher frequency of patients with severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 50,000/mm(3)), whereas DENV-2 mono-infections presented more commonly with myalgia. Elevated creatinine levels were more frequent amongst the co-infected patients in univariate analysis. Haemoconcentration and haemorrhagic manifestations were not higher amongst the co-infected patients. Serotypes associated with severe dengue were: DENV-1 (n = 9), DENV-2 (n = 1), DENV-3 (n = 1) in mono-infected patients and DENV-1/DENV-2 (n = 5) and DENV-1/DENV-3 (n = 1) amongst the co-infected patients.

    CONCLUSION: DENV co-infections are not uncommon in a hyperendemic region and co-infected patients are skewed towards more severe clinical manifestations compared to mono-infected patients.

  11. Fulltext Contribution of Viral Respiratory Infections to Dengue-Like Illness Presentation at a Community Clinic in Southern Malaysia
    Dhanoa A, Ngim CF, Yunos NM, Husain SMT, Pong LY, Ismail WFW, et al.
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2021 Sep 27;106(1):187-191.
    PMID: 34583338 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0648
    This study explored the contribution of viral respiratory infections (VRIs) in dengue-like illness (DLI) patients and their distinguishing clinicolaboratory parameters. Two hundred DLI patients were prospectively recruited (July 1- October 1, 2019) from a community clinic in Southern Malaysia. Patients ≥ 18 years with acute fever and fulfilling the WHO criteria of probable dengue were recruited. They underwent blood testing: blood counts, rapid dengue tests (nonstructural antigen-1/IgM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and Leptospira. Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPSs) were collected for FilmArray®RP2plus testing. From the 200 NPSs, 58 respiratory viruses (RVs) were detected in 54 patients. Of the 96 dengue-confirmed cases, 86 had dengue mono-infection, and 10 were coinfected with RVs. Of the 104 nondengue, 44 were RV positive and 4 Leptospira positive. Zika and chikungunya virus were not detected. Overall, the etiological diagnosis was confirmed for 72% of patients. Clinicolaboratory parameters were compared between dengue mono-infection and VRI mono-infection. Patients with coinfections were excluded. Multiple logistic regression showed that recent household/neighborhood history of dengue (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.9, 95% CI = 1.7-20.7), leukopenia (aOR: 12.5, 95% CI = 2.6-61.4) and thrombocytopenia (aOR: 5.5, 95% CI = 1.3-23.0) predicted dengue. Inversely, rhinorrhoea (aOR: 0.1, 95% CI = 0.01-0.3) and cough (aOR: 0.3, 95% CI = 0.1-0.9) favored VRI. Thus, VRIs comprise many infections diagnosed initially as DLIs. Early clinicolaboratory parameters can guide physicians screen patients for further testing.
  12. Specific detection of H5N1 avian influenza A virus in field specimens by a one-step RT-PCR assay
    Ng LF, Barr I, Nguyen T, Noor SM, Tan RS, Agathe LV, et al.
    BMC Infect Dis, 2006;6:40.
    PMID: 16512903
    Continuous outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza A in Asia has resulted in an urgent effort to improve current diagnostics to aid containment of the virus and lower the threat of a influenza pandemic. We report here the development of a PCR-based assay that is highly specific for the H5N1 avian influenza A virus.
  13. Feral cats and risk for Nipah virus transmission
    Epstein JH, Abdul Rahman S, Zambriski JA, Halpin K, Meehan G, Jamaluddin AA, et al.
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2006 Jul;12(7):1178-9.
    PMID: 16848051
  14. Fulltext Risk Factors for Nipah virus infection among pteropid bats, Peninsular Malaysia
    Rahman SA, Hassan L, Epstein JH, Mamat ZC, Yatim AM, Hassan SS, et al.
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2013 Jan;19(1):51-60.
    PMID: 23261015 DOI: 10.3201/eid1901.120221
    We conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal studies to determine the distribution of and risk factors for seropositivity to Nipah virus (NiV) among Pteropus vampyrus and P. hypomelanus bats in Peninsular Malaysia. Neutralizing antibodies against NiV were detected at most locations surveyed. We observed a consistently higher NiV risk (odds ratio 3.9) and seroprevalence (32.8%) for P. vampyrus than P. hypomelanus (11.1%) bats. A 3-year longitudinal study of P. hypomelanus bats indicated nonseasonal temporal variation in seroprevalence, evidence for viral circulation within the study period, and an overall NiV seroprevalence of 9.8%. The seroprevalence fluctuated over the study duration between 1% and 20% and generally decreased during 2004-2006. Adult bats, particularly pregnant, with dependent pup and lactating bats, had a higher prevalence of NiV antibodies than juveniles. Antibodies in juveniles 6 months-2 years of age suggested viral circulation within the study period.
  15. Fulltext Group IV Getah Virus in Culex Mosquitoes, Malaysia
    Sam SS, Mohamed-Romai-Noor NA, Teoh BT, Hamim ZR, Ng HY, Abd-Jamil J, et al.
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2022 Feb;28(2):475-477.
    PMID: 35076371 DOI: 10.3201/eid2802.204887
    A new Getah virus (GETV) strain, B254, was isolated from Culex fuscocephalus mosquitoes captured at Mount Ophir, Malaysia, in 2012. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that GETV B254 is distinct from the old Malaysia GETV MM2021 strain but closely related to group IV GETV from Russia (LEIV16275Mag), China (YN12031), and Thailand (GETV/SW/Thailand/2017).
  16. Fulltext Rapid testing requires clinical evaluation for accurate diagnosis of dengue disease: A passive surveillance study in Southern Malaysia
    Ngim CF, Husain SMT, Hassan SS, Dhanoa A, Ahmad SAA, Mariapun J, et al.
    PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2021 05;15(5):e0009445.
    PMID: 34014983 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009445
    BACKGROUND: Dengue fever is the most common mosquito-borne infection worldwide where an expanding surveillance and characterization of this infection are needed to better inform the healthcare system. In this surveillance-based study, we explored the prevalence and distinguishing features of dengue fever amongst febrile patients in a large community-based health facility in southern peninsular Malaysia.

    METHODS: Over six months in 2018, we recruited 368 adults who met the WHO 2009 criteria for probable dengue infection. They underwent the following blood tests: full blood count, dengue virus (DENV) rapid diagnostic test (RDT), ELISA (dengue IgM and IgG), nested RT-PCR for dengue, multiplex qRT-PCR for Zika, Chikungunya and dengue as well as PCR tests for Leptopspira spp., Japanese encephalitis and West Nile virus.

    RESULTS: Laboratory-confirmed dengue infections (defined by positive tests in NS1, IgM, high-titre IgG or nested RT-PCR) were found in 167 (45.4%) patients. Of these 167 dengue patients, only 104 (62.3%) were positive on rapid diagnostic testing. Dengue infection was significantly associated with the following features: family or neighbours with dengue in the past week (AOR: 3.59, 95% CI:2.14-6.00, p<0.001), cutaneous rash (AOR: 3.58, 95% CI:1.77-7.23, p<0.001), increased temperature (AOR: 1.33, 95% CI:1.04-1.70, p = 0.021), leucopenia (white cell count < 4,000/μL) (AOR: 3.44, 95% CI:1.72-6.89, p<0.001) and thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150,000/μL)(AOR: 4.63, 95% CI:2.33-9.21, p<0.001). Dengue infection was negatively associated with runny nose (AOR: 0.47, 95% CI:0.29-0.78, p = 0.003) and arthralgia (AOR: 0.42, 95% CI:0.24-0.75, p = 0.004). Serotyping by nested RT-PCR revealed mostly mono-infections with DENV-2 (n = 64), DENV-1 (n = 32) and DENV-3 (n = 17); 14 co-infections occurred with DENV-1/DENV-2 (n = 13) and DENV-1/DENV-4 (n = 1). Besides dengue, none of the pathogens above were found in patients' serum.

    CONCLUSIONS: Acute undifferentiated febrile infections are a diagnostic challenge for community-based clinicians. Rapid diagnostic tests are increasingly used to diagnose dengue infection but negative tests should be interpreted with caution as they fail to detect a considerable proportion of dengue infection. Certain clinical features and haematological parameters are important in the clinical diagnosis of dengue infection.

  17. Fulltext Characterization of Nipah virus from naturally infected Pteropus vampyrus bats, Malaysia
    Rahman SA, Hassan SS, Olival KJ, Mohamed M, Chang LY, Hassan L, et al.
    Emerg Infect Dis, 2010 Dec;16(12):1990-3.
    PMID: 21122240 DOI: 10.3201/eid1612.091790
    We isolated and characterized Nipah virus (NiV) from Pteropus vampyrus bats, the putative reservoir for the 1998 outbreak in Malaysia, and provide evidence of viral recrudescence. This isolate is monophyletic with previous NiVs in combined analysis, and the nucleocapsid gene phylogeny species.
  18. Fulltext Seroprevalence of dengue among healthy adults in a rural community in Southern Malaysia: a pilot study
    Dhanoa A, Hassan SS, Jahan NK, Reidpath DD, Fatt QK, Ahmad MP, et al.
    Infect Dis Poverty, 2018 Jan 16;7(1):1.
    PMID: 29335021 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-017-0384-1
    BACKGROUND: The frequency and magnitude of dengue epidemics continue to increase exponentially in Malaysia, with a shift in the age range predominance toward adults and an expansion to rural areas. Despite this, information pertaining to the extent of transmission of dengue virus (DENV) in the rural community is lacking. This community-based pilot study was conducted to establish DENV seroprevalence amongst healthy adults in a rural district in Southern Malaysia, and to identify influencing factors.

    METHODS: In this study undertaken between April and May 2015, a total of 277 adult participants were recruited from households across three localities in the Sungai Segamat subdistrict in Segamat district. Sera were tested for immunoglobulin G (IgG) (Panbio® Dengue Indirect IgG ELISA/high-titer capture) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) (Panbio®) antibodies. The plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) was conducted on random samples of IgG-positive sera for further confirmation. Medical history and a recall of previous history of dengue were collected through interviews, whereas sociodemographic information was obtained from an existing database.

    RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence for DENV infection was 86.6% (240/277) (95% CI: 83-91%). Serological evidence of recent infection (IgM/high-titer capture IgG) was noted in 11.2% (31/277) of participants, whereas there was evidence of past infection in 75.5% (209/277) of participants (indirect IgG minus recent infections). The PRNT assay showed that the detected antibodies were indeed specific to DENV. The multivariate analysis showed that the older age group was significantly associated with past DENV infections. Seropositivity increased with age; 48.5% in the age group of <25 years to more than 85% in age group of >45 years (P 

  19. Fulltext The viral capsid as novel nanomaterials for drug delivery
    Aljabali AA, Hassan SS, Pabari RM, Shahcheraghi SH, Mishra V, Charbe NB, et al.
    Future Sci OA, 2021 Oct;7(9):FSO744.
    PMID: 34737885 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2021-0031
    The purpose of this review is to highlight recent scientific developments and provide an overview of virus self-assembly and viral particle dynamics. Viruses are organized supramolecular structures with distinct yet related features and functions. Plant viruses are extensively used in biotechnology, and virus-like particulate matter is generated by genetic modification. Both provide a material-based means for selective distribution and delivery of drug molecules. Through surface engineering of their capsids, virus-derived nanomaterials facilitate various potential applications for selective drug delivery. Viruses have significant implications in chemotherapy, gene transfer, vaccine production, immunotherapy and molecular imaging.
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