MyMedR

Fulltext Colesional cutaneous talaromycosis (penicilliosis) and Kaposi sarcoma in an HIV-infected patient

Lai SK, Tan LJ, Hussin H, Salleh AA, Bakrin IH

Clin Case Rep, 2021 Nov;9(11):e04639.

HIV-infected patients are at high risk of multiple pathologies. Accurate identification of multiple colesional pathologies is critical for the patient management. We report a distinctive case of colesional cutaneous talaromycosis and Kaposi sarcoma. Prudent histopathological examination and judicious use of adjunct diagnostic test are essential for the diagnosis.

Characterization of the first isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase and other extended spectrum β-lactamase genes from Malaysia

Ahmad N, Hashim R, Shukor S, Mohd Khalid KN, Shamsudin F, Hussin H

J Med Microbiol, 2013 May;62(Pt 5):804-806.

PMID: 23449878 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.050781-0

Fulltext Myeloid sarcoma of the urinary bladder with cutaneous tumour seeding after percutaneous suprapubic catheterization

Geok Chin T, Masir N, Noor Hussin H, Mohd Sidik S, Boon Cheok L, Yean T

Malays J Pathol, 2011 Jun;33(1):47-51.

PMID: 21874752 MyJurnal

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare extramedullary myeloid tumour. It has been reported in various sites, including lymph node, bone, skin, soft tissue, various organs and the CNS. It may precede or occur concurrently with acute myeloid leukemia. Urinary bladder involvement is extremely uncommon. We report a 70-year-old female who had MS of the urinary bladder, presented with frank and persistent hematuria associated with lower abdominal pain. She subsequently had tumour seeding in the abdominal skin via percutaneous suprapubic catheter. Tumours from both the urinary bladder and skin showed immature cells that were immunoreactive toward LCA (focal), MPO (strong), CD99 (weak) and CD117 (weak). Summary of cases in the literature is presented. The potential of its misdiagnosis and the useful markers for the diagnosis of MS are discussed.

Fulltext A systemic review and recommendation for an autopsy approach to death followed the COVID 19 vaccination

Tan LJ, Koh CP, Lai SK, Poh WC, Othman MS, Hussin H

Forensic Sci Int, 2022 Nov;340:111469.

PMID: 36162300 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111469

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) started in December 2019. An immediate prevention approach for the outbreak is the development of a vaccination program. Despite a growing number of publications showing the effectiveness of vaccination in preventing SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and reducing the mortality rate, substantial fatal adverse effects were reported after vaccination. Confirmation of the causal relationship of death is required to reimburse under the national vaccination program and could provide a reference for the selection of vaccination. However, a lack of guidelines in the laboratory study and autopsy approach hampered the investigation of post-vaccination death. In this paper, we performed a systematic electronic search on scientific articles related to severe Covid-19 vaccination adverse effects and approaches in identifying the severe side effects using PubMed and Cochrane libraries. A summary on the onset, biochemistry changes and histopathological analyzes of major lethally side effects post-vaccination were discussed. Ultimately, a checklist is suggested to improve the quality of investigation.

Country perspective on medical tourism: the Malaysian experience

Abd Manaf NH, Hussin H, Jahn Kassim PN, Alavi R, Dahari Z

Leadersh Health Serv (Bradf Engl), 2015;28(1):43-56.

PMID: 25751248 DOI: 10.1108/LHS-11-2013-0038

The study seeks to explore the perception of international patients on Malaysia as a medical tourism destination country, as well as overall patient satisfaction, perceived value and future intention for repeat treatment and services.

Fulltext Complete Genome Sequence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Typhi Isolate B/SF/13/03/195 Associated with a Typhoid Carrier in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, Malaysia

Muhamad Harish S, Sim KS, Mohd Nor F, Mat Hussin H, Hamzah WM, Najimudin N, et al.

Genome Announc, 2015;3(6).

PMID: 26564035 DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.01285-15

We report here the complete genome sequence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhi B/SF/13/03/195 obtained from a typhoid carrier, who is a food handler in Pasir Mas, Kelantan.

Development and validation of pan-Leptospira Taqman qPCR for the detection of Leptospira spp. in clinical specimens

Mohd Ali MR, Mohd Safee AW, Ismail NH, Abu Sapian R, Mat Hussin H, Ismail N, et al.

Mol Cell Probes, 2018 04;38:1-6.

PMID: 29524642 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2018.03.001

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of leptospirosis is important for ensuring better clinical management and achieving better outcomes. Currently, serological assays suffer from inconsistent performance and are less useful for early diagnosis of leptospirosis. As an alternative, qPCR is more sensitive, specific and able to detect the presence of leptospiral DNA during the acute phase of the infection. Meanwhile, most molecular assays do not detect the non-pathogenic group of Leptospira, even though these groups may also infect humans, although less frequently and less severely.

METHODS: A set of primers and probe targeting rrs genes of 22 Leptospira spp. were designed and evaluated on 31 Leptospira isolates, 41 other organisms and 65 clinical samples from suspected patients.

RESULTS: The developed assay was able to detect as low as 20 fg Leptospira DNA per reaction (equivalent to approximately 4 copies) and showed high specificity against the tested leptospiral strains. No cross amplification was observed with the other organisms. During the evaluation of the confirmed clinical specimens, the developed assay was able to correctly identify all positive samples (n = 10/10). One amplification was observed in a negative sample (n = 1/55). The sequencing of the PCR product of the discordant sample revealed that the sequences were similar to those of L. interrogans and L. kirschneri.

CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the developed Taqman qPCR assay is sensitive, specific and has potential to be applied in a larger subsequent study.

Fulltext Characterization of detergent compatible protease from halophilic Virgibacillus sp. CD6

Lam MQ, Nik Mut NN, Thevarajoo S, Chen SJ, Selvaratnam C, Hussin H, et al.

3 Biotech, 2018 Feb;8(2):104.

PMID: 29404232 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-018-1133-2

A halophilic bacterium, Virgibacillus sp. strain CD6, was isolated from salted fish and its extracellular protease was characterized. Protease production was found to be highest when yeast extract was used as nitrogen source for growth. The protease exhibited stability at wide range of salt concentration (0-12.5%, w/v), temperatures (20-60 °C), and pH (4-10) with maximum activity at 10.0% (w/v) NaCl, 60 °C, pH 7 and 10, indicating its polyextremophilicity. The protease activity was enhanced in the presence of Mg2+, Mn2+, Cd2+, and Al3+ (107-122% relative activity), and with retention of activity > 80% for all of other metal ions examined (K+, Ca2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, and Fe3+). Both PMSF and EDTA inhibited protease activity, denoting serine protease and metalloprotease properties, respectively. High stability (> 70%) was demonstrated in the presence of organic solvents and detergent constituents, and the extracellular protease from strain CD6 was also found to be compatible in commercial detergents. Proteinaceous stain removal efficacy revealed that crude protease of strain CD6 could significantly enhance the performance of commercial detergent. The protease from Virgibacillus sp. strain CD6 could serve as a promising alternative for various applications, especially in detergent industry.

Fulltext Palliative brachytherapy to axilla and hypopharynx in elderly patient with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma - case report

Appalanaido GK, Shukor SA, Fan AS, Chong SE, Hussin H, Karim NKA, et al.

Rep Pract Oncol Radiother, 2021;26(4):647-653.

PMID: 34434581 DOI: 10.5603/RPOR.a2021.0076

Brachytherapy (BT) is an important local treatment of tumor and it can be applied to different anatomical sites either in a curative or palliative setting. BT can deliver large dose of radiation to the tumor while sparing the surrounding normal tissue which translates into a better therapeutic ratio compared to external beam radiotherapy. However, the evidence for the use of brachytherapy in the palliative setting is lacking in the literature. In this case report, we describe the brachytherapy technique and outcome of a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx who underwent palliative brachytherapy to the hypopharynx and metastatic tumor at the right axilla.

Fulltext Development and Testing of a Community-Based Intervention to Address Intimate Partner Violence among Rohingya and Syrian Refugees: A Social Norms-Based Mental Health-Integrated Approach

James LE, Welton-Mitchell C, Michael S, Santoadi F, Shakirah S, Hussin H, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2021 11 07;18(21).

PMID: 34770188 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111674

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the leading form of gender-based violence globally and increases during times of conflict and displacement. To reduce IPV and encourage help-seeking, a two-phase community-based intervention was co-designed with Rohingya in Malaysia and Syrians in Lebanon. Three day workshops, utilizing a social norms-based mental health-integrated approach, were implemented for women and men in each country (n = 148). Pre- to post-measures indicated reductions in beliefs about acceptability of violence and rigid gender norms, and improvements in mental health, functioning, coping, and self-efficacy for women and men following workshop participation. Workshop participation was also associated with increased help-seeking intent, for both mental health and IPV (victims and perpetrators). Workshops included community design of poster campaigns to address IPV, which were then tested in each setting using a randomized controlled trial in Malaysia (n = 240) and a matched cluster comparison in Lebanon (n = 260). Women in both settings found IPV less acceptable in the poster condition. Help-seeking preferences were also influenced by the poster for women and men in both countries. This participatory intervention research can provide a roadmap for use in other settings, emphasizing the value of community-generated solutions to IPV among displaced populations.

Differential Protein Expression Patterns of HOXA13 and HOXB13 Are Associated with Bladder Cancer Progression

Chin FW, Hussin H, Chau DM, Ong TA, Yunus R, Abdul Razack AH, et al.

Diagnostics (Basel), 2023 Aug 09;13(16).

PMID: 37627895 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13162636

Bladder cancer is a common urological cancer and has the highest recurrence rate of any cancer. The aim of our study was to profile and characterize the protein expression of homeobox A13 (HOXA13) and homeobox B13 (HOXB13) genes in Malaysian bladder cancer patients. The protein expression of HOXA13 and HOXB13 in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) bladder cancer tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. The association between HOXA13/HOXB13 protein expression and demographic/clinicopathological characteristics of the bladder cancer patients was determined by chi-square analysis. Approximately 63.6% of the bladder cancer tissues harbored high HOXA13 expression. High HOXA13 expression was significantly associated with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, lower tumor grade, higher number of lymph node metastases, and recurrence risk. In contrast, low HOXB13 expression (including those with negative expression) was observed in 71.6% of the bladder cancer tissues analyzed. Low HOXB13 expression was significantly associated with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, higher tumor stage, tumor grade, and metastatic risk. Both HOXA13 and HOXB13 protein expression were found to be associated with bladder tumorigenesis. The putative oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles of HOXA13 and HOXB13, respectively, suggest their potential utility as biomarkers in bladder cancer.

Fulltext Serology surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers in COVID-19 designated facilities in Malaysia

Woon YL, Lee YL, Chong YM, Ayub NA, Krishnabahawan SL, Lau JFW, et al.

Lancet Reg Health West Pac, 2021 Apr;9:100123.

PMID: 33778796 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100123

Background: Asymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections are well documented. Healthcare workers (HCW) are at increased risk of infection due to occupational exposure to infected patients. We aim to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCW who did not come to medical attention.

Methods: We prospectively recruited 400 HCW from the National Public Health Laboratory and two COVID-19 designated public hospitals in Klang Valley, Malaysia between 13/4/2020 and 12/5/2020. Quota sampling was used to ensure representativeness of HCW involved in direct and indirect patient care. All participants answered a self-administered questionnaire and blood samples were taken to test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by surrogate virus neutralization test.

Findings: The study population comprised 154 (38.5%) nurses, 103 (25.8%) medical doctors, 47 (11.8%) laboratory technologists and others (23.9%). A majority (68.9%) reported exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in the past month within their respective workplaces. Adherence to personal protection equipment (PPE) guidelines and hand hygiene were good, ranging from 91-100% compliance. None (95% CI: 0, 0.0095) of the participants had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detected, despite 182 (45.5%) reporting some symptoms one month prior to study recruitment. One hundred and fifteen (29%) of participants claimed to have had contact with known COVID-19 persons outside of their workplace.

Interpretation: Zero seroprevalence among HCW suggests a low incidence of undiagnosed COVID-19 infection in our healthcare setting during the first local wave of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The occupational risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission within healthcare facilities can be prevented by adherence to infection control measures and appropriate use of PPE.

Fulltext Evaluation of the Elecsys(®) Anti-HCV II assay for routine hepatitis C virus screening of different Asian Pacific populations and detection of early infection

Yoo SJ, Wang LL, Ning HC, Tao CM, Hirankarn N, Kuakarn S, et al.

J Clin Virol, 2015 Mar;64:20-7.

PMID: 25728074 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2014.12.015

Early diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is essential to allow appropriate treatment and prevent transmission.

Displaying publications 21 - 33 of 33 in total