MyMedR

Fulltext Soil-transmitted helminthiasis among Indian primary school children in Selangor, Malaysia

Kan SP

Med J Malaysia, 1984 Jun;39(2):143-7.

A survey of a total of 1,157 Indian primary school children from eight schools from urban and rural areas in and around Kuala Lumpur showed an overall
prevalence of infection with soil-transmitted helminthiasis of 89.02%. The prevalence and intensity of infection were consistently high among both school boys and girls throughout the six years of primary school. The predominant helminth was Trichuris trichiura - both as single and mixed infections. The commonest type of helminthic infection among urban primary school children was mixed infections with Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides. Hookworm infections, both as single or mixed infections, were more common among school children from rubber and oil palm estates in the rural areas.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Fulltext Soil-transmitted helminthiasis among children in Pulau Ketam, West Malaysia

Kan SP, Singh M, Singh S

Med J Malaysia, 1987 Mar;42(1):40-3.

PMID: 3431501

Only 8.4% of 1,286 Chinese boys and girls from the ages of 5-12 years in Pulau Ketam were infected with soil-transmitted helminths. The majority of these children had single infections with Trichuris or Ascaris alone. Mixed infections made up less than 5% of all infected cases. The worm burdens of infected children were very low. There was no definite pattern of distribution of infection among children of different ages and no differences in the distribution of infection between boys and girls. The main factors for the low prevalence and intensity of infection were the absence of suitable soil for the development and survival of infective helminth stages and the lack of contact with contaminated soil on this island. These two factors acted as very effective barriers to the transmission of soiltransmitted helminths on Pulau Ketam.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Two new coccidian parasites from the grand anglehead lizard, Gonocephalus grandis from Peninsular Malaysia

Maupin RS, Diong CH, McQuistion TE

J Parasitol, 1998 Dec;84(6):1210-2.

PMID: 9920316

During 3 collecting expeditions between October 1996 and December 1996, fecal samples were obtained from 43 adult Gonocephalus grandis from Tanah Rata and the Cameron Highlands in Peninsular Malaysia. Two species of coccidia (Isospora gonocephali n. sp. [9/43, 23%] and Eimeria cameronensis n. sp. [3/43, 7%]) were discovered. Sporulated oocysts of I. gonocephali are subspherical to ovoidal, 22.3 x 18.7 (19-25 x 17-23) microm with a bilayered wall composed of a thin inner wall and a striated outer wall with a pitted surface; oocyst residuum absent; 1 polar granule present; sporocysts are almond-shaped, 13.5 x 9.2 (12-15 x 8.5-10) microm, Stieda body broad, domelike, substieda body fanlike, sporocyst residuum consisting of coarse, nonuniform granules in an amorphous cluster; sporozoites sausage-shaped with 1 large terminal, refractile body and lay randomly in the sporocyst. Sporulated oocysts of E. cameronensis are bilayered, smooth-walled, ellipsoidal, 26.5 x 12.4 (25-28 x 12-13) microm; with 1, small, polar granule composed of 2-3 splinter-like structures fused together; oocyst residuum absent; sporocysts ovoidal, almost rectangular-shaped 8.8 x 6.6 (8-9 x 5-7) microm, with no Stieda or substieda bodies, containing scattered residuum and 2 sausage-shaped sporozoites with 1 terminal, ovoidal refractile body. No individual lizard was host to both coccidian species.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Description of a Giardia varani-like flagellate from a water monitor, Varanus salvator, from Malaysia

Upton SJ, Zien CA

J Parasitol, 1997 Oct;83(5):970-1.

PMID: 9379313

A Giardia varani Lavier, 1923-like flagellate was found in the feces of a captive water monitor, Varanus salvator, originally caught wild from an unknown location in Malaysia. The parasite is similar in size and shape to Giardia lamblia, except that median bodies are rare and cysts are binucleate. A description of both the trophozoite and cyst stage of this flagellate is provided.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Molecular characterization of Trichuris species isolated from humans, dogs and cats in a rural community in Peninsular Malaysia

Mohd-Shaharuddin N, Lim YAL, Hassan NA, Nathan S, Ngui R

Acta Trop, 2019 Feb;190:269-272.

PMID: 30500371 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.11.026

Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) are soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) that causing trichuriasis in human. Trichuris vulpis, a canine whipworm has also been reported occasionally in humans. However, an overlapping dimension in the morphology and due to limited external characters between both species may lead to the potential for misidentification. Although there has been an extensive study on the distribution of whipworm in both human and animal hosts, little is known about the molecular epidemiology of Trichuris species in both hosts. To investigate to characterize the whipworm species and to determine the genetic relationship between species infecting both humans and animals, we sequenced the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) regions of Trichuris egg isolated from humans, dogs and cats in a rural community in Malaysia. A total of 524 fresh fecal samples were collected from humans and animals. The overall prevalence of Trichuris was 59.9% as determined by microscopy examination. The molecular analysis showed that 98.7% were identified as T. trichiura in the human fecal sample. Interestingly, 1.3% were identified as T. vulpis. As for animal fecal sample, 56.8% and 43.2% were identified as T. trichiura and T. vulpis, respectively. Phylogenetic and sequence analysis demonstrated that T. trichiura isolates were genetically distinct from T. vulpis isolates from both hosts. This finding implies that companion animals can be a reservoir and mechanical transmitter for T. trichiura infection in human and also highlighting the possible zoonotic potential of T. vulpis. This finding may also suggest that cross-transmission between humans and animal hosts in sympatric setting may be a source of infection in both hosts. More studies are needed to better understand the transmission dynamic and public health significance of Trichuris infection in both hosts.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Eimeria cicaki sp. n. and Isospora thavari sp. n. from the house lizard Gehyra mutilata Boulenger in Malaysia

Else JG, Colley FC

J. Protozool., 1975 Nov;22(4):455-7.

PMID: 1195155

Oocysts and endogenous stages of new species of Eimeria and Isospora from the house lizard, Gehyra mutilata, are described. The ellipsoid to subspherical 2-layered oocysts of E. cicaki averaged 24.0 X 21.0 mum. Polar granules are present. Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. Ellipsoid sporocysts average 12.2 X 9.0 mum. A sporocyst residuum is present, but the Stieda body is absent. Endogenous stages are in epithelial cells of the small intestine. The subspherical single-layered oocysts of I. thavari average 23.8 X 22.8 mum. The polar granule is present; micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. Ellipsoid sporocysts average 12.8 X 9.4 mum. Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present. There are endogenous stages in epithelial cells of the small intestine.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Hymenolepis diminuta infection in a Malaysian oil palm estate worker--first case from Malaysia

Sinniah B

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1978 Sep;9(3):453-4.

PMID: 749233

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Studies of Angiostrongylus malaysiensis (Nematoda, Metastrongylidae) in peninsular Malaysia: natural infection in freshwater snails and rodents in ricefields and infectivity experiments

Liat LB, Fong YL, Krishnansamy M

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1977 Mar;8(1):27-35.

PMID: 887993

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Molecular identification of Eimeria hestermani and Eimeria prionotemni from a red-necked wallaby (Macropodidae; Macropus rufogriseus) in Japan

Ekawasti F, Kitagawa K, Domae H, Wardhana AH, Shibahara T, Uni S, et al.

Parasitol Res, 2020 Apr;119(4):1271-1279.

PMID: 32072327 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06618-2

To date, more than 50 Eimeria spp. have been isolated from marsupials of the family Macropodidae. Although 18 species of Eimeria have been previously detected from multiple animal species belonging to the genus Macropus of the family, limited genetic analyses of the parasites are available, and their pathogenicity remains unclear. Here, we report the isolation of Eimeria spp. from a zoo specimen of red-necked wallaby (Macropodidae; Macropus rufogriseus). Specifically, two distinct types of Eimeria oocysts were recovered, one from the feces before treatment with an anthelmintic and the second from the intestinal contents after death of the animal. The oocysts obtained from the two sources were morphologically identified as E. hestermani and E. prionotemni, respectively. We successfully determined partial gene sequences from the two isolates, including segments of the 18S rRNA genes, and for the first time have used phylogenetic analyses of these sequences to assign the species to distinct clades. In combination with further genetic data, these results are expected to help elucidate the pathogenicity and host ranges of Eimeria spp. within the respective family and genus.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

An improved stool concentration procedure for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in Orang Asli stool samples

Salleh FM, Moktar N, Yasin AM, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Anuar TS

J Microbiol Methods, 2014 Nov;106:143-145.

PMID: 25193442 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2014.08.019

To improve the stool concentration procedure, we modified different steps of the standard formalin-ether concentration technique and evaluated these modifications by examining stool samples collected in the field. Seven samples were found positive by the modified formalin-ether concentration technique (M-FECT). Therefore, the M-FECT procedure provides enhanced detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology*

Fulltext Epidemiology of intestinal polyparasitism among Orang Asli school children in rural Malaysia

Al-Delaimy AK, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Nasr NA, Sady H, Atroosh WM, Nashiry M, et al.

PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2014 Aug;8(8):e3074.

PMID: 25144662 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003074

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the current prevalence and risk factors associated with intestinal polyparasitism (the concurrent infection with multiple intestinal parasite species) among Orang Asli school children in the Lipis district of Pahang state, Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Fulltext Genetic assemblage of Sarcocystis spp. in Malaysian snakes

Lau YL, Chang PY, Subramaniam V, Ng YH, Mahmud R, Ahmad AF, et al.

Parasit Vectors, 2013 Sep 09;6(1):257.

PMID: 24010903 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-257

BACKGROUND: Sarcocystis species are protozoan parasites with a wide host range including snakes. Although there were several reports of Sarcocytis species in snakes, their distribution and prevalence are still not fully explored.

METHODS: In this study, fecal specimens of several snake species in Malaysia were examined for the presence of Sarcocystis by PCR of 18S rDNA sequence. Microscopy examination of the fecal specimens for sporocysts was not carried as it was difficult to determine the species of the infecting Sarcocystis.

RESULTS: Of the 28 snake fecal specimens, 7 were positive by PCR. BLASTn and phylogenetic analyses of the amplified 18S rDNA sequences revealed the snakes were infected with either S. nesbitti, S. singaporensis, S. zuoi or undefined Sarcocystis species.

CONCLUSION: This study is the first to report Sarcocystis infection in a cobra, and S. nesbitti in a reticulated python.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Serological and molecular detection of Strongyloides stercoralis infection among an Orang Asli community in Malaysia

Ahmad AF, Hadip F, Ngui R, Lim YA, Mahmud R

Parasitol Res, 2013 Aug;112(8):2811-6.

PMID: 23666229 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3450-z

Detection of Strongyloides stercoralis infection particularly in asymptomatic individuals is often hampered due to the lack of standard diagnostic tools. In this study, the use of serological and molecular approaches were investigated for the detection of S. stercoralis infection among an Orang Asli (indigenous) community following a preliminary detection by microscopic examination of faecal samples. Out of 54 individuals studied, 17/54 (31.5%) were detected to be positive for S. stercoralis infection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), compared to 0/54 (0%) by faecal examination. Further confirmation performed by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using DNA extracted from faecal samples of these 17 individuals yielded 3/17 (17.6%) positives for S. stercoralis DNA amplification. No amplification was seen with the other 37 faecal samples, which were negative by microscopy and ELISA. As the high ELISA positive results were suspected to be false-positives, ELISA is not recommended for use as a detection tool but may be beneficial for evaluating the effectiveness of anti-Strongyloides drugs. The present finding indicated that PCR should be considered as an alternative diagnostic tool for the detection of S. stercoralis infection.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Wintergreen oil: a novel method in Wheatley's trichrome staining technique

Salleh FM, Anuar TS, Yasin AM, Moktar N

J Microbiol Methods, 2012 Oct;91(1):174-8.

PMID: 22986100 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2012.08.004

Permanent staining of faecal smears by Wheatley's trichrome technique has been used by many scientists for the detection of parasites in the past and it was found to be highly sensitive. This study was conducted to evaluate the use of Wintergreen oil in comparison with xylene in Wheatley's trichrome staining technique, as the reference technique. In a blind comparison study, 500 collected faecal samples from aboriginal communities were examined. Wintergreen oil was found to be more superior than xylene as a clearing agent in the Wheatley's trichrome staining of polyvinyl alcohol-fixed faecal smears for the identification of intestinal protozoa. Elimination of toxic, carcinogenic, and fire hazards makes Wintergreen oil the preferred choice in routine parasitology examinations.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology*

First molecular identification of Entamoeba moshkovskii in Malaysia

Anuar TS, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Ghani MK, Azreen SN, Salleh FM, Ghazali N, et al.

Parasitology, 2012 Oct;139(12):1521-5.

PMID: 22939193 DOI: 10.1017/S0031182012001485

Entamoeba moshkovskii and Entamoeba dispar are microscopically indistinguishable from the pathogenic species Entamoeba histolytica. Although sporadic cases of human infection with E. moshkovskii have been reported, the amoeba is still considered primarily as a free-living amoeba. A cross-sectional study was carried out among Orang Asli communities in 3 different states of Peninsular Malaysia. Fecal samples were examined by formalin-ether sedimentation and trichrome staining techniques and then single-round PCR assay was used to detect E. moshkovskii. Out of 500 fecal samples examined microscopically, 93 (18·6%) samples were positive for E. histolytica/E. dispar/E. moshkovskii complex cysts and/or trophozoites. PCR products were detected in 106 fecal samples. E. moshkovskii isolates were detected in 13 (12·3%) fecal samples. Of the 13 E. moshkovskii-positive samples, 5 were of single isolation of E. moshkovskii, 6 were also positive for E. dispar, and only 2 samples were positive for E. dispar and E. histolytica. Moreover, 3 E. moshkovskii-positive samples were collected from symptomatic individuals while the remaining 10 samples were from asymptomatic subjects. This is the first report on the identification of E. moshkovskii in Malaysia. Further studies are needed to confirm the pathogenicity of E. moshkovskii infection and determine the epidemiology among Orang Asli communities in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Fulltext Blastocystis sp.: waterborne zoonotic organism, a possibility?

Lee LI, Chye TT, Karmacharya BM, Govind SK

Parasit Vectors, 2012;5:130.

PMID: 22741573 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-130

Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal parasite found in faecal sample surveys. Several studies have implicated human-to-human, zoonotic and waterborne transmissions by Blastocystis sp. However, there has been no study providing evidence interlinking these three transmissions in a community. We have previously shown a high prevalence of Blastocystis sp. subtype 4 amongst village dwellers in Bahunipati, Nepal, and the present study extends the observation to assess if the same subtype of Blastocystis sp. occurs in animals they rear and rivers they frequent.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Fulltext High diversity of Cryptosporidium subgenotypes identified in Malaysian HIV/AIDS individuals targeting gp60 gene

Iqbal A, Lim YA, Surin J, Sim BL

PLoS One, 2012;7(2):e31139.

PMID: 22347442 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031139

Currently, there is a lack of vital information in the genetic makeup of Cryptosporidium especially in developing countries. The present study aimed at determining the genotypes and subgenotypes of Cryptosporidium in hospitalized Malaysian human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Urinary hyaluronidase activity in rats infected with Blastocystis hominis--evidence for invasion?

Chandramathi S, Suresh KG, Mahmood AA, Kuppusamy UR

Parasitol Res, 2010 May;106(6):1459-63.

PMID: 20358228 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-1825-y

The fact whether Blastocystis hominis can invade has always been in question. Apart from a few sporadic studies such as that done on gnotobiotic guinea pigs which showed surface invasion and mucosal inflammation of the host's intestine caused by B. hominis infection, no real documentation of invasion has been proven. Studies have shown that hyaluronidase is secreted during the penetration into the host's skin and gut by nematode parasites. Hyaluronidase activity in protozoa namely Entamoeba histolytica has also been described previously. This study attempts to determine hyaluronidase in urine samples of B. hominis-infected rats. The presence of hyaluronidase in urine provides an indirect evidence of invasion by B. hominis into colonic epithelium causing the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins namely hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is depolymerized by hyaluronidase which may be used by organisms to invade one another. In this study, the levels of urinary hyaluronidase of Sprague-Dawley rats infected with B. hominis were monitored for 30 days. Hyaluronidase levels in the infected rats were significantly higher on days 28 and 30 compared to the day before inoculation (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). During this stage, parasitic burden in infected stools was also at a high level. Proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8, were also significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the serum of infected rats. The study demonstrates that since no other pathogen was present and that amoeboid forms of the parasites have been shown to exist previously, the elevated levels of hyaluronidase in this preliminary finding suggests that the organism is capable of having invasion or penetration activity in the hosts' intestine.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

Fulltext A case of cutaneous larva migrans acquired from soiled toilet floors in urban Kuala Lumpur

Robson NZ, Othman S

Med J Malaysia, 2008 Oct;63(4):331-2.

PMID: 19385496 MyJurnal

Despite being a common skin dermatosis in the tropics, physicians in the tropics may miss the diagnosis of cutaneous larva migrans for other pruritic skin manifestation. This is especially in those who live in urban housing with no history of travel. Cutaneous larva migrans, an intensely pruritic skin pathology is mainly contracted by people with history of beach holiday or contact with moist soft sand which had been contaminated with dog or cat faeces. This article reports a patient who presented with intensely itchy papular spots over the dorsum of his foot after walking barefooted in an urban toilet soiled with cat faeces. The patient had initially seen an urban general practitioner who diagnosed the papular skin lesion as an allergic reaction, and prescribed antihistamines. The patient subsequently developed creeping skin lesions and was seen by the author who prescribed albendazole 400 mg twice daily for three days. The patient reported reduction in itching after two days of albendazole treatment and a follow up at ten days revealed a healed infection.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

In vivo encystation of Blastocystis hominis

Suresh K, Venilla GD, Tan TC, Rohela M

Parasitol Res, 2009 Jun;104(6):1373-80.

PMID: 19238443 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1340-1

Blastocystis from infected stools of a person who showed chronic symptoms of abdominal discomfort and diarrhea were examined over a 6-month period, using transmission electron microscopy, for the ultrastructural changes from vacuolar to cystic stage. The study confirms the irregular shedding phenomenon of the organism previously reported, and for the first time, records sequential changes in encystation in stools collected over a time period. The study also confirms the existence of a precystic stage which has an immature cell wall consisting of a layer of a homogenous electron-dense mass surrounding the cell which acts as a intermediatory stage between the vacuolar and cystic stage.

Matched MeSH terms: Feces/parasitology

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