Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 40 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Fulltext Cytokines in infection
    Pang T
    Med J Malaysia, 1993 Mar;48(1):9-11.
    PMID: 8341179
    Cytokines are central to the development of effective immunity against microbial pathogens and their beneficial effects in the control of a variety of infections of man and animals are well-documented. However, it appears that cytokines may also have detrimental effects in infections by actually enhancing microbial growth. These observations emphasise the fact that many successful pathogens possess mechanisms enabling them to evade the immune response and that caution needs to be exercised in using cytokines as therapeutic agents to control infections in various human diseases.
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/therapy
  2. Epidemiological survey of intestinal parasitic infections in children of Sabah, Malaysia
    Levy J
    Community Med, 1988 Aug;10(3):240-9.
    PMID: 3265369
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/epidemiology
  3. Fulltext Prevalence and distribution of intestinal and blood parasites among Ibans in the Nanga Atoi in the Second Division in Sarawak
    Neo CB, Cheah YK, Chin PW, Tan TV, Wong NC, Yap LM, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 1987 Dec;42(4):294-8.
    PMID: 3454401
    About two-thirds (67.6%) of 142 Ibans (from birth to 90 years of age) from 26 house-holds in a longhouse in Nanga Atoi in the Second Division of Sarawak were infected with intestinal parasites. The more common helmintic infections were hookworms (47.2%) and Trichuris trichiura (43.0%). Intestinal protozoan infections were less common. Single helmintic infections were more common than multiple infections and the commonest type of multiple infections was Trichuris mixed with hookworms. Malaria and filariasis were not reported among these inhabitants surveyed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/epidemiology
  4. Fulltext A study of parasitic infections in the luminal contents and tissue sections of appendix specimens
    Thanikachalam MP, Kasemsuk Y, Mak JW, Sharifah Emilia TS, Kandasamy P
    Trop Biomed, 2008 Aug;25(2):166-72.
    PMID: 18948889 MyJurnal
    Appendicitis has a worldwide prevalence and affects all age groups. The aetiology of acute appendicitis is still much debated, many factors have been implicated. The pathology is likely to be due to obstruction of the lumen of the appendix. Parasites, both helminths and protozoa have been suggested to be the cause of acute appendicitis. Studies have demonstrated that parasites are present in the appendix specimens removed from surgery methods.
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/parasitology
  5. Shift in parasitic infections during the Corona pandemic: a hospital-based retrospective study
    Hawash Y, Ismail KH, Abdel-Wahab M
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Jun 01;38(2):94-101.
    PMID: 34172696 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.2.038
    The Corona pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) calls on the Saudi government to take action to control the infection. The government closed borders, prohibited travel, limited outdoor movements, and told primary and secondary care facilities to reduce all regular non-urgent health services. It is not known whether these measures have impacted the prevalence of parasitic intestinal infections. This study has therefore been carried out to investigate this issue. Dataset of 217 stool samples submitted to the King Faisal Medical Complex (KFMC) Microbiology Laboratory in Taif, Saudi Arabia for parasitological examination during the pandemic (January-June 2020) and 649 samples submitted during the corresponding months of the previous year (January-June 2019) were extracted and analyzed. Overall, 24.1% (209/866) of samples were parasitespositives; 26.6% (173/649) before and 16.5% (36/217) during the pandemic, with 79% reduction. There was a significant difference in gender-parasitism between the two periods where the majority of parasitism were for males (p<0.001). Infections were frequent in patients aged 5- 14 years both before (84/649; 12.9%) and during (12/217; 5.5%) the pandemic, with significant difference observed between the two cohorts (p<0.002). Moreover, the majority of infected patients were non-Saudi (67.9%; 142/209), with a significant difference in nationality reported, (p=0.024). Protozoa were identified in 21.8% (189) of all samples investigated, of which, Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba coli, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar and Cryptosporidium species were identified in 6.1% (53), 5.4% (47), 5.0% (44), 2.8% (25), and 2.3% (20), respectively. Helminths were diagnosed in 2.3% (20/866) of samples. Eggs of hookworm, Ascaris, Taenia spp, and Hymenolepis nana were detected in 0.9% (8), 0.5% (5), 0.3% (3) and 0.4% (4), respectively. In parallel with our research hypothesis, a substantial decrease in the burden of intestinal parasitic infections was recorded with the lock-down measures taken during the Corona pandemic.
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/epidemiology*
  6. Intestinal parasitism in a Kampong on Pulau Pangkor, West Malaysia
    Nawalinski T, Roundy LM
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1978 Sep;9(3):440-1.
    PMID: 749228
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/epidemiology
  7. Transmission of microsporidian infection in the snail Indoplanorbis exustus in west Malaysia
    Basch PF
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1971 Sep;2(3):380-3.
    PMID: 5003368
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/etiology*
  8. Fulltext Comparison between Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) and Giemsa-stained Thin Film (GTF) technique for blood protozoan infections in wild rats
    Sahimin N, Alias SN, Woh PY, Edah MA, Mohd Zain SN
    Trop Biomed, 2014 Sep;31(3):422-31.
    PMID: 25382468 MyJurnal
    The quantitative buffy coat (QBC) technique and conventional Giemsa thin blood smear was compared to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the technique in detecting blood parasitic infection of the rodent populations from four urban cities in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 432 blood samples from four rat species (Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus diardii, Rattus exulans and Rattus argentiventer) were screened using both techniques and successfully detected two blood protozoan species (Trypanosoma lewisi and Plasmodium sp.) with Trypanosoma lewisi predominantly infecting the population. Results showed that Giemsa-stained thin film (GTF) was the better detection method on blood parasitemia (46.7%) compared to Quantitative Buffy Coat method (38.9%) with overall detection technique sensitivity and specificity at 83.2% and 74.8% respectively. The sensitivity in detection of Trypanosoma lewisi was 84.4% with value slightly lower for Plasmodium sp. infections at 76.6%. Statistical analysis proved that GTF technique was significantly more sensitive in the detection of blood protozoan infections in the rodent population compared to QBC (p<0.05).
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/diagnosis*; Protozoan Infections/parasitology
  9. Fulltext Detection of selected intestinal helminths and protozoa at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia using multiplex real-time PCR
    Basuni M, Mohamed Z, Ahmad M, Zakaria NZ, Noordin R
    Trop Biomed, 2012 Sep;29(3):434-42.
    PMID: 23018507
    Intestinal parasites are the causative agents of a number of important human infections in developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of selected helminths and protozoan infections among patients admitted with gastrointestinal disorders at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia using multiplex real-time PCR. In addition microscopic examination was also performed following direct smear, zinc sulphate concentration and Kato-Katz thick smear techniques; and the presence of protozoan parasites was confirmed using trichrome and acid-fast stains. Of the 225 faecal samples analysed, 26.2% were positive for intestinal parasites by the multiplex real-time PCR, while 5.3% were positive by microscopy. As compared to microscopy, the multiplex real-time PCR detected 5.8 and 4.5 times more positives for the selected helminth and protozoan infections respectively. Among the selected helminths detected in this study, hookworm was the most prevalent by real-time PCR, while Ascaris lumbricoides was detected the most by microscopy. Meanwhile, among the selected protozoa detected in this study, Entamoeba histolytica was the most prevalent by real-time PCR, however microscopy detected equal number of cases with E. histolytica and Giardia lamblia. This study showed that real-time PCR can be used to obtain a more accurate prevalence data on intestinal helminths and protozoa.
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/epidemiology; Protozoan Infections/parasitology*
  10. Development of nanoparticle-assisted PCR assay in the rapid detection of brain-eating amoebae
    Gabriel S, Rasheed AK, Siddiqui R, Appaturi JN, Fen LB, Khan NA
    Parasitol Res, 2018 Jun;117(6):1801-1811.
    PMID: 29675682 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5864-0
    Brain-eating amoebae (Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, Naegleria fowleri) have gained increasing attention owing to their capacity to produce severe human and animal infections involving the brain. Early detection is a pre-requisite in successful prognosis. Here, we developed a nanoPCR assay for the rapid detection of brain-eating amoebae using various nanoparticles. Graphene oxide, copper and alumina nanoparticles used in this study were characterized using Raman spectroscopy measurements through excitation with a He-Ne laser, while powder X-ray diffraction patterns were taken on a PANanalytical, X'Pert HighScore diffractometer and the morphology of the materials was confirmed using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Using nanoparticle-assisted PCR, the results revealed that graphene oxide, copper oxide and alumina nanoparticles significantly enhanced PCR efficiency in the detection of pathogenic free-living amoebae using genus-specific probes. The optimal concentration of graphene oxide, copper oxide and alumina nanoparticles for Acanthamoeba spp. was determined at 0.4, 0.04 and 0.4 μg per mL respectively. For B. mandrillaris, the optimal concentration was determined at 0.4 μg per mL for graphene oxide, copper oxide and alumina nanoparticles, and for Naegleria, the optimal concentration was 0.04, 4.0 and 0.04 μg per mL respectively. Moreover, combinations of these nanoparticles proved to further enhance PCR efficiency. The addition of metal oxide nanoparticles leads to excellent surface effect, while thermal conductivity property of the nanoparticles enhances PCR productivity. These findings suggest that nanoPCR assay has tremendous potential in the clinical diagnosis of parasitic infections as well as for studying epidemiology and pathology and environmental monitoring of other microbes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/diagnosis; Protozoan Infections/parasitology
  11. Fulltext Factors associated with high prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among patients in Sana'a City, Yemen
    Alyousefi NA, Mahdy MA, Mahmud R, Lim YA
    PLoS One, 2011;6(7):e22044.
    PMID: 21789210 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022044
    BACKGROUND: Intestinal protozoan diseases in Yemen are a significant health problem with prevalence ranging from 18% to 27%. The present study is a cross-sectional study aimed at determining the factors associated with the high prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among patients seeking health care in Sana'a City, the capital of Yemen.

    METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Stool samples were collected from 503 patients aged between 1 and 80 years old; 219 were males and 284 females. Biodata were collected via pretested standard questionnaire. Faecal samples were processed and examined for (oo)cysts or ova using a wet mount preparation after formal-ether concentration technique. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected using the Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. The overall prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections was 30.9%. Infection rates of Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar and Cryptosporidium were 17.7%, 17.1% and 1%, respectively. Other parasites detected included Ascaris lumbricoides (2.4%), Schistosoma mansoni (0.3%), Hymenolepis nana (1.4%) and Enterobius vermicularis (0.4%). Multivariate analysis using forward stepwise logistic regression based on intestinal protozoan infections showed that contact with animals (OR = 1.748, 95% CI = 1.168-2.617) and taking bath less than twice a week (OR = 1.820, 95% CI = 1.192-2.779) were significant risk factors of protozoan infections.

    CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This present study indicated that intestinal protozoan infections are still a public health problem in Yemen, with Giardia and Entamoeba infections being most common. Statistical analysis indicated that low personal hygiene and contact with animals were important predictors for intestinal protozoan infections. As highlighted in this study, in order to effectively reduce these infections, a multi-sectoral effort is needed. Preventive measures should include good hygienic practices, good animal husbandry practices, heightened provision of educational health programs, health services in all governorates including rural areas. Furthermore, it is also essential to find radical solutions to the recent water crises in Yemen.

    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/epidemiology*; Protozoan Infections/parasitology
  12. Parasitological survey of schoolchildren from a highaltitude community from Tucumán Province, Argentina: Remarkable low detection of soil-transmitted helminths in comparison with coastal communities
    Dib JR, Fernández-Zenoff MV, Oquilla J, Rudelli M, Lazarte S, González SN
    Trop Biomed, 2015 Dec 01;32(4):800-804.
    PMID: 33557474
    The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among schoolchildren in Colalao del Valle, a high-altitude community in Tucumán province, Argentina, was investigated. The data revealed a high prevalence of parasitism (79.7%) with no significant differences in distribution by sex or age. Protozoa infections were the most common with Blastocystis hominis being the most prevalent (62.5%), followed by Giardia lamblia (29.7%), Endolimax nana (15.6%), Entamoeba coli (12.5%) and Iodamoeba bütschlii (3.1%). Interestingly, there was an absence of soil-transmitted helminths among the studied population which could be related to climate (variable temperatures, moderate rainfall) and soil type (clay).
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections
  13. Intestinal protozoan and helminth infections and control of soil-transmitted helminths in Malay school children
    Sinniah B
    Public Health, 1984 May;98(3):152-6.
    PMID: 6739708
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/epidemiology*
  14. Detection of Hepatocystis sp. in southeast Asian flying foxes (Pteropodidae) using microscopic and molecular methods
    Olival KJ, Stiner EO, Perkins SL
    J Parasitol, 2007 Dec;93(6):1538-40.
    PMID: 18314711 DOI: 10.1645/GE-1208.1
    Three species of flying fox (Pteropus hypomelanus, P. vampyrus, and P. lylei) from Malaysia and Vietnam were screened for apicomplexan parasites by thin blood smears and polymerase chain reaction. Only 1 of 16 bats sampled from 3 localities in southeast Asia was found to be infected (P. hypomelanus from Pulau Pangkor, Malaysia). We observed micro- and macrogametocytes, with morphology consistent with Hepatocystis sp. parasites, using light microscopy. Phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome b gene showed that the parasite from P. hypomelanus groups with 2 published sequences from Hepatocystis spp., including one from Cynopterus brachyotis, another fruit bat in the Pteropodidae.
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections, Animal/parasitology*
  15. Summary of recent abstracts. II. Amoebiasis and intestinal protozoal infections
    Apted FI
    Trop Dis Bull, 1973 Feb;70(2):105-17.
    PMID: 4349730
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections*
  16. Prevalence of parasitic infections in Malaysian oil palm estate workers
    Sinniah B, Sinniah D, Singh M, Poon GK
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1978 Jun;9(2):272-6.
    PMID: 725660
    A survey of workers and families resident in an oil palm estate in Malaysia revealed high incidence of parasitic infections. The commonest parasites are T. trichiura (56%), A. lumbricoides (52%), hookworm (28%), Entamoeba coli (11.3%) and Giardia lamblia (11.3%). Mixed infections by two or more parasites was seen in 46% of the subjects. Anaemia was present in 70% of children with hookworm infection. Eosinophilia was observed in 69% of subjects. One each of Hymenolepis nana and Hymenolepis diminuta infection was detected. This is the first report of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in man in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/epidemiology
  17. Protozoan and helminth parasites of small wild mammals in a new Felda settlement Jenderak Utara, Central Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia
    Fong YL, Liat LB, de Witt GF, Krishnasamy M, Sivanandam S, Foong PY
    Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 1977 Sep;8(3):345-53.
    PMID: 415370
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections, Animal*
  18. Fulltext Intestinal parasitic infections among children in central Albania
    Sejdini A, Mahmud R, Lim YA, Mahdy M, Sejdini F, Gjoni V, et al.
    Ann Trop Med Parasitol, 2011 Apr;105(3):241-50.
    PMID: 21801503 DOI: 10.1179/136485911X12987676649584
    Although intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) among children remain a global issue, the current information on such infections in Albanian children is very limited. A cross-sectional study of the IPI in 321 children living in the Albanian counties of Tirana (152) and Elbasan (169) was therefore conducted in 2008, with a pre-tested standard questionnaire employed to gather the relevant personal and clinical data. Using formalin-ether concentration and permanent stains, stool samples were examined microscopically for the ova, cysts and oocysts of any parasites. The overall prevalence of IPI was 19% (61 of 321), with protozoan infections (11·5%) apparently more common than infections with soil-transmitted helminths (STH; 8·1%). Giardia duodenalis was the parasite most frequently detected (10·9%), followed by hookworm (5·6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1·9%), Trichuris trichiura (0·6%), Cryptosporidium (0·3%) and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (0·3%). The results of a univariate analysis indicated that the children from Tirana county were significantly more likely to be found infected with STH compared with the children from Elbasan county (12·5% v. 4·1%; P=0·006). Children sampled in the community were also more likely to be found STH-positive than the children sampled as they attended hospitals and health clinics (10·5% v. 6·0%) but this difference did not reach statistical significance. The children found STH-positive were five times more likely to be suffering from diarrhoea than the other children checked in clinical settings (P=0·004) and were also more likely to be suffering from abdominal pain (P=0·054) and/or diminished appetite (P=0·016).
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/epidemiology
  19. Health evaluation of free-ranging and semi-captive orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus) in Sabah, Malaysia
    Kilbourn AM, Karesh WB, Wolfe ND, Bosi EJ, Cook RA, Andau M
    J. Wildl. Dis., 2003 Jan;39(1):73-83.
    PMID: 12685070
    Baseline data on health of free-ranging wildlife is essential to evaluate impacts of habitat transformation and wildlife translocation, rehabilitation, and reintroduction programs. Health information on many species, especially great apes, is extremely limited. Between 1996 and 1998, 84 free-ranging orangutans captured for translocation, underwent a complete health evaluation. Analogous data were gathered from 60 semi-captive orangutans in Malaysia. Baseline hematology and serology; vitamin, mineral and pesticide levels; and results of health evaluations, including physical examination, provide a baseline for future monitoring. Free-ranging and semi-captive orangutans shared exposure to 11 of 47 viruses. The semi-captive orangutans had significantly higher prevalence of antibodies to adenovirus (P < 0.0005) and rota (SA 11) virus (P < 0.008). More free-ranging than semi-captive animals had antibodies to Japanese encephalitis virus (P < 0.08) and foamy virus (P = 0.05). Exposure to parainfluenza and langat viruses was detected exclusively in semi-captive animals and exposure to sinbis virus was only found in free-ranging orangutans. There was evidence of exposure to respiratory syncytial virus, coxsackie virus, dengue virus, and zika virus in both groups. Ebstein-Barr virus was ubiquitous in both groups. Prevalence of antibodies against mumps virus changed from 0% in 1996 to 45% in 1998. No antibodies were detected to many important zoonotic viral pathogens, including herpesvirus and hepatitis virus. Prevalence of Balantidium coli and Plasmodium pitheci infections and exposure to mycobacterium was higher in the semi-captive animals. Differences in exposure to pathogens between the groups may be due to environmental factors including differences in exposures to other species, habitat quality, nutritional status, and other potential stressors. Differences in health parameters between captive and free-ranging orangutans need to be considered when planning conservation areas, translocation procedures, and rehabilitation protocols. Because survival of the orangutan is linked to animal and ecosystem health, results of this study will assist wildlife conservation programs by providing baseline health information.
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections, Animal/epidemiology*
  20. Recent Update on the Anti-infective Potential of β-carboline Analogs
    Faheem, Kumar BK, Sekhar KVGC, Kunjiappan S, Jamalis J, Balaña-Fouce R, et al.
    Mini Rev Med Chem, 2021;21(4):398-425.
    PMID: 33001013 DOI: 10.2174/1389557520666201001130114
    β-Carboline, a naturally occurring indole alkaloid, holds a momentous spot in the field of medicinal chemistry due to its myriad of pharmacological actions like anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antileishmanial, antimalarial, neuropharmacological, anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic among others. β-Carbolines exhibit their pharmacological activity via diverse mechanisms. This review provides a recent update (2015-2020) on the anti-infective potential of natural and synthetic β-carboline analogs focusing on its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antimalarial, antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal properties. In cases where enough details are available, a note on its mechanism of action is also added.
    Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Infections/drug therapy
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links