Displaying publications 21 - 37 of 37 in total

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  1. Tee HP, Francis AL, How SH
    Br J Hosp Med (Lond), 2006 Apr;67(4):208-9.
    PMID: 16681318 DOI: 10.12968/hmed.2006.67.4.20869
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial/diagnosis*; Pneumonia, Bacterial/drug therapy
  2. Loh LC, Quah SY, Khoo SK, Vijayasingham P, Thayaparan T
    Respirology, 2005 Jun;10(3):371-7.
    PMID: 15955152
    Current clinical practice guidelines, including those in south Asia, recommend the addition of a macrolide to a broad-spectrum antibiotic for the treatment of severe hospitalized community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The aim of this study was to observe the influence of macrolide addition on clinical outcomes of hospitalized adult patients with CAP.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial/drug therapy*; Pneumonia, Bacterial/mortality
  3. Koh WP, Taylor MB, Hughes K, Chew SK, Fong CW, Phoon MC, et al.
    Int J Epidemiol, 2002 Oct;31(5):1001-7.
    PMID: 12435775 DOI: 10.1093/ije/31.5.1001
    BACKGROUND: Chlamydia pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes respiratory infections, is probably under-diagnosed. There is also interest in its possible role in the aetiology of coronary heart disease. This is the first population-based seroprevalence survey of C. pneumoniae infection in Singapore.

    METHODS: A random sample of 1,068 people aged 18-69 years was selected from the participants of the Singapore National Health Survey conducted in 1998. Sera and data on certain clinical measurements and conditions had been collected. IgG antibodies for C. pneumoniae were detected using an indirect microimmunofluorescence test and positivity graded. Seropositivity was defined as IgG titre >/=1:16.

    RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence rates of seropositivity to C. pneumoniae for age group 18-69 years among the three ethnic groups, i.e. Chinese (males 76.7%, females 68.3%), Malays (males 75.4%, females 59.1%), and Asian Indians (males 74.6%, females 59.4%). The seropositivity rate for people aged 18-69 years in Singapore was 75.0% for males and 65.5% for females (difference of 9.5%, P < 0.001). In both genders combined, seropositivity increased from 46.5% in the age group 18-29 to reach a plateau of 78.9% in the age group 40-49, which remained stable to 60-69 years. There was no association of seropositivity with smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension or body mass index after adjustment for age and gender.

    CONCLUSION: The high prevalence rates in our study population and the higher rate in males compared to females are consistent with studies from other parts of the world. No significant difference in prevalence rates was observed among Chinese, Malays and Indians. The pattern of rising and levelling off of seropositivity with age suggests that C. pneumoniae infection occurs early in life, and in older ages the high level of seropositivity is probably maintained by re-infections or chronic infections. Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was not found to be associated with the cardiovascular risk factors examined.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial/immunology; Pneumonia, Bacterial/epidemiology*
  4. Subakir H, Chong YM, Chan YF, Hasan MS, Jamaluddin MFH, Pang YK, et al.
    J Med Microbiol, 2020 Jan;69(1):49-51.
    PMID: 31750812 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001108
    Introduction.Burkholderia pseudomallei (melioidosis) is an important cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the tropics. Selective medium is recommended for laboratory diagnosis with non-sterile respiratory samples, while PCR is not routinely used due to variable reported performance. The effectiveness of these diagnostic modalities varies by site.Aim. To compare selective media and real-time PCR (qPCR) with routine media in detecting B. pseudomallei in CAP respiratory samples in a low-incidence setting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Methodology. Respiratory samples were routinely cultured on blood, chocolate and MacConkey agar (RESP-ROUTINE), and compared to culture on selective Ashdown medium (RESP-SELECTIVE) and qPCR. The gold standard was routine culture of B. pseudomallei from any site (ALL-ROUTINE).Results.B. pseudomallei was detected in 8/204 (3.9 %) samples. Overall sensitivity rates differed (P=0.03) for qPCR (100%), RESP-SELECTIVE (87.5%) and RESP-ROUTINE (50%). There was a trend towards lower median days to positive culture for RESP-SELECTIVE (1 day) compared to RESP-ROUTINE (2 days, P=0.08) and ALL-ROUTINE (2 days, P=0.06). Reagent costs for each additional detection were USD59 for RESP-SELECTIVE and USD354 for PCR.Conclusions. In a low-incidence setting, selective culture of respiratory samples on Ashdown was more sensitive and allowed quicker identification than routine media, at reasonable cost. Blood cultures are critical, confirming four cases missed by routine respiratory culture. Selective medium is useful in early pneumonia (pre-sepsis) and resource-limited settings where blood cultures are infrequently done. Real-time PCR is costly, but highly sensitive and useful for high-risk patients with diabetes, cancer or immunosuppressants, or requiring ventilation or intensive care.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial/diagnosis; Pneumonia, Bacterial/epidemiology
  5. Soo CI, Abdul Wahab S, Abdul Hamid F
    Respir Med Case Rep, 2015;16:54-6.
    PMID: 26744655 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2015.07.005
    Melioidosis is a serious infection, which can involve multiple systems. We report a case of pulmonary melioidosis with the initial presentation mimicking a partially treated pneumonia complicated by right-sided pleural effusion. The patient is a 49-year old man who did not respond to parenteral ceftriaxone and tazobactam/piperacillin therapy. However, upon culture and sensitivity results from blood and pleural samples isolated Burkholderia pseudomallei; antimicrobial therapy was de-escalated to parenteral ceftazidime. Within 72 h duration, his fever subsided and other respiratory symptoms improved tremendously. This case highlights the importance of early recognition of B. pseudomallei in pulmonary infection in order for prompt institution of appropriate antibiotics treatment; thus reducing morbidity and mortality.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial
  6. Dhanoa A, Fang NC, Hassan SS, Kaniappan P, Rajasekaram G
    Virol J, 2011;8:501.
    PMID: 22050645 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-8-501
    Numerous reports have described the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 infected patients. However, data on the effects of bacterial coinfection on these patients are very scarce. Therefore, this study explores the impact of bacterial coinfection on the clinical and laboratory parameters amongst H1N1 hospitalized patients.

    Study site: Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial/microbiology; Pneumonia, Bacterial/epidemiology*; Pneumonia, Bacterial/pathology*
  7. Liam CK, Pang YK, Poosparajah S
    Respirology, 2006 Nov;11(6):786-92.
    PMID: 17052309
    The aims of this study were to investigate the frequency of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) requiring hospitalization in Malaysia, and to define the clinical features of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) that distinguish it from non-TB CAP.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial/diagnosis*; Pneumonia, Bacterial/microbiology*; Pneumonia, Bacterial/epidemiology
  8. Ngeow YF, Suwanjutha S, Chantarojanasriri T, Wang F, Saniel M, Alejandria M, et al.
    Int J Infect Dis, 2005 May;9(3):144-53.
    PMID: 15840455
    In many parts of Asia, the inaccessibility and high cost of diagnostic tests have hampered the study of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by atypical respiratory pathogens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial/diagnosis; Pneumonia, Bacterial/microbiology*; Pneumonia, Bacterial/epidemiology*
  9. Richardson A, Morris DE, Clarke SC
    Vaccine, 2014 Jul 16;32(33):4119-23.
    PMID: 24907487 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.05.062
    Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b and Neisseria meningitidis are leading causes of vaccine-preventable diseases such as meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia. Although there has been much progress in the introduction of vaccines against these pathogens, access to vaccines remains elusive in some countries. This review highlights the current S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae type b, and N. meningitidis immunization schedules in the 10 countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Epidemiologic studies may be useful for informing vaccine policy in these countries, particularly when determining the cost-effectiveness of introducing new vaccines.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial/prevention & control
  10. Ariza A
    PMID: 19058602
    Melioidosis is endemic in Malaysia. Cutaneous melioidosis is one manifestation and it may progress to necrotizing fasciitis. The case highlights a 46-year-old male, a chicken-seller who presented with scalp cellulitis which later progressed to necrotizing fasciitis and pneumonia are presented here. It illustrates several key features of the presentation, prompt laboratory diagnosis and early treatment of melioidosis which saved the patient's life.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial/microbiology*
  11. Mohd-Zain Z, Kamsani NH, Ismail IS, Ahmad N
    Trop Biomed, 2012 Sep;29(3):372-80.
    PMID: 23018500 MyJurnal
    Prior to the implementation of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination worldwide, H. influenzae has been one of the main causative agents of community acquired pneumonia and meningitis in children. Due to the lack of information on the characteristics of the H. influenzae isolates that have previously been collected in Malaysia, the H. influenzae were assessed of their microbial susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics. Emphasis was made on strains that were resistance to co-trimoxazole (SXT) and their mode of transfer of the antibiotic resistance determinants were examined. A collection of 34 H. influenzae isolates was serotyped and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed to 11 antibiotics. To the isolates that were found to be resistant to co-trimoxazole, minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) to SXT was performed using Etest while agar dilution method was used to measure the individual MICs of trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SUL). These isolates were also examined for presence of plasmid by PCR and isolation method. Conjugal transfers of SXT-resistant genes to SXT-susceptible hosts were performed to determine their rate of transfer. Result showed that 20.6% of the total number of isolates was serotype B while the remaining was non-typeable. Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of all the isolates revealed that 58.8% was resistant to at least one antibiotic. Majority of these isolates were equally resistant to ampicillin and tetracycline (29.4% each), followed by resistance to SXT (26.5%). From nine isolates that were found to be SXT-resistant, five contained plasmid/s. Conjugal transfer experiment showed that these five isolates with plasmid transferred SXT-resistance determinants at a higher frequency than those without. From these observations, it is postulated that plasmid is not involved in the transfer of SXT-resistance genes but presence of plasmid facilitates their transfer. The information obtained from this study provides some basic knowledge on the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the H. influenzae isolates and their mode of transfer of SXT-resistance genes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial/drug therapy; Pneumonia, Bacterial/microbiology
  12. Mustafa MI, Al-Marzooq F, How SH, Kuan YC, Ng TH
    Trop Biomed, 2011 Dec;28(3):531-44.
    PMID: 22433882 MyJurnal
    Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality especially to children and compromised hosts, such as the old and those with underlying chronic diseases. Knowledge of pathogens causing CAP constitutes the basis for selection of antimicrobial treatment. Previous data have shown that etiological agents can be identified in only up to 50% of patients, but this figure can be improved by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This study was designed to evaluate multiplex real-time PCR as a method for rapid differential detection of five bacterial causes of CAP (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Burkholderia pseudomallei and atypical bacterial pathogens namely Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila) in CAP patients attending Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA)/ Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Two previously developed multiplex real-time PCR assays, duplex for the differential detection of S. pneumoniae and B. pseudomallei and triplex for the atypical bacterial pathogens, were used to detect a bacterial cause of CAP in blood and respiratory samples. Thus, 46 blood and 45 respiratory samples collected from 46 adult CAP patients admitted to HTAA were analysed by multiplex real-time PCR assays and conventional methods. The microbial etiology of CAP could be established for 39.1% (18/46) of CAP patients by conventional methods and this was increased to 65.2% (30/46) with the additional use of real-time PCR. The most frequently detected pathogens were S. pneumoniae (21.7% - all by PCR alone), Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.3%), B. pseudomallei (13% - 83% of them positive by PCR alone and 17% by both culture and PCR), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.5%), M. pneumoniae (6.5% - all by serology), C. pneumoniae (4.3% - all positive by both PCR and serology), L. pneumophila (2.1% - all by PCR alone), Escherichia coli (4.3%). Haemophilus infuenzae, Acinetobacter lwoffii and Acinetobacter baumannii were detected by conventional methods (2.1% for each).
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial/diagnosis*
  13. Deris ZZ, Harun A, Omar M, Johari MR
    Trop Biomed, 2009 Aug;26(2):123-9, 219-22.
    PMID: 19901898
    Acinetobacter spp. is a known nosocomial pathogen causing a wide range of clinical diseases mainly pneumonia, wound infections and blood stream infections (BSI). A cross sectional descriptive study was performed to determine the prevalence of Acinetobacter infection in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan (HUSM). The risk factors of Acinetobacter BSI were determined by 1:1 case control analytical study, involving fifty-eight confirmed cases of Acinetobacter BSI patients compared to the cases caused by Gram-negative bacteria. The prevalence of Acinetobacter BSI in the HUSM was 6.11% (95% CI 4.88-7.53%). The attack rate of Acinetobacter BSI was 2.77 episodes per 1000 hospital admissions. Acinetobacter BSI patients were mostly located in intensive care unit and had a longer intensive care unit stay. In univariate analysis, the risk factors for Acinetobacter BSI include prior exposure to antimicrobial agents such as penicillins, aminoglycosides and cephalosporins, mechanical ventilation, presence of nasogastric tube, arterial catheter and urinary catheter. In multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors for Acinetobacter BSI were prior treatment with cephalosporins (OR 3.836 95% CI 1.657-8.881 p=0.002) and mechanical ventilation (OR 3.164 95% CI 1.353-7.397 p=0.008). This study revealed that rational use of antimicrobial agents is of paramount importance to control Acinetobacter BSI.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial/microbiology
  14. Tan J. Y. S., R. Surendran, Mohd Noh Malehah, Shaila Kabir, Chong Y. Y. Eleen
    MyJurnal
    Introduction: Ascariasis is a parasitic infection, which commonly affects immunocompromised patients. Most pa-tients remained asymptomatic during the early larval migration stage and respond well with conventional anti-hel-minthic drugs. Previous literature had reported symptomatic Ascaris infection mimicking bacterial pneumonia and the typical eosinophilia found in Loeffler syndrome was absent in patients on corticosteroids. Thus, a high index of suspicion for ascariasis is needed for immunosuppressed patients presented with infection. We present here a case of severe ascariasis infection in a systemic lupus erythematosus patient. Case description: A 16-year-old boy presented with fever, generalized maculopapular rash associated with neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. He was treated initially as Dengue Fever initially. However his symptoms did not resolve at even day 14 of admission. On further assessment, we were convinced he has SLE based upon presence of malar rash, oral ulcers, urinary protein-uria, persistent leucopenia, thrombocytopenia with low complements and ANA positive. He was promptly started on IV hydrocortisone. He showed a good progress in the first few days. On day 5 of admission, he coughed out a round worm which later identified as Ascarisis lumbricoides. He was started on Albendazole. Unfortunately he developed hemoptysis and respiratory compromisation where he required intubation. Post intubation he went into cardiac arrest, which required CPR. Following that event, his condition further deteriorated with multi organ failure. He succumbed to his illness three days later. Conclusion: Immunocompromised patients are prone to opportunistic infections including parasitic infections. we present here a case of ascariasis in an SLE patient who unfortunately succumbed to the illness. Due to the variable clinical symptoms that mimic other infections, screening for parasitic infections needs to be considered especially if the patients do not respond to antibiotics and routine treatments.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial
  15. Tan WF, Lee HG
    Med J Malaysia, 2021 03;76(2):245-247.
    PMID: 33742637
    Melioidosis is endemic in Sabah. It causes significant morbidity and mortality if diagnosis and treatment is delayed. Important risk factors include diabetes, chronic kidney diseases, chronic lung diseases, thalassaemia, immunosuppressive therapy, and hazardous alcohol consumption. Influenza A is usually a self-limiting disease but is associated with high morbidity and mortality in highrisk populations especially during pregnancy. Both melioidosis and influenza A commonly present in patients with pneumonia. Secondary bacterial pneumonia is a known complication in approximately one third of patients with severe pneumonia due to influenza A, resulting in intensive care unit admissions. However, melioidosis is not commonly recognized as an aetiology in secondary bacterial pneumonia complicating influenza A infection. This is important as empirical antibiotics that are used to treat secondary bacterial pneumonia due to influenza A often do not cover melioidosis. Here we report a rare case of concurrent pulmonary melioidosis and influenza A in a 30- year-old primigravida at 27 weeks of pregnancy in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sabah, Malaysia to highlight the challenge in the recognition and management of both infections in a melioidosis endemic area.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial
  16. Deris ZZ, Hasan H, Siti Suraiya MN
    J Infect Dev Ctries, 2010 Aug 04;4(7):430-5.
    PMID: 20818090
    BACKGROUND: Melioidosis is an important public health problem causing community acquired sepsis in the northeastern part of Malaysia.

    METHODOLOGY: From January 2001 to December 2005, we reviewed case reports of all bacteraemic melioidosis admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.

    RESULTS: Thirty-five patients had positive blood culture for meliodosis and 27 case reports were traceable for further analysis. The mean age was 46.8 + 20.0 years. Twenty patients (74.1%) were male. The main clinical presentation was fever that occurred in 23 (85.2%) patients. Eighteen patients (66.7%) had lung involvement and three patients had liver abscess. Two patients presented with scrotal swelling, one of whom further developed Fournier's Gangrene. Nineteen (70.4%) patients had underlying diabetes, five of whom were newly diagnosed during the admission. Thirteen (48.1%) patients were treated with high-dose ceftazidime and six (22.2%) patients were treated with imipenem. Eight (29.6%) patients were not given anti-melioidosis therapy because the causative agents were not identified until after the patients died. The patients were admitted 16.8 days + 18.1. Seventeen patients (63.0%) died in this series, 13 patients of whom died within four days of admission.

    CONCLUSIONS: The wide range of clinical presentations and the fatal outcomes of melioidosis require a high level of suspicion among physicians to develop an early appropriate therapy and reduce the mortality rate.

    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial/pathology
  17. Al-Marzooq F, Imad MA, How SH, Kuan YC
    Trop Biomed, 2011 Dec;28(3):545-56.
    PMID: 22433883 MyJurnal
    Establishing a microbial diagnosis for patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is still challenging and is often achieved in only 30-50% of cases. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been shown to be more sensitive than conventional microbiological methods and it could help to increase the microbial yield for CAP patients. This study was designed to develop, optimize and evaluate multiplex real-time PCR as a method for rapid differential detection of five bacterial causes of CAP namely Streptococcus pneumoniae, Burkholderia pseudomallei and atypical bacterial pathogens, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila. Duplex and triplex real-time PCR assays were developed using five sets of primers and probes that were designed based on an appropriate specific gene for each of the above CAP pathogens. The performance of primers for each organism was tested using SYBR Green melt curve analysis following monoplex realtime PCR amplification. Monoplex real-time PCR assays were also used to optimize each primers-probe set before combining them in multiplex assays. Two multiplex real-time PCR assays were then optimized; duplex assay for the differential detection of S. pneumoniae and B. pseudomallei, and triplex assay for the atypical bacterial pathogens. Both duplex and triplex real-time PCR assays were tested for specificity by using DNA extracted from 26 related microorganisms and sensitivity by running serial dilutions of positive control DNAs. The developed multiplex real-time PCR assays shall be used later for directly identifying CAP causative agents in clinical samples.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pneumonia, Bacterial/diagnosis*
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