METHODS: COVID-19 samples that tested positive by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and with cycle threshold values <30 were obtained throughout Malaysia. Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 complete genomes was performed using Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, or Ion Torrent platforms. A total of 6163 SARS-CoV-2 complete genome sequences were generated over the surveillance period. All sequences were submitted to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data database.
RESULTS: From June 2021 to January 2022, Malaysia experienced the fourth wave of COVID-19 dominated by the Delta variant of concern, including the original B.1.617.2 lineage and descendant AY lineages. The B.1.617.2 lineage was identified as the early dominant circulating strain throughout the country but over time, was displaced by AY.59 and AY.79 lineages in Peninsular (west) Malaysia, and the AY.23 lineage in east Malaysia. In December 2021, pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia facilitated the introduction and spread of the BA.1 lineage (Omicron variant of concern) in the country.
CONCLUSION: The changing trends of circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages were identified, with differences observed between west and east Malaysia. This initiative highlighted the importance of leveraging research expertise in the country to facilitate pandemic response and preparedness.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted between 1st October 2021 till September 2022 in the state of Johor, Malaysia. 300 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were randomly selected and followed up for six months. Data were analysed by using Chi-square test, Fisher's Exact test, Paired t test and Multiple logistic regression.
RESULTS: The prevalence of short-term neuropsychiatric symptoms was 78%, with anosmia being the most prevalent symptom. Long-term symptoms were found in 22.75% of patients, with headache being the most prevalent (p= 0.001). COVID-19 Stage 2 and 3 infections were associated with a higher risk of short-term neuropsychiatric symptoms, OR for Stage 2 infection was 5.18 (95% CI: 1.48-16.97; p=0.009) and for Stage 3 infection was 4.52 (95% CI: 1.76-11.59; p=0.002). Complete vaccination was a significant predictor of longterm symptoms with adjusted OR 3.65 (95% CI 1.22-10.91; p=0.021).
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that neuropsychiatric symptoms were common among COVID-19 patients in Johor, Malaysia and the risk of these symptoms was associated with the severity of the infection. Additionally, complete vaccination does not completely protect against long-term neuropsychiatric deficits. This is crucial for continuous monitoring and addressing neuropsychiatric symptoms in COVID-19 survivors.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study that included all RA patients receiving biologics therapy in 13 tertiary hospitals in Malaysia from January 2008 to December 2018.
RESULTS: We had 735 RA patients who received biologics therapy. Twenty-one of the 735 patients were diagnosed with TB infection after treatment with biologics. The calculated prevalence of TB infection in RA patients treated with biologics was 2.9% (29 per 1000 patients). Four groups of biologics were used in our patient cohort: monoclonal TNF inhibitors, etanercept, tocilizumab, and rituximab, with monoclonal TNF inhibitors being the most commonly used biologic. The median duration of biologics therapy before the diagnosis of TB was 8 months. 75% of patients had at least one co-morbidity and all patients had at least one ongoing cDMARD therapy at the time of TB diagnosis. More than half of the patients were on steroid therapy with an average prednisolone dose of 5 mg daily.
CONCLUSION: Although the study population and data were limited, this study illustrates the spectrum of TB infections in RA patients receiving biologics and potential risk factors associated with biologics therapy in Malaysia.
METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter study involving new onset T1DM paediatric patients in Klang Valley, Malaysia during two time periods ie 18th September 2017-17th March 2020 (pre-pandemic) and 18th March 2020-17th September 2022 (pandemic).
RESULTS: There was a total of 180 patients with new onset T1DM during the 5-year study period (71 pre-pandemic, 109 pandemic). An increase in frequency of T1DM was observed during the pandemic (52 in 2021, 38 in 2020, 27 in 2019 and 30 in 2018). A significantly greater proportion of patients presented with DKA (79.8 % vs 64.8 %), especially severe DKA (46.8 % vs 28.2 %) during the pandemic. Serum glucose was significantly higher (28.2 mmol vs 25.9 mmol/L) with lower venous pH (7.10 vs 7.16), but HbA1c was unchanged.
CONCLUSIONS: New onset T1DM increased during the pandemic, with a greater proportion having severe DKA. Further studies are required to evaluate the mechanism leading to this rise to guide intervention measures.
METHODS: The demographic and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 cases and the district's vaccination coverage were described. Vaccination coverage was plotted against COVID-19 cases on the epidemic curve. The χ2 test was used to examine the differences between the vaccination status of COVID-19 cases and severity category, hospitalization status and mortality.
RESULTS: In Seremban District, there were 65 879 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in 2021. The data revealed that the 21-30-year age group had the highest proportion of cases (16 365; 24.8%), the majority of cases were male (58.3%), and most cases were from the subdistrict of Ampangan (23.1%). The majority of cases were Malaysian. Over half (53.5%) were symptomatic, with fever (29.8%) and cough (22.8%) being the most frequently reported symptoms. COVID-19 vaccination status was significantly associated with severity category, hospitalization and mortality (P
METHOD: Data between 1996 to 2015 from a population-based cancer registry in Sarawak Malaysia was analyzed. Crude incidence rates and age-standardized rates (ASR) were calculated and compared between ethnic groups and locations (administrative division) and Joinpoint regression analysis was done to analyze trends.
RESULT: A total of 3643 cases of NPC were recorded with male to female ratio of 2.5:1. Annualised age-standardized incidence rates able 2) for men is 13.2 cases per 100,000 population (95% CI: 12.6, 13.7) and for women is 5.3 cases per 100,000 population (95% CI: 5.0, 5.6). The highest incidence rates were reported among the Bidayuh population and it ranks among the highest in the world. Trend analysis noted an overall reduction of cases, with a significant decrease between 1996 and 2003 (annual percentage reduction of incidence by 3.9%). Analysis of individual ethnic groups also shows a general reduction with exception of Iban males showing an average 5.48 per cent case increase between 2009 to 2015, though not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION: Comparing the incidences with other registries, the Bidayuh population in Sarawak remained among the highest in the world and warrants close attention for early screening and prevention strategies.