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Does the morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) clinic serve the filarial lymphedema (FLE) patients' preeminent expectation?

De Britto RLJ, Vijayalakshmi G, Boopathi K, Kamaraj P, Supriya VK, Yuvaraj J

Trop Biomed, 2020 Mar 01;37(1):66-74.
PMID: 33612719

Advocacy and training on "Home care" for filarial lymphoedma (FLE) patients are provided through morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) clinic commonly known as filariasis clinic and clinical improvement is assessed by follow-up visits. While the physicians aim at reducing the recurrent ADL (coined as ADLA in 1997) episodes, the patients expect reduction in LE volume. The objective of the present study was to know whether the MMDP clinic serves the primary expectation of the FLE patients. LE patients who attended the clinic for at least four follow-up consultations and had LE volume measurements at three points of time during the one year period of observation were considered for analysis. Clinical assessment was done for LE grading and LE volume was measured by water displacement volumetry. Sixty-three patients who fulfilled the follow up criteria were included. It was observed that the median LE volume was 914ml (IQR 269 - 1935) at first visit of the observation period which reduced to 645ml (IQR 215- 1666) and 752ml (IQR 215 - 1720) at first and second follow-up visits respectively. Over all, in short span of one year, 21 of the 63 patients (33.3%) who visited MMDP clinic at least four times in a year were benefitted through the MMDP advocacy and the National filariasis control programme need to emphasise on the importance of follow up visits to FLE patients.
Fulltext DNA fingerprinting of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE): comparison of strains from 2 Malaysian hospitals

Norazah A, Liew SM, Kamel AG, Koh YT, Lim VK

Singapore Med J, 2001 Jan;42(1):15-9.
PMID: 11361232

To determine and compare the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns of endemic MRSA strains in 2 major Malaysian hospitals and to compare the PFGE patterns with antibiotypes of the strains studied.
Fulltext Repair of tracheal tear during oesophagectomy using the mobilised stomach

Krishnan MM, Khanijow VK, Ong G, Delilkan AE

Singapore Med J, 1991 Apr;32(2):174-6.
PMID: 2042084

Tracheal tears are not as uncommon as initially thought. The resultant insufficiency and hypoxia can be life-threatening. The keystone in management is early recognition and diagnosis. Immediate surgical repair is essential.
A case-control study of risk factors associated with rectal colonization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Klebsiella sp. in newborn infants

Boo NY, Ng SF, Lim VK

J Hosp Infect, 2005 Sep;61(1):68-74.
PMID: 15953660

To determine the risk factors for rectal colonization by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Klebsiella sp. in 368 newborns admitted consecutively to a neonatal intensive care unit over six months, rectal swabs were cultured on admission and weekly until discharge. Eighty infants (21.7%) had ESBL Klebsiella sp. cultured from their rectal swabs. Eighty controls were selected at random from infants with negative cultures admitted within the 14-day period prior to the detection of ESBL Klebsiella sp. in the cases. Cases had significantly lower birth weight, gestational age, earlier age of admission, longer hospital stay, and higher proportions of congenital malformations, early-onset pneumonia and respiratory distress syndrome compared with controls. Significantly more cases received mechanical ventilation, nasal continuous positive airway pressure support, total parenteral nutrition, umbilical vascular catheterization, arterial line insertion, urinary bladder catheterization, and prior treatment with antibiotics. However, stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that only two independent risk factors were significantly associated with ESBL rectal colonization: duration of hospital stay [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.3; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.2, 1.4; P<0.0001) and early-onset pneumonia (adjusted OR: 8.3; 95% CI: 1.6, 43.4; P=0.01).
Predisposing factors and prevalence of fractured anterior teeth among 12 and 16 years old school Malaysian children

Gopinath VK, Ling KT, Haziani KN, Ismail NM

J Clin Pediatr Dent, 2008;33(1):39-42.
PMID: 19093650

This study reports on the predisposing factors and prevalence of fractured anterior teeth among 12 and 16 years-old school children in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, West Malaysia.
Mandibular reconstruction: experience with the free vascularized fibula transfer

Khanijow VK, Ahmad TS, Lian CB, Jalaludin MA

Microsurgery, 1993;14(6):375-9.
PMID: 8371683

Mandibular resection, following surgery for tumor or osteoradionecrosis, leaves a patient with a swallowing, speech, and cosmetic disability. Repair of the oromandibular defect is difficult and various prostheses and grafts have been used and reported. The most popular form of mandibular reconstruction is the use of the free, vascularized bone transfer. We report our experience with the free vascularized fibula bone transfer in eight patients.
Fulltext Salivary Amylase as a Marker of Salivary Gland Function in Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy for Oral Cancer

Vedam VKV, Boaz K, Natarajan S, Ganapathy S

J Clin Lab Anal, 2017 May;31(3).
PMID: 27637993 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.22048

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate salivary amylase in patients with primary oral cancer undergoing radiotherapy as the main modality of treatment.
MATERIALS/METHODS: The study was conducted on ten histologically proven cases of oral cancer undergoing radiotherapy. Stimulated whole saliva was collected at three stages of radiotherapy-0, 3, and 6 weeks. Salivary amylase was estimated using Henry-Chiamori method and comparison was made with appropriate age- and gender-matched controls.
RESULTS: Salivary amylase levels showed significant decrease in healthy subjects when compared to oral cancer patients (P < 0.001). The latter group also showed changing trend with initial decrease from 0 to 3 weeks followed by increase from 3 to 6 weeks following radiotherapy (P < 0.0528).
CONCLUSIONS: The trend in changes in the levels of salivary amylase could be used as a surrogate marker of salivary gland function in patients with oral cancer undergoing radiotherapy as primary treatment.
Fulltext Primary extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumour of breast

Ikhwan SM, Kenneth VK, Seoparjoo A, Zin AA

BMJ Case Rep, 2013 Jun 21;2013.
PMID: 23813511 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2013-009584

Primary primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET) and extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma belongs to the Ewing's family of tumours. Primary tumours arising from breast are very rare. There are only a few case reports published on primary extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma and PNET arising from breast. We present an extremely rare case of an inoperable primary Ewing's sarcoma arising from left breast with contralateral breast, lymphatic and lung metastasis.
Pyomyositis revisited

Kong NC, Asmah J, Lim VK, Ong PH, Adam PA

Ann Acad Med Singap, 1996 Jul;25(4):609-11.
PMID: 8893941

Pyomyositis, purportedly a common tropical infection affecting mainly healthy adults and children, appears to be most uncommon in this region. We report a case of pyomyositis caused by a Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a previously healthy army officer. This case serves to illustrate the difficulty in recognising this disease entity, which is why many cases may have been missed. With the increasing incidence of MRSA nosocomial infections, the emergence of MRSA in a hitherto community-acquired infection poses a major concern especially since intravenous drug abuse and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are on the rise in our country. We hope to inculcate greater awareness of this infection.
An assessment of three noncommercial DNA extraction methods from dried blood spots for beta-thalassaemia mutation identification

Karthipan SN, George E, Jameela S, Lim WF, Teh LK, Lee TY, et al.

Int J Lab Hematol, 2011 Oct;33(5):540-4.
PMID: 21884505 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-553X.2011.01304.x

Dried blood spots (DBS) are currently the recommended sample collection method for newborn screening programmes in America. Early diagnosis of beta-thalassaemia screening is essential as it provides an added advantage especially in sickle cell disease. Beta-thalassaemia frequency is high in many poor countries, and the cost of using commercial DNA extraction kits can be prohibitive. Our study assessed three methods that use minimal reagents and materials to extract DNA from DBS for beta-thalassaemia identification.
A major methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clone predominates in Malaysian hospitals

Norazah A, Lim VK, Rohani MY, Alfizah H, Koh YT, Kamel AG

Epidemiol Infect, 2003 Jun;130(3):407-11.
PMID: 12825724

This study was conducted to determine the molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Malaysian hospitals. A total of 264 MRSA isolates from eight hospitals were subjected to typing by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of SmaI restricted DNA. Antibiotic disk susceptibility testing was also carried out to determine their resistance patterns. Thirty-one PFGE pattern types were identified. Three major pattern types A, ZC and K were found with type A the predominant profile in c. 80% of strains and present in all hospitals. Unlike type A, other DNA pattern types were unique to the hospitals in which they were isolated. PFGE type A also consisted of strains that were multiply antibiotic resistant. The presence of a single predominant PFGE type in Malaysian hospitals is an important finding which suggests that inter-hospital spread of MRSA had occurred frequently and regularly.
DNA fingerprinting of human isolates of Salmonella enterica serotype Paratyphi B in Malaysia

Goh YL, Yasin R, Puthucheary SD, Koh YT, Lim VK, Taib Z, et al.

J Appl Microbiol, 2003;95(5):1134-42.
PMID: 14633043

DNA fingerprinting of Salmonella enterica serotype Paratyphi B isolated in Malaysia during 1982-83, 1992 and 1996-2002 was carried out by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), antimicrobial susceptibility tests and D-tartrate utilization tests to assess the extent of genetic diversity of these isolates in Malaysia.
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy-Raman: An effective complementary approach to analyze renal-calculi

Muhammed Shameem KM, Chawla A, Mallya M, Barik BK, Unnikrishnan VK, Kartha VB, et al.

J Biophotonics, 2018 06;11(6):e201700271.
PMID: 29411942 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201700271

Presence of renal-calculi (kidney stones) in human urethra is being increasingly diagnosed over the last decade and is considered as one of the most painful urological disorders. Accurate analysis of such stones plays a vital role in the evaluation of urolithiasis patients and in turn helps the clinicians toward exact etiologies. Two highly complementary laser-based analytical techniques; laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and micro-Raman spectroscopy have been used to identify the chemical composition of different types of renal-calculi. LIBS explores elemental characteristics while Raman spectroscopy provides molecular details of the sample. This complete information on the sample composition might help clinicians to identify the key aspects of the formation of kidney stones, hence assist in therapeutic management and to prevent recurrence. The complementarity of both techniques has been emphasized and discussed. LIBS spectra of different types of stones suggest the probable composition of it by virtue of the major, minor and trace elements detected from the sample. However, it failed to differentiate the crystalline form of different hydrates of calcium oxalate stone. This lacuna was overcome by the use of Raman spectroscopy and these results are compared with conventional chemical analysis.
Fulltext Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Practices during Lockdown: A pan India Survey of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Jain VK, Upadhyaya GK, Iyengar KP, Patralekh MK, Lal H, Vaishya R

Malays Orthop J, 2021 Mar;15(1):55-62.
PMID: 33880149 DOI: 10.5704/MOJ.2103.009

Introduction: The social lockdown measures imposed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, have had profound effects on the healthcare systems across the world and India has been no exception to it. The study was aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on orthopaedic practice in India during the lockdown period and assess the preparedness of orthopaedic surgeons for resuming clinical practice after the initial lockdown was lifted.
Materials and Methods: An online survey of 35 questions was conducted to evaluate impact on (i) general orthopaedic practice (ii) hospital protocols (iii) out-patient practice (iv) surgical practice (v) personal protective equipment (PPE) use and (vi) post-lockdown preparedness.
Results: A total number of 588 practising orthopaedic surgeons from India completed the survey. Majority (88.3%) found severe impact (>50%) on trauma surgery and non-trauma surgery with significant reduction in out -patient attendance compared to corresponding time in 2019. There were significant changes made in individual hospital protocols (91.7 %). Appropriate required PPE was available in majority of the hospitals (74.3%). No remodelling or upgrading of the existing operating theatre infrastructure was done by most surgeons (89.5%).
Conclusion: This pan India survey of orthopaedic surgeons has indicated that COVID-19 has had a profound impact on their outpatient and surgical trauma and non-trauma practice, due to the lockdown and resulted in significant changes to hospital protocols. Preparedness to resume clinical and surgical practice was associated with anxiety in two-thirds of the respondents. Majority of the orthopaedic practitioners felt that they would continue to conduct pre-operative COVID-19 screening and use PPE even after the lockdown is over.
Molecular fingerprinting of fusidic acid- and rifampicin-resistant strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Malaysian hospitals

Norazah A, Lim VKE, Koh YT, Rohani MY, Zuridah H, Spencer K, et al.

J Med Microbiol, 2002 Dec;51(12):1113-1116.
PMID: 12466411 DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-51-12-1113

The emergence and spread of multiresistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains, especially those resistant to fusidic acid and rifampicin, in Malaysian hospitals is of concern. In this study DNA fingerprinting by PFGE was performed on fusidic acid- and rifampicin-resistant isolates from Malaysian hospitals to determine the genetic relatedness of these isolates and their relationship with the endemic MRSA strains. In all, 32 of 640 MRSA isolates from 9 Malaysian hospitals were resistant to fusidic acid and rifampicin. Seven PFGE types (A, ZC, ZI, ZJ, ZK, ZL and ZM) were observed. The commonest type was type ZC, seen in 72% of isolates followed by type A, seen in 13%. Each of the other types (ZI, ZJ, ZK, ZL and ZM) was observed in a single isolate. Each type, even the commonest, was found in only one hospital. This suggests that the resistant strains had arisen from individual MRSA strains in each hospital and not as a result of the transmission of a common clone.
Fulltext Candida albicans isolates from a Malaysian hospital exhibit more potent phospholipase and haemolysin activities than non-albicans Candida isolates

Chin VK, Foong KJ, Maha A, Rusliza B, Norhafizah M, Ng KP, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2013 Dec;30(4):654-62.
PMID: 24522136 MyJurnal

This study was aimed at determining the phospholipase and haemolysin activity of Candida isolates in Malaysia. A total of 37 Candida clinical isolates representing seven species, Candida albicans (12), Candida tropicalis (8), Candida glabrata (4), Candida parapsilosis (1), Candida krusei (4), Candida orthopsilosis (1) and Candida rugosa (7) were tested. In vitro phospholipase activity was determined by using egg yolk plate assay whereas in vitro haemolysin activity was tested by using blood plate assay on sheep blood Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA) enriched with glucose. Phospholipase activity was detected in 75% (9 out of 12) of the C. albicans isolates. Among the 25 non- C. albicans Candida isolates, phospholipase activity was detected in only 24% of these isolates. The phospholipase activity of C. albicans was significantly higher than that of the non- C. albicans Candida isolates (P=0.002). Haemolysin activity was detected in 100% of the C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, and C. orthopsilosis isolates while 75% of the C. krusei isolates and 12.3% of the C. rugosa isolates showed haemolysin activity. The haemolytic activity of C. albicans was significantly higher than that of the non- C. albicans Candida isolates (P=0.0001).The findings in this study indicate that C. albicans isolates in Malaysia may possess greater virulence potential than the non-albicans species.
Fulltext Feasibility of implementing chronic care model in the Malaysian public primary care setting

Ariffin F, Ramli AS, Daud MH, Haniff J, Abdul-Razak S, Selvarajah S, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2017 04;72(2):106-112.
PMID: 28473673 MyJurnal

INTRODUCTION: Non-communicable diseases (NCD) is a global health threat. the Chronic Care Model (CCM) was proven effective in improving NCD management and outcomes in developed countries. Evidence from developing countries including Malaysia is limited and feasibility of CCM implementation has not been assessed. this study intends to assess the feasibility of public primary health care clinics (PHC) in providing care according to the CCM.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the public PHC ability to implement the components of CCM. All public PHC with Family Medicine Specialist in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur were invited to participate. A site feasibility questionnaire was distributed to collect site investigator and clinic information as well as delivery of care for diabetes and hypertension.

RESULTS: there were a total of 34 public PHC invited to participate with a response rate of 100%. there were 20 urban and 14 suburban clinics. the average number of patients seen per day ranged between 250-1000 patients. the clinic has a good mix of multidisciplinary team members. All clinics had a diabetic registry and 73.5% had a hypertensive registry. 23.5% had a dedicated diabetes and 26.5% had a dedicated hypertension clinic with most clinic implementing integrated care of acute and NCD cases.

DISCUSSION: the implementation of the essential components of CCM is feasible in public PHCs, despite various constraints. Although variations in delivery of care exists, majority of the clinics have adequate staff that were willing to be trained and are committed to improving patient care.
MDRO Beijing Consensus Meeting Report: Global burden of multidrug-resistant organisms' current antimicrobial resistance problems in Asia-Pacific

Gould IM, Wang GQ, Wu JJ, Lim VK, Hutchinson J, Walsh T, et al.

J Glob Antimicrob Resist, 2014 Mar;2(1):7-9.
PMID: 27873642 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2013.10.005

The International Society of Chemotherapy's Working Groups on Antibiotic Resistance and Antibiotic Stewardship convened a half-day workshop on the burden of multidrug-resistant organisms in the Asia-Pacific. This short review is a summary of their discussion and conclusions.
Fulltext Occupational exposure and challenges in tackling M. bovis at human-animal interface: a narrative review

Devi KR, Lee LJ, Yan LT, Syafinaz AN, Rosnah I, Chin VK

Int Arch Occup Environ Health, 2021 08;94(6):1147-1171.
PMID: 33725176 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01677-z

Zoonotic tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), a member of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) has increasingly gathered attention as a public health risk, particularly in developing countries with higher disease prevalence. M. bovis is capable of infecting multiple hosts encompassing a number of domestic animals, in particular cattle as well as a broad range of wildlife reservoirs. Humans are the incidental hosts of M. bovis whereby its transmission to humans is primarily through the consumption of cattle products such as unpasteurized milk or raw meat products that have been contaminated with M. bovis or the transmission could be due to close contact with infected cattle. Also, the transmission could occur through aerosol inhalation of infective droplets or infected body fluids or tissues in the presence of wound from infected animals. The zoonotic risk of M. bovis in humans exemplified by miscellaneous studies across different countries suggested the risk of occupational exposure towards M. bovis infection, especially those animal handlers that have close and unreserved contact with cattle and wildlife populations These animal handlers comprising of livestock farmers, abattoir workers, veterinarians and their assistants, hunters, wildlife workers as well as other animal handlers are at different risk of contracting M. bovis infection, depending on the nature of their jobs and how close is their interaction with infected animals. It is crucial to identify the underlying transmission risk factors and probable transmission pathways involved in the zoonotic transmission of M. bovis from animals to humans for better designation and development of specific preventive measures and guidelines that could reduce the risk of transmission and to protect these different occupational-related/populations at risk. Effective control and disease management of zoonotic tuberculosis caused by M. bovis in humans are also hindered by various challenges and factors involved at animal-human interface. A closer look into factors affecting proper disease control and management of M. bovis are therefore warranted. Hence, in this narrative review, we have gathered a number of different studies to highlight the risk of occupational exposure to M. bovis infection and addressed the limitations and challenges underlying this context. This review also shed lights on various components and approaches in tackling M. bovis infection at animal-human interface.
Distribution of pathogenic Leptospira in environmental water and soils of selected recreational forests in Perak, Malaysia

Yap ML, Chew LJ, Pritpal Singh SS, Sekawi Z, Chee HY, Ong HKO, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2021 Jun 01;38(2):122-128.
PMID: 34172700 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.2.047

Leptospirosis is an emerging zoonotic disease endemic in tropical regions. Aiming at assessing the potential infection risks via recreational exposure, the molecular prevalence of pathogenic Leptospira in 14 amenity forests in five selected districts of the state of Perak was determined. Water and soil samples along streams and waterfalls were subjected to culture of leptospires and the pathogenic Leptospira spp. was detected by lipL32-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twenty out of 154 samples (13%) that tested positive for leptospires were mostly soils and still water recorded with tolerable temperatures (22.2- 26.5°C) and pHs (5.73-6.70). The localised prevalence was highly varied among eight positive forests (6.7-41.7%), particularly higher in Kampar and Kinta districts which are the more populated urban areas. The importance of public health surveillance should not be underrated given the high prevalence of Leptospira spp. in forests in close proximity to indigenous settlements, even where the places are clean. Overall, this study discovered a wide distribution of pathogenic Leptospira spp. in recreational areas.

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