Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 216 in total

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  1. Fulltext Cellular transcripts regulated during infections with Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza virus in 3 host systems
    Balasubramaniam VR, Hassan SS, Omar AR, Mohamed M, Noor SM, Mohamed R, et al.
    Virol J, 2011;8:196.
    PMID: 21529348 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422X-8-196
    Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus is able to infect many hosts and the virus replicates in high levels in the respiratory tract inducing severe lung lesions. The pathogenesis of the disease is actually the outcome of the infection as determined by complex host-virus interactions involving the functional kinetics of large numbers of participating genes. Understanding the genes and proteins involved in host cellular responses are therefore, critical for the elucidation of the mechanisms of infection.
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds/immunology; Influenza in Birds/metabolism; Influenza in Birds/virology
  2. Fulltext Co-administration of avian influenza virus H5 plasmid DNA with chicken IL-15 and IL-18 enhanced chickens immune responses
    Lim KL, Jazayeri SD, Yeap SK, Alitheen NB, Bejo MH, Ideris A, et al.
    BMC Vet Res, 2012;8:132.
    PMID: 22866758 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-132
    DNA vaccines offer several advantages over conventional vaccines in the development of effective vaccines against avian influenza virus (AIV). However, one of the limitations of the DNA vaccine in poultry is that it induces poor immune responses. In this study, chicken interleukin (IL) -15 and IL-18 were used as genetic adjuvants to improve the immune responses induced from the H5 DNA vaccination in chickens. The immunogenicity of the recombinant plasmid DNA was analyzed based on the antibody production, T cell responses and cytokine production, following inoculation in 1-day-old (Trial 1) and 14-day-old (Trial 2) specific-pathogen-free chickens. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to explore the role of chicken IL-15 and IL-18 as adjuvants following the vaccination of chickens with the H5 DNA vaccine.
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds/immunology; Influenza in Birds/prevention & control*
  3. Cytotoxicity and immunological responses following oral vaccination of nanoencapsulated avian influenza virus H5 DNA vaccine with green synthesis silver nanoparticles
    Jazayeri SD, Ideris A, Zakaria Z, Shameli K, Moeini H, Omar AR
    J Control Release, 2012 Jul 10;161(1):116-23.
    PMID: 22549012 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2012.04.015
    DNA formulations provide the basis for safe and cost effective vaccine. Low efficiency is often observed in the delivery of DNA vaccines. In order to assess a new strategy for oral DNA vaccine formulation and delivery, plasmid encoding hemagglutinin (HA) gene of avian influenza virus, A/Ck/Malaysia/5858/04 (H5N1) (pcDNA3.1/H5) was formulated using green synthesis of sliver nanoparticles (AgNP) with polyethylene glycol (PEG). AgNP were successfully synthesized uniformly dispersed with size in the range of 4 to 18 nm with an average size of 11 nm. Cytotoxicity of the prepared AgNP was investigated in vitro and in vivo using MCF-7 cells and cytokine expression, respectively. At the concentration of -5 log₁₀AgNP, no cytotoxic effects were detected in MCF-7 cells with 9.5% cell death compared to the control. One-day-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicks immunized once by oral gavage with 10 μl of pcDNA3.1/H5 (200 ng/ml) nanoencapsulated with 40 μl AgNP (3.7×10⁻² μg of Ag) showed no clinical manifestations. PCR successfully detect the AgNP/H5 plasmid from the duodenum of the inoculated chicken as early as 1h post-immunization. Immunization of chickens with AgNP/H5 enhanced both pro inflammatory and Th1-like expressions, although no significant differences were recorded in the chickens inoculated with AgNP, AgNP/pcDNA3.1 and the control. In addition, serum samples collected from immunized chickens with AgNP/H5 showed rapidly increasing antibody against H5 on day 14 after immunization. The highest average antibody titres were detected on day 35 post-immunization at 51.2±7.5. AgNP/H5 also elicited both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the immunized chickens as early as day 14 after immunization, at 7.5±2.0 and 20±1.9 percentage, respectively. Hence, single oral administrations of AgNP/H5 led to induce both the antibody and cell-mediated immune responses as well as enhanced cytokine production.
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds/genetics; Influenza in Birds/immunology; Influenza in Birds/prevention & control*
  4. Improved immune responses against avian influenza virus following oral vaccination of chickens with HA DNA vaccine using attenuated Salmonella typhimurium as carrier
    Jazayeri SD, Ideris A, Zakaria Z, Yeap SK, Omar AR
    Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 2012 Sep;35(5):417-27.
    PMID: 22512819 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2012.03.007
    This study evaluates the immune responses of single avian influenza virus (AIV) HA DNA vaccine immunization using attenuated Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium as an oral vaccine carrier and intramuscular (IM) DNA injection. One-day-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicks immunized once by oral gavage with 10(9) Salmonella colony-forming units containing plasmid expression vector encoding the HA gene of A/Ck/Malaysia/5858/04 (H5N1) (pcDNA3.1.H5) did not show any clinical manifestations. Serum hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titer samples collected from the IM immunized chickens were low compared to those immunized with S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1.H5. The highest average antibody titers were detected on day 35 post immunization for both IM and S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1.H5 immunized groups, at 4.0±2.8 and 51.2±7.5, respectively. S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1.H5 also elicited both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of immunized chickens as early as day 14 after immunization, at 20.5±2.0 and 22.9±1.9%, respectively. Meanwhile, the CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in chickens vaccinated intramuscularly were low at 5.9±0.9 and 8.5±1.3%, respectively. Immunization of chickens with S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1.H5 enhanced IL-1β, IL-12β, IL-15 and IL-18 expressions in spleen although no significant differences were recorded in chickens vaccinated via IM and orally with S. typhimurium and S. typhimurium.pcDNA3.1. Hence, single oral administrations of the attenuated S. typhimurium containing pcDNA3.1.H5 showed antibody, T cell and Th1-like cytokine responses against AIV in chickens. Whether the T cell response induced by vaccination is virus-specific and whether vaccination protects against AIV infection requires further study.
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds/immunology; Influenza in Birds/prevention & control*
  5. Fulltext De novo transcriptome analysis shows differential expression of genes in salivary glands of edible bird's nest producing swiftlets
    Looi QH, Amin H, Aini I, Zuki M, Omar AR
    BMC Genomics, 2017 07 03;18(1):504.
    PMID: 28673247 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3861-9
    BACKGROUND: Edible bird's nest (EBN), produced from solidified saliva secretions of specific swiftlet species during the breeding season, is one of the most valuable animal by-products in the world. The composition and medicinal benefits of EBN have been extensively studied, however, genomic and transcriptomic studies of the salivary glands of these birds have not been conducted.

    RESULTS: The study described the transcriptomes of salivary glands from three swiftlet species (28 samples) generated by RNASeq. A total of 14,835 annotated genes and 428 unmapped genes were cataloged. The current study investigated the genes and pathways that are associated with the development of salivary gland and EBN composition. Differential expression and pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the expression of CREB3L2 and several signaling pathways involved in salivary gland development, namely, the EGFR, BMP, and MAPK signaling pathways, were up-regulated in swiftlets producing white EBN (Aerodramus fuciphagus) and black EBN (Aerodramus maximus) compared with non-EBN-producing swiftlets (Apus affinis). Furthermore, MGAT, an essential gene for the biosynthesis of N-acetylneuraminic acid (sialic acid), was highly expressed in both white- and black-nest swiftlets compared to non-EBN-producing swiftlets. Interspecies comparison between Aerodramus fuciphagus and Aerodramus maximus indicated that the genes involved in N-acetylneuraminic and fatty acid synthesis were up-regulated in Aerodramus fuciphagus, while alanine and aspartate synthesis pathways were up-regulated in Aerodramus maximus. Furthermore, gender-based analysis revealed that N-glycan trimming pathway was significantly up-regulated in male Aerodramus fuciphagus from its natural habitat (cave) compared to their female counterpart.

    CONCLUSIONS: Transcriptomic analysis of salivary glands of different swiftlet species reveal differential expressions of candidate genes that are involved in salivary gland development and in the biosynthesis of various bioactive compounds found in EBN.

    Matched MeSH terms: Birds/genetics; Birds/metabolism*
  6. Antibody and T cell responses induced in chickens immunized with avian influenza virus N1 and NP DNA vaccine with chicken IL-15 and IL-18
    Lim KL, Jazayeri SD, Yeap SK, Mohamed Alitheen NB, Bejo MH, Ideris A, et al.
    Res Vet Sci, 2013 Dec;95(3):1224-34.
    PMID: 23948357 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.07.013
    We had examined the immunogenicity of a series of plasmid DNAs which include neuraminidase (NA) and nucleoprotein (NP) genes from avian influenza virus (AIV). The interleukin-15 (IL-15) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) as genetic adjuvants were used for immunization in combination with the N1 and NP AIV genes. In the first trial, 8 groups of chickens were established with 10 specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens per group while, in the second trial 7 SPF chickens per group were used. The overall N1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) titer in chickens immunized with the pDis/N1+pDis/IL-15 was higher compared to the chickens immunized with the pDis/N1 and this suggesting that chicken IL-15 could play a role in enhancing the humoral immune response. Besides that, the chickens that were immunized at 14-day-old (Trial 2) showed a higher N1 antibody titer compared to the chickens that were immunized at 1-day-old (Trial 1). Despite the delayed in NP antibody responses, the chickens co-administrated with IL-15 were able to induce earlier and higher antibody response compared to the pDis/NP and pDis/NP+pDis/IL-18 inoculated groups. The pDis/N1+pDis/IL-15 inoculated chickens also induced higher CD8+ T cells increase than the pDis/N1 group in both trials (P<0.05). The flow cytometry results from both trials demonstrated that the pDis/N1+pDis/IL-18 groups were able to induce CD4+ T cells higher than the pDis/N1 group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, pDis/N1+pDis/IL-18 group was able to induce CD8+ T cells higher than the pDis/N1 group (P<0.05) in Trial 2 only. In the present study, pDis/NP was not significant (P>0.05) in inducing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells when co-administered with the pDis/IL-18 in both trials in comparison to the pDis/NP. Our data suggest that the pDis/N1+pDis/IL-15 combination has the potential to be used as a DNA vaccine against AIV in chickens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds/immunology*; Influenza in Birds/prevention & control
  7. Fulltext Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium SV4089 as a potential carrier of oral DNA vaccine in chickens
    Jazayeri SD, Ideris A, Zakaria Z, Omar AR
    J Biomed Biotechnol, 2012;2012:264986.
    PMID: 22701301 DOI: 10.1155/2012/264986
    Attenuated Salmonella has been used as a carrier for DNA vaccine. However, in vitro and in vivo studies on the bacteria following transfection of plasmid DNA were poorly studied. In this paper, eukaryotic expression plasmids encoding avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H5N1 genes, pcDNA3.1/HA, NA, and NP, were transfected into an attenuated Salmonella enteric typhimurium SV4089. In vitro stability of the transfected plasmids into Salmonella were over 90% after 100 generations. The attenuated Salmonella were able to invade MCF-7 (1.2%) and MCF-10A (0.5%) human breast cancer cells. Newly hatched specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicks were inoculated once by oral gavage with 10(9) colony-forming unit (CFU) of the attenuated Salmonella. No abnormal clinical signs or deaths were recorded after inoculation. Viable bacteria were detected 3 days after inoculation by plating from spleen, liver, and cecum. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were carried out for confirmation. Salmonella was not detected in blood cultures although serum antibody immune responses to Salmonella O antiserum group D1 factor 1, 9, and 12 antigens were observed in all the inoculated chickens after 7 days up to 35 days. Our results showed that live attenuated S. typhimurium SV4089 harboring pcDNA3.1/HA, NA, and NP may provide a unique alternative as a carrier for DNA oral vaccine in chickens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds/genetics; Influenza in Birds/immunology; Influenza in Birds/prevention & control*
  8. Fulltext A Plasmodium sp. from a glossy tree-starling (Aplonis panayensis strigatus)
    SANDOSHAM AA, BENNETT GF, FONG YL, OMAR EI
    Singapore Med J, 1965 Mar;6(1):47-8.
    PMID: 14306412
    An immature Glossy Tree-Starling (Aplonis panayensis strigatus), also known as ‘burong perling’ in Malay, was captured in the vicinity of the Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur. It was found to harbour a small malaria parasite which showed the characteristics of the sub-genus Novyella (Corradetti et al, 1963) viz:
    1. Trophozoites small with little cytoplasm, relatively large nuclear elements, the parasite usually applied to the host-cell nucleus.
    2. Schizonts with usually less than eight merozoites. 3. Pigment small and difficult to see except in the schizonts and in the gametocytes where the pigment granules are large and usually clustered at one end.
    4. The parasite rarely distorts the host erythrocyte. Unfortunately the bird died a few days later before detailed work on duration of the schizogonic cycle and experimental transmission could be done. The parasite has the following morphological features and most of the larger forms, asexual and sexual, assume the characteristic position proximal to the nucleus of the avian erythrocyte. Trophozoites: The earliest forms are ‘rings’ with a fairly marked vacuole. As the organism grows older, it produces a grain or two of pigment. The parasite at this stage tends to occupy a polar position in the host erythrocyte. Schizonts: The segmenting forms are usually attached to the pole end of the host-cell nucleus. The number of chromatin segments varies from 3 to 8, with a prevalent range of 4 to 6. The cytoplasm is scanty and pale with a prominent little mass of blackish-brown pigment or a close collection of granules. A rare mature schizont with 8 merozoites was seen in which the nucleus of the parasitised erythrocyte was displaced somewhat similar to figure 20 of Plate I portrayed in the original paper by Manwell (1935). Gametocytes: The sexual forms are often narrow and elongate, and are closely applied to the nucleus of the host erythrocyte. The outline of the parasite is frequently irregular. The cytoplasm is pale and vacuolated with coarse conspicuous granules of blackish-brown pigment usually collected at one end; sometimes either one or both ends curved around the host-cell nucleus. Although this parasite has some affinites to both P. nucleophiltim and P. hexamerium the lack of adequate study of the avian malarias of South-East Asia precludes even provisional identification of this parasite. On two occasions numerous gametocytes were seen in the peripheral blood of the bird and four species of laboratory-reared culicines (three indigenous to Malaya) were allowed to feed on it. Ten Andes togoi, 19 Culex sitiens and seven Culex fatigans were completely refractory to development of the parasite. Two of 17 Aedes aegypti had a single small oocyst each; both oocysts appeared to be degenerating. A Giemsa-stained thin blood film together with drawings made from the microscope showing the different forms of the parasite were demonstrated. REFERENCES
    Corradetti, A., Garnham, P. C. & Laird, M. (i963). Parassitologia, 5, 1-4.
    Manwell, R. D. (l935). Amer. J. Trop. Med 15, 265-283.
    ...(1938). Ibid., 18, 565-575
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds*
  9. Bird malaria parasites found in Malay Peninsula
    OGAKI M
    Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1949 Jul;29(4):459-62.
    PMID: 18153046
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds*
  10. Occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in Wrinkled Hornbill and other birds in the Kuala Lumpur National Zoo
    Rohela M, Lim YA, Jamaiah I, Khadijah PY, Laang ST, Nazri MH, et al.
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2005;36 Suppl 4:34-40.
    PMID: 16438177
    The occurrence of a coccidian parasite, Cryptosporidium, among birds in the Kuala Lumpur National Zoo was investigated in this study. A hundred bird fecal samples were taken from various locations of the zoo. Fecal smears prepared using direct smear and formalin ethyl acetate concentration technique were stained with modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain. Samples positive for Cryptosporidium with Ziehl-Neelsen stain were later confirmed using the immunofluorescence technique and viewed under the epifluorescence microscope. Six species of bird feces were confirmed positive with Cryptosporidium oocysts. They included Wrinkled Hornbill (Aceros corrugatus), Great Argus Pheasant (Argusianus argus), Black Swan (Cygnus atratus), Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides), Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus), and Moluccan Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccencis). These birds were located in the aviary and lake, with the Moluccan Cockatoo routinely used as a show bird. Results obtained in this study indicated that animal sanctuaries like zoos and bird parks are important sources of Cryptosporidium infection to humans, especially children and other animals.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds/parasitology*
  11. Fulltext Edible bird's nest ameliorates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells
    Yew MY, Koh RY, Chye SM, Othman I, Ng KY
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2014;14:391.
    PMID: 25308934 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-391
    Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder affecting the senile population with manifestation of motor disability and cognitive impairment. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is implicated in the progression of oxidative stress-related apoptosis and cell death of the midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Its interplay with mitochondrial functionality constitutes an important aspect of neuronal survival in the perspective of PD. Edible bird's nest (EBN) is an animal-derived natural food product made of saliva secreted by swiftlets from the Aerodamus genus. It contains bioactive compounds which might confer neuroprotective effects to the neurons. Hence this study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of EBN extracts in the neurotoxin-induced in vitro PD model.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds/metabolism*
  12. [Nasal ascarids in Malaysia. 1. Ereynetoides malayi n.g.n. sp., parasite of Nectariniidae (Ereynetidae: Trombidiformes)]
    FAIN A, NADCHATRAM M
    Z Parasitenkd, 1962;22:68-82.
    PMID: 13891331
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds/parasitology*
  13. Fulltext Effect of Hydrolyzed Bird's Nest on β-Cell Function and Insulin Signaling in Type 2 Diabetic Mice
    Choy KW, Zain ZM, Murugan DD, Giribabu N, Zamakshshari NH, Lim YM, et al.
    Front Pharmacol, 2021;12:632169.
    PMID: 33986669 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.632169
    Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by both resistance to the action of insulin and defects in insulin secretion. Bird's nest, which is derived from the saliva of swiftlets are well known to possess multiple health benefits dating back to Imperial China. However, it's effect on diabetes mellitus and influence on the actions of insulin action remains to be investigated. In the present study, the effect of standardized aqueous extract of hydrolyzed edible bird nest (HBN) on metabolic characteristics and insulin signaling pathway in pancreas, liver and skeletal muscle of db/db, a type 2 diabetic mice model was investigated. Male db/db diabetic and its euglycemic control, C57BL/6J mice were administered HBN (75 and 150 mg/kg) or glibenclamide (1 mg/kg) orally for 28 days. Metabolic parameters were evaluated by measuring fasting blood glucose, serum insulin and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Insulin signaling and activation of inflammatory pathways in liver, adipose, pancreas and muscle tissue were evaluated by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured in the serum at the end of the treatment. The results showed that db/db mice treated with HBN significantly reversed the elevated fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, serum pro-inflammatory cytokines levels and the impaired OGTT without affecting the body weight of the mice in all groups. Furthermore, HBN treatment significantly ameliorated pathological changes and increased the protein expression of insulin, and glucose transporters in the pancreatic islets (GLUT-2), liver and skeletal muscle (GLUT-4). Likewise, the Western blots analysis denotes improved insulin signaling and antioxidant enzyme, decreased reactive oxygen species producing enzymes and inflammatory molecules in the liver and adipose tissues of HBN treated diabetic mice. These results suggest that HBN improves β-cell function and insulin signaling by attenuation of oxidative stress mediated chronic inflammation in the type 2 diabetic mice.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds
  14. REPORT- Some ethanobotanically important plants from Cholistan area for anti avian influenza virus (AIV) H9N2 screening
    Shahzad MI, Ashraf H, Aslam A, Parveen S, Kamran Z, Naz N, et al.
    Pak J Pharm Sci, 2019 Nov;32(6):2751-2756.
    PMID: 31969311
    Avian influenza or bird flu is a common problem of domestic and wild birds. Some of its strains are able to cross the species barrier and cause infection in various members of class Mammalia. In view of relatively lesser efficacy of vaccines, antiviral therapies remain the only choice for the sustenance of mammals acquiring this highly devastating infection. This study is based on the evaluation of antiviral potential of methanol extracts of eleven selected Cholistani plants. The methanol extracts were prepared by using dried plants material followed by concentrating in a rotary evaporator and finally air dried before dissolving in nanopure water. The suspension was filter sterilized and subjected to in ovo antiviral assays. The allantoic fluids were harvested and haemagglutinin (HA) titers were determined. Among the eleven plants evaluated all methanol extracts were found effective against AIV H9N2 except S. baryosma extract. The medicinal plants O. compressa, N. procumbens, and S. surattense were found to be more effective than others and they retained HA titers at 0 after challenge. The next in order were extracts of O. esculentum, H. salicornicum and S. fruticosa which kept HA titers at 4, 8 and 16 respectively. The extracts of H. recurvum, P. antidotale, S. icolados and A. aspera were found less effective than above mentioned plant extracts and they kept the HA titers at 32, 64, 128 and 256 respectively. These results led us to conclude that the medicinal plants of Cholistan region are a rich source of antiviral agent(s) against AIV H9N2 and could be a source of cost effective alternate therapeutics.
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds/drug therapy; Influenza in Birds/virology
  15. Fulltext Evidence of West Nile virus infection in migratory and resident wild birds in west coast of peninsular Malaysia
    Ain-Najwa MY, Yasmin AR, Omar AR, Arshad SS, Abu J, Mohammed HO, et al.
    One Health, 2020 Dec;10:100134.
    PMID: 32405525 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2020.100134
    West Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic mosquito-borne flavivirus that is harbored and amplified by wild birds via the enzootic transmission cycle. Wide range of hosts are found to be susceptible to WNV infection including mammals, amphibians and reptiles across the world. Several studies have demonstrated that WNV was present in the Malaysian Orang Asli and captive birds. However, no data are available on the WNV prevalence in wild birds found in Malaysia. Therefore this study was conducted to determine the serological and molecular prevalence of WNV in wild birds in selected areas in the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Two types of wild birds were screened, namely migratory and resident birds in order to explore any possibility of WNV transmission from the migratory birds to the resident birds. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the migratory birds sanctuary located in Kuala Gula, Perak and Kapar, Selangor by catching 163 migratory birds, and 97 resident birds from Kuala Gula and Parit Buntar, Perak at different time between 2016 and 2017 (Total, n = 260). Blood and oropharyngeal swabs were collected for serological and molecular analysis, respectively. Serum were screened for WNV antibodies using a commercial competitive ELISA (c-ELISA) (ID Screen® West Nile Competition Multi-species ELISA, ID VET, Montpellier, France) and cross-reactivity towards Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) was also carried out using the JEV-double antigen sandwich (DAS) ELISA. Oropharyngeal swabs were subjected to one-step RT-PCR to detect WNV RNA, in which positive reactions were subsequently sequenced. WNV seropositive rate of 18.71% (29/155) at 95% CI (0.131 to 0.260) and molecular prevalence of 15.2% (16/105) at 95% CI (0.092 to 0.239) were demonstrated in migratory and resident wild birds found in West Coast Malaysia. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16 WNV isolates found in this study revealed that the local strains have 99% similarity to the strains from South Africa and were clustered under lineage 2. Evidence of WNV infection in resident and migratory birds were demonstrated in this study. As a summary, intervention between migratory birds, resident birds and mosquitoes might cause the introduction and maintenance of WNV in Malaysia, however the assumption could be further proven by studying the infection dynamics in the mosquitoes present in the studied areas.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds
  16. Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of avian influenza H3N8 virus isolated from imported waterfowl in Malaysia
    Leow BL, Shohaimi SA, Mohd Yusop FF, Sidik MR, Mohd Saeid FH
    Trop Biomed, 2023 Jun 01;40(2):220-235.
    PMID: 37650410 DOI: 10.47665/tb.40.2.014
    Wild aquatic birds are natural reservoirs of influenza A viruses and H3 subtype is one of the most prevalent subtypes in waterfowl. Two H3N8 viruses of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) were isolated via egg inoculation technique from the fecal swab specimens from imported barnacle goose and paradise shelduck in Veterinary Research Institute Ipoh, Malaysia. The full length of eight gene segments of the two viruses were amplified and sequenced with specific primers. The sequences were molecularly characterized, and the sequence identity were assessed with other published sequences. The two viruses are identical and they possess the same amino acid sequences for all the eight gene segments. The viruses were highly similar to the H3 virus from Netherlands and N8 virus from Belgium respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all the eight gene segments were grouped in the Eurasian lineage, and genetic reassortment may occur between the internal genes of the H3 viruses and other AI subtypes. Though four amino acid substitutions were identified in the hemagglutinin gene, the viruses retained most of the avian-type receptor binding preference. Few amino acid substitutions were observed in all internal genes. Most of the neuraminidase inhibitors and adamantine resistance related mutation were not seen in the viruses. The replicative capacity, cross species transmissibility, and potential zoonotic risk of the viruses are worth further investigation. As H3 virus poses potential threats to both human and animals, and with the increase in the international trade of birds; strict quarantine practice at the entry point and good laboratory diagnostic capabilities is crucial to prevent the introduction of new AI virus into our country.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds
  17. Fulltext Molecular cloning of full-length haemagglutinin (H5HA) gene of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) H5N1
    Mustapha Bala Abubakar, Aini Ideris, AbdulRahman Omar, Mohd Hair Bejo
    Buletin Persatuan Genetik Malaysia, 2009;15(1):20-23.
    MyJurnal
    Avian Influenza viruses belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family are enveloped viruses with segmented negative sense RNA genome surrounded by a helical symmetry capsid. Influenza viruses, especially the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) such as H5 or H7 subtype are the most important pathogens for the poultry industry in recent times. The haemagglutinin protein and neuraminidase, serves as the target for the immune response of the host. Due to recurrent genetic reassortments between avian and human influenza viruses, global pandemics may emerge and the naive human immunity could not withstand pressure by the novel hybrid virus. The emergence of genetic engineering technology provided the industry with new methods of manufacturing diagnostics tools and vaccines. After extraction of RNA from the cell culture of strain influenza A/Chicken/Malaysia/2004(H5N1) of AIV, the viral RNA was converted to cDNA by a specific primer. The cDNA was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed
    by agarose gel electrophoresis. The intact PCR product of full length haemagglutinin gene was cloned in TO POTM TA Cloning vector. The full-length HA-encoding gene of H5N1 AIV was subcloned into a pPICZA vector. After successful ligation, the constructed plasmid was transformed into E.coli.Top10, Plasmid DNA from transformed bacteria was extracted in white colony and positive clones were confirmed by restriction digestion with Sacl and Not1 restriction enzymes, colony PCR screening and nucleotide sequencing. Construction of a recombinant pPICZA/H5HA plasmid containing the full length haemagglutinin gene was achieved as a first step
    towards the expression in Pichia pastoris.
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds
  18. Potential Reservoir and Associated Factors for West Nile Virus in Three Distinct Climatological Zones
    DeCarlo C, Omar AH, Haroun MI, Bigler L, Bin Rais MN, Abu J, et al.
    Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis, 2017 10;17(10):709-713.
    PMID: 28873035 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.2098
    West Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic single-strand RNA arbovirus (family Flaviviridae: Flavivirus), transmitted among avian hosts in enzootic cycles by a mosquito vector. The virus has a significant disease effect on humans and equines when it bridges into a cycle with various sequelae with epidemic potential. This study was carried out to identify the potential spectrum of WNV hosts in three geographic areas with climatologically distinct features: Malaysia, Qatar, and the United States of America (U.S.). Serum samples were collected from avian and mammal species suspected to be reservoirs for the virus at these areas in a cross-sectional epidemiologic study. The samples were tested for the presence of antibodies against the virus using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data on putative risk factors were also collected and analyzed for significance of association with seropositivity using the logistic regression analysis. Among the tested avian and mammalian species, raccoons had the highest seroconversion rate (54%) followed by crows (30%), horses (27%), camels (10%), other avian species (7%), and canine species (3%). It was almost twice as likely to detect seroconversion among these mammalian and avian species in the fall in comparison to other seasons of the year. Only mammalian and avian species and seasons of the year were significantly associated with the likelihood of seroconversion to WNV when we controlled for other factors in the multivariate analysis. Our data from the U.S. showed that raccoons and camels are susceptible to infection by the virus and may play a role in the perpetuation of endemic foci for the disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds/virology*
  19. Fulltext OBSERVATION OF FLOWER VISITORS TO DETERMINE THEIR POTENTIAL ROLE AS POLLINATORS OF Ixora coccinae AND Ruellia simplex
    Fakhriah Kamaruddin, Mohamed Nor Zalipah
    UMT Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2020;2(1):61-70.
    MyJurnal
    This study aimed to determine the potential pollinating agents of Ixora coccinae and Ruellia simplex at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) campus based on the foraging activities of the flower visitors. The diurnal observations (0700 hr to 1800 hr) were conducted for a total of 144 hours and 96 hours for I. coccinae, for R. simplex respectively. The flower visitor activities (landing or hovering at the flowers) and the time spent at the flowers however were recorded for only the first 10 minutes of every hour between 0700 hr and 1000 hr for four days. A total of 383 flower visitations was recorded by 17 insect species and a bird species, the olive-backed sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis). For I. coccinae, the most common visitors were Apis cerana, Heterotrigona itama and Xylocopa confusa, in which all species were found to show only landing behaviour to forage at the flowers, and the time spent foraging at the flowers was not significantly different between the species (Kruskal-Wallis test, H = 1.323, df = 2, p = 0.055). For R. simplex, the most common visitors were A. cerana with 100% landing, and C. jugularis which recorded 80% landing and 20% hovering during their visits to the flowers. Between the two, A. cerana recorded significantly longer time spent at the flowers as compared to C. jugularis (Mann-Whitney test, U = 17.355, p < 0.001). Based on the visitation rate and feeding behaviour of the flower visitors, A. cerana, H. itama and X. confusa were the potential pollinating agents for I. coccinae while for R. simplex, A. cerana showed higher potential to be a pollinating agent as compared to C. jugularis. Therefore, this study highlighted the importance of recording the behaviour of each flower visitor to determine the relative contribution to the pollination success of the plant species visited.
    Matched MeSH terms: Birds
  20. Fusion of HSP70 gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to hemagglutinin (H5) gene of avian influenza virus in DNA vaccine enhances its potency
    Rasoli M, Omar AR, Aini I, Jalilian B, Syed Hassan SH, Mohamed M
    Acta Virol., 2010;54(1):33-9.
    PMID: 20201612
    A series of plasmids containing the HSP70 gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis fused to the hemagglutinin (H5) gene of H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV) (H5-HSP70 (heat shock protein 70) vaccine) or individual H5 gene (H5 vaccine) or HSP70 gene (HSP70 vaccine) were constructed based on the plasmid pcDNA3.1. Expression of H5 gene in Vero cells in vitro and in chickens in vivo was confirmed following their transfection and immunization with H5 or H5-HSP70 vaccines. Controls consisted of HSP70 vaccine, empty plasmid pcDNA3.1 and co-administered H5 and HSP70 vaccines. H5-HSP70 vaccine produced in chicken higher hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titer than H5 vaccine. However, the increase was not statistically significant. We have demonstrated for the first time that the H5 DNA vaccine with fused HSP70 gene may produce an enhanced induction of humoral immune response to AIV in chickens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Influenza in Birds/immunology; Influenza in Birds/prevention & control; Influenza in Birds/virology
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