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Nutritional and socio-economic determinants of cognitive function and educational achievement of Aboriginal schoolchildren in rural Malaysia

Al-Mekhlafi HM, Mahdy MA, Sallam AA, Ariffin WA, Al-Mekhlafi AM, Amran AA, et al.

Br J Nutr, 2011 Oct;106(7):1100-6.
PMID: 21492493 DOI: 10.1017/S0007114511001449

A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among Aboriginal schoolchildren aged 7-12 years living in remote areas in Pos Betau, Pahang, Malaysia to investigate the potential determinants influencing the cognitive function and educational achievement of these children. Cognitive function was measured by intelligence quotient (IQ), while examination scores of selected school subjects were used in assessing educational achievement. Blood samples were collected to assess serum Fe status. All children were screened for soil-transmitted helminthes. Demographic and socio-economic data were collected using pre-tested questionnaires. Almost two-thirds (67·6 %) of the subjects had poor IQ and most of them (72·6 %) had insufficient educational achievement. Output of the stepwise multiple regression model showed that poor IQ was significantly associated with low household income which contributed the most to the regression variance (r2 0·059; P = 0·020). Low maternal education was also identified as a significant predictor of low IQ scores (r2 0·042; P = 0·043). With educational achievement, Fe-deficiency anaemia (IDA) was the only variable to show significant association (r2 0·025; P = 0·015). In conclusion, the cognitive function and educational achievement of Aboriginal schoolchildren are poor and influenced by household income, maternal education and IDA. Thus, effective and integrated measures to improve the nutritional and socio-economic status of rural children would have a pronounced positive effect on their education.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases/epidemiology
Pentastomiasis: a common finding at autopsy among Malaysian aborigines

Prathap K, Lau KS, Bolton JM

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1969 Jan;18(1):20-7.
PMID: 5812657
Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases/epidemiology*
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: Parasitic Diseases/epidemiology*
Post-Infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Lee YY, Annamalai C, Rao SSC

Curr Gastroenterol Rep, 2017 Sep 25;19(11):56.
PMID: 28948467 DOI: 10.1007/s11894-017-0595-4

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) is characterized by persistent abdominal pain and diarrhea, typically following an episode of infectious gastroenteritis. The mechanisms that underlie IBS-D remain elusive, but PI-IBS provides a mechanistic model of this disorder. This review provides an up-to-date appraisal of the pathophysiology, clinical features, and management approaches for PI-IBS.
RECENT FINDINGS: Disordered immune reactions and release of cytokines with resultant gut inflammation and dysfunction appear to be key features of PI-IBS. Disordered brain-gut-microbiota interactions, type of infecting agent, and host-genetic susceptibility are risk factors but also are reasons for the varying spectrum of clinical severity. Although prognosis is generally good, symptoms and inflammation may persist for a long time. Symptomatic relief with antidiarrheals, antispasmodics, 5HT3 antagonists, mesalamine, probiotics, and low-dose antidepressants remain the primary approaches, but in some difficult cases, a combination of drugs that target the pathophysiology may be helpful. PI-IBS has many overlapping features with IBS-D and shares similar pathophysiology and management approaches.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases/complications
Myxozoan infection of the Malaysian mahseer, Tor tambroides, of Tasik Kenyir Reservoir, Malaysia: description of a new species Myxobolus tambroides sp.n

Székely C, Shaharom F, Cech G, Mohamed K, Zin NA, Borkhanuddin MH, et al.

Parasitol Res, 2012 Oct;111(4):1749-56.
PMID: 22782473

Tor tambroides, a common and appreciated cyprinid fish of the Tasik Kenyir water reservoir in Malaysia, is one of the species selected for propagation. This fish was first successfully propagated in Malaysia by the Department of Agriculture, Sarawak, Malaysia, and the breeding program continued throughout the country. The gills were frequently infected by a Myxobolus species to be described as Myxobolus tambroides sp. n. The small, 50 to 70 μm, round plasmodia of this species is located intralamellarly. Plasmodia were filled with pyriform myxospores, 9.9 and 7.4 μm wide. In sutural view, the caudal end of the myxospores had a distinctive valvular groove, parallel with the suture. Plasmodia caused deformations on the affected and the neighbouring gill lamellae. The 18S rDNA sequence of M. tambroides sp.n. did not show a close relationship with any other Myxobolus spp., represented in the GenBank. This might be an emerging parasite likely to impact the propagation of this fish.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases, Animal/parasitology*
Fulltext Molecular identification and transmission studies of X-cell parasites from Atlantic cod Gadus morhua (Gadiformes: Gadidae) and the northern black flounder Pseudopleuronectes obscurus (Pleuronectiformes: Pleuronectidae)

Freeman MA, Eydal M, Yoshimizu M, Watanabe K, Shinn AP, Miura K, et al.

Parasit Vectors, 2011;4:15.
PMID: 21299903 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-15

Epidermal pseudotumours from Hippoglossoides dubius and Acanthogobius flavimanus in Japan and gill lesions in Limanda limanda from the UK have been shown to be caused by phylogenetically related protozoan parasites, known collectively as X-cells. However, the phylogenetic position of the X-cell group is not well supported within any of the existing protozoan phyla and they are currently thought to be members of the Alveolata.Ultrastructural features of X-cells in fish pseudotumours are somewhat limited and no typical environmental stages, such as spores or flagellated cells, have been observed. The life cycles for these parasites have not been demonstrated and it remains unknown how transmission to a new host occurs. In the present study, pseudobranchial pseudotumours from Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, in Iceland and epidermal pseudotumours from the northern black flounder, Pseudopleuronectes obscurus, in Japan were used in experimental transmission studies to establish whether direct transmission of the parasite is achievable. In addition, X-cells from Atlantic cod were sequenced to confirm whether they are phylogenetically related to other X-cells and epidermal pseudotumours from the northern black flounder were analysed to establish whether the same parasite is responsible for infecting different flatfish species in Japan.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases, Animal/parasitology*
Migration in Malaysian aborigines: clinical observations in pregnancy

Ong HC

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1975 Sep;6(3):407-412.
PMID: 1221499

This study presents clinical observations in pregnancy made on aborigines of the deep jungle and "outside" populations. Migration out of the jungle results in lowered nutritional status as a result of low socio-economic status in the "outside" aborigine. This, together with food habits, increased family size and higher incidence of helminthic infestations, results in lower mean values of Hb, PVC and MCHC and a higher prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy in the migrant aborigine. A higher population density in the "outside" population resulting in frequent intermingling and increased chances of cross-contamination probably explains the increased vaginal bacterial growth in the "outside" Aborigine women. A higher prevalence of vaginal candidiasis in the "outside" aborigine woman is probably related to exposure to oral contraceptives and broad-spectrum antibiotics. On the other hand, better medical and obstetrical services become more readily available to the "outside" aborigine and this results in a favourable influence on perinatal health.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases/epidemiology
Fulltext Identifying causes of Under Five mortality for better planning

Nur Syakirah Awai, Aminah Bee Mohd Kassim

Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 2019;15(104):20-20.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Under 5 mortality is a leading indicator of the level of child health and overall development of a coun-try. In Malaysia, progressive reduction has been observed from 1990 however since 2000 progress has been static. Further understanding about this trend is crucial. The objective of this study was to identify causes of mortality for better policy development in order to further reduce this rate. Methods: Analysis of mortality trends was done using data from Department of Statistics and causes of mortality using data collected through the Stillbirth and Under 5 Mortality Reporting System (SU5MR) in 2016. Results: The trend for Under 5 mortality rate between 2006 till 2016 is still plateaued and hovered between 8 to 9 per 1000 live births at the national level. High percentage of death is seen among the neonatal group (51%), followed by children 28 days to 1year (31%) and toddlers 1-4 years (18%). Percentage of preventable deaths increased with age i.e. 21% among neonates, 41% among children 28 days to 1year and 48% among toddlers. The leading causes of death are conditions from perinatal period (34.4%), congen-ital malformation (30%), injuries and external causes (6.4%), respiratory (5.6%) and certain infectious and parasitic disease (5.1%). Conclusion: To further reduce under -5 mortality focus needs to be on preventable deaths; to reduce neonatal deaths will require political commitment to ensure adequate resources; interagency collaboration is needed to reduce toddler mortality and family and community awareness on prevention of injury and infection.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases
Eosinophilia and musculoskeletal disease

Watts RA

Curr Opin Rheumatol, 2001 Jan;13(1):57-61.
PMID: 11148716

Eosinophilia is occasionally a feature of rheumatic disease. The differential diagnosis of eosinophilia includes parasitic infection, systemic vasculitides, eosinophilic arthritis, and myopathies, together with the idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome and malignancy. Careful evaluation of the patient should enable an accurate diagnosis to be made. Parasitic infection is the commonest cause of eosinophilia worldwide and can cause systemic disease, as illustrated by the report of Sarcocystis myositis in a group of military personnel in Malaysia. A persistent arthropathy associated with eosinophilia, but not with parasitic infection, has been reported from the far East. Drugs may also cause eosinophilia, and there has recently been much discussion of the relation between Churg-Strauss syndrome and the leukotriene antagonist zafirlukast. The present view is that reduction of steroid dose allows unmasking of previously undiagnosed Churg-Strauss syndrome. The idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome may represent a lymphoproliferative process; evidence for this comes from the demonstration that many patients have a clonally expanded population of aberrant T cells.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases
Fulltext Neutralizing FGF4 protein in conditioned medium of IL-21-silenced HCT116 cells restores the migratory activity of the colorectal cancer cells

Abdalkareem EA, Ong CY, Lim BH, Khoo BY

Cytotechnology, 2018 Oct;70(5):1363-1374.
PMID: 29802489 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-018-0228-2

The interleukin-21 (IL-21) protein was found to be expressed at an elevated level in clinical samples of colorectal cancer patients without or with a parasitic infection that were collected from Sudan in our previous study. The IL-21 gene in HT29 and HCT116 cells was then correlated to cell proliferation and cell migration, as well as the cellular mechanisms associated with gene expressions in our present study. Our results demonstrated that silencing the IL-21 gene in HCT116 cells increased the cytotoxic level and fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF4) mRNA expression in the cancer cells. Moreover, specific gene silencing reduced the migration of cancer cells compared to non-silenced cancer cells. These events were not observed in IL-21-silenced HT29 cells. Neutralizing FGF4 in conditioned medium of IL-21-silenced HCT116 cells further increased the cytotoxic level and restored the migratory activity of HCT116 cells in the culture compared to silencing the IL-21 gene alone in the cancer cells. Our results indicate the importance of both silencing the IL-21 gene and co-expression of the FGF4 protein in HCT116 cells, which pave the way for the discovery of important factors to be used as biomarkers for the design of drugs or cost-effective supplements to effectively treat the patients having infectious disease and HCT116 cells of colorectal cancer simultaneously in the future.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases
The burden and epidemiology of polyparasitism among rural communities in Kano State, Nigeria

Dawaki S, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Ithoi I

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 2019 04 01;113(4):169-182.
PMID: 30551211 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/try128

BACKGROUND: Parasitic infections constitute a major public health problem worldwide, particularly among underprivileged communities in developing countries including Nigeria. The present study aimed to determine the epidemiology of polyparasitism (multiple parasitic infections) among rural communities in Kano State, North Central Nigeria.
METHODS: A total of 551 individuals were screened for the presence of intestinal, urogenital and blood parasites by using different diagnostic techniques. Demographic, socioeconomic, household and behavioural characteristics were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire.
RESULTS: Overall, 84.0% (463/551) of the participants were found to be infected with at least one parasite species, with 51.2% (282/551) of them having polyparasitism. The most prevalent parasites were Plasmodium falciparum (60.6%) followed by Blastocystis sp. (29.2%) and hookworm (15.4%). No significant association was found between malaria and helminth infections (p>0.05). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the presence of other family members who had intestinal polyparasitism (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=4.12; 95% CI=2.72, 6.24), walking barefoot outside (AOR=1.70; 95% CI=1.09, 2.63) and being male (AOR=1.74; 95% CI=1.14, 2.66) were the significant risk factors of intestinal polyparasitism among the population studied.
CONCLUSION: Polyparasitism is highly prevalent among rural communities in Kano State. Therefore, effective, sustainable and integrated control measures should be identified and implemented to significantly reduce the burden and consequences of these infections in rural Nigeria.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases
Fulltext Factors associated with stunting among Orang Asli preschool children in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Wan, Ying Gan, Siti Fatihah Murtaza, Norhasmah Sulaiman, Zalilah Mohd Shariff

Malays J Nutr, 2018;24(2):215-226.
MyJurnal

Introduction: Childhood stunting is recognised as one of the most significant
barriers to human development. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the
factors associated with stunting among Orang Asli (OA) preschool children in Negeri
Sembilan, Malaysia.

Methods: A total of 264 children (50.9% boys and 49.1%
girls) aged 2-6 years (M=4.04, SD=1.21 years) including their mothers from 14 OA
villages in Negeri Sembilan participated in this study. Mothers were interviewed to
obtain information regarding socioeconomic status, sanitation facility and personal
hygiene. The height of the children and their mothers were measured. Venous
blood samples were drawn from the children to estimate haemoglobin level, and
stool samples were collected to screen for intestinal parasitic infections.

Results:
Approximately one third of the children (35.6%) and 7.8% of the mothers were
stunted. One in five of the children were anaemic (21.6%), while one- third had
intestinal parasitic infections (35.0%). Low birth weight (AOR=2.526, 95% CI: 1.310-
4.872; p=0.006), anaemia (AOR=2.742, 95% CI: 1.265-5.945; p=0.011), presence
of intestinal parasitic infections (AOR=2.235, 95% CI: 1.310-3.813, p=0.003), not
wearing shoes (AOR=2.602, 95% CI: 1.453-4.660; p=0.001), absence of piped water
at home (AOR=2.395, 95% CI: 1.047-5.476; p=0.039), dirty nails (AOR=1.956, 95%
CI: 1.163-3.289, p=0.011), and stunted mothers (AOR=3.443, 95% CI: 1.334-8.890;
p=0.011) were identified as significant factors for childhood stunting.

Conclusion:
It is suggested that the factors identified associated with childhood stunting be
included in future intervention programmes that address stunting among OA
children.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases
Prevalence of enteroparasitic infections and related hormonal and immunological repercussions that may compromise students' physical performance

Nunez PRM, Honorio-França AC, Geiger SM, Guedes M, Fagundes DLG, Magalhães AM, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2020 Sep 01;37(3):763-777.
PMID: 33612789 DOI: 10.47665/tb.37.3.763

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of enteroparasitic infections in students and their hormonal and immunological repercussions on physical development. Students of basic education of both sexes were evaluated. Parasitological stool tests were performed using the Hoffman and Kato-Katz methods. The students were divided into two groups: a control group (negative parasitological examination, N=25) and an infected group (positive parasitological test, N=25). Anthropometric variables (height, weight, and BMI), concentrations of hormones (melatonin and cortisol), cytokine/chemokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17 and TNF-α) and physical performance (aerobic capacity, upper- and lower-limb muscle strength and abdominal performance) were evaluated. The prevalence of parasitic infection among the students was 7.98%. No anthropometric differences were observed among the groups. IL-2 and TNF-α levels were higher and IL-8 levels were lower in serum from students who were positive for parasitic infection. Serum from students who were positive for parasitic infection showed higher levels of melatonin than that from parasitenegative students. No differences were observed in cortisol levels. Students who were positive for parasitic infection presented greater lower-limb strength and lower abdominal performance than parasite-negative students. In the parasitic infection group, IL-12 was positively correlated with melatonin. In the parasitic infection group, IL-8 showed a positive correlation with aerobic capacity, while IL-17 and TNF-α showed a positive correlation with abdominal performance. These data suggest that parasitic infections determine the profile of inflammatory cytokines and that melatonin may be involved in the control of this process to minimize tissue damage. Additionally, students' difficulty in practising physical exercises can be an indication of enteroparasitic infection.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases
The prevalence and risk factors of canine demodicosis: A retrospective long-term study of 409 cases

Shchelkanov MY, Tabakaeva Moskvina TV, Kim EM, Derunov DA, Galkina IV

Trop Biomed, 2020 Sep 01;37(3):778-782.
PMID: 33612790 DOI: 10.47665/tb.37.3.778

Canine demodicosis is a common skin disorder with multiple risk factors, including age and breed predisposition. There is relatively limited information about the risk factors for canine demodicosis in large canine populations. This retrospective case-control study was conducted by searching the electronic records of dogs with skin lesions for the presence of Demodex mites in skin scrapings. Diagnosis of demodicosis was based on the presence of skin lesions and mites in skin scrapings. Multivariate analysis was conducted using logistic regression analysis to estimate the relative risk and odds ratio of variables hypothesized to influence the risk of canine demodicosis, such as age, sex, breed, season, and parasitic infection. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a positive correlation between the dogs' age and demodicosis. Dogs older than three years, as well as puppies, had a high risk of demodicosis (P0.05). Breeds with the greatest association (odds ratio) with demodicosis included the American Staffordshire Terrier (OR=0.9) and Moscow Watchdog (OR=0.2). The presence of intestinal parasites, such as Diphyllobothrium latum, was significantly associated with demodicosis.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases
Subtype distribution of Blastocystis isolated from humans and associated animals in an indigenous community with poor hygiene in Peninsular Malaysia

Mohammad NA, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Anuar TS

Trop Biomed, 2018 Dec 01;35(4):849-860.
PMID: 33601835

Blastocystis is one of the most common parasites inhabiting the intestinal tract of human and animals. Currently, human Blastocystis isolates are classified into nine subtypes (STs) based on the phylogeny of their small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Although its pathogenicity remains controversial, the possibility of zoonotic transmission was recognized since eight of the nine STs (except for ST9) have been reported in both humans and animals. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis isolated from humans and associated animals in an indigenous community with poor hygiene in Malaysia, where the risk of parasitic infection is high. A total of 275 stool samples were collected, subjected to DNA extraction and amplified by PCR assay. The Blastocystis-positive amplicons were then purified and sequenced. Phylogenetic tree of positive isolates, reference strains and outgroup were constructed using maximum likelihood method based on Hasegawa-KishinoYano+G+I model. The prevalence of Blastocystis infection among humans and domestic animals by PCR assay were 18.5% (45/243) and 6.3% (2/32), respectively. Through molecular phylogeny, 47 isolates were separated into five clusters containing isolates from both hosts. Among human isolates, ST3 (53.3%) was the predominant subtype, followed by ST1 (31.1%) and ST2 (15.6%). Chicken and cattle had lower proportions of ST6 (50%) and ST10 (50%), that were barely seen in humans. The distinct distributions of the most important STs among the host animals as well as humans examined demonstrate that there is various host-specific subtypes in the lifecycle of Blastocystis.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases
Fulltext The health of Malaysia’s “Orang Asli” peoples: a review of the scientific evidence on nutritional outcome, parasite infestations, and discussion on implications for clinical practice

Phua, K.L.

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2015;15(1):0-0.
MyJurnal

The Orang Asli of Malaysia continue to experience poor health. There appears to be stagnation of certain aspect of their health status. Underweight (low weight-for-age) and stunting (low height-for-age) are significant amongst Orang Asli children. Worm infestation such as Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworm continue to afflict Orang Asli communities in Malaysia. Orang Asli communities can also be afflicted by other kinds of parasites, e.g. malaria parasites, microsporida parasites and Cryptosporidium parasites. Thus, primary care doctors who treat Orang Asli patients should be on the lookout for malnutrition and its effects (including anaemia, iodine deficiency, Vitamin A deficiency) as well as worm and parasite infestations. Such patients may need to undergo de-worming at regular intervals because of the tendency to get re-infected. Primary care doctors also need to be aware of possible interactions between infestations and nutritional deficiencies.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases
Fulltext Gold Nanoparticles Conjugation Enhances Antiacanthamoebic Properties of Nystatin, Fluconazole and Amphotericin B

Anwar A, Siddiqui R, Raza Shah M, Ahmed Khan N

J Microbiol Biotechnol, 2019 Jan 28;29(1):171-177.
PMID: 30415525 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.1805.05028

Parasitic infections have remained a significant burden on human and animal health. In part, this is due to lack of clinically-approved, novel antimicrobials and a lack of interest by the pharmaceutical industry. An alternative approach is to modify existing clinically-approved drugs for efficient delivery formulations to ensure minimum inhibitory concentration is achieved at the target site. Nanotechnology offers the potential to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of drugs through modification of nanoparticles with ligands. Amphotericin B, nystatin, and fluconazole are clinically available drugs in the treatment of amoebal and fungal infections. These drugs were conjugated with gold nanoparticles. To characterize these gold-conjugated drug, atomic force microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were performed. These drugs and their gold nanoconjugates were examined for antimicrobial activity against the protist pathogen, Acanthamoeba castellanii of the T4 genotype. Moreover, host cell cytotoxicity assays were accomplished. Cytotoxicity of these drugs and drug-conjugated gold nanoparticles was also determined by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Gold nanoparticles conjugation resulted in enhanced bioactivity of all three drugs with amphotericin B producing the most significant effects against Acanthamoeba castellanii (p ＜ 0.05). In contrast, bare gold nanoparticles did not exhibit antimicrobial potency. Furthermore, amoebae treated with drugs-conjugated gold nanoparticles showed reduced cytotoxicity against HeLa cells. In this report, we demonstrated the use of nanotechnology to modify existing clinically-approved drugs and enhance their efficacy against pathogenic amoebae. Given the lack of development of novel drugs, this is a viable approach in the treatment of neglected diseases.

Matched MeSH terms: Parasitic Diseases

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