MyMedR

Displaying publications 1301 - 1320 of 2202 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

MCR-1 Gene Encoded Colistin-Resistant Escherichia coli in Raw Chicken Meat and Bean Sprouts in Malaysia

Aklilu E, Raman K

Int J Microbiol, 2020;2020:8853582.
PMID: 32774381 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8853582

This study was conducted to detect the presence of colistin-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) in raw chicken meat and bean sprouts collected from local markets and to determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns of the E. coli isolates. A total of 100 samples, comprised of 50 raw chicken meat and 50 bean sprouts, were collected and processed. Kirby-Bauer method was used to determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns, and PCR amplification was used to detect E. coli species-specific and colistin resistance (mcr-1 and mcr-2) genes. The results showed that 52.1% (12/23) of the E. coli isolated from raw chicken meat were positive for the colistin resistance encoding gene, mcr-1, whereas all the E. coli isolates from bean sprouts were negative for colistin resistance encoding genes. The findings show that chicken meat contaminated with colistin-resistant E. coli may pose public health risk to the consumers. Hence, prudent usage of antibiotics and hygienic handling of food items helps to prevent and combat the risks of spreading of colistin-resistant E. coli and the public health risks it may pose. More comprehensive and large-scale studies focusing on all the possible sources of colistin-resistant E. coli are recommended.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Fulltext Second Asian Consensus on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Gwee KA, Gonlachanvit S, Ghoshal UC, Chua ASB, Miwa H, Wu J, et al.

J Neurogastroenterol Motil, 2019 Jul 01;25(3):343-362.
PMID: 31327218 DOI: 10.5056/jnm19041

Background/Aims: There has been major progress in our understanding of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and novel treatment classes have emerged. The Rome IV guidelines were published in 2016 and together with the growing body of Asian data on IBS, we felt it is timely to update the Asian IBS Consensus.
Methods: Key opinion leaders from Asian countries were organized into 4 teams to review 4 themes: symptoms and epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and investigations, and lifestyle modifications and treatments. The consensus development process was carried out by using a modified Delphi method.
Results: Thirty-seven statements were developed. Asian data substantiate the current global viewpoint that IBS is a disorder of gut-brain interaction. Socio-cultural and environmental factors in Asia appear to influence the greater overlap between IBS and upper gastrointestinal symptoms. New classes of treatments comprising low fermentable oligo-, di-, monosacharides, and polyols diet, probiotics, non-absorbable antibiotics, and secretagogues have good evidence base for their efficacy.
Conclusions: Our consensus is that all patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders should be evaluated comprehensively with a view to holistic management. Physicians should be encouraged to take a positive attitude to the treatment outcomes for IBS patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Fulltext Preparation and properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan blend bionanocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals/ZnO-Ag multifunctional nanosized filler

Azizi S, Ahmad MB, Hussein MZ, Ibrahim NA, Namvar F

Int J Nanomedicine, 2014;9:1909-17.
PMID: 24790433 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S60274

A series of novel bionanocomposites were cast using different contents of zinc oxide-silver nanoparticles (ZnO-AgNPs) stabilized by cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) as multifunctional nanosized fillers in poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan (PVA/Cs) matrices. The morphological structure, mechanical properties, ultraviolet-visible absorption, and antimicrobial properties of the prepared films were investigated as a function of their CNC/ZnO-AgNP content and compared with PVA/chitosan/CNC bionanocomposite films. X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopic analyses showed that the CNC/ZnO-AgNPs were homogeneously dispersed in the PVA/Cs matrix and the crystallinity increased with increasing nanosized filler content. Compared with pure PVA/Cs, the tensile strength and modulus in the films increased from 0.055 to 0.205 GPa and from 0.395 to 1.20 GPa, respectively. Ultraviolet and visible light can be efficiently absorbed by incorporating ZnO-AgNPs into a PVA/Cs matrix, suggesting that these bionanocomposite films show good visibility and ultraviolet-shielding effects. The bionanocomposite films had excellent antimicrobial properties, killing both Gram-negative Salmonella choleraesuis and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. The enhanced physical properties achieved by incorporating CNC/ZnO-AgNPs could be beneficial in various applications.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemical synthesis; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology*; Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry*
Fulltext Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Toxicological Aspects of Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre

Huq AK, Jamal JA, Stanslas J

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2014;2014:782830.
PMID: 24834098 DOI: 10.1155/2014/782830

Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre, belonging to Polygonaceae family, is a common weed found in most of the temperate countries including Bangladesh, China, Malaysia, and Japan. The plant is also referred to as "marsh pepper" or "smart weed." It appears to be a useful herb with evidence-based medicinal properties. The present work addresses the botanical description, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of P. hydropiper. All plant parts have been commonly used in the traditional systems of medicines. Flavonoids are the major group of phytochemical components followed by drimane-type sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenoids, as well as phenylpropanoids. Different extracts and plant parts showed remarkable pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antihelminth, antifeedant, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, oestrogenicity, antifertility, antiadipogenicity, and neuroprotection. Mutagenicity and acute and subchronic toxicities of the plant were also reported. P. hydropiper has tremendous medicinal properties that could further be investigated for the development of evidence-based herbal products.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Fulltext Antibacterial Activity of Myristica fragrans against Oral Pathogens

Shafiei Z, Shuhairi NN, Md Fazly Shah Yap N, Harry Sibungkil CA, Latip J

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2012;2012:825362.
PMID: 23049613 DOI: 10.1155/2012/825362

Myristica fragrans Houtt is mostly cultivated for spices in Penang Island, Malaysia. The ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of flesh, mace and seed of Myristica fragrans was evaluated the bactericidal potential against three Gram-positive cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175, Streptococcus mitis ATCC 6249, and Streptococcus salivarius ATCC 13419) and three Gram-negative periodontopathic bacteria (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 29522, Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277, and Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 25586). Antibacterial activities of the extracts was determined by twofold serial microdilution, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 1.25 to 640 mg/mL and 0.075 to 40 mg/mL. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was obtained by subculturing method. Among all extracts tested, ethyl acetate extract of flesh has the highest significant inhibitory effects against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with mean MIC value ranging from 0.625 to 1.25 ± 0.00 (SD) mg/mL; P = 0.017) and highest bactericidal effects at mean MBC value ranging from 0.625 mg/mL to 20 ± 0.00 (SD) mg/mL. While for seed and mace of Myristica fragrans, their ethanol extracts exhibited good antibacterial activity against both groups of test pathogens compared to its ethyl acetate extracts. All of the extracts of Myristica fragrans did not show any antibacterial activities against Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 25586. Thus, our study showed the potential effect of ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts from flesh, seed and mace of Myristica fragrans to be new natural agent that can be incorporated in oral care products.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Fulltext Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology of Andrographis paniculata and Its Major Bioactive Phytoconstituent Andrographolide

Jayakumar T, Hsieh CY, Lee JJ, Sheu JR

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:846740.
PMID: 23634174 DOI: 10.1155/2013/846740

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F) Nees, generally known as "king of bitters," is an herbaceous plant in the family Acanthaceae. In China, India, Thailand, and Malaysia, this plant has been widely used for treating sore throat, flu, and upper respiratory tract infections. Andrographolide, a major bioactive chemical constituent of the plant, has shown anticancer potential in various investigations. Andrographolide and its derivatives have anti-inflammatory effects in experimental models asthma, stroke, and arthritis. In recent years, pharmaceutical chemists have synthesized numerous andrographolide derivatives, which exhibit essential pharmacological activities such as those that are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antitumor, antidiabetic, anti-HIV, antifeedant, and antiviral. However, what is noteworthy about this paper is summarizing the effects of andrographolide against cardiovascular disease, platelet activation, infertility, and NF- κ B activation. Therefore, this paper is intended to provide evidence reported in relevant literature on qualitative research to assist scientists in isolating and characterizing bioactive compounds.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Risk factors of necrotising enterocolitis among 28-34 weeks preterm neonates at a Tertiary Care Hospital, East Java, Indonesia

Corebima BIRV, Handono K, Barlianto W, Santosaningsih D, Rohsiswatmo R, Sulistijono E, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2023 Jul;78(4):458-465.
PMID: 37518912

INTRODUCTION: Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious health problem primarily affects preterm and very low birthweight (VLBW) infants. However, the pathomechanism of NEC remains elusive. This study aimed to analyse the risk factors for NEC among preterm neonates in East Java, Indonesia.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-centre, prospective, casecontrol study involving 32 subjects of preterm neonates was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Malang, East Java, Indonesia between January to June 2022. A total of 15 preterm neonates with NEC and 17 preterm neonates without NEC were enrolled in this study. Data on demographic, clinical and laboratory findings were collected. Multiple logistic regression test was performed to analyse the risk factors for NEC development. Further profiling within 15 subjects with NEC, i.e., NEC grade ≥ II, were conducted to collect systemic, abdominal, laboratory, abdominal x-ray (AXR) and blood culture findings.
RESULTS: The risk factors related to NEC development in preterm infants were multi-morbidity (adjusted OR = 11.96; 95% CI 1.85 168.38; p = 0.046), antibiotic exposure (OR = 15.95; 95% CI 1.54 165.08; p = 0.020) and requiring advanced neonatal resuscitation at birth (OR = 10.04; 95% CI 1.09 92.11; p = 0.041). Further profiling within NEC cohorts highlighted respiratory distress (86.7%), (oro)gastric retention (80.0%), thrombocytopenia (53.3%), gastrointestinal dilatation in AXR (53.3%), and positive blood culture Klebsiella pneumoniae (40.0%) were most common findings.
CONCLUSION: Preterm neonates with multimorbidity, prolonged antibiotic exposure, and requiring advanced resuscitation at birth were more likely to develop NEC. Early detection of the risk factors and determinant factors for survival may help to improve the clinical outcome.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Guidelines for microbiome studies in renal physiology

Muralitharan RR, Snelson M, Meric G, Coughlan MT, Marques FZ

Am J Physiol Renal Physiol, 2023 Sep 01;325(3):F345-F362.
PMID: 37440367 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00072.2023

Gut microbiome research has increased dramatically in the last decade, including in renal health and disease. The field is moving from experiments showing mere association to causation using both forward and reverse microbiome approaches, leveraging tools such as germ-free animals, treatment with antibiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantations. However, we are still seeing a gap between discovery and translation that needs to be addressed, so that patients can benefit from microbiome-based therapies. In this guideline paper, we discuss the key considerations that affect the gut microbiome of animals and clinical studies assessing renal function, many of which are often overlooked, resulting in false-positive results. For animal studies, these include suppliers, acclimatization, baseline microbiota and its normalization, littermates and cohort/cage effects, diet, sex differences, age, circadian differences, antibiotics and sweeteners, and models used. Clinical studies have some unique considerations, which include sampling, gut transit time, dietary records, medication, and renal phenotypes. We provide best-practice guidance on sampling, storage, DNA extraction, and methods for microbial DNA sequencing (both 16S rRNA and shotgun metagenome). Finally, we discuss follow-up analyses, including tools available, metrics, and their interpretation, and the key challenges ahead in the microbiome field. By standardizing study designs, methods, and reporting, we will accelerate the findings from discovery to translation and result in new microbiome-based therapies that may improve renal health.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Degradation of levofloxacin from antibiotic wastewater by pulse electrochemical oxidation with BDD electrode

Xu T, Tang X, Qiu M, Lv X, Shi Y, Zhou Y, et al.

J Environ Manage, 2023 Oct 15;344:118718.
PMID: 37541001 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118718

Antibiotic-containing wastewater is a typical biochemical refractory organic wastewater and general treatment methods cannot effectively and quickly degrade the antibiotic molecules. In this study, a novel boron-doped diamond (BDD) pulse electrochemical oxidation (PEO) technology was proposed for the efficient removal of levofloxacin (LFXN) from wastewater. The effects of current density (j), initial pH (pH0), frequency (f), electrolyte types and initial concentration (c0(LFXN)) on the degradation of LFXN were systematically investigated. The degradation kinetics under four different processes have also been studied. The possible degradation mechanism of LFXN was proposed by Density functional theory calculation and analysis of degradation intermediates. The results showed that under the optimal parameters, the COD removal efficiency (η(COD)) was 94.4% and the energy consumption (EEC) was 81.43 kWh·m-3 at t = 120 min. The degradation of LFXN at pH = 2.8/c(H2O2) followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The apparent rate constant was 1.33 × 10-2 min-1, which was much higher than other processes. The degradation rate of LFXN was as follows: pH = 2.8/c(H2O2) > pH = 2.8 > pH = 7/c(H2O2) > pH = 7. Ten aromatic intermediates were formed during the degradation of LFXN, which were further degraded to F-, NH4+, NO3-, CO2 and H2O. This study provides a promising approach for efficiently treating LFXN antibiotic wastewater by pulsed electrochemical oxidation with a BDD electrode without adding H2O2.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Fulltext A Review of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) Types in Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) Species

Saber H, Jasni AS, Jamaluddin TZMT, Ibrahim R

Malays J Med Sci, 2017 Oct;24(5):7-18.
PMID: 29386968 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/mjms2017.24.5.2

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are considered low pathogenic organisms. However, they are progressively causing more serious infections with time because they have adapted well to various antibiotics owing to their ability to form biofilms. Few studies have been conducted on CoNS in both, hospital and community-acquired settings, especially in Malaysia. Thus, it is important to study their species and gene distributions. A mobile genetic element, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec), plays an important role in staphylococci pathogenesis. Among CoNS, SCCmec has been studied less frequently than Staphylococcus aureus (coagulase-positive staphylococci). A recent study (8) conducted in Malaysia successfully detected SCCmec type I to VIII as well as several new combination patterns in CoNS species, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis. However, data are still limited, and further research is warranted. This paper provides a review on SCCmec types among CoNS species.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Fulltext A Combination of Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and Ceftazidime Showed Good In Vitro Activity against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Ismail N, Zam Z, Hassan SA, Rahman ZA

Malays J Med Sci, 2017 Mar;24(2):21-27.
PMID: 28894400 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2017.24.2.3

BACKGROUND: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen, capable of causing a wide spectrum of infections. Treatment is difficult because it is resistant to many antimicrobial agents, thus reducing the treatment options. The aims of this study were to describe the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and synergistic effect of selected antimicrobial combinations against S. maltophilia isolates.
METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study undertaken in the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from April 2011 to March 2012. S. maltophilia isolated from various clinical specimens were included in the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using the epsilometer test (E-test) and interpreted according to the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. In the synergy test, the isolates were tested against six different antimicrobial combinations.
RESULTS: In total, 84 S. maltophilia isolates were collected and analysed. According to the E-test, the antimicrobial susceptibility of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), tigecycline, and ciprofloxacin was 100%, 91.1%, and 88.9% respectively. The antimicrobial combination of TMP-SMX and ceftazidime showed the highest synergistic effect.
CONCLUSION: TMP-SMX remains the antimicrobial of choice to treat S. maltophilia infection. TMP-SMX and ceftazidime was the most effective combination in vitro.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Fulltext Acute Tonsillitis With Concurrent Kikuchi's Disease as a Cause of Persistent Lymphadenopathy

Sawali H, Sabir Husin Athar PP, Ami M, Shamsudin NH, Nair G

Malays J Med Sci, 2009 Oct;16(4):73-6.
PMID: 22135516

We present a young adult female with symptoms of acute tonsillitis and tender cervical lymphadenopathy. Despite a full course of oral antibiotics, she had persistent left lower cervical lymphadenopathy measuring 2.0 x 1.5 cm at 2 weeks post-treatment. Rigid and flexible scope examinations did not reveal any abnormalities in the nasopharynx, oropharynx or hypopharynx. Tuberculosis tests were negative and blood index results were normal. Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed a non-specific granulomatous inflammatory process. Excisional lymph node biopsy was performed, and the patient was diagnosed as having Kikuchi's Disease (KD). We would like to highlight the diagnostic challenges in detecting this condition and the importance of differentiating KD from tuberculosis and malignant lymphoma, the latter of which requires aggressive treatment.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of an Emerging Multidrug Resistant Nosocomial Pathogen: Acinetobacter baumannii

Tewari R, Chopra D, Wazahat R, Dhingra S, Dudeja M

Malays J Med Sci, 2018 May;25(3):129-134.
PMID: 30899194 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2018.25.3.13

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) bacterium, a nosocomial pathogen associated with a high mortality rate and limited therapeutic options have emerged as a serious problem throughout the world. The present study aimed to assess the current levels of antibiotic susceptibility among the isolates of Acinetobacter species. The sensitivity patterns were analysed from various clinical specimens obtained from both in-patients and outpatients of a teaching hospital. Isolation was performed on 5% sheep blood agar and MacConkey agar. Urine samples were inoculated into CLED agar. Antibiotic susceptibility was performed by the disc diffusion method. A total of 16,452 samples were collected. The total number of samples positive for Acinetobacter species was 67 (0.4%). The highest number of isolates 26 (38.8%) were obtained from urine. Majority 80.3% of the isolates exhibited resistance to three or more classes of antibiotics. All isolates were susceptible to colistin (100%). The susceptibility rate of A. baumannii isolates was 80% for tigecycline and 53.3% for carbapenem. Combination therapies including colistin and tigecycline seem to be the rational treatment for MDR A. baumannii until new alternatives come forward.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Fulltext Knowledge and attitudes concerning antibiotic use and resistance among the public in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Halim NAAA, Chang CT, Chan HK, Hassali MA, Nouri A

Malays J Med Sci, 2018 Nov;25(6):141-147.
PMID: 30914888 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/mjms2018.25.6.15

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes concerning antibiotic use and resistance among members of the local community in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. The study was conducted among 326 residents of the Jelutong district, Pulau Pinang state, from August to October 2013. A self-administered five-part questionnaire was used for the data collection. The respondents exhibited inadequate knowledge of antibiotics in general. Approximately 80% of them did not know the indications for antibiotic use, while 76% believed that antibiotics were useful in terms of resolving viral fever. Additionally, 52.6% believed that antibiotics could be used to treat all types of infections. Inadequate knowledge of antibiotic resistance was also evident among the respondents, since 72.9% of them did not agree that resistant bacteria can spread from human or animal to human, while 32% were unaware that bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics. More than 60% of respondents admitted that they took antibiotics in order to accelerate their recovery from illness, while 34.8% claimed that they only stopped taking antibiotics when they felt better. The findings hence indicate that most respondents had poor knowledge and attitudes concerning antibiotic use and resistance, which suggests the need for more community-based educational campaigns designed to improve the public's knowledge and attitudes regarding antibiotics.
Study site: General public, Jelutong district, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Fulltext A Rare Presentation of Tubercular Meningitis as Persistent Neutrophilic Meningitis

Ralot T, Bafna C, Singh S, Sharma S

Malays J Med Sci, 2017 Dec;24(6):103-106.
PMID: 29379393 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2017.24.6.13

Persistent neutrophilic meningitis is an atypical form of chronic meningitis defined as clinical meningitis with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis suggestive of neutrophilic pleocytosis that persists for more than one week despite giving empirical antimicrobial therapy. The predominant presentation of tubercular meningitis is with CSF lymphocytic pleocytosis and even if early phase of the disease presents with neutrophilic pleocytosis, no persistence is usually observed for more than one week. We hereby report the case of an immunocompetent man aged 25 years with tubercular meningitis manifesting as persistent neutrophilic meningitis which is very rare as an entity in tubercular meningitis (TBM). Patient was started on anti-tubercular therapy based on the granulomas in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain after which there was a reduction in total cell count in CSF but persisting neutrophilic predominance. Patient improved clinically and was given a full course of anti-tubercular treatment (ATT) thereafter.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Fulltext Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM) Presenting with Bilateral Optic Neuritis

Sapuan S, Basri H

Malays J Med Sci, 2007 Jan;14(1):71-4.
PMID: 22593657 MyJurnal

A 43-year old lady presented with progressive loss of vision in both eyes followed by rapid deterioration of consciousness within the next few days. This was preceded by a viral infection one week before her presentation. At presentation she had evidence of meningism and signs of bilateral upper motor neuron lesions and was managed initially as acute meningoencephalitis with antibiotics. The brain CT was within normal limits but subsequent MRI of the brain revealed multiple foci of hyperintense lesions on T2-weighted and FLAIR images. The cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed lymphocytosis, and normal protein and glucose levels. Cultures of the CSF were negative. She was managed as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) with high-dose of intravenous methlyprednisolone one gram/day for three consecutive days followed by oral prednisolone 60 mg/day. Despite the management she lapsed into coma and succumbed to her illness nine days after admission.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
A Hospital-based Study on the Local Epidemiology of Pneumonia Including the Contribution of Legionella Pneumonia

Lourdesamy Anthony AI, Zam Z, Hussin N

Malays J Med Sci, 2020 Dec;27(6):79-88.
PMID: 33447136 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2020.27.6.8

Background: In real-life practice, only 20% of hospitalised pneumonia cases have an identified etiology. The usage of Legionella urine antigen test (LUAT) in developed nations revolutionised case detection rates. Accordingly, our objectives were to study the microbiological etiology for hospitalised pneumonia patients and the diagnosis of Legionella pneumonia.
Methods: A prospective, observational single-centre study was conducted where all 504 cases that were consecutively admitted for pneumonia were enrolled. Blood and sputum samples obtained were used to identify pathogens using standard microbiological culture methods. The urine samples collected were tested using the ImmunocatchTMLegionella immunochromatographic (ICT) urine antigen test.
Results: A microbiological diagnosis was only achieved in 104 cases (20.6%) and a Gram-negative infection predominance was observed. Culture-positive cases required longer hospitalisation (8.46 days versus 5.53 days; P < 0.001) and the higher usage of antipseudomonal antibiotics (23.1% versus 8.3%; P < 0.001). Only 3 cases (0.6%) were diagnosed with Legionella pneumonia.
Conclusion: The local pathogen distribution is diverse compared to other regions. Culture-negative pneumonia is common and significantly differs from culture-positive pneumonia. Legionella pneumophila serotype 1 is not a common cause of pneumonia and LUAT did not help demystify the cause of culture-negative pneumonia.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Spontaneous bilateral corneal perforation in stevens- johnsons syndrome-a challenge in management

Md Noh UK, Then KY

Malays J Med Sci, 2013 Jan;20(1):84-7.
PMID: 23785259

A 42-year-old man from Ghana presented with bilateral painful corneal perforations following ingestion of a sulphur-based antibiotic. Emergency bilateral penetrating keratoplasty was performed, with restoration of globe integrity. However, surgical complications arose such as non-healing epithelial defect, secondary infection, graft dehiscence, and mounting intraocular pressure. This case illustrates the challenges faced in managing corneal grafts in patients with already compromised ocular surfaces.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents
Fulltext Antibiotics in surgical wards: use or misuse? A newly industrialized country's perspective

Lim MK, Lai PSM, Ponnampalavanar SS, Syed Omar SF, Taib NA, Yusof MY, et al.

J Infect Dev Ctries, 2015 Nov 30;9(11):1264-71.
PMID: 26623636 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.6731

INTRODUCTION: Studies exploring the appropriateness of therapeutic antibiotic use among surgical patients are limited, particularly in developing countries. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the appropriateness of antibiotics prescribed in a surgical setting in Malaysia.
METHODOLOGY: A prospective observational study was conducted in two surgical wards at a tertiary hospital in Malaysia from November 2012-July 2013. Data was collected using a case report form. The appropriateness of antibiotic therapy was based on compliance with either the Malaysian National Antibiotic Guidelines 2008 or International Clinical Practice Guidelines and determined by an expert panel (consisting of two infectious disease consultants and a pharmacist).
RESULTS: Over the study period, a total of 593 antibiotic courses were prescribed for 129 patients (4.6±3.4 antibiotics/patient). Only 34 (26.4%) patients received appropriate antibiotic therapy, whilst 95 (73.6%) patients received at least one course of inappropriate antibiotic therapy. The prevalence of inappropriate antibiotic use was 214 (66.3%) and 55 (42.0%) for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes, respectively. The most common causes of inappropriate prophylactic antibiotics were inappropriate timing 20 (36.4%) and inappropriate duration of prophylaxis 19 (34.5%). In cases of inappropriate timing, 9 (45%) were administered too late while 6 (30%) were too early. In contrast, inappropriate choice of antibiotics (42.1%) and inappropriate indication (40.7%) were the most common reasons encountered for inappropriate therapeutic antibiotics.
CONCLUSION: Our study suggests considerable inappropriate use of both prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotics in the surgical wards; highlighting an urgent need for antibiotic stewardship initiatives in this setting.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use*
Fulltext Cutaneous melioidosis in a healthy Danish man after travelling to South-East Asia

Bodilsen J, Langgaard H, Nielsen HL

BMJ Case Rep, 2015 Jan 16;2015.
PMID: 25596295 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2014-207340

A healthy Danish man presented with infected prepatellar bursitis 8 months after being involved in a car accident in Malaysia resulting in exposure of a laceration of his knee to stagnant water. Tissue samples grew Burkholderia pseudomallei and diagnostic work up revealed no secondary foci. The patient was successfully treated with surgical debridement and 3 months of oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. At 6 months follow-up the patient was without relapse.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links