Phlebotomine sand flies were collected using CO2 baited CDC light trap in 2000 and 2001 in limestone areas and caves of western Malaysia. A total of 1,548 specimens were collected comprising 18 species from two genera: Phlebotomus (6 spp) and Sergentomyia (12 spp). Phlebotomus major major (38.9%) was the predominant species followed by Sergentomyia perturbans (20.1%), P. stantoni (15.3%) and others. Biting activity of the sand flies at the Gua Senyum caves, Gua Kota Gelanggi, Batu caves and Gua Kelam were observed using the bare leg landing catch (BLC) technique. Four Phlebotomus spp at Gua Senyum were found to bite humans with a unimodal biting peak (between 01:00 and 04:00 AM). At Gua Kota Gelanggi P. major major was observed to bite humans, but at Batu Caves and Gua Kelam no sand flies were observed to bite humans. Sergentomyia spp did not feed on humans even though high numbers were caught in light traps. The populations of phleobotomine sand flies fluctuated, with several peaks especially among P. major major which peaked in December and was low in February and August. Phlebotomus stantoni was abundant throughout 2001. Most species populations were weakly related to rainfall because they inhabited caves.
Field surveillance of Cq. crassipes was conducted in an open housing estate near Kuala Lumpur using IMR traps baited with chicken and gerbils. Chicken bait attracted more Cq. crassipes. There was significant difference between chicken and gerbil as bait. The mosquitoes preferred to feed at canopy level. The parous rate was 20.41% and the infection rate for Cardiofilaria nilesi was 2.04%. None of the 120 chicken and 5 ducks, in a village close to the open housing estate, examined for microfilariae were positive. Ar. durhami and Ar. subalbatus did not support development of C. nilesi. However, Cq. crassipes is an extremely efficient vector of C. nilesi.
This study was conducted to identify the prevalence of stress, types of stressors, consequences of stress and stress relievers among undergraduate dental students at the University of Malaya during the different years of study. A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire among Bachelor of Dental Surgery students during Years 2 to 5. A 100% response rate was obtained. The instrument asked questions about the preceding academic year. The results of the questionnaire reveal the prevalence of stress was 100%. The most common cause of stress among preclinical students was academic concerns and among clinical students was patient management and clinical performance. Physical and behavioral problems were reported as consequences of stress. Most students overcame stress by having strong interpersonal relationships.
Globally, HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discriminatory attitudes deter the effectiveness of HIV prevention and care programs. This study investigated the general public's perceptions about HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination towards people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in order to understand the root of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discriminatory attitudes. Study was carried out using qualitative focus group discussions (FGD). An interview guide with semi-structured questions was used. Participants were members of the public in Malaysia. Purposive sampling was adopted for recruitment of participants. A total 14 focus group discussions (n = 74) was carried out between March and July 2008. HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) was profound. Key factors affecting discriminatory attitudes included high-risk taking behavior, individuals related to stigmatized identities, sources of HIV infection, stage of the disease, and relationship with an infected person. Other factors that influence attitudes toward PLWHA include ethnicity and urban-rural locality. Malay participants were less likely than other ethnic groups to perceive no stigmatization if their spouses were HIV positive. HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination were stronger among participants in rural settings. The differences indicate attitudes toward PLWHA are influenced by cultural differences.
The prevalence rate of 749 cases of oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) recorded between 1978-1984 was studied. Results showed that the Indians formed the dominant group (63.8%) followed by the Malays (19.6%) and Chinese (16.6%). The peak incidences were generally located between the sixth and eighth decades. Only in the Chinese group a male preponderance was noted. In the Indians, the buccal mucosa was the most prevalent site; in the Malays and Chinese males, the gingiva and alveolus; and the Chinese female, the tongue. In all three groups, the well-differentiated SCC was the commonest type and the poorly differentiated least common.
A one year study was conducted to evaluate the impact of spray application of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), strain AM65-52 on vector populations and dengue transmission in a dengue endemic state in Malaysia. Residential sites with similar populations of Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus Skuse were studied. One site was treated with spray application of Bti into all outdoor target vector habitats, which consisted of natural and artificial containers. The other site was not treated. The impact of spray application was measured with an indoor and outdoor ovitrap index (OI) and epidemiologic data. Significant reductions in both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, OI were observed both indoors and outdoors, in treated sites compared to untreated sites (p < 0.05). OI reduction was achieved over time in the treated area. The OI was suppressed to below 10%. This was maintained for 4 weeks into the post-treatment phase. The outdoor OI at the untreated site remained at more than 40% for 38 weeks during the evaluation period. One dengue case occurred at the Bti treatment site at the beginning of the treatment phase, but no further cases were detected during the remainder of the treatment phase. However, there was an ongoing dengue outbreak in the untreated area with 15 serologically confirmed cases during weeks 37-54. Intensive fogging operations with pyrethroids at the untreated (Bti) site had a positive impact on Ae. albopictus, but not on Ae. aegypti.
Spirometry was performed on 1,485 male subjects ranging in age from 13 years to 78 years and comprising of all the main ethnic groups in Malaysia. They were divided into six age categories. Mean forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were 3.45 +/- 0.02 and 3.10 +/- 0.02, respectively. Both FVC and FEV1 correlated negatively with age. Regression analysis revealed an age-related decline in FVC of 295 ml per decade of life. Multiple stepwise regression of the data for the prediction of an individual's FVC above the age of 20 years gave the equation FVC (1) = 0.0404 (height in cm)-0.0295 (age in years)-2.2892. Predicted FVC values derived from equations based on other populations were considerably higher than the observed mean in this study. This study therefore, reemphasises the need to be cautions when applying formulae derived from one population to another. Grossly erroneous conclusions may be reached unless predicted equations for lung-function tests for a given population group are derived from studies based upon the same population group.
We retrospectively reviewed 205 HIV-infected patients, who came at first entry from January 2001 to December 2002 to the Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The aged range was 21-69 years [mean 37.25 years (+/- SD) 8.1]. Subjects were mainly in the age group 35-44 years. The majority of patients were male (82%), Chinese (55.1%), single (55.6%), resided in Kuala Lumpur (55.1%), and were unemployed (57.1%). The most frequent routes of transmission were sexual contact (78.5%), followed by IDUs (30%), blood transfusion (5%), and unknown (0.5%). Oral candidiasis was the most common mucocutaneous disease and significant co-existence was found with the main opportunistic systemic diseases, such as TB, PCP, toxoplasmic encephalitis, penicillosis, and CMV retinitis (p < 0.05). In this study, the range of CD4 counts was 0-910, with a median of 35 cells/mm3. Significant associations between a CD4 level less than 100 cells/mm3 at the time of diagnosis, and the occurrence of major opportunistic diseases, such as candidiasis, TB, PCP, TE, herpes simplex infection, CMV retinitis, penicillosis, and histoplasmosis were found (p < 0.05) in this study.
Abstract. The species identification of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis is only possible using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), mo lecular techniques and immunofluorescence antibody assays (IFA). In this study, 50 positive and 50 negative fecal specimens for microsporidial spores using the Weber modified trichrome (WMT) staining technique were examined using IFA-MAbs. Of the 100 specimens examined, the microsporidial spores identified by IFA-MAbs were Enterocytozoon Bieneusi 42 (75%) Encephalitozoon intestinalis 7 (12.5%) and mixed infections 7 (12.5%). The sensitivity and specificity of IFA-MAbs in detecting microsporidial spores were 98% and 86%, respectively. The agreement between the WMT staining technique and IFA-MAbs was statistically significant by Kappa statistics (K = 0.840; p < 0.001). E. bieneusi was the commonest Microsporidia species isolated from the studied population; the presence of microsporidial spores detected by IFA-MAbs should be confirmed by other methods.
Using the cow-baited trap (CBT) method, 1,845 Anopheles mosquitos, comprising 14 species, were caught in malaria-endemic area of Hulu Perak district, Peninsular Malaysia. The two dominant species were An. barbirostris (18.59%) and An. aconitus (18.86%). Anopheles maculatus, the main malaria vector, constituted 9.11% of the total number of mosquitos sampled. Three hundred and seventy-seven Anopheles larvae, comprising 8 species, were sampled using the North Carolina Biological Station dipper. Anopheles barbirostris larvae amounted to 64.69% of the total number of larvae; An. aconitus accounted for 10.65% of larvae. Seven habitats were identified as breeding places of Anopheles. Most species were found to breed in paddies, fishponds, and rivers. Other less popular habitats were temporary pools, mountain streams, and spring wells.
Frogs caught from two States (Selangor and Langkawi) in Malaysia were examined for spargana of Spirometra sp. Infected frogs usually show no marks of infection but some had swelling and bleeding at the infection site. The size and weight of the infected frogs did not correlate with the infection status. The infection status in relation to human health is discussed.
A pilot study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of space application of insecticides for the control of malaria in Ranau, a district in Sabah. A village each was treated monthly: with chemical adulticide--alpha cypermethrin (Fendona SC(R)/10SC(R)) at 2 g a.i./10,000 m2 in Pahu; with biological larvicides--Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Vectobac 12AS(R)) at 500 ml/10,000 m2 or B. sphaericus (Vectolex WG(R)) at 500 g/10,000 m2 in Pinawantai; and with a mixture of chemical adulticide and biological larvicide in Togop Laut. All sprayings were conducted using a portable mist blower. During the study period all villages, including Tarawas the untreated village, received the conventional malaria control measures. Entomological and epidemiological surveillance was used to measure the effectiveness of the space application. The entomological surveillance indicated that the An. balabacensis population was significantly reduced by alpha cypermethrin in Pahu and Togop Laut and B. sphaericus in Pinawantai; but was not reduced by B.t.i. in Pinawantai. There was a significant reduction in the number of malaria cases and in the slide positivity rate in the treated villages during the study period. The pilot study does indicate that space application of larvicides/adulticides or a mixture of both is able to reduce the malaria vector population and the malaria transmission. A larger scale study needs to be undertaken in a malarious village/province to determine whether space application of insecticides together with other malaria control measures will be able to eradicate malaria.