MyMedR

Fulltext Diagnosis and management of imported Chikungunya fever in Taiwan: a case report

Chang K, Hsieh HC, Tsai JJ, Lin WR, Lu PL, Chen YH

Kaohsiung J. Med. Sci., 2010 May;26(5):256-60.

PMID: 20466336 DOI: 10.1016/S1607-551X(10)70037-1

Chikungunya virus, a mosquito-borne alphavirus, is endemic in Africa and Southeast Asia but is rarely reported in Taiwan. We report the case of a Taiwanese woman who developed Chikungunya fever, which was first diagnosed by a clinician rather than by fever screening at an airport. The woman presented with fever, maculopapular rash, and arthralgia, the triad for the disease, on the day she returned home after a trip to Malaysia. These symptoms are very similar to those of dengue fever, which is endemic in Southern Taiwan. Chikungunya infection was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and seroconversion on paired serum specimens. For approximately 40 years until 2006, no cases of Chikungunya fever had been found in Taiwan. Clinicians in Taiwan should consider Chikungunya fever as a possible diagnosis for a febrile patient with arthralgia, rash, and a history of travel to an endemic area, such as Africa or Southeast Asia.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

Fulltext Chikungunya in Singapore: imported cases among travelers visiting friends and relatives

Lim PL, Oh HM, Ooi EE

J Travel Med, 2009 Jul-Aug;16(4):289-91.

PMID: 19674272 DOI: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.2009.00313.x

Chikungunya infections were detected in Singapore among returning travelers who had visited friends and relatives (VFR) in India and Malaysia. These sporadic imported cases occurred over a year before the 2008 chikungunya outbreaks in Singapore, demonstrating the potential for introducing this emerging viral infection into new areas via VFR travel.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

Chikungunya fever from Malaysia

Yamamoto K, Matumoto K, Lim CK, Moi ML, Kotaki A, Takasaki T

Intern. Med., 2010;49(5):501-5.

PMID: 20190493

An adult Malaysian woman returned to Japan from Kuala Lumpur and had onset of dengue fever-like symptoms including high fever, malaise and arthritis in early January 2009. Serum obtained on the following day was tested at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Tokyo, where it was determined to be positive for chikungunya virus (CHIKV) RNA. IgM antibody against CHIKV was negative on January 6 and sero-converted to be positive on January 14, confirming a recent CHIKV infection. Except for arthralgia, all her symptoms resolved uneventfully within 10 days.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

Perceived vaccination status in ecotourists and risks of anthropozoonoses

Muehlenbein MP, Martinez LA, Lemke AA, Ambu L, Nathan S, Alsisto S, et al.

Ecohealth, 2008 Sep;5(3):371-8.

PMID: 18810550 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-008-0192-y

Anthropozoonotic (human to nonhuman animal) transmission of infectious disease poses a significant threat to wildlife. A large proportion of travelers to tropical regions are not protected against vaccine-preventable illnesses, and a majority of these travelers demonstrate poor recall of actual vaccination status. Here we characterize self-perceived vaccination status among a large sample of ecotourists at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sabah, Malaysia. Despite their recognized travel itinerary to view endangered animals, tourists at wildlife sanctuaries are not adequately protected against vaccine-preventable illnesses. Of 633 surveys, over half reported being currently vaccinated against tuberculosis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, and measles. Fewer participants reported current vaccination status for influenza, rabies, and chickenpox. Despite the fact that the majority of visitors to Sepilok are from temperate regions where influenza is relatively more prevalent, 67.1% of those surveyed with medical-related occupations reported not being currently vaccinated for influenza. Ecotourists concerned about environmental protection are themselves largely unaware of their potential contribution to the spread of diseases to animals. The risks of negatively affecting animal populations must be communicated to all concerned parties, and this may begin by urging travelers to examine their actual vaccination status, particularly as the ecotourism industry continues its rapid expansion, and is seen increasingly as a possible tool to save great ape populations from extinction.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

Fulltext Identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae as the causative agent in a case of culture-negative dermatitis-arthritis syndrome using real-time PCR

Kimmitt PT, Kirby A, Perera N, Nicholson KG, Schober PC, Rajakumar K, et al.

J Travel Med, 2008;15(5):369-71.

PMID: 19006515 DOI: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.2008.00240.x

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are an increasingly common and important cause of a fever in a returning traveler. Systemic complications of STIs, human immunodeficiency virus seroconversion illness, and secondary syphilis are diagnoses that can easily be missed. We present a case of culture-negative disseminated gonococcal infection presenting with fever, malaise, polyarthralgia, arthritis, and a rash that developed following orogenital contact and was diagnosed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. This technology has major potential to improve the speed and sensitivity of diagnosis and consequent management of patients with this syndrome.
Study site: United Kingdom (patient had recent travel to Thailand and Malaysia)

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

Radiation exposure during travelling in Malaysia

Omar M, Hassan A, Sulaiman I

Radiat Prot Dosimetry, 2006;121(4):456-60.

PMID: 16702237

Absorbed dose rates in vehicles during travelling by different modes of transport in Malaysia were measured. Radiation levels measured on roads in Peninsular Malaysia were within a broad range, i.e. between 36 and 1560 nGy h(-1). The highest reading, recorded while travelling near monazite and zircon mineral dumps, was 13 times the mean environmental radiation level of Malaysia. It is evident that radioactive material dumps on the roadsides can influence the radiation level on the road. The absorbed dose rates measured while travelling on an ordinary train were between 60 and 350 nGy h(-1). The highest reading was measured when the train passed a tunnel built through a granite rock hill. The measurement during sea travelling by ferries gave the lowest radiation level owing to merely cosmic radiation at the sea level.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

Follicular cutaneous larva migrans: a report of three cases and review of the literature

Veraldi S, Persico MC, Francia C, Nazzaro G, Gianotti R

Int J Dermatol, 2013 Mar;52(3):327-30.

PMID: 23414157 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05723.x

Hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is characterized clinically by erythematous and slightly raised tracks, located especially on the feet. These tracks may be single or multiple, linear or serpiginous, more or less ramified and intertwined. The length is variable (up to many cm); the width ranges from 1 mm to 4 mm. Tracks are often accompanied by severe pruritus.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

Leptospirosis in a caver returned from Sarawak, Malaysia

Mortimer RB

Wilderness Environ Med, 2005;16(3):129-31.

PMID: 16209467

This article describes a case of leptospirosis in a man who returned from caving in Sarawak, Malaysia, and includes a discussion of epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. The patient presented with symptoms of leptospirosis, which was confirmed by microhemagglutination titers. He became infected despite taking doxycycline daily for malaria prophylaxis. Leptospirosis is an important consideration in any returned traveler with fever. The spirochete spreads from animals to humans via water. Caving in tropical endemic zones may increase exposure risk due to the combination of multiple skin abrasions with immersions. Water in caves may increase infection risk because of increased water pH. Standard prophylaxis may be inadequate in cases of high-risk exposures.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

Melioidosis imported into Nepal

Shrestha N, Sharma S, Khanal B, Bhatta N, Dhakal S

Scand. J. Infect. Dis., 2005;37(1):64-6.

PMID: 15764193

This is a report of the first recognized case of melioidosis in Nepal. Illness began 1 month after returning from Malaysia after a 1 y stay. The case highlights the importance of ascertaining the travel history in any patient with a suspected infectious disease in this age of global travel.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

[Hemorrhagic dengue fever after trip to Malaysia]

Hafner C, Koellner K, Vogt T, Landthaler M, Szeimies RM

Hautarzt, 2006 Aug;57(8):705-7.

PMID: 16283129

A 39-year-old patient developed a disseminated rash with scattered petechiae, fever, malaise and arthralgia after a trip to Malaysia. The patient displayed increasing dengue IgG titers and borderline dengue IgM titers. Dengue fever with a hemorrhagic course is a rare condition in adult patients. Patients who have previously had dengue fever and retained non-neutralizing heterotypic antibodies are more likely to develop this complication via the phenomenon of antibody-dependent enhancement.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

Provision of travel medicine advice through community pharmacies: assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices of pharmacists in Malaysia

Taha NA, See YL

Int J Pharm Pract, 2016 Oct;24(5):326-32.

PMID: 26914019 DOI: 10.1111/ijpp.12256

OBJECTIVES: The risk for travel-related illnesses has increased with significant growth in international travel, but very few travellers seek travel advice. Community pharmacists can play a vital role in the provision of travel medicine advice due to their accessibility. This study aimed to assess travel medicine knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) among community pharmacists in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

METHODS: A self-administered KAP questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of pharmacists in Kuala Lumpur identified from the list of licensed community pharmacists in Malaysia year 2014.

KEY FINDINGS: Questionnaires were returned by 111 pharmacists of 143 distributed (response rate, 78%). Most of the respondents (82%) were not trained in travel medicine. Overall, mean knowledge score was 4.4 ( ± 1.7), indicating a moderate level of knowledge on a variety of travel-related health issues. Community pharmacists who graduated from foreign universities possessed significantly higher knowledge scores than did those who graduated locally (P < 0.05). The majority had a positive attitude towards travel medicine. A vast majority provided travel medicine advice mainly to adults who travel as tourists, and the primary travel advice given was on traveller's diarrhoea.

CONCLUSION: There are gaps in the knowledge and practice of travel medicine among Malaysian pharmacists. Positive attitudes of pharmacists towards travel medicine and appropriate interventions, such as incorporation of travel medicine in local pharmacy curricula, continuous pharmacy education or certified training may improve the quality of travel advice given and allow pharmacists to be recognised as a credible source of information on travel medicine.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel Medicine/education*

[Tropical sprue as the cause of chronic diarrhea after travel to Southeast Asia]

Kirchgatterer A, Allinger S, Balon R, Tuppy H, Knoflach P

Z Gastroenterol, 1998 Oct;36(10):897-900.

PMID: 9846368

A 43-year-old woman developed abdominal pain and diarrhea following a travel to Malaysia. Examinations in another hospital proved no evidence of infection, an empirical antibiotic therapy with ciprofloxacin yielded no benefit. One and a half year later, the patient was admitted to our department because of persistent diarrhea and wasting. Laboratory tests showed megaloblastic anemia, folate deficiency and steatorrhea. Stool specimens for bacterial pathogens and parasites were negative. Endoscopy and biopsy from the distal portion of the duodenum revealed broadening and shortening of the villi and an increased infiltration of the lamina propria by chronic inflammatory cells (plasma cells and lymphocytes). In conclusion, diagnosis of tropical sprue was established. The therapy comprised of tetracycline for six weeks and folic acid for six months. Subsequently, the diarrhea disappeared, the patient continuously gained weight and was free of any complaints. The complete remission following this regimen proved the suspected diagnosis. Differential diagnosis in any patient who recently returned from the tropics may be a challenge. Tropical sprue predominantly occurs during or after a longer stay in endemic areas. However, if chronic diarrhea and signs of malabsorption develop after a short journey to India, South-East Asia and parts of the Caribbean, tropical sprue has to be considered, too.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

[A case of Guillain-Barré syndrome after the travel in southeast Asia--isolation of Campylobacter jejuni PEN 5 serotype]

Koide T, Yamazaki M, Onishi Y, Saito K, Yuki N

Rinsho Shinkeigaku, 1997 Jan;37(1):41-3.

PMID: 9146072

A 57-year-old man, while on travel in Malaysia, suffered from diarrhea after he ate fruits. He developed limbs weakness without sensory disturbance after his return to Japan. Serum from the patient had high IgG anti-GM1 antibody titer. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from his stool. The serotype belonged to PEN 5. The patient received double-filtration plasmapheresis 7 times during from days 6 to 17. Muscle strength began to recover gradually on day 10, and returned to normal 5 months after the onset of neurologic symptoms. Repeated neurophysiologic studies indicated that the axonal degeneration of motor nerves was predominant process. This case suggests that Guillain-Barré syndrome is a complication of traveler's diarrhea.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

Prevalence of infection with dengue virus among international travelers

Jelinek T, Dobler G, Hölscher M, Löscher T, Nothdurft HD

Arch. Intern. Med., 1997 Nov 10;157(20):2367-70.

PMID: 9361578 DOI: 10.1001/archinte.1997.00440410099011

BACKGROUND: Dengue has been recognized as a potential hazard to tourists. A prospective, controlled study in the outpatient clinic of a German infectious disease clinic was conducted to assess the prevalence of dengue virus infection among international travelers.
METHODS: Serum samples from 130 patients with signs or recent history clinically compatible with dengue (fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, or rash), 95 matched controls with diarrhea, and 26 patients who never visited a country endemic for dengue were investigated.
RESULTS: Nine (6.9%) of the 130 patients with compatible symptoms and 1 (1%) of the 95 controls with diarrhea developed rising antibody titers against dengue virus. Of these 10 patients with probable dengue infection, 6 had been to Thailand, 2 to Malaysia, and 1 each to Indonesia and Brazil.
CONCLUSIONS: Infection with dengue virus appears to be a realistic threat to travelers to Southeast Asia. Symptoms commonly associated with dengue, such as fever, myalgia, arthralgia, and vomiting, can be helpful for diagnosis when present, but the absence of typical symptoms does not exclude infection.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel/statistics & numerical data*

A case of Japanese encephalitis

Burdon JT, Stanley PJ, Lloyd G, Jones NC

J Infect, 1994 Mar;28(2):175-9.

PMID: 8034997

We report a case of Japanese encephalitis that occurred in a woman who had spent only a few days in an area where she could have been exposed to the virus. The risks and protective efficacy of vaccination against Japanese encephalitis virus for travellers who visit endemic areas for only a short period are discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Injections, Intravenous; Travel*

Fulltext Safe travel--a worthwhile destination

Krishnan R

World Health Forum, 1992;13(2-3):163-4.

PMID: 1418328

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

Unhealthy travelers present challenges to sustainable primate ecotourism

Muehlenbein MP, Martinez LA, Lemke AA, Ambu L, Nathan S, Alsisto S, et al.

Travel Med Infect Dis, 2010 May;8(3):169-75.

PMID: 20541137 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2010.03.004

Ecotourism can function as a powerful tool for species conservation. However, a significant proportion of travelers at wildlife sanctuaries may be ill and potentially infectious, creating unnecessary risk of pathogen transmission to wildlife.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

Health problems among international travellers: from a subtropical region to tropical and non-tropical regions

Pai HH, Lai JL

Travel Med Infect Dis, 2008 Jul;6(4):201-4.

PMID: 18571109 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2008.03.001

International travel may be associated with the risk of a wide range of infectious diseases. This study was designed to obtain information on the health problems among international travellers from a subtropical region to the neighbouring tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. Health problems among international travellers from Taiwan to the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand (tropical group), Hong Kong, Macao, China and Japan (non-tropical group) were surveyed through the telephone. Of 649 travellers surveyed, 8.2% had one or more health problems and insect bite (3.4%) and coughing or sore throats (3.2%) were the most important symptoms. The rate of coughing or sore throats was significantly higher among those returned from the non-tropical regions. However, no associations were found between health problems and the demographic factors, travel style or travelling duration of travel.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

Dengue maculopathy: a case report

Tan SY, Kumar G, Surrun SK, Ong YY

Travel Med Infect Dis, 2007 Jan;5(1):62-3.

PMID: 17161325

Dengue fever is endemic in many countries of South East Asia. In spite of the occasional epidemics, dengue maculopathy remains a rare entity.

Matched MeSH terms: Travel*

Itching for a diagnosis - A travel medicine perspective on delusional infestation

Maher S, Hallahan B, Flaherty G

Travel Med Infect Dis, 2017 05 31;18:70-72.

PMID: 28576666 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2017.05.011

Matched MeSH terms: Travel Medicine*

Displaying publications 121 - 140 of 266 in total