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Fulltext The impacts of climate variability on cholera cases in Malaysia.

Hassan NA, Hashim JH , Hassan NA, Wan Puteh SE, Hassan NA , Hashim JH, Hashim JH, Wan Mahiyuddin WR, et al.

IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia, 2020;19(1):75-83.
MyJurnal

Altered weather patterns and changes in precipitation, temperature and humidity resulting from climate change could affect the distribution and incidence of cholera. This study is to quantify climate-induced increase in morbidity rates of cholera. Material and Methods:Monthly cholera cases and monthly temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity data from 2004 to 2014 were obtained from the Malaysian Ministry of Health and Malaysian Meteorological Department, respectively. Poisson generalized linear models were developed to quantify the relationship between meteorological parameters and the number of reported cholera cases. Results:The findings revealed that the total number of cholera cases in Malaysia during the 11 year study period was 3841 cases with 32 deaths. Out of these, 45.1% of the cases were among children below 12 years old and 75% of the cases were from Sabah. Temperature and precipitation gave significant impact on the cholera cases in Sabah, (p
Impact of Climate Change on Air Quality and Public Health in Urban Areas

Hassan NA, Hashim Z, Hashim JH

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2016 Mar;28(2 Suppl):38S-48S.
PMID: 26141092 DOI: 10.1177/1010539515592951

This review discusses how climate undergo changes and the effect of climate change on air quality as well as public health. It also covers the inter relationship between climate and air quality. The air quality discussed here are in relation to the 5 criteria pollutants; ozone (O3), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM). Urban air pollution is the main concern due to higher anthropogenic activities in urban areas. The implications on health are also discussed. Mitigating measures are presented with the final conclusion.
Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan (DXA) findings in diabetic and non-diabetic female: A retrospective cohort study

Jawhar DS, Hassan NA, Shamssain MH

Med J Malaysia, 2020 01;75(1):47-51.
PMID: 32008020

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is a silent disease which has an effect on bone structure. Studies on the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) revealed conflicting results. We conducted a
study to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis in females with T2DM and compare dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan results between diabetic and non-diabetic females in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed hospital records and DXA scan measurements of 635 patients at tertiary hospital in Ajman, UAE. Patients with T2DM were compared to non-diabetic control group. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20. Student’s t test was used for continuous variables, while chi-square test for categorical variables. Relative risk (RR) and it’s 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) were calculated for prevalence
of osteoporosis among the two group.
RESULTS: In all 141 patients in the diabetic group and 428 patients in the control group, while 66 patients were
excluded based on exclusion criteria. Prevalence of osteoporosis was significantly higher in diabetic group (RR:
1.2, 95%CI: 1.1, 1.2). BMD and T-score values were similar in diabetic and control groups. Z-score values of lumbar spine, L1 and L3 were significantly higher in diabetic group. Obese patients have significantly higher BMD than non-obese in both studied groups. Younger diabetic patient had significantly higher value of BMD, T-score and Z-score in left femur total hip.
CONCLUSION: Although BMD and T-score values were similar between the two groups, women with T2DM had significant higher prevalence of osteoporosis.
A study on exposure to cyanide among a community living near a gold mine in Malaysia

Hassan NA, Sahani M, Hod R, Yahya NA

J Environ Health, 2015 1 27;77(6):42-8.
PMID: 25619035

Cyanidation in gold extraction has detrimental impacts on the ecosystem and the population in surrounding areas. The research described in this article aimed to assess the health effects of environmental exposure to cyanide in a community near a gold mining area in Malaysia. A total of 255 members of the exposed community and 117 members of the control community answered questionnaires on their exposure to a gold mine and health outcomes. Urine samples were collected for biomarker assessment (i.e., urinary thiocyanate). The authors found that the mean level of urinary thiocyanate was significantly higher among the exposed community (0.30 ± 0.26 mg/dL) than the control community (0.24 ± 0.23 mg/dL) (p = .0021). The exposed community had a significantly higher prevalence of headaches (prevalence odds ratio [pOR] = 2.6, p = .001), dizziness (pOR = 3.7, p < .001), skin irritation (pOR = 2.1, p = .040), and eye irritation (pOR = 5.1, p = .004). No association occurred between dietary exposure and urinary biomarkers. Smokers living near a gold mine had a higher urinary thiocyanate level (0.56 mg/dL) than smokers in the control community (0.49 mg/dL).
S-band multiwavelength ring Brillouin/Raman fiber laser with 20 GHz channel spacing

Ahmad H, Zulkifli MZ, Hassan NA, Harun SW

Appl Opt, 2012 Apr 10;51(11):1811-5.
PMID: 22505174 DOI: 10.1364/AO.51.001811

We propose and demonstrate a tunable S-band multiwavelength Brillouin/Raman fiber laser (MBRFL) with a tuning range of between 1490 to 1530 nm. The proposed MBRFL is designed around a 7.7 km long dispersion compensating fiber in a simple ring configuration, acting as a nonlinear medium for the generation of multiple wavelengths from stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and also as a nonlinear gain medium for stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) amplification. A laser source with a maximum power of 12 dBm acts as the Brillouin pump (BP), while two 1420 nm laser diodes with a total power of 26 dBm act as the Raman pumps (RPs). The MBRFL can generate a multiwavelength comb consisting of even and odd Stokes at an average power of -12 dBm and -14 dBm respectively, and by separating the even and odd Stokes outputs, a 20 GHz channel spacing is obtained between two consecutive wavelengths. Due to the four-wave mixing (FWM) effect, anti-Stokes lines are also observed. The multiwavelength comb generated is not dependent on the BP, thus providing high stability and repeatability and making it a highly potential source for many real-world applications. This is the first time, to the knowledge of the authors, that a tunable MBRFL has been developed using SRS to obtain gain in the S-band region.
Detection and discrimination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex

Issa R, Mohd Hassan NA, Abdul H, Hashim SH, Seradja VH, Abdul Sani A

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 2012 Jan;72(1):62-7.
PMID: 22078904 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2011.09.021

A real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was developed for detection and discrimination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv and H37Ra) and M. bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) from mycobacterial other than tuberculosis (MOTT). It was based on the melting curve (Tm) analysis of the gyrB gene using SYBR(®) Green I detection dye and the LightCycler 1.5 system. The optimal conditions for the assay were 0.25 μmol/L of primers with 3.1 mmol/L of MgCl(2) and 45 cycles of amplification. For M. tuberculosis (H37Rv and H37Ra) and M. bovis BCG of the MTBC, we detected the crossing points (Cp) at cycles of 16.96 ± 0.07, 18.02 ± 0.14, and 18.62 ± 0.09, respectively, while the Tm values were 90.19 ± 0.06 °C, 90.27 ± 0.09 °C, and 89.81 ± 0.04 °C, respectively. The assay was sensitive and rapid with a detection limit of 10 pg of the DNA template within 35 min. In this study, the Tm analysis of the qPCR assay was applied for the detection and discrimination of MTBC from MOTT.
Isolation and characterization of a Pseudomonas diesel-degrading strain from Antarctica

Shukor MY, Hassan NA, Jusoh AZ, Perumal N, Shamaan NA, MacCormack WP, et al.

J Environ Biol, 2009 Jan;30(1):1-6.
PMID: 20112855

A diesel-degrading bacterium from Antarctica has been isolated. The isolate was tentatively identified as Pseudomonas sp. strain DRYJ3 based on partial 16S rDNA molecular phylogeny and Biolog GN microplate panels and Microlog database. Growth on diesel was supported optimally by ammonium sulphate, nitrate and nitrite. The bacterium grew optimally in between 10 and 15 degrees C, pH 7.0 and 3.5% (v/v) diesel. The biodegradation of diesel oil by the strain increased in efficiency from the second to the sixth day of incubation from 1.4 to 18.8% before levelling off on the eighth day n-alkane oxidizing and aldehyde reductase activities were detected in the crude enzyme preparation suggesting the existence of terminal n-alkane oxidizing activity in this bacterium.
Molecular characterization of Trichuris species isolated from humans, dogs and cats in a rural community in Peninsular Malaysia

Mohd-Shaharuddin N, Lim YAL, Hassan NA, Nathan S, Ngui R

Acta Trop, 2019 Feb;190:269-272.
PMID: 30500371 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.11.026

Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) are soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) that causing trichuriasis in human. Trichuris vulpis, a canine whipworm has also been reported occasionally in humans. However, an overlapping dimension in the morphology and due to limited external characters between both species may lead to the potential for misidentification. Although there has been an extensive study on the distribution of whipworm in both human and animal hosts, little is known about the molecular epidemiology of Trichuris species in both hosts. To investigate to characterize the whipworm species and to determine the genetic relationship between species infecting both humans and animals, we sequenced the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) regions of Trichuris egg isolated from humans, dogs and cats in a rural community in Malaysia. A total of 524 fresh fecal samples were collected from humans and animals. The overall prevalence of Trichuris was 59.9% as determined by microscopy examination. The molecular analysis showed that 98.7% were identified as T. trichiura in the human fecal sample. Interestingly, 1.3% were identified as T. vulpis. As for animal fecal sample, 56.8% and 43.2% were identified as T. trichiura and T. vulpis, respectively. Phylogenetic and sequence analysis demonstrated that T. trichiura isolates were genetically distinct from T. vulpis isolates from both hosts. This finding implies that companion animals can be a reservoir and mechanical transmitter for T. trichiura infection in human and also highlighting the possible zoonotic potential of T. vulpis. This finding may also suggest that cross-transmission between humans and animal hosts in sympatric setting may be a source of infection in both hosts. More studies are needed to better understand the transmission dynamic and public health significance of Trichuris infection in both hosts.
Fulltext Mechanical Performance of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Modified with Waste Frying Oil and Crumb Rubber

Bilema M, Aman MY, Hassan NA, Memon ZA, Omar HA, Yusoff NIM, et al.

Materials (Basel), 2021 May 24;14(11).
PMID: 34073812 DOI: 10.3390/ma14112781

Researchers are exploring the utilisation of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) as a recycled material to determine the performance of non-renewable natural aggregates and other road products such as asphalt binder, in the construction and rehabilitation stage of asphalt pavements. The addition of RAP in asphalt mixtures is a complex process and there is a need to understand the design of the asphalt mixture. Some of the problems associated with adding RAP to asphalt mixtures are moisture damage and cracking damage caused by poor adhesion between the aggregates and asphalt binder. There is a need to add rejuvenators to the recycled mixture containing RAP to enhance its performance, excepting the rutting resistance. This study sought to improve asphalt mixture performance and mechanism by adding waste frying oil (WFO) and crumb rubber (CR) to 25 and 40% of the RAP content. Moreover, the utilisation of CR and WFO improved pavement sustainability and rutting performance. In addition, this study prepared five asphalt mixture samples and compared their stiffness, moisture damage and rutting resistance with the virgin asphalt. The results showed enhanced stiffness and rutting resistance of the RAP but lower moisture resistance. The addition of WFO and CR restored the RAP properties and produced rutting resistance, moisture damage and stiffness, which were comparable to the virgin asphalt mixture. All waste and virgin materials produce homogeneous asphalt mixtures, which influence the asphalt mixture performance. The addition of a high amount of WFO and a small amount of CR enhanced pavement sustainability and rutting performance.
Fulltext Short-Term Forecasting of Daily Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Malaysia Using RF-SSA Model

Shaharudin SM, Ismail S, Hassan NA, Tan ML, Sulaiman NAF

Front Public Health, 2021;9:604093.
PMID: 34195166 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.604093

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was discovered in Wuhan, China in December 2019, and has affected millions of lives worldwide. On 29th April 2020, Malaysia reported more than 5,000 COVID-19 cases; the second highest in the Southeast Asian region after Singapore. Recently, a forecasting model was developed to measure and predict COVID-19 cases in Malaysia on daily basis for the next 10 days using previously-confirmed cases. A Recurrent Forecasting-Singular Spectrum Analysis (RF-SSA) is proposed by establishing L and ET parameters via several tests. The advantage of using this forecasting model is it would discriminate noise in a time series trend and produce significant forecasting results. The RF-SSA model assessment was based on the official COVID-19 data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) to predict daily confirmed cases between 30th April and 31st May, 2020. These results revealed that parameter L = 5 (T/20) for the RF-SSA model was indeed suitable for short-time series outbreak data, while the appropriate number of eigentriples was integral as it influenced the forecasting results. Evidently, the RF-SSA had over-forecasted the cases by 0.36%. This signifies the competence of RF-SSA in predicting the impending number of COVID-19 cases. Nonetheless, an enhanced RF-SSA algorithm should be developed for higher effectivity of capturing any extreme data changes.
Fulltext Molecular Diagnosis of Microsporidia among Immunocompromised Patients in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Hassan NA, Lim YAL, Mahmud R, Mohd-Shaharuddin N, Wan Sulaiman WY, Ngui R

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2018 Dec;99(6):1562-1566.
PMID: 30382015 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0901

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasitic fungi causing chronic diarrhea, particularly among immunocompromised patients. The current method used for diagnosis is based on conventional microscopy, which does not differentiate parasites at the species level. The present study was carried out to identify microsporidian species in immunocompromised patients. From March 2016 to March 2017, a total of 289 archived stool samples were examined microscopically for microsporidian spores using Gram-chromotrope Kinyoun (GCK) stain. Positive stool samples by microscopy were subjected to polymerase chain reaction and sequencing for species identification. Based on microscopy examination, the overall prevalence of microsporidian infections was 32.2% (93/289; 95% CI = 27.1-37.8). Of these stool samples, 45 samples were successfully amplified and confirmed as Enterocytozoon bieneusi. No Encephalitozoon intestinalis was detected. Accurate identification of species might help clinicians to decide appropriate management strategies as dissemination risks and treatment response vary for different species, hence improving the management of microsporidian infections.
Copro-molecular identification of intestinal nematode infections in a rural community in East Malaysia

Hassan NA, Thodsapol A, Lim YAL, Wan Sulaiman WY, Sidi Omar SFN, Umsakul K, et al.

Parasitol Int, 2021 Feb;80:102237.
PMID: 33144195 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102237

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are the most common intestinal parasitic infections of medical importance in humans. The infections are widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical countries, particularly among disadvantaged and underprivileged communities. In Malaysia, STH infections is highly prevalent, especially among the indigenous groups. However, species identification through molecular studies is still lacking. Using molecular techniques, this study was conducted to identify STH species that infect humans. Faecal samples were collected from three Iban tribal longhouses in the rural area of Sarikei Division, Sarawak. Positive faecal samples by microscopy were subjected to PCR and sequenced for species identification. Based on the microscopy examination, the most prevalent STH infection was Ascaris, followed by hookworm and Trichuris. All microscopy-positive samples were then PCR-amplified. The amplicons were sequenced, aligned, and compared with other sequences in the GenBank database. The results showed that Ascaris lumbricoides was the predominant STH species, followed by Trichuris trichiura, Ancylostoma duodenale, and Necator americanus. Our findings were contradictory to past studies, as we showed that A. duodenale was more abundant than N. americanus. Socioeconomic improvement and health education programs should be included in the management and prevention of public health strategies against STH.
Fulltext Effects of Waste Frying Oil and Crumb Rubber on the Characteristics of a Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Binder

Bilema M, Aman MY, Hassan NA, Al-Saffar Z, Mashaan NS, Memon ZA, et al.

Materials (Basel), 2021 Jun 23;14(13).
PMID: 34201413 DOI: 10.3390/ma14133482

The reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has become a moderately common practice in most countries; Hence, rejuvenating materials with RAP have earned publicity in the asphalt manufacturers, mainly due to the increasing raw material costs. In this study, the crumb rubber (CR) and waste frying oil (WFO) utilized as waste materials to restore the properties and enhance the rutting resistance of the RAP. Several physical, rheological, chemical properties of bituminous binders were tested. The result showed that the RAP bituminous binders incorporating WFO and CR decreased softening points and the increased penetration value; these translate to an increase in penetration index. Moreover, the viscosity of the WFO/CR combination reclaimed asphalt pavement binder showed better workability and stiffness, as well as a low storage stability temperature (less than 2.2 °C) with an acceptable loss upon heating. Without chemical reaction was observed between the waste-frying oil with the rubberized binder and the reclaimed asphalt pavement binder. Additionally, the WFO/CR rheological properties combined with the reclaimed asphalt pavement binder were comparable to the control sample. The incorporation of CR with WFO as a hybrid rejuvenator enhanced the rutting resistance. Therefore, the presence of WFO/CR has a considerable influence on the RAP binder properties while preserving a better environment and reducing pollution by reusing waste materials.
Oral bacteria detection among children with cancer in a tertiary teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Sidi Omar SFN, Ngui R, Ab Rahman SZ, Foo JC, Wang QY, Hassan NA, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2021 Sep 01;38(3):276-282.
PMID: 34362870 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.3.068

This study sought to determine the prevalence of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavities of children with cancer. There were 68 paediatric patients with cancer who were included in this study. Oral swab samples from the dorsum of tongues and mouth floors of these patients were subjected to culture, staining, and molecular methods to detect the bacteria. The overall prevalence of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was 79.4% (54/68; 95% CI = 68.4 - 87.3) and 25% (17/68; 95% CI = 16.2 - 36.4), respectively. Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus parasanguinis were the predominant pathogenic grampositive bacteria, while Neisseria subflava and Neisseria perflava were the most common pathogenic gram-negative bacteria. The results revealed that the number of bacteria isolates recovered in patients receiving cancer treatment was higher (55.9%) than those who had not received treatment (16.2%). Therefore, more isolated pathogenic bacteria were observed post-therapy (54.4%). Pathogenic organisms can have significant implications on patient health. Awareness of the types of bacteria inhabiting the oral cavity is essential to predict and prevent dental problems, and their associated systemic complications. Findings on the diversity of oral microflora can also provide a better understanding of the aetiology of oral diseases in paediatric patients receiving cancer treatment.
Toxoplasma gondii infection among selected indigenous community in Sarawak, East Malaysia

Ngui R, Hassan NA, Chang LY, Teh SJC, Chua KH, Kee BP, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2020 Mar 01;37(1):155-164.
PMID: 33612726

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis in humans. To date, little is known about T. gondii infection among the indigenous community, particularly in East Malaysia. This study was conducted to determine the status of T. gondii infection and to investigate associated risk factors among the indigenous community of Sarawak, East Malaysia. The sociodemographic data was obtained using a pretested questionnaire. A serological test was done to detect the presence of specific IgM and IgG antibodies against T. gondii in serum samples. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine acute infection among seropositive individuals. The overall seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 50% (95% CI = 43.3 - 56.7). From this subset, 40.1%, 5.7%, and 4.2% were positive for anti-T. Gondii IgG antibodies, IgM, and both IgG and IgM, respectively. Four seropositive samples were amplified through PCR. None of the pregnant women tested positive for T. gondii infection based on the serological and PCR assays. A significant association was found between age, low monthly household income, unemployment, usage of untreated water and close contact with T. gondii seropositive cats. These results provide basic information on T. gondii infection and may be useful for policymakers to initiate prevention and control programs, especially amongst pregnant women and women of childbearing age in the indigenous community.
Fulltext Investigation of the impacts of climate change and rising temperature on food poisoning cases in Malaysia

Hassan NA, Hashim JH, Wan Puteh SE, Wan Mahiyuddin WR, Mohd MSF, Shaharudin SM, et al.

PLoS One, 2023;18(10):e0283133.
PMID: 37862373 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283133

This study is an attempt to investigate climate-induced increases in morbidity rates of food poisoning cases. Monthly food poisoning cases, average monthly meteorological data, and population data from 2004 to 2014 were obtained from the Malaysian Ministry of Health, Malaysian Meteorological Department, and Department of Statistics Malaysia, respectively. Poisson generalised linear models were developed to assess the association between climatic parameters and the number of reported food poisoning cases. The findings revealed that the food poisoning incidence in Malaysia during the 11 years study period was 561 cases per 100 000 population for the whole country. Among the cases, females and the ethnic Malays most frequently experienced food poisoning with incidence rates of 313 cases per 100,000 and 438 cases per 100,000 population over the period of 11 years, respectively. Most of the cases occurred within the active age of 13 to 35 years old. Temperature gave a significant impact on the incidence of food poisoning cases in Selangor (95% CI: 1.033-1.479; p = 0.020), Melaka (95% CI: 1.046-2.080; p = 0.027), Kelantan (95% CI: 1.129-1.958; p = 0.005), and Sabah (95% CI: 1.127-2.690; p = 0.012) while rainfall was a protective factor in Terengganu (95% CI: 0.996-0.999; p = 0.034) at lag 0 month. For a 1.0°C increase in temperature, the excess risk of food poisoning in each state can increase up to 74.1%, whereas for every 50 mm increase in rainfall, the risk of getting food poisoning decreased by almost 10%. The study concludes that climate does affect the distribution of food poisoning cases in Selangor, Melaka, Kelantan, Sabah, and Terengganu. Food poisoning cases in other states are not directly associated with temperature but related to monthly trends and seasonality.
Copro-molecular study of Entamoeba infection among the indigenous community in Malaysia: A first report on the species-specific prevalence of Entamoeba in dogs

Ngui R, Hassan NA, Nordin NMS, Mohd-Shaharuddin N, Chang LY, Teh CSJ, et al.

Acta Trop, 2020 Apr;204:105334.
PMID: 31926914 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105334

BACKGROUND: Entamoeba is a free-living protozoan parasitic species that infect a variety of hosts. In humans, Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amoebiasis. Entamoeba species has also been reported in dogs. However, little is known about the molecular epidemiology and the specific species of this parasite in dogs globally, including Malaysia. As dogs are important companion animals for the indigenous community, and close contact with dogs is part of the natural living conditions for this community, this study aims to determine the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of Entamoeba species in human and dogs in Malaysia.
METHOD: The presence of Entamoeba species was examined in 504 fresh fecal samples, collected randomly from 411 humans and 93 dogs using microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifying 16 s ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Data was analyzed using appropriate statistical analysis.
RESULTS: The microscopy data showed an overall occurrence of Entamoeba species of 26.3% (108/411) and 36.6% (34/93) in humans and dogs respectively. In humans, the most common species was a single infection of E. dispar (26.5%; 13/49), followed by E. histolytica and E. moshkovskii, (20.4% for each species respectively). Double infection of E. dispar + E. moshkovskii was detected at 10.2%, followed by E. dispar + E. histolytica (8.2%) and E. moshkovskii and E. histolytica (6.1%). 8.2% of the samples had triple infection with all three species. In animals, E. moshkovskii (46.7%) was the most common species detected, followed by E. histolytica, and E. dispar, at 20.0% and 13.3% respectively. Double infection with E. moshkovskii + E. histolytica and a triple infection were found in 2 samples (13.3%) and 1 (6.7%) sample respectively. Risk factor analysis showed that members of the community who used untreated water were more prone to be infected with Entamoeba.
CONCLUSION: This study provides information on the species-specific occurrence of Entamoeba infection, the potential risk factors and their zoonotic potential to humans. This is the first report to describe the molecular occurrence of Entamoeba species in dogs in Malaysia. The presence of pathogenic Entamoeba species implies that dogs could be a reservoir or mechanical host for human amoebiasis. Further studies need to be conducted to better understand the transmission dynamics and public health significance of Entamoeba species in human and animal hosts.

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