MyMedR

Fulltext Antibacterial activity of extracted hemolymph from larvae and pupae of local fly species, Musca domestica and Chrysomya megacephala

Ahmad Zorin Sahalan, Baharudin Omar, Aima Yusirah Mohamed, Jeffery, John

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2006;4(2):1-11.

MyJurnal

Natural peptides in insect vectors played an important role in the control of
pathogens. Musca domestica Linnaeus and Chrysomya megacephala Fabricius were
two species of local fly chosen to detect presence of antimicrobial peptide substance.
The screening of the antimicrobial activity was carried using a spectrophotometric
method. Results were obtained much quicker and less laborious. The results showed
larva hemolymph of M. domestica lysed Bacillus subtilis and two Gram negatives,
Escherichia coli and Pseudomona. aeruginosa. The pupae hemolymph only lysed E.
coli. Whereas, the hemolymph of C. megacephala larva showed bactericidal effect
against both of the Gram positives tested, i.e. B. subtilis and Staph. aureus. and no
effect was against the Gram negatives. The pupa showed lytic activity against Staph.
aureus and P. aeruginosa. As a conclusion, the larva and pupa hemolymph of M.
domestica and C. megacephala demonstrated antibacterial activity. However, larva
hemolymph of M. domestica and C. megacephala has broader antibacterial activity
against both Gram positive and negative bacteria.

Fulltext A bionomic study of Hymenopteran parasitoids at the Taman Beringin landfill in Kepong and a poultry farm in Sungai Pelek, Selangor, Malaysia

Baharudin Omar, Raja M. Zuha Raja Kamal, Goh, Daniel Chuan Lee, Wan Omar Abdullah, Jeffery, John

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2008;6(2):15-21.

MyJurnal

A four-month cross-sectional study found five species of parasitoids parasitizing puparia of filth flies breeding at the Taman Beringin landfill in Kepong and a poultry farm in Sungai Pelek, Sepang, Selangor. Effect of monthly rainfalls towards density of flies and percentage of parasitoids emerging from collected puparia were also analyzed. Spalangia sp. was the most common, consisting of Spalangia endius Walker, S. cameroni Perkins and S. gemina Boucek. Other parasitoids collected were Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae Rondani and Exoristobia phillipinensis Ashmead. The parasitized fly hosts were Musca domestica Linn. and Chrysomya megacephala Fabricius. S. endius was the most common parasitoid attacking M. domestica at both locations. M. domestica was the most common fly found at the Sg. Pelek poultry farm whereas C. megacephala was the most numerous at the Taman Beringin landfill. During heavy rainfall month of November 2003, density of flies were high whereas the emerging parasitoids were low at both landfill and poultry farm. The present study revealed the endemic presence of parasitoids especially S. endius in both poultry farm and garbage landfill and the potential of the parasitoid species in fly control in Malaysia.

Fulltext Flies specimens collected from Agricultural Park, Teluk Cempedak and Bukit Pelindung in Kuantan, Pahang

Heo, Chong Chin, Mohamad Abdullah Marwi, Jeffery, John, Ismarulyusda Ishak, Baharudin Omar

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2008;6(2):93-99.

MyJurnal

This study was carried out in Agricultural Park, Teluk Cempedak and Bukit Pelindung at Kuantan, Pahang in October 2007. These three areas were different in ecological characteristic, Agricultural Park is a lowland region in Kuantan rural area, Teluk Cempedak is Kuantan’s most famous beach, and Bukit Pelindung is a reserved rainforest which is 200 meters from the sea level. Fly specimens were collected using four different kinds of baits: dry prawn, salted fish, pork and mango. Each of these baits was placed in a plastic container and exposed for one hour to attract flies. Within 5 minutes, flies started swarming around the baits. The flies were more attracted to the pork and salted fish compared to the other two baits. Fifty one flies, one moth (Lepidoptera) and one wasp (Hymenoptera) were collected. In Agricultural Park, two Lucilia cuprina, one Chrysomya megacephala and one Sarcophaga sp. were collected. For Teluk Cempedak beach, there were two Sarcophagids, 31 Chrysomya megacephala, five Musca domestica, one Lucilia cuprina and one moth were caught. Flies collected from Bukit Pelindung included five C.megacephala, two Sarcophagids, one Musca domestica and one wasp. Most C.megacephala were attracted to the pork and salted fish.

Fulltext Descriptions of the larval instars of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a species of forensic importance in Malaysia

Raja M. Zuha Raja Kamal, Mohamed Abdullah Marwi, Jeffery, John, Ahmad Firdaus Mohd. Salleh, Wan Omar Abdullah, Baharudin Omar

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2008;6(2):35-41.

MyJurnal

The anatomical structures of the first, second and third instars of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) were examined by light microscopy. Observations were documented on the three main characteristics; the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, anterior spiracle and posterior spiracle. The first instar larva bore cornuae of fairly pigmented delineation with slim hypostomal sclerite and distinct dental sclerite. First instar did not have obscured anterior spiracle but posterior spiracles were obscured with thin lining of opened peritreme. Intersegmental spines were evident. The second instar larva displayed a prominent anterodorsal process approaching closer to hypostomal sclerite while upper margin of the dorsal cornua was slightly pigmented. Each anterior spiracle consisted of nine to ten papillae, arranged in a single row. Peritreme of the posterior spiracle thick, opening at the end of peritreme was not wide and confined to two spiracular slits. The third instar larva showed a prominent arch of the ventral cornua with broad and bold appearance. It approached the dorsal cornua and became narrow at the incision median. The anterior spiracle consisted of a single row of nine to ten papillae while intersegmental spine could be identified with one to three dark pigmented tips. A dark pigmented and wide periterime was observed confining three short and thick spiracular slits while button was poorly pigmented. The most distinctive feature of this second and third instar larva was the slender, thorn-like tubercle with numerous spined tips on the middle line segment of the body. These findings provide identification features of C. rufifacies larvae instars.

Fulltext Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) associated with pig carrions in Malaysia

Heo, Chong Chin, Mohamad Abdullah Marwi, Jeffery, John, Sofian-azirun, M., Chen, Chee Dhang, Wan Omar Abdullah, et al.

Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 2010;8(1):1-4.

MyJurnal

An entomological study was conducted in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, Malaysia in May until September 2007 revealing five species of butterflies (all from family Nymphalidae) were attracted to pig carcasses placed in an oil palm plantation. Euploea mulciber (Cramer 1777), Hypolimnas bolina (Linnaeus 1758), Elymnias hypermnestra (Linnaeus 1763), Mycalesis mineus (Linnaeus 1758) and Ypthima baldus (Fabricius 1775) came to the carcasses at different stages of decomposition. From this study, we know that nymphalid butterflies are attracted to carcasses but their roles are most probably unimportant in post-mortem estimation.

Chrysomya bezziana (Diptera: Calliphoridae) infestation: case report of three dogs in Malaysia treated with spinosad/milbemycin

Han HS, Sharma R, Jeffery J, Noli C

Vet Dermatol, 2017 Apr;28(2):239-e62.

PMID: 27918123 DOI: 10.1111/vde.12403

BACKGROUND: Infestation of wounds with the larvae of Callophorid flies is relatively common in countries where these parasites are found. The most common species associated with infections in Southeast Asia is Chrysomya bezziana (Ch. bezziana), the Old World screw worm. Treatment consists of either subcutaneous injection of ivermectin or oral administration of nitenpyram combined with aggressive tissue debridement under general anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the treatment of cutaneous myiasis in three dogs caused by the larvae of Ch. bezziana in Malaysia and their treatment with spinosad plus milbemycin.

RESULTS: In all dogs, a single oral dose of spinosad plus milbemycin at the recommended dosage of 31-62 mg/kg and 0.5-1.0 mg/kg, respectively, was able to kill all larvae within 8 h. Most dead larvae fell off the host and those remaining on the host were dead and easily removed with simple saline flushing and gentle debridement. Neither general anaesthesia nor aggressive mechanical debridement were needed in any patient.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Oral spinosad plus milbemycin is a safe, licensed and effective treatment at the recommended dose for the rapid elimination of Ch. bezziana myiasis, with no need for sedation or anaesthesia.

Fulltext On the occurrence of Musca domestica L oviposition activity on pig carcass in peninsular Malaysia

Heo CC, Mohamad AM, Jeffery J, Kurahashi H, Omar B

Trop Biomed, 2008 Dec;25(3):252-3.

PMID: 19287365

A forensic entomological study conducted in an oil palm plantation in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, Malaysia on 3 August 2007 revealed that a housefly, Musca domestica Linnaeus oviposited its eggs on a freshly dead pig. This finding indicated that housefly might play an important role in forensic investigation in determining post-mortem interval (PMI), although it was not yet found in human corpses or any animal carrion. This preliminary paper presented a first record of Musca domestica eggs found on animal carcass in the country.

Fulltext Study of insect succession and rate of decomposition on a partially burned pig carcass in an oil palm plantation in Malaysia

Heo CC, Mohamad AM, Ahmad FM, Jeffery J, Kurahashi H, Omar B

Trop Biomed, 2008 Dec;25(3):202-8.

PMID: 19287358

Insects found associated with corpse can be used as one of the indicators in estimating postmortem interval (PMI). The objective of this study was to compare the stages of decomposition and faunal succession between a partially burnt pig (Sus scrofa Linnaeus) and natural pig (as control). The burning simulated a real crime whereby the victim was burnt by murderer. Two young pigs weighed approximately 10 kg were used in this study. Both pigs died from pneumonia and immediately placed in an oil palm plantation near a pig farm in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, Malaysia. One pig was partially burnt by 1-liter petrol while the other served as control. Both carcasses were visited twice per day for the first week and once thereafter. Adult flies and larvae on the carcasses were collected and later processed in a forensic entomology laboratory. Results showed that there was no significant difference between the rate of decomposition and sequence of faunal succession on both pig carcasses. Both carcasses were completely decomposed to remain stage after nine days. The species of flies visiting the pig carcasses consisted of blow flies (Chrysomya megacephala, Chrysomya rufifacies, Hemipyrellia ligurriens), flesh fly (Sarcophagidae.), muscid fly (Ophyra spinigera), soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), coffin fly (Phoridae) and scavenger fly (Sepsidae). The only difference noted was in the number of adult flies, whereby more flies were seen in the control carcass. Faunal succession on both pig carcasses was in the following sequence: Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Phoridae and lastly Stratiomyidae. However, there was overlap in the appearance of members of these families. Blowflies continued to oviposit on both carcasses. Hence postmortem interval (PMI) can still be estimated from the partially burnt pig carcass.

Species composition of mosquitoes of Attapeu Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic

Vythilingam I, Sidavong B, Thim CS, Phonemixay T, Phompida S, Jeffery J

J Am Mosq Control Assoc, 2006 Mar;22(1):140-3.

PMID: 16646338

A list of mosquitoes collected from Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) from May 2002 to August 2004 is presented. A total of 8,945 mosquitoes belonging to 14 genera and 57 species was collected. The genera recorded were Aedes, Anopheles, Armigeres, Coquillettidia, Culex, Diceromyia, Downsiomyia, Fredwardsius, Mansonia, Neomelaniconion, Ochlerotatus, Paraedes, Stegomyia, and Verrallina. Seventeen species are first reports for LAO PDR.

Infestation with the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) among students in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Chin HC, Ahmad NW, Lim LH, Jeffery J, Hadi AA, Othman H, et al.

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2010 Nov;41(6):1331-4.

PMID: 21329307

This paper reports six male undergraduate students living at a local university hostel who were infested with cat fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae: Ctenocephalides felis felis) in February 2009. All of them suffered from maculopapular rashes and severe pruritus after the bites. Investigation revealed the presence of a stray cat in the hostel building; five of the students had a history of contact with the cat. Six cat fleas were collected at the hostel and identified as C. felis felis. Most of the students were not aware of this infestation and did not seek medical treatment.

Fulltext New mosquito species records (Diptera: Culicidae) from Singapore

Jeffery J, Lee RM, Tan SY, Liew C, Ng LC, Lam-Phua SG

Trop Biomed, 2010 Apr;27(1):138-42.

PMID: 20562825

Nine species of mosquitoes in eight genera are recorded for the first time in Singapore. An additional two species were overlooked in a 1986 checklist for mosquitoes in Singapore, and one was described after 1986. Location and habitat data are provided for the nine new records. With the inclusion of these new records the number of species reported from Singapore is 137.

Fulltext First Case Report of Canthariasis in an Infant Caused by the Larvae of Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae)

Mokhtar AS, Sridhar GS, Mahmud R, Jeffery J, Lau YL, Wilson JJ, et al.

J Med Entomol, 2016 Sep 01;53(5):1234-1237.

PMID: 27208008 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw071

We report an unusual cause of gastrointestinal infection occurring in a 1-year-old infant patient who was brought to a public hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Larvae passed out in the patient's feces were confirmed by DNA barcoding as belonging to the species, Lasioderma serricorne (F.), known as the cigarette beetle. We postulate that the larvae were acquired from contaminated food and were responsible for gastrointestinal symptoms in the patient. To our knowledge, this the first report of human canthariasis caused by larvae of L. serricorne.

Fulltext Bacterial pathogens from the intestinal tracts of various species of cockroaches

Rampal L, Oothuman P, Jeffery J, Daud MZ, Shekhar C, Senan P, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 1983 Jun;38(2):104-7.

PMID: 6353184

Bacterial isolates were made from the intestinal tracts ofcarious species of cockroaches (Periplaneta americana, Periplaneta brunnea, Periplaneta australasiae, Neostylopyga rhombifolia, Nauphoeta cinerea) trapped from kitchens and stores (houses and hospital), Shigello, flexneri, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp. were some of the bacteria isolated and identified.

Fulltext Phylogenetic study of six species of Anopheles mosquitoes in Peninsular Malaysia based on inter-transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA

Sum JS, Lee WC, Amir A, Braima KA, Jeffery J, Abdul-Aziz NM, et al.

Parasit Vectors, 2014;7:309.

PMID: 24993022 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-309

Molecular techniques are invaluable for investigation on the biodiversity of Anopheles mosquitoes. This study aimed at investigating the spatial-genetic variations among Anopheles mosquitoes from different areas of Peninsular Malaysia, as well as deciphering evolutionary relationships of the local Anopheles mosquitoes with the mosquitoes from neighbouring countries using the anopheline ITS2 rDNA gene.

Fulltext First report of the signal fly, Scholastes sp. (Diptera:Platystomatidae) visiting animal carcasses in Malaysia

Dhang CC, Heo CC, McAlpine D, Kurahashi H, Ahmad NW, Mohamad AM, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2008 Dec;25(3):264-6.

PMID: 19287370

Signal fly, Scholastes sp. (Diptera: Platystomatidae) was observed associated with animal carcasses in Malaysia. The first observation was on a monkey carcass, which was killed by using a handgun and immediately placed in a forested area in Gombak, Selangor while the second observation was on a pig that died of natural causes and whose carcass was placed in an oil palm plantation in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor. Both animal carcasses were visited by Scholastes sp. flies during the fresh decomposition period. However, the role Scholastes flies in the decomposition process remains unknown. In this paper, we report the occurrence of Scholastes sp. on animal carcasses in Malaysia for the first time.

Fulltext Aural myiasis in a neonate in peninsular Malaysia

Ahmad NW, Ismail A, Jeffery J, Ibrahim S, Hadi AA, Ibrahim MN, et al.

Parasit Vectors, 2009;2(1):63.

PMID: 20003466 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-2-63

Myiasis is a pathological condition in humans and animals caused by various species of dipterous larvae. Myiasis which occurs in a newborn baby is referred as neonatal myiasis. It is a rare condition and there are only a few reports to date. A case of neonatal aural myiasis in a two day old infant is reported in this paper.

Fulltext Predation on pupa of Chrysomya rufifacies (Marquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) by parasitoid, Exoristobia philippinensis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) and Ophyra spinigera larva (Diptera: Muscidae)

Chin HC, Ahmad NW, Lim LH, Jeffery J, Omar B, Dhang CC, et al.

Trop Biomed, 2009 Dec;26(3):369-72.

PMID: 20237454

A forensic entomological study was conducted using monkey carcasses (Macaca fascicularis Raffles) that were placed in either an outdoor or indoor environment at a coastal area in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, Malaysia during May until August 2008. We collected pupae of Chrysomya rufifacies (Marquart) from the carcasses and kept them individually. The emergence of 13 parasitic microhymenopteran, from one of the pupae occurring within a week were identified as Exoristobia philippinensis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). Another observation was made whereby a pupa of C. rufifacies was predated by a muscid larva, Ophyra spinigera (Stein). The larva squeezed into the pupa and consumed the contents. This paper report C. rufifacies as a new host record for E. philippinensis in Malaysia and highlighted the predatory behavior of O. spinigera larva in natural environment.

Fulltext Ectoparasites of murids in peninsular Malaysia and their associated diseases

Mohd Zain SN, Amdan SA, Braima KA, Abdul-Aziz NM, Wilson JJ, Sithambaran P, et al.

Parasit Vectors, 2015;8:254.

PMID: 25924677 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0850-1

A considerable number of rat-borne ectoparasite studies have been conducted since the early 1930s in the Malayan Peninsula (now known as peninsular Malaysia). The majority of studies were field surveys and collections of specimens across the region, and were conducted primarily to catalogue the ectoparasite host distribution and discover novel species. This has generated a signification amount of information, particularly on the diversity and host distribution; other aspects such as morphology, host distribution and medical significance have also been investigated. Amongst the four main groups (mites, fleas, ticks, lice), rat-borne mites have received the most attention with a particular emphasis on chiggers, due to their medical importance. More recent studies have examined the distribution of ectoparasites in rats from different habitat type simplicating a high prevalence of zoonotic species infesting rat populations. Despite being capable of transmitting dangerous pathogens to human, the health risks of rat-borne ectoparasites appear to be small with no serious outbreaks of diseases recorded. Although an extensive number of works have been published, there remain gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed, such as, the distribution of under studied ectoparasite groups (listrophorids and myobiids), determining factors influencing infestation, and understanding changes to the population distribution over time.

Intestinal Myiasis in a Malaysian Patient Caused by Larvae of Clogmia albipunctatus (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Mokhtar AS, Braima KA, Peng Chin H, Jeffery J, Mohd Zain SN, Rohela M, et al.

J Med Entomol, 2016 Apr 25.

PMID: 27113101 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjw014

We report a case of human intestinal myiasis in a 41-yr-old female patient presented at a clinic in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia. Larvae passed out in the patient's feces were sent to the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. DNA barcoding confirmed the second case of intestinal myiasis in Malaysia involving the larvae of Clogmia albipunctatus (Duckhouse) (Diptera: Psychodidae). We review reported cases of myiasis and discuss the present case of intestinal myiasis in an urban patient.

Fulltext Plasmodium knowlesi malaria an emerging public health problem in Hulu Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia (2009-2013): epidemiologic and entomologic analysis

Vythilingam I, Lim YA, Venugopalan B, Ngui R, Leong CS, Wong ML, et al.

Parasit Vectors, 2014;7:436.

PMID: 25223878 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-436

While transmission of the human Plasmodium species has declined, a significant increase in Plasmodium knowlesi/Plasmodium malariae cases was reported in Hulu Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia. Thus, a study was undertaken to determine the epidemiology and the vectors involved in the transmission of knowlesi malaria.

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