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Fulltext Duration of detection of anti-BmR1 IgG4 antibodies after mass-drug administration (MDA) in Sarawak, Malaysia

Noordin R, Muhi J, Md Idris Z, Arifin N, Kiyu A

Trop Biomed, 2012 Mar;29(1):191-6.
PMID: 22543621 MyJurnal

The detection rates of brugian filariasis in three regions of Sarawak namely Central, North and South after three courses of mass drug administration (MDA) from year 2004 to 2006 was investigated. A recombinant BmR1 antigen-based IgG4 detection test, named Brugia Rapid and night blood smear for microfilaria (mf) detection were used. All three regions recorded a sharp fall in mf positive rates after a year post-MDA. Meanwhile Brugia Rapid positive rates declined more gradually to 3.8% and 5.6% of the pre-MDA levels in the Central and North regions, respectively. This study showed that in filariasis endemic areas in Sarawak, anti-filarial IgG4 antibodies to BmR1, as detected by the Brugia Rapid test, were positive for one to two years after mf disappearance.
Importation and co-circulation of multiple serotypes of dengue virus in Sarawak, Malaysia

Holmes EC, Tio PH, Perera D, Muhi J, Cardosa J

Virus Res, 2009 Jul;143(1):1-5.
PMID: 19463715 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2009.02.020

Although dengue is a common disease in South-East Asia, there is a marked absence of virological data from the Malaysian state of Sarawak located on the island of Borneo. From 1997 to 2002 we noted the co-circulation of DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4 in Sarawak. To determine the origins of these Sarawak viruses we obtained the complete E gene sequences of 21 isolates. A phylogenetic analysis revealed multiple entries of DENV-2 and DENV-4 into Sarawak, such that multiple lineages co-circulate, yet with little exportation from Sarawak. Notably, all viral isolates were most closely related to those circulating in different localities in South-East Asia. In sum, our analysis reveals a frequent traffic of DENV in South-East Asia, with Sarawak representing a local sink population.
Association of CTLA4 gene polymorphisms with lymphatic filariasis in an East Malaysian population

Idris ZM, Miswan N, Muhi J, Mohd TA, Kun JF, Noordin R

Hum Immunol, 2011 Jul;72(7):607-12.
PMID: 21513760 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2011.03.017

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic disease caused by threadlike worms of the Brugia and Wuchereria species that live in the human lymphatic system. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) may play a key role in the pathogenesis of LF, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA4) expressed by Tregs is a potential candidate gene because it modulates T-cell activation. A case-control study was performed to establish a potential association of 5 CTLA4 gene promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs733618, rs11571316, rs5742909, rs231775, and rs16840252) with the occurrence of LF in an East Malaysian population (320 LF-infected individuals and 150 healthy controls). Polymorphisms were evaluated using TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction followed by direct sequencing. LF carriers of the rs733618 AG genotypes (p = 0.02) and those with combined minor allele G carriers (AG + GG; p = 0.01) exhibited a significantly decreased risk for LF. Among the asymptomatic amicrofilaremic cases, positive associations were reported for all genotypes and variants of rs733618 with odds ratios (ORs) ranging from 0.27 to 0.45. In the asymptomatic microfilaremic cases, marker rs231775 exhibited a significant decreased risk, with ORs ranging from 0.50 to 0.57. The study has identified SNPs in the CTLA4 promoter gene that may be functionally linked with susceptibility to LF.
Mature Erythrocyte Surface Antigen Protein Identified in the Serum of Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Patients

Zainudin NS, Othman N, Muhi J, Abdu Sani AA, Noordin R

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2015 Dec;93(6):1268-73.
PMID: 26392156 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0333

This study was performed to identify circulating Plasmodium falciparum proteins in patient serum, which may be useful as diagnostic markers. Depletion of highly abundant proteins from each pooled serum sample obtained from P. falciparum-infected patients and healthy individuals was performed using the Proteoseek Antibody-Based Albumin/IgG Removal Kit (Thermo Scientific, Rockford, IL). In analysis 1, the depleted serum was analyzed directly by NanoLC-MS/MS. In analysis 2, the depleted serum was separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis followed by western blot analysis. Subsequently, the selected band was analyzed by NanoLC-MS/MS. The result of analysis 1 revealed the presence of two mature erythrocyte surface antigen (MESA) proteins and chloroquine resistance transporter protein (PfCRT). In addition, analysis 2 revealed an antigenic 75-kDa band when the membrane was probed with purified IgG from the pooled serum obtained from P. falciparum-infected patients. MS/MS analysis of this protein band revealed fragments of P. falciparum MESA proteins. Thus, in this study, two different analyses revealed the presence of Plasmodium MESA protein in pooled serum from malaria patients; thus, this protein should be further investigated to determine its usefulness as a diagnostic marker.
Fulltext Iodine status among pregnant women in rural Sabah, Malaysia

Lim KK, Chan YY, Teh CH, Ismail H, Yusof R, Muhi J, et al.

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 2017 8 15;26(5):861-866.
PMID: 28802296 DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.092016.06

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In 2000, legislation on mandatory universal salt iodisation was enacted in Sabah, Malaysia, to reduce the incidence of iodine deficiency disorders among its population. To evaluate the iodine levels among pregnant women from selected rural divisions in Sabah 13 years after the enactment of the universal salt iodisation programme.
METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 May to 30 June, 2013, in three rural divisions of Sabah (the Interior, the West Coast, and Kudat). Data regarding domestic iodised salt use and iodine-containing supplement consumption were obtained from respondents through face-to-face interviews; goitre enlargement was examined through palpation and graded according to the World Health Organization classification. Spot urine samples were also obtained to assess urinary iodine levels by using an in-house modified micromethod.
RESULTS: In total, 534 pregnant women participated. The prevalence of goitre was 1.0% (n=5), noted only in the West Coast and Kudat divisions. Although all pregnant women consumed iodised salt, overall median urinary iodine concentration was only 106 μg/L, indicating insufficient iodine intake, with nearly two-thirds of the women (60%) having a median urinary iodine concentrations of <150 μg/L.
CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women from the rural divisions in Sabah still exhibit iodine deficiency disorder despite the mandatory universal salt iodisation programme. Iodine supplementation programmes targeting pregnant women are warranted.
Fulltext A pentaplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of four species of soil-transmitted helminths

Basuni M, Muhi J, Othman N, Verweij JJ, Ahmad M, Miswan N, et al.

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2011 Feb;84(2):338-43.
PMID: 21292911 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0499

Soil-transmitted helminth infections remain a major public health burden in low- and middle-income countries. The traditional diagnosis by microscopic examination of fecal samples is insensitive and time-consuming. In this study, a pentaplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was evaluated for the simultaneous detection of Ancylostoma, Necator americanus, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Strongyloides stercoralis. The results were compared with those obtained by conventional parasitological diagnostic methods. Real-time PCR was positive in 48 of 77 samples (62.3%) and microscopic examination was positive in six samples (7.8%) only (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the real-time PCR assay described in this study provides a specific and sensitive diagnostic tool for the detection of these four helminth species in epidemiological studies and monitoring of treatment programs.
Fulltext A decade of Japanese encephalitis surveillance in Sarawak, Malaysia: 1997-2006

Wong SC, Ooi MH, Abdullah AR, Wong SY, Krishnan S, Tio PH, et al.

Trop Med Int Health, 2008 Jan;13(1):52-5.
PMID: 18291002 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2007.01967.x

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is an important encephalitis virus in Asia, but there are few data on Malaysia. A hospital-based surveillance system for Japanese encephalitis (JE) has been in operation in Sarawak, Malaysia, for the last 10 years. JEV is endemic in Sarawak, with cases occurring throughout the year and a seasonal peak in the last quarter (one-way anova, P < 0.0001). Ninety-two per cent of 133 cases were children aged 12 years or younger; the introduction of JE vaccination in July 2001 reduced the number of JE cases (84 in the four seasons prior to vs. 49 in the six seasons after, McNemar's test, P = 0.0001). After implementation of the programme, the mean age of infected children increased from 6.3 to 8.0 years (Student's t-test, P = 0.0037), suggesting the need for a catch-up programme.