METHODS: Twenty-nine carcasses of juvenile AGS that were succumbed to death due to window collision were collected around the vicinity of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Nested-multiplex and nested PCR targeting the Cytochrome B gene were used to detect Plasmodium and Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon respectively. Two primer sets were used for Haemoproteus detection to increase detection sensitivity, with one being a genus-specific primer.
RESULTS: Fourteen samples (prevalence rate: 48.28%) were found positive for avian Plasmodium. Phylogenetic analysis divided our sequences into five lineages, pFANTAIL01, pCOLL4, pACCBAD01, pALPSIS01 and pALPSIS02, with two lineages being novel. No Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon was found in this study. However, Haemoproteus-specific primer used amplified our Plasmodium samples, making the primer non-specific to Haemoproteus only.
CONCLUSION: This is the first blood parasite detection study on AGS using carcasses and blood clot as sample source in Sarawak. Due to the scarcity of longer sequences from regions with high genetic plasticity, usage of genus-specific primers should be validated with sequencing to ensure correct prevalence interpretation.
OBJECTIVES: Our study focuses on determining the presence of bat CoVs in dusky fruit bat (Penthetor lucasi).
METHODS: Guano samples belonging to P. lucasi were collected from Wind Cave Nature Reserve. The samples were screened for the presence of CoVs using validated hemi-nested consensus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase consensus primers.
RESULTS: The bat CoV positivity rate was 38.5% (n = 15/39), with the viruses belonging to two subgenera: Alphacoronavirus (α-CoV) and Betacoronavirus (β-CoV). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CoVs from 14 samples of P. lucasi belong to the genus α-CoV and may represent previously described genetic lineages in insectivorous bats in Wind Cave. However, only one sample of P. lucasi was detected with β-CoV which is closely related to subgenus Nobecovirus, which is commonly seen in frugivorous bats.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first available data on CoVs circulating in P. lucasi.
RESULTS: CoV-RNA was detected in ten specimens (47.6%, n = 21). Six alphacoronavirus and four betacoronaviruses were identified. The bat-CoVs can be phylogenetically grouped into four novel clades which are closely related to Decacovirus-1 and Decacovirus-2, Sarbecovirus, and an unclassified CoV. CoVs lineages unique to the Island of Borneo were discovered in Sarawak, Malaysia, with one of them closely related to Sarbecovirus. All of them are distant from currently known human coronaviruses.
METHODS: A total of 151 archived self-sampled high vaginal swabs from the Sarawak Urban and Rural Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination Programme (Program SUARA) were analyzed. hrHPV detection and genotyping were performed using Anyplex, which identifies 14 hrHPV genotypes, and M10, which detects HPV16, HPV18, and other hrHPV categorized into six genogroups. Agreement between the assays was evaluated using Cohen's Kappa (κ), McNemar's test, and overall agreement percentages. Statistical significance was determined with p-values, and discordant results were further analyzed for potential diagnostic implications.
RESULTS: The overall agreement between M10 and Anyplex for hrHPV detection was 92.05% (κ = 0.84, 95% CI 0.75-0.93), indicating almost perfect agreement. M10 demonstrated comparable sensitivity for detecting HPV16, HPV18, and other hrHPV genotypes, achieving 96.91% agreement (κ = 0.89, 95%CI 0.73-1.00) in hrHPV classification when discordant results were excluded. Genogrouping also showed almost perfect agreement (κ = 0.91, 95% CI 0.82-0.98). McNemar's test indicated no significant difference in hrHPV detection rates (p > 0.05), affirming their comparable performance in detecting clinically significant hrHPV infections.
CONCLUSION: The SD Biosensor Standard™ M10 HPV POCT and the Seegene Anyplex™ II HPV HR assay demonstrated almost perfect agreement in hrHPV detection and classification, supporting their complementary roles in cervical cancer prevention. M10's rapid, field-deployable design makes it suitable for resource-limited settings, while Anyplex provides enhanced genotyping capability in laboratory environments, allowing informed vaccine strategy. Incorporating both assays into cervical cancer prevention programs can improve screening coverage and accessibility, particularly in underserved areas. These findings align with the World Health Organization's cervical cancer elimination goals, reinforcing the importance of adaptable diagnostic tools in diverse healthcare contexts.