Over 200 strains of respiratory viruses cause a variety of human infections ranging from common cold to life-threatening pneumonia. Respiratory viruses implicated in this study are respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV), adenovirus, influenza viruses and parainfluenza viruses. The objective of this study is to determine the epidemiology of respiratory viruses in paediatric patients with lower respiratory tract infection. The methods used were direct antigen detection method, shell vial culture method and conventional tube culture method. The samples included in this study are paediatric patients seen in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital, Kuala Lumpur with suspected acute viral respiratory infection, presenting with acute laryngotracheobronchitis (croup), bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected and processed almost immediately. A total of 222 specimens were received during February 1999 to January 2000 showing a dual peak pattern in the months of April and December. The mean age of the patients was 13 months. Pneumonia (77.9%) was the most common clinical diagnosis in children with lower respiratory tract infection. This was followed by bronchiolitis (19.4%) and croup (27%). Viral aetiologies were confirmed in 23.4% of the patients. The most common respiratory virus isolated or detected was RSV, followed by parainfluenza viruses, influenza viruses and adenovirus.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), an established nosocomial and emerging community pathogen associated with many fatalities due to its hyper-virulence and multiple drug resistant properties, is on the continuous rise. To update the current status on the susceptibility of local MRSA isolates to various classes of antibiotics and to identify the most potent antibiotics, thirty-two clinical isolates comprised of hospital acquired (HA) and community acquired (CA) infections were investigated by disk diffusion test. Of the 32 MRSA isolates, 14 (43.75%) and 18 (56.25%) were community and hospital acquired MRSA, respectively. All isolates were multiple drug resistant to more than 3 classes of antibiotics despite the source or specimen from which it was isolated. The oxacillin MICs for all isolates ranged from 2 to > or = 256 microg/ml. Twenty-five of 26 erythromycin-resistant MRSA isolates exhibited an inducible MLS(B) resistance phenotype while one showed an MS phenotype. More than half the isolates (68.75%) were resistant to at least one of the six aminoglycosides tested, with netilmicin as the most susceptible. The most effective antistaphylococcal agents were linezolid, vancomycin, teicoplanin and quinupristin/dalfopristin exhibited 100% susceptibility. Since MRSA is under continuous pressure of acquiring multiple drug resistance, it is imperative to focus routine surveillance on HA and CA-MRSA strains to monitor and limit the spread of this organism.
Health care workers (HCW) are at higher risk of acquiring blood borne infections such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus from patients. To minimise exposure, Universal Precautions Policy guidelines were introduced. This study looked into one of the aspects of hepatitis B prevention among HCW in the Malaysian context. The objective of this study was to assess hepatitis B vaccine coverage among HCW. A cross sectional study involving pre-tested questionnaires was undertaken from February 2001 to August 2001. Hospital staff in Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia as well as undergraduate students undergoing clinical attachments were randomly chosen. A total of 625 subjects were enrolled. Only 58.4% had taken a complete hepatitis B vaccination. However, 82.2% have taken at least one dose of the hepatitis B vaccine and were supposed to complete the schedule in due course. Not all HCW were protected against hepatitis B. Preventing hepatitis B in HCW should be one of the priorities of the hospital management as it is definitely cheaper than managing chronic hepatitis B cases.
Introduction: HIV/AIDS is one of the leading health problems worldwide. There is an increasing rate among the ages between 13 to 49 years old. School based intervention is an important component of community-based interventions for HIV/AIDS and is the best stage to promote abstinence which is best maintained among those not sexually experienced. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine attitude towards sex among secondary school children in Selangor state. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Four out of nine districts in Selangor state were selected at random. Students were divided according to gender, academic performance (good or poor) with no behavioural problems
and students with evidence of behaviour problems (at risk). Results: Out of 149 students, the majority (56.4%) were females. The majority of students did not think sex should be discussed in depth and do not speak to parents, teachers, religious teachers, counselors, relatives, doctors or nurses but speak to friends regarding sex. More than half watch pornography. A significantly higher percentage of male students in the weak and at-risk group admit to thinking of intimacy (hugging and kissing) with the opposite gender. A higher number of these students would try sex out of curiosity, for fun, because it was difficult to say ‘no’ to and that they would like it. A significantly higher percentage will try sex because they did not want to hurt their girlfriends’ feeling by saying ‘no’. While the majority of students think intimacy will end in sex, a significantly higher percentage of male at-risk students think just talking with the opposite gender will end in sex. The majority of male students responded feeling attracted to the picture of a girl in sexy clothing but a significantly higher percentage of at-risk students also felt attracted to the picture of a girl properly attired. A significantly higher percentage of male at-risk students say parents do not say sex before marriage is wrong and a significantly higher percentage of
male students of weak and at-risk groups say girlfriends say sex before marriage is okay. A significantly higher percentage of weak and at-risk students speak to doctors regarding sex and think sex should be discussed in depth. Conclusion: Weak and at-risk male students appeared to have a more vulnerable attitude towards sex. This may predispose them to risky sexual behaviours leading to HIV/AIDS. Poor academic performance and behaviour problems may not be different as potential sexual risk predictors. The information obtained will be useful in designing intervention programmes in the prevention of HIV/AIDS.
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of severe lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children globally and is a significant pathogen of the elderly and immunocompromised. The M2-2 protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is particularly important in regulation of viral RNA transcription and replication that could be a potential anti-viral candidate against RSV infection. In this study, we designed and validated siRNAs that specifically target the RSV M2-2 gene. Four siRNAs targeting different regions of the M2-2 gene were designed using web tool. In-vitro evaluation of silencing effect was performed by using RSV infected Vero cell line. Viral M2-2 linked GFP recombinant plasmid was co-transfected with non-targeted siRNA, Pooled siRNA, siRNA 1, siRNA 2, siRNA 3 and siRNA 4 using synthetic cationic polymer. The silencing effect of M2-2 gene at the protein level was measured both qualitatively and quantitatively by using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the silencing effect at the mRNA level was assessed by using RT-qPCR. This study showed that all four designed siRNAs can effectively and efficiently silence M2-2 gene. siRNA 2 showed the highest (98%) silencing effect on protein level and siRNA 4 with 83.1% at the mRNA level. The viral assay showed no significant cytopathic effects observed after 6days post-infection with siRNAs. In conclusion, this study showed the effectiveness of siRNA in silencing M2-2 gene both at the protein and mRNA level which could potentially be used as a novel therapeutic agent in the treatment of RSV infection. However, further study is warranted to investigate the silencing effect of M2-2 protein and inhibition of RSV infection.