Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 59 in total

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  1. Fulltext A description of health complaints and treatment among patients visiting medical relief camps at Aceh and Balakot two months post disastery
    Adlina, S., Narimah, A.H.H., Mazlin, M.M., Nuraliza, A.S., Hakimi, Z.A., Soe, S.A., et al.
    Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2006;6(1):51-57.
    MyJurnal
    This study was conducted to determine the patterns of disease and treatment at two disaster sites. Studies prior to this have shown that all natural disasters are unique in that each affected region of the world have different social, economic and health backgrounds. However, similarities exist among the health effects of different disasters which if recognized can ensure that health and emergency medical relief and limited resources are well managed. This study found that although Aceh and Balakot were two totally different areas with reference to locality and climate it was noticed that the patterns of disease two months post disaster are similar the commonest being respiratory conditions followed by musculoskeletal conditions and gastrointestinal conditions. For the treatment patterns it was observed that the two areas prescribed almost similar, types of medicine mainly for gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. However in Aceh, there were more skin treatment and in Balakot there was more usage of musculoskeletal drugs.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases
  2. Respiratory symptoms and asthma in primary school children in Kuala Lumpur
    Omar AH
    Acta Paediatr Jpn, 1990 Apr;32(2):183-7.
    PMID: 2116069
    In a cross-sectional study of 7 to 12-year-old primary school children in Kuala Lumpur, the prevalence of chronic cough and/or phlegm, persistent wheeze, and doctor-diagnosed asthma were 8.0%, 8.0% and 8.7%, respectively. The prevalence of asthma (defined as persistent wheeze and/or doctor-diagnosed asthma) was 13.8%. 4.3% experienced at least one episode of chest illness that resulted in inactivity for at least 3 days in the previous year. The mean age of commencement of symptoms in the doctor-diagnosed asthma group was 2.75 years. The prevalence of chronic cough and/or phlegm and persistent wheeze were highest among Indian children (p less than 0.05). More Malays had been diagnosed as having asthma than the other ethnic groups but the differences were not statistically significant. The patients' fathers' low levels of education were associated with chronic cough and/or phlegm (p less than 0.05) but not with other complaints. Asthma was significantly more common among boys than girls. No age differences were noted. Further analysis showed that persistent wheeze and doctor-diagnosed asthma were associated with increased likelihood of other respiratory illnesses or doctor-diagnosed allergy before the age of 2 years.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/epidemiology
  3. Fulltext A comparison of morbidity patterns in Peninsular Malaysia 1959 and 1974
    Arokiasamy JT, Chen PCY
    Med J Malaysia, 1980 Jun;34(4):336-42.
    PMID: 7219259
    Disease patterns among outpatients seen at static and travelling dispensaries, as well as among hospital admissions and hospital deaths are compared between 1959 and 1974. While disease patterns of patients seen by travelling dispensaries show no change, patients seen by static dispensaries and hospital admissions in 1974 show a marked relative decline in infective and parasitic diseases and an increase in accidents, poisonings and violence. Causes of death in hospitals in 1974 were different, there being relative increases in diseases of early infancy, diseases of circulatory system, neoplasms, and accidents, poisonings, violence while infective and parasitic diseases, and diseases of the digestive system declined.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/epidemiology
  4. Molecular mechanisms of action of naringenin in chronic airway diseases
    Chin LH, Hon CM, Chellappan DK, Chellian J, Madheswaran T, Zeeshan F, et al.
    Eur J Pharmacol, 2020 Jul 15;879:173139.
    PMID: 32343971 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173139
    Chronic airway inflammatory diseases are characterized by persistent proinflammatory responses in the respiratory tract. Although, several treatment strategies are currently available, lifelong therapy is necessary for most of these diseases. In recent years, phytophenols, namely, flavonoids, derived from fruits and vegetables have been gaining tremendous interest and have been extensively studied due to their low toxicological profile. Naringenin is a bioflavonoid abundantly found in citrus fruits. This substance has shown notable therapeutic potential in various diseases due to its promising diverse biological activities. In this review, we have attempted to review the published studies from the available literature, discussing the molecular level mechanisms of naringenin in different experimental models of airway inflammatory diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis. Current evidences have proposed that the anti-inflammatory properties of naringenin play a major role in ameliorating inflammatory disease states. In addition, naringenin also possesses several other biological properties. Despite the proposed mechanisms suggesting remarkable therapeutic benefits, the clinical use of naringenin is, however, hampered by its low solubility and bioavailability. Furthermore, this review also discusses on the studies that utilise nanocarriers as a drug delivery system to address the issue of poor solubility.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/drug therapy*
  5. Interactions with the macrophages: An emerging targeted approach using novel drug delivery systems in respiratory diseases
    Mehta M, Deeksha, Sharma N, Vyas M, Khurana N, Maurya PK, et al.
    Chem Biol Interact, 2019 May 01;304:10-19.
    PMID: 30849336 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.02.021
    Macrophages are considered as the most flexible cells of the hematopoietic system that are distributed in the tissues to act against pathogens and foreign particles. Macrophages are essential in maintaining homeostatic tissue processes, repair and immunity. Also, play important role in cytokine secretion and signal transduction of the infection so as to develop acquired immunity. Accounting to their involvement in pathogenesis, macrophages present a therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory respiratory diseases. This review focuses on novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) including nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers, microspheres etc that can target alveolar macrophage associated with inflammation, intracellular infection and lung cancer. The physiochemical properties and functional moieties of the NDDS attributes to enhanced macrophage targeting and uptake. The NDDS are promising for sustained drug delivery, reduced therapeutic dose, improved patient compliance and reduce drug toxicity. Further, the review also discuss about modified NDDS for specificity to the target and molecular targeting via anti-microbial peptides, kinases, NRF-2 and phosphodiesterase.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/drug therapy*
  6. Fulltext Chronic respiratory disease surveys in adults in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic scoping review of methodological approaches and outcomes
    Hanafi NS, Agarwal D, Chippagiri S, Brakema EA, Pinnock H, Sheikh A, et al.
    J Glob Health, 2021 Jun 19;11:04026.
    PMID: 34221357 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.11.04026
    Background: Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) contribute significantly towards the global burden of disease, but the true prevalence and burden of these conditions in adults is unknown in the majority of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to identify strategies - in particular the definitions, study designs, sampling frames, instruments, and outcomes - used to conduct prevalence surveys for CRDs in LMICs. The findings will inform a future RESPIRE Four Country ChrOnic Respiratory Disease (4CCORD) study, which will estimate CRD prevalence, including disease burden, in adults in LMICs.

    Methods: We conducted a scoping review to map prevalence surveys conducted in LMICs published between 1995 and 2018. We followed Arksey and O'Malley's six-step framework. The search was conducted in OVID Medline, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, Global Health, WHO Global Index Medicus and included three domains: CRDs, prevalence and LMICs. After an initial title sift, eight trained reviewers undertook duplicate study selection and data extraction. We charted: country and populations, random sampling strategies, CRD definitions/phenotypes, survey procedure (questionnaires, spirometry, tests), outcomes and assessment of individual, societal and health service burden of disease.

    Results: Of 36 872 citations, 281 articles were included: 132 from Asia (41 from China). Study designs were cross-sectional surveys (n = 260), cohort studies (n = 11) and secondary data analysis (n = 10). The number of respondents in these studies ranged from 50 to 512 891. Asthma was studied in 144 studies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 112. Most studies (100/144) based identification of asthma on symptom-based questionnaires. In contrast, COPD diagnosis was typically based on spirometry findings (94/112); 65 used fixed-ratio thresholds, 29 reported fixed-ratio and lower-limit-of-normal values. Only five articles used the term 'phenotype'. Most studies used questionnaires derived from validated surveys, most commonly the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (n = 47). The burden/impact of CRD was reported in 33 articles (most commonly activity limitation).

    Conclusion: Surveys remain the most practical approach for estimating prevalence of CRD but there is a need to identify the most predictive questions for diagnosing asthma and to standardise diagnostic criteria.

    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases*
  7. Management of respiratory insufficiency
    MANAVALAN AS
    Med J Malaya, 1961 Dec;16:125-35.
    PMID: 14469124
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases*
  8. Fulltext Setting research priorities for global respiratory medicine within the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Global Health Research Unit in Respiratory Health (RESPIRE)
    Rudan I, Agrawal D, Hussein N, Cheong AT, Cunningham S, Dockerell D, et al.
    J Glob Health, 2018 Dec;8(2):0201314.
    PMID: 30603076 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.08.020314
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/prevention & control*
  9. Fulltext Impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Asia-Pacific region: the EPIC Asia population-based survey
    Lim S, Lam DC, Muttalif AR, Yunus F, Wongtim S, Lan le TT, et al.
    Asia Pac Fam Med, 2015;14(1):4.
    PMID: 25937817 DOI: 10.1186/s12930-015-0020-9
    Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a clinical syndrome encompassing a group of chronic, progressive, and debilitating respiratory conditions, that are characterized by incompletely reversible airflow limitation. Within the Asia-Pacific region, prevalence estimates have been derived using various protocols and study methods, and there is little data on the impact of COPD exacerbations. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive picture of the current prevalence and burden of COPD in this region.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases
  10. Fulltext Aerodigestive amyloidosis presenting as acute asthma
    Sreetharan SS, Prepageran N, Razak A, Valuyeetham KA
    Med J Malaysia, 2003 Jun;58(2):290-3.
    PMID: 14569753
    Aerodigestive amyloidosis is a rare disorder characterized by fibrillar protein deposition in the aerodigestive tree. We present a case of a 19-year-old Chinese gentleman whose diagnosis was initially missed as he presented with features suggestive of severe bronchial asthma and was intubated and ventilated. He subsequently presented 2 years later with severe stridor and required emergency tracheostomy. Current literature is reviewed for the histopathology, common clinical features, radiological findings and treatment options for aerodigestive amyloidosis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/complications; Respiratory Tract Diseases/diagnosis*; Respiratory Tract Diseases/therapy
  11. Targeting eosinophils in respiratory diseases: Biological axis, emerging therapeutics and treatment modalities
    Lee LY, Hew GSY, Mehta M, Shukla SD, Satija S, Khurana N, et al.
    Life Sci, 2021 Feb 15;267:118973.
    PMID: 33400932 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118973
    Eosinophils are bi-lobed, multi-functional innate immune cells with diverse cell surface receptors that regulate local immune and inflammatory responses. Several inflammatory and infectious diseases are triggered with their build up in the blood and tissues. The mobilization of eosinophils into the lungs is regulated by a cascade of processes guided by Th2 cytokine generating T-cells. Recruitment of eosinophils essentially leads to a characteristic immune response followed by airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling, which are hallmarks of chronic respiratory diseases. By analysing the dynamic interactions of eosinophils with their extracellular environment, which also involve signaling molecules and tissues, various therapies have been invented and developed to target respiratory diseases. Having entered clinical testing, several eosinophil targeting therapeutic agents have shown much promise and have further bridged the gap between theory and practice. Moreover, researchers now have a clearer understanding of the roles and mechanisms of eosinophils. These factors have successfully assisted molecular biologists to block specific pathways in the growth, migration and activation of eosinophils. The primary purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the eosinophil biology with a special emphasis on potential pharmacotherapeutic targets. The review also summarizes promising eosinophil-targeting agents, along with their mechanisms and rationale for use, including those in developmental pipeline, in clinical trials, or approved for other respiratory disorders.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/immunology*; Respiratory Tract Diseases/metabolism; Respiratory Tract Diseases/physiopathology
  12. Practice patterns for chronic respiratory diseases in the Asia-Pacific region: a cross-sectional observational study
    Wang Y, Cho SH, Lin HC, Ghoshal AG, Bin Abdul Muttalif AR, Thanaviratananich S, et al.
    Int Arch Allergy Immunol, 2018;177(1):69-79.
    PMID: 29874659 DOI: 10.1159/000489015
    BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and rhinosinusitis are common and little studied in the Asia-Pacific region.

    OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate real-world practice patterns for these respiratory diseases in India, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.

    METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study enrolled adults (age ≥18 years) presenting to general practitioners (GP) or specialists for physician-diagnosed AR, asthma, COPD, or rhinosinusitis. Physicians and patients completed study-specific surveys at one visit, recording patient characteristics, health-related quality of life (QoL), work impairment, and healthcare resource use. Findings by country and physician category (GP or specialist) were summarized.

    RESULTS: Of the 13,902 patients screened, 7,243 (52%) presented with AR (18%), asthma (18%), COPD (7%), or rhinosinusitis (9%); 5,250 of the 7,243 (72%) patients were eligible for this study. Most eligible patients (70-100%) in India, Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore attended GP, while most (83-85%) in Taiwan and Thailand attended specialists. From 42% (rhinosinusitis) to 67% (AR) of new diagnoses were made by GP. On average, patients with COPD reported the worst health-related QoL, particularly to GP. Median losses of work productivity for each condition and activity impairment, except for asthma, were numerically greater for patients presenting to GP vs. specialists. GP prescribed more antibiotics for AR and asthma, and fewer intranasal corticosteroids for AR, than specialists (p < 0.001 for all comparisons).

    CONCLUSIONS: Our findings, albeit mostly descriptive and influenced by between-country differences, suggest that practice patterns differ between physician types, and the disease burden may be substantial for patients presenting in general practice.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/diagnosis; Respiratory Tract Diseases/epidemiology*; Respiratory Tract Diseases/therapy
  13. Targeting neutrophils using novel drug delivery systems in chronic respiratory diseases
    Chellappan DK, Yee LW, Xuan KY, Kunalan K, Rou LC, Jean LS, et al.
    Drug Dev Res, 2020 06;81(4):419-436.
    PMID: 32048757 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21648
    Neutrophils are essential effector cells of immune system for clearing the extracellular pathogens during inflammation and immune reactions. Neutrophils play a major role in chronic respiratory diseases. In respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer and others, there occurs extreme infiltration and activation of neutrophils followed by a cascade of events like oxidative stress and dysregulated cellular proteins that eventually result in apoptosis and tissue damage. Dysregulation of neutrophil effector functions including delayed neutropil apoptosis, increased neutrophil extracellular traps in the pathogenesis of asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease enable neutrophils as a potential therapeutic target. Accounting to their role in pathogenesis, neutrophils present as an excellent therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases. This review highlights the current status and the emerging trends in novel drug delivery systems such as nanoparticles, liposomes, microspheres, and other newer nanosystems that can target neutrophils and their molecular pathways, in the airways against infections, inflammation, and cancer. These drug delivery systems are promising in providing sustained drug delivery, reduced therapeutic dose, improved patient compliance, and reduced drug toxicity. In addition, the review also discusses emerging strategies and the future perspectives in neutrophil-based therapy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/drug therapy*; Respiratory Tract Diseases/immunology; Respiratory Tract Diseases/physiopathology
  14. Fulltext A comparative study of the SVM and K-nn machine learning algorithms for the diagnosis of respiratory pathologies using pulmonary acoustic signals
    Palaniappan R, Sundaraj K, Sundaraj S
    BMC Bioinformatics, 2014;15:223.
    PMID: 24970564 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-15-223
    Pulmonary acoustic parameters extracted from recorded respiratory sounds provide valuable information for the detection of respiratory pathologies. The automated analysis of pulmonary acoustic signals can serve as a differential diagnosis tool for medical professionals, a learning tool for medical students, and a self-management tool for patients. In this context, we intend to evaluate and compare the performance of the support vector machine (SVM) and K-nearest neighbour (K-nn) classifiers in diagnosis respiratory pathologies using respiratory sounds from R.A.L.E database.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/diagnosis*; Respiratory Tract Diseases/pathology
  15. Fulltext The use of quantile regression to forecast higher than expected respiratory deaths in a daily time series: a study of New York City data 1987-2000
    Soyiri IN, Reidpath DD
    PLoS One, 2013;8(10):e78215.
    PMID: 24147122 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078215
    Forecasting higher than expected numbers of health events provides potentially valuable insights in its own right, and may contribute to health services management and syndromic surveillance. This study investigates the use of quantile regression to predict higher than expected respiratory deaths. Data taken from 70,830 deaths occurring in New York were used. Temporal, weather and air quality measures were fitted using quantile regression at the 90th-percentile with half the data (in-sample). Four QR models were fitted: an unconditional model predicting the 90th-percentile of deaths (Model 1), a seasonal/temporal (Model 2), a seasonal, temporal plus lags of weather and air quality (Model 3), and a seasonal, temporal model with 7-day moving averages of weather and air quality. Models were cross-validated with the out of sample data. Performance was measured as proportionate reduction in weighted sum of absolute deviations by a conditional, over unconditional models; i.e., the coefficient of determination (R1). The coefficient of determination showed an improvement over the unconditional model between 0.16 and 0.19. The greatest improvement in predictive and forecasting accuracy of daily mortality was associated with the inclusion of seasonal and temporal predictors (Model 2). No gains were made in the predictive models with the addition of weather and air quality predictors (Models 3 and 4). However, forecasting models that included weather and air quality predictors performed slightly better than the seasonal and temporal model alone (i.e., Model 3 > Model 4 > Model 2) This study provided a new approach to predict higher than expected numbers of respiratory related-deaths. The approach, while promising, has limitations and should be treated at this stage as a proof of concept.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/mortality*; Respiratory Tract Diseases/epidemiology*
  16. Respiratory health of rice millers in Kelantan, Malaysia
    Musa R, Naing L, Ahmad Z, Kamarul Y
    Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2000 Sep;31(3):575-8.
    PMID: 11289024
    A cross sectional study was carried out to evaluate the effect of rice husk dust in rice millers in Malaysia. Altogether 69 workers participated in this study. They were interviewed using standardized questionnaires and lung function tests were performed. Chest tightness was among the common symptoms (34.9%) complained by workers. Age, duration of employment and smoking status were among the factors associated with respiratory symptoms (p < 0.01). Lung function tests revealed some degree of impairment compared to the healthy population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/etiology*; Respiratory Tract Diseases/physiopathology
  17. Fulltext Respiratory conditions in Malaysian asbestos cement workers
    Lim HH, Rampal KG, Joginder S, Abu Bakar CM, Chan KH, Vivek TN
    Med J Malaysia, 2002 Sep;57(3):340-7.
    PMID: 12440274 MyJurnal
    A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and type of respiratory conditions including asbestos-related diseases among Malaysian asbestos cement workers. The study population consisted of 1164 workers who had undergone medical surveillance from 1995 to 1997, including full history, physical examination, chest radiography and spirometry. More than half the male workers were smokers or ex-smokers, with smokers having more respiratory symptoms and signs, and reduced FEV1 compared with non smokers. The five most common respiratory conditions diagnosed were bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, upper respiratory tract infections and allergic rhinitis. On follow-up, there were also two cases of asbestosis and one case of bronchial carcinoma. The asbestosis cases were probably related to heavy occupational exposure to asbestos fibres in the past, before governmental regulations were gazetted in 1986. Further follow-up is essential for continued monitoring of the health status of asbestos workers.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/etiology*; Respiratory Tract Diseases/epidemiology*
  18. Fulltext Local experience in paediatric flexible bronchoscopy
    Norzila MZ, Norrashidah AW, Rusanida A, Sushila S, Azizi BHO
    Med J Malaysia, 2003 Aug;58(3):350-5.
    PMID: 14750374
    All children who underwent flexible bronchoscopy in the respiratory unit at Paediatric Institute, Hospital Kuala Lumpur from June 1997 to June 2002 were reviewed. A hundred and ten children underwent the procedure under sedation or general anaesthesia. The median age of these children was eight months. (Q1 3, Q3 30) The commonest indication for performing flexible bronchoscopy was for chronic stridor (50 cases) followed by persistent or recurrent changes such as lung infiltrates, atelectasis and consolidation on the chest radiographs (22). Laryngomalacia was found to be the commonest cause of stridor in 29 children. Two patients were diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. With regard to safety, three procedures were abandoned due to recurrent desaturation below 85%. One of these patients had severe laryngospasm that required ventilation for 48 hours but recovered fully. Two neonates developed pneumonia requiring antibiotics following bronchoscopy. No patients developed pneumothorax or bleeding following the procedure. Bronchoscopy is a safe procedure when performed by well-trained personnel. Since it is an invasive procedure the benefits must outweigh the risks before it is performed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/pathology*; Respiratory Tract Diseases/surgery*
  19. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation in children exposed to air pollution: a possible mechanism underlying respiratory health effects development
    Suhaimi NF, Jalaludin J, Abu Bakar S
    Rev Environ Health, 2021 Mar 26;36(1):77-93.
    PMID: 32857724 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2020-0065
    Air pollution is a substantial environmental threat to children and acts as acute and chronic disease risk factors alike. Several studies have previously evaluated epigenetic modifications concerning its exposure across various life stages. However, findings on epigenetic modifications as the consequences of air pollution during childhood are rather minimal. This review evaluated highly relevant studies in the field to analyze the existing literature regarding exposure to air pollution, with a focus on epigenetic alterations during childhood and their connections with respiratory health effects. The search was conducted using readily available electronic databases (PubMed and ScienceDirect) to screen for children's studies on epigenetic mechanisms following either pre- or post-natal exposure to air pollutants. Studies relevant enough and matched the predetermined criteria were chosen to be reviewed. Non-English articles and studies that did not report both air monitoring and epigenetic outcomes in the same article were excluded. The review found that epigenetic changes have been linked with exposure to air pollutants during early life with evidence and reports of how they may deregulate the epigenome balance, thus inducing disease progression in the future. Epigenetic studies evolve as a promising new approach in deciphering the underlying impacts of air pollution on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) due to links established between some of these epigenetic mechanisms and illnesses.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/chemically induced; Respiratory Tract Diseases/metabolism*
  20. Fulltext House dust mites, our intimate associates
    Nadchatram M
    Trop Biomed, 2005 Jun;22(1):23-37.
    PMID: 16880751
    House dust mites have lived in human contact from time immemorial. Human dander or dead skin constitutes the major organic component of the house dust ecosystem. Because the mites feed on dander, dust mites and human association will continue to co-exist as part of our environment. Efficient house-keeping practice is the best form of control to reduce infestation. However, special precautions are important when individuals are susceptible or sensitive to dust mites. House dust mites are responsible for causing asthma, rhinitis and contact dermatitis. The respiratory allergies are caused by the inhalation of dead or live mites, their faecal matter or other byproducts. Immune factors are of paramount importance in the development of dust related or mite induced respiratory diseases. House dust mites were found in some 1,000 samples of dust taken from approximately 330 dwellings in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. Mattresses, carpets, corners of a bedroom, and floor beneath the bed are favourable dust mite habitats. The incriminating species based on studies here and elsewhere, as well as many other species of dust mites of unknown etiological importance are widely distributed in Malaysian homes. Density of dust mites in Malaysia and Singapore is greater than in temperate countries. Prevention and control measures with reference to subjects sensitive to dust mite allergies, including chemical control described in studies conducted in Europe and America are discussed. However, a cost free and most practical way to remove mites, their faecal matter and other products is to resort to sunning the bedding and carpets to kill the living mites, and then beaten and brushed to remove the dust and other components.
    Matched MeSH terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases/etiology; Respiratory Tract Diseases/prevention & control*
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