Article
Infectious Diseases
Sanjib Sardar, Ajanta Ghosal, Tapas Haldar, Maimoon Maruf, Koushik Das, Yumiko Saito-Nakano, Seiki Kobayashi, Shanta Dutta, Tomoyoshi Nozaki, Sandipan Ganguly
Summary: This study determined the prevalence and characterized the E. moshkovskii isolates in eastern India. The results showed a high prevalence rate of E. moshkovskii infection with a unique seasonal pattern. Additionally, certain SNPs in the 18S rRNA gene were associated with clinical features, indicating their potential as markers for identifying pathogenic isolates of E. moshkovskii. These findings highlight the epidemiological significance of E. moshkovskii as a possible emerging enteric pathogen in India.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Nur Insyirah Tokijoh, Adibah Abu Bakar, Nurulhasanah Othman, Rahmah Noordin, Syazwan Saidin
Summary: This study found a high prevalence of Entamoeba spp. infections among Orang Asli school children in Perak, Malaysia, with factors such as not washing hands and specific living conditions contributing to the risk. Children aged 10-12 years old, with high BMI, living without a toilet, among others, were more likely to be infected with E. moshkovskii. Interestingly, drinking water from rivers, wells, and rain was associated with lower risk of E. dispar infection.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Muhamad Khairul Nazrin Khalil, Mohamad Aznuddin Abd Razak, Fatin Athirah Tahir, Norhafizah Sahril, Nik Adilah Shahein, Muhammad Solihin Rezali, Muhammad Azri Adam Adnan, Siaw Hun Liew, Nor'ain Ab Wahab, Norliza Shamsuddin, Mohd Shaiful Azlan Kassim
Summary: This review examined the prevalence and risk factors of anaemia among indigenous children in Malaysia, particularly the Orang Asli population, and identified knowledge gaps in the research. The overall prevalence of anaemia among Orang Asli children ranged from 21.6% to 80.0%, with a prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia at 34.0%. Risk factors for anaemia included being younger than ten years old and moderate to heavy Ascaris infections. However, there is a lack of data on certain age groups and subtribes, as well as a scarcity of information on anaemia risk factors among Orang Asli children based on the available evidence. Further comprehensive studies are needed to address these gaps and inform the development of effective national prevention strategies.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Muhammad Hilmi Mahmud, Ummi Mirza Baharudin, Zaleha Md Isa
Summary: Orang Asli, the indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia, face challenges in terms of socioeconomic disadvantages and health issues. Recent studies have shown higher prevalence of diseases, such as neglected tropical diseases and malnutrition, among the Orang Asli compared to the general population. There is an increasing focus on non-communicable diseases due to changes in socioeconomic status and lifestyle. Collaboration between government agencies and private organizations is necessary to improve the health and reduce the prevalence of diseases among the Orang Asli.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
David W. Cleary, Denise E. Morris, Rebecca A. Anderson, Jessica Jones, Ahmed Ghazi Alattraqchi, Nor Iza A. Rahman, Salwani Ismail, Mohd Sayuti Razali, Rahmah Mohd Amin, Aniza Abd Aziz, Nor Kamaruzaman Esa, Salman Amiruddin, Ching Hoong Chew, Hafis Simin, Ramle Abdullah, Chew Chieng Yeo, Stuart C. Clarke
Summary: This study examined the airway microbiomes of the Orang Asli indigenous peoples of Malaysia and found significant differences in microbial diversity among different age groups. Different dominant microbial communities were observed in different microbiomes. High carriage rates of Staphylococcus aureus and pneumococci were detected using conventional microbiology methods.
NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Chii-Chii Chew, Hasni-Adha Ibrahim, Venugopalan K. Balan, Nor-Azizah Abd-Aziz, Hooi-Meng Puah, Amar-Singh Hss
Summary: Approximately 40% of indigenous Orang Asli children in Perak state, Malaysia, aged 2 years and under were underweight, and most of them received inappropriate care management.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Aradhana Singh, Tuhina Banerjee, Uzma Khan, Sunit Kumar Shukla
Summary: Amoebiasis, caused by Entamoeba sp., is a major global health issue with millions of people affected. This study provides detailed data on the prevalence of various Entamoeba species and their impact on preventive measures.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Mohd Amirul Fitri A. Rahim, Mohd Bakhtiar Munajat, Nor Diyana Dian, Mohd Ikhwan Mukmin Seri Rakna, Wathiqah Wahid, Nuraffini Ghazali, Noor Wanie Hassan, Siti Nor Azreen Abdul Manap, Muhd Rafiq Mohd Kasri, Ahmad Imran Mohamed, Emelia Osman, Sriwipa Chuangchaiya, Inke Nadia D. Lubis, Paul C. S. Divis, Akira Kaneko, Kevin K. A. Tetteh, Zulkarnain Md Idris
Summary: Malaria control in Malaysia has made significant progress, but there is still a need to determine malaria exposure and transmission patterns in high-risk populations. This study used a serological method to measure the transmission levels of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax among indigenous communities. The findings showed a higher level of P. falciparum transmission and an association between living in a specific area and malaria infection. This approach can be an important tool for monitoring and surveillance in low malaria transmission settings.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
T. Junaidi, M. S. Asmaruddin, T. Kurrohman, Nurdin, W. Khazanah
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the incidence and factors influencing the infection of Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii complex among the residents of Sabang Island, Aceh Province, Indonesia. The prevalence of infection was found to be 26.6%, with the source and adequacy of clean water being correlated with the incidence of infection. Demographic variables were not found to be associated with the incidence of infection.
TROPICAL BIOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Abdullah Nur Azeelah, Zainuddin Zafarina
Summary: This study provides allele frequencies and forensic statistical parameters for 15 autosomal STR loci for six Orang Asli subgroups, recruiting 164 Orang Asli individuals. The data will enhance the existing Malaysian autosomal STR database and be beneficial for kinship testing and forensic applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
S. Saidin, A. B. Adibah, K. B. Poh, R. Khairuddin, B. M. Md-Zain
Summary: This study used molecular detection methods to investigate the prevalence of Entamoeba spp. infection in a certain region of Malaysia, and found that there is still ongoing transmission of this infection, indicating the need for specific prevention and control strategies.
IIUM MEDICAL JOURNAL MALAYSIA
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Abdul Halim Abdullah
Summary: In order to improve educational outcomes for indigenous students, various countries have conducted research on interventions for mathematics learning. These studies have shown successful progress in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains of indigenous students through teaching interventions that emphasize scientific inquiry practice and cultural relevance.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mohd Bakhtiar Munajat, Mohd Amirul Fitri A. Rahim, Wathiqah Wahid, Mohd Ikhwan Mukmin Seri Rakna, Paul C. S. Divis, Sriwipa Chuangchaiya, Inke Nadia D. Lubis, Emelia Osman, Muhd Rafiq Mohd Kasri, Zulkarnain Md Idris
Summary: The study found that most populations in the villages have an acceptable level of knowledge and awareness about malaria. However, positive attitudes and practices concerning managing malaria require marked improvement.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mohammed Hassan Flaih, Ruaa Majid Khazaal, Manar Karem Kadhim, Khwam Reissan Hussien, Falah Abd Bashir Alhamadani
Summary: Amoebiasis in Thi-Qar Province is an endemic disease affecting all age groups, with molecular testing being effective in differentiating between Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar for targeted drug therapy.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Sara Shakilla Mohd Salim, Zainal Abidin Hj Ali
Summary: This article focuses on the human capital among Orang Asli, indigenous peoples in Malaysia, specifically in terms of education level, skills, experience, participation in workshops/courses, social skills, values, beliefs, and attitude towards changes and development. The study finds that there is a need for improvement in the human capital of Orang Asli communities.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rosnani Hanim Mohd Hussain, Mohamed Kamel Abdul Ghani, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui, Tengku Shahrul Anuar
Summary: This study in Malaysia identified Acanthamoeba presence in marine waters, with some strains showing highly pathogenic attributes. The findings suggest that marine waters in Malaysia could be a potential source of pathogenic acanthamoebic strains in humans, highlighting the need for routine monitoring of water quality risks.
JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Biology
Ahmed A. Abdulhaq, Almonther A. Hershan, Kaliyaperumal Karunamoorthi, Hesham M. Al-Mekhlafi
Summary: Alkhumra hemorrhagic fever (AHF) is a severe and often fatal hemorrhagic disease caused by Alkhumra hemorrhagic fever virus (AHFV). It is transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals or tick bites. Saudi Arabia has reported a total of 604 confirmed cases between 1995 and 2020, but there are currently no specific treatment or control strategies available. Without appropriate prevention and control measures, the likelihood of increased prevalence or outbreaks remains high.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Majid A. Darraj, Hesham M. Al-Mekhlafi
Summary: This study investigated the short-term side-effects reported by healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia after receiving the first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The most commonly reported side-effects included injection site pain and redness, fever, whole-body pain/fatigue, and headache.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Hassan A. Hamali, Muhammad Saboor, Gasim Dobie, Aymen M. Madkhali, Mohammad S. Akhter, Ali Hakamy, Hesham M. Al-Mekhlafi, Denise E. Jackson, Yahya H. Matari, Abdullah A. Mobarki
Summary: Elevated levels of procoagulant microvesicles (MVs) and tissue factor-bearing microvesicles (TF-bearing MVs) are observed in COVID-19 patients, and they are associated with platelet counts and D-dimer levels. These microvesicles may serve as potential markers to predict disease severity and evaluate coagulation activity in COVID-19.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui, Mohammad Ridwane Mungroo, Tengku Shahrul Anuar, Ahmad M. Alharbi, Hasan Alfahemi, Adel B. Elmoselhi, Naveed Ahmed Khan
Summary: Naegleria fowleri and Balamuthia mandrillaris are pathogenic free-living amoebae that cause infections in the central nervous system with high mortality rates. Repurposing existing drugs with known mechanisms of action could potentially expedite the discovery and application of anti-amoebic compounds.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Aymen M. Madkhali, Ahmad Hassn Ghzwani, Hesham M. Al-Mekhlafi
Summary: This cross-sectional study evaluated the performances of a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), microscopy, and nested PCR for diagnosing P. falciparum malaria in febrile patients from Jazan, Saudi Arabia. The results showed that RDT had higher sensitivity, similar specificity, and better NLR and AUC compared to microscopy when nested PCR was used as the reference. The sensitivity of both RDT and microscopy decreased with age and low parasite density, and RDT and microscopy had higher sensitivity in non-Saudi participants. Against microscopy, both RDT and PCR had high sensitivity, specificity, and NPVs, but reduced PPVs.
Article
Parasitology
Abadi M. Mashlawi, Ashwaq M. Al-Nazawi, Elsiddig M. Noureldin, Hussain Alqahtani, Jazem A. Mahyoub, Jassada Saingamsook, Mustapha Debboun, Martha Kaddumukasa, Hesham M. Al-Mekhlafi, Catherine Walton
Summary: Research conducted in southwestern Saudi Arabia found that Aedes aegypti populations carry three known kdr mutations, as well as wild type genotypes. Investigation in Saudi Arabia and other countries showed higher genetic diversity in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Jazan and Sahil regions, compared to Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah regions.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fadzilah Mohd Nor, Shafiq Aazmi, Tengku Shahrul Anuar, Azdayanti Muslim, Muhammad Nazri Aziz, Nabila Ibrahim, Mohd Fakharul Zaman Raja Yahya, Siti Nabilah Zainuri, Farida Zuraina Mohd Yusof
Summary: The study investigated the epidemiological pattern of infectious gastroenteritis in selected urban areas in Malaysia. The analysis of laboratory requests and socio-demographic details revealed that both mono-infection and co-infection were present, with mono-infection being more prevalent among adolescents and young adults, and co-infection being more common among infants. Bacteria, particularly Salmonella spp., were the main cause of mono-infection, while co-infections involved a combination of bacteria and viruses such as EPEC and Norovirus. The peak season for infectious gastroenteritis was observed from August to October. These findings suggest potential contamination in the food supply and reduced hygiene in food sanitation, leading to health issues in children in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Rosnani Hanim Mohd Hussain, Mohamed Kamel Abdul Ghani, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui, Shafiq Aazmi, Hasseri Halim, Tengku Shahrul Anuar
Summary: This study characterized the pathogenic potential of Acanthamoeba isolated from contact lens paraphernalia and water sources in Malaysia. The findings revealed the presence of multiple isolates with high cytotoxicity levels, adhesion ability, and protease secretion among the T3 and T4 genotypes.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui, Sutherland K. Maciver, Tengku Shahrul Anuar, Naveed Ahmed Khan
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the bacterial flora in the gastrointestinal tract of a saltwater crocodile using 16S rRNA gene analysis. The results showed that the bacterial community structure varied throughout different regions, with the small intestine exhibiting the highest richness and the large intestine having the least microbial diversity. The relative abundance of certain bacterial taxa also differed in different sample sites, with variations in Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Castellaniella, Comamonas, Salmonella, and Pannonibacter.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Aymen M. Madkhali, Abdullah A. Mobarki, Ahmad H. Ghzwani, Hesham M. Al-Mekhlafi, Ahmed Zhranei, Abdulrahman Osais, Ahmed Sohel, Basim Othman, Gasim Dobie, Hassan A. Hamali
Summary: The study aimed to measure the levels of procoagulant microvesicles (MVs) and tissue factor (TF)-bearing MVs in malaria patients and correlate these levels with other hematological parameters and parasitemia. The results showed that patients with Plasmodium falciparum infection had significantly elevated levels of MVs and TF-bearing MVs compared to healthy controls. MVs also showed a significant inverse correlation with platelet count, hemoglobin, and parasitemia. Elevated levels of MVs and TF-bearing MVs could be useful biomarkers in assessing the procoagulant activity, inflammatory response, and parasitemia levels in malaria infection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rohaya Abdul Halim, Rosnani Hanim Mohd Hussain, Shafiq Aazmi, Hasseri Halim, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui, Tengku Shahrul Anuar
Summary: The present study aimed to identify the Acanthamoeba genotypes and their pathogenic potential in three recreational lakes in Malaysia. Water samples were collected between June and July 2022 and analyzed for physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters. Acanthamoeba was detected in 26 out of 30 water samples by PCR, with the highest contamination rate in Biru Lake (100%). The most common genotype was T4, and temperature- and osmo-tolerance tests showed that some genotypes were highly pathogenic.
JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Manal A. Al-Ashwal, Wahib M. Atroosh, Abdulelah H. Al-Adhroey, Assia A. Al-Subbary, Lau Yee-Ling, Hesham M. Al-Mekhlafi
Summary: A study in the Utmah district, western Yemen, revealed a high prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) at 33%. The disease was found to be associated with factors such as age, gender, housing conditions, and presence of other family members with ulcerating skin diseases. The study highlights the urgent need for effective control measures and treatment efforts against this disease.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui, Anania Boghossian, Muhammad Kawish, Tooba Jabri, Muhammad Raza Shah, Tengku Shahrul Anuar, Zainab Al-Shareef, Naveed Ahmed Khan
Summary: This study evaluated the anti-amoebic efficacy of novel nanocarriers conjugated with two anti-parasitic drugs (AmB and curcumin) against Balamuthia mandrillaris and Naegleria fowleri. The results showed that nanocarrier-conjugated AmB and curcumin exhibited enhanced cidal effects compared with the drugs alone. The nanoformulated drugs also reduced parasite-mediated host cellular death and decreased the cytotoxic effects of AmB on human cells. These findings suggest the potential of nanocarriers as a delivery method for medicine against parasitic infections.
Article
Parasitology
S. A. Noradilah, T. S. Anuar, I. L. Lee
Summary: Poverty, poor sanitation practices, and drinking untreated water put the aboriginal community in Malaysia at high risk for Trichuris trichiura infection. Health education, improved sanitation, and provision of treated water supply are recommended for the prevention and control of the infection.