Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tanja E. Peters, Benno Kreuels, Marylyn M. Addo, Egbert Tannich, Camilla Rothe
Summary: This study analyzed 339 cases of returning travellers with confirmed giardiasis between 2007 and 2016 in Hamburg, Germany, finding a significantly higher risk of treatment failure with metronidazole for patients returning from South Asia. Second-line treatment regimens showed inconsistency and unsatisfactory results, suggesting a need for reevaluation of treatment strategies for giardiasis. Prospective trials are urgently needed to assess new first-line treatment options and improve second-line treatment strategies.
TRAVEL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Suthinee Sangkanu, Alok K. K. Paul, Julalak Chuprom, Watcharapong Mitsuwan, Rachasak Boonhok, Maria de Lourdes Pereira, Sonia Marlene Rodrigues Oliveira, Polrat Wilairatana, Mohammed Rahmatullah, Christophe Wiart, Muhammad Nawaz, Chea Sin, Sunil Kayesth, Veeranoot Nissapatorn
Summary: Giardia infection can cause diarrhea and is the third most common cause of diarrhea and death in children under five. Antimicrobial drugs are commonly used to treat giardiasis, but vaccination may be a potential means of control and protection against this parasitic disease outbreak.
Article
Microbiology
Ozlem Orunc Kilinc, Adnan Ayan, Burcak Aslan Celik, Ozgur Yasar Celik, Nazmi Yuksek, Gurkan Akyildiz, Fatma Ertas Oguz
Summary: This study investigated the molecular characterization of G. duodenalis in buffaloes in the Van region in Turkiye. The results showed that buffaloes are an important reservoir for waterborne and foodborne giardiasis, with assemblage E and assemblage B isolates.
Review
Microbiology
Rodney D. Adam
Summary: Giardia duodenalis, initially observed by Leeuwenhoek in 1681, gained attention as a human pathogen in the 1960s. Advances in technology have provided insights into its biology and immunology, revealing the importance of a balanced host immune response and the role of the Th17 response. Infection with Giardia can result in a wide range of symptoms, highlighting the complexity of host-parasite interactions.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Farzad Mahdavi, Morteza Shams, Alireza Sadrebazzaz, Laya Shamsi, Mostafa Omidian, Ali Asghari, Soheil Hassanipour, Amir Masoud Salemi
Summary: This review explores the prevalence and risk factors of giardiasis in HIV/AIDS patients, indicating that diarrhea is a significant risk factor and patients without ART treatment are more susceptible to G. duodenalis infection.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Brian I. I. Grajeda, Atasi De Chatterjee, Carmen M. M. Villalobos, Breanna C. C. Pence, Cameron C. C. Ellis, Vanessa Enriquez, Sourav Roy, Sukla Roychowdhury, Aaron K. K. Neumann, Igor C. C. Almeida, Steven E. E. Patterson, Siddhartha Das
Summary: Giardia lamblia is a major waterborne infection-causing protozoan parasite. The mechanism by which it causes disease is unclear, but it has been found to assemble cholesterol and GM1 glycosphingolipid-enriched lipid rafts that play a role in cyst production. These lipid rafts contain various cellular proteins, including potential virulence factors. Drug treatment experiments showed that these lipid rafts and vesicles play an important role in the spread of giardiasis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Junqiang Li, Huikai Qin, Xiaoying Li, Longxian Zhang
Summary: Four species of Giardia have been identified in rodents, with seven G. duodenalis assemblages found. Zoonotic assemblages A and B were responsible for the majority of genotypes identified in both rodents and environmental samples. The zoonotic potential for G. duodenalis infections in humans was significantly higher from animals than within humans. The study highlights the importance of rodents in the zoonotic transmission of giardiasis and the involvement of other animals in the transmission cycle.
Article
Parasitology
Min Sun, Zhiteng Zhao, Ying Li, Lili Cao, Jianhua Li, Xichen Zhang, Xin Li, Nan Zhang, Shuqin Cheng, Xiaocen Wang, Pengtao Gong
Summary: Giardia intestinalis parasite evades host immune responses through surface proteins called VSPs. This study found that VSPAS7 protein in Giardia inhibits activation of signaling pathways and pyroptosis in host macrophages, allowing Giardia to evade host immune responses.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Malgorzata Smogula, Roland Wesolowski, Marta Pawlowska, Celestyna Mila-Kierzenkowska
Summary: Giardia intestinalis is a common food-borne protozoan, and 22 selected factors were found to have an impact on its survival assessment and detection. Microscopic method showed significant influence compared to real-time PCR. Prevention of infection is crucial, and further research and epidemiological observation are needed.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Felipe Romano, Maria Anete Lallo
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of single-dose nitazoxanide for dogs naturally infected by Giardia duodenalis. The results showed that nitazoxanide was effective for canine giardiasis, making it a possible option for dogs with relapses and poor response to conventional drugs.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Irfan Khattak, Wen-Lan Yen, Tahir Usman, Nasreen Nasreen, Adil Khan, Saghir Ahmad, Gauhar Rehman, Khurshaid Khan, Mourad Ben Said, Chien-Chin Chen
Summary: This study estimated the prevalence of Giardia lamblia infection and identified associated risk factors at individual and community levels in a pediatric population in different agroecological zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The study found a giardiasis prevalence of 3.31% in the study area, with children aged 13-24 months being at higher risk. Promoting behavioral change, ensuring safe and adequate water sources, and raising awareness about giardiasis prevention methods at the individual level, combined with community-level interventions, are crucial in reducing the incidence of giardiasis.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Norhamizah Roshidi, Nur Hassanah Mohd Hassan, Asma Abdul Hadi, Norsyahida Arifin
Summary: Giardiasis in Malaysia is more prevalent among the poorest segments of the population, particularly indigenous communities and densely populated areas, due to low personal hygiene and inadequate sanitation facilities. Prevalence data in epidemiological studies heavily relies on microscopic fecal examination, while current research focuses on species identification and genotype distribution. Although giardiasis outbreaks have not been reported, the disease is significantly associated with growth and development issues among children in indigenous communities.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rodrigo Quezada-Lazaro, Yessica Vazquez-Cobix, Rocio Fonseca-Linan, Porfirio Nava, Daniel Dimitri Hernandez-Cueto, Carlos Cedillo-Pelaez, Yolanda Lopez-Vidal, Sara Huerta-Yepez, M. Guadalupe Ortega-Pierres
Summary: In giardiasis, the pathogenesis is still not fully understood, but research suggests that a cysteine protease of Giardia duodenalis, called giardipain-1, plays a crucial role in the development of the disease, inducing apoptosis and extrusion of epithelial cells, as well as causing intestinal epithelial damage and inflammation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Daniel L. Bourque, Andreas Neumayr, Michael Libman, Lin H. Chen
Summary: This review aims to summarize the literature on pharmacotherapy for nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis. The included studies demonstrate a heterogeneous approach to treatment, with quinacrine appearing to be highly effective. However, more data on its safety are needed.
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Parasitology
Weilong Cai, Una Ryan, Lihua Xiao, Yaoyu Feng
Summary: Recent data suggests that humans are primarily infected with Giardia duodenalis assemblages A and B, while host-adapted assemblages are common in animals, indicating that zoonotic giardiasis may be less common and mostly related to contact with a small number of animal species. Future studies should focus on advanced genetic characterization of isolates from humans and animals living in the same household or community to better understand zoonotic transmission of G. duodenalis in different environmental and socioeconomic settings.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Pei Yee Tan, Syahirah Nadiah Mohd Johari, Kim-Tiu Teng, Radhika Loganathan, Soo Ching Lee, Romano Ngui, Kanga Rani Selvaduray, Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
Summary: This study assessed the anthropometry and blood biochemical status of rural primary schoolchildren in Malaysia and found a high prevalence of malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and anemia. Indigenous schoolchildren and younger children were at a higher risk. Targeted measures are needed to improve the nutritional status of these children.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2023)
Correction
Veterinary Sciences
Van Lun Low, Siti Sarah Azhar, Tiong Kai Tan, Premaalatha Bathmanaban, Sazaly AbuBakar, Panchadcharam Chandrawathani, Hassan Nizam Quaza Nizamuddin, Mohd Saeid Faizah Hanim, Ngah Hamid Akma, Mohd Noor Norlizan, Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
VETERINARY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wei Yin Vinnie-Siow, Van Lun Low, Tiong Kai Tan, Meng Li Wong, Cherng Shii Leong, Nazni Wasi Ahmad, Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
Summary: There is limited information on the mosquito species that transmit canine filariosis. In this experimental study, Ae. togoi is identified as a potential vector for both D. immitis and B. pahangi. Additionally, the observation of B. pahangi infection in the head region of Cx. quinquefasciatus is documented for the first time under laboratory conditions.
PATHOGENS AND GLOBAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Li-Fang Yeo, Soo Ching Lee, Uma Devi Palanisamy, BAK. Khalid, Qasim Ayub, Shu Yong Lim, Yvonne AL. Lim, Maude Elvira Phipps
Summary: This study assessed the cardiometabolic health of the Orang Asli (OA) communities in Malaysia and characterized their oral and gut microbiomes. The urban Temuan had worse cardiometabolic health, while the rural OA communities were undergoing epidemiological transition. The OA oral microbiota were unexpectedly homogenous, with low alpha diversity. The rural communities had uncharacterized bacteria in their oral microbiota, indicating potential for discoveries. The study also highlighted the importance of including under-represented populations in large cohort studies and provided insights into the health trends and microbiome composition of these indigenous populations.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
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
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)
Review
Anthropology
Farhat Abjani, Priya Madhavan, Pei Pei Chong, Karuthan Chinna, Charles Anthony Rhodes, Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
Summary: This review discusses and summarizes the major risk factors associated with urbanization that affect the human gut microbiota and consequently human health. The structure of the human gut ecosystem is reflecting the continuous rise in urbanization. As per the discussed data, urbanization and its associated factors have long-standing effects on the human gut microbiota, resulting in alterations in microbial diversity and composition. The increase in chronic inflammatory diseases in urbanized societies is a matter of serious concern.
ANNALS OF HUMAN BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Shu P. Wong, Sen M. Tan, Mahmoud Danaee, Khairunnajwa Muhamad, Munirah Jamal, Farida Islahudin, Faizah Khairudin, Syed C. Edmund, Kian M. Chang, Muhd Z. Zakaria, Yvonne A. L. Lim, Reena Rajasuriar
Summary: The objective of this study was to test the validity and reliability of OMDQ-Mal, a patient self-assessment score for oral mucositis. The results showed that OMDQ-Mal had high internal consistency and good test-retest reliability. It also demonstrated moderate to strong correlations with physician scores.
ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY NURSING
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Pei Yee Tan, Radhika Loganathan, Kim-Tiu Teng, Soo Ching Lee, Syahirah Nadiah Mohd Johari, Kanga Rani Selvaduray, Romano Ngui, Yvonne Ai-Lian Lim
Summary: Despite global efforts to control intestinal parasitic infections, soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain prevalent, especially in developing countries. A study in rural areas of Malaysia investigated the effects of red palm olein (RPO)-enriched biscuits on STH reinfection rates and infection intensities in primary schoolchildren with vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Results showed a significantly lower reinfection rate of A. lumbricoides and a reduction in fecal egg count in the experimental group, suggesting the potential beneficial effects of RPO supplementation. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore underlying mechanisms.
Article
Ophthalmology
Tawfik Al-Khateeb, Sami Al-Haidari, Robert Butcher, Anusha Rajamani, Mohammed Abdu Khalid Mahdy, Cristina Jimenez, Michael Dejene, Sarah Boyd, Ana Bakhtiari, Anthony W. Solomon, Adnan Thabit, Emma M. Harding-Esch, Rasheed Al-Shami
Summary: After one round of antibiotic mass drug administration and implementation of measures to encourage facial cleanliness, the prevalence of trachoma in Yemen was evaluated through population-based surveys. The prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in 1-9-year-olds varied among different districts, ranging from less than 5.0% to 5.0-9.9%. The prevalence of TT unknown to the health system in >= 15-year-olds was all below 0.2% in all surveyed districts.
OPHTHALMIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(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
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)
Review
Parasitology
N. Abu Bakar, N. Sahimin, Y. A. L. Lim, K. Ibrahim, S. N. Mohd Zain
Summary: Poverty has been proven to be a key factor contributing to poor health and hygiene practices. This review highlights the prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases among Malaysia's 2.91 million low-income households. It also examines the government's initiatives in housing and healthcare for this marginalized community. However, more research is needed to accurately understand the epidemiology of diseases among the poor in order to effectively address this public health issue and develop appropriate policies.
TROPICAL BIOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Shu Ping Wong, Yi Xian Er, Sen Mui Tan, Soo Ching Lee, Reena Rajasuriar, Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
Summary: This study investigates the changes in oral and gut microbiota of autologous HSCT recipients in the Asian region and their impact on mucositis. The study finds significant differences in diversity of microbiota before and after transplantation. Certain bacteria are associated with higher severity of mucositis, while others are associated with protective effects. These findings provide potential strategies for interventions to ameliorate mucositis outcome in HSCT recipients.
TRANSPLANTATION AND CELLULAR THERAPY
(2023)
