Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ram Das, Kapil Vashisht, Kailash C. Pandey
Summary: A novel multiplex qPCR assay was developed to detect non-human malaria parasites in Indian populations at risk. The assay showed high specificity and sensitivity, making it a valuable tool for mass screening and surveillance programs, aiming to control and eliminate malaria from India by 2030.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Abalinda M. Gorret, Rabbison Muhindo, Emma Baguma, Moses Ntaro, Edgar M. Mulogo, Molly Deutsch-Feldman, Jonathan J. Juliano, Dan Nyehangane, Ross M. Boyce
Summary: A study conducted in western Uganda found that malaria rapid diagnostic tests perform similarly in diagnosing children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, whether using capillary or venous blood, with high sensitivity, specificity, and agreement between sample types. Only a few tests would have led to a different clinical diagnosis when following the manufacturer's recommended interpretation.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Angela N. Theodosopoulos, Kathryn C. Grabenstein, Staffan Bensch, Scott A. Taylor
Summary: This study reports a recent range expansion of a highly invasive parasite to two non-migratory passerines in North America, marking the first case of this parasite strain in wild non-migratory birds on the continent. The geographical range of the parasite strain and its known hosts were summarized using a long-term database, with the introduction event likely resulting from movements of captive birds and subsequent spillover to native bird populations. Further research is needed to determine the extent of spread of this parasite strain in North America.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yonas Yimam, Mehdi Mohebali, Mohammad Javad Abbaszadeh Afshar
Summary: This study compared the diagnostic performance of a new ultrasensitive rapid diagnostic test (us-RDT) and a conventional rapid diagnostic test (co-RDT) for detecting malaria. The results showed that us-RDT had higher sensitivity, especially in asymptomatic individuals and low transmission areas.
Article
Cell Biology
James A. Watson, Sophie Uyoga, Perpetual Wanjiku, Johnstone Makale, Gideon M. Nyutu, Neema Mturi, Elizabeth C. George, Charles J. Woodrow, Nicholas P. J. Day, Philip Bejon, Robert O. Opoka, Arjen M. Dondorp, Chandy C. John, Kathryn Maitland, Thomas N. Williams, Nicholas J. White
Summary: Severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is difficult to accurately diagnose in children in high-transmission settings. A combination of platelet count and plasma PfHRP2 concentration can be used to identify severe falciparum malaria in severely ill patients. About one-third of children enrolled in clinical studies of severe malaria in high-transmission settings in Africa had other causes of their severe illness.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Merit Gonzalez-Olvera, Arturo Hernandez-Colina, Julian Chantrey, Simon Allen, Javier Lopez, Matthew Baylis
Summary: The study shows that using blood from feather shafts for detecting haemosporidian infections can be a beneficial and less invasive alternative to blood sampling. Storage temperature and bird characteristics can affect DNA recovery and the probability of detecting haemosporidians.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Spinello Antinori, Cecilia Bonazzetti, Andrea Giacomelli, Mario Corbellino, Massimo Galli, Carlo Parravicini, Anna Lisa Ridolfo
Summary: Research on non-human primate malaria parasites has increased our understanding of the biology and origins of human malaria. The discovery that some NHP malaria parasites can be transmitted to humans raises concerns about controlling human malaria, while advancements in molecular techniques have enhanced our knowledge of the diversity and distribution of these parasites and their relationship with human malaria.
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2021)
Letter
Oncology
Jiaqi Liu, Haibin Chen, Yalun Li, Yanman Fang, Yang Guo, Shuangquan Li, Juan Xu, Ziqi Jia, Jiali Zou, Gang Liu, Hengyi Xu, Tao Wang, Dingyuan Wang, Yiwen Jiang, Yang Wang, Xuejie Tang, Guangdong Qiao, Yeqing Zhou, Lan Bai, Ran Zhou, Can Lu, Hongwei Wen, Jiayi Li, Yansong Huang, Shuo Zhang, Yong Feng, Hongyan Chen, Shouping Xu, Bailin Zhang, Zhihua Liu, Xiang Wang
Summary: This study is the largest research on breath tests to date. It found that breath testing can be used effectively to detect breast cancer. The study identified a diagnostic model (BreathBC) consisting of 10 volatile organic compound markers, which performed better than mammography and ultrasound in detecting breast cancer.
JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY & ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Valeria Lodde, Matteo Floris, Maria Rosaria Muroni, Francesco Cucca, Maria Laura Idda
Summary: Malaria, caused by Plasmodium, is a severe infectious disease with a complex life cycle, and the role of non-coding RNAs in regulating gene expression during infection is crucial. These ncRNAs have potential to be used as biomarkers for monitoring disease status, and have surprising functions in the interaction between parasite and human host.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Mateusz Plucinski, Michael Aidoo, Eric Rogier
Summary: The research discusses the significance of identifying and characterizing proteins produced during human infection with Plasmodium spp. in malaria research, diagnosis, and epidemiology. It highlights the development of laboratory methods for protein detection and the potential implications for malaria control strategies.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
PierFrancesco Bassi, Luca Di Gianfrancesco, Luigi Salmaso, Mauro Ragonese, Giuseppe Palermo, Emilio Sacco, Rosa Arboretti Giancristofaro, Riccardo Ceccato, Marco Racioppi
Summary: The study found that an electronic nose can effectively detect differences between BCa patients and controls, showing good accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in BCa diagnosis. By selecting the most efficient sensors, the sensitivity and specificity of the electronic nose can be further improved.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Jonathan S. Schultz, Kimberly E. Mace, Kathrine R. Tan
Summary: The increase in international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery period is expected to lead to an increase in imported malaria cases in the US. Prevention, timely diagnosis, and appropriate treatment are crucial in minimizing imported malaria morbidity and mortality. Intravenous artesunate (IVAS) is now available for severe malaria treatment in the US. Hospitals and pharmacists should have a malaria treatment plan that includes stocking artemether-lumefantrine for uncomplicated malaria and ensuring access to IVAS for severe cases.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Pranavi Muppidi, Emily Wright, Samuel C. Wassmer, Himanshu Gupta
Summary: Cerebral malaria is a severe form of malaria that can cause death, and it is characterized by the accumulation of parasitized red blood cells in the microvasculature of vital organs. Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial for a positive outcome in cerebral malaria. However, current diagnostic tools are insufficient to assess the extent of brain dysfunction associated with cerebral malaria before the window for effective treatment closes. Various biomarkers based on host and parasite factors have been proposed as rapid diagnostic tools for early cerebral malaria diagnosis, but no specific biomarker signature has been validated. In this review, we discuss promising biomarker candidates for cerebral malaria and evaluate their suitability as point-of-care tools in malaria-endemic areas.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Arnau Guasch-Girbau, Xavier Fernandez-Busquets
Summary: Malaria eradication has been a longstanding goal on the global health agenda, but the causative agents of the disease have developed mechanisms to evade immunity and drug resistance. Nanomedicine is considered a new strategy in the fight against malaria, and is already making an impact in diagnosis, prevention, and therapy. Next generation antimalarial drugs in development are being assessed for their potential use of nanotechnology.
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chaturong Putaporntip, Chew Weng Cheng, Rattanaporn Rojrung, Napaporn Kuamsab, Somchai Jongwutiwes
Summary: Emerging zoonotic malaria caused by Plasmodium knowlesi, Plasmodium cynomolgi and Plasmodium inui has been observed in humans in Thailand over the past decade. The diagnosis of non-human primate malaria in ecotourists is difficult and requires molecular diagnostic techniques.
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Devi Nallappan, Kien Chai Ong, Uma Devi Palanisamy, Kek Heng Chua, Umah Rani Kuppusamy
Summary: This study found that a fraction of myricetin derivatives (MD) from Syzygium malaccense leaf extract has preventive and therapeutic effects on obesity, hyperglycemia, and oxidative stress induced by a high-fat diet (HFD).
ARCHIVES OF PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sheh Wen Kuan, Kek Heng Chua, E-Wei Tan, Lay Koon Tan, Alexander Loch, Boon Pin Kee
Summary: Cardiomyopathy is a group of myocardium diseases that affect the pumping ability of the heart, with genetic predisposition being among the major factors. This study investigated the mutation spectrum in the mitochondrial genome of 145 Malaysian cardiomyopathy patients and found potentially pathogenic variants, highlighting the importance of further functional studies.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xiang Ting Goh, Suh Kuan Fong, Hwa Chia Chai, Boon Pin Kee, Kek Heng Chua
Summary: This study investigated the association between genetic polymorphisms in the PTPN2 gene and the development of Crohn's disease (CD) in Malaysian patients. The findings showed that the selected SNPs were not significantly associated with CD development in the Malaysian population, but certain genotypes were associated with lower occurrence of CD, stricturing behavior, inflammation at specific sites, and colonic CD in Malaysian Chinese patients. Further functional studies are needed to evaluate the potential use of these SNPs as biomarkers for CD phenotypes among Asian patients.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mian Zi Tee, Soo Ching Lee, Yi Xian Er, Nan Jiun Yap, Romano Ngui, Alice V. Easton, Vinnie Wei Yin Siow, Kee Seong Ng, Christopher Chiong Meng Boey, Kek Heng Chua, Ken Cadwell, P'ng Loke, Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
Summary: STH infections are highly prevalent among indigenous communities in Malaysia. Children and teenagers, poor sanitation and hygiene behavior were determinants for STH infections. Triple dose albendazole is found to be efficacious against Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm infections but has moderate curative effect with high ERR against T. trichiura.
Article
Microbiology
Suat Moi Puah, Wei Ching Khor, Kyaw Thu Aung, Tien Tien Vicky Lau, S. D. Puthucheary, Kek Heng Chua
Summary: This study examined the antimicrobial susceptibility of Aeromonas dhakensis isolates and found a high level of resistance to carbapenems. Clinical isolates showed a significant association with resistance to doripenem, imipenem, and meropenem compared to non-clinical isolates.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Li Ping Wong, Sun Tee Tay, Kek Heng Chua, Xiang Ting Goh, Haridah Alias, Zizheng Zheng, Qinjian Zhao, Ting Wu, Ningshao Xia, Zhijian Hu, Yulan Lin
Summary: This study investigated the Hepatitis E virus infection among ruminant farmworkers in Malaysia and found no evidence of any infection. The results suggest a low level of exposure to HEV among farmworkers in Malaysia, with minimal or no zoonotic risks.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Pak Kheong Tan, Umah Rani Kuppusamy, Kek Heng Chua, Bavani Arumugam
Summary: One of the primary goals in diabetes management is to maintain blood glucose levels within a normal range, which requires the use of insulin for Type 1 and advanced Type 2 diabetes patients. However, insulin administration through subcutaneous injection may cause discomfort. Therefore, this review focuses on providing an update on insulin formulations, alternative delivery routes, and strategies to improve stability and bioavailability for diabetes treatment.
CURRENT DRUG DELIVERY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Tien-Tien Vicky Lau, Suat-Moi Puah, Jin-Ai Mary Anne Tan, Susana Merino, S. D. Puthucheary, Kek-Heng Chua
Summary: This study investigates the role of flagellar genes in the biofilm formation of Aeromonas dhakensis. Results show that mutants lacking certain flagellar genes exhibited reduced swimming, swarming, and biofilm formation. However, complemented strains with these genes restored wild-type levels of motility and biofilm formation. This suggests that these flagellar genes play an important role in biofilm formation through flagella-mediated motility and surface attachment.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Esra'a I. Al-Trad, Ainal Mardziah Che Hamzah, Suat Moi Puah, Kek Heng Chua, Muhamad Zarul Hanifah, Qasim Ayub, Prasit Palittapongarnpim, Stephen M. Kwong, Ching Hoong Chew, Chew Chieng Yeo
Summary: This study presents the complete genome sequence of a multidrug-resistant MRSA strain SauR3 isolated from a 6-year-old patient's blood in Terengganu, Malaysia, in 2016. The strain belonged to the rarely reported sequence type 573 (ST573) of the staphylococcal clonal complex 1 (CC1) lineage and carried a variant of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type V (5C2&5) element. The SauR3 genome has the potential to serve as a reference genome for other ST573 isolates.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Esra'a I. Al-Trad, Ching Hoong Chew, Ainal Mardziah Che Hamzah, Zarizal Suhaili, Nor Iza A. Rahman, Salwani Ismail, Suat Moi Puah, Kek Heng Chua, Stephen M. Kwong, Chew Chieng Yeo
Summary: This study analyzed the genomic content of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from Terengganu, Malaysia. The majority of the isolates harbored 1-4 plasmids, with a total of 189 plasmid sequences identified. Resistance genes were found in 74% of these plasmids. The results provide important insights into the plasmidomic landscape of Malaysian MRSA isolates.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ching Hoong Chew, Chew Chieng Yeo, Ainal Mardziah Che Hamzah, Esra'a I. Al-Trad, Sherry Usun Jones, Kek Heng Chua, Suat Moi Puah
Summary: Multidrug resistance (MDR) poses a significant challenge in healthcare management, and a comprehensive approach is needed to address this issue. In this study, a combination of phenotypic and genotypic methods, including whole genome sequencing (WGS), was used to investigate hospital-associated MDR methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from newborn infants. The findings revealed different levels of resistance to antimicrobial classes among the MDR-MRSA strains, along with the presence of slime and biofilms, SCCmec type IV, and various types of microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (MSCRAMMs) and virulence genes. The WGS data for specific strains showed the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes in the chromosomes, with one gene found in a small plasmid. The presence of MDR-MRSA strains in neonates raises public concern, and multifaceted interventions are recommended to address this issue. Furthermore, there is a need for metadata to improve the investigation of antimicrobial resistance genes in MDR isolates.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Heng Kang Ng, Suat Moi Puah, Cindy Shuan Ju Teh, Nuryana Idris, Kek Heng Chua
Summary: This study investigated the transcriptomic profiles of pellicle cells from carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains. The analysis identified 366 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in pellicle cells, including potential genes involved in fatty acid degradation (ABUW_1624, ABUW_1550) and a methionine transporter system gene (ABUW_2820). Upregulation of two-component systems (CusSR, KdpDE) related to copper and potassium ion regulation during CRAB pellicle formation was also observed. These findings provide insights into gene expression regulation in CRAB pellicle formation and potential targets for eradicating CRAB infections.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
E-Wei Tan, Kek Heng Chua, Sherry Usun Jones, Lay Koon Tan, Alexander Loch, Boon Pin Kee
Summary: This study investigated 152 cardiomyopathy patients and found a different genetic composition in Malaysian patients compared to Western populations, with only one patient carrying a mutation in the MYH7 gene. The finding suggests the need for a more comprehensive mutation study on Malaysian cardiomyopathy patients to better understand the genetic causes of cardiomyopathy in Malaysia.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sherry Usun Jones, Ching Hoong Chew, Chew Chieng Yeo, Fatimah Haslina Abdullah, Norlela Othman, Boon Pin Kee, Kek Heng Chua, Suat Moi Puah
Summary: This study investigated the in vitro biofilm-forming ability of clinical MSSA isolates from a tertiary referral hospital in Malaysia and detected the presence of biofilm-associated and regulatory genes. The results showed that biofilm formation varied greatly among the MSSA isolates, and the presence of the sasG gene and agr-1 may play important roles in initiating MSSA infections through biofilm formation.
INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarasvathy Subramaniam, Kien Chai Ong, Vikineswary Sabaratnam, Kek Heng Chua, Umah Rani Kuppusamy
Summary: This study validates the efficacy of Ganoderma neo-japonicum polysaccharides in treating obesity-induced type 2 diabetes. The results show that GNJP supplementation prevents weight gain, liver steatosis, and improves glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS
(2023)
