Dispersal direction of Malaysian Fasciola gigantica from neighboring southeast Asian countries inferred using mitochondrial DNA analysis

Fasciola gigantica and hybrid Fasciola flukes, responsible for the disease fasciolosis, are found in Southeast Asian countries. In the present study, we performed molecular species identification of Fasciola flukes distributed in Terengganu, Malaysia using multiplex PCR for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (pepck) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) for DNA polymerase delta (pold). Simultaneously, phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) was performed for the first time on Malaysian Fasciola flukes to infer the dispersal direction among neighboring countries. A total of 40 flukes used in this study were identified as F. gigantica. Eight nad1 haplotypes were identified in the F. gigantica population of Terengganu. Median-joining network analysis revealed that the Malaysian population was related to those obtained from bordering countries such as Thailand and Indonesia. However, genetic differentiation was detected using population genetics analyses. Nevertheless, the nucleotide diversity (π) value suggested that F. gigantica with the predominant haplotypes was introduced into Malaysia from Thailand and Indonesia. The dispersal direction suggested by population genetics in the present study may not be fully reliable since Fasciola flukes were collected from a single location in one state of Malaysia. Further studies analyzing more samples from many locations are required to validate the dispersal direction proposed herein.

Helminthic parasites in indigenous chickens in Penang Island, Malaysia

Indigenous chicken (Gallus domesticus) is reared for both its meat and eggs. Most consumers prefer the meat probably due to its specific texture and taste. The study was conducted to determine the presence of helminth parasites of 240 indigenous chickens (Gallus domesticus) obtained randomly from 12 divisions in Penang Island, Malaysia. Necropsy findings revealed 14 endoparasite species which parasitized these chickens namely, Acuaria hamulosa, Acuaria spiralis, Amoebotaenia sphenoides, Ascaridia galli, Brachylaima sp., Capillaria spp., Gongylonema ingluvicola, Heterakis gallinarum, Hymenolepis sp., Oxyspirura mansoni, Raillietina echinobothrida, Raillietina tetragona, Syngamus trachea and Tetrameres americana. The high abundance of helminth species observed in this study may be attributed to the free-range scavenging production system, where these indigenous chickens were exposed to intermediate or paratenic hosts of helminths which infect poultry. Besides, sustainable methods of helminthic control measure are necessary in order to enhance indigenous chicken production and eventually improve the economy of the rural farmers.

Exploratory analysis of traditional risk factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD) among predominantly Malay Malaysian women

Background

The risk factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD) specific for women are less well studied. However, knowing the risk factors of IHD for women will empower women themselves to be better informed and thus can help them in decision making concerning their health condition. The objective of this study is to explore the commonly studied risk factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD) among a group of Malaysian women.

Methods

A case control study was conducted among 142 newly diagnosed IHD women patients registered in government hospitals in Terengganu, Malaysia and their 1:1 frequency matched population controls. Data on sociodemographic and socioeconomic profile, co-morbidities, lifestyle factors related to physical activities, dietary fat intake, stress, passive smoking history, anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers were obtained.

Results

Middle aged women were recruited with women diagnosed with diabetes (aOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.11–3.31), having low HDL-C (aOR = 3.30, 95% CI: 1.28–8.27), those with positive family history of IHD (aOR = 1.92, 95% CI:1.13–3.26) and passive smokers (aOR = 2.99, 95% CI:1.81–4.94) were at higher odds of IHD.

Conclusions

The findings are useful for public health interventions and policy making focusing on specific women population.

Nematode control failure due to anthelmintic resistance in a sheep farm in Malaysia: First identification of the F200Y mutation in the isotype 1 β-tubulin gene

This paper reports total nematode anthelmintic resistance towards albendazole, fenbendazole, levamisole and ivermectin in a commercial sheep farm located in Terengganu, Malaysia. Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) was conducted on 25 sheep, where five sheep in each group were treated with the respective four anthelmintics based on live bodyweight. The balance of five sheep placed in the control group were not treated with any anthelmintics. At day 13 post-treatment, faecal egg count was conducted and nematode worm egg count reduction percentage was calculated to determine the resistance status towards the respective anthelmintics tested. Results showed that nematodes were resistant to all the anthelmintics tested, namely albendazole, fenbendazole, levamisole and ivermectin with reduction percentage of 87%, 46%, 94% and 68%, respectively. Subsequently, the third stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis recovered from post-treatment faecal cultures were subjected to allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) assay to determine the presence of the benzimidazole resistance gene. This study reports the occurrence of the classical F200Y mutation in the isotype 1 βtubulin gene, for the first time in Malaysia.

The prevalence of helminthiasis in cattle, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of helminthiasis among cattle in seven districts of Terengganu, namely: Kuala Terengganu, Hulu Terengganu, Setiu, Dungun, Kemaman, Marang and Besut. The periods of samplings were from March 2015 to January 2016 conducted between 0800-1400h. A total of 219 faecal samples and 214 blood samples were collected from the animals. The faecal samples were analyzed by faecal sedimentation method, modified McMaster method, culture techniques and identification of third stage larvae morphologically. The blood samples were centrifuged for sera that were used for serological test. Results showed that the overall helminthiasis was made of 55.0% trematodes and 14.0% nematode infection. Out of 55.0% of trematode infection, 41.0% was liver fluke infection, 8.0% was rumen fluke infection and 52.0% was co-infection of liver fluke and rumen fluke. A significant difference in the distribution of trematode eggs was recorded among the animals, χ²(2, N=120) = 41, p<0.05. Faecal egg count (FEC) for gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes were ranged from 0 - 800 e.p.g. The mean faecal egg count was 21.5 ± 4.5 e.p.g. Faecal culture revealed that the most prevalent nematodes identified was Haemonchus (81.0%), followed by Trichostrongylus (15.0%) and Oesophagostomum (4.0%), χ²(2, N=100) = 104, p<0.05. Sandwich ELISA test revealed 82.0% of the sero samples were positive for liver fluke infection. It can be concluded that trematode infection is an on-going problem in cattle located in Terengganu, which can lead to economic losses for the farmers.

Nematode infection in small ruminants and the management of the farms in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia

This study was conducted to determine the current prevalence of nematode infections in small ruminants and the management of farms in Terengganu, Malaysia. A total of 267 faecal samples from sheep and goats were collected and examined by the Modified McMaster method, larval culture and third stage larva identification. Results revealed that the worm egg count (WEC) for nematode infections ranged between 0-26,800 e.p.g. and the distribution of the WEC was different between farms (χ² (15) = 165.72, p<0.05). Haemonchus contortus was the dominant species observed (75.0%), followed by Trichostrongylus sp. (24.0%) and Oesophagostomum sp. (1.0%) (χ²(2, N=100)=86.06, p<0.05). The schedule for grazing management, limited grazing area and extensive usage of anthelminthic could have been the main influences of nematode infections to be severe in small ruminants. The results obtained from this study will update the status of nematode infection in small ruminants in Terengganu. This information will help the farmers and the Department of Veterinary Services to plan on treatment and management to improve the animals' health.

Validation study of the malay version of the work-family conflict questionnaire

BACKGROUND

Work-family conflict has received increasing attention in recent decades in the area of workplace stressors, which can affect employees' health. However, the dimensionality of the work-family conflict construct among the Malay-speaking population has not been clarified. In order to do so, it is crucial to use an instrument that is appropriate and valid for the Malay-speaking population. As such, the goal of this study was to validate and test the dimensionality of the Malay version of the Work-Family Conflict Questionnaire.

METHODS

The present study conducted exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, discriminant validity, convergent validity, and internal consistency, using Cronbach's alpha, of the work-family conflict construct among 332 working women in Malaysia.

RESULTS

The results supported the existence of four dimensions in the Work-Family Conflict Questionnaire that distinguish between time based and strain-based work-family conflict and family-work conflict. The discriminant validity, convergent validity, and internal consistency of this construct are adequately supported.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study supported the existence of discriminant and convergent validity, as well as adequate reliability, for the construct. Thus, the Work-Family Conflict Questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument among Malay-speaking working women.

Translation of H. contortus and T. colubriformis from egg to establishment in grazing sheep is unaffected by rainfall timing, rainfall amount and herbage height under conditions of high soil moisture in the Northern Tablelands of NSW

A field experiment was conducted at Armidale in the Northern Tablelands of NSW, Australia to determine the effects of simulated rainfall amount (0, 12 and 24 mm), rainfall timing (days -1, 0 and 3 relative to plot contamination) and herbage height (4 and 12 cm), on translation of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis from egg to established stages in grazing sheep under conditions of high soil moisture (22-23%). The experiment was conducted in summer when temperature was not anticipated to be a limiting factor for development success. Development success was assessed using tracer sheep and expressed as percentage recovery of parasitic stages relative to egg output on pasture (translation%). For both species, translation (0.11% H. contortus; 0.55% T. colubriformis) was observed in the absence of simulated rainfall and was unaffected by treatment effects of rainfall amount and timing, and herbage height. We suggest that soil moisture (>20%) alone was sufficient to support development and translation (from eggs to parasitic stages in the gut of tracer animals) of these species which contrasts with expectations for development success on dry soils. These findings identify the importance of taking soil moisture into account when predicting the likely effects of rainfall and herbage height on development to L3 and ultimately in predictive epidemiological models of ovine gastrointestinal nematodiasis.

Soil moisture modulates the effects of the timing and amount of rainfall on faecal moisture and development of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis to infective third stage larvae

Recent experiments on the effects of rainfall and/or soil moisture (SM) on development of sheep gastro-intestinal nematodes to infective L3 stage have used soil of relatively low moisture content in small experimental samples that dry out faster than field soil. To determine whether higher and more sustained SM content modulates the effects of rainfall amount and timing on faecal moisture (FM) and development of H. contortus and T. colubriformis to infective third stage larvae (L3), a climate-controlled chamber experiment was conducted. It was designed to test the effects of rainfall amount (0, 12 and 24 mm), rainfall timing (days -1, 0 and 3 relative to faecal deposition) and soil moisture maintained at 10, 20 and 30% on these variables. Total recovery of L3 14 days after faecal deposition was significantly affected by SM, rainfall timing and their interaction (P<0.01), but not by rainfall amount or species or other two-way interactions. Recovery of L3 was maximal (28%) with a SM treatment of 30% and simulated rainfall on day 3. Faecal moisture was significantly affected by collection day, SM treatment, rainfall amount and rainfall timing with significant interaction between many of these effects (P<0.05). A positive linear association between FM and total L3 recovery was strongest on day 4 after faecal deposition (R(2)=0.64, P<0.001) for H. contortus and day 6 (R(2)=0.78, P<0.001) for T. colubriformis. Overall the results show that SM is able to modulate the effects of rainfall timing and amount with increased SM acting to broaden the window of opportunity for the free-living stages to respond to post deposition rainfall to complete development to L3. If SM is maintained in the range 10-30%, the reported benefits of early rainfall (days -1 and 0) of up to 24 mm appear to be negated with later rainfall (day 3) proving more beneficial. These results require field confirmation.

Soil moisture influences the development of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis to third stage larvae

Two climate chamber experiments were conducted to determine the effect of varying initial soil moisture (0, 10 and 15%), simulated rainfall amount (0, 12 and 24 mm) and simulated rainfall timing (days -1, 0 and 3 relative to faecal deposition) on development (day 14) of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis to the third stage larvae (L3) and faecal moisture (FM). Increasing initial soil moisture content from 0 to 10 or 15% led to higher recovery of total L3 (P<0.001). Total L3 recovery increased with each level of simulated rainfall (P<0.001) in the ascending order of 0, 12 and 24 mm. There was an interaction between the effects of initial soil moisture and simulated rainfall amount on the recovery of total L3, showing that the benefit of increased simulated rainfall lessened with increasing soil moisture. Simulated rainfall on the day of deposition resulted in higher recovery of L3 (P<0.001) than simulated rainfall on other days. FM on day 3 relative to faecal deposition was best associated with recovery of total H. contortus and T. colubriformis L3 (R(2)=0.32-0.46), reinforcing the importance of sufficient moisture soon after faecal deposition. The effects of initial soil moisture, and the amount and timing of simulated rainfall on development to L3 were largely explained by changes to FM and soil moisture values within 4 days relative to faecal deposition. These results highlight the influence of soil moisture and its interaction with rainfall on development of H. contortus and T. colubriformis to L3. Consequently we recommend that soil moisture be given greater importance and definition in the conduct of ecological studies of parasitic nematodes, in order to improve predictions of development to L3.

Effect of simulated rainfall timing on faecal moisture and development of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis eggs to infective larvae

Three climate-controlled chamber experiments were conducted to determine the effect of 32 mm simulated rainfall applied prior to (days -4 to -1) or after (days 0-7) faecal deposition and as a single (32 mm) or split (2 × 16 mm) application on faecal moisture (FM) and development of H. contortus and T. colubriformis to third stage infective larvae (L3). The timing of simulated rainfall regulated extra-pellet L3 recovery for H. contortus (P<0.05) but not T. colubriformis. Recovery of L3 was highest (P<0.05) when simulated rainfall was applied on the day of deposition followed by days -1, 1 and 2, which resulted in similar but lower development success rates. Recovery of intra-pellet T. colubriformis L3 was two-fold greater (P=0.008) than for H. contortus and was higher (P=0.007) following simulated rainfall on days 0 and 1 than on other days. There was a positive association between FM and total L3 recovery indicating the importance of FM in the period 48-72 h (H. contortus) and 72-96 h (T. colubriformis) after deposition. Simulated rainfall on the day prior to deposition was as effective in supporting total L3 recovery as application on days 1 or 2 and this effect could be predicted through FM. This highlights the importance of soil in transferring moisture to the faecal pellet. The importance of precedent rainfall and soil moisture in determining the development success of H. contortus and T. colubriformis, in addition to the general effects of the timing of simulated rainfall, need to be accommodated in grazing management programs to combat these species.

A survey of parasitic infection on small ruminant farms in Kinta and Hilir Perak districts, Perak, Malaysia

This paper reports the occurrence of helminth and protozoan infections on small ruminants from eight farms situated in Kinta and Perak Tengah district, Perak. The results of this survey indicate that helminthiasis and coccidiosis is rampant in sheep and goat farms. Several anthelmintics have been used for the control of helminths. The smallholders depended on health and extention services from the State Veterinary Department. This survey is part of an ongoing programme by the Department of Veterinary Services to upgrade services and report the current status of parasitic diseases in the state.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pigs, goats, cattle, dogs and cats in peninsular Malaysia

Antibodies to the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii were assayed in sera of 200 goats, 100 pigs, 126 cattle from various states of Malaysia, and 135 dogs and 55 cats around Ipoh region using an indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT, cut-off titer 1:200); antibodies were found in 35.5% of goats, 14.5% cats, 9.6% dogs, 7.9% local cattle and 4% yellow cattle but not in pigs. Results indicate that infection is most prevalent in goats.

Mortality of domesticated java deer attributed to Surra

This paper reports an outbreak of trypanosomiasis due to Trypanosoma evansi in Java deer (Cervus timorensis) on a government deer farm in Lenggong, Perak. Seventeen adult female Java deer were found dead within a week. Symptoms of dullness, inappetence, anaemia, anorexia, respiratory distress and recumbency were seen prior to death in the infected Java deer. Beside trypanosomiasis, other parasitic infections such as theileriosis, helminthiasis and ectoparasite infestation were also recorded. Post mortem results showed generalized anaemia in most animals with isolated cases of jaundice. There was no significant finding with respect to bacteriological and viral investigations.

Daily feeding of fresh Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) for worm control in sheep

This study was Conducted To Evaluate The Anthelmintic Effect Of Neem (azadirachta Indica) On Nematode Parasites Of Sheep. Twelve Santa Ines Cross Bred Sheep From A Government Farm were randomly selected and equally divided into control (n = 6) and treated groups (n =6). Faecal egg counts (FEC) using the modified McMaster technique and the FAMACHA score for assessing clinical anaemia were carried out daily and recorded for 6 weeks. At the end of the study all the animals were slaughtered and the total worm count (TWC) was done. The results of FEC showed that there was no significant difference between the control and treated group (p = 0.081). However, worm burden estimations showed that the number of parasites was significantly higher in the control group compared to the treated group (p < 0.05). This result indicated that feeding Neem had an effect on worm numbers in sheep, but was not reflected in their faecal egg counts. Further work is needed to reconfirm the effect of Neem on helminth infections of sheep.

Dermatoglyphics of Down's syndrome patients in Malays--a comparative study

There has been no recent report on the dermatoglyphics of the Malays (normal population as well as patients with Down's syndrome). A study on the frequencies of the dermal patterns (dermatoglyphics) of the digits, palms and hallucal areas was done therefore in 40 Malay patients with Down's syndrome and 200 unrelated normal controls. Only the patients with the standard 21 trisomy karyotype were included in the study. Comparison was made with the published data on studies done in various racial groups. Significant differences of the dermal patterns were found not only between the controls but also among patients of different races.