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Tan SC, Rajendran R, Bhattamisra SK, Krishnappa P, Davamani F, Chitra E, Ambu S, Furman B, Candasamy M. Protective effects of madecassoside, a triterpenoid from Centella asiatica, against oxidative stress in INS-1E cells. Nat Prod Res 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38340357 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2315499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Progressive decline in β cell function and reduction in the β cell mass is important in type 2 diabetes. Here, we tested the hypothesis that madecassoside's previously demonstrated in vivo protective effects on the β cell in experimental diabetes were exerted directly. We investigated the effects of madecassoside in protecting a β cell line (INS-1E) against a variety of agents. INS-1E cells were treated with madecassoside in the presence of high glucose (HG), a cytokine mixture, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), or streptozotocin (STZ). HG, the cytokine mixture, H2O2 and STZ each produced a significant decrease in cell viability; this was significantly reversed by madecassoside. Pre-treatment with madecassoside reduced the number of apoptotic cells induced by HG, the cytokine mixture, H2O2, and STZ, and concentration-dependently reduced ROS production. Madecassoside also significantly enhanced glucose-induced insulin secretion. The results suggest that madecassoside's in vivo effects are exerted directly on the β cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swee Ching Tan
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ramkumar Rajendran
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Subrat Kumar Bhattamisra
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- School of Pharmacy, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, India
| | - Purushotham Krishnappa
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Fabian Davamani
- Division of Applied Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ebenezer Chitra
- Division of Applied Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Stephen Ambu
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Brian Furman
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Mayuren Candasamy
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Centre for Bioactive Molecules & Drug Delivery, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Tan SC, Rajendran R, Bhattamisra SK, Krishnappa P, Davamani F, Chitra E, Ambu S, Furman B, Candasamy M. Effect of madecassoside in reducing oxidative stress and blood glucose in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetes in rats. J Pharm Pharmacol 2023:rgad063. [PMID: 37402616 DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgad063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Madecassoside (MAD) is a triterpenoid constituent of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., an ethnomedical tropical plant, extracts of which were shown to reduce blood glucose in experimental diabetes. This study examines MAD for its anti-hyperglycaemic effects and tests the hypothesis that it reduces the blood glucose in experimentally induced diabetic rats by protecting the β-cells. METHODS Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, i.v.) followed by nicotinamide (210 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)). MAD (50 mg/kg) was administered orally for 4 weeks, commencing 15 days after induction of diabetes; resveratrol (10 mg/kg) was used as a positive control. Fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, HbA1c, liver and lipid parameters were measured, along with antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde as an index of lipid peroxidation; histological and immunohistochemical studies were also undertaken. KEY FINDINGS MAD normalized the elevated fasting blood glucose levels. This was associated with increased plasma insulin concentrations. MAD alleviated oxidative stress by improving enzymatic antioxidants and reducing lipid peroxidation. Histopathological examination showed significant recovery of islet structural degeneration and an increased area of islets. Immunohistochemical staining showed increased insulin content in islets of MAD-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate an antidiabetic effect of MAD associated with preservation of β-cell structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swee Ching Tan
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ramkumar Rajendran
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Subrat Kumar Bhattamisra
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- GITAM School of Pharmacy, GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, India
| | - Purushotham Krishnappa
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Fabian Davamani
- Division of Applied Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ebenezer Chitra
- Division of Applied Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Health Sciences, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Stephen Ambu
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Brian Furman
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Mayuren Candasamy
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Centre for Bioactive Molecules & Drug Discovery, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Rahman R, Fonseka AD, Sua S, Ahmad M, Rajendran R, Ambu S, Davamani F, Khoo AS, Chitra E. Inhibition of breast cancer xenografts in a mouse model and the induction of apoptosis in multiple breast cancer cell lines by lactoferricin B peptide. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:7181-7189. [PMID: 34236134 PMCID: PMC8335703 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer has a diverse aetiology characterized by the heterogeneous expression of hormone receptors and signalling molecules, resulting in varied sensitivity to chemotherapy. The adverse side effects of chemotherapy coupled with the development of drug resistance have prompted the exploration of natural products to combat cancer. Lactoferricin B (LfcinB) is a natural peptide derived from bovine lactoferrin that exhibits anticancer properties. LfcinB was evaluated in vitro for its inhibitory effects on cell lines representing different categories of breast cancer and in vivo for its suppressive effects on tumour xenografts in NOD-SCID mice. The different breast cancer cell lines exhibited varied levels of sensitivity to apoptosis induced by LfcinB in the order of SKBR3>MDA-MB-231>MDA-MB-468>MCF7, while the normal breast epithelial cells MCF-10A were not sensitive to LfcinB. The peptide also inhibited the invasion of the MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cell lines. In the mouse xenograft model, intratumoural injections of LfcinB significantly reduced tumour growth rate and tumour size, as depicted by live imaging of the mice using in vivo imaging systems (IVIS). Harvested tumour volume and weight were significantly reduced by LfcinB treatment. LfcinB, therefore, is a promising and safe candidate that can be considered for the treatment of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rizdwan Rahman
- School of Post Graduate StudiesInternational Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | | | - Shiang‐Chia Sua
- School of MedicineInternational Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Munirah Ahmad
- Molecular Pathology UnitCancer Research CentreInstitute for Medical ResearchNational Institutes of HealthMinistry of Health MalaysiaShah Alam, SelangorMalaysia
| | | | - Stephen Ambu
- School of Post Graduate StudiesInternational Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Fabian Davamani
- School of Health SciencesInternational Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Alan Soo‐Beng Khoo
- School of Post Graduate StudiesInternational Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
- Molecular Pathology UnitCancer Research CentreInstitute for Medical ResearchNational Institutes of HealthMinistry of Health MalaysiaShah Alam, SelangorMalaysia
- Institute for ResearchDevelopment and InnovationInternational Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
| | - Ebenezer Chitra
- School of Health SciencesInternational Medical UniversityKuala LumpurMalaysia
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Wong SF, Yap PS, Mak JW, Chan WLE, Khor GL, Ambu S, Chu WL, Mohamad MS, Ibrahim Wong N, Ab Majid NL, Abd Hamid HA, Rodzlan Hasani WS, Mohd Yussoff MFB, Aris HTB, Ab Rahman EB, M Rashid ZB. Association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and prevalence of diabetes mellitus among Malaysian adults. Environ Health 2020; 19:37. [PMID: 32245482 PMCID: PMC7119016 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-020-00579-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Background Malaysia has the highest rate of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the Southeast Asian region, and has ongoing air pollution and periodic haze exposure. Methods Diabetes data were derived from the Malaysian National Health and Morbidity Surveys conducted in 2006, 2011 and 2015. The air pollution data (NOx, NO2, SO2, O3 and PM10) were obtained from the Department of Environment Malaysia. Using multiple logistic and linear regression models, the association between long-term exposure to these pollutants and prevalence of diabetes among Malaysian adults was evaluated. Results The PM10 concentration decreased from 2006 to 2014, followed by an increase in 2015. Levels of NOx decreased while O3 increased annually. The air pollutant levels based on individual modelled air pollution exposure as measured by the nearest monitoring station were higher than the annual averages of the five pollutants present in the ambient air. The prevalence of overall diabetes increased from 11.4% in 2006 to 21.2% in 2015. The prevalence of known diabetes, underdiagnosed diabetes, overweight and obesity also increased over these years. There were significant positive effect estimates of known diabetes at 1.125 (95% CI, 1.042, 1.213) for PM10, 1.553 (95% CI, 1.328, 1.816) for O3, 1.271 (95% CI, 1.088, 1.486) for SO2, 1.124 (95% CI, 1.048, 1.207) for NO2, and 1.087 (95% CI, 1.024, 1.153) for NOx for NHMS 2006. The adjusted annual average levels of PM10 [1.187 (95% CI, 1.088, 1.294)], O3 [1.701 (95% CI, 1.387, 2.086)], NO2 [1.120 (95% CI, 1.026, 1.222)] and NOx [1.110 (95% CI, 1.028, 1.199)] increased significantly from NHMS 2006 to NHMS 2011 for overall diabetes. This was followed by a significant decreasing trend from NHMS 2011 to 2015 [0.911 for NO2, and 0.910 for NOx]. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that long-term exposure to O3 is an important associated factor of underdiagnosed DM risk in Malaysia. PM10, NO2 and NOx may have mixed effect estimates towards the risk of DM, and their roles should be further investigated with other interaction models. Policy and intervention measures should be taken to reduce air pollution in Malaysia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shew Fung Wong
- Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. .,School of Medicine, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Poh Sin Yap
- Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Joon Wah Mak
- Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,School of Medicine, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wan Ling Elaine Chan
- Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Geok Lin Khor
- School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Stephen Ambu
- Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,School of Medicine, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wan Loy Chu
- Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,School of Medicine, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Maria Safura Mohamad
- Institute for Public Health, Ministry of Health, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Nur Liana Ab Majid
- Institute for Public Health, Ministry of Health, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | | | | | - Hj Tahir Bin Aris
- Institute for Public Health, Ministry of Health, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ezahtulsyahreen Bt Ab Rahman
- Department of Environment, Ministry of Energy, Technology, Science, Environment and Climate Change, 62662, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Zaleha Bt M Rashid
- Department of Environment, Ministry of Energy, Technology, Science, Environment and Climate Change, 62662, Putrajaya, Malaysia
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5
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Naing C, Reid SA, Aye SN, Htet NH, Ambu S. Risk factors for human leptospirosis following flooding: A meta-analysis of observational studies. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217643. [PMID: 31141558 PMCID: PMC6541304 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is probably the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world especially in tropical countries. There has been an increase in individual studies, which assessed the frequency of leptospirosis in flood conditions. Some studies showed contact with floods was significantly associated with the occurrence of leptospirosis while other studies reported differently. The objective of this meta-analysis was to synthesize the evidence on the risk factors which are associated with human leptospirosis following flooding. We set up the inclusion criteria and searched for the original studies, addressing leptospirosis in human with related to flood in health-related electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Ovid Medline, google scholar and Scopus sources. We used the terms ‘leptospirosis’, ‘flood’, ‘risk factor’ and terms from the categories were connected with “OR” within each category and by “AND” between categories. The initial search yielded 557 citations. After the title and abstract screening, 49 full-text papers were reviewed and a final of 18 observational studies met the pre-specified inclusion criteria. Overall, the pooled estimates of 14 studies showed that the contact with flooding was a significant factor for the occurrence of leptospirosis (pooled OR: 2.19, 95%CI: 1.48–3.24, I2:86%). On stratification, the strength of association was greater in the case-control studies (pooled OR: 4.01, 95%CI: 1.26–12.72, I2:82%) than other designs (pooled OR:1.77,95%CI:1.18–2.65, I2:87%). Three factors such as ‘being male’(pooled OR:2.06, 95%CI:1.29–2.83), the exposure to livestock animals (pooled OR: 1.95, 95%CI:1.26–2.64), the lacerated wound (pooled OR:4.35, 95%CI:3.07–5.64) were the risk factors significantly associated with the incidence of leptospirosis following flooding in the absence of within-study heterogeneity (I2: 0%). We acknowledge study limitations such as publication bias and type 2 statistical errors. We recommended flood control and other environmental modifications that are expected to reduce the risk of leptospiral infection, and a multi-sectoral effort to this aspect would have long-term benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cho Naing
- International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Simon A. Reid
- School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Saint Nway Aye
- International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Stephen Ambu
- International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Chan LL, Mak JW, Ambu S, Chong PY. Identification and ultrastructural characterization of Acanthamoeba bacterial endocytobionts belonging to the Alphaproteobacteria class. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204732. [PMID: 30356282 PMCID: PMC6200196 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The detection and identification of two endocytobiotic bacterial strains, one affiliated to the “Candidatus Caedibacter acanthamoebae”/“Ca. Paracaedimonas acanthamoeba”, and another to the endosymbiont of Acanthamoeba UWC8 and “Ca. Jidaibacter acanthamoeba” are described. For endocytobiont screening, we developed a PCR method with a set of broad-range bacterial 16S rRNA primers to substitute the commonly used but technically demanding fluorescent in situ hybridization technique. Our PCR test alone without sequencing failed to discriminate the endocytobiont-containing and endocytobiont-free Acanthamoeba sp. due to the presence of mismatched primers to host mitochondrial DNA. We highlighted the need to perform bacterial primer checking against the Acanthamoeba genome to avoid false positive detection in PCR. Although the genetic aspect of “Ca. Caedibacter acanthamoebae”/“Ca. Paracaedimonas acanthamoeba” and the endosymbiont of Acanthamoeba UWC8/“Ca. Jidaibacter acanthamoeba” are well studied, knowledge pertaining to their morphologies are quite vague. Hence, we used transmission electron microscopy to examine our endocytobionts which are affiliated to previously described intracellular bacteria of Acanthamoeba sp. We used good-quality TEM images for the localization and the fate of the current endocytobionts inside different life stages of the hosts. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, our TEM findings are the first to provide morphological evidence for the clearance of defective Acanthamoeba endocytobionts via an autophagic-like process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li Chan
- Pathology Division, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- * E-mail:
| | - Joon Wah Mak
- Pathology Division, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Stephen Ambu
- Pathology Division, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Pei Yee Chong
- Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Folayan A, Mohandas K, Ambu S, Kumarasamy V, Lee N, Mak JW. Kytococcus sedentarius and Micrococcus luteus: highly prevalent in indoor air and potentially deadly to the immunocompromised - should standards be set? Trop Biomed 2018; 35:149-160. [PMID: 33601787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2022]
Abstract
The multifarious types of infections contracted from indoor environments show that buildings can serve as a reservoir for infectious bacteria. This study is an investigation into the type and concentrations of bacteria in the indoor and outdoor environments of an electronic factory, an office and a winery in Malaysia. Trypticase soy agar (TSA) (with ambient air incubation) and TSA supplemented with haemin and NADH (with CO2 enhanced incubation) were used for the isolation of bacteria. The plates were incubated at 37ºC for 3 days. A random selection of bacterial isolates were Gram stained and identified using the BD BBL Crystal Identification Systems. Kytococcus sedentarius and Micrococcus luteus were the predominant bacterial species identified from indoor air. These bacteria were present at relatively high concentrations in indoor air, at times, above 800 colony forming units per cubic meter (CFU/m3) of air. This indicates that both K. sedentarius and M. luteus can survive a wide range of adverse conditions, including chemical contamination and ultraviolet exposure. M. luteus is a known cause of pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals and has also been implicated in skin infections. Recent reports suggest species of kytococci as emerging opportunistic pathogens of the immunocompromised, paediatrics and the elderly. We postulate that opportunistic bacteria, such as the kytococci and the micrococci, may also have a potential role in instigating subclinical, more subtle symptoms of disease in inmmunocompetent individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Folayan
- The International Medical University, No.126, Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - K Mohandas
- MAHSA University, Jalan Elmu, Off Jalan Universiti, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - S Ambu
- The International Medical University, No.126, Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - V Kumarasamy
- The International Medical University, No.126, Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - N Lee
- Vinayaka Missions International University College, Block 2, 14, Jalan Utara, Pjs 52, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
| | - J W Mak
- The International Medical University, No.126, Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Ooi SS, Mak JW, Chen DKF, Ambu S. The correlation of Acanthamoeba from the ventilation system with other environmental parameters in commercial buildings as possible indicator for indoor air quality. Ind Health 2017; 55:35-45. [PMID: 27476379 PMCID: PMC5285312 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2015-0218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The free-living protozoan Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic pathogen that is ubiquitous in our environment. However, its role in affecting indoor air quality and ill-health of indoor occupants is relatively unknown. The present study investigated the presence of Acanthamoeba from the ventilation system and its correlation with other indoor air quality parameters, used in the industry code of practice and its potential as an indicator for indoor air quality. Indoor air quality assessments were carried out in nine commercial buildings with approval from the building management, and the parameters assessed were as recommended by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health. The presence of Acanthamoeba was determined through dust swabs from the ventilation system and indoor furniture. Logistic regression was performed to study the correlation between assessed parameters and occupants’ complaints. A total of 107 sampling points were assessed and 40.2% of the supplying air diffuser and blowing fan and 15% of the furniture were positive for cysts. There was a significant correlation between Acanthamoeba detected from the ventilation system with ambient total fungus count (r=0.327; p=0.01) and respirable particulates (r=0.276; p=0.01). Occupants’ sick building syndrome experience also correlated with the presence of Acanthamoeba in the ventilation system (r=0.361; p=0.01) and those detected on the furniture (r=0.290; p=0.01). Logistic regression showed that there was a five-fold probability of sick building syndrome among occupants when Acanthamoeba was detected in the ventilation system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Shen Ooi
- School of Postgraduate Studies, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), International Medical University, Malaysia
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Rajoo Y, Ambu S, Lim YAL, Rajoo K, Tey SC, Lu CW, Ngui R. Neglected Intestinal Parasites, Malnutrition and Associated Key Factors: A Population Based Cross-Sectional Study among Indigenous Communities in Sarawak, Malaysia. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170174. [PMID: 28095446 PMCID: PMC5240947 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) have been recognized as one of the most significant causes of illness among disadvantaged communities. Many studies have been conducted on the prevalence of IPIs in Malaysia. However, these studies mostly focused on the indigenous groups in Peninsular Malaysia. The present study was conducted to provide the current baseline data on prevalence of IPIs, anaemia, malnutrition and associated risk factors among the indigenous communities in Sarawak, situation at northwest Borneo island of Malaysia. A cross sectional study was conducted among the longhouses communities. Stool samples were obtained and examined for the presence of IPIs using microscopy technique. Haemoglobin measurement was done using a portable haemoglobin analyzer. Malnutrition (i.e., stunting, underweight and wasting) was assessed using the WHO Anthro software. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software. A total of 341participants took part in this study. The overall prevalence of IPIs was 57.5%. Multivariate analysis indicated that the absence of toilets (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.1-2.7; p = 0.002) and close contact with animals (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.3-2.9; p = 0.027) as significant predictors for IPIs. The incidence of anaemia was 36.4%. The incidence of underweight, wasting and stunting were 22.2%, 5.6% and 35.4%, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that low level of parental education attainment (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.2-3.0; p = 0.006) was identified as significant predictor for anaemia. The incidence of wasting was significantly associated with mild anaemia (OR = 1.2; 95% CI = 0.9-1.7; p = 0.024). Low household income was identified as significant predictor for stunting (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 9.8-22.2; p = 0.001) and underweight (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 5.6-18.7; p = 0.037), respectively. Essentially, the present study highlighted that intestinal parasitic infections, anaemia and malnutrition are still prevalent among rural indigenous community in Sarawak. Improvement of socioeconomic status, periodic mass deworming, iron supplementation and health education program should be included in the control and prevention of public health strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamuna Rajoo
- International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Stephen Ambu
- International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yvonne Ai Lian Lim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- * E-mail: (RN); (YALL)
| | | | - Siew Chang Tey
- Hospital Sarikei, Jalan Rentap, Sarikei, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Chan Woon Lu
- Hospital Sarikei, Jalan Rentap, Sarikei, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Romano Ngui
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- * E-mail: (RN); (YALL)
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Nisha M, Kumarasamy V, Ambu S, Davamani F, Wah MJ. Erratum to ‘Molecular approach to detect Albendazole resistance in Trichuris trichiura among Orang Asli in Malaysia’ [International Journal of Infectious Diseases Volume 45, Supplement 1, April 2016, page 369]. Int J Infect Dis 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Ngui R, Halim NAA, Rajoo Y, Lim YA, Ambu S, Rajoo K, Chang TS, Woon LC, Mahmud R. Epidemiological Characteristics of Strongyloidiasis in Inhabitants of Indigenous Communities in Borneo Island, Malaysia. Korean J Parasitol 2016; 54:673-678. [PMID: 27853126 PMCID: PMC5127535 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2016.54.5.673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological study on strongyloidiasis in humans is currently lacking in Malaysia. Thus, a cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection among the inhabitants of longhouse indigenous communities in Sarawak. A single stool and blood sample were collected from each participant and subjected to microscopy, serological and molecular techniques. Five species of intestinal parasites were identified by stool microscopy. None of the stool samples were positive for S. stercoralis. However, 11% of 236 serum samples were seropositive for strongyloidiasis. Further confirmation using molecular technique on stool samples of the seropositive individuals successfully amplified 5 samples, suggesting current active infections. The prevalence was significantly higher in adult males and tended to increase with age. S. stercoralis should no longer be neglected in any intestinal parasitic survey. Combination of more than 1 diagnostic technique is necessary to increase the likelihood of estimating the ‘true’ prevalence of S. stercoralis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romano Ngui
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Noor Amira Abdul Halim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yamuna Rajoo
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,International Medical University, No.126, Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yvonne Al Lim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Stephen Ambu
- International Medical University, No.126, Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Komalaveni Rajoo
- Hospital Sarikei, Jalan Rentap 96100, Sarikei, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Tey Siew Chang
- Hospital Sarikei, Jalan Rentap 96100, Sarikei, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Lu Chan Woon
- Hospital Sarikei, Jalan Rentap 96100, Sarikei, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Rohela Mahmud
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Lim PKC, Yamasaki H, Mak JW, Wong SF, Chong CW, Yap IKS, Ambu S, Kumarasamy V. Field evaluation of a rapid diagnostic test to detect antibodies in human toxocariasis. Acta Trop 2015; 148:32-7. [PMID: 25910623 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Human toxocariasis which is caused mainly by the larvae of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, is a worldwide zoonotic disease that can be a potentially serious human infection. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using T. canis excretory-secretory (TES) antigens harvested from T. canis larvae is currently the serological test for confirming toxocariasis. An alternative to producing large amounts of Toxocara TES and improved diagnosis for toxocariasis is through the development of highly specific recombinant antigens such as the T. canis second stage larva excretory-secretory 30 kDa protein (recTES-30). The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a rapid diagnostic kit (RDT, named as iToxocara kit) in comparison to recTES-30 ELISA in Serendah Orang Asli village in Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 133 subjects were included in the study. The overall prevalence rates by ELISA and RDT were 29.3% and 33.1%, respectively, with more positive cases detected in males than females. However, no association was found between toxocariasis and gender or age. The percentage sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of RDT were 85.7%, 90.1%, 80% and 93.2%, respectively. The prevalence for toxocariasis in this population using both ELISA and RDT was 27.1% (36/133) and the K-concordance test suggested good agreement of the two tests with a Cohen's kappa of 0.722, P<0.01. In addition, the followed-up Spearman rank correlation showed a moderately high correlation at R=0.704 and P<0.01. In conclusion, the RDT kit was faster and easier to use than an ELISA and is useful for the laboratory diagnosis of hospitalized cases of toxocariasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P K C Lim
- School of Medical Sciences, International Medical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - H Yamasaki
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.
| | - J W Mak
- School of Medical Sciences, International Medical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - S F Wong
- School of Medical Sciences, International Medical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - C W Chong
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - I K S Yap
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - S Ambu
- School of Medical Sciences, International Medical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - V Kumarasamy
- School of Medical Sciences, International Medical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Li TC, Ambu S, Mohandas K, Wah MJ, Sulaiman LH, Murgaiyah M. Bacterial constituents of indoor air in a high throughput building in the tropics. Trop Biomed 2014; 31:540-556. [PMID: 25382482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Airborne bacteria are significant biotic constituents of bioaerosol. Bacteria at high concentrations in the air can compromise indoor air quality (IAQ) and result in many diseases. In tropical environments like Malaysia that extensively utilize air-conditioning systems, this is particularly significant due to continuous recirculation of indoor air and the potential implications for human health. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the impact of airborne bacteria on IAQ in Malaysia. This study was prompted by a need for reliable baseline data on airborne bacteria in the indoor environment of tropical equatorial Malaysia, that may be used as a reference for further investigations on the potential role played by airborne bacteria as an agent of disease in this region. It was further necessitated due to the threat of bioterrorism with the potentiality of release of exotic pathogenic microorganisms into indoor or outdoor air. Before scientists can detect the latter, a gauge of the common microorganisms in indoor (as well as outdoor) air needs to be ascertained, hence the expediency of this study. Bacterial counts from the broad-based and targeted study were generally in the order of 10(2) colony-forming units (CFU) per m(3) of air. The most prevalent airborne bacteria found in the broad-based study that encompassed all five levels of the building were Gram-positive cocci (67.73%), followed by Gram-positive rods (24.26%) and Gram-negative rods (7.10%). Gram-negative cocci were rarely detected (0.71%). Amongst the genera identified, Kytococcus sp., Micrococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Leifsonia sp., Bacillus sp. and Corynebacterium sp. predominated in indoor air. The most dominant bacterial species were Kytococcus sedentarius, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Micrococcus luteus. The opportunistic and nosocomial pathogen, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was also discovered at a high percentage in the cafeteria. The bacteria isolated in this study have been increasingly documented to cause opportunistic infections in immuno-compromised patients, sometimes with fatal outcomes. Furthermore, some of them are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Hence, we propose that indoor reservoirs of these bacteria and their associated clinical and more subtle health effects, if any, be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tee Chin Li
- The International Medical University, No.126, Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Stephen Ambu
- The International Medical University, No.126, Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kavitha Mohandas
- The International Medical University, No.126, Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mak Joon Wah
- The International Medical University, No.126, Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lokman Hakim Sulaiman
- Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Level 3, Block E10, Parcel E, 62590 Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Malathi Murgaiyah
- The International Medical University, No.126, Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Kavana NJ, Lim L HS, Ambu S. The life-cycle of Spirometra species from Peninsular Malaysia. Trop Biomed 2014; 31:487-495. [PMID: 25382475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The life-cycle of Malaysian Spirometra spp. was studied under experimental conditions in the laboratory. The Cyclops were reared as the first intermediate host, the hamster as the experimental second intermediate host and cat as the definitive host. Maturation and hatching of eggs took 6 to 12 days by incubation at temperature 30 ºC. The hatched coracidium measured 46 x 34 μm. The Cyclops used were susceptible to the coracidial infection. The procercoid older than 5 days in the Cyclop body cavity had minute spines at the anterior end, calcium corpuscles in the body parenchyma and the cercomer at the posterior end. Procercoids 10 to 14 days old were infective to hamster. The plerocercoids from the hamster after 30 days were long and slender and were infective to cats. The plerocercoids experimentally inoculated to cats developed to adult worms and began to produce eggs between 10 to 60 days. Based on the results that have been obtained, a complete life-cycle was successfully elucidated in the laboratory and hamster was identified to be a good laboratory model for a second intermediate host of Spirometra sp.
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Affiliation(s)
- N J Kavana
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - H S Lim L
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - S Ambu
- Department of Parasitology, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Ambu S, Vythilingam I. Obituary: Susan Lim Lee Hong: February 14, 1952 – August 2, 2014. Trop Biomed 2014; 31:567-568. [PMID: 25543343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
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Antonucci G, Mazzotta F, Puoti M, Angeletti C, Girardi E, Santantonio T, Ambu S, Gaeta GB, Colucci M, Angarano G, Marino N, Rinaldi R, Bellissima P, Armignacco O, Carosi G, Sagnelli E. Factors associated with access to antiviral treatment in a multicentre cross-sectional study of patients with chronic hepatitis B in Italy. J Viral Hepat 2012; 19:881-9. [PMID: 23121367 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2012.01615.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
A multicentre cross-sectional survey was performed to provide an accurate picture of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cared for by Italian Infectious Diseases Centers (IDCs). This analysis describes factors associated with access to the treatment of CHB in a country where barriers to treatment are not expected to exist because of comprehensive coverage under the National Health System (NHS). The study was performed in 74 IDCs. The analysis focused on 3305 patients with CHB of 3760 HBsAg-positive patients enrolled from March to September, 2008. To account for missing values, a Multiple Imputation method was used. Treatment was reported in 2091 (63.3%) patients. In the multivariate analysis, an increased chance of getting treatment was independently associated with 10 years increase of age at diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-1.3, P < 0.001), HBeAg positivity (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.8, P < 0.001), cirrhosis (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 2-6.3, P = 0.012), HDV (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.02-2.5, P = 0.042) and HIV positivity (aOR 6.5, 95% CI 4-10.8, P < 0.001). Conversely, a decreased chance was associated with female gender (aOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.5-0.7, P < 0.001), immigration (aOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.5-0.9, P = 0.009), alcohol consumption (aOR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-0.98, P = 0.04) and HCV positivity (aOR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.8, P = 0.005). Our study shows that Italian IDCs treat a high percentage of patients with CHB. Nevertheless, disparities exist which are not related to the severity of disease limiting access to antiviral therapy of CHB, even in a country with a universal healthcare system.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Antonucci
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy.
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Phua CS, Vejayan J, Ambu S, Ponnudurai G, Gorajana A. Purification and antibacterial activities of an L-amino acid oxidase from king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2012. [DOI: 10.1590/s1678-91992012000200010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Chew WK, Wah MJ, Ambu S, Segarra I. Toxoplasma gondii: determination of the onset of chronic infection in mice and the in vitro reactivation of brain cysts. Exp Parasitol 2011; 130:22-5. [PMID: 22027550 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2011] [Revised: 03/25/2011] [Accepted: 10/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an intra-cellular parasite that infects humans through vertical and horizontal transmission. The cysts remain dormant in the brain of infected humans and can reactivate in immunocompromised hosts resulting in acute toxoplasmic encephalitis which may be fatal. We determined the onset and progression of brain cysts generation in a mouse model following acute toxoplasmosis as well as the ability of brain cysts to reactivate in vitro. Male Balb/c mice, (uninfected control group, n = 10) were infected orally (study group, n = 50) with 1000 tachyzoites of T. gondii (ME49 strain) and euthanized at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks post infection. Brain tissue was harvested, homogenized, stained and the number of brain cysts counted. Aliquots of brain homogenate with cysts were cultured in vitro with confluent Vero cells and the number of cysts and tachyzoites counted after 1 week. Brain cysts but not tachyzoites were detected at week 2 post infection and reached a plateau by week 4. In vitro Vero cells culture showed similar pattern for cysts and tachyzoites and reactivation of cyst in vitro was not influenced by the age of the brain cysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Kit Chew
- Department of Human Biology, School of Medicine, International Medical University, No 126 Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Ambikabothy J, Ibrahim H, Ambu S, Chakravarthi S, Awang K, Vejayan J. Efficacy evaluations of Mimosa pudica tannin isolate (MPT) for its anti-ophidian properties. J Ethnopharmacol 2011; 137:257-262. [PMID: 21640180 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2011] [Revised: 04/14/2011] [Accepted: 05/10/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY Evaluations of the anti-snake venom efficacy of Mimosa pudica tannin isolate (MPT) obtained from root of the plant. MATERIALS AND METHOD MPT was investigated in vitro and in vivo for its efficacy against the venom of Naja kaouthia snake. RESULTS In vitro: (1) mice injected i.p. with MPT pre-incubated with Naja kaouthia venom at concentrations as low as 0.625 mg/ml showed 100% survival after a 24-h observation period. (2) In the proteomics study, mice injected with MPT pre-incubated with the Naja kaouthia venom showed down-regulation of five serum proteins. (3) In the protein-dye-binding study, the percentage of Bradford dye-protein binding showed a reduction relative to the decrease in MPT concentration used to incubate with the venom. In vivo: the results from the animal studies showed that MPT had no in vivo protection against the Naja kaouthia venom (0.875 mg/kg) in four different rescue modes and in an oral pre-treatment experiment. CONCLUSION The study indicated the promising ability of MPT to neutralize the Naja kaouthia venom in in vitro experiments but fell short in its in vivo potential. As such, the use of Mimosa pudica (Mimosaceae) as therapeutics for snake bites is questionable as all the possible in vivo rescue studies and pre-treatment of the active constituents showed no protection against the affected mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamunaa Ambikabothy
- Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Abstract
The transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through transplantation of human tissues and organs is rare but not impossible. A 27-year-old Bulgarian woman received a kidney transplant from a cadaveric donor owing to chronic renal failure due to glomerulonephritis of unknown etiology. Five days after the donation, the tissues showed HIV-1 infection, so she was immediately initiated on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with lopinavir/ritonavir, zidovudine, enfuvirtide, and lamivudine. Subsequently, according to the genotypic test which revealed a complex resistance pattern of the HIV-1, we changed the regimen to darunavir/ritonavir, etravirine, lamivudine, and enfuvirtide. The HIV-1 genome (550 UI/mL), which was detected at 5 days after transplantation, rapidly declined to undetectable levels at 3 weeks after HAART. The CD4+ T-cell nadir was 432 cells/microL (40%) to 1,400 cells/microL after 2 years. The posttransplantation course was complicated by cytomegalovirus pneumonia. At 32 months after transplantation, the patient had experienced hypertension with secondary retinopathy, bilateral cataracts, diabetes, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis with multiple vertebral fractures, a hip prosthesis, and a bone infarction of the femur. Major management problems had been related to steroid and HAART treatment side effects. Therapeutic interactions between the immunosuppressants and the antiretroviral drugs were complex for management, requiring frequent checks of drug levels and dose-adjustments. We finally obtained a stable clinical and viroimmunologic condition. The transmission of multiresistant strains of HIV from unknown patients requires complex multidisciplinary management.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Borchi
- Infectious Disease Department, Careggi University and Hospital, Firenze, Italy.
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Sia FY, Vejayan J, Jamuna A, Ambu S. Efficacy of tannins from Mimosa pudica and tannic acid in neutralizing cobra (Naja kaouthia) venom. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2011. [DOI: 10.1590/s1678-91992011000100006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Abstract
The H1N1 pandemic flu is a significant risk factor for both patients with chronic disease who need organ transplantation and transplant recipients. This population needs special care regarding comorbidities and related complications. MB, a 38-year-old Italian cystic fibrosis male patient with lung and pancreatic involvement, was referred to our division in July 2009 for fever-associated arthromyalgia, headache, and rhinitis. Lung transplantation had been performed in September 2005, and he was subsequently treated with immunosuppressive therapy: tacrolimus, everolimus, and prednisolone. In the past, chronic respiratory colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and intermittent infection with Aspergillus flavus, chronic renal failure, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus complicated his clinical history. He started antiviral treatment with oseltamivir despite no travel history and no respiratory symptoms. H1N1 swab was positive. Three days later, the patient was admitted to the hospital for the persistence of fever and the onset of cough. Chest x-ray showed a left lower pneumonia, which was confirmed by computerized tomography. Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy led to an improvement of the clinical condition. The patient was discharged 8 days later; a control swab was negative. This case report suggests some general considerations regarding solid organ recipients: 1) Flu-related complications require early treatment (both antiviral and antibiotic); 2) active microbiologic surveillance is important to prevent lethal infections (ie, invasive aspergillosis); 3) evaluation of immunosuppressant blood levels is necessary for drug-drug interactions. Active prevention is the best option for decreasing morbidity and mortality in the transplanted patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bresci
- Infectious Disease Department, Careggi University and Hospital, Firenze, Italy.
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Lord ATK, Mohandas K, Somanath S, Ambu S. Multidrug resistant yeasts in synanthropic wild birds. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2010; 9:11. [PMID: 20307325 PMCID: PMC2852373 DOI: 10.1186/1476-0711-9-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2010] [Accepted: 03/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of multidrug resistant yeasts in the faeces of synanthropic wild birds from the Bangsar suburb of Kuala Lumpur. METHODS Species characterisations of yeast isolates and determinations of antimycotic susceptibility profiles were undertaken using the commercial characterization kit, Integral System Yeasts Plus (Liofilchem, Italy). RESULTS Fourteen species of yeasts were detected in the bird faecal samples.Candida albicans was present in 28.89% of bird faecal samples, Candida krusei (13.33%), Candida tropicalis (4.44%), Candida glabrata (4.44%), Candida parapsilosis (2.22%), Candida lambica (2.22%), Candida stellatoidea (2.22%), Candida rugosa (2.22%) and Candida lusitaniae (2.22%). Amongst the non-candidal yeast isolates, Cryptococcus laurentii was present in 6.67% of bird faecal samples, Cryptococcus uniguttulatus (4.44%), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (4.44%), Trichosporon pullulans (2.22%), Trichosporon pullulans/Cryptococcus albidus (8.89%) and Rhodotorula rubra/Rhodotorula glutinis (4.44%). Of the isolated yeasts, 18.1% (or 26/144) were found to be resistant to all 11 antimycotic agents they were tested against i.e. Nystatin, Amphotericin B, Flucytosine, Econazole, Ketoconazole, Clotrimazole, Miconazole, Itraconazole, Voriconazole, Fluconazole 16 and Fluconazole 64. 45.8% (or 66/144) of the bird faecal yeast isolates were resistant to four or more of the 11 antimycotic agents they were tested against. CONCLUSIONS This finding is of public health significance as these synanthropic wild birds may be reservoirs for transmission of drug resistant yeast infections to humans.
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Vejayan J, Shin Yee L, Ponnudurai G, Ambu S, Ibrahim I. Protein profile analysis of Malaysian snake venoms by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. J Venom Anim Toxins Incl Trop Dis 2010. [DOI: 10.1590/s1678-91992010000400013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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van Leth F, Conway B, Laplumé H, Martin D, Fisher M, Jelaska A, Wit FW, Lange JMA, Laplumé H, Lasala MB, Losso MH, Bogdanowicz E, Lattes R, Krolewiecki A, Zala C, Orcese C, Terlizzi S, Duran A, Ebensrteijn J, Bloch M, Russell O, Russell DB, Roth NR, Eu B, Austin D, Gowers A, Quan D, Demonty J, Peleman R, Vandercam B, Vogelaers D, van der Gucht B, van Wanzeele F, Moutschen MM, Badaro R, Grinsztejn B, Schechter M, Uip D, Netto EN, Coelho SS, Badaró F, Pilotto JH, Schubach A, Barros ML, Leite OHM, Kiffer CRV, Wunsch CT, Nunes D, Catalani A, de Cassia Alves LR, Dossin TJ, D'Alló de Oliveira MT, Martini S, Conway B, de Wet JJ, Montaner JSG, Murphy C, Woodfall B, Sestak P, Phillips P, Montessori V, Harris M, Tesiorowski A, Willoughby B, Voigt R, Farley J, Reynolds R, Devlaming S, Livrozet JM, Rozenbaum W, Sereni D, Valantin MA, Lascoux C, Milpied B, Brunet C, Billaud E, Huart A, Reliquet V, Charonnat MF, Sicot M, Esnault JL, Slama L, Staszewski S, Bickel M, Lazanas MK, Stavrianeas N, Mangafas N, Zagoreos I, Kourkounti S, Paparizos V, Botsi C, Clarke S, Brannigan E, Boyle N, Chiriani A, Leoncini F, Montella F, Francesco L, Ambu S, Farese A, Gargiulo M, Di Sora F, Lavria F, Folgori F, Beniowski M, Boron Kaczmarska A, Halota W, Prokopowicz D, Bander DB, Leszuzyszyn-Pynka MLP, Wnuk AW, Bakowska E, Pulik P, Flisiak R, Wiercinska-Drapalo A, Mularska E, Witor A, Antunes F, Sarmento RSE, Doroana M, Horta AA, Vasconcelos O, Andrews SM, Huisamen CB, Johnson D, Martin O, Bekker LG, Maartens G, Wilson D, Visagie CJ, David NJ, Rattley M, Nettleship E, Martin DJ, Keyser V, Moraites TM, Moorhouse MA, Pitt JA, Orrell CJ, Bester C, Parboosing R, Moodley P, Gathiram V, Woolf D, Bernasconi E, Magenta L, Cardiello P, Kroon E, Ungsedhapand C, Fisher M, Wilkins EGL, Stockwell E, Day J, Daintith RS, Perry N, Timaeus C, Intosh-Roffet JM, Powell A, Youle M, Tyrer M, Madge S, Drinkwater A, Cuthbertson Z, Carroll A, Becker S, Katner H, Rimland D, Saag MS, Thompson M, Witt M, Aguilar MM, LaVoy A, Illeman M, Guerrero M, Gatell J, Belsey E, Hirschel B, Potarca A, Cronenberg M, Kreekel L, Meester R, Khodabaks J, Botma HJ, Esrhir N, Farida I, Feenstra M, Jansen K, Klotz A, Mulder M, Ruiter G, Bass CB, Pluymers E, de Vlegelaer E, Leeneman (VCL) R, Carlier H, van Steenberge E, Hall D. Quality of Life in Patients Treated with First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy Containing Nevirapine And/Or Efavirenz. Antivir Ther 2004. [DOI: 10.1177/135965350400900512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective To assess whether differences in safety profiles between nevirapine (NVP) and efavirenz (EFV), as observed in the 2NN study, translated into differences in ‘health related quality of life’ (HRQoL). Design A sub-study of the 2NN study, with antiretro-viral-naive patients randomly allocated to NVP (once or twice daily), EFV or NVP+EFV, in addition to stavudine and lamivudine. Methods Comparing differences in changes of HRQoL over 48 weeks as measured with the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV) questionnaire, using analysis of variance. Results The 2NN study enrolled 1216 patients. No validated questionnaires were available for 244 patients, and 55 patients had no HRQoL data at all, leaving 917 patients eligible for this sub-study. A total of 471 (51%) had HRQoL measurements both at baseline and week 48. The majority (69%) of patients without HRQoL measurements did, however, complete the study. The change in the physical health score (PHS) was 3.9 for NVP, 3.4 for EFV and 2.4 for NVP+EFV ( P=0.712). For the mental health score (MHS) these values were 6.1, 7.0 and 3.9, respectively ( P=0.098). A baseline plasma HIV-1 RNA concentration (pVL) ≥100 000 copies/ml and a decline in pVL (per log10) were independently associated with an increase of PHS. An increase of MHS was only associated with pVL decline. Patients experiencing an adverse event during follow-up had a comparable change in PHS but a significantly smaller change in MHS, compared with those without an adverse event. Conclusions First-line ART containing NVP and/or EFV leads to an improvement in HRQoL. The gain in HRQoL was similar for NVP and EFV, but slightly lower for the combination of these drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frank van Leth
- International Antiviral Therapy Evaluation Center (IATEC); Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brian Conway
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hector Laplumé
- Hospital Profesor Alejandro Posadas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Des Martin
- Toga Laboratories, Edenvale, South Africa
| | - Martin Fisher
- Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals, Brighton, UK
| | - Ante Jelaska
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Conn., USA
| | - Ferdinand W Wit
- International Antiviral Therapy Evaluation Center (IATEC); Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joep MA Lange
- International Antiviral Therapy Evaluation Center (IATEC); Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Agatsuma T, Iwagami M, Liu CX, Rajapakse RPVJ, Mondal MMH, Kitikoon V, Ambu S, Agatsuma Y, Blair D, Higuchi T. Affinities between Asian non-human Schistosoma species, the S. indicum group, and the African human schistosomes. J Helminthol 2002; 76:7-19. [PMID: 12018199 DOI: 10.1079/joh200191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Schistosoma species have traditionally been arranged in groups based on egg morphology, geographical origins, and the genus or family of snail intermediate host. One of these groups is the 'S. indicum group' comprising species from Asia that use pulmonate snails as intermediate hosts. DNA sequences were obtained from the four members of this group (S. indicum, S. spindale, S. nasale and S. incognitum) to provide information concerning their phylogenetic relationships with other Asian and African species and species groups. The sequences came from the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of the ribosomal gene repeat, part of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene (28S), and part of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene. Tree analyses using both distance and parsimony methods showed the S. indicum group not to be monophyletic. Schistosoma indicum, S. spindale and S. nasale were clustered among African schistosomes, while S. incognitum was placed as sister to the African species (using ITS2 and 28S nucleotide sequences and CO1 amino acid sequences), or as sister to all other species of Schistosoma (CO1 nucleotide sequences). Based on the present molecular data, a scenario for the evolution of the S. indicum group is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Agatsuma
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Kochi Medical School, Oko, Nankoku, Japan.
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Perno CF, Cozzi-Lepri A, Balotta C, Forbici F, Violin M, Bertoli A, Facchi G, Pezzotti P, Angarano G, Arici C, Narciso P, Orani A, Raise E, Scalzini A, Poggio A, Ippolito G, Moroni M, Monforte AD, Montroni M, Scalise G, Costantini A, Del Prete MS, Tirelli U, Nasti G, Pastore G, Perulli LM, Suter F, Arici C, Chiodo F, Gritti FM, Colangeli V, Fiorini C, Guerra L, Carosi G, Cadeo GP, Castelli F, Minardi C, Vangi D, Rizzardini G, Migliorino G, Manconi PE, Piano P, Ferraro T, Cosco L, Pizzigallo E, Ricci F, Vigevani GM, Pusterla L, Carnevale G, Pan A, Viganò P, Mena M, Ghinelli F, Sighinolfi L, Leoncini F, Mazzotta F, Ambu S, Lo Caputo S, Angarano G, Grisorio B, Ferrara S, Grima P, Tundo P, Pagano G, Piersantelli N, Alessandrini A, Piscopo R, Toti M, Chigiotti, Soscia F, Tacconi L, Orani A, Castaldo G, Scasso A, Vincenti A, Scalzini A, Alessi F, Moroni M, Lazzarin A, Cargnel A, Milazzo F, Caggese L, Monforte AD, Melzi S, Delfanti F, Carini B, Adriani B, Garavaglia S, Moioli C, Esposito R, Mussini C, Abrescia N, Chirianni A, Perrella O, Piazza M, De Marco M, Montesarchio V, Manzillo E, Nappa S, Cadrobbi P, Scaggiante R, Colomba A, Abbadesse V, Prestileo T, Mancuso S, Filice G, Minoli L, Savino FAP, Maserati R, Pauluzzi S, Baldelli F, Petrelli E, Ciotti A, Alberici F, Sisti M, Menichetti F, Smorfa A, De Stefano C, La Gala A, Zauli T, Ballardini G, Bonazzi L, Ursitti MA, Ciammarughi R, Giordani S, Ortona L, Dianzani F, Ippolito G, Antinori A, Antonucci G, D'Elia S, Narciso P, Petrosillo N, Vullo V, De Luca A, Del Forno A, Zaccarelli M, De Longis P, Ciardi M, D'Offizi G, Palmieri F, Lichter M, Capobianchi MR, Girardi E, Pezzotti P, Rezza G, Mura MS, Mannazzu M, Caramello P, Sinicco A, Soranzo ML, Quaglia S, Sciandra M, Salassa B, Torre D, Basilico C, Poggio A, Bottari G, Raise E, Pasquinucci S, De Lalla F, Tositti G, Resta F, Chimienti A, Lepri AC, Phillips AN. Impact of Mutations Conferring Reduced Susceptibility to Lamivudine on the Response to Antiretroviral Therapy. Antivir Ther 2001. [DOI: 10.1177/135965350100600306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Federico Perno
- IRCCS L. Spallanzani, Rome, Italy
- Department Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Balotta
- Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Michela Violin
- Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Guido Facchi
- Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Claudio Arici
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ospedali Riuniti, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Anna Orani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Lecco Hospital, Lecco, Italy
| | - Enzo Raise
- Department of Infectious Diseases, SS Giovanni e Paolo Hospital, Venice, Italy
| | - Alfredo Scalzini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Mantova Hospital, Mantova, Italy
| | - Antonio Poggio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Verbania Hospital, Verbania, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Moroni
- Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Martinelli C, Zazzi M, Ambu S, Bartolozzi D, Corsi P, Leoncini F. Complete regression of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma-associated human herpesvirus-8 during therapy with indinavir. AIDS 1998; 12:1717-9. [PMID: 9764794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Ambu S, Rain AN, Mak JW, Maslah D, Maidah S. Detection of Angiostrongylus malaysiensis circulating antigen using monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MAb-ELISA). Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 1998; 28 Suppl 1:143-7. [PMID: 9656366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Three MAbs 1C4.2D8, 1C4.2C4 and 1C4.1F5 were produced using sonicated adult worm antigens of Angiostrongylus malaysiensis and they were found to be secreters of IgG1. The MAbs 1C4.2C4 and 1C4.2D8 were found to react with antigens of A. malaysiensis and cross-react with the closely related A. cantonensis but not with other helminths. A total of 108 human sera collected from Orang Asli (aborigenes) from Grik, in the State of Perak were tested for A. malaysiensis infection using the MAb-ELISA. MAb 1C4.1F5 and 25 (23%) were positive. Twenty of these positive samples were tested with the MAb 1C4.2D8 and none was found to be positive.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ambu
- Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Inder Singh K, Krishnasamy M, Ambu S, Rasul R, Chong NL. Studies on animal schistosomes in Peninsular Malaysia: record of naturally infected animals and additional hosts of Schistosoma spindale. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 1997; 28:303-7. [PMID: 9444010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Surveillance studies on cercarial dermatitis were carried out in paddy growing areas in Peninsular Malaysia. It was observed that dermatitis in paddy planters occurred in paddy fields which were cultivated using animals such as bafflos or fields where domestic animals were allowed to graze during the off planting season as these animals harbored the parasite. The causative agent of cercarial dermatitis was Schistosoma spindale. A total of 215 small mammals trapped from Alor Setar and 126 trapped from Labu were examined for the schistosome. In Alor Setar Bandicota indica, Rattus argentiventer and Rattus rattus diardii were the only wild mammals found to be infected with the parasite, while in the Labu areas only Rattus tiomanicus jalorensis was positive for the schistosome. The occurrence of S. spindale in R. argentiventer and R.r. diardii in Alor Setar and in R.t. jalorensis in Labu constitute new host and geographic distribution records of the schistosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Inder Singh
- Division of Medical Ecology, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur
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Martinelli C, Comin CE, Ambu S, Bartolozzi D, Leoncini F. Solitary cutaneous cryptococcosis resembling chickenpox: a case report. AIDS 1997; 11:260-1. [PMID: 9030381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Mastura AB, Ambu S, Hasnah O, Rosli R. Spargana infection of frogs in Malaysia. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 1996; 27:51-2. [PMID: 9031400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Frogs caught from two States (Selangor and Langkawi) in Malaysia were examined for spargana of Spirometra sp. Infected frogs usually show no marks of infection but some had swelling and bleeding at the infection site. The size and weight of the infected frogs did not correlate with the infection status. The infection status in relation to human health is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A B Mastura
- Division of Medical Ecology, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Prechatangkit B, Dhaliwal JS, Ambu S. Humoral and cell mediated immune responses against Schistosoma spindale in BALB/c mice. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 1994; 25:170-5. [PMID: 7825008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
(BALB/c mice were infected with cercariae of Schistosoma spindale by tail immersion technique and by dropping some cercariae from a pipet onto the outer surface of the pinna of the ears. Groups of mice were removed on Days 10, 20 and 30 and tested for humoral and cell mediated immune responses using either adult worm or cercarial antigen. On Day 50 the mice were sacrificed and the worm burden was determined for each mouse. This method resulted in an infectivity rate of 89.7%. There was a significant increase in antibody titer to the adult worm antigen while no significant increase was observed for cercarial antigen over the period of the study. Results obtained for cell mediated immunity were more dramatic. There was a significant increase in foot pad swelling for adult worm antigen compared to a significant decrease for cercarial antigen during the course of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Prechatangkit
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Kamis AB, Ahmad RA, Chang JS, Ambu S. The influence of thyroxine and propyl thiouracil on Parastrongylus malaysiensis infection in rats. Parasitol Res 1994; 80:87-8. [PMID: 8153134 DOI: 10.1007/bf00932632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Daily intramuscular injection with thyroxine (T4) at a dose of 2.5 micrograms/100 g body weight decreased the larvae and adult worm burden of Parastrongylus malaysiensis in the brain and pulmonary arteries of male Sprague-Dawley albino rats. In contrast, rats treated with propyl thiouracil (PTU), an antithyroid drug, at a dose of 3.75 mg/100 g body weight retained greater numbers of larvae and adult worms. The results may reflect the contrasting immunomodulatory effects of T4 and PTU that influence the susceptibility of the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- A B Kamis
- Jabatan Zoologi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi
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Abstract
A clinical trial on the efficacy of a single oral dose of ivermectin at 20, 50, 100, and 200 micrograms/kg was carried out in 40 subjects with subperiodic Brugia malayi microfilaremia. There was no significant difference in the clearance of microfilaremia in the four treatment groups, and the lowest geometric mean microfilarial count (GMC) achieved in the 40 subjects was 8.8/ml or 8.3% of the initial count (106.1/ml), at two weeks post-treatment. The GMC started to increase at one month post-treatment and by six months was 22.2% of the initial GMC. Only 27.5%, 23.1%, 15.0%, and 18.9% of subjects were amicrofilaremic at two, four, 12, and 24 weeks post-treatment, respectively. Mild fever in 35% of the subjects was the primary side reaction and was more common in those with microfilarial counts > or = 500/ml (85.7%) than in those with counts < 500/ml (32%). The clearance of B. malayi microfilaremia by ivermectin was less rapid than that reported for Wuchereria bancrofti. The smaller number of side reactions encountered in the present study compared with those reported for bancroftian filariasis is probably related to the lower microfilarial density in the present subjects. Since ivermectin at a single oral dose of 20-200 micrograms/kg can reduce the GMC to less than 10% at two weeks and maintain it below 25% of the initial level even at six months post-treatment, it is recommended that the drug be seriously evaluated for use in the control of brugian filariasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W Mak
- Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Ambu S, Mak JW, Ng CS. Efficacy of ivermectin against Parastrongylus malaysiensis infection in rats. J Helminthol 1992; 66:293-6. [PMID: 1293196 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x00014747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The efficacy of ivermectin on experimental infections of P. malaysiensis in rats was determined. Ivermectin was 99.4% and 97.9% effective at a dosage of 400 meg and 800 meg respectively at seven days post-infection. The same two dosages of ivermectin when given at 14 days post infection had an efficacy of 100%. However, as an adulticide it had only 40.7% efficacy. Ivermectin may therefore be useful for the treatment of parastrongyliasis due to the larval stages of the worm which can cause significant pathology in man and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ambu
- Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Mak JW, Jegathesan M, Lim PK, Hakim SL, Rain AN, Ambu S, Chong HK. Epidemiology and control of malaria in Malaysia. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 1992; 23:572-7. [PMID: 1298064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In spite of more than 30 years of control activities, malaria continues to be the most important parasitic infection in Malaysia, accounting for 39,189 confirmed cases in 1991, giving an annual parasite incidence rate of 2.2 per 1,000 population. Some factors contributing to the continued transmission of malaria are the development of drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum, changes in vector behavior, and ecological changes due to socio-economic reasons. Malaria parasite rates are higher among the Aborigines, land scheme settlers and those in intimate contact with the jungle, like loggers. There has been no substantial change in the proportion of the three common malaria species responsible for infections, P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae and mixed infections accounting for about 70%, 28%, 1% and 1%, respectively of all infections. Drug resistant P. falciparum is unevenly distributed in Malaysia, but based on clinical experience and in vitro drug sensitivity studies, chloroquine resistance is frequently encountered. There has been clinical and laboratory evidence of resistance to sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine combination as well as quinine, but all these have so far been successfully treated with a combination of quinine and tetracycline. The eradication of the disease is impossible in the near future but there is confidence that with better surveillance techniques and the use of alternative control measures like permethrin impregnated bed-nets to complement existing ones, the target of bringing down the annual parasite incidence to 2 per 1,000 population during the Sixth Malaysian Plan period (1991-1995) can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W Mak
- Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Singh KI, Krishnasamy M, Ambu S. The large bandicoot rat, Bandicota indica, a new host for Schistosoma spindale, Montgomery, 1906, in Peninsular Malaysia. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 1992; 23:537-8. [PMID: 1488714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K I Singh
- Division of Medical Ecology, Institute For Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Ratanaponglakha D, Ambu S. Humoral immune response of Balb/c mice to larval and adult worm antigens of Angiostrongylus malaysiensis. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 1989; 20:227-31. [PMID: 2609213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The development of Angiostrongylus malaysiensis in Balb/c mice and the humoral response due to it were studied by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with adult worm and L3 antigens. The worms recovered from mice were seen in the brain tissue only, they failed to migrate to the lung as in the normal host (rats). The antibody titres of sera from infected mice, showed similar patterns in response to L3 antigen and to adult worm antigen. However, the highest antibody response could be detected by L3 antigen in the early period after infection while the adult worm antigen detected a higher response in the later stages of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Ratanaponglakha
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
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Milani S, Ambu S, Patussi V, D'Agata A, Labardi M, Salvadori G, Surrenti C. Serum HBV DNA and intrahepatic hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in chronic hepatitis B virus infection: correlation with infectivity and liver histology. Hepatogastroenterology 1988; 35:306-8. [PMID: 3215627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In this study we investigated the HBeAg/anti HBeAg status, the liver histological features, the intrahepatic localization of HBcAg, and the presence of serum HBV DNA in a group of 79 HBsAg-positive patients. We found a close relationship between the presence of HBV DNA and intrahepatic HBcAg in HBeAg-positive patients. Among the 56 anti-HBeAg-positive patients considered, 13 (23.2%) showed the presence of intrahepatic HBcAg and serum HBV DNA. In this group of patients, active viral replication was associated with a chronic inflammatory liver disease and particularly with CAH. Furthermore, a prevalent cytoplasmic localization of HBcAg was found in 66.6% of patients affected by CAH, showing that this peculiar distribution of HBcAg seems to be associated with a poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Milani
- Department of Clinical Pathophysiology, University of Florence, Italy
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Surrenti C, Casini A, Milani S, Ambu S, Ceccatelli P, D'Agata A. Is determination of serum N-terminal procollagen type III peptide (sPIIIP) a marker of hepatic fibrosis? Dig Dis Sci 1987; 32:705-9. [PMID: 3595382 DOI: 10.1007/bf01296135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Serum N-terminal procollagen type III peptide (sPIIIP) levels were evaluated in 58 patients affected by chronic liver disease, in order to assess the usefulness of sPIIIP as a marker of hepatic fibrosis. In 45 patients sPIIIP was also correlated to liver histology; biopsies were scored by two of the authors, without knowledge of diagnosis. Compared to normal controls, sPIIIP concentration was found to be significantly elevated in chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and in cirrhosis, but not in fatty liver. Patients affected by chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) had values of sPIIIP higher than normal in four of 11 cases considered. A close correlation was found between sPIIIP values and histological parameters of inflammation, necrosis, and degeneration, while the relationship between sPIIIP levels and fibrosis was weaker. These data suggest that sPIIIP determination may reflect the extent of inflammatory changes in the liver; but it cannot be considered a reliable index of hepatic fibrosis.
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Calabrese E, Gonnelli E, Ambu S, Patussi V, Milani S, Crispo A, Masini R, Surrenti C. Role of hepatitis B virus infection in alcoholic patients. Ric Clin Lab 1986; 16:543-8. [PMID: 3576052 DOI: 10.1007/bf02886837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of HBV markers in patients with alcoholic liver disease and to compare the results with those of patients with non-alcoholic liver disease and control subjects. We tried to determine whether the association between alcohol intake and HBV infection increases the risk of developing severe liver disease. The results showed an increased incidence of HBsAg in alcoholic patients when compared with controls as well as an increased incidence of severe chronic liver disease in HBV-positive groups when compared with HBV-negative groups. We conclude that HBV infection is an important additional risk factor for the development of severe liver disease in alcoholic patients.
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Ho TM, Ismail S, Ambu S. Cannibalism in Aponomma lucasi Warburton (Acari: Ixodidae). Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 1986; 17:147-8. [PMID: 3738603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Surrenti C, Ambu S, Patussi V, Milani S, Casini A, Zacchi P, Ceccatelli P, Cefaratti C, D'Agata A. Diagnostic significance of anti-HBc IgM (RIA) in healthy HBsAg carriers and in chronic hepatitis B. J Med Virol 1986; 18:229-34. [PMID: 3701301 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.1890180304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The diagnostic significance of IgM antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) in healthy hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers and in subjects affected by chronic hepatitis B was evaluated. IgM anti-HBc was sought and found in all nine patients examined who were affected by acute HBsAg-positive hepatitis. It was also detected in 2 out of 18 patients with HBsAg-positive chronic persistent hepatitis and in 12 out of 42 patients affected by HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis. The absence of this marker was noted in all 26 HBsAg healthy carriers and in the subjects with HBsAg-positive cirrhosis. No relationship was found between the presence of IgM anti-HBc and the degree of inflammatory activity in the patients with HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis. A correlation was not found between the presence of IgM anti-HBc and the presence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in the same patients. These data show that the absence of IgM anti-HBc may be useful in identifying healthy carriers of HBsAg. The presence of this antibody may be a suitable indication of acute HBsAg-positive hepatitis. In patients with chronic active hepatitis B the presence of IgM anti-HBc cannot be used as diagnostic tool in predicting the severity of liver disease.
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Ambu S, Hoe KB, Wah MJ, Singh I. Effect of diethylcarbamazine citrate on Angiostrongylus malaysiensis infection in rats. Jpn J Med Sci Biol 1983; 36:325-330. [PMID: 6676503 DOI: 10.7883/yoken1952.36.325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to observe the effect of diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) on Angiostrongylus malaysiensis infection in albino rats. An attempt was made to vary the dose of DEC and treat infected animals at the larval and adult stages of infection. The doses were varied with an aim at finding an effective dosage. Animals were treated also during the pre-infection period to observe if the drug had any prophylactic properties. The results obtained show that DEC given after infection was effective only when its administration was initiated on day 42 of the infection corresponding to the mature adult stage of the parasite. In addition, it had some prophylactic activity against the infection.
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Ambu S, Kwa BH, Mak JW. Studies on the experimental chemotherapy of Angiostrongylus malaysiensis infection in rats with mebendazole and levamisole. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1982; 76:458-62. [PMID: 6926760 DOI: 10.1016/0035-9203(82)90135-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The effect of levamisole hydrochloride and mebendazole on Angiostrongylus malaysiensis infection in albino rats was studied. Animals at different stages of infection were treated with various oral doses of levamisole and mebendazole with the aim of finding an effective treatment regime. Levamisole was most effective for treating rats seven days after infection but its efficacy dropped as infection progressed. Mebendazole given at a dose of 1 mg/kg for five days was more effective against early larval stages (97.39% efficacy). At 5 mg/kg for five days mebendazole was more effective than levamisole against all stages of the infection.
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Krishnasamy M, Singh I, de Witt GF, Ambu S. The natural infection of wild animals in West Malaysia with nymphs of Armillifer moniliformis (Diesing, 1835) Sambon, 1922. Malays J Pathol 1981; 4:29-34. [PMID: 7186601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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