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Dian ND, Muhammad AB, Azman EN, Eddie NA, Azmi NI, Yee VCT, Rahim MAFA, Munajat MB, Rakna MIMS, Kasri MRM, Mohamed AI, Ghazali N, Hassan NW, Manap SNAA, Osman E, Wahid W, Chuangchaiya S, Lubis IND, Divis PCS, Chan S, Idris ZM. Evidence of Submicroscopic Plasmodium knowlesi Mono-Infection in Remote Indigenous Communities in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 109:1081-1085. [PMID: 37748768 PMCID: PMC10622472 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0184] [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] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaysia has maintained zero cases of indigenous human malaria since 2018. However, zoonotic malaria is still prevalent in underdeveloped areas and hard-to-reach populations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malaria among remote indigenous communities in Peninsular Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in six settlements in Kelantan state, from June to October 2019. Blood samples were tested for malaria using microscopy and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) targeting the Plasmodium cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (cox3) gene. Of the 1,954 individuals who appeared healthy, no malaria parasites were found using microscopy. However, nPCR revealed seven cases of Plasmodium knowlesi mono-infection (0.4%), and six out of seven infections were in the group of 19 to 40 years old (P = 0.026). No human malaria species were detected by nPCR. Analysis of the DNA sequences also showed high similarity that reflects common ancestry to other P. knowlesi isolates. These findings indicate low submicroscopic P. knowlesi infections among indigenous communities in Malaysia, requiring PCR-based surveillance to support malaria control activities in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nor Diyana Dian
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Basyir Muhammad
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Elora Nor Azman
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur Ashrina Eddie
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur Iman Azmi
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Valerie Chong Tze Yee
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Amirul Fitri A. Rahim
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Bakhtiar Munajat
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | | | | | - Nuraffini Ghazali
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Noor Wanie Hassan
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Siti Nor Azreen Abdul Manap
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Emelia Osman
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wathiqah Wahid
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sriwipa Chuangchaiya
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand
| | - Inke Nadia D. Lubis
- Department of Paediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
| | - Paul C. S. Divis
- Malaria Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak
, Malaysia
| | - Sherwin Chan
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Zulkarnain Md Idris
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Rahim MAFA, Munajat MB, Dian ND, Seri Rakna MIM, Wahid W, Ghazali N, Hassan NW, Abdul Manap SNA, Kasri MRM, Mohamed AI, Osman E, Chuangchaiya S, Lubis IND, Divis PCS, Kaneko A, Tetteh KKA, Idris ZM. Naturally acquired antibody response to Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax among indigenous Orang Asli communities in Peninsular Malaysia. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1165634. [PMID: 37153151 PMCID: PMC10157193 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1165634] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a public health problem in many parts of the world. In Malaysia, the significant progress towards the national elimination programme and effective disease notification on malaria has resulted in zero indigenous human malaria cases since 2018. However, the country still needs to determine the extent of malaria exposure and transmission patterns, particularly in high-risk populations. In this study, a serological method was used to measure transmission levels of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax among indigenous Orang Asli communities in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in three Orang Asli communities (i.e., Pos Bihai, Pos Gob, and Pos Kuala Betis) in Kelantan from June to July 2019. Antibody responses to malaria were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using two P. falciparum (PfAMA-1 and PfMSP-119) and two P. vivax (PvAMA-1 and PvMSP-119) antigens. Age-adjusted antibody responses were analysed using a reversible catalytic model to calculate seroconversion rates (SCRs). Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with malaria exposure. The overall malaria seroprevalence was 38.8% for PfAMA-1, 36.4% for PfMSP-119, 2.2% for PvAMA-1, and 9.3% for PvMSP-119. Between study areas, the proportion of seropositivity for any P. falciparum and P. vivax antigens was significantly highest in Pos Kuala Betis with 34.7% (p < 0.001) and 13.6% (p < 0.001), respectively. For all parasite antigens except for PvAMA-1, the proportion of seropositive individuals significantly increased with age (all p < 0.001). Based on the SCR, there was a higher level of P. falciparum transmission than P. vivax in the study area. Multivariate regression analyses showed that living in Pos Kuala Betis was associated with both P. falciparum (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.6, p < 0.001) and P. vivax (aOR 2.1, p < 0.001) seropositivities. Significant associations were also found between age and seropositivity to P. falciparum and P. vivax antigens. Analysis of community-based serological data helps describe the level of transmission, heterogeneity, and factors associated with malaria exposure among indigenous communities in Peninsular Malaysia. This approach could be an important adjunct tool for malaria monitoring and surveillance in low malaria transmission settings in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Amirul Fitri A. Rahim
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Bakhtiar Munajat
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nor Diyana Dian
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Wathiqah Wahid
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nuraffini Ghazali
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Noor Wanie Hassan
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Siti Nor Azreen Abdul Manap
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Emelia Osman
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sriwipa Chuangchaiya
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand
| | - Inke Nadia D. Lubis
- Department of Paediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
| | - Paul C. S. Divis
- Malaria Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Akira Kaneko
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Parasitology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kevin K. A. Tetteh
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zulkarnain Md Idris
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- *Correspondence: Zulkarnain Md Idris,
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Wahid W, Zahariluddin ASM, Kadir ZS, Sharip S, Idris ZM, Osman E. Reactivation of Latent Toxoplasmosis in a Schizophrenia Patient: A Case Report. Iran J Parasitol 2021; 16:512-517. [PMID: 34630598 PMCID: PMC8476734 DOI: 10.18502/ijpa.v16i3.7106] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder characterized by chronic relapsing episodes of psychosis. The disease is multifactorial, where infections, genetic vulnerability and environmental factors are involved in the development of the illness. Toxoplasma gondii is one of the parasites that has long been known associated with schizophrenia in many studies. To date, there is growing evidence of association between T. gondii infections and schizophrenia. Herein we report a rare case of reactivated toxoplasmosis in a schizophrenia individual. This patient was incidentally diagnosed with reactivated T. gondii infection. He denied any symptoms of toxoplasmosis but experienced a mild psychiatric auditory hallucination. Serology test for T. gondii immunoglobulin antibodies measured a high positive IgG titer (135.9 IU/ml) and negative for IgM. Interestingly, nested PCR exhibited a positive result for the type I strain of T. gondii dense granular (GRA) 7 gene (GRA7). This case highlights the detection of probable reactivation of toxoplasmosis in an immunocompetent schizophrenic patient without psychiatric treatment-resistant and remains asymptomatic for toxoplasmosis. Both serology and molecular tools have been a helpful aid in establishing the diagnosis. Nonetheless, early detection as in this case may aid the patient management in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wathiqah Wahid
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Anis Safirah Mohammad Zahariluddin
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Zuri Shahidii Kadir
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Shalisah Sharip
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Zulkarnain Md Idris
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Emelia Osman
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Munajat MB, Rahim MAFA, Wahid W, Seri Rakna MIM, Divis PCS, Chuangchaiya S, Lubis IND, Osman E, Mohd Kasri MR, Idris ZM. Perceptions and prevention practices on malaria among the indigenous Orang Asli community in Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. Malar J 2021; 20:202. [PMID: 33906645 PMCID: PMC8077949 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03741-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaysia is on track towards malaria elimination. However, several cases of malaria still occur in the country. Contributing factors and communal aspects have noteworthy effects on any malaria elimination activities. Thus, assessing the community's knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards malaria is essential. This study was performed to evaluate KAP regarding malaria among the indigenous people (i.e. Orang Asli) in Peninsular Malaysia. METHODS A household-based cross-sectional study was conducted in five remote villages (clusters) of Orang Asli located in the State of Kelantan, a central region of the country. Community members aged six years and above were interviewed. Demographic, socio-economic and KAP data on malaria were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Overall, 536 individuals from 208 households were interviewed. Household indoor residual spraying (IRS) coverage and bed net ownership were 100% and 89.2%, respectively. A majority of respondents used mosquito bed nets every night (95.1%), but only 50.2% were aware that bed nets were used to prevent malaria. Nevertheless, almost all of the respondents (97.9%) were aware that malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes. Regarding practice for managing malaria, the most common practice adopted by the respondents was seeking treatment at the health facilities (70.9%), followed by self-purchase of medication from a local shop (12.7%), seeking treatment from a traditional healer (10.5%) and self-healing (5.9%). Concerning potential zoonotic malaria, about half of the respondents (47.2%) reported seeing monkeys from their houses and 20.1% reported entering nearby forests within the last 6 months. CONCLUSION This study found that most populations living in the villages have an acceptable level of knowledge and awareness about malaria. However, positive attitudes and practices concerning managing malaria require marked improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Bakhtiar Munajat
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Amirul Fitri A Rahim
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wathiqah Wahid
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Paul C S Divis
- Malaria Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Sriwipa Chuangchaiya
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, 47000, Thailand
| | - Inke Nadia D Lubis
- Department of Paediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, 20154, Indonesia
| | - Emelia Osman
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Zulkarnain Md Idris
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 56000, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Azlin MY, Esa HAH, Hameed AA, Wahid W, Pakeer O. First case of pulmonary hydatid cyst in a pregnant Syrian refugee woman in Malaysia. Med J Malaysia 2021; 76:103-106. [PMID: 33510119] [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: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary hydatid cyst (PHC) in pregnancy is a very rare pathology. We report here a case of ruptured PHC during pregnancy in a 26-year old Syrian (refugee) woman who presented with complaints of productive cough with metallic taste and dyspnoea. PHC was suspected due to her clinical and radiological findings. Interestingly, the sputum examination confirmed the diagnosis as numerous protoscoleces were present. Serology for Echinococcus infection revealed positive at high titre. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment by providing care improves the patient outcome. Parasitological examination of the respiratory specimen in suspected ruptured PHC is desirable as a valuable detection tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Y Azlin
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology, WP Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - H A H Esa
- Hospital Selayang, Lebuhraya Selayang, Kepong, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - A A Hameed
- Hospital Selayang, Lebuhraya Selayang, Kepong, Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - W Wahid
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology, WP Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - O Pakeer
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology, WP Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Wahid W, Ahmad Fahmi NA, Mohd Salleh AF, Mohd Yasin 'A. Bronchopulmonary lophomoniasis: A rare cause of pneumonia in an immunosuppressed host. Respir Med Case Rep 2019; 28:100939. [PMID: 31667075 PMCID: PMC6812266 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2019.100939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bronchopulmonary lophomoniasis is rare but immunocompromised individual is susceptible to this infection. We reported a case of bronchopulmonary lophomoniasis in a Malaysian female with systemic lupus erythromatosus. She presented with productive cough, shortness of breath and high-grade fever for 2 weeks. Physical examination revealed bronchial sound and crackles over the left lung with, reduced expansion and dull percussion in lower left lobe. Chest radiography showed consolidation of the left lung. Routine laboratory tests revealed general low cell count. Blood and sputum culture were negative. Bronchoalveolar lavage stain and culture for bacterial and fungal were negative. Bronchoalveolar lavage for Lophomonas blattarum was positive. Patient was treated with antiprotozoal drug, metronidazole. All her clinical problems resolved and she was discharged 14 days after admission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wathiqah Wahid
- Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur Athirah Ahmad Fahmi
- Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Firdaus Mohd Salleh
- Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - 'Azlin Mohd Yasin
- Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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