ABSTRACT
@#Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii which affects human and animals. Village chickens (Gallus domesticus) most commonly known as Ayam Kampung or free-range chickens, have been suggested to play a role in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis. This study determines the presence of T. gondii in the village chicken populations in two states of Malaysia. A total of 50 serum samples from the chickens from Selangor (n=20) and Melaka (n=30) were collected and analysed using commercial serological kits. T. gondii antigen was detected in 20% (Selangor 30%; Melaka 13%) samples using ELISA test and anti-T. gondii antibody was detected in all positive ELISA samples using the indirect haemagglutination test (IHAT). Histopathological examination revealed tissue changes such as inflammation and degeneration in brain and liver of seropositive chickens. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in the village chickens in Malaysia.
ABSTRACT
@#Flood is a potential driver in spreading waterborne diseases including leptospirosis, which is a zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In the case of leptospirosis, cattle and goats can be incidental hosts and potential carriers of leptospirosis. Traditionally, serology such as microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and isolation of the organisms have been commonly used as the diagnostic approaches in diagnosing leptospirosis. However, nowadays, various molecular techniques have been developed for specific detection of Leptospira sp. such as, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is sensitive, specific and rapid in detecting the species. This study detected Leptospira sp. directly from the blood and urine of the animals such as, cattle, goats and sheep in Kelantan after a massive flood by using multiplex PCR (mPCR). From the results collected in the study, four blood samples (0.63%; 4/635) were found to be positive with Leptospira sp. and one urine sample (3.23%; 1/31) was detected as positive with Leptospira sp. The blood and urine samples that were detected to be positive with Leptospira sp. were collected from cattle and goats exposed to the flood. However, no Leptospira sp. was detected from the sheep in this study. Multiplex PCR (mPCR) was successfully used to detect the presence of Leptospira sp. in animals. Apart from that, it is also suggested that flood has a significant role in transmitting the disease to animals.
ABSTRACT
A study was carried out to isolate Brucella melitensis using established bacteriological and PCR techniques in Brucella seropositive goats in farms in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Pulau Pinang. Brucella melitensis was isolated from 7 of 134 reactors with the highest isolation from the vaginal swabs (57.14%) followed by the spleen (28.57%), uterine fluid (14.29%). No Brucella was isolated from the lymph nodes. PCR confirmed all the seven isolates as B. melitensis and isolates were phylogenetically related to other isolates from India, Iran, and Israel but most closely related to isolates from Singapore.
ABSTRACT
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is an emerging nosocomial pathogen in humans. The use of antibiotics in human therapy and in the production of food animals has been incriminated in the emergence of this organism. The present study describes the distribution of VRE species, the vancomycin-resistant genes detected, the vancomycin resistance pattern observed, and the genetic diversity of the isolates found in live broiler chickens in Malaysia. Overall 140 VRE were isolated with species comprising Enterococcus faecalis (48%), Enterococcus faecium (25.7%), Enterococcus gallinarum (12.1%), Enterococcus casseliflavus (1.4%) and other Enterococcus species (12.8%). Vancomycin resistance gene vanA and intrinsic genes vanC1 and vanC2/3 were detected in the study population. VanA was detected in 15 (63.9%) of E. faecium, 23 (22.4%) of E. faecalis and in 3 (17.6%) E. gallinarum isolates. E-test was conducted on randomly selected 41 of the isolates and the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of vancomycin for five (11.9%) of tested isolates is more than 256mug/ml. Genotypic analysis using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) showed genetic diversity within the Enterococcus species.
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to present a new modification in standard trabeculectomy technique. Seventeen patients [17 eyes] with uncontrolled primary open angle and narrow angle glaucoma were operated by this new procedure. All cases had a previous trabeculectomy in the other eye with postoperative flat AC. The results showed that the mean preoperative IOP with hypotensive medications was 32 mmHg and the mean postoperative IOP was 14 mmHg after 12 months postoperative follow up. The success rate was 82% with IOP below 17 mmHg at the end of the follow up period. The number of postoperative flat AC was zero