A successful pregnancy outcome of homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia patient on statin therapy

@#Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) is a rare genetic disorder of lipoprotein metabolism mainly due to mutation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor gene (LDLR). It is a life-threatening disease that causes accelerated, multi-vessel atherosclerosis presented in early childhood. Pregnancy in HoFH may pose early coronary morbidity and mortality to both the foetus and mother. The combination of HoFH and pregnancy can be a fatal condition. While statins are very effective in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, they are generally contraindicated during pregnancy, thus their use during pregnancy is uncommon. On the other hand, lipid apheresis (LA) has turned into an effective treatment to control cholesterol level amid pregnancy. However, the procedure is not widely available in our region. To date, there are scarcely documented case reports of HoFH in pregnancy in which the majority of them underwent LA to keep LDL-C at a low level. We report a rare case of successful pregnancy outcome of HoFH patient treated with lipid-lowering drugs including statin without LA therapy. Apart from that, we also discussed the genetic findings of the proband and all screened family members in which to the best of our knowledge, the first study using the whole-exome sequencing technique to identify the causative gene mutations for familial hypercholesterolaemia among the Malaysian population.

Antimicrobial effect of Malaysian green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) on the skin microbiota

Aims: Camellia sinensis ( green t ea) is known for its therapeutic properties (anti - inflammatory, anti - oxidative and anti - ageing). The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro inhibitory activity of gree n tea extract on some odorous skin commensal bacteria. Methodology and results: Tea leaves were collected from MARDI Agro Technology Park, Cameron Highlands. A standardised protocol was used to obtain green tea extract. Aqueous green tea extracts were tes ted for antibacterial activity by well diffusion method. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays were performed by broth microdilution assays using green tea extract concen trations from 16 to 0.0313 mg/ mL . Green tea extract showed antibacterial activity against skin microbiota. The high antimicrobial effect was achieved against Micrococcus luteus with MIC and MBC of 0.125 and 0.25 mg/μL respectively, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis with MIC and MBC o f 0.25 and 0.25 mg/μL respectively, Bacillus subtilis with MIC and MBC of 0.5 and 0.5 mg/μL respectively and lastly, Corynebacterium xerosis with MIC and MBC of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/μL respectively. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The results obta ined from the study confirm the in vitro anti - microbial activity of green tea extracts against skin microbiota. The antibacterial effects of green tea against skin bacteria with its anti - oxidant and anti - aging properties will help in keeping skin healthy, fresh and reducing unpleasant odo rs .