A four year review of acute viral hepatitis cases in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia (1994-1997).

A total of 1,157 sera from jaundiced patients with clinical and biochemical evidence of liver disease received from government hospital in Kelantan and Terengganu, during the period from 1994 to 1997, were investigated to determine the cause. Hepatitis A virus was found to be the main cause in 26.1% (24/92) of symptomatic clinical hepatitis cases in 1994, 47.8% (63/132) in 1995, 66.4% (613/923) in 1996 and 20% (2/10) in 1997. Sera received in 1996 were also tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D and hepatitis E. 1.4% (13/923) anti-bodies were found to be positive for HBc IgM indicating recent HBV infection, 5.4% (50/923) for total HCV Ab, 0.9% (8/923) for total HDV Ab and 0.4% (4/923) for anti-HEV IgM. This study shows that HAV is still a major problem in Kelantan and Terengganu, and there is a need to identify effective strategies for prevention and control in these two states.

Studies on animal schistosomes in Peninsular Malaysia: record of naturally infected animals and additional hosts of Schistosoma spindale.

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.

Seroprevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei var canis antibodies among aborigines in peninsular Malaysia.

The Aborigines or Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia who are still seminomadic are known to have a close association with dogs. In this study, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect anti-Sarcoptes scabiei var canis antibodies in this community as a measure of exposure to the mite. Out of 312 Orang Asli tested, 24.7% were positive for polyvalent anti-Sarcoptes antibodies. No significant difference was found between the positive rates in males (26.1%) and females (23.6%). Only 1.9% were positive for IgA and none was positive for IgE anti-Sarcoptes antibodies. Since there were very few patients with clinical manifestation of scabies, there is a possibility that continuous exposure to the dogs mite confers cross-protective immunity in the community against human scabies.

Host tissue reaction to Gnathostoma malaysiae (Nematoda: Gnathostomidae) in Rattus surifer Miller.

The occurrence of adult Gnathostoma malaysiae in Rattus surifer and R. tiomanicus in Malaysia has been reported but there are no known reports on the host tissue reactions. This paper reports on the gross pathology caused by G. malaysiae in a red spiny forest rat, R. surifer and the tissue reactions caused. A tumor-like growth was located on the mid-stomach wall in a female rat captured in Gunung Bachock, Kelantan, Malaysia. This growth consisted of four tunnel-like structures containing sanguinopurulent fluid and leukocytes and this structure led into a central canal. The tissue surrounding the tumor was greatly inflamed and there was localized gastritis. The tunnel-like structure was surrounded by dense fibrotic tissue. The stomach wall was devoid of superficial epithelium and smooth muscle but mucinous glands were present. The midregion of the fibrotic scar contained eggs of G. malaysiae which had evoked a strong tissue reaction and were surrounded by pus. Blood vessels were empty, dilated and had undergone vasculitis and thrombosis.

Lipid peroxidation in plumbagin administered rats.

Plumbagin was administered to rats at a concentration of 1,2,4,8 and 16 mg per kg body weight. After 24 h lipid peroxide levels were found to decrease in subcellular fractions of liver. Plumbagin inhibited ascorbate and nicotinafde adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced) dependent lipid peroxidation but was without any effect on cumene hydroperoxide dependent lipid peroxidation. Injection of 16 mg of plumbagin per kg body weight was found to decrease liver total reduced glutathione and also fcrosomal glucose- 6-phosphatase. The results are discussed with reference to the anti- and prooxidant properties of plumbagin.

Parasite fauna of the house rat Rattus rattus diardii in Kuala Lumpur and nearby villages.

One hundred and fifty one house rats, Rattus rattus diardii from five different localities, Jinjang, Dato Keramat, Kuala Lumpur, Sungai Besi and Selayang Baru, were examined for parasites. Nineteen species of parasites were recovered. Hymenolepis diminuta and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis are the predominant species. The dominancy of the parasite species in the rats differed in each locality: Hymenolepis diminuta in Dato Keramat and Kuala Lumpur; Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in Sungai Besi; Gongylomena neoplasticum in Jinjang and Selayang Baru. The influences of human habitats on the parasite fauna of house rats are discussed.

Capillaria hepatica infection of wild rodents in Peninsular Malaysia.

Capillaria hepatica infection in wild rodents collected from the States of Kelantan, Selangor and Johore in Peninsular Malaysia since 1973 is reported. A total of 1,258 rodents consisting of 20 species of house, field and forest rats, and 7 species of squirrels were examined for the parasite and 17 species consisting of 111 murids and 1 flying squirrel were found infected. The house rat, Rattus norvegicus had the highest prevalence rate, followed by 3 species of field rats, R. tiomanicus, R. argentiventer and Bandicota indica. The prevalence of infection was low among forest rats with the exception of Lenothrix canus. Only 1 flying squirrel, Hylopetes spadiceus was found with the parasite. The prevalence of infection in relation to the host behaviour and habitats was discussed. C. hepatica appears to be widespread throughout Malaysia with a wide range of hosts among rodent species. Some new host records are presented herein.