Identification of genotypes of Influenza A virus in Malaysia

Objective: Influenza is considered as an emerging disease until today

The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalent genotypes of Influenza A virus in Malaysia

Methods: Influenza A virus was identified from respiratory specimens by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [rRT-PCR]

Phylogenetic analysis of the identified isolates was performed and genotypes were detected

Results: A total number of 505 throat swabs and nasopharyngeal aspirates were examined by rRT-PCR at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre [UKMMC] in which 65[12.87%] were positive for influenza A

The identified isolates were successfully genotyped by phylogenetic analysis. The identified influenza A genotypes were: H1N1 [42], H3N2 [20] and H5N1 [3]

Conclusion: The findings indicated that 3 genotypes were circulating in Malaysia during 2011 in which H1N1 was the predominant. Results added new genotype [H5N1] identification record in Malaysia that may be added in data base of WHO and CDC

Hepatitis C genotype and associated risks factors of patients at university Kebangsaan Malaysia medical centre

Objectives: Hepatitis C virus [HCV] genotyping is important for treatment and epidemiological purposes. The objective was to determine HCV genotype and their associations with certain risk factors at University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre [UKMMC]

Methods: A total of 89 samples were collected from December 2009 to January 2011. Demographic data of patients were collected from medical record. Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase chain reaction [RT PCR] was performed and sixty-four samples yielded positive for HCV. Sequencing was performed and analyzed based on sequence information in GenBank. Statistical analysis were done using SPSS version 15

Results: HCV genotype 3 [73%] was the most frequent genotype, followed by genotype 1[27%]. The distribution of HCV genotype/ subtype was as follows: 3a [64.8%], 1a [13.5%], 1 [10.8%], 3 [8.1%] and 1b [2.7%]

Conclusions: HCV subtypes 3a, 1a, and 1b were identified in patients at UKMMC, Malaysia with subtype 3a being the most prevalent. No significant association was found between HCV genotypes and patients' demographic data

Evaluation of diagnostic procedures for lump breast

Breast lumps are very common and account for more than half the referrals seen at breast clinics. They can occur in women of any age. Although over 80% of breast lumps are benign, every breast lump must be evaluated by "triple assessment" i.e. a combination of clinical assessment, radiological imagining and a tissue sample taken for either cytological or histological analysis to rule out malignancy. It is the most frequent female cancer in Pakistan accounting for almost 26.6%. The objective of the study was to compare the diagnostic reliability of different procedures, to classify types of lumps breast and to associate serious pathologies with demographic and other habits. Hospital based descriptive study. This study was conducted at the Department of Surgery CMH Kharian. Out of 200 cases of breast lump included in the study, 53 [26.5%] were found malignant on open biopsy while 147 [73.5%] were benign. On FNAC 48 cases were C5, 10 were C4, 40 were C2 and 102 were C3 [77%] cases were found benign. Clinical examination revealed 40 [20%] malignant and 160 [80%] benign cases. Lump breast should be diagnosed by a combination of clinical assessment, radiological imagining and cytological or histological analysis. FNAC can be used as primary screening tool in the management of breast lump. Apart from using as a screening tool for malignancy in lump breast, mammography can be used to ensure accurate positioning of for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures like FNAC/Core and pre-operative localization of non-palpable breast lesions. Whenever there is doubt, diagnosis should be confirmed by open biopsy which remains the gold standard investigation

Endoscopic intrabiliary placement of a fibrin plug for the treatment of traumatic bile duct injuries

A variety of traumatic and iatrogenic injuries can lead to bile duct leaks or fistula. These leaks are commonly managed by transpapillary biliary stent placement, which reduces in traductal pressure and facilitates closures. A small percentage of these lesions are resistant to this technique, however. We propose a novel endoscopic approach for traumatic bile duct injuries that uses commercially available cryoprecipitate/thrombin, simultaneously administered during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography [ERCP], creating a fibrin "plug" within the region of leakage. Two cases are presented that detail our experiences

modified radioimmunoassay for rat pancreatic kallikrein

A highly sensitive radioimmunoassay for rat pancreatic kallikrein with a detectable amount of 0.2 ng/ml has been developed. The assay uses an antiserum against purified rat submandibular kallikrein in a final dilution of 1:240,000. Optimum conditions of incubation period [20 hours], temperature [25°C] and minimal amount of labelled antigen [1/650 dilution] have been determined. The reproductibility of the radioimmunoassay has been demonstrated by applying linear regression analysis