ABSTRACT
Background: Indonesia has demonstrated a significant progress in malaria elimination. Kapuas and Gunung Mas Districts in Central Kalimantan Province have not been freed from malaria and there is no information of malaria incidences in these areas. Palangka Raya city has been freed from malaria in 2018. Materials and Methods: The total number of 140 samples consisting of 75 malaria Giemsa-stained blood smears and 65 RDT cartridges from both local and migrant populations. Both males and females aged15 years and above were included and their demographic data were recorded. The malaria trend in these areas was analyzed based on the number of cases, species of Plasmodium and the demographic characteristics of the enrolled subjects. Results: The study findings disclosed a yearly decrement of malaria trend in both local and migrant populations of the studied areas. The highest number of P.vivax infection (8.76%)occurred in 2018 among migrant population in Gunung Mas district, while P.falciparum infection was found in 2017contributed by both population. The decreased number of cases was shown by very low number of cases among migrant population in almost every year. The observed significant decrease in malaria incidences indicated the success and effective implementation of the malaria control programs at the sub-district level. Conclusion: To minimize malaria cases among gold miners, mosquito repellent, prophylactic administration of antimalarial drugs and enough enlightenment should be considered before and during their activities. From that standpoint, the effective collaboration between health officers and environmental authorities is recommended to control, prevent and eliminate malaria in these areas.
ABSTRACT
To investigate the involvement of oxidative stress in coaldust induced respiratory disorders, red blood cell and serum antioxidants in 66 coal miners were related to 5-year changes in coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CW P), chronic bronchitis, and lung function decrease (n = 40). Reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione concentrations, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase activities were measured in erythrocytes and vitamin A, vitamin E and iron were determined in serum. Changes in CWP were determined by chest radiography, chronic bronchitis was determined from a validated questionnaire and lung function decline was calculated by linear regression for a 10 year interval before blood sampling. SOD activity was increased in miners with progression of CWP (2308±156 vs 1703±155 U g(-1) Hb, p < 0.05), and GSH was reduced in those with chronic bronchitis at follow-up (3.53±0.16 vs 4.0±0.09 mmol g(-1) Hb, p < 0.01). Stepwise discriminant analysis showed that for both pneumoconiotic and non-pneumoconiotic respiratory disease in this cohort, increased enzymatic antioxidants (i.e. Gpx, Catalase, SOD) were high risk factors, while increased 'nonenzym atic' antioxidants (i.e. vitamin E, GSH) indicated reduced risk. GST activity showed discriminative power in two ways, i.e. decreased activity in those at risk for CWP, but increased in those with rapid decline in FEV1. We conclude that the multiple marker approach applied here shows the relevance of interpretation of total 'antioxidant status' versus single antioxidant measurements in health screening of individuals at risk for respiratory impairments.
