Blastocystis spp. contaminated water sources in aboriginal settlements.

Blastocystis has been increasingly reported in water bodies. However, lack of studies to determine the presence of Blastocystis in water used by the aborigines in Malaysia has led to the birth of this research. This study was therefore aimed to determine the occurrence of Blastocystis in water samples in aboriginal settlements in Pahang, Malaysia. Water samples collected from seven sampling points of two rivers and other water sources in the villages were subjected to filtration and cultivation followed by trichrome staining. The trichrome stained slides were observed microscopically under 1000X magnification for the presence of Blastocystis. River samples were also measured for physicochemical parameters. From this study, 42.9% of the river water and 6.25% of other water samples were positive for Blastocystis. All river samples showed presence of Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes, indicating faecal contamination. Statistical analysis showed Blastocystis occurrence in the river were significantly correlated conductivity, turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solid (TDS), concentration of sulfate and faecal coliforms. The river water used by the aborigines is a probable source for Blastocystis transmission in this community. Therefore, protection of the river from organic material and faecal contaminations are highly required in order to control the contamination by Blastocystis.

Diagnosis of disseminated microsporidiosis: Detection of circulating Enterocytozoon bieneusi DNA in blood of HIV/AIDS patients.

Disseminated microsporidiosis among HIV/AIDS patients is life-threatening. The incidence may be actually higher than what has been reported. This is due to non-specific presentations of the disseminated cases and also the insensitivity of routine diagnostic technique which contribute to delay in the treatment of the disease. In the present study, we report the use of blood specimens to detect circulating microsporidia DNA, which has not been reported for diagnosis of disseminated microsporidiosis. Blood samples from HIV/AIDSpositive patients were collected over a period of one year. These samples were subjected to PCR assay using species-specific primer EBIEF1/EBIER1. Out of 100 patients, seven were confirmed positive for E. bieneusi by PCR. A fragment of 607 bp was successfully amplified. Identification of circulating microsporidia DNA in blood samples may aid in early diagnosis, thereby allows timely administration of anti-parasitic treatment.

Diagnosis of disseminated microsporidiosis: Detection of circulating Enterocytozoon bieneusi DNA in blood of HIV/AIDS patients

Disseminated microsporidiosis among HIV/AIDS patients is life-threatening. The incidence may be actually higher than what has been reported. This is due to non-specific presentations of the disseminated cases and also the insensitivity of routine diagnostic technique which contribute to delay in the treatment of the disease. In the present study, we report the use of blood specimens to detect circulating microsporidia DNA, which has not been reported for diagnosis of disseminated microsporidiosis. Blood samples from HIV/AIDSpositive patients were collected over a period of one year. These samples were subjected to PCR assay using species-specific primer EBIEF1/EBIER1. Out of 100 patients, seven were confirmed positive for E. bieneusi by PCR. A fragment of 607 bp was successfully amplified. Identification of circulating microsporidia DNA in blood samples may aid in early diagnosis, thereby allows timely administration of anti-parasitic treatment.

The transcript level of interleukin-6 in the cartilage of idiopathic osteoarthritis of knee.

AIMS: The mRNA level for interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important marker of osteoarthritis (OA). The present study aimed to investigate the level of IL-6 mRNA in the cartilage of OA knee while comparing it to the normal cartilage obtained from the same patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients who underwent total knee replacement were recruited for this study. Sectioning of the destructive cartilage was performed in the medial part of the proximal tibiofemoral cartilage. The unaffected lateral part of the knee in the same patient, served as a control. The mRNA level for IL-6 was assessed using LightCycler 2.0 quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). actin mRNA was used as an endogenous control. RESULTS: Twelve out of 21 patients (57.1%) exhibited up regulation of IL-6 mRNA in the OA cartilage as compared to the normal cartilage. The rest of the patients (42.9%) showed down regulation of IL-6 mRNA. The statistical analysis showed there was insignificant level of IL-6 mRNA in the OA (1.91 +/- 0.45) as compared to the normal cartilage (1.13 +/- 0.44) (p > 0.05). The inter-individual variation in the level of IL-6 mRNA in the cartilage of idiopathic knee was in accordance with previous findings. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest IL-6 could also act as a catabolic agent in some patients or its expression might be influenced by other cytokines.