Prevalence of filarial parasites in domestic and stray cats in Selangor State, Malaysia

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of the filarial parasites,ie.,Brugia malayi, Brugia, Brugia pahangi(B. pahangi), Dirofilaria immitisandDirofilaria repens (D. repens) in domestic and stray cats.MethodsA total of 170 blood sample were collected from domestic and stray cats and examined for filarial worm parasites in two localities, Pulau Carey and Bukit Gasing, Selangor State, Malaysia.ResultsThe overall prevalence of infection was 23.5% (40/170; 95% CI = 17.4–30.6). Of this, 35% (14/40; 95% CI = 22.1–50.5) and 50% (20/40; 95% CI = 35.2–64.8) were positive for single B. pahangi nd D. repens, respectively. The remaining of 15% (6/40; 95% CI = 7.1–29.1) were positive for mixed B. pahangi and D. repens. In addition, 75% of the infected cats were domestic, and 25% were strays. No Brugia malayi and Dirofilaria immitis was detected. Eighty-four cats were captured at Pulau Carey, of which 35.7% (30/84) were infected. Among the cats determined to be infected, 93% (28/30; 95% CI = 78.7–98.2) were domestic, and only 6.7% (2/30; 95% CI = 19.0–21.3) were strays. Conversely, the number of infected cats was three times lower in Bukit Gasing than in Pulau Carey, and most of the cats were stray.ConclusionsB. pahangi and D. repens could be the major parasites underlying filariasis in the study area. Adequate prophylactic plans should be administrated in the cat population in study area

Prevalence of filarial parasites in domestic and stray cats in Selangor State, Malaysia

Objective: To determine the prevalence of the filarial parasites,ie.,Brugia malayi, Brugia, Brugia pahangi(B. pahangi), Dirofilaria immitisandDirofilaria repens (D. repens) in domestic and stray cats. Methods: A total of 170 blood sample were collected from domestic and stray cats and examined for filarial worm parasites in two localities, Pulau Carey and Bukit Gasing, Selangor State, Malaysia. Results: The overall prevalence of infection was 23.5% (40/170; 95% CI = 17.4–30.6). Of this, 35% (14/40; 95% CI = 22.1–50.5) and 50% (20/40; 95% CI = 35.2–64.8) were positive for single B. pahangi nd D. repens, respectively. The remaining of 15% (6/40; 95% CI = 7.1–29.1) were positive for mixed B. pahangi and D. repens. In addition, 75% of the infected cats were domestic, and 25% were strays. No Brugia malayi and Dirofilaria immitis was detected. Eighty-four cats were captured at Pulau Carey, of which 35.7% (30/84) were infected. Among the cats determined to be infected, 93% (28/30; 95% CI = 78.7–98.2) were domestic, and only 6.7% (2/30; 95% CI = 19.0–21.3) were strays. Conversely, the number of infected cats was three times lower in Bukit Gasing than in Pulau Carey, and most of the cats were stray. Conclusions: B. pahangi and D. repens could be the major parasites underlying filariasis in the study area. Adequate prophylactic plans should be administrated in the cat population in study area

Opportunities and obstacles to the elimination of malaria from Peninsular Malaysia: knowledge, attitudes and practices on malaria among aboriginal and rural communities

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite continuous efforts by the government and private sectors, malaria is still a public health problem in rural Peninsular Malaysia. This study investigated household knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) regarding malaria in two malaria endemic communities, forest-aboriginal and rural communities, in the Lipis district of Pahang state, Malaysia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A descriptive cross-sectional study with a semi-structured questionnaire was carried out among 100 and 123 households from forest-aboriginal and rural areas, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Knowledge about malaria and its transmission is significantly higher among the rural participants than the aborigines (86.2% vs 76%, p < 0.01). However, use of medicinal plants and beliefs in witchcraft and sorcery in treating febrile diseases were significantly higher among the aboriginal population (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the two communities in terms of the knowledge about malaria symptoms, attitudes towards its severity and practices in preventive measures against malaria by using mosquito bed nets. However, the knowledge and practice of different preventive measures to combat malaria, such as insecticide and the elimination of breeding areas, was significantly higher among the rural population than the aborigines (p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Both communities were aware of malaria as a disease, but knowledge, attitudes and practices were inadequate. Providing efficient health education to people residing in malaria endemic areas would improve their understanding about malaria prevention in order to bring about the elimination of malaria from the country.</p

Medicinal plants of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Daodi: insights from phylogeny and biogeography

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015 includes 584 plant medicines, of which 284 also contain high quality subsets, so called ‘Daodi’ components, where Daodi denotes superior clinical properties compared to non-Daodi counterparts despite being sourced from the same species. Commercial and clinical drivers of selection for Daodi have been described elsewhere. Our objective is to investigate the overall composition of Daodi to determine in what ways medicines with Daodi as a whole differ from the other plants of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. A further objective is to characterise the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Daodi in terms of the plant species it includes, their traits and their distribution. We used trait analysis to identify whether Daodi species were significantly different from the remaining Chinese Pharmacopoeia plant species in any traits. We used biogeographic methods and an existing classification of Daodi into ten regions to identify spatial patterns amongst the species. Regression and binomial analyses were used to test for over and under-use of plant families and endemic species. Preferences for lineages were visualised using phylogenetic mapping. We found Daodi species (species with any Daodi subset) are more likely to be roots that are ‘hot’ or ‘warm’, and less likely to be ‘toxic’, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts. Roots were over-represented in the Bei region, and whole plants over-represented in Guang. Both the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Daodi indicate preferences for families not common in previously studied ethnopharmacopoeias, and fewer endemic species are represented than expected by chance. In highlighting patterns of plant use, our study points towards cultural preferences in need of scientific explanation

Modelling malaria treatment practices in Bangladesh using spatial statistics

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria treatment-seeking practices vary worldwide and Bangladesh is no exception. Individuals from 88 villages in Rajasthali were asked about their treatment-seeking practices. A portion of these households preferred malaria treatment from the National Control Programme, but still a large number of households continued to use drug vendors and approximately one fourth of the individuals surveyed relied exclusively on non-control programme treatments. The risks of low-control programme usage include incomplete malaria treatment, possible misuse of anti-malarial drugs, and an increased potential for drug resistance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The spatial patterns of treatment-seeking practices were first examined using hot-spot analysis (Local Getis-Ord Gi statistic) and then modelled using regression. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression identified key factors explaining more than 80% of the variation in control programme and vendor treatment preferences. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) was then used to assess where each factor was a strong predictor of treatment-seeking preferences.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Several factors including tribal affiliation, housing materials, household densities, education levels, and proximity to the regional urban centre, were found to be effective predictors of malaria treatment-seeking preferences. The predictive strength of each of these factors, however, varied across the study area. While education, for example, was a strong predictor in some villages, it was less important for predicting treatment-seeking outcomes in other villages.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Understanding where each factor is a strong predictor of treatment-seeking outcomes may help in planning targeted interventions aimed at increasing control programme usage. Suggested strategies include providing additional training for the Building Resources across Communities (BRAC) health workers, implementing educational programmes, and addressing economic factors.</p

Piper betle L. Piperaceae

Artanthe hexagyna Miq.; Betela mastica Raf.; Chavica betle (L.) Miq.; Chavica blumei Miq.; Chavica chuvya Miq.; Chavica densa Miq.; Chavica siriboa (L.) Miq.; Cubeba melamiri Miq.; Cubeba seriboa Miq.; Macropiper potamogetonifolium (Opiz) Miq.; Piper anisodorum Blanco; Piper bathicarpum C.DC.; Piper bidentatum Stokes; Piper blancoi Merr.; Piper blumei (Miq.) Backer; Piper canaliculatum Opiz; Piper carnistilum C.DC.; Piper densum Blume; Piper fenixii C.DC.; Piper macgregorii C.DC.; Piper malamiri Blume; Piper malamiris L.; Piper malarayatense C.DC.; Piper marianum Opiz; Piper philippinense C.DC.; Piper pinguispicum C.DC. & Koord.; Piper potamogetonifolium Opiz; Piper puberulinodum C.DC.; Piper rubroglandulosum Chaveer. & Mokkamul; Piper saururus Burm.; Piper siriboa L.; Piperi betlum (L.) St.-Lag