4 research outputs found
Challenges encountered by local health volunteers in early diagnosis and prompt treatment of malaria in Myanmar artemisinin resistance containment zones
Applications of Silver Nanoparticles and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Spirulina platensis
In Myanmar, the natural Spirulina platensis is produced from the natural lake of Yae Kharr lake. The aim of this research was to achieve silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles from Spirulina platensis and its utilizations in biomedical, waste water and balm, some lotions, and face cream for cosmetic products. Spirulina platenis (blue green algae) plays a very important role for health food. Silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles from Spirulina were obtained by green synthesis. Silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles from Spirulina were obtained by calcinations at 60º C and characterized by XRD, SEM, AFM and UV visible spectrophotometer techniques. Average crystallite size of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles from Spirulina was found to be 23.93 nm and 12 nm by using Debye Scherer equation. The antimicrobial activity of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles against both gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pulamis, Staphylococcus aureus, and gram negative bacteria ( Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Candida albicans fungus strain were done by agar well diffusion method. Among these strains, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans showed the highest antimicrobial activity of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles from Spirulina platensis. Rhodamine G dye was used as model solution and removal percent of Silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles were found to be 84.58% and 75. 12%. Silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles were applied and made for the formation of face cream, body lotion and balm. It was observed that these products can be used safely for body lotion, balm for skin and face cream because the pH value and microbial testing (total plate and yeast and mold counts) of these cosmetic products were found under acceptable level compared to literature values. The main advantages of zinc oxide nanoparticles coated with fabrics can be used in textile industry due to uniform distribution of nanoparticles on the fabric surface to obtain long elasticity
Clinical and molecular surveillance of artemisinin resistant falciparum malaria in Myanmar (2009–2013)
Abstract Background Emergence of artemisinin-resistant malaria in Southeast Asian countries threatens the global control of malaria. Although K13 kelch propeller has been assessed for artemisinin resistance molecular marker, most of the mutations need to be validated. In this study, artemisinin resistance was assessed by clinical and molecular analysis, including k13 and recently reported markers, pfarps10, pffd and pfmdr2. Methods A prospective cohort study in 1160 uncomplicated falciparum patients was conducted after treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), in 6 sentinel sites in Myanmar from 2009 to 2013. Therapeutic efficacy of ACT was assessed by longitudinal follow ups. Molecular markers analysis was done on all available day 0 samples. Results True recrudescence treatment failures cases and day 3 parasite positivity were detected at only the southern Myanmar sites. Day 3 positive and k13 mutants with higher prevalence of underlying genetic foci predisposing to become k13 mutant were detected only in southern Myanmar since 2009 and comparatively fewer mutations of pfarps10, pffd, and pfmdr2 were observed in western Myanmar. K13 mutations, V127M of pfarps10, D193Y of pffd, and T448I of pfmdr2 were significantly associated with day 3 positivity (OR: 6.48, 3.88, 2.88, and 2.52, respectively). Conclusions Apart from k13, pfarps10, pffd and pfmdr2 are also useful for molecular surveillance of artemisinin resistance especially where k13 mutation has not been reported. Appropriate action to eliminate the resistant parasites and surveillance on artemisinin resistance should be strengthened in Myanmar. Trial registration This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02792816