Isolation of Janthinobacterium lividum from early onset neonatal sepsis patients in Malaysia

Background: The term early onset neonatal septicaemia (EONS) refers to invasive bacterial infections that primarily involve the blood stream of neonates during the first 3 days of life. Although early onset neonatal septicaemia is relatively uncommon, it may be associated with case fatality rates of 15-30% and substantial morbidity in surviving infants. Objectives: This study describes an unusual septicaemia cases with Janthinobacterium lividum in neonatal Intensive Care Units. Methods: Bacterial causes of early onset neonatal sepsis in Kuala Lumpur Hospital Malaysia were investigated using broad range 16S rDNA PCR and sequencing. The bacterial DNA was isolated directly from blood without pre-incubation. All samples collected were equally cultured and incubated in automated BACTEC system. Results: Two hundred and fifty two neonates were recruited in this study with mean (SD) gestational age of 35.9. Neonates with J. lividum infection lacked microbiological evidence of septicaemia as their blood culture yielded no bacterial growth. However, the PCR analysis of these samples yielded 1100bp corresponding to bacteria species. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the value of PCR in detecting bacteria where special growth requirement is involved

Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and associated haemato-proteinuria in Wurno Rural Area of Sokoto State, Nigeria

Background: Schistosomiasis is the second most predominant tropical disease in the world, next to malaria. Nigeria is one of the countries in Africa, where urinary schistosomiasis is endemic with an estimated 25 million people living with the disease, and 101 million others at risk. On account of these, there is need to devise a rapid, affordable and reliable detection technique for this highly endemic disease.Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving 300 randomly selected participants. Socio-demographic data, risk factors and symptoms of schistosomiasis were obtained using questionnaires. The sedimentation method was utilized to examine Schistosoma haematobium ova in urine samples.Results: The prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection, determined by a positive filtration result, was 37.7% (95% Confidence Interval), of which 54% were irrigation farmers, and 43% children. Schistosomiasis was found to be associated with hematuria (97.3%) and proteinuria (79.6%).Conclusion: Haematuria and proteinuria have a potential value in the screening for community diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis in endemic areas. Vesical schistosomiasis is recognized as a significant public health problem among Kwargaba, Tutudawa, Lugu and Tunga rural farmers and children, and this, calls for effective intervention by the local government authority and Sokoto State government.Keywords: Kidney, schistosoma haematobium, urinary bladder, parasit

Hepatitis E virus infection in the perspective of acute-on-chronic liver failure

Introduction: Hepatitis E virus is a non-enveloped virus measuring 27 to 34nm, which belongs to the hepeviridae family. Its transmission is predominantly fecal oral and it is a common cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. Hepatitis E virus may cause serious disease, leading to high mortality in chronic liver disease patients, leading to the development of acute-on-chronic liver failure. Objective: This review aimed at summarizing the role played by HEV on the exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B and the pathophysiology of acute-on-chronic liver failure. Evidence acquisition: Peer-reviewed journal articles search were conducted using the university Putra Malaysia online subscribed databases in the area of Health Sciences and Medicine via Medline, SCOPUS and Google Scholar search engine. This review aims to summarize the impact of hepatitis E virus in acute-on-chronic liver failure pathogenesis. Development: Acute-onchronic liver failure has been considered an acute deterioration of liver function and clinical status in chronic hepatitis or cirrhotic patients. The transition from chronic hepatitis to cirrhotic as well as acute-on-chronic liver failure is mainly via pro-inflammatory cytokines; the clinical picture is similar to that of septic shock and multi-organ failure. Conclusion: Hepatitis E virusinfected patients may worsen and deteriorate to acute-on chronic infection, which constitutes two concurrent insults: acute and chronic with qualitatively different degrees of insult, leading to increased mortality as a result of organ failure with subsequent progression to multi-organ failure and being a leading cause of cirrhotic decompensation

Antibody and immune memory persistence post infant hepatitis B vaccination

Shuaibu A Hudu,1,2 Yasmin A Malik,3 Mohd Taib Niazlin,1 Nabil S Harmal,1,4 Ariza Adnan,5 Ahmed S Alshrari,1 Zamberi Sekawi1 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia,&nbsp;Selangor, Malaysia; 2Department of Pathology and Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria; 3Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Selangor, Malaysia; 4Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana&#39;a University, Sana&#39;a, Yemen; 5Cluster of Laboratory Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the level of hepatitis B immunity among undergraduate students 23 years after commencement of the nationwide hepatitis B childhood immunization program in Malaysia. Methods: A total of 402 serum samples obtained from volunteer undergraduate students were screened for the presence of hepatitis B surface antibodies using qualitative ELISA. Results: Results showed that 62.7% of volunteers had protective anti-hepatitis B surface antigens (&ge;10 IU/L), of whom 67.9% received three doses of the vaccine. The estimated post-vaccination immunity was found to be at least 20 years, indicating persistent immunity against hepatitis B and a significant association (P < 0.05) with duration of vaccination. Anamnestic response 1 month post-hepatitis B booster was 94.0% and highly significant (P < 0.01). Isolated anti-hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) prevalence was found to be 5.0%, all having had a positive anamnestic response. Conclusion: Immunity after primary vaccination with hepatitis B recombinant vaccine persists for at least 20 years post-vaccination, with significant association with the number of vaccinations. Furthermore, the presence of anamnestic response to booster vaccine indicates long-lasting immunity despite decreasing antibody levels; therefore, the need for hepatitis B vaccine boosters may not be of significant benefit after complete infant vaccination. Keywords: hepatitis B vaccination, persistent immunity, anamnestic response, booster vaccinatio