Insights into the Replication Kinetics Profiles of Malaysian SARS-CoV-2 Variant Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron in Vero E6 Cell Line.

Comprehending the replication kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 variants helps explain why certain variants spread more easily, are more contagious, and pose a significant health menace to global populations. The replication kinetics of the Malaysian isolates of Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants were studied in the Vero E6 cell line. Their replication kinetics were determined using the plaque assay, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and the viral growth curve.

Resurgence of Dengue Virus Serotype 4 in Malaysia: A Comprehensive Clinicodemographic and Genomic Analysis.

Dengue virus serotype 4 (DENV-4) has been the rarest circulating serotype in Malaysia, resulting in it being an understudied area. A recent observation from institutional surveillance data indicated a rapid increase in DENV-4-infected cases. The present study aimed to investigate the resurgence of DENV-4 in relation to the demographic, clinical and genomic profiles of 75 retrospective dengue samples.

Vero CCL-81 and Calu-3 Cell Lines as Alternative Hosts for Isolation and Propagation of SARS-CoV-2 Isolated in Malaysia.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been identified as the etiologic agent for the pneumonia outbreak that started in early December 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. To date, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused almost 6 million deaths worldwide. The ability to propagate the virus into a customizable volume will enable better research on COVID-19 therapy, vaccine development, and many others.

MERS-CoV seroconversion amongst Malaysian Hajj pilgrims returning from the Middle East, 2016-2018: results from the MERCURIAL multiyear prospective cohort study.

Prospective cohort study to investigate the potential exposure to the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) following Hajj pilgrims is still very limited. Here, we report the antibody seroconversion study results obtained from successive three years cohort studies (2016-2018) involving the Malaysian Hajj pilgrims returning from the Middle East. A cohort study of Hajj pilgrims from Malaysia enrolled 2,863 participants from 2016-2018, all of whom consented to provide paired blood samples for both pre- and post-Hajj travel to the Middle East.

Prospective Roles of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) in COVID-19: Prognosis, Therapeutic and Management.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) became a worldwide concern at the beginning of 2020 and has affected millions. Several previous studies revealed the impact of the imbalanced innate immune response on the progression of COVID-19 and its disease outcomes. High levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukins are produced readily by innate immune cells to fight Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections.

Environmental surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in municipal wastewater to monitor COVID-19 status in urban clusters in Malaysia.

Wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 has attracted considerable attention worldwide to complement the existing clinical-based surveillance system. In this study, we report our first successful attempt to prove the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 genes in Malaysian urban wastewater. A total of 18 wastewater samples were obtained from a regional sewage treatment plant that received municipal sewage between February 2021 and May 2021.

Assessing the impact of simplified HCV care on linkage to care amongst high-risk patients at primary healthcare clinics in Malaysia: a prospective observational study.

Introduction: To achieve the elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV), substantial scale-up in access to testing and treatment is needed. This will require innovation and simplification of the care pathway, through decentralisation of testing and treatment to primary care settings and task-shifting to non-specialists. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of decentralisation of HCV testing and treatment using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in primary healthcare clinics (PHCs) among high-risk populations, with referral of seropositive patients for confirmatory viral load testing and treatment.

Multiyear prospective cohort study to evaluate the risk potential of MERS-CoV infection among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims (MERCURIAL): a study protocol.

Introduction: Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory infection caused by the MERS-CoV. MERS was first reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2012. Every year, the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca attracts more than two million pilgrims from 184 countries, making it one of the largest annual religious mass gatherings (MGs) worldwide.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection among Malaysian population.

Malaysia is a country with an intermediate endemicity for hepatitis B. As the country moves toward hepatitis B and C elimination, population-based estimates are necessary to understand the burden of hepatitis B and C for evidence-based policy-making. Hence, this study aims to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C in Malaysia.

Find the Missing Millions: Malaysia's experience with nationwide hepatitis C screening campaign in the general population.

Approximately 2.5% of the Malaysian population is currently living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Yet, the public awareness of the disease is limited and under-screening remains a major challenge.

G1896A Precore Mutation and Association With HBeAg Status, Genotype and Clinical Status in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background: Precore stop codon (G1896A) mutation is one of the commonest mutations found in patients with chronic hepatitis B. However, over the years, this mutation was not reported much in Malaysia.

Objectives: We therefore investigated the presence of G1896A mutation in Malaysian population and its association with HBeAg status, clinical stage, hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype and e-seroconversion rate.

S gene mutants occurrence among hepatitis B carriers in malaysia.

Background: The S gene region of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) codes for surface antigen (HBs Ag) and is responsible for classification of HBV strains.

Objectives: The current study aimed to identify important mutations in the S gene in Hepatitis B virus (HBV) isolated from Malaysian HBV carriers.

Materials And Methods: Isolated HBV DNAs were subjected for PCR amplification and sequencing of HBV full genome.

Drug-resistance associated mutations in polymerase (p) gene of hepatitis B virus isolated from malaysian HBV carriers.

Background: Mutations in the polymerase (P) gene of hepatitis B virus are often associated with drug resistance. The pattern of mutations varies geographically, thus giving rise to genotypes diversity.

Objectives: This study was carried out to detect mutations in P gene of hepatitis B virus isolated from Malaysian HBV carriers.

Validation of the Elecsys® HIV combi PT assay for screening and reliable early detection of HIV-1 infection in Asia.

Background: The Elecsys® HIV combi PT assay was developed to allow earlier detection of HIV infection with increased sensitivity and specificity.

Objectives: To validate the assay for screening and reliable early detection of HIV-1 infection in Asia.

Study Design: Samples tested reflected those routinely screened in Asia and comprised: HIV-1 antigen lysate (25 samples) and antibody (20 samples) dilutions; seven HIV-1 seroconversion panels (46 samples); 39 patient samples from early infection; 183 known-positive sera; HIV-1 p24 antigen sensitivity panel (seven samples); >500 routine clinical samples per center.