Parents' willingness to pay for COVID-19 vaccination for children in Malaysia using the contingent valuation method.

Children are susceptible and a potential source of transmission for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However compulsory COVID-19 vaccination programs among children have not been a focus in Malaysia. The aim of this study was to measure parents' willingness to pay (WTP) for the COVID-19 vaccine and analyze the effects of socioeconomic variables on parents' WTP.

Meta-analysis and moderator analysis of the seroprevalence of hepatitis E in South-Eastern Asia.

By 2030, the World Health Organization wants to decrease viral hepatitis incidence and mortality by 90% and 65%, respectively. One of the agents responsible for the increased burden of viral hepatitis is the hepatitis E virus (HEV). This emerging pathogen is prevalent worldwide causing both acute and chronic infection.

The Molecular Approaches and Challenges of Serotyping for Epidemiological Surveillance in the Vaccine Era.

(pneumococcus) belongs to the Gram-positive cocci. This bacterium typically colonizes the nasopharyngeal region of healthy individuals. It has a distinct polysaccharide capsule - a virulence factor allowing the bacteria to elude the immune defense mechanisms.

Application of the double bounded dichotomous choice model to the estimation of parent's willingness to pay for the hand foot mouth disease vaccination: A survey in Selangor, Malaysia.

Hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a notifiable viral disease in Malaysia, and is transmitted primarily among young children. Although vaccines for enteroviruses 71 (EV-71) were approved in China against HFMD, the availability and the acceptance of the vaccine in the Malaysia are unknown. This study investigated and ascertained the determinants of willingness-to-pay (WTP) for HFMD vaccination in Selangor Malaysia.

Hepatitis E Virus: An emerging enigmatic and underestimated pathogen.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an RNA virus causing hepatitis E disease. The virus is of one serotype but has diverse genotypes infecting both humans and animals. Based on evidence from seroprevalence studies, about 2 billion people are estimated to have been infected with HEV globally.

Impact of economic disruptions and disease experiences on COVID-19 vaccination uptake in Asia: A study in Malaysia.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, individuals have had a variety of experiences with the disease and economic disruptions in Asia. We assessed how these experiences could impact COVID-19 vaccination intent and uptake in one of the Asian country, Malaysia. Two opt-in internet-based cross-sectional samples were collected: a March wave (26 March - 7 April 2021) and a June wave (22 June - 10 July 2021).

Antimicrobial susceptibility, serotype distribution, virulence profile and molecular typing of piliated clinical isolates of pneumococci from east coast, Peninsular Malaysia.

Pilus has been recently associated with pneumococcal pathogenesis in humans. The information regarding piliated isolates in Malaysia is scarce, especially in the less developed states on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Therefore, we studied the characteristics of pneumococci, including the piliated isolates, in relation to antimicrobial susceptibility, serotypes, and genotypes at a major tertiary hospital on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Pilus islets and the clonal spread of piliated Streptococcus pneumoniae: A review.

Pneumococci are a common cause of severe infections, such as otitis media, pneumonia, meningitis and bacteremia. Pili are detected in a small proportion of pneumococcal population, but these structures have recently been associated with bacterial virulence in humans. Therefore, the epidemiological relationships between pneumococcal pili, serotype and antimicrobial resistance are of interest.

Application of Phenotype Microarray for Profiling Carbon Sources Utilization between Biofilm and Non-Biofilm of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Clinical Isolates.

Background: This is the fastest work in obtaining the metabolic profiles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in order to combat the infection diseases which leads to high morbidity and mortality rates. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a high versatility of gram-negative bacteria that can undergo aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Capabilities in deploying different carbon sources, energy metabolism and regulatory system, ensure the survival of this microorganism in the diverse environment condition.

Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira kirschneri are the dominant Leptospira species causing human leptospirosis in Central Malaysia.

Background: Leptospirosis, commonly known as rat-urine disease, is a global but endemic zoonotic disease in the tropics. Despite the historical report of leptospirosis in Malaysia, the information on human-infecting species is limited. Determining the circulating species is important to understand its epidemiology, thereby to strategize appropriate control measures through public health interventions, diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccine development.

Willingness to pay for hepatitis B vaccination in Selangor, Malaysia: A cross-sectional household survey.

Background: In Malaysia, one million individuals are estimated to be infected with the hepatitis B virus. A vaccine for infants has been compulsory since 1989, whereas those born before 1989 need to spend their own money to be vaccinated in private clinics or hospitals. The aim of this study was to investigate and ascertain the determinants of willingness to pay (WTP) for adult hepatitis B vaccine in Selangor, Malaysia.

Genetic diversity of hepatitis B co-infection with hepatitis C, D and E viruses among Malaysian chronic hepatitis B patients.

Background: Hepatitis B virus co-infection with other strains of viral hepatitis is associated with increased risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatic decompensation.

Objectives: This is a prevalence study that assessed the genetic diversity of chronic hepatitis B patients and coinfection.

Methods: Chronic hepatitis B patients enrolled in this study were tested for antibodies of other hepatitis viruses using ELISA kits.

Knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B among households in Malaysia: a community-based cross-sectional survey.

Background: Hepatitis B (HepB) is a major public health concern in Malaysia yet little is known about knowledge and awareness of this infection in the country. Such information is essential for designing effective intervention strategies for HepB prevention and control. The aim of this study was to characterize knowledge and awareness regarding HepB in Malaysia and to identify their associated sociodemographic determinants.

The relationship between perceptions and self-paid hepatitis B vaccination: A structural equation modeling approach.

Background: Malaysia has a comprehensive, publicly-funded immunization program for hepatitis B (HepB) among infants, but adults must pay for the vaccine. The number of HepB carriers among adults is expected to increase in the future; therefore, we examined the impact of five constructs (cues to action, perceived barriers, perceived benefit, perceived severity, and perceived susceptibility) on adults' willingness to pay (WTP) for HepB vaccine; secondarily, we examined the association between perceived barriers and perceived benefits.

Methods: Adults were selected through a stratified, two-stage cluster community sample in Selangor, Malaysia.

Expression of Human Cytokine Genes Associated with Chronic Hepatitis B Disease Progression.

Background: Hepatitis viruses are non-cytopathic viruses that lead to the infection and pathogenesis of liver diseases as a result of immunologically mediated events.

Objective: To investigate the expression of human inflammatory cytokines in chronic hepatitis B patients according to the severity of the infection.

Methods: We recruited a total of 120 patients, 40 of whom from cirrhotic, 40 non-cirrhotic, and 40 acute flare chronic hepatitis B and 40 healthy controls.

Genotypic characterization of Malaysian human isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from carriage and clinical sources.

This study characterized carriage and clinical pneumococcal isolates for serotypes, penicillin susceptibility, virulence genes and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern of penicillin binding protein (PBP) genes. DNA fingerprint of isolates was generated by BOX-PCR. Majority of serotypes were 23F followed by 19F, 19A and 6A.

Isolated hepatitis B core antibody positive among vaccinated cohort in Malaysia.

Background And Objectives: Hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc) are detected in almost every patient with previous exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, with this marker alone, one cannot understand the activity of the disease; therefore, this study aimed to identify the implication of isolated hepatitis B core antibody and evaluate the effect of hepatitis B vaccine booster in isolated anti-HBc among adults who received the HBV vaccine as infants.

Design And Settings: A prospective cohort study of vaccinated undergraduate students of University Putra Malaysia.

Antibody and immune memory persistence post infant hepatitis B vaccination.

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.

Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and distribution of exoU and exoS in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a Malaysian hospital.

This study was conducted to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern and distribution of exoU and exoS among 44 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa collected from different patients over a 3-month period in 2010 at a major Malaysian hospital. Susceptibility data by disk diffusion method for cefepime (30 microg), ceftazidime (30 microg), gentamicin (10 microg), piperacillin-tazobactam (100/10 microg) and ciprofloxacin (5 microg) were available for 38 isolates.

Determination of phenotypes and pneumococcal surface protein A family types of Streptococcus pneumoniae from Malaysian healthy children.

Background: There is limited information about pneumococcal carriage among healthy children in Malaysia. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate, serotype distribution, susceptibility pattern, and pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) family types of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in the nasal carriage of children 5 years old or younger in three day care centers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Methods: Nasal swabs were collected from 195 healthy children, age 5 years or younger, from June to December 2010.