Application of loop-mediated isothermal amplification combined with lateral flow assay visualization of Plasmodium falciparum kelch 13 C580Y mutation for artemisinin resistance detection in clinical samples.

Resistance to the antimalarial drug artemisinin (ART) has emerged in Greater Mekong Subregion. The molecular marker predominantly used to identify ART resistance is the C580Y mutation in Pfkelch13 of Plasmodium falciparum. Rapid and accurate detection of ART resistance in the field is necessary to guide malaria containment and elimination interventions.

Development of a highly sensitive nucleic acid amplification-based detection for human leptospirosis infection.

Highly sensitive diagnostic tools are crucial for individual screening during an epidemic of leptospirosis. To aid in developing a diagnostic tool for the sensitive detection of pathogenic strains, a new approach targeting nucleic acid amplification that combines quantitative PCR (qPCR) and strand displacement isothermal amplification was evaluated. The effectiveness of the combined approach, a quantitative polymerase chain displacement reaction (qPCDR), was compared with a qPCR technique.

Prevalence of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency among Malaria Patients in Southern Thailand: 8 Years Retrospective Study.

Erythrocytes deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is more susceptible to oxidative damage from free radical derived compounds. The hemolysis triggered by oxidative agents such as primaquine (PQ) is used for the radical treatment of hypnozoites of P. vivax.

A LAMP-SNP Assay Detecting C580Y Mutation in Pfkelch13 Gene from Clinically Dried Blood Spot Samples.

Artemisinin resistance (ART) has been confirmed in Greater Mekong Sub-region countries. Currently, C580Y mutation on Pfkelch13 gene is known as the molecular marker for the detection of ART. Rapid and accurate detection of ART in field study is essential to guide malaria containment and elimination interventions.

Molecular epidemiology of resistance to antimalarial drugs in the Greater Mekong subregion: an observational study.

Background: The Greater Mekong subregion is a recurrent source of antimalarial drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria. This study aimed to characterise the extent and spread of resistance across this entire region between 2007 and 2018.

Methods: P falciparum isolates from Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia were obtained from clinical trials and epidemiological studies done between Jan 1, 2007, and Dec 31, 2018, and were genotyped for molecular markers (pfkelch, pfcrt, pfplasmepsin2, and pfmdr1) of antimalarial drug resistance.

Molecular detection of antimalarial drug resistance in from returned travellers to NSW, Australia during 2008-2018.

To monitor drug resistance in , a multidrug resistance 1 () gene and a putative transporter protein () gene were used as molecular markers for chloroquine resistance. The biomarkers, the dihydrofolate reductase () gene and the dihydropteroate synthetase () gene, were also used for the detection of resistance to sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP); this drug is often accidentally used to treat infections. Clinical blood samples (n = 120) were collected from patients who had been to one of eight malaria-endemic countries and diagnosed with infection.

Outer membrane protein A (OmpA) is a potential virulence factor of Vibrio alginolyticus strains isolated from diseased fish.

Vibrio alginolyticus is one of the most serious causative agents of diseases in cultured marine fish and shellfish. However, the characteristics of virulence factors in pathogenic V. alginolyticus are poorly known.

Genetic Diversity of Plasmodium vivax in Clinical Isolates from Southern Thailand using PvMSP1, PvMSP3 (PvMSP3α, PvMSP3β) Genes and Eight Microsatellite Markers.

Plasmodium vivax is usually considered morbidity in endemic areas of Asia, Central and South America, and some part of Africa. In Thailand, previous studies indicated the genetic diversity of P. vivax in malaria-endemic regions such as the western part of Thailand bordering with Myanmar.

Molecular Surveillance of Pfkelch13 and Pfmdr1 Mutations in Plasmodium falciparum Isolates from Southern Thailand.

Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) resistance is widespread throughout the Greater Mekong Subregion. This raises concern over the antimalarial treatment in Thailand since it shares borders with Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar where high ACT failure rates were reported. It is crucial to have information about the spread of ACT resistance for efficient planning and treatment.

Acanthamoeba in Southeast Asia - Overview and Challenges.

Acanthamoeba, one of free-living amoebae (FLA), remains a high risk of direct contact with this protozoan parasite which is ubiquitous in nature and man-made environment. This pathogenic FLA can cause sight-threatening amoebic keratitis (AK) and fatal granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) though these cases may not commonly be reported in our clinical settings. Acanthamoeba has been detected from different environmental sources namely; soil, water, hot-spring, swimming pool, air-conditioner, or contact lens storage cases.

Molecular detection of drug resistant malaria in Southern Thailand.

Background: Drug resistance within the major malaria parasites Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum threatens malaria control and elimination in Southeast Asia. Plasmodium vivax first-line treatment drug is chloroquine together with primaquine, and the first-line treatment for P. falciparum malaria is artemisinin in combination with a partner drug.

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii Isolated from cat Feces in Songkhla, Southern Thailand.

The genotype of Toxoplasma gondii has been extensively studied to determine whether its characteristics may influence the course of toxoplasmosis. Recent genotyping studies in South America have found Toxoplasma hybrid isolates or atypical strains which were more virulent and highly diverse than North American and European species. Although, the high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection among pregnant women and HIV-infected patients from Songklanagarind Hospital, Songkhla, Southern Thailand has been previously reported, there is no reported study of human genotyping data on T.

Correction: Pathogenic waterborne free-living amoebae: An update from selected Southeast Asian countries.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Pathogenic waterborne free-living amoebae: An update from selected Southeast Asian countries.

Data on the distribution of free-living amoebae is still lacking especially in Southeast Asian region. The aquatic environment revealed a high occurrence of free-living amoebae (FLA) due to its suitable condition and availability of food source, which subsequently causes infection to humans. A total of 94 water samples consisted of both treated and untreated from Laos (31), Myanmar (42), and Singapore (21) were investigated for the presence of pathogenic FLA.

CHARACTERIZATION OF MALARIA INFECTION AT TWO BORDER AREAS OF THAILAND ADJOINING WITH MYANMAR AND MALAYSIA.

During 2009 to 2010, a total of 408 blood samples collected from malaria patients in Ranong (149) and Yala (259) Provinces, Thailand were investigated for Plasmodium spp using microscopic examination. There are no statistical differences in the prevalence of P. falciparum and P.

Presence of Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia in water samples from Southeast Asia: towards an integrated water detection system.

Background: Access to clean and safe drinking water that is free from pathogenic protozoan parasites, especially Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia that cause gastrointestinal illness in humans, is still an issue in Southeast Asia (SEA). This study is the first attempt to detect the aforementioned protozoan parasites in water samples from countries in SEA, using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays.

Methods: A total of 221 water samples of 10 l each were collected between April and October 2013 from Malaysia (53), Thailand (120), the Philippines (33), and Vietnam (15).

Toxoplasma gondii - Prevalence and Risk Factors in HIV-infected Patients from Songklanagarind Hospital, Southern Thailand.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common opportunistic parasitic diseases in patients living with HIV/AIDS. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection in HIV-infected patients and to identify associated risk factors in Toxoplasma seropositive patients. This study was conducted at a regional public hospital in Hat Yai, southern Thailand during October 2009 to June 2010.

A reproducible method for extraction of Plasmodium falciparum DNA by microwave irradiation and its potential for rapid molecular diagnosis.

Malaria remains one of the most important communicable diseases. A rapid, simple and accurate method is a crucial part of malaria diagnosis. The aim of this study was to reevaluate the microwave irradiation method to extract DNA from Plasmodium falciparum and compare with six other existing DNA extraction methods such as QIAamp DNA mini kit (Qiagen), FTA elute card, phenol-chloroform, Chelex, Chelex without proteinase-K and Rapid boiling.

Mechanisms of 1-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethylanthraquinone from Coptosapelta flavescens as an anti-giardial activity.

Thai medicinal plants represent a rich source of potential anti-parasitic compounds. 1-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethylanthraquinone (CFQ) purified from Coptosapelta flavescens, a plant commonly used to expel intestinal worms, indicated potential anti-giardial agent as shown in a previous study. This study aims to investigate its mechanism of action.

A new anthraquinone from Morinda elliptica Ridl.

A new anthraquinone, morinquinone, together with 18 known anthraquinones were isolated from the stems of Morinda elliptica Ridl. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. They each showed weak inhibitory activity against a susceptible strain of Staphylococcus aureus and a methicillin-resistant S.

Comparative study on Toxoplasma infection between Malaysian and Myanmar pregnant women.

Background: Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, causes a disease called toxoplasmosis which can sometimes be acquired congenitally by a newborn from an infected mother. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection and its associated risks among 219 and 215 pregnant women from Malaysia and Myanmar, respectively.

Methods: Anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were screened by using standard commercial ELISA kits.

Knowledge and practice on Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women from Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand.

Toxoplasma gondii, is one of the infectious agents of congenital TORCH infections, causes severe clinical outcomes in fetus and newborns. Nevertheless this life-threatening parasitic disease is preventable by simple preventive measures related to lifestyle during pregnancy. We aim to study on the knowledge about toxoplasmosis and practices that prevents this infection among the pregnant women.

Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women: a current status in Songklanagarind hospital, southern Thailand.

Background: Toxoplasmosis, being one of the TORCH's infections in pregnant women, is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite. This parasitic infection in pregnancy congenitally causes severe outcomes to their fetus and newborn. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and stages of Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women and its associated risks exposures.

Waterborne parasites: a current status from the Philippines.

Background: Despite the amount of awareness created, waterborne disease still poses threat, especially in developing countries. Due to the scarcity of reported data on waterborne parasites, the consumption of unsafe water prolongs. Thus, the occurrences of waterborne parasites from various samples were investigated from one of the Southeast Asian country, the Philippines.