PLGA nanoparticles loaded with Gallic acid- a constituent of Leea indica against Acanthamoeba triangularis.

Acanthamoeba, a genus that contains at least 24 species of free-living protozoa, is ubiquitous in nature. Successful treatment of Acanthamoeba infections is always very difficult and not always effective. More effective drugs must be developed, and medicinal plants may have a pivotal part in the future of drug discovery.

Establishing a protocol for water sample processing for the detection of Blastocystis sp.

This study was aimed at establishing a protocol for water sample processing for the detection of Blastocystis sp. using distilled water spiked with Blastocystis sp. cysts.

Preparation of Poly (dl-Lactide-co-Glycolide) Nanoparticles Encapsulated with Periglaucine A and Betulinic Acid for In Vitro Anti- and Cytotoxicity Activities.

Poly (dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres were synthesized as delivery system for the natural anti-parasitic compounds, Periglaucine A (PGA) and Betulinic acid (BA). Periglaucine A and Betulinic acid were encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles by single emulsion method with an average particle size of approximately 100⁻500 nm. Periglaucine A and Betulinic acid encapsulation efficiency was observed to be 90% and 35% respectively.

Acanthamoebicidal activity of periglaucine A and betulinic acid from Pericampylus glaucus (Lam.) Merr. in vitro.

Acanthamoeba species are pathogenic protozoa which account for amoebic keratitis, conjunctivitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. These amoebae form cysts which resist drugs and more effective acanthamoebicidal agents are needed. Medicinal plants could be useful in improving the current treatment strategies for Acanthamoeba infections.

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.

Anti-encystment and amoebicidal activity of Lonicera japonica Thunb. and its major constituent chlorogenic acid in vitro.

Objective: To examine the acanthamoebicidal effects of ethyl acetate, aqueous and butanol fractions of dried flower buds of Lonicera japonica (L. japonica) Thunb. (Flos Lonicerae) in vitro.

Granular Formation during Apoptosis in Blastocystis sp. Exposed to Metronidazole (MTZ).

The role and function of the granular life cycle stage in Blastocystis sp, remains uncertain despite suggestions being made that the granules are metabolic, reproductive and lipid in nature. This present study aims to understand granular formation by triggering apoptosis in Blastocystis sp. by treating them with metronidazole (MTZ).

Monitoring of Waterborne Parasites in Two Drinking Water Treatment Plants: A Study in Sarawak, Malaysia.

The occurrence of waterborne parasites coupled with water parameters at various processing sites of two drinking water treatment plants (A and B) and seven distribution system (DS) sites in Sarawak, Malaysia were studied. Ten liters of water underwent immunomagnetic separation (IMS) technique to detect the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium (oo)cysts. The remaining supernatant was used to detect other parasites whilst 50 mL of water sample was each used in the detection of free-living amoebae and fecal coliforms.

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).

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.

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasmosis among People Having Close Contact with Animals.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma infection and its risk association among people having close contact with animals. A total of 312 blood samples were collected from veterinary personnel (veterinarian, technicians, and students) and pet owners from veterinary clinics and hospitals in the area of Klang Valley, Malaysia. About 4 cc of blood samples drawn from agreed participants were processed for measurement of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies as well as avidity test of Toxoplasma IgG by ELISA I, II, and III kits.

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.

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.

Increased detection of Plasmodium knowlesi in Sandakan division, Sabah as revealed by PlasmoNex™.

Background: Plasmodium knowlesi is a simian malaria parasite that is widespread in humans in Malaysian Borneo. However, little is known about the incidence and distribution of this parasite in the Sandakan division, Malaysian Borneo. Therefore, the aim of the present epidemiological study was to investigate the incidence and distribution of P.

Review of forensically important entomological specimens collected from human cadavers in Malaysia (2005-2010).

Forensic entomological specimens collected from human decedents during crime scene investigations in Malaysia in the past 6 years (2005-2010) are reviewed. A total of 80 cases were recorded and 93 specimens were collected. From these specimens, 10 species of cyclorrphagic flies were identified, consisting of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) -38 specimens (40.

Molecular identification of blow flies recovered from human cadavers during crime scene investigations in Malaysia.

Forensic entomology applies knowledge about insects associated with decedent in crime scene investigation. It is possible to calculate a minimum postmortem interval (PMI) by determining the age and species of the oldest blow fly larvae feeding on decedent. This study was conducted in Malaysia to identify maggot specimens collected during crime scene investigations.

Genetic diversity of caprine Blastocystis from Peninsular Malaysia.

Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal parasite found in humans and animals. The possibility of zoonotic transmission to humans from livestock especially goats led us to investigate the genetic diversity of caprine Blastocystis sp.