Comparison of Severe Viral Pneumonia Caused by SARS-CoV-2 and Other Respiratory Viruses Among Malaysian Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives: We described the etiology of severe pneumonia in children during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia and compared the clinical features of severe SARS-CoV-2 to other respiratory viruses.

Methods: This retrospective study included all children aged 12 years and below hospitalized with severe pneumonia in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, between 1 April 2021 and 31 October 2021. We extracted demographic and clinical data and used logistic regression to examine risk factors associated with severe SARS-CoV-2 or other viral pneumonia.

Anti-microbial Activity of Urine after Ingestion of Cranberry: A Pilot Study.

We explore the anti-microbial activity of urine specimens after the ingestion of a commercial cranberry preparation. Twenty subjects without urinary infection, off antibiotics and all supplements or vitamins were recruited. The study was conducted in two phases: in phase 1, subjects collected the first morning urine prior to ingesting 900 mg of cranberry and then at 2, 4 and 6 h.

Genotyping and drug resistance profile of Candida spp. in recurrent and one-off vaginitis, and high association of non-albicans species with non-pregnant status.

Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis affects women worldwide and the resistance to azole drugs may be an important factor. The extent of strain-to-strain variation within a species and its relationship to the ability of the organism to colonize the vulvovaginal mucosa is not well established. The aims of this study were to compare: (i) the genotypes of Candida strains in sequential infections in patients with recurrent vaginitis, (ii) the genotypes of strains in patients with only one episode of infection in a period of 1 year and (iii) determine the in vitro antifungal susceptibilities of strains that cause recurrent vaginitis.

Antibacterial activity of vegetables and juices.

Objective: We evaluated the antibacterial activities of various fruit and vegetable extracts on common potential pathogens including antibiotic-resistant strains.

Methods: Standardized bacterial inocula were added to serial dilutions of sterile vegetable and fruit extracts in broth, with final bacterial concentrations of 10(4-5) cells/mL. After overnight incubation at 35 degrees C, antibacterial activity was measured by minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal dilutions (for raw juices) or concentrations (for tea).

Genetic relatedness of Candida strains isolated from women with vaginal candidiasis in Malaysia.

The aims of this study were to compare the genetic relatedness of: (i) sequential and single isolates of Candida strains from women with recurrent vaginal candidiasis (RVC); and (ii) Candida strains from women who had only one episode of infection within a 1-year period. In total, 87 isolates from 71 patients were cultured, speciated and genotyped by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. Patients were categorized into three groups, namely those with: (i) a history of RVC from whom two or more yeast isolates were obtained (group A); (ii) a history of RVC from whom only a single isolate was obtained (group B); and (iii) a single episode of vaginal candidiasis within a 1-year period (group C).

Antibacterial activity of citrate and acetate.

Objective: We evaluated citrate salt, acetate salt, and their combinations for antibacterial activity against a sample of common pathogens.

Methods: Bacterial suspensions were added to serial microdilutions of the salts in broth, with final cell concentrations of 10(4-5) colony-forming units per milliliter. After overnight incubation at 35 degrees C, the minimum inhibitory concentration was recorded.