Multicentre case-control study of pneumococcal infections among children with pneumonia in Peninsular Malaysia (MY-Pneumo): a study protocol.

Background: S. pneumoniae (SPN) is the most common cause of pneumonia. The disease can be effectively prevented through immunisation.

Potential Usefulness of Bacteriophages for the Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Infection.

Bacteriophages were discovered in early 20th century. However, the interest in bacteriophage research was reduced with the discovery of antibiotics. With the increasing number of infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms, the potential usefulness of bacteriophages as therapeutic agents has been re-evaluated.

Vaginal Infections during Pregnancy Increase Breast Milk Microbiome Alpha Diversity and Alter Taxonomic Composition.

We previously reported that breast milk from women with (W) or without (WO) vaginal yeast infection during pregnancy differs in its immunological and antimicrobial properties, especially against pathogenic vaginal sp.. Here, we investigated the differences in microbiota profiles of breast milk from these groups.

Impact of a Health Education Intervention on the Incidence of Influenza-Like Illnesses (ILI) During Hajj via Smartphone Application.

This study was aimed at demonstrating the impact of a health education intervention on reducing the incidence of influenza-like illnesses symptoms among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims. This study utilizes a quasi-experimental study in the evaluation of the impact of the intervention. Participants were recruited during Hajj orientation courses organized by private Hajj companies.

Gaps in antimicrobial stewardship programmes in Asia: a survey of 10 countries.

Objectives: To determine antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programme practices in Asian secondary- and tertiary-care hospitals.

Methods: AMS programme team members within 349 hospitals from 10 countries (Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam) completed a questionnaire via a web-based survey link. The survey contained questions as to whether 12 core components deemed essential for AMS programmes were implemented.

Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Diarrheagenic in Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Diarrheagenic (DEC) is an important bacterial agent for diarrhea in infants, children, and international travelers, and accounts for more than 30% of diarrheal cases in children less than 5 years old. However, the choices of antimicrobial agents are now being limited by the ineffectiveness of many first-line drugs, in relation to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains.

Structural Insights into Substrate Binding and Antibiotic Inhibition of Enterobacterial Penicillin-Binding Protein 6.

remains the second most common cause of shigellosis in young children and is now increasingly dominant across developing countries. The global emergence of drug resistance has become a main burden in the treatment of infections and β-lactam antibiotics, such as pivmecillinam and ceftriaxone, are recommended to be used as second-line treatment. They work by inhibiting the biosynthesis of the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell walls, in which the final transpeptidation step is facilitated by penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs).

Development of Multiplex PCR Assay for Screening of T6SS-5 Gene Cluster: The Virulence Factor.

Despite the advanced understanding of the disease, melioidosis, an infection caused by , continues to be of global interest. The bacterial virulence factor, type six secretion system-5 (T6SS-5), in particular, is an essential factor for that is associated with internalization and intracellular survival of the pathogen. To detect the virulence gene cluster, this study has successfully developed a novel seven-gene (C-5, D-5, A-5, -5, B-5, F-5, and G-5) multiplex PCR assay.

Immunogenicity mechanism of mRNA vaccines and their limitations in promoting adaptive protection against SARS-CoV-2.

Since the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in late 2019, hundreds of millions of people have been infected worldwide. There have been unprecedented efforts in acquiring effective vaccines to confer protection against the disease. mRNA vaccines have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional vaccines due to their high potency with the capacity for rapid development and low manufacturing costs.

Probiotics Reduce Vaginal Candidiasis in Pregnant Women via Modulating Abundance of and in Vaginal and Cervicovaginal Regions.

We previously reported on the effects of a lactobacilli probiotic (SynForU-HerCare; two capsules/day of 9.5 log CFU/capsule) in improving symptoms of vaginal irritation, discharge and burning in pregnant women with vaginal candidiasis upon administration for 8 weeks, accompanied by improved emotional and social quality of life parameters. Thus, the present study aimed to analyse vaginal microbiota and inflammatory changes in hope to better understand the improved clinical symptoms as observed previously.

Molecular Characterization of Human TMPRSS2 Protease Polymorphic Variants and Associated SARS-CoV-2 Susceptibility.

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues to challenge health care systems worldwide. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been responsible for the cause of global pandemic. Type 2 transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2) is important in the cell entry and spread of SARS-CoV-2 and plays a crucial role in the proteolytic cleavage of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein.

Current State of COVID-19 Pandemic in Africa: Lessons for Today and the Future.

This study is a cross-sectional, observational analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, to understand the progression of the disease across the continent. Published data on COVID-19 from 20 January 2020 to 21 June 2021 were obtained and analyzed. Case fatality ratios, as well as case growth rates and other indices were computed.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Rapid Antigen Test Kits for Detecting SARS-CoV-2: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 17,171 Suspected COVID-19 Patients.

Early diagnosis is still as crucial as the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. As RT-PCR sometimes is not feasible in developing nations or rural areas, health professionals may use a rapid antigen test (RAT) to lessen the load of diagnosis. However, the efficacy of RAT is yet to be investigated thoroughly.

Effectiveness of a Novel Smartphone Health Education Intervention in Enhancing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices for the Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infections Among Private Hajj Pilgrims From Malaysia.

This study was aimed to develop and evaluate the efficacy of a health education program for increasing knowledge, changing attitudes, and promoting prevention practices to reduce the incidence of RTIs among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims. A quasi-experimental study was done among 130 Hajj pilgrims attending Hajj orientation course organized by a private Hajj tour companies. Hajj pilgrims assigned to intervention group ( = 65) and control group ( = 65).

In Vitro Anti-Leptospiral Activity of Extracts and Their Combinations with Antibiotics.

Despite modern medicine, there is an increasing trend for cases of the bacterial infection leptospirosis, and this has led to the exploration of alternative medicines from various sources including plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro anti-leptospiral activity of extracts alone and combined with penicillin G, ceftriaxone, and doxycycline. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the microdilution broth technique upon methanol extract (ME), aqueous extract (AE), and antibiotics against the serovars Australis, Bataviae, Canicola, and Javanica, to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs).

A confirmatory factor analysis of the knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire towards prevention of respiratory tract infections during Hajj and Umrah.

Background: Respiratory tract infections are one of the common infection associated with Hajj pilgrimage that is of great public health and global concern. This study is aimed at determining the factor structure of the knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire for the prevention of respiratory tract infections during Hajj by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Methods: A multistage cluster sampling method was conducted on Malaysian Umrah pilgrims during the weekly Umrah orientation course.

Health Education Intervention as an Effective Means for Prevention of Respiratory Infections Among Hajj Pilgrims: A Review.

The prevalence of respiratory illness has continued to surge among Hajj pilgrims from different countries despite having some practices of preventive measures. Respiratory illnesses during Hajj could be due to many reasons and many factors that promote disease spread. These factors include overcrowding, cigarette smoking, and direct contact with infectious agents particularly viruses promote the spread of respiratory infections.

Development and validation of knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire for prevention of respiratory tract infections among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims.

Background: Hajj pilgrimage faces numerous challenges including a high prevalence of respiratory tract infection as well as its prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards respiratory tract infections (RTIs) prevention among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims.

Methods: This study was conducted among Malaysian Umrah pilgrims in Malaysia from Kuala Lumpur and Kelantan.

Uptake of Recommended Vaccines and Its Associated Factors Among Malaysian Pilgrims During Hajj and Umrah 2018.

This study aimed to assess the uptake of recommended vaccines and to identify the factors associated with the vaccines' uptake among Malaysian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. A cross-sectional survey among Malaysian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in 2018. The uptake of the recommended vaccines was surveyed through an anonymous self-administered questionnaire to pilgrims attending a pre-departure Hajj/Umrah orientation course.

In-Vitro Activity of Doxycycline and β-Lactam Combinations Against Different Strains of .

Although doxycycline is active against and has been used in the eradication stage of melioidosis therapy, it is not regularly used during the initial intensive phase. In order to assess its potential use in intensive phase therapy, we investigated in vitro pharmacodynamic activity of doxycycline and β-lactams alone and in combination against four Malaysian strains of Using a checkerboard assay, the combinations of doxycycline and imipenem, doxycycline and ceftazidime, and doxycycline and amoxicillin-clavulanate tested against four strains showed indifferent effects with summation fractional inhibitory concentration values ranging from 0.62 to 2.

Predictors of polymyxin B treatment failure in Gram-negative healthcare-associated infections among critically ill patients.

Background: With increasing prevalence and spread of multidrug resistant Gram-negative infections, parenteral polymyxins resurged in clinical practice. The primary aim of the study was to determine the predictors of treatment failure and in-hospital mortality among critically ill patients treated with polymyxin B.

Methods: Demographic data, underlying diseases, procedures and details on polymyxin B therapy were retrospectively analyzed in a cohort of 84 patients who received intravenous polymyxin B in an intensive care unit from 2010 to 2014.