Objective: To investigate the status of Strongyloides(S.) stercoralis infections among migrant workers in Malaysia for the first time and identify risk factors.Methods: Four diagnostic methods were employed for the de...Objective: To investigate the status of Strongyloides(S.) stercoralis infections among migrant workers in Malaysia for the first time and identify risk factors.Methods: Four diagnostic methods were employed for the detection of S. stercoralis including microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) using a commercial kit, ELISA using the rSs1a antigen and polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Low and semi-skilled workers from five working sectors(i.e. manufacturing, food service, agriculture and plantation, construction and domestic service) were tested on a voluntary basis. Results: The overall seroprevalence of S. stercoralis from 483 workers employing the ELISA commercial kit for IgG was 35.8%(n=173;95% CI: 31.5%-40.1%) whereas seroprevalence using the rSs1a-ELISA was 13.0%(n=63;95% CI: 10.0%-16.0%). Cross tabulation between the ELISA commercial kit and rSs1a-ELISA showed that only 6.4%(n=31;95% CI: 4.2%-8.6%) of the samples were positive in both tests. Microscopic examination of all 388 fecal samples were negative;however subsequent testing by a nested PCR against DNA from the same samples successfully amplified DNA from three male subjects(0.8%;3/388). Male workers, India and Myanmar nationality, food service occupation and those living in the hostel were statistically significant with seroprevalence(P<0.005). Conclusion: This is the first report on the epidemiology of S. stercoralis infections among the migrant workers in Malaysia. Our results highlight the importance of using appropriate diagnostic tools for detection. The presence of anti-S. stercoralis antibodies in the study population calls for improvements in personal hygiene and sanitation standards among migrant workers in Malaysia through control strategies including health education campaigns and programs aimed at increasing awareness and healthy behaviors.展开更多
Background: Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus with a worldwide distribution. Measles is one of the diseases that have been reported in our country since 1945. It is known that intern...Background: Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus with a worldwide distribution. Measles is one of the diseases that have been reported in our country since 1945. It is known that international travelers are an important source of infectious pathologies. Our goal is to document a case of imported Measles and the difficulty of diagnosing it, especially in non-epidemic times. Cases Presentation: We presently report a 20-year-old woman who was hospitalized at the Infectious Disease Service for fever and maculopapular rash. She had traveled outside of Albania. Measles ELISA IgM (blood) resulted positive while other serological examinations resulted negative. Our case was treated with antibiotics, multivitamins and intravenous fluids. She was subsequently discharged home in good clinical condition. Conclusions: Measles should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with symptoms of fever and rash, in particular when they have traveled abroad. Patients who have received the Measles vaccine should not be excluded from clinical suspicion and further diagnostic tests for this disease as it can affect this group of patients as well.展开更多
基金funded by University of Malaya,PPP grant(PG040-2014A)Fundamental Research Grant Scheme(FRGS)from Ministry of Higher Education(FP015-2014B)+1 种基金UM/MoHE High Impact Research Grant(UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/MED/23)Universiti Sains Malaysia,Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education grant(HICoE 311/CIPPM/4401005)
文摘Objective: To investigate the status of Strongyloides(S.) stercoralis infections among migrant workers in Malaysia for the first time and identify risk factors.Methods: Four diagnostic methods were employed for the detection of S. stercoralis including microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) using a commercial kit, ELISA using the rSs1a antigen and polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Low and semi-skilled workers from five working sectors(i.e. manufacturing, food service, agriculture and plantation, construction and domestic service) were tested on a voluntary basis. Results: The overall seroprevalence of S. stercoralis from 483 workers employing the ELISA commercial kit for IgG was 35.8%(n=173;95% CI: 31.5%-40.1%) whereas seroprevalence using the rSs1a-ELISA was 13.0%(n=63;95% CI: 10.0%-16.0%). Cross tabulation between the ELISA commercial kit and rSs1a-ELISA showed that only 6.4%(n=31;95% CI: 4.2%-8.6%) of the samples were positive in both tests. Microscopic examination of all 388 fecal samples were negative;however subsequent testing by a nested PCR against DNA from the same samples successfully amplified DNA from three male subjects(0.8%;3/388). Male workers, India and Myanmar nationality, food service occupation and those living in the hostel were statistically significant with seroprevalence(P<0.005). Conclusion: This is the first report on the epidemiology of S. stercoralis infections among the migrant workers in Malaysia. Our results highlight the importance of using appropriate diagnostic tools for detection. The presence of anti-S. stercoralis antibodies in the study population calls for improvements in personal hygiene and sanitation standards among migrant workers in Malaysia through control strategies including health education campaigns and programs aimed at increasing awareness and healthy behaviors.
文摘Background: Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus with a worldwide distribution. Measles is one of the diseases that have been reported in our country since 1945. It is known that international travelers are an important source of infectious pathologies. Our goal is to document a case of imported Measles and the difficulty of diagnosing it, especially in non-epidemic times. Cases Presentation: We presently report a 20-year-old woman who was hospitalized at the Infectious Disease Service for fever and maculopapular rash. She had traveled outside of Albania. Measles ELISA IgM (blood) resulted positive while other serological examinations resulted negative. Our case was treated with antibiotics, multivitamins and intravenous fluids. She was subsequently discharged home in good clinical condition. Conclusions: Measles should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with symptoms of fever and rash, in particular when they have traveled abroad. Patients who have received the Measles vaccine should not be excluded from clinical suspicion and further diagnostic tests for this disease as it can affect this group of patients as well.
