Abstract: Aims. This retrospective study evaluates ferritin as a surrogate marker for dengue infection (NS1 and IgM negative stage) as opposed to other febrile illnesses of infective or inflammatory etiology (OFI). Methodology. Data of all patients admitted to medical ward and medical ITU during the dengue outbreak were collected. Patients admitted between 5 and 10 days of febrile illness without a diagnosis were included. Patients with NS1 positivity (Days 2–8) and/or positive IgM for dengue (Days 6–10) were considered to be dengue cases and those with other confirmed diagnoses were considered in the OFI group. Ferritin, CRP, TC of WBC, platelet count, SGOT, SGPT, and albumin levels were analysed for both groups. Results. We examined 30 cases of clinically and serologically confirmed dengue fever and 22 cases of OFI. Ferritin level in dengue cohort was significantly higher than the OFI group (). The best cut-off for ferritin level to differentiate dengue from OFI was found to be 1291. The sensitivity at this cut-off is 82.6% and the specificity at this cut-off is 100%. Conclusion. Ferritin may serve as a significant marker for differentiating between dengue fever and OFI, in absence of a positive NS1 antigen or a positive IgM antibody for dengue. PubDate: Mon, 02 Oct 2017 08:04:59 +000
Abstract: Background. To optimize the preventive measures of malaria, it is important to synchronize the efforts with the behavior of local Anopheles species. However, the data of Anopheles species and their behavior in Indonesia is still lacking. Method. Explorative research was conducted from April to September 2016 in Southern Minahasa district. The Anopheles mosquito was baited by using animal and human (indoor or outdoor) from 18.00 to 06.00 hours. Then, the species were identified and Man Biting Rate (MBR) and Man/Animal Biting per Hour (MBPH) were calculated followed by statistical analysis by using SPSS 17. Result. The data showed that the dominant species in Southern Minahasa were An. barbirostris, An. kochi, and An. vagus. An. vagus was found to be zoophilic and An. barbirostris was showing strict anthropophilic characteristics. Meanwhile, An. kochi feeds on both human and animal. The MBR of An. kochi was found to be the highest (), but its MBPH only significantly exceeded that of An. vagus. All species tend to be more active during the early evening. Conclusion. An. barbirostris, An. kochi, and An. vagus were the dominant Anopheles species in Southern Minahasa. Further research is needed to determine the Plasmodium infestation rate of these species. PubDate: Sun, 06 Aug 2017 08:29:21 +000
Abstract: Klebsiella pneumoniae is considered an important opportunistic multidrug-resistant pathogen. Extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and expression of a multitude of virulence factors may work in a harmony resulting in treatment failure. This study was undertaken to compare the virulence characteristics and genetic relatedness between ESBL and non-ESBL producing K. pneumoniae. Methods. Antibiotic sensitivity test of all isolates was determined by disc diffusion assay. Phenotypic and genotypic detection of ESBL were done. Various virulence factors and some virulence factor-associated genes were screened. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was employed to investigate the genetic fingerprints of ESBL from non-ESBL producing K. pneumoniae. Results. 50% of isolates were ESBL producers. A significant association was observed between ESBL production and biofilm (strong and moderate), serum resistance, and iss gene. Moreover, significant association between non-ESBL producers and hypermucoviscosity was identified. Dendogram analysis of RAPD profile classified K. pneumoniae isolates into four clusters (a, b, c, and d). Seventy-six percent of ESBL producers belonged to cluster a. In conclusion, this study suggests a correlation between ESBL production and some virulence factors. Therefore, success of treatment depends mainly on increased clinicians awareness and enhanced testing by laboratories to reduce the spread of these isolates. PubDate: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 07:19:39 +000
Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the infection rates of Clonorchis sinensis and laboratory findings in infected people. The 3,167 fecal samples, from nine villages in Okcheon-gun, were examined. PubDate: Wed, 26 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: Hematological parameter changes are the most common complications in malaria. We aimed to determine the hematological parameters and hemozoin-containing leukocytes and their association with disease severity in malaria infected children aged between 1 and 15 years. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Pawe General Hospital from July 31 to December 30, 2014. Demographic and clinical data were collected using structured questionnaire. Blood specimen was collected from each study participant for hematological investigations. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The overall prevalence of anemia was 40.3%, most of which were mildly anemic. Leukocytosis was found in 15.4% of study participants. More than a fourth (27%) of the children had severe malaria. Hemozoin-containing monocytes and neutrophils were found in 80.1% and 58.9% of the study participants, respectively. Under-five years of age (AOR = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.83–7.39, ), leukocytosis (AOR = 3.20, 95% CI: 1.65–6.24, ), mean hemozoin-containing monocytes >5% (AOR = 6.26, 95% CI: 2.14–14.29, ), mean hemozoin-containing neutrophils >5% (AOR = 7.93, 95% CI: 3.09–16.86, ), and high density parasitemia (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.13–3.18, ) were associated with severe malaria. Hemozoin-containing leukocytes, leukocytosis, and other identified associated factors should be considered for proper management of children with severe malaria. PubDate: Sun, 19 Feb 2017 00:00:00 +000
Abstract: As broadly reported, there is an ongoing Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in countries of Latin America. Recent findings have demonstrated that ZIKV causes severe defects on the neural development in fetuses in utero and newborns. Very little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in the ZIKV infectivity. Potential therapeutic agents are also under investigation. In this report, the possible mechanisms of action played by glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) displayed at the surface proteoglycans of host cells, and likely in charge of interactions with surface proteins of the ZIKV, are highlighted. As is common for the most viruses, these sulfated glycans serve as receptors for virus attachment onto the host cells and consequential entry during infection. The applications of (1) exogenous sulfated glycans of different origins and chemical structures capable of competing with the virus attachment receptors (supposedly GAGs) and (2) GAG-degrading enzymes able to digest the virus attachment receptors on the cells may be therapeutically beneficial as anti-ZIKV. This communication attempts, therefore, to offer some guidance for the future research programs aimed to unveil the molecular mechanisms underlying the ZIKV infectivity and to develop therapeutics capable of decreasing the devastating consequences caused by ZIKV outbreak in the Americas. PubDate: Thu, 19 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +000
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