Prevalence and Distribution of Anti-Amoebic IgG Antibody among Orang Asli (Aborigines) in Peninsular Malaysia
- Author:
Wong, W.K.
;
Lim, B.H.
;
Hamid Jan, J.M.
;
Foo, P.C.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2016;33(4):739-745
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Entamoeba species are commonly detected in stool samples of Orang Asli due to
their substandard living conditions and poor hygiene. Among the Entamoeba spp., Entamoeba
histolytica is the only known primary pathogenic species. This study determined the prevalence
and distribution of anti-amoebic IgG antibody among Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia. The
results would reflect the prevalence of amoebiasis in the population. This study analysed a
total of 375 serum samples from archives of two Orang Asli projects conducted between 2011
and 2014. They were from six different states in Malaysia, namely Johor, Kedah, Kelantan,
Pahang, Perak, and Selangor. Anti-amoebic IgG antibody was detected using an enzymelinked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with crude soluble antigen produced from axenically
grown E. histolytica trophozoites. From the analysis, the overall seropositivity was
approximately 71% (266/375), while the seropositivity rates for each of the three Orang Asli
tribes i.e. Senoi, Negrito and Proto-Malay, were 66% (137/208), 92% (103/112), and 43% (17/
41) respectively. Orang Asli from Kedah [95% (52/55)] showed the highest seropositivity,
followed by Kelantan [79% (54/68)], Perak [73% (78/107)], Pahang [60% (57/95)], Selangor
[56% (14/25)], and Johor [48% (10/21)]. Orang Asli from rural [76% (192/254)] and peripheral
urban [65% (69/106)] areas showed significantly higher seropositivity (p=0.002) than those
from urban areas [36% (4/11)]. The high prevalences of anti-amoebic IgG antibody in these
Orang Asli populations comprised both active and past infections. This study provides current
insights of amoebiasis in selected Orang Asli settlements in Peninsular Malaysia. The high
seropositivity of anti-amoebic IgG antibody suggests that the settlements are endemic for
amoebiasis and there is a high risk of acquiring E. histolytica infection among the dwellers.
- Full text:P020170123559303067478.pdf
