The purpose of this study is to review the literature on microsporidiosis in various high-risk groups among the Malaysian population, i.e., HIV/AIDS, cancer, hospitalised patients and Orang Asli, and to update information with regards to microsporidia prevalence, diagnosis and association of the disease with gastrointestinal symptoms in Malaysia. Hospitalised patients showed the highest prevalence (28.3%) of microsporidiosis compared to other risk groups. This review did not find any direct correlations between gastrointestinal symptoms and microsporidiosis. Since microsporidiosis is an emerging threat to the high-risk groups, greater awareness should be instilled among clinicians to consider microsporidiosis in their differential diagnosis if no other causes can be defined.

Field trials of Wolbachia-transinfected mosquitoes, as a biological approach to curb dengue transmission, have been initiated. This study aimed to determine the knowledge regarding dengue fever (DF), practice of vector control, and acceptance of Wolbachia as a dengue control method among Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) healthcare staff. A questionnaire assessing knowledge regarding DF, vector control practices, and acceptance of Wolbachia was conducted among 330 UKMMC healthcare staff via convenience sampling. More than 70% of the respondents had good knowledge regarding DF, good vector control practice, and good acceptance of Wolbachia. Being female and having household income >MYR3000 had higher odds of having good knowledge regarding DF [(aOR 2.40; 95%CI 1.13, 5.12) and (aOR 3.86; 95%CI 1.91, 7.80)]. Having household income >MYR3000 had higher odds of having good vector control practice (aOR 2.33; 95%CI 1.20, 4.54) while academicians were three times (1-0.24) less likely to have good vector control practice than non-academicians (aOR 0.24; 95%CI 0.13, 0.48). Good acceptance of Wolbachia was associated with being academicians (aOR 8.83; 95%CI 2.60, 29.96) and having good knowledge regarding DF (aOR 6.07; 95% CI 2.89, 12.74). Gender, different income level and type of occupation have significant association with either good knowledge regarding DF or practice on vector control. Different type of occupation and level of knowledge also were notably significantly associated with good acceptance on Wolbachia as dengue biological control. These factors may be the focus for future plan to enhance the knowledge, acceptance and practice regarding DF and its control.
Wolbachia ; Dengue, Aedes ; Knowledge ; Practice ; Acceptance ; Questionnaire ; Healthcare staff

Dengue is a significant public health problem in Malaysia and vector surveillance is one of the important components in a vector control program. Routinely vector surveillance in Malaysia is performed through larval surveys. However, larval surveys have several limitations. Thus ovitraps are used as an alternative method for monitoring dengue vectors. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Standard Ovitrap (SO), Mosquito larvae Trapping Device (MLTD), Double Sticky Ovitrap (DST) and NPK Fertiliser Trap to monitor the abundance of Aedes mosquitoes. Each ovitrap was placed at four different sampling points and rotated to the next position every one week. Larvae and adult mosquitoes were collected and identified in the laboratory. All four trapping methods successfully collected larvae of Aedes mosquitoes. The mean number of larvae per ovitrap in DST was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to SO and MLTD. DST and NPK Fertiliser Trap were capable of capturing adult mosquitoes. Ovitrap Index and the mean number of adults per ovitrap in NPK Fertiliser trap were significantly higher (p < 0.05) as compared to DST. Another set of experiments were conducted to compare NPK Fertiliser traps containing fresh NPK fertiliser solution with those containing stock NPK Fertiliser solution. The fresh solution was prepared fresh while the stock solution was stored for a month before being used in the field. Result shows no significant differences (p > 0.05) between these solutions. Findings from this study conclude that DST is the most effective ovitrap to monitor Aedes larvae, while NPK Fertiliser trap is the most effective ovitrap to trap Aedes adult mosquitoes in the study area.