1.Isolation and molecular characterization of Brucella melitensis from seropositive goats in Peninsula Malaysia
Bamaiyi, P.H. ; Hassan, L. ; Khairani-Bejo, S. ; Zainal Abidin, M. ; Ramlan, M. ; Krishnan, N. ; Adzhar, A. ; Abdullah, N. ; Hamidah, N.H.M. ; Norsuhanna, M.M. ; Hashim, S.N.
Tropical Biomedicine 2012;29(4):513-518
A study was carried out to isolate Brucella melitensis using established
bacteriological and PCR techniques in Brucella seropositive goats in farms in Selangor, Negeri
Sembilan, Melaka and Pulau Pinang. Brucella melitensis was isolated from 7 of 134 reactors
with the highest isolation from the vaginal swabs (57.14%) followed by the spleen (28.57%),
uterine fluid (14.29%). No Brucella was isolated from the lymph nodes. PCR confirmed all the
seven isolates as B. melitensis and isolates were phylogenetically related to other isolates
from India, Iran, and Israel but most closely related to isolates from Singapore.
2.Toxoplasma gondii infection in native village chickens (Gallus domesticus) in Selangor and Melaka, Malaysia
Sabri, A.R. ; Hassan, L. ; Sharma, R.S.K. ; Noordin, M.M.
Tropical Biomedicine 2019;36(3):604-609
Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii
which affects human and animals. Village chickens (Gallus domesticus) most commonly
known as Ayam Kampung or free-range chickens, have been suggested to play a role in the
epidemiology of toxoplasmosis. This study determines the presence of T. gondii in the village
chicken populations in two states of Malaysia. A total of 50 serum samples from the chickens
from Selangor (n=20) and Melaka (n=30) were collected and analysed using commercial
serological kits. T. gondii antigen was detected in 20% (Selangor 30%; Melaka 13%) samples
using ELISA test and anti-T. gondii antibody was detected in all positive ELISA samples using
the indirect haemagglutination test (IHAT). Histopathological examination revealed tissue
changes such as inflammation and degeneration in brain and liver of seropositive chickens.
This is the first report of T. gondii infection in the village chickens in Malaysia.
3.Hemoprotozoa and Anaplasma spp. in rodents and shrews of Bangladesh
Islam, S. ; Rahman, M.K. ; Ferdous, J. ; Rahman, M. ; Akter, S. ; Faraque, M.O. ; Chowdhury, M.N.U. ; Hossain, M.A. ; Hassan, M.M. ; Islam, A. ; Islam, A.
Tropical Biomedicine 2020;37(No.4):842-851
Hemoprotozoans are important pathogens of animals and humans, among which
some species have zoonotic significance. The prevalence of different hemoprotozoa and
Anaplasma spp. in larger mammals have been reported from different regions of the world.
But, very few studies have been conducted to estimate the prevalence of hemoprotozoa in
rodents and shrews of South-East Asia. The study assessed the prevalence of hemoprotozoa
and Anaplasma spp. in rodents and shrews of Bangladesh. Blood samples (n=451) were
collected from rodents and shrews between June 2011 and June 2013 and July-December
2015 from 4 land gradients of Bangladesh. Giemsa-stained blood smears revealed that 13% of
animals were harboring hemoprotozoa (4.7% Babesia spp., 0.67% Plasmodium spp.), and
Anaplasma spp. (7.5%). The study may serve as a guide for future hemoparasitic research of
rodents and shrews.