Aim: Despite the endemicity of typhoid in Kelantan, epidemiological data showing typhoid association to age, sex, ethnicity and district of patients is limited. This retrospective study investigated the statistical association of these variables from a retrieved registry. Methodology and results: Cross-tabulation using SPSS was used to analyze 1394 cases of confirmed typhoid patients admitted to various hospitals in Kelantan state over a six-year period. Fourteen age groups with a five-year range interval were generated. There was a significant association between typhoid infection and sex of subjects, whereby females were generally more susceptible than males. Ethnicity and district of typhoid patients did not show significant association. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The observation of an increased number of typhoid cases with a male predominance in the age group 5-14 and female predominance in the 20-60 age group calls for improved hygiene, continued public health education, together with better laboratory diagnostics to identify carriers, are some measures to control this disease.

Aims: OpenPCR is a low cost yet accurate thermocycler which can be self-built. The aim of the study is to highlight a low-cost alternative method for rapid confirmation of five predominant non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) serotypes using a multiplex PCR on a portable-DIY OpenPCR© thermocycler. Methodology and results: Eight multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) samples containing genomic DNA of S. Agona selectively placed on the wells of the conventional PCR and OpenPCR© thermocyclers showed uniform heating in both thermocyclers. The limit of detection was similar for both thermocyclers for all five serotypes. The limit of detection for S. Typhimurium, S. Agona and S. Weltevreden was 10 pg/µL whereas the limit of detection for S. Enteriditis and S. Heidelberg was 1 pg/µL and 100 pg/µL, respectively. This assay incorporated a panel of unique genes; STM4495, SEN1392, SeHa-C4893, SeAg-B1096 and SENTW-3241 which were previously identified to be specific for S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, S. Heidelberg, S. Agona, and S. Weltevreden, respectively, as well as the pan-Salmonella gene invA as internal control (IC) and pan-bacteria gene 16S rRNA to serve as amplification control (AC). The analytical specificity of the mPCR assay was found to be 100% for all five NTS using OpenPCR© thermocyclers. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The feasibility and low cost of the OpenPCR© thermocycler makes this device an ideal alternative for mPCR assay for rapid confirmation of NTS serotypes.
Salmonella Infections