1.Mixed-genotypes Infections with Hepatitis C Virus in Hemodialysis Subjects
Hairul Aini H ; Mustafa M I A ; Seman M R ; Nasuruddin B A
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2012;67(2):199-203
Mixed-genotypes hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are
normally ignored in chronic hemodialysis patients. The aim
of this study is to investigate the prevalence of mixedgenotypes infections among hemodialysis patients in Pahang province, Malaysia. Reverse-transcription and polymerase chain reaction methods were performed using two different sets of primers, targeting the 5’ untranslated region and nonstructural 5B region. Target region base sequences were obtained by direct sequencing. Discrepancy in outcomes from phylogenetic analysis of both regions suggests double infections. Of 40 subjects in eight hemodialysis centres, evidence of mixed-genotypes infections was found in 5 subjects (12.5%) from three different centres. Four patients were infected with mixed genotypes 3 and 1 and one with genotypes 3 and 4. Cases of mixed HCV genotypes infection were considered high among hemodialysis patients in Pahang. However, further investigation is needed to confirm
whether they are true mixed infections or perhaps infection
with recombinant virus and also to assess the
clinicopathologic characteristics of the infection.
2.Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in different tissues of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Bangladesh
Afroza Parvin ; Md Kamal Hossain ; Shabiha Islam ; Saborni Swarna Das ; John Liton Munsh ; Priyanka Dey Suchi ; Mohammad Moniruzzaman ; Badhan Saha ; M Golam Mustafa
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 2019;25(2):237-246
Introduction: The culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) has become wide spread because of its high productivity over a short period of time. Its production partially fulfills the demand for food in rural people in Bangladesh. However, the accumulation of toxic heavy metals in the human body through consumption of fish contaminated by it causes various diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioaccumulation of five heavy metals, namely, cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) in cultured Nile tilapia in the Noakhali region of Bangladesh.
Methods: Fish were collected from three different fish farms in the Noakhali region and samples of gill, muscles and liver of tilapia were assayed for Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni and Cu using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Proximate composition of the tilapia was also determined.
Results: Metal accumulation in different tissues was as follows: liver > gill > muscle. The accumulation of metals in the muscle, gill and liver was Ni > Pb > Cr > Cu > Cd, Pb > Ni > Cu > Cr > Cd and Pb > Cu > Ni > Cr > Cd, respectively. The bioaccumulation of lead was significantly increased in liver and gill while muscle showed the lowest value.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that bioaccumulation of Pb, Cr and Ni in Nile tilapia in this study exceeds the permissible limits set for heavy metals by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-407. This is potentially risky for consumers.