1.A Review of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) Types in Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) Species
Huda Saber , Azmiza Syawani Jasni , Tengku Zetty Maztura Tengku Jamaluddin , Rosni Ibrahim ,
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences 2017;24(5):7-18
Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are considered low pathogenic organisms. However, they are progressively causing more serious infections with time because they have adapted well to various antibiotics owing to their ability to form biofilms. Few studies have been conducted on CoNS in both, hospital and community-acquired settings, especially in Malaysia. Thus, it is important to study their species and gene distributions. A mobile genetic element, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec), plays an important role in staphylococci pathogenesis. Among CoNS, SCCmec has been studied less frequently than Staphylococcus aureus (coagulase-positive staphylococci). A recent study (8) conducted in Malaysia successfully detected SCCmec type I to VIII as well as several new combination patterns in CoNS species, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis. However, data are still limited, and further research is warranted. This paper provides a review on SCCmec types among CoNS species.
2.Staphylococcus aureus carriage in selected kindergartens in Klang Valley
Nurul Azmawati Mohamed ; Shalinawati Ramli ; Nur Natasha Zulkifli Amin ; Wan Shahida Wan Sulaiman ; Ilina Isahak ; Tengku Zetty Maztura Tengku Jamaluddin ; Nooriah Mohammed Salleh
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2016;71(2):62-65
Introduction: Nasal colonisation of S. aureus in healthy
children was 18% to 30%. One to three percent of them were
colonised by Methicillin-resistant Staphlycoccus aureus
(MRSA). Although MRSA infection has become increasingly
reported, population-based S. aureus and MRSA
colonisation estimates are lacking. The main objective of
this study was to determine the prevalence of S. aureus
carriage among children.
Methods: Nasal samples for S. aureus culture were obtained
from 250 children from three kindergartens in the Klang
Valley, after consent was obtained from the children and
their parents. Swabs were transported in Stuart medium,
and inoculated on mannitol-salt agar within four hours of
collection. Identification and disk diffusion test were done
according to guidelines. Polymerase chain reaction was
done on MRSA isolates for the presence of mecA and lukS/FPV
genes.
Results: Overall prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA carriage
were 19.2% (48/250) and 1.6% (4/250) respectively. mecA
gene was present in all isolates, 50% isolates carried
Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) gene. Sccmec type I was
found in 2 isolates and the remaining isolates has Sccmec
type V.
Conclusion: The prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA carriage
were similar to other studies. However, risk of contracting
severe infection might be higher due to presence of PVL
gene in half of the MRSA isolates.
Staphylococcus aureus
3.Molecular Detection of Cryptococcus from Formalin-fixed Paraffin-embedded Tissue Sample - A Noncultural Approach for Diagnosis of Primary Pulmonary Cryptococcosis
Syarifah Mohd Rahim ; Amizatul Aini Salleh ; Ikmal Hisyam Bakrin ; Tengku Zetty Maztura Tengku Jamaluddin ; Siti Norbaya Masri
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2020;16(SP 1, September):47-49
Despite pulmonary cryptococcosis showing good response to antifungal treatment, making accurate diagnosis in a timely manner remains a challenge. Tissue for fungal culture is less sensitive, nonspecific, and time-consuming to allow for prompt diagnosis. We herein report a case of 31-year-old woman with no known medical illness but
presented with history of cough and haemoptysis for two months. The chest X-ray and bronchoscopy revealed left lung mass. While tuberculosis showed negative result and no growth observed in the tissue culture, the
histopathological examination (HPE) finding was suggestive of fungal infection. The formalin-fixed
paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue was sent for molecular testing, which revealed Cryptococcus neoformans.
This report emphasises on the advantages and limitations of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as an alternative
method to confirm the diagnosis in cases of culture-negative fungal infection.