A forensic entomological study conducted in an oil palm plantation in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, Malaysia on 3 August 2007 revealed that a housefly, Musca domestica Linnaeus oviposited its eggs on a freshly dead pig. This finding indicated that housefly might play an important role in forensic investigation in determining post-mortem interval (PMI), although it was not yet found in human corpses or any animal carrion. This preliminary paper presented a first record of Musca domestica eggs found on animal carcass in the country.
Houseflies ; Swine ; Malaysia ; L ; occurrence

A total of 164 cases with Hymenoptera stings have been treated in our hospital during the 3 year period from 2002 to 2004. We examined year-on-year incidence of the insect stings, monthly distribution, occurrence time, elapsed time from occurrence to visit to our hospital, age, male-female ratio, stung parts, number of stings, types of Hymenoptera, symptoms, and the rate of emergency room visits. The largest number of 83 cases were treated during 2004. A great number of cases were observed from June to September. The stings most frequently occurred during the daytime, and 95 males (58%) and 69 females (42%) were treated. Many of them were in their 50s years or above. The parts which the insect attack were mostly exposed parts such as hands, the upper limbs, face, and legs. Seven cases had systemic reactions (4%), one had urticaria, one had palpitations, two had nausea, two felt ill, and one suffered a anaphylactic shock. The most of the victims were elderly people engaged in agriculture in this area. The stings were most frequently observed in 2004, because there was less precipitation from May to June in that year. The propagation of Hymenoptera became active when the rainfall decreased.
Hymenoptera ; Hospitals ; seconds ; occurrence ; Sting Injury

Among the bacteria isolated from clinical specimens of hospitalized patients, one of the most intractable species was Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the causative agent of P. aeruginosa. It resists a variety of antibacterial agents. Carbapenem is known as one of a few that are efficacious for P. aeruginosa infections. Maintaining the drug susceptibility of pathogens leads to the favorable clinical outcome in patients with infections diseases. The excessive use of carbapenem and other antimicrobial agents results in the increase of drug-resistant mutants of P. aeruginosa. At a meeting of the Health Ministry's infectious disease control committee in June 2007, the necessity of using antibacterial agents in more rational ways was highlighted on the suggestion of some member pharmacists. Incidentally, during the periods from January to June and from July to December 2007, we studied the antimicrobial use density (AUD) of carbapenem agents and the occurrence ratio of carbapenem-resistant mutamts of P. aeruginosa. The results showed that the occurrence of drug-resistant mutants decreased in proportion to the decrease of AUD. We believe the investigation of the AUD of any antibacterial agents is an important task pharmacists should take upon themselves to control infectious diseases. By reporting the results of our investigation on a regular basis, we are going to make a modest contribution toward the optimum use of antimicrobial agents.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Antibacterial drugs ; Carbapenems ; control ; occurrence

We examined the child-rearing environmental factors that affect the occurrence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) using a nationwide survey. Infants who died due to SIDS between January 1996 and June 1997 in Japan were identified from death certificates. Controls of the same gender, birthplace, and birth months as the corresponding SIDS were chosen from birth certificates. Interviews of both cases and controls were undergone in January and February, 1998 by public health nurses. The following child-rearing factors exhibited a significant relationship with the occurrence of SIDS: Concerning the sleeping position, the prone position was associated with increased risk compared with the supine position, with an odds ratio of 3.02 (95% c.i. 2.07~4.65). Regarding the feeding method, artificial feeding alone demonstrated a higher risk than breast feeding alone, with an odds ratio of 4.92 (95% c.i. 2.78~9.63). With regard to smoking, infants with both parents who smoked exhibited a higher risk than infants where neither parent smoked, with an odds ratio of 3.50 (95% c.i. 1.74~8.32).
Sudden infant death syndrome ; occurrence ; Lower case sea ; Risk ; Affect

Hepatitis complicating typhoid fever has been previously reported widely. Occurrence of acute renal failure and hepatitis together is extremely rare. A case report of complicated acute renal failure and hepatitis in a typhoid patient is reported and discussed.
Hepatitis ; Typhoid Fever ; Kidney Failure, Acute ; Case Report ; occurrence

Legionella pneumophila are intracellular pathogens, associated with human disease, attributed to the presence and absence of certain virulent genes. In this study, virulent gene loci (lvh and rtxA regions) associated with human disease were determined. Thirty-three cooling tower water isolates, isolated between 2004 to 2006, were analyzed for the presence of these genes by PCR method. Results showed that 19 of 33 (57.5%) of the L. pneumophila serogroup 1 isolates have both the genes. Six (18.2%) of the isolates have only the lvh gene and 2 (6.1%) of the isolates have only the rtxA gene. However, both genes were absent in 6 (18.2%) of the L. pneumophila isolates. The result of our study provides some insight into the presence of the disease causing L. pneumophila serogroup 1 in the environment. Molecular epidemiological studies will provide better understanding of the prevalence of the disease in Malaysia.
L ; Malaysia ; Genes ; Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 ; occurrence