1.A Hidden Diagnosis: Disseminated Histoplasmosis Mimicking Tuberculosis in the Elderly
Wan Muhamad Amir Wan Md Zin ; Moon Yan Yap ; Meroshini Sundaran ; Siti Nabilah &lsquo ; Atiqah Othman ; Siti Nabihah Mohamed Hatta ; Maz Anirah Abdul Azis
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):28-
Introduction:
Histoplasmosis is a rare opportunistic, inhalation-acquired
systemic mycosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum,
endemic to Southeast Asia, including Malaysia. Although
classically seen in immunocompromised hosts, it is
increasingly reported in immunocompetent individuals.
Infection is associated with environmental exposures such
as bat or bird droppings and soil disruption. Histoplasmosis
is a progressive granulomatous disease that can closely
mimic tuberculosis and malignancy, making diagnosis
challenging.
Case:
An 87-year-old Malay male with a history of treated
pulmonary tuberculosis presented with a 6-month history
of intermittent fever, anorexia, weight loss, and hypotension. Initial computed tomography imaging demonstrated bilateral heterogeneous adrenal masses (right: 2.2
× 3.7 × 5.0 cm; left: 2.0 × 3.7 × 5.2 cm) with indeterminate
washout characteristics. Biochemical adrenal evaluation,
including a short Synacthen test, confirmed primary
adrenal insufficiency. Extensive microbiological and
malignancy workup, including bronchoscopy, cultures,
and tumor markers, was non-diagnostic. In view of clinical
deterioration and epidemiological risk, empirical antituberculous therapy was initiated; however, no clinical
improvement was observed after 2 months. PET-FDG revealed intensely hypermetabolic bilateral adrenal masses
(SUVmax right 16.7, left 13.2) with no other abnormal
foci. Non-invasive fungal investigations were negative.
Definitive diagnosis was established via computed
tomography-guided adrenal biopsy, which demonstrated
necrotizing granulomatous inflammation with intracellular
yeasts, subsequently identified as H. capsulatum. The patient
was treated with oral itraconazole and corticosteroid
replacement, resulting in significant clinical improvement
and planned interval radiological reassessment.
Conclusion
Disseminated histoplasmosis is a diagnostic challenge,
particularly in frail elderly patients, where invasive
procedures may be delayed. It can mimic tuberculosis
and malignancy and may lack an identifiable exposure
history. Non-invasive tests may be inconclusive, making
tissue biopsy essential. Adrenal involvement may result
in primary adrenal insufficiency, further complicating
the clinical picture. Early consideration and timely
confirmation are crucial for appropriate management.
Adrenal incidentaloma
;
Lung Neoplasms
2.Real-World Continuous Glucose Monitoring Patterns in Malaysian Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Single-Centre Study
Ryan Jia Xian Koh ; Siti Nabilah Atiqah Othman ; Maszariffah Mashor ; Azni Abdul Latif ; Ooi Chuan Ng
Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies 2026;41(S1):45-46
Introduction:
Malaysia has one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates
in Asia (1 in 5), with >50% fail to achieve optimal glycemic
control. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) provides
detailed insights beyond hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c),
capturing daily glucose fluctuations and variability. Realworld data describing CGM patterns and their clinical
associations in Malaysian adults with type 2 diabetes
mellitus (T2DM) are limited.
Methodology:
This cross-sectional study analyzed CGM data from 25
Malaysian adults with T2DM, standardized over 14 days.
CGM metrics included time in range (TIR), time above
range (TAR), time below range (TBR), mean glucose,
and coefficient of variation (CV). Weekday–weekend
comparisons were performed, and correlations with
age, diabetes duration, HbA1c, body mass index (BMI),
treatment regimen, and complications were assessed.
Results:
Participants had a mean age of 56.2 ± 13.2 years (52%
male), mean HbA1c 9.4 ± 2.7%, diabetes duration 10.7 ±
9.0 years, and BMI 29.8 ± 9.4 kg/m². Mean TIR, TAR, TBR,
mean glucose, and CV were similar between weekdays
and weekends (p >0.34 for all). TIR >70% was achieved by
52% of participants on weekdays and 48% on weekends,
with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.75). Longer
diabetes duration correlated with lower TIR (r = −0.62, p <0.001), higher mean glucose (r = 0.58, p = 0.002), and greater
variability (r = 0.54, p = 0.004). Older age was associated with
lower TIR (r = −0.48, p = 0.014) and higher mean glucose (r
= 0.44, p = 0.025). Higher HbA1c correlated with lower TIR
(r = −0.36, p = 0.04), higher TAR (r = 0.35, p = 0.05), greater
variability (r = 0.51, p = 0.006), and increased target organ
damage (ρ = 0.55, p = 0.004). BMI was not associated with
TIR (r = −0.18, p = 0.38). Participants with ≥2 complications
had lower TIR (55.8 ± 28.4% vs 76.7 ± 19.2%, p = 0.073), while
insulin the
Conclusion
In Malaysian adults with T2DM, CGM metrics were similar
between weekdays and weekends, indicating lifestyle
differences had minimal impact on glycemic control. Longer
diabetes duration, older age, higher HbA1c, multiple
complications, and insulin therapy identified patients at
highest risk for poor glycemic control, greater variability,
and hypoglycemia. These findings support the use of
CGM for risk stratification, individualized monitoring,
and therapy optimization to reduce complications and
hypoglycemia risk.
Adult
;
Blood Glucose
;
Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring
;
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
3.Occupational Sharps Injury Among Healthcare Workers In Hospital Melaka 2013 – 2015: A Cross Sectional Study
Abdullah Aliff Abdul Wahab ; Faiz Daud ; Nabilah Othman ; Farhana Adila Sahak
Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine 2019;19(2):170-178
Sharps injury imposed a major threat towards safety and health among healthcare workers (HCWs). Many studies in Malaysia concentrated on prevalence of needle stick injury (NSI), however the prevalence of sharps injury among HCWs based on local guideline was still scarce in Malaysia. This information gap leads us to conduct this study. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of sharps injury among HCWs in Hospital Melaka and to describe the factors among staff with sharps injury. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Hospital Melaka, Malaysia. 165 reported cases from 2013-2015 were reviewed and secondary data extracted. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. Among reported sharps injury cases in this study, 65 (39.4%) were male, while 100 (60.6%) were female. The mean age was 27.41 (SD: 6.06). More than half of the reported sharps injury occurred among doctor, 113 (68.5%) specifically House Officer; 89 (53.9%) followed by paramedic, 26 (15.8%) and others, 26 (15.8%). Mostly occurred in ward, 114 (69.1%). The device which accounted for most of sharps injury cases was hypodermic needle, 67 (40.6%). Many of the sharps injury cases occurred while withdrawing needle from patient, 26 (15.9%). Prevalence of sharps injury among HCWs in this study was 0.8% in year 2013, 1.1% in year 2014 and 0.5% in year 2015. Nearly half from the total number of reported sharps injury cases among HCWs in Hospital Melaka were from Medical Department, 71 (43%). Recommended measures include usage of Safety-engineered devices (SEDs) and emphasize on standard precaution.


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