Activities of Parasitology Unit

A Local Case of Trematode Infection in Sarawak

A lady from a village nearby Kuching Sarawak was diagnosed with uterine fibromyoma and elective myomectomy was scheduled. Preliminary surgical work up inclusive of stool microscopic examination was requested. Accidental finding of trematode ova in the stool prompted to send to IMR for confirmation. Our laboratory identified the ova as either Fasciola spp or Fasciolopsis spp due to the similarity in egg morphology between these two species. An ELISA Fascioliasis was negative. The patient was treated with Praziquantel 1,200mg in single dose and subsequent stool examination were also negative for ova. This accidental finding of trematode infection within the country should be further investigated to determine the actual distribution and level of infection in this long forgotten disease.

(Shamilah H, Gan CC, Nor Parina I, Sim WW, Chua MC, Phui NF)

Distribution of Knowlesi Malaria Among the Aborigines in Peninsular Malaysia.

Re-emergence of Plasmodium knowlesi malaria has been reported in the rural areas of Sarawak and in some states in Peninsular Malaysia sinice 2004. Knowlesi malaria was thought to be associated with human activities in close contact with the natural monkey host, Macaca fascicularis, in nearby semi-forested urban-rural areas. Since knowlesi malaria is linked with humans living in close contact with both monkeys and vectors, we thought that the most likely population to harbour this parasite would be the aborigines (Orang Asli, OA) living in peripheral and deep jungles of Peninsular Malaysia and perhaps also among minority groups living in similar environment in Sabah and Sarawak. More study need to be carried out to determine level of distribution, strain differentitaion and linkage between man-vector-monkey.

(Adela IJ, Storey, Shamilah H, Hedrick R, Synthia M, Siti Zulaikha H, Azwan R and Wan Razuki WI)- Publication in progress

YEAR 2010

1. Conduct Malaria Diagnosis Workshop
2. Conduct DAP&E for Parasitology module
3. Student Attachment ( 9 students ) :
   1. Dr.Rukumani Devi Velayutham ( Dept of Microbiology, University Malaya )
   2. Dr.Ardita Dewi Roslani ( Dept of Microbiology, UMMC )
   3. Dr.Lim Bee Bee ( Dept of Medical Microbiology, University Malaysia )
   4. Pn Roshan Jahn bt M.Salim ( FRIM )
   5. Cik Nur Amrya Amat Sain ( MOSTI )
   6. Dr.Zahrul Laili Abd Hadi ( USM, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan )
   7. Dr.Nurul Azira Mohd Shah ( USM, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan )
   8. Dr.Noorhayati Abdul Rahman ( USM, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan )
   9. Dr. Suhaila bt Md Hanapiah
   10. Dr.Rozainee

YEAR 2011

1. Conduct Interpersonnel Skills Management course
2. Conduct Kemahiran Dalam Menyelia Dan Memimpin Pasukan course
3. Conduct DAP&E for Parasitologi module
4. Student Attachment :
   1. Dr. Nur Izati Mustapa ( Dept Of Medical Microbiology, UMMC )
   2. Dr.Farah Roslinda Mohd Rustam ( Dept of Medical Microbiology, UMMC )
   3. Dr.Normi Bt Ngau Mohamed ( Dept of Medical Microbiology, UMMC )
   4. Dr. Noraziah Sahlan ( Dept of Medical Microbiology, UMMC )
   5. Dr. Marliwdawati Mohd. Ali ( Dept of Medical Microbiology, UMMC )
   6. Wong,Fikri and Vim ( JTMP from vektor Perak )
   7. Dr. Norazlah binti Bahari ( Dept of Micobiology, Hospital Selayang )