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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an enduring autoimmune illness characterized by persistent inflammation and joint damage. Recent advancements in B cell depletion therapies (BCDTs) have provided new avenues for managing RA. This review article delves into the pathophysiology of RA, highlighting the pivotal role of B cells in disease progression. We explore the mechanisms underlying B cell depletion, focusing on monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab as well as innovative approaches like chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. An in-depth analysis of clinical studies reveals the efficacy and limitations of these therapies, including success rates, side effects, and cost implications for patients. Despite promising outcomes, the incomplete depletion of B cells and associated risks underscore the need for further research. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of BCDTs in RA, shed light on their potential and challenges, and guide future therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for electrocatalysts with excellent electrochemical properties and environment friendly characteristics is driving research on water-splitting to generate sustainable hydrogen energy resources. One efficient strategy to improve the performance of transition metal oxide materials for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is incorporation of additional metals. In this report, we developed copper (Cu)-doped samarium cobalt oxide (SmCoO3) employing a sol–gel approach. The Cu-doped SmCoO3 catalyst has demonstrated effective OER outcomes in 1.0 M KOH. The influence of the copper content on the electrocatalytic activity of SmCoO3 has been examined thoroughly. The as-prepared sample had a low Tafel value of 40 mV dec−1 and a smaller overpotential of 236 mV at 10 mA cm−2 current density (j). Cu-doped SmCoO3 also has a greater ECSA of 281.25 cm2 than the pristine material (156.25 cm2). The prepared doped substance is very effective and durable as an electrocatalyst for energy conversion devices, as demonstrated by its lower impedance of 0.44 Ω and 30 h durability. Moreover, the structural outcomes show that incorporating Cu into SmCoO3 greatly increases the number of active sites and improves electronic conductivity. Therefore, this study introduces an innovative approach for designing highly efficient and economical copper-doped electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Acute Myeloid Leukemia is a heterogeneous hematological malignancy characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal myeloid cells. Besides several other genetic abnormalities developed in AML, FLT3 mutations are significant due to their worse prognostic impacts and therapeutic resistance. As a result, these mutations enable AML cells to develop mechanisms for evading immune surveillance. Areas covered: This review discusses the ways of immune escape of FLT3-mutated AML cells. A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, covering articles published between 2010 and 2024 with related keywords. The discussion covers AML cells' downregulation of immune recognition markers, expression of immune checkpoint proteins, and establishment of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Specific attention is given to small extracellular vesicles and their participation in immune escape. The focus is on exosome-mediated pathways and possible combination therapies. Expert opinion: FLT3 mutations in AML represent a formidable therapeutic challenge due to their crucial role in immune evasion. Exosomes are major players in these processes. Combination therapies targeting the exosome pathway could significantly improve these patients' immune recognition and overall outcomes. Understanding the underlying mechanisms, including targeted therapies, will be required to transcend existing therapeutic limitations and push newer strategies in treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide, making early detection critical to prevent blindness. IDX-DR, an FDA-approved autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) system, has emerged as an innovative solution to improve access to DR screening. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of IDX-DR in detecting diabetic retinopathy., Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science, identifying studies published through October 5, 2024. Studies involving adult patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and reporting diagnostic metrics such as sensitivity and specificity were included. The primary outcomes were pooled sensitivity and specificity of IDX-DR. A bivariate random-effects model was used for meta-analysis, and summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves were generated to assess diagnostic performance. Statistical analyses were performed using MetaDisc software version 2.0., Results: Thirteen studies involving 13,233 participants met the inclusion criteria. IDX-DR's pooled sensitivity was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.82-0.99), and its pooled specificity was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.84-0.95). The SROC curve confirmed IDX-DR's high diagnostic accuracy in detecting diabetic retinopathy across various clinical environments. The AUC value of 0.95 demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, indicating a robust diagnostic performance for IDX-DR in detecting diabetic retinopathy., Conclusion: IDX-DR is a highly effective diagnostic tool for diabetic retinopathy screening, with robust sensitivity and good specificity. Its integration into clinical practice, especially in resource-limited settings, can potentially improve early detection and reduce vision loss. However, careful implementation is needed to address challenges such as over-diagnosis and ensure the tool complements clinical judgment. Future studies should explore the long-term impacts of AI-based screening and address ethical considerations surrounding its use., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest The authors have declared no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Palladium nanoparticles were supported on L-H-functionalized KIT-6 (KIT-6@L-H-Pd) and evaluated using various characterization techniques such as TGA, FT-IR, SEM, XRD, EDS, and BET. KIT-6@L-H-Pd showed excellent catalytic performance as a recyclable nanocatalyst for the oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides and the amination of aryl halides. This approach offers multiple benefits, including the use of readily available and cost-effective materials, a straightforward procedure, short reaction durations, high yields, and a catalyst that is easy to separate and reuse. Additionally, the catalyst can be recovered and reused multiple times without significant palladium loss or alteration in its activity., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Glioma is a highly aggressive and invasive brain tumor with limited treatment options, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs) are a diverse group of motor proteins that play essential roles in cellular processes such as mitosis, intracellular transport, and signal transduction, all of which are crucial for tumorigenesis. This review focuses on the multifaceted role of KIFs in glioma, examining their clinical relevance, contribution to tumor progression, and potential as therapeutic targets. We discuss how KIFs influence key aspects of glioma biology, including cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and metastasis. Furthermore, we explore the regulation of the cell cycle and critical signaling pathways associated with glioma, such as PI3K-Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, and Hedgehog signaling by KIFs. The review also addresses the emerging interplay between KIFs and non-coding RNAs, including circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), in glioma progression. Finally, we examine current therapeutic strategies targeting KIFs, including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and small-molecule inhibitors, and their potential to improve treatment outcomes for glioma patients. By synthesizing these insights, this review underscores the significance of KIFs in glioma pathogenesis and their promise as novel therapeutic targets in the fight against glioma., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics Approval: This review article adheres to the highest ethical standards in research and publication. It ensures that all sources are accurately cited and that the contributions of original authors are duly acknowledged. Conflicts of interest have been transparently addressed, and all relevant funding sources are disclosed. Furthermore, this article respects the principles of integrity and objectivity, aiming to provide an unbiased synthesis of existing literature while contributing meaningfully to the academic discourse in the field. Consent to Participate: Not applicable. Consent for Publication: Not applicable. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Throughout the recent years, water bodies have been significantly contaminated via various industrial and pollution wastes posing threats to the living. To tackle the situation, Lignin-Based Hydrogels have appeared as a material with great potential for wastewater treatment. Biomass-derived polymers for wastewater treatment present a sustainable replacement to plastics based on petroleum owing to its biocompatibility, affordability, eco-friendliness and biodegradability. After cellulose the lignin is the second highest polyaromatic bio-polymer in plants. And serves as the Earth's primary renewable source for aromatic materials. Structurally, it is a cross-linked polymer enriched with hydrophilic functional groups like hydroxyls, methoxyls, carbonyls that makes it a promising precursor towards hydrogel development. This review focuses on hydrogels based on lignin, highlighting their synthesis, traits and potential functions in water treatment. It also examines various methods for extracting lignin from different raw materials. Challenges and limitations associated with real-world applications of LBHs are addressed and along with prospects for future research. Ultimately, this review provides valuable insights into developing sustainable hydrogels based on lignin for efficient elimination of aquatic contaminants., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that none of the work described here could have been influenced by any known competing financial interests or personal relationships., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Rumen flukes cause heavy economic losses in the ruminant industry worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. This study estimated the prevalence of rumen flukes in buffaloes, identified the species diversity, and determined risk factors associated with rumen fluke prevalence in Perak, Peninsular Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 321 faecal samples were collected from six buffalo farms. A structured questionnaire was developed, and farmers were interviewed to obtain information regarding risk factors associated with rumen fluke infection. The faecal samples were examined using sedimentation and Flukefinder® techniques. Genomic DNA was extracted from the fluke eggs recovered using the Flukefinder® method, and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) fragment was amplified and sequenced to facilitate species identification. The results showed that the overall prevalence of rumen fluke across the sampled farms was 40.2% (129/321). Three rumen fluke species were identified, namely, Fischoederius elongatus, F. cobboldi, and Orthocoelium streptocoelium. Several management factors had a significant association (P < 0.05) with rumen fluke prevalence, including production type, cleaning of the stable, drinking water system, flooding around the farm, grazing system, pasture sharing with other livestock, and deworming program. This work constitutes the first attempt to understand the epidemiology of rumen fluke infection in the region and suggests that good farm management, pasture management, choosing appropriate drugs, and proper husbandry practices may improve buffalo health and production in areas where rumen flukes are prevalent., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Angiostrongylus malaysiensis is a potential zoonotic parasite, which reported to co-occur with A. cantonensis in human cerebrospinal fluid. It is a heteroxenous nematode that primarily develops through the early larval stages in gastropods and attains sexual maturity within rats. This study was conducted to determine the host species responsible for the reservoir of A. malaysiensis and investigate the risk factor for transmission among the hosts in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sampling was conducted in six recreational parks. The rats were trapped alive using steel wire traps with bait, while the gastropods were collected by active searching. The rats were euthanized and dissected to collect any adult worms observed. The molecular detection of A. malaysiensis was performed by PCR on gastropod tissue samples. Biotic and landscape factors were recorded for risk factor analysis. In total, 82 rats and 330 gastropods were collected throughout the study. Overall, 3.64% of gastropods and 32.9% of rats were infected with A. malaysiensis. Rattus tiomanicus (Malayan wood rat) and Parmarion martensi (Yellow-shelled semi-slug) were found as important hosts for A. malaysiensis. Host species, sampling site and macrohabitat type are risk factors associated with the prevalence of A. malaysiensis infection in rats. For gastropods, host species and sampling site are risk factors that correlate with the parasite detection. In total, 128 adult A. malaysiensis were recovered from the infected rats. The mean intensity of infection with adult A. malaysiensis was 4.65 for Rattus rattus complex and 4.90 for R. tiomanicus. Adult worms were found in the pulmonary artery or right ventricle, while eggs and first-stage larvae were found in capillaries of the caudal lung lobe. Infected lungs showed extravasated red blood cells in the alveolar spaces. The pulmonary arteries in the infected lung lobe were thickened. Kepong Metropolitan Park is the hotspot area for A. malaysiensis in Kuala Lumpur. These results provide essential information for public health officials to develop targeted interventions to reduce the transmission of A. malaysiensis in urban areas, particularly in recreational parks., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic foodborne parasite capable of infecting almost all warm-blooded animal species worldwide. Toxoplasmosis is usually acquired via ingestion of undercooked infected animal tissues resulting in life-threatening consequences for unborn foetus and immunocompromised individuals. A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection, its associated risk factors in farms, and haplotypes isolated from the native village chicken and pig populations in Peninsular Malaysia. The seroprevalence of T. gondii in village chickens at the animal level was low at 7.6% (95% CI: 4.60-11.60), while at the farm level, it was 52.0% (95% CI: 31.30-72.20). For pigs, the animal-level seroprevalence of T. gondii was 3.0% (95% CI: 1.60-5.10), while the farm-level, it was 31.6% (95% CI: 12.60-56.60). The PCR-based DNA detection on meat samples from chickens ( n = 250) and pork ( n = 121) detected 14.0% (95% CI: 9.95-18.9) and 5.8% (95% CI: 2.4-11.6) positive, respectively. Six unique T. gondii haplotypes were isolated from the tissue samples. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that feeding the chickens farm-produced feeds and allowing wild animals access to pig farms were significant determinants for farm-level seropositivity. Providing hygienic and good quality feeds to chickens and increasing biosecurity in pig farms through prevention of access by wildlife may reduce the risk of transmission of T. gondii infection in the local chickens and pig farms.

Being a tropical country with a conducive environment for mosquitoes, mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue, chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis are prevalent in Malaysia. Recent studies reported asymptomatic infection of West Nile virus (WNV) in animals and humans, but none of the studies included mosquitoes, except for one report made half a century ago. Considering the scarcity of information, our study sampled mosquitoes near migratory bird stopover wetland areas of West Coast Malaysia located in the Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary and Kapar Energy Venture, during the southward migration period in October 2017 and September 2018. Our previous publication reported that migratory birds were positive for WNV antibody and RNA. Using a nested RT-PCR analysis, WNV RNA was detected in 35 (12.8%) out of 285 mosquito pools consisting of 2,635 mosquitoes, most of which were Culex spp. (species). Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequences grouped within lineage 2 and shared 90.12%-97.01% similarity with sequences found locally as well as those from Africa, Germany, Romania, Italy, and Israel. Evidence of WNV in the mosquitoes substantiates the need for continued surveillance of WNV in Malaysia., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Natasha et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

The Tapirus indicus, also known as Malayan tapir, has been listed as a rapidly declining animal species in the past decades, along with being declared and categorized as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2016. This tapir species is geographically distributed across several countries in Southeast Asia such as Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia (Sumatra), South Thailand, and Myanmar. Amongst these countries, the Peninsula Malaysia forest is recorded to contain the highest number of Malayan tapir population. Unfortunately, in the past decades, the population of Malayan tapirs has declined swiftly due to serious deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and heavy vehicle accidents during road crossings at forest routes. Concerned by this predicament, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) Peninsular Malaysia collaborated with a few local universities to conduct various studies aimed at increasing the population number of tapirs in Malaysia. Several studies were conducted with the aim of enhancing the well-being of tapirs in captivity. Veterinarians face problems when it comes to selecting healthy and suitable tapirs for breeding programs at conservation centers. Conventional molecular methods using high-throughput sequencing provides a solution in determining the health condition of Malayan tapirs using the Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology. Unaware by most, gut microbiome plays an important role in determining the health condition of an organism by various aspects: (1) digestion control; (2) benefiting the immune system; and (3) playing a role as a "second brain." Commensal gut bacterial communities (microbiomes) are predicted to influence organism health and disease. Imbalance of unhealthy and healthy microbes in the gut may contribute to weight gain, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and other disorders. In infancy, neonatal gut microbiomes are colonized with maternal and environmental flora, and mature toward a stable composition in two to three years. Interactions between the microorganism communities and the host allow for the establishment of microbiological roles. Identifying the core microbiome(s) are essential in the prediction of diseases and changes in environmental behavior of microorganisms. The dataset of 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of Malayan tapir was deposited in the MG-RAST portal. Parameters such as quality control, taxonomic prediction (unknown and predicted), diversity (rarefaction), and diversity (alpha) were analyzed using sequencing approaches (Amplicon sequencing). Comparisons of parameters, according to the type of sequencing, showed significant differences, except for the prediction variable. In the Amplicon sequencing datasets, the parameters Rarefaction and Unknown had the highest correlation, while Alpha and Predicted had the lowest. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Bacilli, and Bacteroidia were the most representative genera in Malayan tapir amplicon sequences, which indicated that most of the tapirs were healthy. However, continuous assessment to maintain the well-being of tapir for long term is still required. This chapter focuses on the introduction of 16S rRNA amplicon metagenomics in analyzing Malayan tapir gut microbiome dataset., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Cestode infections is widely reported in rodents, however species identification remains problematic due to the genetic or interspecies variation. Therefore, this study was aimed to verify the Cyclophyllidean parasites recovered from wild rats captured from different forest types using molecular based methods. Maximum-likelihood (ML) and neighbour-joining (NJ) trees were constructed inferred from 18 small subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (18SrDNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit one gene (COX1) sequences of cestode worms recovered from 124 individuals from four rat species. Sequences obtained from both Hymenolepis diminuta and Hydatigera parva represents the first records in Malaysia. All the sequences were successfully amplified with product with total length of 205 and 1202 base pairs (bp), respectively. Three cestode species from the Family Hymenolepididae (Hymenolepis diminuta) and Family Taeniidae (Hydatigera parva; Hydatigera taeniaeformis) were successfully characterized using phylogenetic analyses and haplotype networking. Phylogenetic analysis showed that H. diminuta, Hydatigera parva (Hy. parva) and Hydatigera taeniaeformis (Hy. taeniaeformis) formed its own monophyletic clade in 18SrDNA analyses. Results also showed that Hy. taeniaeformis shared the same haplotype group with Hy. taeniaeformis from China (COX1) and linked with Hy. taeniaeformis from Japan (18SrDNA) while the Malaysian H. diminuta clearly formed a separate haplotype and networked with other regions. The Malaysian Hy. parva isolation, on the other hand, appeared to be genetically distinct from the European Hy. parva (Spain) strain, but closely linked to the local isolates. Molecular methods employed successfully improved in the detection of complex species in this group. The findings showed that molecular data can be useful to deeply study intra-specific variation in other cestode worms.

Purpose: Canine filariosis in domestic dogs caused by several species of filarids is an emerging vector-borne disease and the spread of this disease remains a global veterinary and public health concern. However, information regarding these filarids and their epidemiological patterns remains scarce in Malaysia. The present study aimed to determine the infection rate and associated risk factors of filarial parasites in dogs in Malaysia., Methods: A total of 399 dog blood samples were collected from veterinary hospitals and animal shelters in Malaysia to determine the infection rate and associated risk factors via a combination of microscopic, serologic and molecular diagnostic techniques., Results: Two species of canine filariae identified in this study were Dirofilaria immitis (6.5%) and Brugia pahangi (1.3%), and their infections were associated with cross breed, medium size and short hair (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: A new pair of primers was developed to complement the recovery of the 12S rRNA gene fragment of filarial parasites. This study represents the first molecular evidence of B. pahangi in dogs in Malaysia., (© 2021. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences.)

Babesia bigemina is a tick-borne protozoan that affects cattle in almost all regions of the world. Despite its importance, there is no report of its prevalence in cattle using molecular detection methods in Peninsular Malaysia. This study describes the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors associated with B. bigemina infection using molecular diagnostic methods. Also, the species of ticks infesting cattle and the attitude of cattle farmers towards tick control in Peninsular Malaysia were studied. Blood samples were collected from 1045 cattle from 43 herds throughout the country, and were subjected to molecular studies to detect B. bigemina. Tick samples for entomological studies were also collected and identified. Epidemiological information of each cattle and farm were obtained using a well-structured questionnaire containing open-ended and closed-ended questions. Data were statistically analyzed using Univariate and Multivariate models. The 211-base pair of AMA-1 gene of B. bigemina was amplified and confirmed in 30.5 % (319/1045; 95 % CI = 27.8-33.4) of the sampled population, with the haemoprotozoan detected in all the sampled herds. Breed, age, physiological status, management type, rate of de-ticking, and closeness to human settlement were the risk factors significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the prevalence of B. bigemina in cattle. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Haemaphysalis bispinosa were the species of ticks collected from cattle, with the former been more prevalent. A large number of cattle farmers (12/43; 28 %) do not control ticks in their herds. The findings of this study will create baseline data on the epidemiology of the haemoprotozoan and control patterns of its tick vectors that will guide the government in enacting policies that will improve food security and the economy of the nation., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

This study was conducted to investigate potential interactions between the abomasal blood feeder Haemonchus contortus and the intestinal mucosal browser Trichostrongylus colubriformis among deliberately infected Boer goats. Faecal and blood samples were collected twice a week for eight weeks from 25 parasite-naïve goats. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression models were conducted to explore the association between phenotypic variables and variables taken at necropsy. Positive associations were identified between total FEC and log T. colubriformis number (r = 0.62, p < 0.05) as well as between IgA and peripheral eosinophil counts (r = 0.65, p < 0.05). A negative correlation was observed between T. colubriformis and log H. contortus number (r=-0.56, p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression models show that H. contortus and T. colubriformis interacted with each other. T. colubriformis appeared to contribute more significantly to the variation of FEC than H. contortus. Co-infection induced an IgA response which was only effective against T. colubriformis but not protective against H. contortus infection. This could be seen via significant associations of IgA with both nematode species but with the effect of IgA differing for H. contortus and T. colubriformis. In this study, H. contortus infection was not detrimental to the goats with no observed impact on PCV. This could be because the growth of T. colubriformis as represented by its length was associated with reduced number and composite burden of H. contortus during co-infection, or possibly due to low infection dosage. Improved understanding of the impact of H. contortus and T. colubriformis and their interaction from natural co-infection studies is beneficial for a better understanding of the goat-parasite interaction and its potential impacts on the health and productivity of animals., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Toxoplasma gondii, a zoonotic protozoan that has a worldwide distribution, is known to infect many warm-blooded vertebrates. The feline species including domestic cats are the definitive hosts for Toxoplama gondii and shed the infective oocyst. There is lack of information on the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats in Malaysia. The objective of this study was to determine both the seroprevalence of T. gondii and the prevalence of T. gondii DNA in cats' feces in Klang Valley, Malaysia. 198 blood and 201 fecal samples were collected from pet and stray cats from the local council, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) and University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia respectively. The overall seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cats in the Klang Valley was found to be 5.5%. There was a high prevalence (10.5%) of T. gondii DNA detected in the cat fecal samples in both pet and stray cats suggestive of T. gondii oocyst shedding. Stray cats showed a higher seroprevalence and molecular prevalence of T. gondii than the pet cats. However, comparative analysis using Chi-square test showed no significant difference between both groups (P>0.05). Higher prevalence (10.5%) of cats shedding T. gondii DNA as compared to the seroprevalence (5.5%) was found in the cat population in the Klang Valley. The high prevalence of cats shedding T. gondii DNA is alarming as this may directly reflect the number of oocysts excreted into the environment posing a significant public health hazard.

Tritrichomonas foetus is known to cause chronic diarrhea in the feline species in many different regions of the world. However, there is a paucity of information on T. foetus among cats in Malaysia. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus in the pet and stray cat population in Klang Valley, Malaysia. A total of 201 pet and stray cats' fecal samples were collected in Klang Valley. 24 samples were cultured in the InPouch® TF Feline to observe for motile trophozoites. A nested PCR protocol was used to screen for T. foetus in the collected samples. The prevalence of T. foetus in the cat population in Klang Valley was 33%. There was no association between Tritrichomonas infection and age, sex, breed or management of the cats. However, statistical analysis revealed that stray cats were more likely to be infected with T. foetus compared to pet cats. This study confirmed for the first time the presence of T. foetus among the cat population in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

There is need to confirm the presence of Theileria orientalis among the cattle population in Peninsular Malaysia and to evaluate the risk factors associated with the infection. To this effect, blood samples were collected from 1045 cattle from 43 farms throughout the entire States of Peninsular Malaysia. The collected blood samples were subjected to DNA extraction and subsequent PCR amplification of the major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) gene of the haemoprotozoan. Representative positive amplicons were purified, sequenced and compared with other sequences of the MPSP gene of T. orientalis curated from the GenBank. A well-structured questionnaire was used to get information about each cattle, it's demography, the bio-security, environmental and management factors. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used for the statistical evaluation, with significance set at p < 0.05. A total prevalence of 49.76% (520/1045; 95% CI: 46.73 - 52.79) was obtained. Types of breeds, age, production type, herd size, level of farm biosecurity, farm size, presence of other animal species in the farm, management systems and prophylaxis were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the prevalence of T. orientalis. This study confirmed the presence of T. orientalis and establish that the haemoprotozoan is endemic among cattle in Peninsular Malaysia., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Most breeds of goat are more susceptible to nematode infection than sheep, and this appears to be a consequence of less effective immune responses. Several papers have considered the effectiveness of eosinophils and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in goats but differences in the induction of responses have not been studied in the same detail. The aim of this study was to look at the induction of eosinophil and IgA responses in Boer goats reared indoors under intensive conditions., Methods and Results: The goats were experimentally infected with a low dose of 2400 Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus spp. and Oesophagostomum spp. at a 6:1:1 ratio. Faecal egg counts (FEC), packed cell volume (PCV), IgA activity against third-stage larvae and peripheral eosinophilia were measured twice a week for eight weeks. The infection generated an IgA response but did not significantly increase peripheral eosinophilia in the 25 infected kids compared with the 4 control animals. FEC was not associated with IgA activity or eosinophilia., Conclusion: A detailed analysis of IgA and eosinophil responses to deliberate nematode infection in Boer goats showed that there was an increase in nematode-specific IgA activity but no detectable eosinophil response. In addition, there was no association between increased IgA activity or eosinophilia with egg counts and worm burdens. These suggest that IgA and eosinophils do not act to control nematode infection in goats., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an emerging opportunistic pathogen infecting humans, and both domestic and wild pigs are known to harbour zoonotic genotypes. There remains a paucity of information on the prevalence and epidemiology of this enteropathogen in Southeast Asia. The present study was undertaken to determine the molecular prevalence and risk factors associated with E. bieneusi infection among commercially farmed pigs in Malaysia. Faecal samples were collected from 450 pigs from 15 different farms and subjected to nested PCR amplification of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene of E. bieneusi. Phylogenetic analysis involved 28 nucleotide sequences of the ITS region of E. bieneusi. An interviewer-administered questionnaire provided information on the animal hosts, farm management systems and environmental factors and was statistically analysed to determine the risk factors for infection. The prevalence of E. bieneusi infection was relatively high (40.7%). The highest prevalence (51.3%) was recorded among the piglets, while the adults showed the lowest level of infection (31.3%). Multivariate analysis indicated that age of the pigs, distance of the farm from human settlement and farm management system were significant risk factors of infection. Three genotypes (EbpA, EbpC and Henan-III) detected among the pigs are potentially zoonotic. The high prevalence of E. bieneusi among locally reared pigs, the presence of zoonotic genotypes and the spatial distribution of pig farms and human settlements warrant further investigation on the possibility of zoonotic transmission.

Chelonian exhibit temperature dependent sex determination, and ex situ incubation of eggs in conservation hatcheries may render a gender bias. The gender of juvenile Painted terrapins (Batagur borneoensis) produced at a conservation hatchery in Malaysia was determined by endoscopy of the gonads. Circulating reproductive hormones (testosterone, progesterone and estradiol) were profiled for 31 juveniles and nine captive-reared non-breeding adult terrapins. Endoscopy revealed a gender bias of 96.8% (30/31) females. Testosterone levels in the juvenile females (2.49 ± 1.29) were significantly lower than that of the adult females (12.20 ± 4.29), and lower than values in the juvenile male (9.36) and adult males (27.60, 35.62). The progesterone levels in the juvenile females (107.12 ± 68.68) were significantly higher than that of the adult females (51.13 ± 24.67), but lower than values in the juvenile male (33.27) and adult males (3.43, 8.51). Estrogen levels were significantly lower in the juvenile females (1.57 ± 1.35) compared to the adult females (77.46 ± 53.45). Negative correlations were observed between levels of progesterone and testosterone, and progesterone and estrogen. A positive correlation was noted between estrogen and testosterone. The present study constitutes the first attempt to determine the gender and reproductive hormone profiles of juvenile Painted terrapins produced by ex situ incubation, and captive non-breeding adults. Endoscopy of the gonads is a useful techniques for gender determination among juvenile turtles, while the use of testosterone as a gender biomarker warrants further investigation.

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii which affects human and animals. Village chickens (Gallus domesticus) most commonly known as Ayam Kampung or free-range chickens, have been suggested to play a role in the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis. This study determines the presence of T. gondii in the village chicken populations in two states of Malaysia. A total of 50 serum samples from the chickens from Selangor (n=20) and Melaka (n=30) were collected and analysed using commercial serological kits. T. gondii antigen was detected in 20% (Selangor 30%; Melaka 13%) samples using ELISA test and anti-T. gondii antibody was detected in all positive ELISA samples using the indirect haemagglutination test (IHAT). Histopathological examination revealed tissue changes such as inflammation and degeneration in brain and liver of seropositive chickens. This is the first report of T. gondii infection in the village chickens in Malaysia.

Four carbazoles (girinimbine, mahanimbine, murrayafoline and murrayanine), isolated from Murraya koenigii, and one kavalactone (5,6-dehydrokawain) and one flavonoid (pinostrobin) isolated, from Alpinia mutica, were tested for their antitrypanosomal activity using in vitro cultured Trypanosoma evansi cell lines. The cytotoxic activities of these compounds were also investigated against mammalian Vero cells using the MTT (3-(4,5- Dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)-cell proliferation assay. Three carbazole compounds, namely mahanimbine, murrayafoline, and girinimbine, showed a potent antitrypanosomal activity, scoring a median inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of 3.13, 6.35 and 10.16 µg/ml, respectively. Girinimbine was the least toxic to Vero cells, and the mean cytotoxic concentration (CC 50 ) and the selectivity index (SI) of this compound were 745.58 ± 42.38 µg/ ml and 73.38, respectively. Girinimbine and the other carbazole compounds possess potential antitrypanosomal activity with comparably low toxicity against mammalian cells. Girinimbine, in particular, is a good candidate to be further investigated as a potential antitrypanosomal agent using in vivo models.

Enteric protozoa infection among cattle may pose a threat to productivity and survival leading to negative impacts on the livestock industry. A number of these pathogens are also known to be zoonotic and are of public health concern. Despite the importance of these enteric protozoa to both animal and human health, there remains a paucity of published information on the epidemiological risk factors that may be associated with bovine cryptosporidiosis in Southeast Asia. The present study was undertaken to determine the molecular prevalence and associated risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection among beef and dairy cattle in Peninsular Malaysia. Faecal samples were collected from 824 cattle in 39 farms (526 beef and 298 dairy) situated in 33 locations throughout the country, and subjected to PCR detection for Cryptosporidium using primers targeting the 18S SSUrRNA gene. Epidemiological variables including host, environment and management factors were subjected to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine the potential risk factors for infection. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium among the cattle was 12.5%, with significant difference in the infection rate among the various breeds. There was no significant effect of gender, and both the beef and dairy cattle were at similar odds for infection. The younger cattle had a significantly higher infection rate compared to the older animals. Multivariate analysis revealed that deworming practice, distance to human settlement, geographical location (zone) and farm management system were significant risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium infection. The cattle that were reared on farms located in the northeast of the country, closest (≤200 m) to human settlements, reared extensively, and dewormed every four months were at highest risk of infection. The present study constitutes the first attempt to analyze the multivariable epidemiological risk factors involved in bovine cryptosporidiosis in Malaysia and in Southeast Asia. It is envisaged that the data obtained will facilitate better control and prevention measures for Cryptosporidium infection among cattle in the region. Due to the potential zoonotic nature of the infection, serious steps should be instituted for animal treatment and biohazard waste management on local cattle farms., Competing Interests: None., (© 2019 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of International Association of Food and Waterborne Parasitology.)

Bovine anaplasmosis is a major concern to cattle farming in most parts of the world. Anaplasmosis negatively impacts the profitability of cattle farming by reducing the production, reproduction, and draft ability of cattle. Here, we report results from a one-year cross sectional study to determine the epidemiology and the risk factors for Anaplasma marginale infection of cattle in Peninsular Malaysia. Examination of one thousand and forty five blood samples of apparently healthy cattle from forty-three farms in all the states of Peninsular Malaysia by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay revealed an overall prevalence of A. marginale infection of cattle of 72.6%, showing high endemicity of this heamoprotozoan among cattle in the country. Cattle breeds, production type, herd owner, herd size, management system, farm size, farm age, prophylactic treatment against blood parasites, presence of ticks, frequency of deticking, zones, closeness to forest, closeness to waste area, closeness to human settlement and closeness to body of water were the risk factors significantly associated (P < 0.05) with the detection of A. marginale in cattle. Results of this first molecular study on the epidemiology and risk factors for A. marginale infection of cattle from all the states of Peninsular Malaysia suggest policies and strategies for the prevention and control of the parasite to improve profitability of cattle farming in the country., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of the present study was to determine the gastro-intestinal (GI) parasitic infections among small ruminants (i.e., goats, sheep, deer) in Malaysia through formalin-ether concentration technique. Overall, 70.9% or 302 out of 426 small ruminants (79.4% or 251/316 goats; 87.5% or 35/40 sheep; 22.9% or 16/70 deer) were infected with at least one species of GI parasites. Overall, ten types of GI parasites [Helminth: strongyle (57.7%), Moniezia spp. (5.4%), Paramphistomum spp. (4.5%), Strongyloides spp. (4.2%), Dicrocoelium spp. (2.3%), Trichuris spp. (2.3%); Protozoa: Eimeria spp. (23.7%), Entamoeba spp. (18.8%), Giardia spp. (1.9%), Cryptosporidium spp. (0.2%)] were detected in this study. Among the studied animals, goats harboured the highest diversity of GI parasites (ten types), followed by sheep (six types) and deer (two types). Polyparasitism was observed in goats (43.7% or 138 of 316) and sheep (15.0% or 6 of 40). Cumulatively, a total of 32 combinations of coinfections (Helminth+Helminth: 8 combinations; Helminth+Protozoa: 20 combinations; Protozoa+Protozoa: 4 combinations) between detected parasites with up to quintuple infections were reported. Among these parasites, "strongyle + Eimeria spp." and "Moniezia spp. + strongyle" were the commonest infections in goats (13.5% or 34 of 251) and sheep (5.7% or 2 of 6), respectively. This study is a comprehensive documentation on multiple GI parasitisms among small ruminant in Malaysia, and the findings are crucial for effective farm management, especially for the formulation of parasitic control and elimination strategies.

Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species are important bacterial pathogens of various animal species including dogs and humans. They constitute a major health problem worldwide, especially in the tropics and sub-tropics. In order to identify the prevalence of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia sp. from dogs in the selected area, a total of 100 randomly selected clinically healthy rescued dogs from animal shelters in Sarawak and Sabah, East Malaysia (50 dogs per State) were used for this study. Whole blood was collected from these dogs and screened for presence of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia spp. using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and commercial ELISA test (SNAP 4Dx® Plus) for detection of antigen and antibody against the two pathogens respectively. 27% (A. platys) and 33% (E. canis) of the sampled population were positive using PCR; while the serological prevalence was 29% for Anaplasma sp. and 55% for Ehrlichia sp. The results of this investigation revealed that stray dogs are potential reservoir hosts of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia sp. infection with a high prevalence in the area. The high prevalence rates detected highlights the urgent need to address the growing population of possible vectors and reservoirs for transmission in the region and also to look into the public health aspect of the disease.