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Introduction: Invasive Candida infections cause significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. Information on recent trends in species distribution and antifungal resistance in local settings is essential. Methodology: Yeast isolates identified through standard culture methods throughout 2014 and 2015 from Hospital Ampang, Malaysia were retrospectively studied. The antifungal susceptibility of Candida species was determined using colorimetric broth microdilution method and MIC values interpreted according to CLSI breakpoints. Results: Out of all the 149 yeast cultures collected, most were from blood (55.7%) and respiratory specimens (33.6%). Candida tropicalis was the most common (28.9%), followed by C. albicans (26.2%), C. parapsilosis (15.4%), C. glabrata (14.1%), Crytococcus neoformans (6.7%), Trichosporon asahi (3.4%), C. krusei (2.0%), C. famata, C. rugose, C. guilliermondii, C. dublinensis and Trichosporon spp. (0.7% each). Occurrence of C. tropicalis in candidaemia cases was significantly associated to presence of an underlying haematological disorder, while C. albicans isolates in blood were significantly found in absence of such disorders. The four most common Candida species isolated showed high susceptibility to amphotericin B (100%), anidulafungin (100%), micafungin (100%), caspofungin (98.4%), flucytosine (98.4%) and voriconazole (84.1%). However, drug susceptibility to itraconazole and fluconazole was comparatively lower (57.9% and 72.2%, respectively). C. glabrata and C. tropicalis were the least susceptible to these azoles. Conclusion: Prevalence of the high number of non-albicans Candida species with slight predominance of C. tropicalis over C. albicans was observed. Low susceptibility to itraconazole among C. glabrata and C. tropicalis isolates and to fluconazole among C. glabrata isolates warrants for continued surveillance to monitor emerging antifungal resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Introduction: Maintaining high levels of vaccinations is important for public health success in any vaccination planning. Success requires a better understanding of the public's perceptions of diseases and consequent decisions about vaccinations. This study aims to gather exploratory qualitative data on public opinion on the Malaysian Government's COVID-19 immunization campaigns. Methods: Open-ended question on Google Form was advertised online between 2 to 17 December 2020. The questionnaire form was deactivated when saturation has been reached. The free text questions were analysed by qualitative thematic analysis by all authors on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Results: Six hundred and sixty-one participants replied to the online questionnaire. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis on suggestions for future National COVID-19 Immunisation Program. First, COVID-19 vaccine administration policy; secondly, knowledge dissemination and plan to address obstacles of public acceptances towards the vaccine proactively; thirdly, better implementation programs by the government and fourthly, using local research expertise for vaccine development and alternative medicines. Participants believe all this are essential in increasing their trust and uptake for the government's future national COVID-19 Immunisation Program. Conclusion: This study highlights the suggestions made by the public for the Malaysian Government. These findings will help develop education and intervention strategies for new vaccine introduction to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hajj is a unique religious mass gathering among Muslims hosted by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) annually. It is a fifth pillar that is compulsory to be carried among muslim. Infections due to Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus Pneumoniae and Influenza virus are very high among Hajj pilgrims in KSA. Study shows knowledge and attitude towards vaccine preventable disease and vaccination which is very important for the prevention of these infectious diseases. This study aims to determine knowledge and attitude among the prospective Malaysian hajj pilgrims on vaccine preventable disease and vaccination. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted among prospective hajj pilgrims in June 2019. Self-administered questionnaires were given to the respondents through simple random sampling. The socio-demographic characteristics were described using descriptive analysis. Chi-square test was used to analyse the association between the socio-demographic and Malaysian hajj pilgrims' knowledge and attitude towards the vaccine preventable diseases and vaccination. Results: A total of 135 respondents were recruited in the study. There were statistically significant associations between the knowledge and the highest education level (p=0.01), and also between the knowledge and the occupation (p=0.02) on vaccine preventable disease and vaccination. Conclusion: There is a lack of knowledge among the Malaysian hajj pilgrims about these vaccine preventable diseases and vaccination, especially those who have lower education level and also unemployed. Tabung Haji are highly advised to focus on these group and prepare a special course that focused on these vaccine preventable diseases so that Malaysian Hajj pilgrims will be protected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]