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In Malaysia, soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections still persist among indigenous communities. In the past, local studies have focused mostly on epidemiologic aspects of STH infections with a scarcity of information on the efficacy of deworming treatment. The present study consisted of 2 phases: a cross-sectional phase on current epidemiological status and risk factors of STH infections and a longitudinal study over 6 weeks on triple dose albendazole efficacy against STH infections. A total of 253 participants were recruited at baseline and a pre-tested questionnaire was administered to obtain information on socio-demographics, environmental and behavioural risk factors. Stool samples were evaluated using a modified Kato-Katz technique. Cure rate (CR) and egg reduction rate (ERR) were assessed at 3 weeks following a 3-day course of 400mg albendazole treatment and infection status were observed again at 6 weeks. Baseline positivity of trichuriasis, ascariasis and hookworm infections were 56.1%, 11.9% and 20.2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed age below 18 years old (P = 0.004), without latrine in house (P = 0.042) and indiscriminate defecation (P = 0.032) were associated with STH infections. In the longitudinal study (N = 89), CR for trichuriasis was 64.6%, while CR of 100% was observed for both ascariasis and hookworm. ERR was above 90% for all three STH species. A rapid increased of Trichuris trichiura egg output was observed at 6 weeks. In conclusion, STH infections are highly prevalent among indigenous communities. Children and teenagers, poor sanitation and hygiene behaviour were determinants for STH infections. Triple dose albendazole is found to be efficacious against Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm infections but has moderate curative effect with high ERR against T. trichiura. Although triple dose albendazole regimen has logistic challenges and may not be a routine option, consideration of this treatment regime may still be necessary in selective communities to reduce high intensity of T. trichiura infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Orang Asli (OA), Malaysia's indigenous minority, continue to experience ongoing soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections despite efforts including the Resettlement Programme (RPS). This study explores STH epidemiology and associated risks of moderate-to-heavy infections among 259 indigenous Negritos across four states in Peninsular Malaysia. Stool samples, anthropometrics, haemoglobin levels (finger-prick) and sociodemographic and environmental-sanitation factors via pretested questionnaires were collected. Parasitological examinations (direct faecal smear, formol-ether concentration, and Kato-Katz techniques) were thoroughly performed. The study revealed a 63.3% overall STH prevalence, with Trichuris trichiura (57.9%) being the most common, followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (35.5%) and hookworm (8.9%). Moderate-to-heavy infections were observed in 39.3% for T. trichiura and 48.9% for A. lumbricoides, with mixed infections of these two species being the most prevalent (50.6%). The risk for moderate-to-heavy infection increased significantly if other household members were infected (P < 0.001). Adults and adolescents also showed high infection rates, with no significant differences with children's groups. These findings emphasize the need for anthelmintic treatment across all age groups and strategize local policies targeting older groups of the OA community to control ongoing transmission and reduce the STH burden and protect the future well-being of OA children, who deserve a healthier future., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Skin infections cause significant health burden and affect underserved communities such as the indigenous Negrito communities disproportionately. There is only one study that has addressed skin infections among the Negrito communities, which is the smallest and most isolated indigenous tribe in Peninsular Malaysia, with approximately 6,500 individuals remaining in northern and central Peninsular Malaysia. This study, which aims to update the infection patterns of scabies and tinea among the Negrito communities, recruited 361 participants from eight villages representing all six Negrito subtribes. The results revealed an overall skin infection prevalence of 35.6%, with scabies (11.7%), tinea versicolor (11.3%), and tinea imbricata (7.5%) as major infections, with no co-infection. Notably, infection rates were significantly higher in resettled villages (55.2%) compared to inland villages (24.8%). Scabies and tinea versicolor were more prevalent in resettled villages (21.2% and 23.6%, respectively) than inland villages (6.4% and 4.7%, respectively), while tinea imbricata was more common in inland villages (9.4% vs 3.9%). Furthermore, there exist predisposition of scabies among Kensiu. High prevalence of tinea imbricata was observed among the inland Bateq while prevalence of tinea versicolor was high among the resettled Bateq. Risk analysis revealed specific associations: scabies with Kensiu subtribe (P = 0.002), high income (P = 0.001) and underweight individuals (P = 0.009); tinea versicolor with Bateq subtribe (P = 0.003), resettled villagers (P < 0.001), males (P = 0.040), and overweight/obese individuals (P = 0.015); and tinea imbricata with Bateq (P = 0.011) and smokers (P = 0.004). These findings highlight a complex interplay between environment and lifestyle in skin infection prevalence. Addressing these infections requires targeted interventions, including regular medical care in inland villages and socio-economic support for resettled communities, considering the distinct predispositions in different village types., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: This is an open access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication.)

Objectives: Hospital environments are potential reservoirs of bacteria associated with nosocomial infections. In this study, the distribution of cultivable environmental bacteria of clinical importance from a Malaysian tertiary hospital was determined and their resistotypes and genotypes were investigated., Methods: Swab and fluid samples (n=358) from healthcare workers' hands, frequently touched surfaces, medical equipment, patients' immediate surroundings, ward sinks and toilets, and solutions or fluids of 12 selected wards were collected. Biochemical tests, PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing were used for identification following isolation from CHROMagar™ Orientation medium. Clinically important bacteria such as Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp. were further characterised by disc diffusion method and rep-PCR., Results: The 24 Gram-negative and 19 Gram-positive bacteria species identified were widely distributed in the hospital environment. Staphylococci were predominant, followed by Bacillus spp. and P. aeruginosa. Frequently touched surfaces, medical equipment, and ward sinks and toilets were the top three sources of bacterial species. Nine S. aureus, four Acinetobacter spp., one K. pneumoniae and one Enterobacter spp. were multidrug-resistant (MDR). The ESKAPE organisms were genetically diverse and widely dispersed across the hospital wards. A MDR MRSA clone was detected in a surgical ward isolation room., Conclusion: The large variety of cultivable, clinically important bacteria, especially the genetically related MDR S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, Acinetobacter spp. and Enterobacter spp., from various sampling sites indicated that the surfaces and fomites in the hospital were potential exogenous sources of nosocomial infection in the hospital., (Copyright © 2018 International Society for Chemotherapy of Infection and Cancer. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)