Household costs associated with zoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi, P. falciparum, P. vivax and P. malariae infections in Sabah, Malaysia.

Background: Malaysia has free universal access to malaria care; however, out-of-pocket costs are unknown. This study estimated and compared household costs of illness during a unique time when four species of malaria were present, due to the emergence of zoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi during the elimination phase of non-zoonotic species in Sabah, Malaysia.

Methodology/principal Findings: Household costs were estimated from patient-level surveys collected from four hospitals between 2013 and 2016.

Genomic epidemiology of Plasmodium knowlesi reveals putative genetic drivers of adaptation in Malaysia.

Sabah, Malaysia, has amongst the highest burden of human Plasmodium knowlesi infection in the world, associated with increasing encroachment on the parasite's macaque host habitat. However, the genomic make-up of P. knowlesi in Sabah was previously poorly understood.

Plasmodium cynomolgi Infections Not Found in Microscopy-Diagnosed Malaria Cases across Sabah, Malaysia.

Zoonotic malaria presents a major public health challenge in Southeast Asia. Plasmodium cynomolgi coinfects the same macaque hosts and mosquito vectors as the most common cause of zoonotic malaria, Plasmodium knowlesi. Plasmodium cynomolgi appears morphologically similar to Plasmodium vivax on microscopy and can amplify P.

A change in circulating chikungunya virus variant impacts Aedes aegypti vector competence and spatiotemporal distribution of disease in Malaysia.

Background: In 2008-2010, Malaysia experienced a nationwide chikungunya virus (CHIKV) outbreak caused by the Indian Ocean lineage E1-226V (valine) variant, adapted to Aedes albopictus. In 2017-2022, transition to an E1-226A (alanine) variant occurred. Ae.

The economic burden of zoonotic malaria on households in Sabah, Malaysia compared to malaria from human-only species.

Background: The emergence of the zoonotic monkey parasite as the dominant cause of malaria in Malaysia has disrupted current national WHO elimination goals. Malaysia has free universal access to malaria care; however, out-of-pocket costs are unknown. This study estimated household costs of illness attributable to malaria due to against other non-zoonotic species infections in Sabah, Malaysia.

Recombinase-Aided Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification on Human Plasmodium knowlesi.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a nucleic acid amplification technique that can amplify specific nucleic acids at a constant temperature (63-65°C) within a short period (<1 hour). In this study, we report the utilization of recombinase-aided LAMP to specifically amplify the 18S sRNA of Plasmodium knowlesi. The method was built on a conventional LAMP assay by inclusion of an extra enzyme, namely recombinase, into the master mixture.

Introduction of mosquitoes carrying AlbB sharply decreases dengue incidence in disease hotspots.

Partial replacement of resident mosquitoes with introduced mosquitoes carrying certain strains of inherited symbionts can result in transmission blocking of dengue and other viruses of public health importance. strain AlbB is an effective transmission blocker and stable at high temperatures, making it particularly suitable for hot tropical climates. Following trial field releases in Malaysia, releases using AlbB have become operationalized by the Malaysian health authorities.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on dengue cases in Malaysia.

Background: Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the transmission dynamics and distribution of dengue. Therefore, this study aims to describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the geographic and demographic distribution of dengue incidence in Malaysia.

Methods: This study analyzed dengue cases from January 2014 to December 2021 and COVID-19 confirmed cases from January 2020 to December 2021 which was divided into the pre (2014 to 2019) and during COVID-19 pandemic (2020 to 2021) phases.

Evaluation of A Simple DNA Extraction Method and Its Combination with Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assays for Rapid Diagnosis.

The initial and vital stage in the diagnosis of malaria involves extracting DNA. The efficiency of malaria testing is restricted by the multiple steps involved in commercial DNA extraction kits. We attempted to improve an existing loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for the detection of by using a simple DNA extraction approach, making it a feasible option for mass screening.

No evidence of sustained nonzoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi transmission in Malaysia from modelling malaria case data.

Reported incidence of the zoonotic malaria Plasmodium knowlesi has markedly increased across Southeast Asia and threatens malaria elimination. Nonzoonotic transmission of P. knowlesi has been experimentally demonstrated, but it remains unknown whether nonzoonotic transmission is contributing to increases in P.

Point-of-Care Diagnosis of Malaria Using a Simple, Purification-Free DNA Extraction Method Coupled with Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification-Lateral Flow.

We propose a protocol suitable for point-of-care diagnosis of malaria utilizing a simple and purification-free DNA extraction method with the combination of loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay and lateral flow (LAMP-LF). The multiplex LAMP-LF platform developed here can simultaneously detect and genus (for and ). Through the capillary effect, the results can be observed by the red band signal on the test and control lines within 5 min.

Corrigendum: Predicting transmission risk across Peninsular Malaysia using machine learning-based ecological niche modeling approaches.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.

Lateral Flow Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assays for the Detection of Human Plasmodium Species.

This study highlights the development of two lateral flow recombinase polymerase amplification assays for the diagnosis of human malaria. The lateral flow cassettes contained test lines that captured biotin-, 6-carboxyfluorescein, digoxigenin-, cyanine 5-, and dinitrophenyl-labeled amplicons. The overall process can be completed in 30 minutes.

Predicting transmission risk across Peninsular Malaysia using machine learning-based ecological niche modeling approaches.

The emergence of potentially life-threatening zoonotic malaria caused by nearly two decades ago has continued to challenge Malaysia healthcare. With a total of 376 infections notified in 2008, the number increased to 2,609 cases in 2020 nationwide. Numerous studies have been conducted in Malaysian Borneo to determine the association between environmental factors and knowlesi malaria transmission.

Development and user testing study of MozzHub: a bipartite network-based dengue hotspot detector.

Traditionally, dengue is controlled by fogging, and the prime location for the control measure is at the patient's residence. However, when Malaysia was hit by the first wave of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and the government-imposed movement control order, dengue cases have decreased by more than 30% from the previous year. This implies that residential areas may not be the prime locations for dengue-infected mosquitoes.

Genetic polymorphism of the thrombospondin-related apical merozoite protein (TRAMP) of Plasmodium knowlesi in Malaysia.

Plasmodium knowlesi is a simian malaria parasite that causes significant zoonotic infections in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia. The Plasmodium thrombospondin-related apical merozoite protein (TRAMP) plays an essential role in the invasion of the parasite into its host erythrocyte. The present study investigated the genetic polymorphism and natural selection of the full length PkTRAMP from P.

Narrative Review of the Control and Prevention of Knowlesi Malaria.

Despite the reduction in the number of cases of human malaria throughout the world, the incidence rate of knowlesi malaria is continuing to rise, especially in Southeast Asia. The conventional strategies for the prevention and control of human malaria can provide some protection against knowlesi malaria. Despite the numerous studies on the risk factors and the innovative methods that may be used to prevent and control the vectors of the incidence rate remains high.

End-point detection of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) on malaria by direct observation with colorimetric dyes.

In order to ascertain the results of the LAMP technique, different end-point detection methods can be employed. However, these methods require sophisticated equipment. To simplify current end-point detection methods for the diagnosis of malaria, we propose the incorporation of colorimetric dyes: malachite green (MG), phenol red (PR), and xylenol orange (XO) in the LAMP assay.

The Effects of Meteorological Factors on Dengue Cases in Malaysia.

Dengue is a vector-borne disease affected by meteorological factors and is commonly recorded from ground stations. Data from ground station have limited spatial representation and accuracy, which can be overcome using satellite-based Earth Observation (EO) recordings instead. EO-based meteorological recordings can help to provide a better understanding of the correlations between meteorological variables and dengue cases.

Spatial distribution of Plasmodium knowlesi cases and their vectors in Johor, Malaysia: in light of human malaria elimination.

Background: Plasmodium knowlesi, a simian malaria parasite infection, increases as Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections decrease in Johor, Malaysia. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the distribution of vectors involved in knowlesi malaria transmission in Johor. This finding is vital in estimating hotspot areas for targeted control strategies.

Evaluation of Mosquito Magnet and other collection tools for Anopheles mosquito vectors of simian malaria.

Background: Vector surveillance is essential in determining the geographical distribution of mosquito vectors and understanding the dynamics of malaria transmission. With the elimination of human malaria cases, knowlesi malaria cases in humans are increasing in Malaysia. This necessitates intensive vector studies using safer trapping methods which are both field efficient and able to attract the local vector populations.

Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Infection in Peninsular Malaysia, 2011 to 2018.

The life-threatening zoonotic malaria cases caused by in Malaysia has recently been reported to be the highest among all malaria cases; however, previous studies have mainly focused on the transmission of in Malaysian Borneo (East Malaysia). This study aimed to describe the transmission patterns of infection in Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia). The spatial distribution of was mapped across Peninsular Malaysia using Geographic Information System techniques.

Malaria elimination in Malaysia and the rising threat of Plasmodium knowlesi.

Background: Malaria is a major public-health problem, with over 40% of the world's population (more than 3.3 billion people) at risk from the disease. Malaysia has committed to eliminate indigenous human malaria transmission by 2020.

Comparative evaluation of two commercial real-time PCR kits (QuantiFast™ and abTES™) for the detection of Plasmodium knowlesi and other Plasmodium species in Sabah, Malaysia.

Background: The monkey parasite Plasmodium knowlesi is an emerging public health issue in Southeast Asia. In Sabah, Malaysia, P. knowlesi is now the dominant cause of human malaria.