Rebecca Traub

Publications (53) View all

• Source

  Available from: Yvonne A L Lim

  Article: Epidemiological and genetic data supporting the transmission of Ancylostoma ceylanicum among human and domestic animals.

  Romano Ngui, Yvonne A L Lim, Rebecca Traub, Rohela Mahmud, Mohd Sani Mistam
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  ABSTRACT: Currently, information on species-specific hookworm infection is unavailable in Malaysia and is restricted worldwide due to limited application of molecular diagnostic tools. Given the importance of accurate identification of hookworms, this study was conducted as part of an ongoing molecular epidemiological investigation aimed at providing the first documented data on species-specific hookworm infection, associated risk factors and the role of domestic animals as reservoirs for hookworm infections in endemic communities of Malaysia. A total of 634 human and 105 domestic canine and feline fecal samples were randomly collected. The overall prevalence of hookworm in humans and animals determined via microscopy was 9.1% (95% CI = 7.0-11.7%) and 61.9% (95% CI = 51.2-71.2%), respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that participants without the provision of proper latrine systems (OR = 3.5; 95% CI = 1.53-8.00; p = 0.003), walking barefooted (OR = 5.6; 95% CI = 2.91-10.73; p<0.001) and in close contact with pets or livestock (OR = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.19-7.15; p = 0.009) were more likely to be infected with hookworms. Molecular analysis revealed that while most hookworm-positive individuals were infected with Necator americanus, Ancylostoma ceylanicum constituted 12.8% of single infections and 10.6% mixed infections with N. americanus. As for cats and dogs, 52.0% were positive for A. ceylanicum, 46.0% for Ancylostoma caninum and 2.0% for Ancylostoma braziliense and all were single infections. This present study provided evidence based on the combination of epidemiological, conventional diagnostic and molecular tools that A. ceylanicum infection is common and that its transmission dynamic in endemic areas in Malaysia is heightened by the close contact of human and domestic animal (i.e., dogs and cats) populations.
  PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 02/2012; 6(2):e1522. · 4.69 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Piyanan Taweethavonsawat

  Article: Comparative efficacy of a spot-on formulation containing emodepside and praziquantel (Profender(®), Bayer) and praziquantel and pyrantel oral tablets (Drontal(®) for Cats) against experimental Ancylostoma ceylanicum infections in cats.

  Piyanan Taweethavonsawat, Sudchit Chungpivat, Supoj Watanapongchati, Rebecca J Traub, Roland Schaper
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  ABSTRACT: Ancylostoma ceylanicum is a common zoonotic hookworm of dogs and cats throughout Asia and has also been reported to occur within the Australasian region. The aim of this study to was to determine the efficacy of a spot-on formulation containing emodepside and praziquantel (Profender(®), Bayer) and praziquantel and pyrantel oral tablets (Drontal(®) for Cats, Bayer) against experimental A. ceylanicum infections in cats. Twenty-four kittens were each subcutaneously injected with 100 infective third-stage larvae of A. ceylanicum. Kittens were stratified by egg count and randomly allocated equally into control and two treatment groups. The first group were treated with emodepside 2.1%/praziquantel 8.6% (Profender®, Bayer) at the recommended label dose. The second group was treated with 80mg pyrantel and 20mg praziquantel (Drontal(®) for Cats, Bayer) at the recommended label dose. The kittens in the control group were not treated. Egg counts were performed daily until the end of the study period and compared for the treated and control groups. No eggs were detected in the treated group of kittens within 4 days of treatment and faecal samples from this group remained negative throughout the rest of the study, resulting in a treatment efficacy (egg reduction) of 100% (P<0.0001). The egg counts remained high (993±666epg) in the untreated control group for the rest of the study period. This study demonstrated that both combination products containing topical emodepside/praziquantel (Profender(®), Bayer) and praziquantel/pyrantel oral tablets (Drontal(®) for Cats, Bayer) given at the recommended dose is highly effective against infection with A. ceylanicum in cats.
  Veterinary Parasitology 09/2012; · 2.58 Impact Factor
• Article: A survey of canine filarial diseases of veterinary and public health significance in India

  Megat Abd Rani Puteri Azaziah, Peter Irwin, Mukulesh Gatne, Glen Coleman, Linda McInnes, Rebecca Traub
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  ABSTRACT: Abstract Background Dirofilaria spp., Acanthocheilonema spp. and Brugia spp. have all been reported in Indian dogs. In previous studies, diagnosis was made by morphological identification only. This is the first geographically stratified cross-sectional study in India to determine the prevalence and geographical distribution of canine filarial species of veterinary and public health importance, using a combination of conventional and molecular diagnostic techniques. Results A total of 139 from 525 dogs (26.5%; 95% CI 22.7, 30.3) were positive for microfilariae. The most common species of canine filaria identified in this study was A. reconditum (9.3%) followed by D. repens (6.7%) and D. immitis (1.5%). Three out of 525 dogs were found to have mixed infections on PCR. The morphological and molecular evidence on the sequence of the 18S gene and phylogenetic analysis of the ITS-2 region provided strong evidence that the canine microfilariae discovered in the Himalayan city of Ladakh belong to a novel species of Acanthocheilonema . Two dogs in Ladakh were also found to have mixed infections of the novel species described above and a unique microfilaria which morphologically resembled Microfilaria auquieri Foley, 1921. Conclusions At least six species of filarial nematode are now known to infect dogs in India, two of which were reported for the first time in this study. The study also confirms and extends the geographical distribution of canine heartworm ( D. immitis ) which overlaps with D. repens , emphasising the importance for veterinary clinicians and diagnostic laboratories to utilise immunodiagnostic tests that will not cross-react between those two filarial species. From a public health viewpoint, the distribution and prevalences of these nematodes warrant an appropriate prophylaxis to be administered to dogs.
  Parasites & Vectors. 01/2010;
• Article: Efficacy of a combination product containing pyrantel, febantel and praziquantel (Drontal Plus Flavour, Bayer Animal Health) against experimental infection with the hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum in dogs.

  Piyanan Taweethavonsawat, Sudchit Chungpivat, Pakkawan Satranarakun, Rebecca J Traub, Roland Schaper
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  ABSTRACT: Ancylostoma ceylanicum is a common hookworm of dogs, cats and humans in Asia. More recently, this hookworm was found to infect dogs in Australia. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a combination product containing pyrantel, febantel and praziquantel (Drontal) Plus Flavour, Bayer) against A. ceylanicum in experimentally infected dogs. Twelve dogs were each subcutaneously injected with 300 infective third-stage larvae of A. ceylanicum. Pups were stratified by egg count and randomly allocated equally into control and treatment groups. The pups in the treatment group were treated orally at 20 days post-infection with a tablet containing pyrantel, febantel and praziquantel (Drontal Plus Flavour, Bayer) with the recommended dose of one tablet per 10 kg bodyweight. The dogs in the control group were not treated. Egg counts were performed daily until the end of the study period and compared for the treated and control groups. No eggs were detected in the treated group of pups within 3 days of treatment, and faecal samples from this group remained negative throughout the rest of the study resulting in a treatment efficacy (egg reduction) of 100% (p = 0.0011). The egg counts for the untreated group remained high for the rest of the study period. This trial demonstrated that a combination tablet containing pyrantel, febantel and praziquantel (Drontal Plus Flavour, Bayer) given at the manufacturer's recommended dose is effective against infection with A. ceylanicum in dogs.
  Parasitology Research 11/2009; 106(2):533-7. · 2.15 Impact Factor
• Article: Eradication of Blastocystis carriage with antimicrobials: reality or delusion?

  Christen R Stensvold, Huw V Smith, Robyn Nagel, Katharina E P Olsen, Rebecca J Traub
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  ABSTRACT: Metronidazole constitutes a mainstay in the antimicrobial therapy of intestinal protozoa, and is also traditionally considered first-line therapy in cases where there is a requirement to treat Blastocystis, a common protist of disputable clinical significance. Many compounds have been used in attempts to eradicate the parasite, and an accumulating body of data indicates that successful antimicrobial eradication of Blastocystis is far from straightforward. This review focuses on some issues that prevent us from reaching a clear understanding of how to eradicate Blastocystis based on chemotherapeutic intervention, by focusing on conflicting reports on the efficacy of metronidazole and other compounds and study design and data limitations. The review provides a comprehensive overview of antimicrobials used to target Blastocystis, and discusses issues pertaining to drug resistance, treatment failure, and reinfection. Finally, key methodological and molecular diagnostic tools that will assist in the generation of data required to improve current knowledge are identified and discussed.
  Journal of clinical gastroenterology 10/2009; 44(2):85-90. · 2.21 Impact Factor