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V. Nissapatorn,
C.K.C. Lee,
Y.A.L. Lim,
K.S. Tan,
I. Jamaiah,
M. Rohela, B.L.H. Sim,
A. Ahmad,
S. Hadita,
P.W. Lott,
K.T. Ng,
M.E. Poh,
J. Zuliana,
A. Khairul Anuar
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ABSTRACT: A total of 693 HIV/AIDS patients were recruited in this retrospective and descriptive study during April 2003 to December 2004, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was found that both genders were shown to be within the same range of age (M = 18-79 vs F = 18-73), while a median age was slightly higher in male (36 years) than female (31 years). The majority of both genders were significantly shown in the age group of 25 to 34 years, but a higher rate was evident in females (42%) (p = 0.001). It was even observed that male patients were mainly Chinese (44.7%) and single (57.3%) (p = 0.001), while the females were Chinese (40.6) and married (83.3%) (p = 0.000). However, the highest numbers of both genders were manifested to be heterosexuals (M = 47.6% vs F = 86.2%), followed by intravenous drug users (M = 39.3% vs F = 6.5%) (p = 0.000). The range of CD4 cell count was 0 to 1799 with a median of 230 cells/mm3. The level of CD4 cell count of < 200 cells/mm3 was significantly found in males (48.5%) and between 200 to 499 and ≥500 cells/mm3 were 36.2 and 26.8% in females, respectively (p = 0.001). Overall, the Toxoplasma seroprevalence was 43.85% where seropositive of anti-Toxoplasma antibody relatively higher in males (50%) than in females (37.7%) (p = 0.015). Toxoplasma seropositivity was thoroughly evident among Malays (168; 51.1%), Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs) and patients with toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) (p = 0.001). Furthermore, anti-retroviral therapy including HAART was more significantly found in patients with 9 seropositive Toxoplasma when compared to 2 seronegative and unknown serostatus patients (p = 0.025). Seventeen AIDS-related toxoplasmic encephalitis patients were diagnosed at the time of this study, depicting hemiparesis as the most common neurological manifestation in 11 (64.7%) patients, followed by headache and seizure in 6 (35.3%) and 3 (17.7%) patients, respectively. Interestingly, CT scan finding showed mass like structure with multiple (58.8%), ring enhancing lesions (100%), in parietal region (58.8%) and edema (29.4%) in these patients. Overall, the treatment outcome showed that 13 (76.5%) patients had completed treatment with maintenance, whereas, 3 (17.6%) patients were lost to follow up and 1 (6%) patient was transferred to another hospital. No relapse or death case was reported during the time of this study.
Research Journal of Parasitology. 01/2007; 2(1):23-31.
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Public Health 06/2006; 120(5):441-3. · 1.35 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This retrospective study was conducted at the National Tuberculosis Center (NTBC) where 252 HIV-positive patients coexisting with tuberculosis (TB/HIV) were examined. We found that patients with pulmonary (PTB) and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPT) had similar mean age. A higher sex ratio between male to female (10.7:1) was observed in patients with PTB. The other characteristics of patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis were not statistically different from each other. Cough (88%) and hemoptysis were the most common presenting symptoms, significantly related to patients with PTB. Lymphadenopathy (33.5%) was the most common sign in patients with EPT. The majority of patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis had CD4 cell counts of less than 200 cells/mm3 (range 0-1,179 with a median of 57 cells/mm3). Lung (89%) and miliary (55.6%) forms were the most frequent disease locations in patients with PTB and EPT, respectively. A higher percentage of patients with PTB (42%) were treated successfully with short-course (6 months) therapy, whereas in patients with EPT (43%) needed a longer period (9 months) for successful treatment. Of the patients who defaulted treatment, a higher proportion (87%) had PTB. No MDR-TB or relapse cases were found in this study.
The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health 08/2005; 36(4):946-53. · 0.60 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A total of 66 fecal specimens obtained from patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from Kajang Hospital were screened for Cryptosporidium oocysts. The fecal specimens were concentrated using the formalin ethyl acetate concentration technique, stained with modified Ziehl-Neelsen and confirmed with immunofluorescence stain. It was established that 2 (3.0%) were positive for Cryptosporidium. The two cases involved a Chinese local man (with diarrhea) and an Indonesian foreigner (without diarrhea). A higher index of suspicion for clinical cryptosporidiosis in HIV patients, including those with chronic weight loss with or without diarrhea, is recommended. In addition, laboratory testing for Cryptosporidium in HIV-infected patients is highly recommended in order to have a better understanding of the epidemiology and management of the disease in Malaysia.
The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health 02/2005; 36 Suppl 4:30-3. · 0.60 Impact Factor
