Hassanain Al-Talib | Universiti Teknologi Mara (original) (raw)

Papers by Hassanain Al-Talib

International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2008

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2011

PantonValentine leukocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin which causes leukocyte destruction and tissue nec... more PantonValentine leukocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin which causes leukocyte destruction and tissue necrosis. Although it is produced by fewer than 5z of Staphylococcus aureus strains, PVL producing S. aureus is emerging as a serious problem worldwide. There has been a marked increase in the incidence of necrotizing lung infections with a very high mortality associated with these strains. This report describes a fatal case of hospitalacquired necrotizing pneumonia caused by PVLpositive methicillinsusceptible S. aureus in a patient with a brain tumor.

The PCR was validated with 235 nasal swabs specimens and was found to be 100% sensitive and speci... more The PCR was validated with 235 nasal swabs specimens and was found to be 100% sensitive and specific. The stability of the thermostabilized PCR was evaluated using the Q 10 method and it was found to be stable for approximately 6 months at 24 C. The limit of detection of thermostabilized PCR assay was determined by probit regression (95% confidence interval) was 10 6 colony forming units at the bacterial cell level and 10 ng of DNA at the genomic DNA level, which is comparable with conventional PCR methods.

Background. Familial hypercholesterolemia and familial defective apo lipoprotein B are genetic di... more Background. Familial hypercholesterolemia and familial defective apo lipoprotein B are genetic disorders caused by defects in the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene and apo lipoprotein B 100 genes, respectively. The clinical phenotype of both diseases is characterized by increased plasma levels of total cholesterol and low density lipopro-tein cholesterol, tendinous xanthomata, and premature coronary heart disease. Objectives. The aim of this study is to perform an association study between different gene sequence variants in low-density lipoprotein and apo lipoprotein B 100 genes to the clinical finding and lipid profile parameters of the study subjects. Material and Methods. A group of 164 familial hypercholesterolemic patients were recruited. The promoter region, exon 2-15 of the low density lipoprotein gene and parts of exon 26 and 29 of apo lipoprotein B 100 gene were screened by Denaturating Gradient High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Results. For the apo lipoprotein B 100 gene, those with apo lipoprotein B 100 gene mutation have a significantly higher frequency of cardiovascular disease (P = 0.045), higher low density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol: high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio than those without mutation (P = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively). For the low density lipoprotein gene defect those with frame shift mutation group showed the worst clinical presentation in terms of low density lipoprotein cholesterol level and cardiovascular frequency. Conclusions. There was a statistically significant association between mutations of low density lipoprotein gene and apo lipoprotein B 100 genes and history of cardiovascular disease, younger age of presentation, family history of hyperlipidemia, tendon xanthoma and low density lipoprotein cholesterol level (Adv Clin Exp Med 2013, 22, 1, 00-00).

Objectives: This study is aimed to measure the LDL-C achievement in response to lipid lowering th... more Objectives: This study is aimed to measure the LDL-C achievement in response to lipid lowering therapy and to demonstrate the lipid profile parameters of Malaysian dyslipidemic patients in comparison to Malaysian healthy populations. Design: retrospective record review analysis was conducted. Materials and Methods: 980 dyslipidemic files were obtained from the Record Unit, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM), in the State of Kelantan, Malaysia. The dyslipidemic patients included were those with prescribed lipid lowering therapy , standard statin dose or otherwise, from January 2007 (index date). The first lipid profile parameters value reading before starting the lipid lowering therapy was regarded as a baseline. Results: Statins were prescribed in 92.2%. Atorvastatin was prescribed in 50% of the patients. Those on losvastatins were obtained the best LDL-C achievement (48.4 %) with a significant difference among the different drugs groups (P = 0.04). There was a significant difference in the lipid profiles between the dyslipidemic patients in this study and the healthy populations from other studies (P < 0.0001, < 0.0001, 0.01, < 0.0001) for total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipopro-tein cholesterol and triglyceride level, respectively. Conclusion: The majority of the dyslipidemic patients were on statins with the biggest response among those who are on los-vastatins. The lipid profile parameters of Malaysian dyslipidemic patients were significantly higher than those from that healthy population. KEY WORDS statins, Malaysians, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipid lowering therapy

Extraction of DNA from Staphylococcus aureus is often difficult and less efficient. In this study... more Extraction of DNA from Staphylococcus aureus is often difficult and less efficient. In this study, the relative recovery of extraction of staphylococcal DNA from pure culture was compared using rapid lysis, bashing beads and commercial silica column methods. For both methicillin-resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus the DNA extracted by rapid lysis method was found to have higher value of DNA concentration than bashing beads and silica column methods. The concentrations of DNA obtained from both methicillin-resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus by rapid lysis method were 74 and 98 µg/ml, while DNA obtained by bashing beads method were 35 and 31 µg/ml in that order from the same strains. The DNA concentrations obtained from the commercial silica column method were 5 and 3 µg/ml correspondingly from the same strains. The present study indicated that rapid lysis method might be a suitable choice for extracting DNA from Staphylococcus aureus strains. For commercial silica column method, high molecular weight intact DNA bands were not observed. Therefore the use of specific and optimized DNA extraction methods is important for the successful PCR on clinical samples.

Background: Neonatal septicemia (NNS) is a major cause of death in newborns despite sophisticated... more Background: Neonatal septicemia (NNS) is a major cause of death in newborns despite sophisticated intensive care. This retrospective study described the epidemiology of NNS, evaluated the impact of risk factors on the NNS cases and mortality rate, and determined the bacteriological profile and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of NNS in neonatal care units. Methods: This study was done in four referral hospitals located in north Iraq for a period of 2 years. Hospital records of all neonates with positive blood cultures were reviewed retrospectively. Neonates were divided into those with onset of sepsis in the first 7 days of life (early-onset group) and those with onset after 7 days of life (late-onset group). Epidemiology, risk factors, outcomes , causative pathogens, and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of early and late-onset NNS were compared. Results: The estimated incidence rate of NNS was 5.7/1000 live birth, with both proportional morbidity rate and fatality rate of 9%. In early-onset group, a low Apgar score at 5 min, and prolong rupture of membrane were significantly higher, while younger gestational age was significantly higher among late-onset group. The most frequently isolated bacteria were coagulase-negative staphylococci and S. aureus. Gram positive organisms displayed a high degree of resistance to most penicillins and cephalosporins but vancomycin and imepenem were effective in them. There was a high resistance rates noted with most third generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides amongst most Gram negative organisms where amikacin and imepenem were effective in most cases. Conclusions: The knowledge of the prevailing strains, the epidemiologic and microbiologic characteristic of NNS remain the keystones for management of this nosocomial infection, and is essential to meet the challenge of NNS with equal proficiency and opposing force.

S taphylococcus aureus is a major pathogen associated with serious community and hospital-acquire... more S taphylococcus aureus is a major pathogen associated with serious community and hospital-acquired diseases. Methicillin-resistant S aureus 1 (MRSA) is responsible for a growing number of nosocomial infections, particularly in critically ill patients. 2,3 MRSA epidemiology seems to be changing, with MRSA strains being implicated in serious infections and nosocomial outbreaks, which appear to be disseminated globally in adult, pediatric, and neonatal intensive care units (ICUs). 4,5 The prevalence of MRSA infection varies from 5% to >50%, depending on the characteristics and size of the hospital. In Australia, 31.9% of the 2908 S aureus samples taken from 32 laboratories from all states and territories of the country were resistant BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major nosocomial pathogen that causes severe morbidity and mortality in many hospitals worldwide. The aim of the present study was to assess the burden of MRSA nosocomial infection, its association with factors of interest, and its antimicrobial susceptibility. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of a database of all S aureus that were cultured from patients admitted to the different wards of Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) over a period of 6 years. RESULTS: The MRSA infections rate was 10.0 per 1000 hospital admissions. The incidence density rate of MRSA infections during the study period was 1.8 per 1000 patient-days, with annual rates ranging from 0.95 to 3.47 per 1000 patient-days. Duration of hospitalization, previous antibiotic use, and bedside invasive procedures were significantly higher among MRSA than methicillin-sensitive S aureus patients (P>.05). The highest number of MRSA infections were found in orthopedic wards (25.3%), followed by surgical wards (18.2%) and intensive care units (ICUs) (16.4%). All MRSA isolates were resistant to erythromycin (98.0%), co-trimoxazole (94.0%) and gentamicin (92.0%). Clindamycin was the best antibiotic with only 6% resistance. All MRSA isolates were sensitive to vancomycin. CONCLUSION: The rate of nosocomial MRSA infection per 1000 admissions was higher than that in other studies. The three factors associated most significantly with acquired MRSA infections included duration of hospitalization, antibiotic use, and bedside invasive procedures. This study confirmed that vancomycin-resistant S aureus has not yet been established in HUSM.

Objective: Monochorionic (MC) pregnancies are routinely delivered electively at various late pret... more Objective: Monochorionic (MC) pregnancies are routinely delivered electively at various late preterm gestations with the intention of avoiding stillbirth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prospective risk of late stillbirth in a large regional cohort and undertake a systematic review of the literature on routinely managed twin pregnancies of known chorionicity. Methods: A retrospective study of all twin births of known chorionicity from a large regional cohort of nine hospitals (STORK collaborative) taken over a 10 year period matched to a mandatory national register of stillbirth (CMACE). The data of the current study was included in a systematic review of selected studies of stillbirth in routinely managed twin pregnancies of known chorionicity. Results: A total of 3005 twin pregnancies delivered after 26 weeks of gestation in the STORK collaborative, and this was combined with data from eight studies selected from the systematic review of the literature. The total risk of stillbirth after 26 weeks in MC twins (21.7/ 1000 fetuses) was significantly higher (OR 3.26, 95% CI 2.36-4.5) than in DC twins (6.7/1000 fetuses). The prospective risk of stillbirth in MC twins did not change significantly between 26+ weeks (3.6/ 1000 fetuses) and 36+ weeks (5.2/1000 fetuses, OR 1.85, 95% 0.3-13.2). The equivalent figures for DC twins were 0.8/1000 fetuses and 1.7/1000 fetuses, respectively (OR 3.4, 95% 0.9-13.2). Conclusion: The risk of stillbirth in MC twins does not appear to increase significantly near term. This observation may be due to a policy of routine surveillance and elective delivery from 36 weeks. In the UK the concept of dignity and respect in health care commands much public and media interest, predominantly in elderly care. However, there is a paucity of work regarding dignity and respect in obstetrics and gynaecology despite its important and topical nature. In order to begin exploring how the concept might be studied in our specialty we undertook a literature review on dignity and respect in obstetrics and gynaecology from 2001 to 2011 and identified key themes. Formal complaints to the department over a 2 year period were then mapped to the themes identified in the literature review. The following threats to dignity were identified: discrimination against women, fear, pain, intimate examinations, power of care-giver over the woman, over-medicalisation, excessive form-filling and staff shift changes. Dignity was maintained by the woman herself through control of the private sphere, setting appropriate boundaries and retaining ownership of pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care. It was also maintained by healthcare teams that treated women as individuals, ensured the patient was not exposed either physically or emotionally, and allowed women their desired level of control. Maintenance of dignity required women to have a relationship based on trust in the knowledge and skills of their health care provider and was strongly associated with honouring requests for pain relief. The analysis of departmental complaints revealed clustering around domains addressing pain management, communication and attitude, not around areas such as autonomy, personal hygiene, privacy or safety. When compared with the literature review we had fewer complaints than expected regarding autonomy, but the complaints revealed no additional themes that had not been identified in the literature. Combining the results of the complaint analysis exercise and the literature review enabled us to plan future service user based feedback, allowing active quality assurance based on sound evidence rather than solely relying on a complaint driven system to effect change. Finally we regard this as a chance to highlight areas within our specialty that we can reflect on to bring the best to women's health care. FC1.03 Informed Consent-What is the evidence?

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin which causes leukocyte destruction and tissue ne... more Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin which causes leukocyte destruction and tissue necrosis. Although it is produced by fewer than 5z of Staphylococcus aureus strains, PVL-producing S. aureus is emerging as a serious problem worldwide. There has been a marked increase in the incidence of necrotizing lung infections with a very high mortality associated with these strains. This report describes a fatal case of hospital-acquired necrotizing pneumonia caused by PVL-positive methicillin-susceptible S. aureus in a patient with a brain tumor.

Introduction: Honey has potent bactericidal activity against many pathogenic organisms, including... more Introduction: Honey has potent bactericidal activity against many pathogenic organisms, including various Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial effect of Malaysian honey against different species of human pathogens using optimized honey broth media. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial activity of honey against standard strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and yeast was tested in vitro by the broth dilution method using 10%-100% w/v concentrations prepared in tryptic soy broth. Results: Streptococcus pyogenes was the most sensitive pathogen, it was completely inhibited by 30% honey broth medium. The most resistant were E. faecalis, S. aureus and MRSA, but they were all completely inhibited by 80% honey broth medium. Conclusion: Honey is shown to possess antimicrobial activity against human Gram-positive and negative medically important bacteria.

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin which causes leukocyte destruction and tissue ne... more Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin which causes leukocyte destruction and tissue necrosis. Although it is produced by fewer than 5z of Staphylococcus aureus strains, PVLproducing S. aureus is emerging as a serious problem worldwide. There has been a marked increase in the incidence of necrotizing lung infections with a very high mortality associated with these strains. This report describes a fatal case of hospital-acquired necrotizing pneumonia caused by PVL-positive methicillin-susceptible S. aureus in a patient with a brain tumor.

Introduction: Honey has potent bactericidal activity against many pathogenic organisms, including... more Introduction: Honey has potent bactericidal activity against many pathogenic organisms, including various Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial effect of Malaysian honey against different species of human pathogens using optimized honey broth media. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial activity of honey against standard strains of Gram-negative and Grampositive bacteria and yeast was tested in vitro by the broth dilution method using 10%-100% w/v concentrations prepared in tryptic soy broth. Results: Streptococcus pyogenes was the most sensitive pathogen, it was completely inhibited by 30% honey broth medium. The most resistant were E. faecalis, S. aureus and MRSA, but they were all completely inhibited by 80% honey broth medium. Conclusion: Honey is shown to possess antimicrobial activity against human Gram-positive and negative medically important bacteria.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2008

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2011

Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin which causes leukocyte destruction and tissue ne... more Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a cytotoxin which causes leukocyte destruction and tissue necrosis. Although it is produced by fewer than 5z of Staphylococcus aureus strains, PVLproducing S. aureus is emerging as a serious problem worldwide. There has been a marked increase in the incidence of necrotizing lung infections with a very high mortality associated with these strains. This report describes a fatal case of hospital-acquired necrotizing pneumonia caused by PVL-positive methicillin-susceptible S. aureus in a patient with a brain tumor.

Introduction: Honey has potent bactericidal activity against many pathogenic organisms, including... more Introduction: Honey has potent bactericidal activity against many pathogenic organisms, including various Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial effect of Malaysian honey against different species of human pathogens using optimized honey broth media. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial activity of honey against standard strains of Gram-negative and Grampositive bacteria and yeast was tested in vitro by the broth dilution method using 10%-100% w/v concentrations prepared in tryptic soy broth. Results: Streptococcus pyogenes was the most sensitive pathogen, it was completely inhibited by 30% honey broth medium. The most resistant were E. faecalis, S. aureus and MRSA, but they were all completely inhibited by 80% honey broth medium. Conclusion: Honey is shown to possess antimicrobial activity against human Gram-positive and negative medically important bacteria.