Doherty Institute - Research Publications

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Start date: 2007 × End date: 2009 × Author: Biggs, Beverley-Ann ×

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    Prevalence of polymorphisms in DHFR, DHPS, PFMDR1 and PFCRT genes of Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam
    Phuc, BQ ; Caruana, SR ; Cowman, AF ; Biggs, B-A ; Thanh, NV ; Tien, NT ; Thuan, LK (SEAMEO TROPMED Network, 2008-11)
    In 2002 an antimalarial drug resistance survey was carried out in a seasonally endemic area of Vietnam. Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (S/P) was the standard treatment recommended for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in that area at the time. Early or late treatment failure as defined by WHO was observed in 14.9% (7/47) of patients. Molecular analysis of treatment failure isolates identified that 5/6 carried two or more dhfr and dhps polymorphisms associated with S/P resistance. Chloroquine resistance-associated polymorphisms occurred in 38.5% (15/39) of the isolates. These results support the move to artemisinin-based combination therapy for malaria in Vietnam.
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    Vitamin D deficiency is associated with tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection in immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa
    Gibney, KB ; MacGregor, L ; Leder, K ; Torresi, J ; Marshall, C ; Ebeling, PR ; Biggs, B-A (OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC, 2008-02-01)
    Among African immigrants in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, we demonstrated lower geometric mean vitamin D levels in immigrants with latent tuberculosis infection than in those with no Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (P=.007); such levels were also lower in immigrants with tuberculosis or past tuberculosis than in those with latent tuberculosis infection (P=.001). Higher vitamin D levels were associated with lower probability of any M. tuberculosis infection (P=.001) and lower probability of tuberculosis or past tuberculosis (compared with latent tuberculosis infection; P=.001).
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    Anemia, iron deficiency, meat consumption, and hookworm infection in women of reproductive age in northwest Vietnam
    Pasricha, S-R ; Caruana, SR ; Phuc, TQ ; Casey, GJ ; Jolley, D ; Kingsland, S ; Tien, NT ; MacGregor, L ; Montresor, A ; Biggs, B-A (AMER SOC TROP MED & HYGIENE, 2008-03)
    Iron deficiency anemia poses an important public health problem for women of reproductive age living in developing countries. We assessed the prevalence of iron deficiency and anemia and associated risk factors in a community-based sample of women living in a rural province of northwest Vietnam. A cross-sectional survey, comprised of written questionnaires and laboratory analysis of hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, transferrin receptor, and stool hookworm egg count, was undertaken, and the soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin index was calculated. Of 349 non-pregnant women, 37.53% were anemic (Hb < 12 g/dL), and 23.10% were iron deficient (ferritin < 15 ng/L). Hookworm infection was present in 78.15% of women, although heavy infection was uncommon (6.29%). Iron deficiency was more prevalent in anemic than non-anemic women (38.21% versus 14.08%, P < 0.001). Consumption of meat at least three times a week was more common in non-anemic women (51.15% versus 66.67%, P = 0.042). Mean ferritin was lower in anemic women (18.99 versus 35.66 ng/mL, P < 0.001). There was no evidence of a difference in prevalence (15.20% versus 17.23%, P = 0.629) or intensity (171.07 versus 129.93 eggs/g, P = 0.412) of hookworm infection between anemic and non-anemic women. Although intensity of hookworm infection and meat consumption were associated with indices of iron deficiency in a multiple regression model, their relationship with hemoglobin was not significant. Anemia, iron deficiency, and hookworm infection were prevalent in this population. Intake of meat was more clearly associated with hemoglobin and iron indices than hookworm. An approach to addressing iron deficiency in this population should emphasize both iron supplementation and deworming.
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    The Profile of Health Problems in African Immigrants Attending an Infectious Disease Unit in Melbourne, Australia
    Gibney, KB ; Mihrshahi, S ; Torresi, J ; Marshall, C ; Leder, K ; Biggs, B-A (AMER SOC TROP MED & HYGIENE, 2009-05)
    The number of African immigrants living in Western countries is increasing. A retrospective audit of sub-Saharan African patients attending the infectious diseases clinics of a Melbourne teaching hospital was performed. A total of 375 patients were included. Helicobacter pylori gastritis was diagnosed in 60% of those tested (35/58), schistosomiasis in 41% (84/206), chronic hepatitis B in 19% (32/167), and strongyloidiasis in 18% (32/179). Active tuberculosis (TB) affected 18% (51/276) and latent TB 55% (152/276). Pathologic parasites were detected in stool in 21% (31/145). Vitamin D deficiency (< 50 nmol/L) affected 73% (139/191), anemia 17% (52/312), iron deficiency 15% (22/151), and low neutrophil count 25% (78/312). Infectious diseases, vitamin D deficiency, anemia, and latent TB were common in sub-Saharan African immigrants. Clinicians need to be aware of these conditions to meet the health needs of this group. Comprehensive health checks should be encouraged for new arrivals, particularly from high-risk areas.