exudates and Swine-Diseases

The emergence of Hendra and Nipah viruses in the 1990s has been followed by the further emergence of these viruses in the tropical Old World. The history and current knowledge of the disease, the viruses and their epidemiology is reviewed in this article. A historical aside summarizes the role that Dr. Brian W.J. Mahy played at critical junctures in the early stories of these viruses.

Topics: Animals; Australia; Bangladesh; Chiroptera; Communicable Disease Control; Disease Outbreaks; DNA, Complementary; Genome, Viral; Hendra Virus; Henipavirus Infections; Humans; Malaysia; Nipah Virus; Plasmids; Reverse Genetics; Swine; Swine Diseases; Viral Proteins; Virus Replication

The outbreak of Nipah virus, affecting pigs and pig-farm workers, was first noted in September 1998 in the north-western part of peninsular Malaysia. By March 1999, the outbreak had spread to other pig-farming areas of the country, inclusive of the neighbouring country, Singapore. A total of 283 human cases of viral encephalitis with 109 deaths were recorded in Malaysia from 29 September 1998 to December 1999. During the outbreak period, a number of surveillances under three broad groups; Surveillance in Human Health Sector, Surveillance in Animal Health Sector, and Surveillance for the Reservoir Hosts, were carried out to determine the prevalence, risk of virus infections and transmission in human and swine populations as well as the source and reservoir hosts of Nipah virus. Surveillance data showed that the virus spread rapidly among pigs within infected farms and transmission was attributed to direct contact with infective excretions and secretions. The spread of the virus among pig farms within and between states of peninsular Malaysia was due to movement of pigs. The transmission of the virus to humans was through close contact with infected pigs. Human to human transmission was considered a rare event though the Nipah virus could be isolated from saliva, urine, nasal and pharyngeal secretions of patients. Field investigations identified fruitbats of the Pteropid species as the natural reservoir hosts of the viruses. The outbreak was effectively brought under control following the discovery of the virus and institution of correct control measures through a combined effort of multi-ministerial and multidisciplinary teams working in close co-operation and collaboration with other international agencies.

Topics: Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Encephalitis, Viral; Henipavirus Infections; Humans; Infection Control; Malaysia; Nipah Virus; Population Surveillance; Swine; Swine Diseases

An outbreak of acute febrile encephalitis affecting pig-farm workers and owners was recognized in peninsular Malaysia as early as September 1998. The outbreak was initially thought to be due to Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus and thus very intensive prevention, control and communication strategies directed at JE virus were undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture of Malaysia. There was an immediate change in the prevention, control and communication strategies with focus and strategies on infected pigs as the source of infections for humans and other animals following the discovery of Nipah virus. Information and understanding the risks of Nipah virus infections and modes of transmission strengthened the directions of prevention, control and communication strategies. A number of epidemiological surveillances and field investigations which were broadly divided into 3 groups covering human health sector, animal health sector and reservoir hosts were carried out as forms of risk assessment to determine and assess the factors and degree of risk of infections by the virus. Data showed that there was significant association between Nipah virus infection and performing activities involving close contact with pigs, such as processing of piglets, administering injection or medication to pigs, assisting in the birth of piglets, assisting in pig breeding, and handling of dead pigs in the affected farms. A complex process of anthropogenic driven deforestation, climatic changes brought on by El Niño-related drought, forest fire and severe haze, and ecological factors of mixed agro-pig farming practices and design of pig-sties led to the spillovers of the virus from its wildlife reservoir into pig population.

Topics: Animals; Communication; Disease Outbreaks; Encephalitis, Viral; Henipavirus Infections; Humans; Infection Control; Malaysia; Nipah Virus; Risk Factors; Swine; Swine Diseases

Nipah virus, a newly emerging deadly paramyxovirus isolated during a large outbreak of viral encephalitis in Malaysia, has many of the physical attributes to serve as a potential agent of bioterrorism. The outbreak caused widespread panic and fear because of its high mortality and the inability to control the disease initially. There were considerable social disruptions and tremendous economic loss to an important pig-rearing industry. This highly virulent virus, believed to be introduced into pig farms by fruit bats, spread easily among pigs and was transmitted to humans who came into close contact with infected animals. From pigs, the virus was also transmitted to other animals such as dogs, cats, and horses. The Nipah virus has the potential to be considered an agent of bioterrorism.

Topics: Agricultural Workers' Diseases; Animals; Bioterrorism; Cats; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Reservoirs; Dogs; Humans; Malaysia; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Paramyxovirinae; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zoonoses

Nipah virus, a novel paramyxovirus, closely related to Hendra virus emerged in northern part of Peninsular Malaysia in 1998. The virus caused an outbreak of severe febrile encephalitis in humans with a high mortality rate, whereas, in pigs, encephalitis and respiratory diseases but with a relatively low mortality rate. The outbreak subsequently spread to various regions of the country and Singapore in the south due to the movement of infected pigs. Nipah virus caused systemic infections in humans, pigs and other mammals. Histopathological and radiological findings were characteristic of the disease. Fruitbats of Pteropid species were identified as the natural reservoir hosts. Evidence suggested that climatic and anthropogenic driven ecological changes coupled with the location of piggeries in orchard and the design of pigsties allowed the spill-over of this novel paramyxovirus from its reservoir host into the domestic pigs and ultimately to humans and other animals.

Topics: Agriculture; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Brain Damage, Chronic; Chiroptera; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Reservoirs; Ecology; Encephalitis, Viral; Hematologic Diseases; Housing, Animal; Humans; Malaysia; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Paramyxovirinae; Population Surveillance; Radiography; Recurrence; Respiratory Tract Infections; Singapore; Swine; Swine Diseases

Traceback systems in most countries of Asia are not well developed, as indicated by responses to a questionnaire by veterinary officials in thirteen countries. Marking of animals for traceback is practised only in a limited number of countries in specific areas or zones and for specific purposes only. In Malaysia, traceback has been undertaken by marking farm code tattoos on pigs. This enables the identification of the farm of origin of pigs found to be infected by Nipah virus in sero-surveillance programmes. The origin of the foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus that surfaced in the Republic of Korea in March 2000 was investigated through several epidemiological studies of suspected sources of contamination such as imported hay, yellow sand, milk collection trucks and feed delivery trucks. None of these studies gave results that indicated the origin of the FMD virus. The origin of the FMD virus that was recorded in Japan in March 2000 was also investigated in epidemiological studies; in this case, imported wheat straw was incriminated as the most likely source of infection. Comparative studies of the pathogenicities of FMD (type O) viruses isolated in Taipei China, the Republic of Korea and Japan, suggest that these viruses might have originated as vaccine strains used in a third country.

Topics: Abattoirs; Animal Feed; Animal Husbandry; Animal Identification Systems; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Disease Outbreaks; Foot-and-Mouth Disease; Humans; Japan; Korea; Malaysia; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Paramyxovirinae; Swine; Swine Diseases

Between late 1998 and 1999, the spread of a new disease of pigs, characterized by a pronounced respiratory and neurological syndrome, sometimes accompanied by the sudden death of sows and boars, was recorded in pig farms in peninsular Malaysia. The disease appeared to have a close association with an epidemic of viral encephalitis among workers on pig farms. A previously unrecognised paramyxovirus was later identified from this outbreak; this virus was related to, but distinct from, the Hendra virus discovered in Australia in 1994. The new virus was named 'Nipah' and was confirmed by molecular characterization to be the agent responsible for the disease in both humans and pigs. The name proposed for the new pig disease was 'porcine respiratory and neurological syndrome' (also known as 'porcine respiratory and encephalitis syndrome'), or, in peninsular Malaysia, 'barking pig syndrome'. The authors describe the new disease and provide the epidemiological findings recorded among infected pigs. In addition, the control programmes which were instituted to contain the virus in the national swine herd are outlined.

Topics: Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Malaysia; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Paramyxovirinae; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zoonoses

Porcine circovirus type 4 (PCV4) is the newest member in the porcine circovirus family, first reported in 2020. To date, the presence of PCV4 has only been reported in China, South Korea and most recently in Thailand. Detection of PCV4 have been reported in various production stages of pigs from piglets, finishers to sows; associated with a myriad of clinical manifestations including porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS), postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), respiratory, enteric and neurological diseases. While successful virus isolation and culture has yet to be reported, pathogenicity of PCV4 has been demonstrated through infectious clone studies. The objective of this study is to investigate the presence of PCV4 in Malaysian porcine population to update the epidemiology of porcine circoviruses in Malaysia. A total of 49 samples from commercial intensive pig farms, abattoir and wild boar population were subjected to conventional polymerase chain reaction assay to detect PCV4 capsid (cap) genome. Resulting cap nucleotide sequences were analyzed for maximum likelihood phylogeny relationship. Results revealed that PCV4 is present in Peninsular Malaysia at a molecular prevalence of 4.08% (2 / 49 samples). Both PCV4 positive samples originated from clinically healthy finishers. Malaysian PCV4 strains were classified as genotype PCV4b, and were found to be phylogenetically distinct from the China, South Korea and Thailand strains. With this latest update of the novel PCV4 in Malaysia, it is clear that more attention needs to be given to the investigation of novel porcine circoviruses (PCV) and management of PCV diseases.

Topics: Animals; Base Sequence; Capsid Proteins; Circoviridae Infections; Circovirus; Malaysia; Phylogeny; Swine; Swine Diseases

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic inflammatory and zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) members, affecting several domestic animals, wildlife species and humans. The preliminary investigation was aimed to detect antibody against MTBC among indigenous wildlife which are free-ranged wild boar, free-ranged wild macaques and captive Asian elephants in selected areas of Selangor and elephant conservation centre in Pahang, respectively. The results indicate that MTBC serodetection rate in wild boar was 16.7% (7.3-33.5 at 95% confidence interval (CI)) using an in-house ELISA bPPD IgG and 10% (3.5-25.6 at 95% CI) by DPP

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Elephants; Macaca; Malaysia; Mycobacterium bovis; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Sus scrofa; Swine; Swine Diseases; Tuberculosis

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae has been associated with a wide range of infections in humans and animals. The objective of this study was to determine the genomic characteristics of two multiple drug resistant, ESBLs-producing K. pneumoniae strains isolated from a swine in 2013 (KP2013Z28) and a hospitalized patient in 2014 (KP2014C46) in Malaysia. Genomic analyses of the two K. pneumoniae strains indicated the presence of various antimicrobial resistance genes associated with resistance to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, colistin, fluoroquinolones, phenicols, tetracycline, sulfonamides, and trimethoprim, corresponding to the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the strains. KP2013Z28 (ST25) and KP2014C46 (ST929) harbored 5 and 2 genomic plasmids, respectively. The phylogenomics of these two Malaysian K. pneumoniae, with other 19 strains around the world was determined based on SNPs analysis. Overall, the strains were resolved into five clusters that comprised of strains with different resistance determinants. This study provided a better understanding of the resistance mechanisms and phylogenetic relatedness of the Malaysian strains with 19 strains isolated worldwide. This study also highlighted the needs to monitor the usage of antibiotics in hospital settings, animal husbandry, and agricultural practices due to the increase of β-lactam, aminoglycosides, tetracycline, and colistin resistance among pathogenic bacteria for better infection control.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Proteins; beta-Lactamases; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Genome, Bacterial; Genomics; Humans; Klebsiella Infections; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Malaysia; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Phylogeny; Plasmids; Swine; Swine Diseases

West Nile virus (WNV), a neurotropic arbovirus, has been detected in mosquitos, birds, wildlife, horses, and humans in Malaysia, but limited information is available on WNV infection in Malaysian pigs. We tested 80 archived swine serum samples for the presence of WNV antibody and West Nile (WN) viral RNA using ID Screen West Nile Competition Multi-species enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits and WNV-specific primers in reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays, respectively. A WNV seroprevalence of 62.5% (50/80) at 95% confidence interval (51.6%-72.3%) was recorded, with a significantly higher seroprevalence among young pigs (weaner and grower) and pigs from south Malaysia. One sample was positive for Japanese encephalitis virus antibodies; WN viral RNA was not detected in any of the serum samples.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Malaysia; Prevalence; RNA, Viral; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Sus scrofa; Swine; Swine Diseases; West Nile Fever; West Nile virus

Ticks are hematophagous vectors of arthropod-borne disease agents globally. In Malaysia, despite seroprevalence studies indicating the presence of tick-borne diseases among the indigenous people, the etiological agents of these diseases are still unclear. These indigenous people, also known as the Orang Asli, still live in forested areas with frequent contact with wildlife. Wild boar are ubiquitously found in the forested areas where the Orang Asli communities are located and are commonly hunted as a food supplement. In this study, we aim to determine the tick species parasitizing wild boar from an Orang Asli community, and explore the tick-associated bacterial communities using 16 s rRNA amplicon sequencing on the Ion Torrent PGM™ platform. A total of 72 ticks were collected from three wild boar and were morphologically identified as Haemaphysalis hystricis (n = 32), Dermacentor compactus (n = 15), Amblyomma testudinarium (n = 13), Dermacentor steini (n = 10) and Dermacentor atrosignatus (n = 2). Across all tick samples, 910 bacterial taxa were identified. Although the bacterial communities were not significantly distinct between tick species in beta-diversity analyses, Coxiella, Rickettsia and Francisella were detected at high relative abundance in H. hystricis, D. compactus and D. steini respectively. Many other bacterial genera, including those that have been described in many different tick species, were also identified, including Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium. Beta-diversity analyses also showed that the bacterial communities were separated based on the animal host from which the ticks were collected from, suggesting that the bacterial communities here may be influenced by the animal skin microflora, host blood or the environment. PCR screening confirmed the presence of Rickettsia sp. related to spotted fever group Rickettsia in some of the ticks. This study provides baseline knowledge of the microbiome of H. hystricis, D. atrosignatus, D. compactus, D. steini and A. testudinarium parasitizing wild boar in this region. The information gained in this study provides the basis to target our efforts in H. hystricis, D. compactus and D. steini for the future investigation of vector competence and the zoonotic potential for the Coxiella, Rickettsia and Francisella detected here, as well as their implications for the risks of tick-borne diseases among the Orang Asli communities.

Topics: Animals; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Ixodidae; Malaysia; Microbiota; Prevalence; RNA, Bacterial; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Species Specificity; Sus scrofa; Swine; Swine Diseases; Tick Infestations

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an emerging opportunistic pathogen infecting humans, and both domestic and wild pigs are known to harbour zoonotic genotypes. There remains a paucity of information on the prevalence and epidemiology of this enteropathogen in Southeast Asia. The present study was undertaken to determine the molecular prevalence and risk factors associated with E. bieneusi infection among commercially farmed pigs in Malaysia. Faecal samples were collected from 450 pigs from 15 different farms and subjected to nested PCR amplification of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene of E. bieneusi. Phylogenetic analysis involved 28 nucleotide sequences of the ITS region of E. bieneusi. An interviewer-administered questionnaire provided information on the animal hosts, farm management systems and environmental factors and was statistically analysed to determine the risk factors for infection. The prevalence of E. bieneusi infection was relatively high (40.7%). The highest prevalence (51.3%) was recorded among the piglets, while the adults showed the lowest level of infection (31.3%). Multivariate analysis indicated that age of the pigs, distance of the farm from human settlement and farm management system were significant risk factors of infection. Three genotypes (EbpA, EbpC and Henan-III) detected among the pigs are potentially zoonotic. The high prevalence of E. bieneusi among locally reared pigs, the presence of zoonotic genotypes and the spatial distribution of pig farms and human settlements warrant further investigation on the possibility of zoonotic transmission.

Topics: Animals; Base Sequence; China; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Enterocytozoon; Farms; Feces; Genotype; Humans; Malaysia; Microsporidiosis; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zoonoses

Information on the epidemiology of C. difficile infection (CDI) in South-East Asian countries is limited, as is data on possible animal reservoirs of C. difficile in the region. We investigated the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of C. difficile in piglets and the piggery environment in Thailand and Malaysia. Piglet rectal swabs (n = 224) and piggery environmental specimens (n = 23) were collected between 2015 and 2016 from 11 farms located in Thailand and Malaysia. All specimens were tested for the presence of C. difficile with toxigenic culture. PCR assays were performed on isolates to determine the ribotype (RT), and the presence of toxin genes. Whole genome sequencing was used on a subset of isolates to determine the evolutionary relatedness of RT038 (the most prevalent RT identified) common to pigs and humans from Thailand and Indonesia. C. difficile was recovered from 35% (58/165) and 92% (54/59) of the piglets, and 89% (8/9) and 93% (13/14) of the environmental specimens from Thailand and Malaysia, respectively. All strains from Thailand, and 30 strains from Malaysia (23 piglet and 7 environmental isolates) were non-toxigenic. To our knowledge, this is the first and only report with a complete lack of toxigenic C. difficile among piglets, a feature which could have a protective effect on the host. The most common strain belonged to RT038 (ST48), accounting for 88% (51/58) of piglet and 78% (7/9) of environmental isolates from Thailand, and all 30 isolates tested from Malaysia. Piglet RT038 isolates from Thailand and Malaysia differed by only 18 core-genome single nucleotide variants (cgSNVs) and both were, on average, 30 cgSNVs different from the human strains from Thailand and Indonesia, indicating a common ancestor in the last two decades.

Topics: Animals; Clostridioides difficile; Clostridium Infections; Environmental Microbiology; Genetic Variation; Housing, Animal; Malaysia; Molecular Epidemiology; Prevalence; Swine; Swine Diseases; Thailand; Whole Genome Sequencing

Colistin is the last line of therapy for infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The objective of this study was to determine the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) isolated from swine samples in Malaysia.. A total of 46 swine K. pneumoniae strains isolated from 2013-2015 in Malaysia were analysed for the production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases and carbapenemase. The resistance traits and genetic diversity of these strains were characterised by polymerase chain reaction, conjugation, plasmid analysis, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.. Nineteen of 46 strains were multidrug resistant while 13 were resistant to colistin. The majority of colistin-resistant strains harboured bla. It is believed that this is the first report of colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae among swine strains associated with mcr-1 plasmid in Malaysia. Due to the emergence of β-lactam, carbapenem and colistin resistance, the use of colistin in animal husbandry and agriculture should be avoided to prevent treatment failure.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Proteins; beta-Lactamases; Carbapenems; Colistin; Conjugation, Genetic; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Genotyping Techniques; Klebsiella Infections; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Malaysia; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Plasmids; Swine; Swine Diseases

The objectives of the present study were to determine the antimicrobial resistance, virulotypes and genetic diversity of Yersinia enterocolitica isolated from uncooked porcine food and live pigs in Malaysia.. Thirty-two non-repeat Y. enterocolitica strains of three bioserotypes (3 variant/O:3, n = 27; 1B/O:8, n = 3; 1A/O:5, n = 2) were analysed. Approximately 90% of strains were multidrug-resistant with a multiple antibiotic resistance index < 0.2 and the majority of the strains were resistant to nalidixic acid, clindamycin, ampicillin, ticarcillin, tetracycline and amoxicillin. Yersinia enterocolitica could be distinguished distinctly into three clusters by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, with each belonging to a particular bioserotype. Strains of 3 variant/O:3 were more heterogeneous than others. Eleven of the 15 virulence genes tested (hreP, virF, rfbC, myfA, sat, inv, ail, ymoA, ystA, tccC, yadA) and pYV virulence plasmid were present in all the bioserotpe 3 variant/03 strains.. The occurrence of virulent strains of Y. enterocolitica in pigs and porcine products reiterated that pigs are important reservoirs for Y. enterocolitica. The increasing trend of multidrug resistant strains is a public health concern. This is the first report on the occurrence of potential pathogenic and resistant strains of Y. enterocolitica in pigs in Malaysia. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Genetic Variation; Malaysia; Meat Products; Swine; Swine Diseases; Virulence; Yersinia enterocolitica; Yersinia Infections

Several strains of porcine bocaviruses have been reported worldwide since their first detection in Sweden in 2009. Subsequently, the virus has been reported to be associated with gastrointestinal and respiratory signs in weaner and grower pigs. Although Malaysia is host to a self-sufficient swine livestock industry, there is no study that describes porcine bocavirus in the country. This report is the first to describe porcine bocavirus (PBoV) in Malaysian swine herds. PBoV was identified in various tissues from sick and runt pigs using the conventional PCR method with primers targeting conserved regions encoding for the nonstructural protein (NS1) gene. Out of 103 samples tested from 17 pigs, 32 samples from 15 pigs were positive for porcine bocavirus. In addition, a higher detection rate was identified from mesenteric lymph nodes (52.9%), followed by tonsil (37.0%), and lungs (33.3%). Pairwise comparison and phylogenetic analyses based on a 658-bp fragment of NS1 gene revealed that the Malaysian PBoV strains are highly similar to PBoV3 isolated in Minnesota, USA. The presence of porcine bocavirus in Malaysia and their phylogenetic bond was marked for the first time by this study. Further studies will establish the molecular epidemiology of PBoV in Malaysia and clarify pathogenicity of the local isolates.

Topics: Animals; Bocavirus; DNA Primers; Malaysia; Parvoviridae Infections; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Swine; Swine Diseases

The large livestock operations and dense human population of Southeast Asia are considered a hot-spot for emerging viruses.. To determine if the pathogens adenovirus (ADV), coronavirus (CoV), encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), enterovirus (EV), influenza A-D (IAV, IBV, ICV, and IDV), porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2), and porcine rotaviruses A and C (RVA and RVC), are aerosolized at the animal-interface, and if humans working in these environments are carrying these viruses in their nasal airways.. This cross-sectional study took place in Sarawak, Malaysia among 11 pig farms, 2 abattoirs, and 3 animal markets in June and July of 2017. Pig feces, pig oral secretions, bioaerosols, and worker nasal wash samples were collected and analyzed via rPCR and rRT-PCR for respiratory and diarrheal viruses.. In all, 55 pig fecal, 49 pig oral or water, 45 bioaerosol, and 78 worker nasal wash samples were collected across 16 sites. PCV2 was detected in 21 pig fecal, 43 pig oral or water, 3 bioaerosol, and 4 worker nasal wash samples. In addition, one or more bioaerosol or pig samples were positive for EV, IAV, and RVC, and one or more worker samples were positive for ADV, CoV, IBV, and IDV.. This study demonstrates that nucleic acids from a number of targeted viruses were present in pig oral secretions and pig fecal samples, and that several viruses were detected in bioaerosol samples or in the nasal passages of humans with occupational exposure to pigs. These results demonstrate the need for future research in strengthening viral surveillance at the human-animal interface, specifically through expanded bioaerosol sampling efforts and a seroepidemiological study of individuals with exposure to pigs in this region for PCV2 infection.

Topics: Animals; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diarrhea; Farmers; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Occupational Exposure; Respiratory Tract Infections; Swine; Swine Diseases; Virus Diseases; Viruses

Anaplasma spp. infects a wide variety of wildlife and domestic animals. This study describes the identification of a novel species of Anaplasma (Candidatus Anaplasma pangolinii) from pangolins (Manis javanica) and Anaplasma bovis from wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Malaysia. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, Candidatus Anaplasma pangolinii is identified in a distinct branch within the family Anaplasmataceae, exhibiting the closest sequence similarity with the type strains of Anaplasma bovis (97.7%) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (97.6%). The sequence also aligned closely (99.9%) with that of an Anaplasma spp. (strain AnAj360) detected from Amblyomma javanense ticks. The nearly full length sequence of the 16S rRNA gene derived from two wild boars in this study demonstrated the highest sequence similarity (99.7%) to the A. bovis type strain. Partial 16S rRNA gene fragments of A. bovis were also detected from a small population of Haemaphysalis bispinosa cattle ticks in this study. Our finding suggests a possible spread of two Anaplasma species in the Malaysian wildlife and ticks. The zoonotic potential of the Anaplasma species identified in this study is yet to be determined.

Topics: Anaplasma; Anaplasmosis; Animals; Malaysia; Phylogeny; Sus scrofa; Swine; Swine Diseases

Pigs play a significant role during outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) due to their ability to amplify the virus. It is therefore essential to determine what role vaccination could play to prevent clinical disease and lower virus excretion into the environment. In this study we investigated the efficacy of the double oil emulsion A Malaysia 97 vaccine (>6PD50/dose) against heterologous challenge with an isolate belonging to the A SEA-97 lineage at 4 and 7 days post vaccination (dpv). In addition, we determined whether physical separation of pigs in the same room could prevent virus transmission. Statistically there was no difference in the level of protection offered by 4 and 7 dpv. However, no clinical disease or viral RNA was detected in the blood of pigs challenged 4 dpv, although three of the pigs had antibodies to the non-structural proteins (NSPs), indicating viral replication. Viral RNA was also detected in nasal and saliva swabs, but on very few occasions. Two of the pigs vaccinated seven days prior to challenge had vesicles distal from the injection site, but on the inoculated foot, and two pigs had viral RNA detected in the blood. One pig sero-converted to the NSPs. In contrast, all unvaccinated and inoculated pigs had evidence of infection. No infection occurred in any of the susceptible pigs in the same room, but separated from the infected pigs, indicating that strict biosecurity measures were sufficient under these experimental conditions to prevent virus transmission. However, viral RNA was detected in the nasal swabs of one group of pigs, but apparently not at sufficient levels to cause clinical disease. Vaccination led to a significant decrease in viral RNA in vaccinated pigs compared to unvaccinated and infected pigs, even with this heterologous challenge, and could therefore be considered as a control option during outbreaks.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Foot-and-Mouth Disease; Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus; Malaysia; Nasal Mucosa; Oils; RNA, Viral; Saliva; Swine; Swine Diseases; Viral Vaccines

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have been reported to be present in humans, chickens, and pigs in Malaysia. In the present study, representative samples of VRE isolated from these populations were examined for similarities and differences by using the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method. Housekeeping genes of Enterococcus faecium (n = 14) and Enterococcus faecalis (n = 11) isolates were sequenced and analyzed using the MLST databases eBURST and goeBURST. We found five sequence types (STs) of E. faecium and six STs of E. faecalis existing in Malaysia. Enterococcus faecium isolates belonging to ST203, ST17, ST55, ST79, and ST29 were identified, and E. faecium ST203 was the most common among humans. The MLST profiles of E. faecium from humans in this study were similar to the globally reported nosocomial-related strain lineage belonging to clonal complex 17 (CC17). Isolates from chickens and pigs have few similarities to those from humans, except for one isolate from a chicken, which was identified as ST203. E. faecalis isolates were more diverse and were identified as ST4, ST6, ST87, ST108, ST274, and ST244, which were grouped as specific to the three hosts. E. faecalis, belonging to the high-risk CC2 and CC87, were detected among isolates from humans. In conclusion, even though one isolate from a chicken was found clonal to that of humans, the MLST analysis of E. faecium and E. faecalis supports the findings of others who suggest VRE to be predominantly host specific and that clinically important strains are found mainly among humans. The infrequent detection of a human VRE clone in a chicken may in fact suggest a reverse transmission of VRE from humans to animals.

Topics: Animals; Chickens; Enterococcus faecalis; Enterococcus faecium; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Humans; Malaysia; Multilocus Sequence Typing; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Poultry Diseases; Swine; Swine Diseases; Vancomycin Resistance

Nipah virus, a paramyxovirus whose wildlife reservoir is Pteropus bats, was first discovered in a large outbreak of acute encephalitis in Malaysia in 1998 among persons who had contact with sick pigs. Apparently, one or more pigs was infected from bats, and the virus then spread efficiently from pig to pig, then from pigs to people. Nipah virus outbreaks have been recognized nearly every year in Bangladesh since 2001 and occasionally in neighboring India. Outbreaks in Bangladesh and India have been characterized by frequent person-to-person transmission and the death of over 70% of infected people. Characteristics of Nipah virus that increase its risk of becoming a global pandemic include: humans are already susceptible; many strains are capable of limited person-to-person transmission; as an RNA virus, it has an exceptionally high rate of mutation: and that if a human-adapted strain were to infect communities in South Asia, high population densities and global interconnectedness would rapidly spread the infection. Appropriate steps to estimate and manage this risk include studies to explore the molecular and genetic basis of respiratory transmission of henipaviruses, improved surveillance for human infections, support from high-income countries to reduce the risk of person-to-person transmission of infectious agents in low-income health care settings, and consideration of vaccination in communities at ongoing risk of exposure to the secretions and excretions of Pteropus bats.

Topics: Animals; Henipavirus Infections; Humans; India; Malaysia; Nipah Virus; Pandemics; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zoonoses

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of feeding liquid metabolite combinations produced by Lactobacillus plantarum strains on growth performance, diarrhoea incidence, faecal pH, microfloral counts, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and intestinal villus height and crypt depth of postweaning piglets. A total of 120 piglets (26 days old) were randomly assigned evenly into five treatment groups treated with same basal diet: (1) -ve control (free antibiotic); (2) + ve control (0.03% of chlortetracycline); (3) Com 1 (0.3% metabolite of TL1, RG11 and RI11 strains); (4) Com 2 (0.3% metabolite of TL1, RG14 and RS5 strains); (5) Com 3 (0.3% metabolite of RG11, RG14 and RI11 strains). After 5 weeks, the average daily feed intake was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among the treatments and feed conversion ratio was the highest (P < 0.05) in the -ve control group. In addition, diarrhoea incidence was reduced when piglets were fed with metabolite combinations. Faecal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in metabolite treatment groups than in the groups without metabolites. However, the treatment of Com 2 metabolite resulted lower (P < 0.05) faecal pH and Enterobacteriaceae (ENT) than the -ve control group. In contrast, total faecal SCFA of Com 2 were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the -ve control group. The villus height of duodenum was higher (P < 0.05) in the + ve control and Com 2 groups as compared to -ve control group. The results obtained in this study showed that feeding metabolite combinations could improve growth performance, and increase the population of gut LAB and faecal SCFA of postweaning piglets.

Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Diarrhea; Dietary Supplements; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Feces; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Intestinal Mucosa; Lactobacillus plantarum; Linear Models; Malaysia; Mice; Microvilli; Sus scrofa; Swine; Swine Diseases

Topics: Animals; Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests; Malaysia; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nasal Mucosa; Staphylococcal Infections; Swine; Swine Diseases

The 1999 outbreak of Nipah virus encephalitis in humans and pigs in Peninsular Malaysia ended with the evacuation of humans and culling of pigs in the epidemic area. Serologic screening showed that, in the absence of infected pigs, dogs were not a secondary reservoir for Nipah virus.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Disease Outbreaks; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Henipavirus Infections; Humans; Malaysia; Nipah Virus; Prevalence; Swine; Swine Diseases

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) of sequence type 398 (ST398) has frequently been detected in pigs and pig handlers. However, in Malaysia, sampling 360 pigs and 90 pig handlers from 30 farms identified novel ST9-spa type t4358-staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type V MRSA strains that were found to transiently colonize more than 1% of pigs and 5.5% of pig handlers.

Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Carrier State; Humans; Incidence; Malaysia; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Prevalence; Staphylococcal Infections; Swine; Swine Diseases; Virulence Factors

Following a series of H5N1 cases in chickens and birds in a few states in Malaysia, there was much interest in the influenza A viruses subtypes that circulate among the local pig populations. Pigs may act as a mixing vessel for avian and mammal influenza viruses, resulting in new reassorted viruses. This study investigated the presence of antibodies against influenza H1N1 and H3N2 viruses in pigs from Peninsular Malaysia using Herdcheck Swine Influenza H1N1 and H3N2 Antibody Test Kits. At the same time, the presence of influenza virus was examined from the nasal swabs of seropositive pigs by virus isolation and real time RT-PCR. The list of pig farms was obtained from the headquarters of the Department of Veterinary Services, Malaysia, and pig herds were selected randomly from six of 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 727 serum and nasal swab samples were collected from 4- to 6-month-old pigs between May and August 2005. By ELISA, the seroprevalences of swine influenza H1N1 and H3N2 among pigs were 12.2% and 12.1% respectively. Seropositivity for either of the virus subtypes was detected in less than half of the 41 sampled farms (41.4%). Combination of both subtypes was detected in 4% of all pigs and in 22% of sampled farms. However, no virus or viral nucleic acid was detected from nasal samples. This study identified that the seropositivity of pigs to H1N1 and H3N2 based on ELISA was significantly associated with factors such as size of farm, importation or purchase of pigs, proximity of farm to other pig farms and the presence of mammalian pets within the farm.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Cross-Sectional Studies; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Influenza A virus; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype; Malaysia; Male; Orthomyxoviridae Infections; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zoonoses

Topics: Animals; Henipavirus Infections; Malaysia; Nipah Virus; Swine; Swine Diseases

Eight clones of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) to Nipah virus (NV) were produced against formalin-inactivated NV antigens. They reacted positive by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test, and one of them also demonstrated virus neutralizing activity. They were classified into six different types based on their biological properties. These Mabs will be useful for immunodiagnosis of NV infections in animals and further research studies involving the genomes and proteins of NV.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Chlorocebus aethiops; Disease Outbreaks; Formaldehyde; Henipavirus Infections; Malaysia; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Neutralization Tests; Nipah Virus; Swine; Swine Diseases; Vero Cells

Nipah viruses from pigs from a Malaysian 1998 outbreak were isolated and sequenced. At least two different Nipah virus strains, including a previously unreported strain, were identified. The findings highlight the possibility that the Malaysia outbreaks had two origins of Nipah virus infections.

Topics: Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Genome, Viral; Henipavirus Infections; Humans; Malaysia; Nipah Virus; Phylogeny; Swine; Swine Diseases

In late 1998, a novel paramyxovirus named Nipah virus, emerged in Malaysia, causing fatal disease in domestic pigs and humans with substantial economic loss to the local pig industry. Pteropid fruitbats have since been identified as a natural reservoir host. Over the last two decades, the forest habitat of these bats in Southeast Asia has been substantially reduced by deforestation for pulpwood and industrial plantation. In 1997/1998, slash-and-burn deforestation resulted in the formation of a severe haze that blanketed much of Southeast Asia in the months directly preceding the Nipah virus disease outbreak. This was exacerbated by a drought driven by the severe 1997-1998 El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event. We present data suggesting that this series of events led to a reduction in the availability of flowering and fruiting forest trees for foraging by fruitbats and culminated in unprecedented encroachment of fruitbats into cultivated fruit orchards in 1997/1998. These anthropogenic events, coupled with the location of piggeries in orchards and the design of pigsties allowed transmission of a novel paramyxovirus from its reservoir host to the domestic pig and ultimately to the human population.

Topics: Animals; Climate; Conservation of Natural Resources; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Reservoirs; Encephalitis, Viral; Humans; Malaysia; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Paramyxovirinae; Swine; Swine Diseases; Weather; Zoonoses

An epidemic of suspected Japanese encephalitis occurred in Malaysia in 1998-1999 among pig farmers. In neighboring Singapore, an outbreak occurred among pig slaughterhouse workers. It was subsequently established that the causative agent in the outbreak was not the Japanese encephalitis virus but a previously unknown Hendra-like paramyxovirus named Nipah virus.. The brain MR images of eight patients with Nipah virus infection were reviewed. All patients tested negative for acute Japanese encephalitis virus. Seven patients had contrast-enhanced studies and six had diffusion-weighted examinations.. All patients had multiple small bilateral foci of T2 prolongation within the subcortical and deep white matter. The periventricular region and corpus callosum were also involved. In addition to white matter disease, five patients had cortical lesions, three had brain stem involvement, and a single thalamic lesion was detected in one patient. All lesions were less than 1 cm in maximum diameter. In five patients, diffusion-weighted images showed increased signal. Four patients had leptomeningeal enhancement and four had enhancement of parenchymal lesions.. The brain MR findings in patients infected with the newly discovered Nipah paramyxovirus are different from those of patients with Japanese encephalitis. In a zoonotic epidemic, this striking difference in the appearance and distribution of lesions is useful in differentiating these diseases. Diffusion-weighted imaging was advantageous in increasing lesion conspicuity.

Topics: Abattoirs; Adult; Aged; Agricultural Workers' Diseases; Animals; Brain; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease Outbreaks; Encephalitis, Japanese; Encephalitis, Viral; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Paramyxovirinae; Singapore; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zoonoses

An outbreak of encephalitis affecting 265 patients (105 fatally) occurred during 1998-1999 in Malaysia and was linked to a new paramyxovirus, Nipah, that infected pigs, humans, dogs, and cats. Most patients were pig farmers. Clinically undetected Nipah infection was noted in 10 (6%) of 166 community-farm controls (persons from farms without reported encephalitis patients) and 20 (11%) of 178 case-farm controls (persons from farms with encephalitis patients). Case patients (persons with Nipah infection) were more likely than community-farm controls to report increased numbers of sick/dying pigs on the farm (59% vs. 24%, P=.001) and were more likely than case-farm controls to perform activities requiring direct contact with pigs (86% vs. 50%, P=.005). Only 8% of case patients reported no contact with pigs. The outbreak stopped after pigs in the affected areas were slaughtered and buried. Direct, close contact with pigs was the primary source of human Nipah infection, but other sources, such as infected dogs and cats, cannot be excluded.

Topics: Agricultural Workers' Diseases; Animals; Case-Control Studies; Cat Diseases; Cats; Disease Outbreaks; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Encephalitis, Viral; Female; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Occupations; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Paramyxovirinae; Risk Factors; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zoonoses

During 10-19 March 1999, 11 workers in 1 of 2 Singaporean abattoirs developed Nipah-virus associated encephalitis or pneumonia, resulting in 1 fatality. A case-control study was conducted to determine occupational risk factors for infection. Case patients were abattoir A workers who had anti-Nipah IgM antibodies; control subjects were randomly selected abattoir A workers who tested negative for anti-Nipah IgM. All 13 case patients versus 26 (63%) of 41 control subjects reported contact with live pigs (P=.01). Swine importation from Malaysian states concurrently experiencing a Nipah virus outbreak was banned on 3 March 1999; on 19 March 1999, importation of Malaysian pigs was banned, and abattoirs were closed. No unusual illnesses among pigs processed during February-March were reported. Contact with live pigs appeared to be the most important risk factor for human Nipah virus infection. Direct contact with live, potentially infected pigs should be minimized to prevent transmission of this potentially fatal zoonosis to humans.

Topics: Abattoirs; Adult; Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Case-Control Studies; Disease Outbreaks; Encephalitis, Viral; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin M; Malaysia; Male; Occupational Diseases; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Pneumonia, Viral; Risk Factors; Singapore; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zoonoses

A paramyxovirus virus termed Nipah virus has been identified as the etiologic agent of an outbreak of severe encephalitis in people with close contact exposure to pigs in Malaysia and Singapore. The outbreak was first noted in late September 1998 and by mid-June 1999, more than 265 encephalitis cases, including 105 deaths, had been reported in Malaysia, and 11 cases of encephalitis or respiratory illness with one death had been reported in Singapore. Electron microscopic, serologic, and genetic studies indicate that this virus belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae and is most closely related to the recently discovered Hendra virus. We suggest that these two viruses are representative of a new genus within the family Paramyxoviridae. Like Hendra virus, Nipah virus is unusual among the paramyxoviruses in its ability to infect and cause potentially fatal disease in a number of host species, including humans.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Disease Outbreaks; Encephalitis, Viral; Endothelium, Vascular; Genes, Viral; Giant Cells; Humans; Malaysia; Microscopy, Electron; Molecular Sequence Data; Nucleocapsid; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Paramyxovirinae; Phylogeny; Respiratory System; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Singapore; Swine; Swine Diseases; Vasculitis; Viral Proteins

Scientists are a step closer to unraveling a medical mystery that killed 105 people in Malaysia last year and destroyed the country's pig industry. The Nipah virus, which caused the disease, most likely originated in a native fruit bat species, Malaysian researchers reported here at a meeting last week. They say the findings will help Malaysian health authorities prevent future outbreaks of the Nipah virus. Others see the case as an argument for expanding research into infections that can leap the boundary between animals and humans.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Chiroptera; Disease Outbreaks; Disease Reservoirs; Encephalitis, Viral; Humans; Malaysia; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Paramyxovirinae; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zoonoses

Topics: Abattoirs; Agriculture; Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Malaysia; Occupational Diseases; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Paramyxovirinae; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zoonoses

A pig-borne virus causing viral encephalitis amongst human beings in Malaysia was detected in 1997 by the Ministry of Health. Initially, the disease was considered to be Japanese encephalitis. Subsequently, it was thought to be a Hendra-like viral encephalitis, but on 10th April, 1999 the Minister of Health announced this mysterious and deadly virus to be a new virus named Nipah virus. The virus was characterized at CDC, Atlanta, Georgia. The gene sequencing of the enveloped virus revealed that one of the genes had 21% difference in the nucleotide sequence with about 8% difference in the amino acid sequence from Hendra virus isolated from horses in Australia in 1994. The virus was named after the village Nipah. In all, the Ministry of Health declared 101 human casualties, and 900,000 pigs were culled by April, 1999. The worst affected area in Malaysia was Negri Sembilan. The symptoms, incubation period in human being and pigs, animal to human transmission, threat of disease to other livestock, and control program adopted in Malaysia is described.

Topics: Animals; Australia; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; Horse Diseases; Horses; Humans; Incidence; Malaysia; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Paramyxovirinae; Swine; Swine Diseases; United States; Zoonoses

During September 29, 1998-April 4, 1999, 229 cases of febrile encephalitis (111 [48%] fatal) were reported to the Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH). During March 13-19, 1999, nine cases of similar encephalitic illnesses (one fatal) and two cases of respiratory illness occurred among abattoir workers in Singapore. Tissue culture isolation identified a previously unknown infectious agent from ill patients. This report summarizes the preliminary epidemiologic and laboratory investigations of these cases, which indicate that a previously unrecognized paramyxovirus related to, but distinct from, the Australian Hendra virus is associated with this outbreak.

Topics: Abattoirs; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Cluster Analysis; Disease Outbreaks; Encephalitis, Viral; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Respirovirus; Respirovirus Infections; Singapore; Swine; Swine Diseases

Topics: Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Encephalitis Viruses; Encephalitis, Viral; Humans; Malaysia; Swine; Swine Diseases

Topics: Agricultural Workers' Diseases; Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Encephalitis, Japanese; Humans; Malaysia; Paramyxoviridae; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Swine; Swine Diseases

Topics: Abattoirs; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Cluster Analysis; Disease Outbreaks; Encephalitis, Viral; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Respirovirus; Respirovirus Infections; Singapore; Swine; Swine Diseases

Topics: Animal Welfare; Animals; Malaysia; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Swine; Swine Diseases

During March 1999, health officials in Malaysia and Singapore, in collaboration with Australian researchers and CDC, investigated reports of febrile encephalitic and respiratory illnesses among workers who had exposure to pigs. A previously unrecognized paramyxovirus (formerly known as Hendra-like virus), now called Nipah virus, was implicated by laboratory testing in many of these cases. Febrile encephalitis continues to be reported in Malaysia but has decreased coincident with mass culling of pigs in outbreak areas. No new cases of febrile illness associated with Nipah virus infection have been identified in Singapore since March 19, 1999, when abattoirs were closed. This report summarizes interim findings from ongoing epidemiologic and laboratory investigations in Malaysia and Singapore.

Topics: Abattoirs; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Encephalitis, Viral; Fever; Humans; Malaysia; Occupational Exposure; Respirovirus; Respirovirus Infections; Singapore; Swine; Swine Diseases

Topics: Agricultural Workers' Diseases; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Morbillivirus Infections; Swine; Swine Diseases; Virus Diseases

Topics: Animals; Australia; Communicable Disease Control; Encephalitis, Japanese; Humans; International Cooperation; Malaysia; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zoonoses

Topics: Abattoirs; Adult; Animals; Brain; Chiroptera; Disease Outbreaks; Encephalitis, Japanese; Encephalitis, Viral; Female; Fever; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Occupational Exposure; Paramyxoviridae; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Swine; Swine Diseases

A cross-sectional serological survey of domestic animals in West Malaysia revealed that 25.5% of the animals examined had agglutinating antibodies to one or more antigens belonging to Leptospira interrogans. Significant prevalence of infection was observed in cattle (40.5%), buffaloes (31%) and pigs (16%). The Sejroe serogroup was shown to be the principal one involved in cattle and buffaloes, and to a lesser extent the Tarassovi and Pomona serogroups. Evidence of infection in domestic animals by strains bearing the other seven antigens appeared insignificant and was indicative of sporadic infection. A majority of the large (semi-intensive) cattle and buffalo farms demonstrated a high prevalence of leptospiral infection. In both species of domestic animals mentioned above, the prevalence of infection was significantly higher (P = 0.01) in the semi-intensive farms than in the smallholdings. Amongst cattle, the droughtmasters had the highest prevalence whilst the Kedah-Kelantan (an indigenous breed) had the lowest prevalence of leptospiral infection. In general, the temperate breeds of cattle had a significantly (P = 0.01) higher prevalence of infection than local breeds. Leptospiral infection in goats and sheep was shown to be sporadic, and the Pomona serogroup was the principal leptospiral serogroup involved in these small ruminants. The prevalence of infection in pigs was observed to decline during the study period, and it is suspected that pigs in West Malaysia are the maintenance host for serovar pomona whilst cattle are the maintenance host for serovar hardjo. Overall, it appears that domestic animals in Malaysia will play a bigger role in the epidemiology of leptospiral infection with the advent of sophisticated farming.

Topics: Agglutination Tests; Animals; Animals, Domestic; Antibodies, Bacterial; Buffaloes; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Goats; Leptospira interrogans; Leptospirosis; Malaysia; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Swine; Swine Diseases

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Female; Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; Humans; Influenza, Human; Malaysia; Male; Swine; Swine Diseases

The report summarizes a one year period of investigation of death losses in West Malaysian livestock. Lesions and etiological agents are mentioned for cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry and companion animals as well as some miscellaneous species. Special observations related to a common paramphistome induced hepatic biliary infestation in cattle, a serious malignant head catarrh outbreak in which possible cattle to cow aerosol transmission occurred. Trismus observed in some cattle with malignant head catarrh was associated with arteriolitis and ganglioneuritis of the V cranial nerve. Parasitic, bacterial, viral toxic and neoplastic diseases are recorded in the various species. The occurrence of fatal chronic fluorosis in laboratory guinea pigs and cerebral nematodiasis in a Thoroughbred racehorse are documented.

Topics: Animal Diseases; Animals; Animals, Domestic; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Chickens; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Goats; Guinea Pigs; Malaysia; Poultry Diseases; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Swine; Swine Diseases

Topics: Agriculture; Animals; Culex; Encephalitis, Japanese; Humans; Insect Vectors; Malaysia; Oryza; Swine; Swine Diseases

Topics: Agriculture; Animals; Breeding; Circadian Rhythm; Culex; Culicidae; Encephalitis, Japanese; Feeding Behavior; Humans; Insect Vectors; Malaysia; Oryza; Seasons; Swine; Swine Diseases; Weather

Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Birds; Cats; Culex; Culicidae; Dogs; Encephalitis, Japanese; Food Preferences; Housing; Humans; Insect Vectors; Malaysia; Mammals; Reptiles; Swine; Swine Diseases

Topics: Age Factors; Animals; Bird Diseases; Birds; Chickens; Chiroptera; Culex; Culicidae; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Ducks; Encephalitis Viruses; Encephalitis, Japanese; Geese; Humans; Insect Vectors; Malaysia; Neutralization Tests; Rodentia; Seasons; Swine; Swine Diseases

Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Buffaloes; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Goats; Hemagglutination Tests; Horse Diseases; Horses; Malaysia; Poultry Diseases; Rats; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Swine; Swine Diseases; Toxoplasmosis, Animal

Topics: Animals; Echinostoma; Echinostomatidae; Intestinal Diseases; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Malaysia; Probability; Research; Rodentia; Swine; Swine Diseases; Trematoda