Browsing by Person "Goh, Calvin Bok Sun"

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Extremely low prevalence in soil-transmitted helminth infections among a multi-ethnic community in Segamat, Malaysia
(Springer, 2021-01-01) Wong, Li Wen; Ong, Kuan Shion; Goh, Calvin Bok Sun; Dwiyanto, Jacky; Reidpath, Daniel; Lee, Shaun Wen Huey; Ayub, Qasim; Rahman, Sadequr; Lee, Sui Mae
Soil-transmitted helminth infections (STHs) are recognized as a major health issue among socio-economically deprived communities. However, information is still lacking regarding the prevalence rates of STHs in the broader community across different countries in the tropics. This community study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for STHs in semi-rural communities in Segamat of Johor, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted with information collected from the study population through questionnaire. A total of 224 stool samples were examined for intestinal parasites through formalin-ether concentration and Kato–Katz techniques. Overall, only 1.8% (n = 4/224) of participants were infected with soil-transmitted helminths, the extremely low prevalence may be explained by the proper housing conditions with basic amenities and the practices of hygienic habits in daily life, highlighting the importance of adopting good hygienic practices.
First reported case of Gilbertella persicaria in human stool: outcome of a community study from Segamat, Johor, Malaysia
(Springer, 2020-06-23) Huët, Marie Andrea Laetitia; Wong, Li Wen; Goh, Calvin Bok Sun; Ong, Kuan Shion; Dwiyanto, Jacky; Reidpath, Daniel; Lee, Sui Mae; Rahman, Sadequr; Tan, Joash Ban Lee
Species of fungi belonging to the order Mucorales can be found everywhere in the environment. Gilbertella persicaria, which belongs to this order, have often been isolated from fruits and in water systems. However, there has been no report of isolation of this fungus from human samples. During a gut mycobiome study, from the Segamat community, Gilbertella persicaria was isolated from a human fecal sample and was characterized through a series of morphological assessment, biochemical tests, and molecular techniques. The isolate produced a white velvety surface that turned grayish after 24 h. Although no biofilm production was observed, the results indicated that the isolate could form calcium oxalate crystals, produced urease, and was resistant to low pH. The isolate was sensitive to amphotericin but resistant to voriconazole and itraconazole. The features of this fungus that could help in its survival in the human gut are also discussed.
Investigation of culturable human gut mycobiota from the segamat community in Johor, Malaysia
(Springer, 2021-06-08) Huët, Marie Andrea Laetitia; Wong, Li Wen; Goh, Calvin Bok Sun; Hussain, Md Hamed; Muzahid, Nazmul Hasan; Dwiyanto, Jacky; Lee, Shaun Wen Huey; Ayub, Qasim; Reidpath, Daniel; Lee, Sui Mae; Rahman, Sadequr; Tan, Joash Ban Lee
Although several studies have already been carried out in investigating the general profile of the gut mycobiome across several countries, there has yet to be an officially established baseline of a healthy human gut mycobiome, to the best of our knowledge. Microbial composition within the gastrointestinal tract differ across individuals worldwide, and most human gut fungi studies concentrate specifically on individuals from developed countries or diseased cohorts. The present study is the first culture-dependent community study assessing the prevalence and diversity of gut fungi among different ethnic groups from South East Asia. Samples were obtained from a multi-ethnic semi-rural community from Segamat in southern Malaysia. Faecal samples were screened for culturable fungi and questionnaire data analysis was performed. Culturable fungi were present in 45% of the participants’ stool samples. Ethnicity had an impact on fungal prevalence and density in stool samples. The prevalence of resistance to fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole and 5-fluorocytosine, from the Segamat community, were 14%, 14%, 11% and 7% respectively. It was found that Jakun individuals had lower levels of antifungal resistance irrespective of the drug tested, and male participants had more fluconazole resistant yeast in their stool samples. Two novel point mutations were identified in the ERG11 gene from one azole resistant Candida glabrata, suggesting a possible cause of the occurrence of antifungal resistant isolates in the participant’s faecal sample.