A survey of simian Plasmodium infections in humans in West Kalimantan, Indonesia.

The simian parasite Plasmodium knowlesi is the predominant species causing human malaria infection, including hospitalisations for severe disease and death, in Malaysian Borneo. By contrast, there have been only a few case reports of knowlesi malaria from Indonesian Borneo. This situation seems paradoxical since both regions share the same natural macaque hosts and Anopheles mosquito vectors, and therefore have a similar epidemiologically estimated risk of infection. To determine whether there is a true cross-border disparity in P. knowlesi prevalence, we conducted a community-based malaria screening study using PCR in Kapuas Hulu District, West Kalimantan. Blood samples were taken between April and September 2019 from 1000 people aged 6 months to 85 years attending health care facilities at 27 study sites within or close to jungle areas. There were 16 Plasmodium positive samples by PCR, five human malarias (two Plasmodium vivax, two Plasmodium ovale and one Plasmodium malariae) and 11 in which no species could be definitively identified. These data suggest that, if present, simian malarias including P. knowlesi are rare in the Kapuas Hulu District of West Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo compared to geographically adjacent areas of Malaysian Borneo. The reason for this discrepancy, if confirmed in other epidemiologically similar regions of Indonesian Borneo, warrants further studies targeting possible cross-border differences in human activities in forested areas, together with more detailed surveys to complement the limited data relating to monkey hosts and Anopheles mosquito vectors in Indonesian Borneo.

First report of three multivalvulid species (Cnidaria: Myxozoa: Myxosporea) in commercial fishes from Java Sea, Indonesia, with records of Unicapsula pyramidata and two new Kudoa spp.

Commercial marine fishes caught locally in East Java, Indonesia, were examined for multivalvulid myxosporeans (Cnidaria: Myxozoa: Myxosporea). Plasmodia of Unicapsula pyramidata were detected in the trunk muscle of two fork-tailed threadfin breams (Nemipterus furcosus). Genetic comparisons of this sample to those collected in the Australian Coral Sea and South China Sea showed few nucleotide substitutions in the small subunit and large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) with the species isolated in the Australian Coral Sea and South China Sea. Pseudocysts of two new Kudoa spp. with four shell valves and polar capsules were found in the trunk muscle of two shrimp scads Alepes djedaba and two flathead grey mullets Mugil cephalus. Kudoa javaensis n. sp. myxospores isolated from the shrimp scad were 5.1-7.2 (mean 6.2) µm thick, 6.2-7.9 (7.3) µm wide, and 4.6-6.3 (5.4) µm long, with polar capsules 1.9-2.5 (2.2) µm long and 1.1-1.4 (1.3) µm wide (n = 15). Kudoa surabayaensis n. sp. myxospores isolated from the flathead grey mullet were 5.8-6.7 (6.3) µm thick, 6.4-7.6 (6.9) µm wide, and 4.6-5.0 (4.7) µm long, with polar capsules 1.8-2.4 (2.1) µm long and 0.9-1.3 (1.1) µm wide (n = 25). These two Kudoa spp. showed critical differences in spore shapes (semiquadrate with unequal shell valves vs. equal shell valves), and absence vs. presence of uplifted shell valve termini. Nucleotide sequencing of rDNA supported the morphological differentiation of these two species. Furthermore, these two isolates were morphologically and phylogenetically distinct from any recorded Kudoa spp.

Identification of HIV-1 subtypes and drug resistance mutations among HIV-1-infected individuals residing in Pontianak, Indonesia.

INTRODUCTION: The present study investigated the HIV-1 subtype classification in addition to prevalence of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-experienced and ART-naïve residents of Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. METHODS: Whole blood samples collected from 30 HIV-1-infected individuals, comprising 19 ART-experienced and 11 ART-naïve individuals, were subjected to RNA and DNA extraction, followed by HIV-1 genes amplification and sequencing analysis. HIV-1 subtyping was classified on viral pol genes encoding reverse transcriptase (RT gene) and protease (PR gene) accompanied by the env and gag genes. DRMs in the RT and PR genes were also analyzed. RESULTS: CRF01_AE was identified as the predominant circulating recombinant form (CRF) of HIV-1 in both ART-experienced and ART-naïve individuals. In addition, CRF02_AG, subtype B, recombinant virus expressing CRF01_AE and subtype B viral genomic fragments, also recombinant virus containing CRF01_AE and CRF02_AG genomic fragments were also identified. Acquired drug resistance (ADR) was identified in 28.5% of ART-experienced individuals, while no transmitted drug resistance was identified in ART-naïve individuals. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified CRF01_AE as the most predominant HIV-1 CRF distributing in Pontianak, Indonesia. The prevalence of ADR is considered to be high; thus, further surveillance is needed in this region.

Comparison of Revised Trauma Score Based on Intracranial Haemorrhage Volume among Head Injury Patients.

Head injury is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity at all ages and may develop into intracranial haemorrhage and increasing intracranial pressure. Pre-assessment must be conducted to head injury patients to decide the treatment plan. The aim of this study was to compare Revised Trauma Score (RTS) based on intracranial haemorrhage volume among head injury patients. This study was an analytic study with cross-sectional design where 31 patients were studied. The admission RTS and patients' status data were obtained from medical records at Dr. Abdul Aziz General Hospital, Singkawang, Indonesia and intracranial haemorrhage volume data were obtained from the head CT-scan. The data were analysed by Mann-Whitney U-test. The admission Revised Trauma Score rates were significantly different (95% CI, p=0.006) by intracranial haemorrhage volume which the RTS rate of less intracranial haemorrhage volume group was 11.40 ± 0.74 and the RTS rate of greater intracranial haemorrhage volume group was 10.13 ± 1.54. The greater intracranial haemorrhage volume showed the lower RTS value which means the worse physiological condition.