Asian Journal of Research in Infectious Diseases

Mortality among Children with Tuberculosis in Malaysia

Maria Kamal — 2026-03-10

Aims: To describe the characteristics of children who succumbed to tuberculosis (TB) in Malaysia.

Study Design: Retrospective record review with cross-sectional interview.

Place and Duration of Study: All Malaysian hospitals with reported TB mortality among children, between January 2018 and December 2020.

Methodology: We included all children under 15 years who succumbed to TB from 1^st January 2018 to 31^st December 2020 in Malaysia. We collected data from the TB Information System (MyTB) and subjects’ medical records. Parents were interviewed for further information.

Results: Seventy-one deaths among children were identified from MyTB. Only 38 of the children’s medical records were available for review. From 71 children, 41 (57.7%) were females, 29 (40.8%) non-Malaysians, 43 (60.6%) had a BCG scar. Median age at death was 94 (5-179) months. From medical records of 38 children, common symptoms were cough (28, 73.7%), fever (25, 65.8%), and dyspnoea (20, 52.6%). Fifty-six (78.9%) of 71 children had abnormal chest x-ray, and 26 (36.6%) had positive acid-fast bacilli smear. Extra-pulmonary TB was diagnosed in 31.0% of them. Median duration between diagnosis to death was 9 days (0-280).

Conclusion: Clinical and public health intervention could prevent complication and death from TB disease. Early detection leads to prompt treatment and increase of vaccination uptake prevents severe TB in young children.

Isolation and Prevalence of Aeromonas hydrophila in Domestic Water Sources in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria

Ogechukwu Calista Dozie-Nwakile — 2026-03-19

Background of the Study: Aeromonas hydrophila are gram negative bacilli. They are mostly found in aquatic environments like fresh water, lakes, wastewater, mud water and even drinking water. Aeromonas species are considered as opportunistic waterborne pathogens responsible for acute gastroenteritis and wound infections in humans.

Objective: To isolate and confirm Aeromonas hydrophila from frequently consumed domestic water.

Methodology: 50 samples of different water that are frequently consumed domestically were randomly collected from three different areas of Enugu metropolis namely University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Kenyatta and College road (10 each comprising 5 tank water and 5 well water). Four different brands of sachet water were also used whereby 5 samples were collected from each of them. These samples were cultured on macconkey agar and 1% ampicillin blood agar according to standard microbiological methods. This organism was identified and confirmed by gram reaction and oxidase test respectively.

Results: Results obtained showed that out of the 50 water samples analyzed 12 (12.1%) showed a prevalence of Aeromonas hydrophila. Out of the bacteria genera isolated, Escherichia coli ranked highest with a total prevalence of 18 (18.2%) while Citrobacter species was the least isolated with a prevalence of 2 (2%).

Statistics: The student t-test used for the statistical analysis showed that there was no statistical significance between Aeromonas hydrophila and the other bacteria isolated, p=5.815 hence p>0.05.

Conclusion: Aeromonas hydrophila presently exists with other coliforms in frequently consumed water.

Etiologies of Fever in Patients Hospitalised in Centre Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital Centre from 2019 to 2023

Arsène G. Ouedraogo — 2026-03-19

Introduction: Fever is a common, polymorphic, and nonspecific symptom that poses a diagnostic challenge in tropical countries where multiple infectious agents co-circulate. In Burkina Faso, the main reported cause remains malaria. In Burkina Faso, studies have shown that the causes of fever are dominated by malaria, which is endemic throughout the country, with a seasonal peak from June to October, and accounts for 43% of medical consultations and 22% of deaths. The etiologies of fevers can have serious consequences on the patient's general health condition and quality of life, and can be life-threatening and functionally compromising, thus requiring appropriate and early treatment.

Aim: This study aimed to describe the etiologies of fevers hospitalised in the infectious diseases department of the CHU-YO in Ouagadougou.

Patients and Methods: This is a descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study conducted from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023. All patients hospitalised for fever ≥ 38.3°C on admission and during hospitalisation were included. Medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and radiology were considered for the diagnostic approach. Sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical, and evolutionary data were extracted from medical records and analysed using Stata 17 software.

Results: Among 1,077 hospitalisations, 551 febrile cases were identified (hospital frequency: 51.16%). The mean age of patients was 38.2 ± 11.8 years, with a predominance of males (54.8%). Acute febrile.

Conclusion: Vector-borne diseases (dengue and malaria) and tuberculosis, frequently associated with HIV, were the main causes of fever. These results highlight the need for systematic differential diagnosis and strengthened prevention strategies.

Clinical and Biological Profile of Newly Diagnosed HIV-Positive Adults in the Era of Test and Treat and UNAIDS' 95-95-95 Targets in Burkina Faso

Lassane ZOUNGRANA — 2026-03-20

Introduction: Since its discovery in 1983, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has remained a major public health problem worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, despite the "Test and Treat" strategy to achieve the 95-95-95 targets set by UNAIDS.

Objective: The present study determines the profile of newly diagnosed HIV patients in the era of Test and Treat in the context of Burkina Faso.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on the records of adults who tested positive for HIV between January 1 and December 31, 2023, at the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital Center.

Results: A total of 204 PLHIV records were collected. The average age was 41.18 ± 1.86 years, with a predominance of women and a sex ratio of 0.82. The majority were married (57.8%). The main non-HIV-related comorbidities were high blood pressure and diabetes, while HIV-related comorbidities were dominated by tuberculosis, prurigo, and shingles. HIV-1 accounted for 89.2% of cases. Voluntary screening (51.9%) and suspicion (31.9%) were the most common circumstances of discovery. Although WHO clinical stage 1 predominated (60.8%), advanced immunosuppression was observed in 9.3% at diagnosis. The average time to initiation of antiretroviral therapy was 11.18±4.74 days, and 91.7% of patients received the TDF/3TC/DTG protocol. After one year of follow-up, virological suppression was achieved in 94.3% of patients, but 30.9% of patients were lost to follow-up.

Conclusion: The profile of newly diagnosed HIV patients is characterized by a predominance of married, middle-aged individuals, late diagnosis, a short delay in starting antiretroviral therapy, and a high rate of loss to follow-up, thus compromising the achievement of the 95-95-95 targets. However, these results should be interpreted with caution given the retrospective, single-center nature of the study and the limited sample size and sub-populations.

Pathogenic Isolates and Antibacterial Susceptibility Pattern of Bacteria Found on Stair Rails of a Public Health Institution

Goodluck Silas — 2026-03-23

Stair rails are exposed surfaces that are often handled by various individuals who are assessing story buildings. This frequent use by different person makes it prone to contamination by various pathogenetic and non-pathogenic micro-organism. Many microorganisms play essential roles in ecological balance, nutrient cycling, and even human health, a subset—termed pathogenic microorganisms are capable of causing disease under certain conditions. These organisms can persist on inanimate surfaces such as stair railings, especially in environments conducive to microbial survival like high-humidity and poor ventilation settings. The aim of this study is to investigated the prevalence, identity, and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria recovered from stair-rail surfaces. The objectives of this study are to isolate the pathogens from the stir rails, determine the antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of isolates and compare isolate in various location. This study was carried out between August and December 2025 on various story buildings in a government public hospital after obtaining ethical clearance. Samples were collected on stair railings across several story buildings like Admin block, O and G building, laboratory complex, Record building, orthopaedic block, Casualty building and NHIS. Swab Samples were cultured on media (MacConkey, blood, nutrient) and isolates were identified by Gram staining, biochemical tests (catalase/coagulase, oxidase, urease, klinger iron agar) Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined following the Clinical and laboratory standards institute guidelines via the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method on Nutrient agar using eleven clinically relevant antibiotics (cloxacilin, gentamicin, erythromycin, ceftriaxone, cefixime, nitrofurantoin, ofloxacin, cefuroxime, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin and augumentin), with interpretations following Sarker et.al (2014). Among the 46 stair-rail sites sampled, 32.6% yielded bacterial growth. Six species were identified: coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. (13.0%), Escherichia coli (10.9%), Pseudomonas spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia spp and Proteus spp. (each 2.2%). Proteus spp. displayed the highest overall susceptibility (90.9%), whereas Pseudomonas spp was the least susceptible (54.5%). Third-generation cephalosporins (ceftazidime, cefuroxime) and erythromycin inhibited all isolates, while ciprofloxacin showed only 60% efficacy. Multidrug resistance (resistance to ≥3 classes) was noted in 18.2% of Staphylococcus spp and 27.3% of Escherichia spp. These findings highlight stair rails as under-recognized reservoirs of potentially pathogenic and drug-resistant bacteria in university settings. To reduce transmission risk, we recommend routine environmental surveillance, targeted cleaning protocols, strategic placement of hand‐hygiene stations, and consideration of antimicrobial surface materials. Introducing such measures into campus health policies will fortify infection prevention and support global efforts to mitigate antimicrobial resistance.

Assessment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Antibiotic Resistance Trends in the Southern Coastal Region of Tamil Nadu, India

Santhana Kumar Meenakshi Sundaram — 2026-03-31

The present study assesses antibiotic resistance trends among patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in the southern coastal region of Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 250 clinically confirmed DFU patients aged ≥30 years with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus and Wagner Grade 1–4 ulcers were included. Patient demographics, diabetes duration, comorbidities, ulcer site distribution, microbial isolates, and antibiotic susceptibility profiles were recorded and analysed. Microbiological identification and antibiotic sensitivity testing were conducted according to standard laboratory procedures to determine resistance patterns. The findings highlight an urgent need for culture-guided therapy and enhanced antibiotic stewardship. The findings highlight the critical need for culture-guided therapy, better antibiotic stewardship, and comprehensive foot-care regimens in diabetic populations to decrease complications and avoid amputations, with Klebsiella oxytoca (8%) being the major isolate. Staphylococcus aureus (9%), including MRSA (6%), represented major gram-positive organisms. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns showed the highest sensitivity to ceftriaxone (71%), whereas high resistance was seen to ciprofloxacin (73%), amoxicillin-clavulanate (89%), cephalexin (89%), amikacin (93%), and meropenem (82%). Antibiotic susceptibility tests found that ceftriaxone was the most sensitive, whereas amoxicillin + Clavulanate, cephalexin, ciprofloxacin, and amikacin were all widely resistant. The findings highlight an urgent need for culture-guided therapy and enhanced antibiotic stewardship. The findings highlight the critical need for culture-guided therapy, better antibiotic stewardship, and comprehensive foot-care regimens in diabetic populations to decrease complications and avoid amputations.