Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM)Mid-year Seminar in Honour of

Prof Mak Joon WahRelevance and Importance of Tropical Medicine

7 JULY 2018, SATURDAY

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITYBUKIT JALIL

Professor Dr Mak Joon Wah

A dedicated and prolific scholar since 1972, Professor Mak has contributed

immensely to the research and control of parasitic and tropical diseases. He is

recognised globally for his contributions to the treatment, epidemiology and

control of tropical diseases such as filariasis and malaria.

Professor Mak has played an influential role in the development of tropical

medicine in Malaysia. He has had leadership roles in various professional bodies

such as the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine.

He was also the Founding Editor of Tropical Biomedicine which is the first

Malaysian biomedical journal to be listed under ISI Thompson.

Professor Mak has successfully obtained research grants based on open

international competition from the WHO for filariasis and other parasitic

infections, a reflection of the recognition of his work by the global scientific

community.

Based on his immense contributions to the basic and applied knowledge of

filariasis at national and international levels, he was awarded the National

Science Award in 1985 and the Merdeka Award in 2011.

Professor Mak has published more than 345 scientific papers, and has presented

78 scientific papers at local and international seminars.

He is also Fellow of several Professional Bodies including the Royal College of

Pathologist, UK and the Academy of Sciences, Malaysia.

“I think it is very important to

be a good role model. Many

of us who have achieved

what we hope to achieve

have done so because of the

role models whom we

emulate. We must be

conscious of the fact that

whatever we do, we are

observed. If we do the right

things, we will have a positive

impact on others just as

others have had a positive

impact on us. That is

important.”

– Mak Joon Wah

SEMINAR OVERVIEW

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

EDUCATIONAL NEED AND PROGRAMME GOAL: The International Medical

University (IMU), in collaboration with the Malaysian Society of Parasitology

and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM), is organising a mid-year seminar on the

theme, “Relevance and Importance of Tropical Medicine”. This seminar is an

annual meeting of members of the MSPTM. For this particular year, the mid-

year seminar is organised in honour of Prof Mak Joon Wah in recognition of

his immense contributions to Tropical Medicine and Public Health. There will

be three plenary talks related to past, current and future development in

tropical medicine in Malaysia and in this region.

THEME: Relevance and Importance of Tropical Medicine

TARGET AUDIENCE: Researchers, Undergraduate and Postgraduate

students

Prof Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim bin Sulaiman

• Director, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), IMU

• Fellow of Academy of Medicine Malaysia

• President of the College of Public Health Medicine of the Academy

• Fellow of Academy of Medicine of Singapore and Elected Fellow of the Academy of

Sciences Malaysia

Dr Rabindra Abeyasinghe

• Coordinator of Malaria, Other Vector-borne and Parasitic Diseases Unit, Regional

Office of the World Health Organization for the Western Pacific based in Manila,

Philippines

Assoc Prof Dr Pratap Singhasivanon

• Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand

• Secretary General and Coordinator of the SEAMEO TROPMED Network

• Work Package leader for the Southeast Asia component of the DENFREE project

• Experienced in cooperative international research and capacity building, including

the TRANSEPI project that looked at the comparative epidemiology of P. falciparum

and P. vivax transmission in Papua New Guinea, Thailand, and Brazil

AGENDA

Panel DiscussionModerator: Prof Dr Victor Lim Pro Vice-Chancellor, Institutional Advancement, IMU

Prize Presentation to Poster Winners by Prof Dr Mak Joon Wah

Lunch

11:45am - 12:30pm

12:30pm - 12:45pm

1:00pm - 2:00pm

RegistrationChair: Prof Dr Chu Wan Loy Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, IMU

Welcome AddressProf Dr Peter Pook Chuen KeatDeputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), IMU

52 Years of SEAMEO-TROPMED – Impact on Human Resource Development and Tropical Disease Burden in the Region –Views on HR Needs for the Future Assoc Prof Dr Pratap SinghasivanonDean, Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand

Tropical Medicine in the Western Pacific – Current State and Future ChallengesDr Rabindra R. AbeyasingheCoordinator, Malaria and other Vectorborne and Parasitic Diseases Unit, Division of Communicable Diseases, WHO Western Pacific Region (WPRO), Manila, Philippines

Tea Break & Poster Viewing/Judging

Chair: Assoc Prof Dr Siti Nursheena Binti Mohd ZainPresident, MSPTM

Tropical Medicine in Malaysia – Past, Current and the Future Prof Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim SulaimanDirector, Institute for Research, Development and Innovation (IRDI), IMU

8:00am - 8:30am

8:30am - 8:45am

8:45am - 9:30am

9:30am - 10:15am

10:15am - 11:00am

11:00am - 11:45am

ABSTRACTS

P01 MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS OF MICROSPORIDIAINFECTION AMONG IMMUNOCOMPROMISEDPATIENTS IN AN URBAN HOSPITALHassan, N-A.1, Lim, Y.A.L.1, Mahmud, R.1, Mohd-Shaharuddin, N.1 and Ngui, R.1

1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine,University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In Malaysia, information on the prevalence ofmicrosporidia species among immunocompromisedpatients has not been fully elucidated. Mostepidemiological studies on microsporidia have reliedon conventional microscopy technique, which doesnot differentiate the parasite at the species level.The present study was conducted to identify theprevalence of microsporidia and to confirm theidentification at species level from the stool samplesof immunocompromised patients. During March2016 to March 2017, a total of 342 archived stoolsamples were examined microscopically using Gram-chromotrope Kinyoun (GCK) stain. All Positivesamples were subjected to species specification byPCR and all positive amplicons sequenced andsubjected to phylogenetic analysis. Overallprevalence of microsporidia infection was 28.9%(99/342) as examined by microscopy. Microsporidiawere significantly higher among males compared tofemales (p=0.031). Of this microscopically positivestool samples, 50 samples were successfullyamplified and confirmed as Enterocytozoon bienuesiby PCR. No Encephalitozoon intestinalis wasdetected. Of this, 100% were organ transplantrecipients and autoimmune patients followed by,acute gastroenteritis (AGE) patients (83.3%),HIV/AIDS patients (48.5%), cancer patients (41%),and end-stage renal failure (ESRF) patients (33.3%).Phylogenetic analysis revealed that zoonotic andinter-human transmission might be a possible routeof transmission for microsporidia infection in thepresent study. Three different mismatches werereported within the genus of two E. bieneusi isolates.Thus, genotyping study to explore genetic diversityof this species is essential for future research.Identification of specific-species might guideclinicians to decide on appropriate managementstrategies as dissemination risks, and treatmentresponse varies for different species, henceimproving the management of microsporidiainfection.

P02THE EFFECTS OF CITRUS HYSTRIX ANDCYMBOPOGON CITRATUS ESSENTIAL OILS ASACARICIDES AGAINST RHIPICEPHALUS (BOOPHILUS)MICROPLUS LARVAEShezryna, S.1, Syamsa, R. A.1, Anisah, N.1, Saleh, I.2

1 Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology,Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia.2 Department of Diagnostic & Allied Health Science,Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Management &Science University, University Drive, Seksyen 13,40100 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus or commonlyknown as cattle tick is an important ectoparasite inveterinary medicine as it is capable of being a vectorto numerous diseases, subsequently affecting theagricultural field as well as the economy. The use ofcommercial chemical based acaricides are known tocause resistance over time and thus a much safer,effective and environmentally friendly alternativethrough research in order to overcome tickinfestation should be implemented. In this study, theessential oils of Citrus hystrix (kaffir lime) andCymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) are tested on R.(B.) microplus larvae to evaluate the acaricidalproperties. The tests are done separately by meansof modified larval immersion test (LIT), whereby bothplants are tested individually and in combination at1:1 ratio at 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.5%, 5%, 15%, 30%, 40%concentrations. The results were analyzed usingAbbott’s corrected mortality formula and probitanalysis to find LC50 and LC90 for both individualtests and in combination. The LC50 and LC90 valuesare 8.92% and 16.49% for C. hystrix, and 1.05% and6.12% for C. citratus. Combination of these plants at1:1 ratio resulted in LC50 and LC90 values at 1.19%and 2.92% respectively. Gas chromatography-massspectrometry (GC-MS) is conducted on both essentialoils individually and in combination to identify themain chemical components which might contributeto tick mortality. In conclusion, there is an acaricidalpotential between the combination of C. hystrix andC. citratus essential oils, making it a finer alternativeto chemical based acaricide.

P03IN VITRO ANTI-LEPTOSPIRAL ACTIVITY OFPHYLLANTHUS AMARUS EXTRACTSChe Ain Munirah Ismail1, Ruzilawati Abu Bakar2,Zakuan Zainy Deris1 and Nabilah Ismail1.

1 Department of Medical Microbiology andParasitology, School of Medical Sciences, UniversitiSains Malaysia Health Campus, 16150 KubangKerian, Kelantan, Malaysia2 Department of Pharmacology, School of MedicalSciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus,16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

Phyllanthus amarus has been used in Chinese andAyuverdic medicine since ancient times, treatingdiseases such as hepatitis B and C, jaundice, kidneystones, microbial infections, tumors and viraldiseases. Recent research shows the ability of extractof Phyllanthus amarus in damaging the DNA ofLeptospira. However, only few studies have beenconducted on its anti-leptospiral properties. P.amarus was extracted using Soxhlet extractor formethanol extract and maceration for aqueousextract. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of P.amarus extracts were done on Leptospirainterrogans serovar Australis, Bataviae, Canicola andJavanica through broth microdilution method usingthe 96-well plate, by determining its minimalinhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimumbactericidal concentration (MBC). The results wereanalysed using ELISA microplate reader, compared tomicroscopic results using dark field microscope.Penicillin and ceftriaxone were used as control. MICsof methanol extract were in the range of 400-800µg/ml, 100-400 µg/ml for aqueous extracts, 0.025-6.25 µg/ml for penicillin and 0.2-3.13 µg/ml forceftriaxone. The ranges of MBCs for methanol extractwere 400-800 µg/ml, 200-800 µg/ml for aqueousextracts, 0.0125- 1.56 µg/ml for penicillin and 0.1-1.56 µg/ml for ceftriaxone. P. amarus exhibited ananti-leptospiral activity upon the tested Leptospiraserovars, with aqueous extracts performing betterthan methanol extracts. Further it is recommendedthat in vivo studies be carried out to investigate thepharmacological and toxicological properties of P.amarus before considering it as a new anti-leptospiral agent.

P04RESISTANCE STATUS OF DENGUE VECTOR, AEDESAEGYPTI (L.) AGAINST ORGANOPHOSPHATES INMAJOR STATES OF INDONESIAHaziqah-Rashid, A1, Chen, C. D.1, Lau, K. W.1, Low, V.L.2, Azidah, A. A.1, Suana, I. W. 3, Harmonis4,Syahputra, E.5, Razak, A.6, Chin, A. C.1, and Sofian-Azirun, M.1.

1Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science,University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia2Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and EducationCentre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, 50603 KualaLumpur3Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science,University of Mataram, Jl. Majapahit No. 62,Mataram 83125, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia4Faculty of Forestry, Mulawarman University, Jl. KiHajar Dewantara, Kampus Gunung Kelua, Samarinda75119, Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia5Faculty of Agriculture, Tanjungpura University, Jl.Prof. Dr. Hadari Nawawi, Pontianak 78124,Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia6Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science,Padang State University, Jl. Prof. Dr. Hamka, KampusAir Tawar, Padang 25131, Sumatera Barat, Indonesia

The study was conducted to investigate theresistance status of Aedes aegypti larvae and adultsagainst diagnostic dosages of organophosphates inKuningan, Padang, Samarinda, Pontianak, Bali,Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba and Timor. Larvaland adult bioassays were performed according toWHO standard protocol against field collected Ae.aegypti. For larval bioassay, third instar larvae weretested against diagnostic dosages of malathion(0.125 mg/l) and fenitrothion (0.02 mg/l). For adultbioassay, non-blood fed female Ae. aegypti adultwere exposed to 5% malathion and 1% fenitrothionfor 60 minutes. Mortality of larvae and adults wererecorded after 24 hours post treatment. Our resultsrevealed that Ae. aegypti larvae and adults from allstudy sites were susceptible and moderatelyresistant against diagnostic dosage of fenitrothion(mortality ≥ 80%). Interestingly, all Ae. aegypti larvaewere resistant against diagnostic dosage ofmalathion (mortality < 80 %), whilst most adult fieldpopulations were susceptible and moderatelyresistant against diagnostic dosage of malathion.Thus, this study indicates that fenitrothion is stilleffective against both adult and larvae field strainsand malathion is only effective against adult fieldpopulations.

P05THE V1016G POINT MUTATION: THE KEYMUTATION IN THE VOLTAGE-GATED SODIUMCHANNEL (VSSC) GENE OF PYRETHROID-RESISTANTAEDES AEGYPTI IN INDONESIAAmelia-Yap, Z. H.1, Low, V. L.1, Chen, C. D.2, Lau,K.W.2, Suana, I.W.3, Harmonis4, Syahputra, E.5, Razak,A.6, Sofian-Azirun, M.2.

1Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & EducationCentre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, 50603 KualaLumpur, Malaysia.2Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science,University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.3Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science,University of Mataram, Jl. Majapahit No. 62,Mataram 83125, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia.4Faculty of Forestry, Mulawarman University, Jl. KiHajar Dewantara, Kampus Gunung Kelua, Samarinda75119, Kalimantan Timur, Indonesia.5Faculty of Agriculture, Tanjungpura University, Jl.Prof. Dr. Hadari Nawawi, Pontianak 78124,Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia.6Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science,Padang State University, Jl. Prof. Dr. Hamka, KampusAir Tawar, Padang 25131, Sumatera Barat,Indonesia.

Resistance to pyrethroid insecticides is widespread inIndonesian Aedes aegypti, the primary vector ofdengue viruses. With a limited number ofinsecticides used regularly in vector control,monitoring the occurrence of insecticide resistance isa crucial need in reducing dengue transmission.Molecular genotyping of mutations using PCR anddirect DNA sequencing were performed at positions989 and 1016 in IIS6 region and 1534 in IIIS6 regionof the voltage-gated sodium channel (Vssc) in ninepopulations of Indonesian Aedes aegypti. TheV1016G genotyping identified the RR genotype to bepredominant in six out of nine populations of Aedesaegypti, while the SS genotype occurred only in theremaining three populations. The presence of theS989P mutation was also confirmed, with the RRgenotype being the most predominant genotypedetected (6 out of 9 populations). Interestingly, co-occurrence of the V1016G and S989P mutations wasdetected in the aforementioned six populations withhigh frequency. Genotyping of F1534C showed allnine populations exhibited the SS genotype, withmerely two individuals from a population exhibitedheterozygous (RS). Significant correlations weredemonstrated between the allele frequencies of theV1016G mutation and the survivability rates as wellas resistance ratios in pyrethroid adult bioassays.

This signifies the V1016G can contribute more to theinsensitivity of Vssc than the F1534C. Homozygous1016G mosquitoes were likelier to survive pyrethroidexposure. Identification of underlying mechanismsresulting in insecticide resistance is advantageous indeveloping effective mosquito control programs inIndonesia.

P06ANTIMALARIAL ASSESSMENT OF STREPTOMYCESSPP. AGAINST PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM 3D7Ahmad, S. J.1, Zin, N. M. 1*, Baharum, S. N.2, Baba, M.S.3, Lau Y. L.4

1Program of Biomedical Science, School of AppliedHealth Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,Jalan Raja Muda Abd Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur,2Institute of Systems Biology (INBIOSIS), UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor,

Malaysia3Department of Biomedical Science, Kulliyyah ofAllied Health Sciences, International IslamicUniversity Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 25200Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia4Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine,University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Nature-derived antimalarial agents still remain asimportant sources to be discovered due to adramatic rise in drug resistant strains of parasites.This study aimed to determine the antimalarialactivity of Streptomyces spp. against Plasmodiumfalciparum 3D7. The growth curve of Streptomyces,namely SUK 12 and SUK 48 were assessed and IC50

values against P. falciparum 3D7 determined. Themost active strain which exhibited the bestantimalarial activities was identified by amplificationand sequencing of 16S rRNA gene method andphylogenetic analysis. The growth curve of SUK 12showed that 5 days fermentation time (DFT) was atmid exponential phase, 12 DFT at stationary phaseand 14 DFT at death phase with IC50 value of 3.091 x10-2 µg/mL , 8.168 x 10-4 µg/mL, 6.229 x 10-2 µg/mL,respectively. Whilst the growth curve of SUK 48showed that 7 DFT was at mid exponential phase, 14DFT at stationary phase and 21 DFT at death phasewith IC50 value of 1.98 x 10-4 µg/mL, 1.96 x 10-4

µg/mL, 2.9 x 10-4 µg/mL, respectively. The IC50 valuefor antimalarial activity showed by the commercialantimalarial drug, chloroquine diphosphate (CQ) was8.8 x 10-3 µg/mL. The nucleotide sequence analysissuggested that Streptomyces SUK 48 was 99.65%similar to Streptomyces misionensis DSM 40306T andthe phylogenetic tree bootstrap value was found

more than 70%. The results revealed thatStreptomyces SUK 48 with 14DFT exhibited betterantimalarial activities as compared to SUK 12 and itsstationary phase was the most active phase ofgrowth curve in producing the antimalarialcompound. Thus, Streptomyces SUK 48 was found tobe a potential candidate with antimalarial activity.

P07CHARACTERISING HOST-PARASITE METABOLICINTERACTION OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII INFECTIONIN A MURINE MODEL: A SYSTEMS BIOLOGYAPPROACHKho, M.T.1, Chong, C.W.2, Lim, S.H.E.3, Ismail, N.H.4,Draper, L.O.5, Yam, W.K.2, Lim, P.K.C.1, Mak, J.W.1,and Yap, I.K.S.6

1 School of Postgraduate Studies, Institute forResearch, Development and Innovation, InternationalMedical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, BukitJalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia2 Life Sciences Department, School of Pharmacy,International Medical University, 126 Jalan JalilPerkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia3 Perdana University, Block B & D Aras 1, MAEPSbuilding, MARDI Complex, Jalan MAEPS Perdana,43400 Serdang, Selangor DE, Malaysia4 Atta-ur-Rahman Institute for Natural ProductsDiscovery, University Teknologi MARA, 42300 BandarPuncak Alam, Selangor DE, Malaysia5 School of Medicine, International MedicalUniversity, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil,57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia6 Clinical Research Centre Sarawak General Hospital,Jalan Hospital, Kuching 93586, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Toxoplasma gondii infection is prevalent worldwideand is considered as one of the neglected tropicalparasitic infections. Despite most healthy individualshaving host immunity to fight toxoplasmosis, theparasite is capable of encysting itself in order toevade the challenge of the host immune system.Hence, understanding of the host-parasite metabolicinteraction is essential. For this we have establishedan animal model using BALB/c mice for T. gondiistrain ME49 infection, to understand host-parasiteinteraction using systems biology approaches:metagenomics, metabonomics and host immuneresponse. This study showed a significant anddistinctive profile between acute versus chronicphases of infection in terms of host immune system,gut microbiota and urinary metabolic profile.Observation on the change in gut microbecomposition occurred during the acute but not

chronic phase of infection. Nonetheless, significantchanges in host metabolism can still be observedduring the chronic phase of infection. Continuouselevation of serum IFN-γ and decrease in levels ofTNF-α indicated that IFN-γ plays a vital role in bothacute and chronic infection phase of toxoplasmosis.Next, perturbation in the host immune system wasalso reflected in the urinary metabolic profile.Urinary levels of N-acetyls and O-acetyls ofglycoproteins on the termination time point weresignificantly lower in the infected group. Likewise,increase in urinary α-hydroxy N-valerate and β-aminoisobutyrate indicated that disruption of hostamino acids catabolism had occurred. Lastly, urinaryexcretion of short-chain fatty acids suggested atransient shift in energy metabolism towardsoxidation of both gluconeogenic and ketogenicamino acids such as isoleucine, leucine, valine andnucleotide.

P08DEVELOPMENT OF A RAPID MOLECULAR ASSAY FORDETECTION OF ISONIAZID RESISTANTMycobacterium tuberculosis: A PRELIMINARYSTUDYLee, L. H1., Norazmi, M. N2., Suraiya, S1., and Chan, Y.Y1,3.

1Department of Medical Microbiology andParasitology, School of Medical Sciences, UniversitiSains Malaysia Health Campus, 16150 KubangKerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.2School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.3Institute For Research In Molecular Medicine,Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus, 16150Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.

Tuberculosis is an important airborne infection,which affects both developed and developingcountries. The emergence of isoniazid resistance,caused by mutation at mabA-inhA-15 promoterregion of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, furtherhampers tuberculosis control. Hence, a rapiddiagnostic test for the detection of isoniazidresistance is urgently needed. This study aimed todevelop a qPCR assay for detection of the mutatedregion. Briefly, a set of oligonucleotides (consistingof two primers and a hydrolysis probe) was designedagainst mabA-inhA-15. The functionality of thedesigned oligonucletides was tested on (i) Apreviously confirmed clinical isolate that wasresistant to isoniazid and (ii) synthetic double-stranded DNA that resembles the mutated mabA-inhA-15 promoter region. Preliminary results showed

that the qPCR assay was able to detect mabA-inhA-15 mutation from both types of samples. Based onthis observation, it is probable that the developedqPCR can be used to detect isoniazid resistance genefrom clinical isolates and will be used for furtherevaluation.

P09RESISTANCE STATUS EVALUATION OF DENGUEVECTOR, AEDES ALBOPICTUS, AGAINST MAJORCLASSES OF INSECTICIDES IN SABAH, MALAYSIAElia-Amira, N. M. R.1, Chen, C. D.1*, Lau, K. W.1, Lee,H. L.2 and Sofian-Azirun, M.1

1Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science,University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia2Medical Entomology Unit, Institute for MedicalResearch, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Resistance status of Aedes albopictus adults collectedfrom West Coast and Kudat divisions, Sabah,Malaysia, were evaluated against four major classesof insecticides; pyrethroid, carbamate,organochlorine and organophosphate. Adultbioassays conforming to WHO standard protocolswere conducted to assess knockdown and mortalityrates of Ae. albopictus. The results revealed thatamong pyrethroids, only cyfluthrin, lambda-cyaholthrin and deltamethrin were able to inflicttotal knockdown towards field-collected Ae.albopictus. As for the rest of the insecticide classes,most failed to cause any knockdown and the highestknockdown percentage recorded was only 17.78%.Mortality percentage wise, Ae. albopictus wereunanimously susceptible towards pyrethroids butmostly exhibited resistance towards the remaininginsecticide classes. Cyfluthrin was the most effectiveagainst Ae. albopictus, by exhibiting rapidknockdown with KT50 ranging from 14.86 to 25.09minutes and permethrin was the least effective withKT50 ranging from 39.91 to 53.94 minutes. Inversely,most field-collected populations could not generateKT50 when tested against carbamates,organochlorines and organophosphates as theknockdown rates were less than 5%, signifying highresistance. The susceptibility status of Sabahanpopulation of Ae. albopictus against pyrethroids indescending order were of: cyfluthrin > lambda-cyaholthrin > deltamethrin > etofenprox >permethrin. Correlation analysis of mortalitypercentages using the Spearman rank ordercorrelation discovered cross resistance between the

two carbamates, bendiocarb and propoxur. In short,this study disclosed that pyrethroids are stillgenerally effective for Aedes control in Sabah,Malaysia, but the same could not be said for theremaining insecticide classes.

P10ROLE OF COMMENSAL ESCHERICHIA COLI INCHOLERA INFECTIONToh, Y.S.1, Yap, I.K.S.2, Teh, C.S.J.3, Win, T.T.4, Thong,K.L.5, Chong, C.W.6,7

1 School of Postgraduate Studies and Research,International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur.2 Clinical Research Centre Sarawak General Hospital,Jalan Hospital, Kuching 93586, Sarawak.3 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine,University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.4 Department of Pathology, School of Medicine,International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur.5 Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science,University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.6 Department of Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy,International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur.7 Centre for Translational Research, Institute forResearch, Development & Innovation (IRDI),International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by theGram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. To date,studies that focused on V. cholerae and theirinteractions in multispecies communities are stilllacking. To address the knowledge gap, we evaluatedthe interaction of V. cholerae strains (representativestrain El Tor N16961 and El Tor variant 1761 isolatedin Terengganu) during intestinal colonisation withhuman commensal Escherichia coli, using adultBALB/c mouse model. In contrast to the miceinfected with V. cholerae strains alone, mildinflammation was observed in the intestinal tissue ofmice co-infected with V. cholerae and E. coli.Interestingly, the quantitative real-time PCRperformed showed elevated numbers of V. choleraewere recovered from faecal samples of mice co-infected with E. coli and V. cholerae at 24 hours postinfection, suggesting potential growth promotingeffect of E. coli. The latter also elicited slightly higherlevels of interleukin-5 and interleukin-10.Nevertheless, our results revealed that thesynergistic interaction observed did not act throughquorum sensing system. In summary, our resultssuggested the potential role of human commensal E.coli in V. cholerae disease development.

P11EFFECT OF MOUSE PASSAGE ON THE VIRULENCE OFAXENICALLY CULTIVATED ACANTHAMOEBACASTELLANII: A GENOME-WIDE TRANSCRIPTOMICANALYSISWong, Y.H.1, Chan, L.L.2, Leong, C.O.3,4, Ambu, S.,2,3,Mak, J.W.3, and Sahu, P.2

1 School of Postgraduate Studies and Research,International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, KualaLumpur.2 School of Medicine, Department of Pathology,International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, KualaLumpur.3 Institute for Research, Development and Innovation,International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, KualaLumpur.4 School of Pharmacy, Department of Life Sciences,International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, KualaLumpur.

Virulence of pathogenic Acanthamoeba isolates canbe attenuated due to prolonged culturing in axenicliquid medium but can be restored by consecutivemouse passages. Noteworthy, knowledge pertainingto the genome-wide effect of mouse passages on thetranscription profiles of virulence-attenuatedAcanthamoeba is limited. In this study, thetranscriptional response of an axenically cultured,virulence-attenuated Acanthamoeba castellaniiisolate (designation: ATCC) subjected to five roundsof mouse passages was characterised using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). ComparativeRNA-Seq analysis on the transcriptomic profiles ofATCC isolate and the isolate recovered from infectedbrain of mouse at 5th passage (designation: AC/5)identified 3768 genes to have differentiallyexpressed (2101 up-regulated, 1667 down-regulated). Eukaryotic orthologous groups and geneontology analyses indicated many genes involved insignal transduction, protein modification, transportactivity and oxidation-reduction, among others, wereconsiderably up-regulated in AC/5. Additionally,many putative genes encoding for proteolyticenzymes, cellulases, oxidoreductases, heat shockproteins and protein transporters were highlyexpressed in AC/5. The present study revealedsignificant difference in gene expression betweenthe virulence-attenuated and -reactivated A.castellanii. A wide range of genes involved inmetabolism and signaling pathway were implicatedin the virulence of the amoebae; these genesrepresent important candidates for functionalanalysis to better understand the molecularmechanism of virulence regulation inAcanthamoeba.

P12NOVEL MULTIPLEX REAL-TIME PCR FORSIMULTANEOUS DETECTION OF Leptospira,Burkholderia pseudomallei, Salmonella andPlasmodium DNAMohd Ali, M.R.1,2, Ismail, N. 1, Harun, A. 1 and Chan,Y.Y. 1,3

1 Department of Medical Microbiology &Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, UniversitiSains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian Kelantan2 Secretariat National Institutes of Health, d/aInstitute for Health Management, Jalan Rumah SakitBangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur3 Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine(INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150Kubang Kerian Kelantan

Leptospirosis, melioidosis, invasive salmonellosis andmalaria portray similar clinical presentations and aredifficult to differentiate. To enable timely diagnosis,we developed and evaluated a multiplex TaqmanqPCR for the etiologic agents of these infections.Briefly, four primer pairs and probes were designedagainst rrs, orf2-TTSS, StyR-3 and 18S rRNA genes ofLeptospira, B. pseudomallei, Salmonella andPlasmodium respectively. Analytical specificity of thedesigned oligonucleotides was tested on 357microbial isolates including 131 Leptospira, 105 B.pseudomallei, 44 Salmonella, 31 Plasmodium and 46other organisms. The developed assay correctlyamplified and differentiated all organisms of interest.No cross amplification was observed in the othernon-related isolates. Next, the analytical sensitivityof the assay was evaluated on 10-fold serial dilutionsof Leptospira, B. pseudomallei and Salmonellagenomic DNA and Plasmodium synthetic DNA. It wasfound that the developed assay can detect between2.56 – 4 copies of DNA per reaction. These resultsindicated that the developed multiplex qPCR assaywas highly specific and sensitive for moleculardetection of Leptospira, B. pseudomallei, Salmonellaand Plasmodium. Further study can be carried out toevaluate the performance of this assay on clinicalsamples of suspected patients.

P13A TISSUE CULTURE INFECTION TEST FOR ROUTINERABIES DIAGNOSIS DURING RABIES OUTBREAK OF2017 IN MALAYSIAM.S. Naim, N1., Ahmad Fikri, A.Y1., and W.N. Maziah,W.O.B1

1Veterinary Research Institute, 59 Jalan Sultan AzlanShah, 31400 Ipoh Perak

An indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) test with 4-wells Chamber Slide System was developed to detectrabies antigen in human neuroblastoma cell culture(HNC). Brain samples from infected area werecollected, processed and inoculated into theconfluent HNC in 4-wells Chamber Slide System. Anacetone fixative procedure was performed after 4days of incubation then followed by IFA procedure.The use of IFA staining of HNC cultures alloweddetection of rabies antigen in substantially less timethan by using the normal virus isolation procedure.In addition, the use of IFA allowed specificidentification of the virus in tissue culture.

P14Evaluation of monoclonal antibody (IgG2bMAb) forthe detection of coproantigen from Strongyloidesratti in faecal specimens of experimentallyinoculated Wistar rats

Noor Abdulhaleem1, 2, Aliyu Mahmuda1, 3, RoslainiAbd Majid1, Leslie Than Thian Lung1, Wan OmarAbdullah4 and Ngah Zasmy Unyah1

1Department of Medical Microbiology andParasitology, Faculty of Medicine and HealthSciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.2Department of Biology, College of Science, Universityof Anbar, Anbar, Iraq.3Department of Parasitology and Entomology,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu DanfodiyoUniversity, Sokoto, Nigeria.4Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicineand Health Sciences, Islamic Science UniversityMalaysia, Malaysia.

A highly sensitive diagnostic assay for the detectionof Strongyloidiasis is needed due to the intermittentand low concentration of eggs, larvae, and adult thatcan be found in faecal specimens. In some cases,repeated sampling of faecal specimens is required toobtain satisfactory and reliable results. In this study,a monoclonal antibody (IgG2bMAb) was produced

against the infective larvae (iL3) of Strongyloidesratti, which was used as a model for strongyloidiasis.Western immunoblot and Indirect ELISAconfirmation against the antigen of iL3 of S. ratti andcross-reaction with adult worm’s antigens of otherintestinal helminths (A. suum, T. cati, T. canis and A.caninum) were done. A total of 50 faecal specimens,including 20 faecal specimens from experimentallyinoculated Wistar rats with 1x105 iL3 of S. ratti and30 faecal specimens from uninfected Wistar rats asnegative controls were used for the standardisationand sensitivity test in Sandwich ELISA for thedetection of coproantigen. IgG2bMAb was observedto cross-reacted strongly at 30 kDa with A. caninum,and there was no visible cross-reaction against A.suum, T. cati and T. canis in both Westernimmunoblot and Indirect ELISA. IgG2bMAb basedSandwich ELISA detected 17 positives forcoproantigen out of 20 faecal specimens fromexperimentally inoculated Wistar rats with iL3 of S.ratti. Three false negatives were detected from thesame group of inoculated Wistar rats (OD below thecutoff point of 0.266). Thus, the sensitivity ofIgG2bMAb based Sandwich ELISA for detection ofcoproantigen from S. ratti in faecal specimens ofexperimentally inoculated Wistar rats was 85%.Conclusion, IgG2bMAb produced from iL3 of S. rattican be used for the detection of coproantigens fromfaecal specimens.

P15ACAES: Auto-Counting Aedes Eggs SystemAssoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Man, Dr. Wan Nural JawahirHj Wan Yussof, Assoc. Dr. Muhammad Suzuri Hitam,Dr. Abdul Aziz K. Abdul Hamid. Dr. EzmahamrulAfreen Awalludin and Dr. Wan Aezwani Wan AbuBakar

Widespread in the tropics, the Aedes mosquito is animportant vector of many viruses, as such posing asignificant threat to human health. Vectormonitoring often requires fecundity estimation bycounting eggs laid by female mosquitoes.Traditionally, manual data analyses have been usedbut this requires a lot of effort and is the methodsare prone to errors. An easy tool to assess thenumber of eggs laid would facilitate experimentationand vector control operations. This study introducesa built-in software called ACAES allowing automaticegg counting of the Aedes vector mosquito. ACAESestimation uses a point detection technique that isrobust to image noise and illumination changes indetecting eggs. The technique is based on Gabor

wavelets that produces a set of filtered images usingdifferent scales and frequencies. These filteredimages are combined together to produce a singlemap image. Points are detected from this map usingthe non-maxima suppression technique. ACAES, ascompared to manual counting is statisticallyequivalent, making the software effective forautomatic data analysis. This technique also allowsrapid analysis compared to manual methods. ACAESis a powerful tool for fast and precise egg countanalysis, freeing researchers from manual dataprocessing. The software allows easy use by non-experts. This project is in collaboration with OneTeam Network Sdn Bhd under the Matching GrantProject between University and Industry.

P16ZOONOTIC PARASITIC DISEASES DIAGNOSED IN THEVETERINARY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, IPOH FROM2015 TO 2017

Ahmad Fikri, A.Y.1, Nurulaini, R.1, and MohamadMasrin A.1

Veterinary Research Institute, 59, Jalan Sultan AzlanShah, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

Zoonotic parasitic diseases are caused by parasitesthat occur in animals that can be transmitted to orinfect humans through several different routes ofinfection. It can be transmitted via direct contact, viaintermediate vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks orfood- and waterborne infections. In Malaysia, theDepartment of Veterinary Services has identified 125animal diseases that need to be reported to the OIEif it is detected in animals. From those 125 notifiablediseases, there are 18 parasitic diseases that arenotifiable. However, from this, only five zoonoticparasitic diseases are reported in Malaysia. In theVeterinary Research Institute (VRI), the zoonoticparasitic diseases diagnosed are protozoans,trematodes, cestodes and nematodes such ascysticercosis, toxoplasmosis, trichinellosis,cryptosporidiosis, toxocariosis, sarcocystosis andfascioliasis. From data of cases diagnosed in VRI from2015 to 2017, it was found that 68% of thefascioliasis cases submitted for diagnosis were foundto be positive. Zoonotic diseases are important dueto public health concerns, and the DVS is directlyable to contribute towards, diagnosis, treatment andcontrol of these diseases which are transmitted frommeat, faecal contamination as well through vectorsto humans.

P17Anthelmintic use in sheep and goat farms in Perak –towards a green approach for worm control.Premaalatha B.1, Zaini C.M.1, Jamnah O.1, Ramlan M.2

& Chandrawathani P.2

1 Veterinary Research Institute, Jalan Sultan AzlanShah, Perak2 Department of Veterinary Services, Putrajaya, KualaLumpur

Helminthiasis is an important parasitic diseaselimiting production and causing mortality in smallruminant farms. Data from anthelmintic usage anddrug resistance studies from 2013 to 2014 from 14farms has shown the rampant use of drugs for wormcontrol activities. The common drugs used in mostfarms are Benzimidazoles, Imidazothiazoles,Marcocyclic Lactones and Salicylanilides. It has beenestablished that at least one drug can be usedeffectively in 8 farms. This indicates the necessity tolook at various other methods for worm control insmall ruminant farms such as use of EM, local herbsand improving management such that the worminfection cycle is reduced. These methods will beable to improve farmer’s profits by reducingmortality and morbidity. The added advantage ofusing green methods is the reduction in drugresidues in meat and milk products which willeventually translate into a healthy humanpopulation.

P18GENETIC ANALYSIS OF H9N2 AVIAN INFLUENZAVIRUSES ISOLATED IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIAFROM 2015 TO 2017Syamsiah Aini, S., Faizul Fikri, M.Y., Leow, B.L.,Muhammad Redzwan, S., Ong, G.H., and SohayatiA.R

Veterinary Research Institute, 59, Jalan Sultan AzlanShah, 31400 Ipoh, Perak

Avian Influenza (AI) H9N2 has become a majorproblem in the poultry industry in many countries.Although H9N2 viruses are considered as LowPathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI), they pose asignificant threat to public health. Here we reportthe genetic variations and phylogenetic analysis ofthree H9N2 isolates that were isolated from chickensduring 2015 to 2017, based on the hemagglutinin(HA) protein. Sequence analysis showed that all

isolates shared 96.9-97% sequence similarity withthe Korean isolate which was isolated in 2001.Phylogenetic studies showed that all three H9N2isolates were clustered within Korean-like lineage,suggesting that they could be derived from acommon origin. Based on the amino acids in the HAcleavage site, all isolates shared the same motifwhich is PARSKR/GLF. Interestingly, this motif hasbeen only reported in Israel isolates and differentfrom the Korean isolates. It is also worth to point outthat at position 226, there is no amino acid exchangefrom Glutamine to Leucine (Q->L) at the receptorbinding site indicating that this isolate has nopotential to infect humans. Findings from this studyalso highlights the importance of monitoring poultryindustry for H9N2. Further studies are required tofully characterize the H9N2 isolates for betterunderstanding the potential risk of these viruses tohumans.

P19TOOL OF THE FUTURE TO CONTROL FLYPOPULATION IN FARMS – THE NZI TRAPERWANAS A.I., NURULAINI R., AZIMA LAILI H.,PREMAALATHA B. AND DEBBRA M.

1Veterinary Research Institute, 59, Jalan Sultan AzlanShah, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia

Flies are important mechanical vectors for diseasetransmission in ruminants such as cattle and buffalowhere pathogenic organisms like Trypanosomaevansi can be transmitted. An effective fly trap forflies is critical in order to catch biting flies which arevectors for important diseases of veterinaryimportance. The Veterinary Research Institute (VRI)conducted a study on Nzi trap as an effort to reducefly pest population in livestock farms. The Nzi trapcan be used for vector control in farms because it isenvironmentally friendly and can prevent spread ofdisease. The objective of this study is to develop asimple, economical trap which can effectively trapthe local species of flies present in the area so thatfurther studies on identification and taxonomy canbe carried out. The aim of this evaluation of fly trapsis to prove that it is an effective method for flytrapping in Malaysia. The biting flies such as Tabanussp., Stomoxys sp., Musca sp. and Haematobia sp.were trapped using Nzi trap that has been setup inseveral livestock farms in Perak within 2 hours timeperiod. The total number of flies collected willdepend on several factors for example weather,animal population, time and location.

P20PURIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF DRUGTARGET SPINACH REDOX PARTNERS FORCYTOCHROME P450 STUDIESHanis Hafizah Ismail1, Mariam-Aisha Fatima2*, SitiNurbaya Oslan3, Nurain Nasruddin1

1Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Management &Science University. Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.2Research Management Centre, Management &Science University, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.3Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences,Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor,Malaysia.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes carries outoxidative metabolism of endogenous and foreignchemicals and this requires one or more redoxpartner proteins to sequentially deliver electrons inelectron transfer chain. Two redox partners that canbe obtained from Chinese spinach (Spinacia oleracia)are ferredoxin (Fd) and ferredoxin NADP-reductase(FNR). This study focuses on developing purificationmethods and identification of spinach redox partnersand to study the capabilities of spinach redoxpartners to perform the role of reduction andoxidation. Spinacia oleracia extraction and proteinpartial purification step was done through a singlecolumn anion exchange chromatography comparingtwo different buffers. The protein samples wereeluted stepwise using high salt buffers and proteaseinhibitor then subjected to sodium dodecyl sulphate– polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) todetermine native expression. Redox activityconfirmation of spinach redox partners was achievedthrough spectral analysis. Result suggests thepresence of flavin cofactor in yellowish samplefractions eluted from single step columnchromatography with either potassium phosphate orTris-HCl buffers. Single bands were visible on SDS-PAGE with sizes of ~45 kDa and ~8 kDacorresponding to FNR and Fd respectively. However,spectral analysis yielded no flavorprotein or Fe-Scluster protein signature peaks. The identification ofprotein can be carried out using mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF). This single step method is replicableand can be one of spinach redox partners’purification and polishing steps for future CYP450studies.

P21CHARACTERIZATION OF INTERNALMORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES DURING INTRA-PUPARIAL PERIOD OF A FORENSICALLY IMPORTANTBLOWFLY SPECIES, CHRYSOMYA MEGACEPHALA(DIPTERA: CALLIPHORIDAE), USING MICRO-COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING: A PILOTSTUDYNurAliah Natasha Azmi1, Chong Chin Heo2 and MohdHafizi Mahmud1

1Centre of Medical Imaging Study, Faculty of HealthSciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA SelangorBranch, Puncak Alam Campus, Bandar Puncak Alam,Selangor2Department of Microbiology and Parasitology,Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARASelangor Branch, Sungai Buloh Campus, SungaiBuloh, Selangor

This study was conducted to characterize the internalmorphological changes of forensically importantMalaysian blowfly species, Chrysomya megacephala(Diptera: Calliphoridae) during intra-puparial periodusing high resolution micro-Computed Tomography(micro-CT) scanning. Gravid females of C.megacephala were collected from a rural area inSungai Buloh and cultured in a laboratory to initiateoviposition. The resulting larvae were reared untilpupal stage. Four pupae (n= 4) were sampled duringthe first, second, third, and fourth quarter ofdevelopment after the onset of pupariation. Thepupal samples were then placed directly into 70%ethanol for preservation. Micro- CT scanning (Bruker-SkyScan 1176) was acquired following samplestaining with 0.5 M iodine in an aqueous solution toimprove the image contrast. The development ofage-specific morphological landmarks of the blowflyduring intra-puparial period was obviously markedand visible by the high resolution micro-CT scanning.This finding shows that the micro-CT scanning is apotential tool to estimate minimum post-morteminterval (PMImin) for forensic entomological cases inMalaysia.

P22MOLECULAR CHARACTERISATION OF TRICHURISTRICHIURA AND TRICHURIS VULPIS ISOLATED FROMHUMAN AND ANIMAL HOSTS IN MALAYSIANorashikin, M. S.1, Yvonne, A. L. L.1, Nur-Amirah, H.1, Sheila, N.2 and Romano, N.1

1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine,University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.2School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty ofScience and Technology, Universiti KebangsaanMalaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.

Trichuris trichiura is an important soil-transmittedhelminth causing trichuriasis. T. vulpis or dogwhipworm has also been reported occasionally toinfect humans based on the morphologicalexamination of the egg. However, an overlapping eggdimension occurs between both species may lead tothe potential for misdiagnosis. In order to investigateon the cross-transmission of both parasites betweenhuman and animal hosts, we sequenced andanalysed the SSU ribosomal RNA regions isolatedfrom human and animal hosts. A total of 524 faecalsamples were collected which comprising of 411(78.4%) from humans and 113 (21.6%) from dogs andcats from five indigenous villages in PeninsularMalaysia. Of the 524 samples, 314 (59.9%) weremicroscopically positive for Trichuris spp. PCR resultsshowed that 98.7% (237/240) of human sampleswere positive with T. trichiura. Interestingly, 1.3%(3/240) was identified as positive T. vulpis in humans.For animal samples, 56.8% (42/74) and 43.2% (32/74)were positive T. trichiura and T. vulpis, respectively.Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that T. trichiuraisolates were genetically distinct from T. vulpisisolates. The first clade comprised of mixture isolatesfrom human and animal-derived T. trichiura whilstthe other consisted of animal and human-derived T.vulpis. The three human-derived T. vulpis formed acluster that deviated from T. vulpis infecting animals.The detection of T. trichiura and T. vulpis in thefaecal samples of domestic animals that roamedaround this community, highlighting the potentialreservoir role of these animals in the transmission ofboth human and animal whipworms in thispopulation.

ORGANISING COMMITTEECHAIRMAN: Prof Dr Chu Wan Loy

Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, IMU

CO-CHAIRS: Prof Dr Patricia Lim Kim Chooi

Deputy Director, IRDI and Associate Dean, Industry Partnership, IMU

Assoc Prof Dr Siti Nursheena Binti Mohd Zain

President, MSPTM

Dr Heo Chong Chin

Honorary Secretary, MSPTM

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE:

Prof Dr Stephen Ambu

Head, Centre for Environmental and

Population Health, IRDI, IMU

Assoc Prof Dr Wong Shew Fung

Department of Pathology, School of

Medicine, IMU

Dr Chong Chun Wie

Department of Life Sciences, School of

Pharmacy, IMU

ABSTRACT BOOK:

Prof Dr Leong Chee Onn

Deputy Director, Institute for Research,

Development and Innovation (IRDI),

IMU

SOCIAL COMMITTEE:

Dr Elaine Chan Wan Ling

Institute for Research, Development and

Innovation (IRDI), IMU

Ms Nur Alia Binti Johari

Institute for Research, Development and

Innovation (IRDI), IMU

Dr Heo Chong Chin

Department of Microbiology and

Parasitology, School of Medicine, UiTM

POSTER COMMITTEE:

Assoc Prof Dr Cho Min Naing

Institute for Research, Development and

Innovation (IRDI), IMU

Dr Amalraj Fabian Davamani

Department of Biomedical Science,

School of Health Sciences, IMU

Dr Wong Siew Tung

Department of Pathology, School of

Medicine, IMU

PROMOTION & PUBLICITY:

Assoc Prof Dr Tan Eng Lai

Associate Dean, School of Postgraduate

Studies, IMU

Ms Lai Pei Kuan

Institute for Research, Development and

Innovation (IRDI), IMU

Ms Danielle Ho

Administrator, School of Postgraduate

Studies, IMU

SECRETARIAT:

Ms Danielle Ho

Ms Diana Wahisa bt Zainuddin

Mr Lim Khai Lone

Ms Siew Lye Kuan

Ms Yong Lee Mei

Research Laboratory, IRDI

Institute for Research,

Development & Innovation

Contact Information

International Medical University

No.126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19,

Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia

Tel : 03-2731 7044

Fax : 03-8656 7299

Email: IRDI@imu.edu.my