Mahidol University

About: Mahidol University is a education organization based out in Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Malaria. The organization has 23758 authors who have published 39761 publications receiving 878781 citations.

Reduced Susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to Artesunate in Southern Myanmar

Abstract: Background Plasmodium falciparum resistance to artemisinins, the first line treatment for malaria worldwide, has been reported in western Cambodia. Resistance is characterized by significantly delayed clearance of parasites following artemisinin treatment. Artemisinin resistance has not previously been reported in Myanmar, which has the highest falciparum malaria burden among Southeast Asian countries.

The global burden of sepsis: barriers and potential solutions

Abstract: Sepsis is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. The majority of sepsis cases and deaths are estimated to occur in low and middle-income countries. Barriers to reducing the global burden of sepsis include difficulty quantifying attributable morbidity and mortality, low awareness, poverty and health inequity, and under-resourced and low-resilience public health and acute health care delivery systems. Important differences in the populations at risk, infecting pathogens, and clinical capacity to manage sepsis in high and low-resource settings necessitate context-specific approaches to this significant problem. We review these challenges and propose strategies to overcome them. These strategies include strengthening health systems, accurately identifying and quantifying sepsis cases, conducting inclusive research, establishing data-driven and context-specific management guidelines, promoting creative clinical interventions, and advocacy.

Endophytic fungi with anti-microbial, anti-cancer and anti-malarial activities isolated from Thai medicinal plants

Abstract: A total of 81 Thai medicinal plant species collected from forests in four geographical regions of Thailand were examined for the presence of endophytic fungi with biological activity. Of 582 pure isolates obtained, 360 morphologically distinct fungi were selected for cultivation on malt Czapek broth and yeast extract sucrose broth, from which extracts were tested for biological activity. Extracts of 92 isolates could inhibit Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MIC 0.0625–200 μg ml−1) when tested by the microplate Alamar blue assay, while extracts of six inhibited Plasmodium falciparum (IC50 of 1.2–9.1 μg ml−1) as determined by the [3H]hypoxanthine incorporation method. Strong anti-viral activity against Herpes simplex virus type 1 was observed in 40 isolates (IC50 of 0.28–50 μg ml−1). The sulphorhodamine B assay for activity against cancer cell lines revealed that 60 were active against human oral epidermoid carcinoma cells (EC50 0.42–20 μg ml−1) and 48 against breast cancer cells (EC50 0.18–20 μg ml−1). Bioactivity profile was affected by the type of culture medium. Given the high incidence of bioactive extracts and the fact that most of the isolated fungi could not be identified due to lack of spore formation, the results suggested that Thai medicinal plants can provide a wide variety of endophytes that might be a potential source of novel bioactive compounds.

Safety of long-term oral posaconazole use in the treatment of refractory invasive fungal infections.

Abstract: Background Invasive fungal infections are found most frequently in immunosuppressed and critically ill hospitalized patients. Antifungal therapy is often required for long periods. Safety data from the clinical development program of the triazole antifungal agent, posaconazole, were analyzed. Methods A total of 428 patients with refractory invasive fungal infections (n = 362) or febrile neutropenia (n = 66) received posaconazole in 2 phase II/III open-label clinical trials. Also, 109 of these patients received posaconazole therapy for > or = 6 months. Incidences of treatment-emergent, treatment-related, and serious adverse events and abnormal laboratory parameters were recorded during these studies. Results Treatment-emergent, treatment-related adverse events were reported in 38% of the overall patient population. The most common treatment-related adverse events were nausea (8%) and vomiting (6%). Treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in 8% of patients. Low rates of treatment-related corrected QT interval and/or QT interval prolongation (1%) and elevation of hepatic enzymes (2%) were reported as adverse events. Treatment-emergent, treatment-related adverse events occurred at similar rates in patients who received posaconazole therapy for or = 6 months. Conclusions Prolonged posaconazole treatment was associated with a generally favorable safety profile in seriously ill patients with refractory invasive fungal infections. Long-term therapy did not increase the risk of any individual adverse event, and no unique adverse event was observed with longer exposure to posaconazole.