Department of Parasitology

Active research on parasitic diseases and emerging parasites is another core activity. The Department has acquired many grants and translated its activities in the form of publications and presentations at national and international conferences.

One of the major research thrusts is on Neglected Tropical Diseases among marginalized populations (e.g., Orang Asli communities, migrant workers) using tools such as Geographic Information System (GIS) and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Our researchers have also begun exploring molecular mechanisms that underpin the interactions between intestinal parasitic worm infections, nutritional status, gut microbiota (bacteria) and immune inflammatory responses.

Another research focus is the development of rapid specific and specific diagnostic methods for malaria such as loop mediated isothermal amplification combined with nucleic acid lateral flow strip. This innovative technique enables fast diagnosis using simple facility, which is potentially useful for remote areas.

Our entomology research team has embarked on project to identify vectors of Plasmodium knowlesi the zoonotic malaria parasite. Several species of Anopheles has been identified as vectors in Peninsular Malaysia. Apart from malaria vectors, studies on new paradigms for dengue surveillance have been successful with proactive strategies developed to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. Innovative mosquito capturing sticky traps have been developed for randomized control studies. The department has a state of the art insectarium with facility for breeding of mosquitoes and conducting infection experiments.

Research on Blastocystis in the Department has resulted in better understanding on host–parasite relationship, mode of infection, immunity of hosts and pathogenicity of the parasite, leading to its placing in the fact sheet of the 4th edition of the drinking water guidelines of WHO. Twenty five years research on Blastocystis has enabled the Department to be recognized as being in the frontiers of global Blastocystis research.

The biology and pathogenicity aspects have been researched on other intestinal protozoan parasites such as Cryptosporidium, Acanthamoeba, microsporidum and Trichomonas vaginalis. Cryptosporidium and Giardia are also focus of research in the Department.

A laboratory in the Department is especially dedicated to the understanding of both vertebrate and invertebrate developmental neurobiology. Apart from identification of difficult arthropod specimens using both molecular and taxonomic tools, the laboratory is capable of imaging micro specimens including invertebrate and vertebrate embryos. It also was successful in the construction of the world’s first mouse model of spina bifida occult a arising from failure of primary neurulation.
 

1. Water analysis service
   The Department of Parasitology has provided a specialized lab known as Para: SEAD Lab which incorporates diagnostic and water analysis units. The water analysis unit offer service to detect Cryptosporium and Giardia (oo)cysts in water sample. This effort has started since 2004. Thus far water samples received were from various agencies, government and private entities of several states in Malaysia. The type of water sent were majority from rivers and water treatment plant. Other samples occasionally processed were water from lake, dam, tap water and also bottled drinking water.  The unit also held workshops in collaboration with private companies for staff of the Ministry of Health. This unit is currently working hard on cooperation with a private company in order to secure more water samples to be processed by this unit. The unit strives to become a reference center for detecting of not only Cryptosporium and Giardia (oo) cyst but several other parasites that can be found in water to ensure especially the quality of drinking water in this country is free from parasites contamination.

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2. Mosquito collection
   We have species of the following mosquito genera: Toxorhynchites, Anopheles, Armigeres, Topomyia, Heizmannia, Zeugenomyia, Faicalbia, Malaya, Uranotaenia, Tripteroides,Orthopodomyia, Aedes,Culex,Mansonia,Coquillettidia, Aedeomyia. This collection is available for teaching and research upon request.

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3. Facilities
   The department houses advanced parasitology laboratories with the necessary facilities, including: a) Biosafety Level 2 Malaria culture laboratory; b) Arthropod Containment Level 1& 2 facility; and c) Advanced Molecular Parasitology laboratories for rent and research collaborations. Unpaid internship, training, lab attachment opportunities are available upon request.
   
   ACL-2 APPLICATION FORM: Click Here
   
   
   

   Arthropod Containment Level 1

   

   Arthropod Containment Level 2

   

   Malaria culture room (BSL 2)

   

   Molecular laboratorie

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4. Para: SEAD (Diagnostic Laboratory)
   Para: SEAD is the diagnostic division of the Department of Parasitology, a component part of the “Unit Pengurusan Makmal”, University Malaya Medical Centre. It offers the following services:

   No	TEST	CODE	Charge (RM)	GST (RM)	Tax Invoice (RM)
   1	Malaria Detection	PARA1601	70.00	4.20	74.20
   2	Microfilariae Detection	PARA1602	60.00	3.60	63.60
   3	Filariasis IgG	PARA1603	100.00	6.00	106.00
   4	Schistosomiasis IgG	PARA1605	295.00	17.70	312.70
   5	Amoebiasis IgG	PARA1606	310.00	18.60	328.60
   6	Echinococcosis IgG	PARA1607	310.00	18.60	328.60
   7	Leishamniasi IgG	PARA1608	325.00	19.50	344.50
   8	Toxoplasmosis IgG & IgM	PARA1609	275.00	16.50	291.50
   9	Toxocariasis IgG	PARA1610	305.00	18.30	323.30
   10	Cysticerosis IgG	PARA1611	390.00	23.40	413.40
   11	Strongyloydiasis IgG	PARA1612	320.00	19.20	339.20
   12	Acanthamoeba Culture	PARA1613	65.00	3.90	68.90
   13	Identification of Dipteran Larvae/Ectoparasites/Helminths	PARA1616	50.00	3.00	53.00
   14	Stool FEME	PARA1620	80.00	4.80	84.80
   15	Urine/Vaginal Discharge for Parasites Detection	PARA1622	45.00	2.70	47.70
   16	Leishmania donovani - one Marrow Smear	PARA1624	50.00	3.00	53.00
   17	PCR Toxoplamosis	PARA1625	315.00	18.90	333.90
   18	PCR Malaria	PARA1626	315.00	18.90	333.90

   Contact information of Para: SEAD:
   Blocks N & O, Level 5,
   Faculty of Medicine
   Universityi Malaya
   MONDAY – FRIDAY, 8.00 AM – 5.00 PM

   Tel: 03-79674744 (Scientific Officer)
   Tel: 03-79675735 (Para:SEAD Lab)
   Tel: 03-79674963 (General Office)
   Fax. No: 03-79674754

   Download the request form here.
    

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5. Malaria Workshop

   USD80 (International) or RM250 (Local)/day/person 
   Inclusive of morning tea/lunch/afternoon tea and certificate 
   Participants: 5-20 pax 

   Topics (2-3 per day):
   - Introduction and history of malaria 
   - Zoonotic malaria
   - Morphological differentiation of Plasmodium species
   - Practical: Basic malaria microscopy 
   - Molecular diagnostic tools for malaria  
   - Practical: Nested PCR and LAMP
   - Principle of Plasmodium in vitro culture
   - Practical: Plasmodium knowlesi in vitro culture 
   - Phylogenetics and molecular epidemiology of malaria
   - Practical: Phylogenetic analysis
   - Control and intervention of malaria vectors
   - Mosquito identification and dissection 
   - Practical: Mosquito mating & dissection
   - Practical: Mosquito identification
   - Mosquito sampling field trips
   - Spatial distribution analysis
   - Introduction to geographic information system (GIS)
   - Practical: Spatial and temporal analysis