Three RITM researchers presented the latest findings in their respective fields in the 1st Research Forum 2019 on March 20, 2019 at the RITM Auditorium.

Dermatology Resident Christina Samantha Nadela, MD reported a case of Norwegian scabies in a two-month old Filipino infant. Norwegian scabies is a rare and highly contagious skin disease caused by a parasite, which causes the skin in the toes and fingers to thicken and scale. The study found that using precipitated sulfur is just as effective compared to its pricier counterparts ivermectin and permethrin.

Veterinary Research Division (VRD) Head Fedelino Malbas, Jr., DVM surveyed Japanese encephalitis virus and Hepatitis E virus infection among swine in San Jose, Tarlac to determine their seroprevalence as well as to identify the virus types present among swine in the project site. The viral RNA collected in samples for both viruses were clustered into genotype 3.

Surveillance and Response Unit (SRU) Surveillance Officer Rowena Capistrano, RN shared surveillance data on the measles outbreak and the Institute’s response to the epidemic. As of March 16, 2019, RITM has already received 16,481 measles cases for laboratory confirmation, a significant spike against the 9,248 cases received during 2018’s latter half.

Organized by the Research and Innovation Office (RIO), the next Research Forum will be held in the midst of the RITM Anniversary Week in April.

by Eunice Brito, Project Matyag, Research Assistant