Detection of pinworms in conventionally maintained laboratory mice

The laboratory mice (Mus musculus) are commonly utilised for research purposes. Despite strict biosecurity, they potentially harbour parasites which may compromise the experimental study. Parasite intensity differs among strains of mice. This study aims to identify the presence of parasites between two strains of laboratory mice. A total of 48 mice (n= 48) obtained from the UPM Animal Resource Unit (ARU), consisting of 24 animals for each group of inbred strain Bagg Albino (BALB/c) and outbred Institute Cancer Research (ICR) mice were used for detection of helminths, ectoparasites and blood parasites. Based on parasitological distinct characteristics, Syphacia obvelata (S. obvelata) and Aspiculuris tetraptera (A. tetraptera) were detected. Both helminths were seen in 8.33% of BALB/c and 20.83% of ICR mice, respectively. Single infection by S. obvelata was detected in 33.33% of BALB/c mice while 12.5% of ICR mice were manifested merely by A. tetraptera. The findings revealed an optimal method to identify S. obvelata through perianal tape test while A. tetraptera is best detected by the faecal flotation technique. Statistically, the type of helminth was significantly associated with the strains of mice (P=0.043). Overall, there were low amounts of opportunistic helminths and ova with the absence of ectoparasites and blood parasites for both strains of laboratory mice which is suggestive of appropriate management practised

A case report of wet form Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) in a domestic short hair cat

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), a fatal disease of cat exists in two major forms namely effusive and noneffusive form. FIP is caused by mutated form of Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) classified under the genus of Alphacoronavirus. Despite common prevalence of FIP in Malaysia, further diagnosis remain challenging due to the complexity of the disease which often required multiple findings to confirm the disease. This case report highlights the progressive wet form of FIP in a male domestic short hair cat named Cromox presented to the Post Mortem Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Manifestation of distended abdomen, icterus and flu was shown before the cat died. Post-mortem and histopathology analysis of affected organs were performed and since FIP was suspected, RT-PCR against polymerase gene of FCoV was carried out. The post mortem examination revealed generalised icterus at sclera, gums and integuments, straw colour peritoneal fluid and congestion of kidney and liver. Histopathology analysis showed infiltration of mononuclear cells in liver, pulmonary edema and renal desquamation. Meanwhile, RT-PCR and partial sequencing analysis showed evidence of positive Feline Coronavirus which was closely related to the FCoV from China and Netherland. Hence, the cause of death of Cromox was confirmed due to FIP infection. Only supportive treatment can be given to the FIP affected cat since the disease is usually fatal. Vaccination against FIP is not recommended and avoiding the sick cat to share litterbox in the multihousehold cat has been proven to be an effective way to prevent the occurence of FIP

Identification of parasitic infection in laboratory rodents through contrast management methods

Parasites may be found in the skin and intestine of the laboratory mice (Mus musculus) and rat (Rattus norvegicus). High parasitic burden are known to influence experimental outcomes and results. Therefore, it is important to determine the impact of parasitic infestations on rodent study, especially in Malaysia where some rodent colonies are still being kept in conventional systems. This study allows for the identification of common parasitic infection of laboratory rodents, assess the parasitic infection based on management methods of stocking density and environmental condition, and compare the parasitic infection between two conventional animal facilities. Firstly, seventytwo (72) laboratory rodents of BALB/c, ICR and Sprague Dawley (SD) were chosen from an animal facility located in Klang Valley and subjected to identification of common parasitic infections. Secondly, one hundred and eight (108) male BALB/c mice were randomly chosen and placed in three groups to reflect different stocking densities of 3, 6 and 9 mice per group, under different environmental settings of regulated and non-regulated environment for 5 weeks. Thirdly, sixty (60) BALB/c mice and sixty (60) SD rats were chosen to compare the parasitic infection between two conventional animal facilities. Helminths, ectoparasites and blood parasites were examined using conventional techniques. Parasites were identified based on observation and classification of their distinct characteristics under a compound microscope. Results showed that mice were commonly infected with pinworms; Syphacia obvelata (S. obvelata) and Aspiculuris tetraptera (A. tetraptera) whereas, rats were infected with Syphacia muris (S. muris) and A. tetraptera. The prevalence of the pinworms; S. obvelata in the mice range from 20.83% to 41.67%, S. muris in the rats at 83.33%, and A. tetraptera range from 8.33% to 45.83% in both species. Although the second findings revealed BALB/c mice placed in two different management settings had no association between parasitic infections with various stocking density and between different environmental condition using repeated-measures ANOVA, but association was observed using gastrointestinal examination and tape impression test when using one-way ANOVA. Ectoparasites suspected to be immature mites detected in non-regulated environment at a prevalence of 20.4%, with an association found using the tape impression test under one-way ANOVA. Finally, the comparison between two different conventional animal facilities demonstrated that ICR mice were infected with a common fur mite; Myocoptes musculinus (M. musculinus) and lice; Polyplax serrata (P. serrata) while the SD rats were infected by uncommon parasites; Heterakis spumosa (H. spumosa) that is normally found in wild rats, and Chirodiscoides caviae (C. caviae), a common fur mite in guinea pigs. The results also revealed an association between parasitic infections and different management of animal facilities for laboratory mice and rats using the Chi-square test. Overall, management plays an important factor in parasitic infestation of laboratory rodents. The findings highlight the parasites identified in laboratory rodents varied according to the parasitological methods used following the contrast management method of stocking density, environmental condition and facility

Canine parvovirus (CPV) infection in a great dane puppy: a case report

Canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is a major disease affecting young pups with high contagiousness and mortality worldwide. Unvaccinated pups between 6 weeks to 6 months are most susceptible to CPV infection. It manifests into enteritis and myocarditis forms. Classical signs of enteritis form include acute onset of vomiting, haemorrhagic diarrhoea, and pyrexia. A case of unvaccinated 3-month-old female Great Dane puppy was presented with complaints of hematemesis, hematochezia and shooting diarrhoea. A tentative diagnosis of CPV was made. It was humanely euthanised due to chronic body weight loss and poor response to treatments. Post-mortem examinations revealed congested lung with frothy exudate, whitish plaques on heart coronary groove, thickened intestinal mucosa, and generalised reddening in the liver and kidneys. Microscopic changes revealed interstitial pneumonia with edema, lymphocytic myocarditis, viral enteritis with villous atrophy, and liver congestion. A faecal samples for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method revealed positive result for parvovirus. Based on pathological and PCR findings, it was definitively diagnosed with CPV infection. The chance of its survival without aggressive treatment remains low. Treatment and management are still limited to supportive care without existing agent-specific treatment. Therefore, CPV infection should be controlled and prevented by providing vaccination to the pups from the age of 6 weeks

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially