Molecular detection, risk factors, and phylogenetic analysis of tick-borne pathogens in dogs from northern Vietnam

@#In tropical regions, numerous tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) play a crucial role as causative agents of infectious diseases in humans and animals. Recently, the population of companion and pet dogs has significantly increased in Vietnam; however, information on the occurrence of TBPs is still limited. The objectives of this investigation were to determine the occurrence rate, risk factors, and phylogenetic characteristics of TBPs in dogs from northern Vietnam. Of 341 blood samples tested by PCR, the total infection of TBPs was 73.9% (252/341). Babesia vogeli (18SrRNA gene – 30.5%) was detected most frequently in studied dogs followed by Rickettsia spp. (OmpA gene – 27%), Anaplasma platys (groEL gene – 22%), Bartonella spp. (16SrRNA – 18.8%), Mycoplasma haemocanis (16SrRNA – 9.4%) and Hepatozoon canis (18SrRNA gene – 1.2%), respectively. All samples were negative for Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophylum. Co-infection was detected in 31.4% of the samples (107/341) of which, A. platys/Bartonella spp. (34/94,10%), Rickettsia spp./B. vogeli (19/94, 5.6%), and M. haemocanis/B. vogeli (19/94, 5.6%) were recorded as the three most frequent two species of co-infection types. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between TBP infection and several host variables regarding age, breed, and living area in the current study. The recent findings reported herein, for the first time in Vietnam, are essential for local veterinarians when considering the appropriate approaches for diagnosing these diseases. Furthermore, this data can be used to establish control measures for future surveillance and prevention strategies against canine TBPs in Vietnam.

Fistulae in ano following anorectal abscesses

This study was carried out to determine whether primary fistulotomy should be performed at the time of incision and drainage of anorectal abscesses and what% age of patients would develop fistula-in-ano or recurrent abscess. The record of 77 patients was reviewed who underwent incision and drainage of anorectal abscesses. Out of 77 patients, thirteen [16%] developed recurrent abscesses and 26 [34%] developed persistent fistulain-ano, with combined recurrence rate of 51%. This supports the policy of fistulotomy in the second sitting especially to prevent any complications and also of the fact that 59% would not need it

Effect of smoking on myocardial enzymes and some haematological parameters

Effects of cigarette smoking on healthy and cardiac ptients were evaluated by studying myocardial enzyme profiles and some selected haematological parameters. The smokers, whether normal or cardiac patients, had relatively higher values of Hb. conc., [13.90g/dL], ESR [11.05 mm/hr] and TLC [7102 per cu mm]. Similarly, Neutrophil and Eosinophil counts [65% and 2.6% respectively] were found elevated in smokers. Myocardial enzymes, such as, LDH, CK-MB, GOT were found maximally raised [mean as 295.68, 68.21, 21.08, 35.86 and 68.92 U/L respectively] in exclusively the cardiac patients who also smoked. Moreover, cholesterol levels were also highest for cardiac smoker patients. The statistical analysis revealed the evaluation as significant [P<0.01, P < 0.05] Thus, the smoking was identified as a significant risk factor among normal individuals as well as those with myocardial complaints

Peripheral vascular injuries due to trauma: pims experience

Peripheral vascular injuries due to trauma are on the rise in Pakistan. Morbidity in the form of amputation is very high because of late presentation of the patients to a centre where facilities for vascular surgery are available. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors responsible for late presentation, and poor outcome of vascular repair in such cases. Clinical and operative details of 51 patients with peripheral vascular trauma, who underwent surgical intervention between 1994 to 1998 at PIMS, were reviewed. Type of injury, mode of presentation, time between injury and arrival to the hospital, methods of vascular repair, use of graft or vein, and outcome of the procedure were analyzed.Patients with late presentation, combined arterial and venous injuries involving the popliteal artery and its branches were associated with high amputation rate, There were 45 arterial and 6 isolated venous injuries. After surgical repair, 9 [17.5 percent] patients required amputation due to various reasons. Time is the key factor in determining the final outcome of vascular repair. The delay can be avoided by rapid transfer of such patients to a major hospital

Glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis

To elucidate, establish and document the relationship between various types of chronic liver disease and glucose tolerance and the influence of various other factors. Design: Prospective study involving indoor patients. Setting: Medical Unit-Ill of Services Hospital, Jinnah Hospital Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore. Subjects: One hundred consecutive patients of chronic liver disease above the age of 20 years. Twenty five patients had chronic persistent hepatitis, 25 patients of chronic active hepatitis [CAH] and 50 patients of cirrhosis. Main outcome measures: Incidence of chronic liver disease on impairment of glucose tolerance and diabetes and the influence of type of chronic liver disease age, sex, jaundice and ascites. There was a male preponderance with a ratio of 2:1 and majority of the patients belonged to an age group of 30-40 years. A total of 76% patients had an evidence of viral etiology - Positive HBs Ag and Anti HCV. Clinical features of autoimmune disease were absent in all patients. In 25 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis, glucose tolerance was normal in 15 patients [60%] impaired glucose tolerance in 7 [28%] and diabetes mellitus in 3 [12%]. Of the 25 patients with chronic active hepatitis, 12 [48%] had normal glucose tolerance, 9 [36%] had impaired glucose tolerance and 4 [16%] had frank diabetes mellitus. The mean age of the glucose intolerant patients with CAH was significantly higher compared to patients with CAH and without glucose intolerance. Of the 50 patients of cirrhosis 25 [50%] had normal glucose tolerance, 15 [30%] had impaired glucose tolerance and 10 [20%] had diabetes. Apart from higher mean age and hepatomegaly being more common in patients with glucose intolerance and diabetes there were no significant differences in the variables. Clinically obvious jaundice was present in 20 patients [40%] and ascites in 35 patients [70%]. However, there was no significant correlation between jaundice, ascites and impairment of glucose tolerance and diabetes. However impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes was more common in men than in women and increased with age. The results of glucose intolerance and diabetes were comparable with those of some other studies. Chronic liver disease, by causing Insulin resistance is an important predisposing cause of glucose intolerance and diabetes should be sought in all patients with chronic liver disease

Enteric fever: a study of clinical manifestations, complications and treatment with ciprofloxacin

The clinical manifestations and complications of enteric fever were studied in 50 patients. Relative bradycardia was the most common clinical sign followed by anaemia, hepatomegaly. Enteric hepatitis was the most common complication and was seen in 92% of the patients, but clinically obvious jaundice was noted in only 20% of the patients. All patients, however, had histopathological changes in the liver. Nephritis, pneumonia, myocarditis and cholecystitis were other important complications. Patients were treated with ciprofloxacin and the treatment response was 100%

Liechtenstein's repair

Inguinal hernia is a common surgical problem. In this study one hundred patients of inguinal hernia operated in our department from January 1991 to August 1992 are evaluated and hernioplasty using Gore Tex patch and prolene mesh is compared with various techniques of herniorrhaphy

Parenteral sulbactum and ampicillin in general surgery

Thirty six patients [24 males, 12 female; mean age 42 years] hospitalized to undergo incision and drainage for documented or suspected surgical infections were treated with a combination of sulbactam and ampicillin. Mean daily dose employed was 1.25 gm sulbactam and 2.5 gm ampicillin given intravenously for a mean treatment period of 10 days. A clinically satisfactory response [cured plus improved] was achieved in 78% of patients with a response rate of 100% in cases of non-perforated appendicitis, sepsis traumatic wound infections and cellulites. Ninety two percent of the pathogenic bacteria isolated from infecting sites in 11 patients, were found sensitive to sulbactam/ampicillin. Complete to partial elimination of bacteria was recorded at the end of study in 82% of these patients. The results of this study indicate that sulbactam/ampicillin is an effective and well tolerated agent for the treatment of surgical infections requiring parenteral antibiotic therapy