Prevalence, Distribution, and Risk Factors Associated With Macracanthorhynchus ingens Infections In Raccoons From Ontario, Canada.

Macracanthorhynchus ingens is an acanthocephalan parasite commonly found in raccoons ( Procyon lotor) in the United States. Little is known, however, about the prevalence and distribution of M. ingens in raccoons in Canada. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors associated with M. ingens infection in raccoons in southern Ontario, Canada. Raccoon carcasses submitted to the Ontario/Nunavut region of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative for post mortem from June 2016 to January 2017 (n = 380) were examined for the presence of gastrointestinal helminths. Macracanthorhynchus ingens was found in raccoons from areas across southern Ontario where carcasses were submitted. The prevalence of M. ingens in our sample was 14.0% (95% CI = 10.6-17.8) with a median of 4 worms per infected host (range 1-46). Univariable logistic regression modeling was conducted to examine the influence of age, sex, season, degree of urbanization (urban/suburban/rural), and Baylisascaris procyonis infection on the presence of M. ingens. Significant associations were found between M. ingens infection and degree of urbanization as well as B. procyonis infection. No associations were found between M. ingens infection and age, sex, or season. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the prevalence and distribution of M. ingens in raccoons in Canada.

Anophthalmia in a Wild Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis).

We describe bilateral true anophthalmia in a juvenile female eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) with histologic confirmation that orbital contents lacked ocular tissues. Additionally, the optic chiasm of the brain was absent and axon density in the optic tract adjacent to the lateral geniculate nucleus was reduced.

Long-term survival and quality of life in cardiac surgical patients with prolonged intensive care unit length of stay.

BACKGROUND: Patients with prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stays after cardiac operations are labor intensive and expensive. We sought to determine whether exhaustive ICU efforts result in survival or quality-of-life benefits and whether outcome could be predicted. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all adult cardiac surgical patients in 1998 for ICU stays more than 14 days. Data were analyzed to create multiple organ dysfunction scores (MODS, range 0 to 24) and hospital charges. Follow-up was conducted 1 and 2 years apart for survival and quality-of-life evaluation. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients remained in the ICU more than 14 days, comprising 3.8% of our patients but 28% of total ICU bed time. This population had a 28.5% hospital mortality, which was greater than those in the ICU less than 14 days (5.3%, p < 0.05). By 2 years, 22 of the 35 discharged patients were alive, 16 of whom had a normal quality of life. Patients alive at 2 years had lower MODS at day 14 than those who died (2.6 +/- 1.4 versus 5.5 +/- 3.8; p < 0.005) as well as lower hospital costs ($223,000 +/- $128,000 versus $306,000 +/- $128,000; p < 0.05). No patient with an MODS of at least 6 at day 14 survived. CONCLUSIONS: Patients remaining in the ICU for more than 14 days suffer a higher mortality at greater expense. A MODS at day 14 may help predict those who will not enjoy long-term survival and thus aid in the decision to terminate care.