First report of Giardia lamblia in different animals in the United Arab Emirates.

The aim of this study was to detect and characterize Giardia lamblia in animals in the UAE. Eighty-seven fecal samples were tested for G. lamblia using the conserved fragment of small subunit (SSU)-rRNA by nested PCR. Giardia-positive isolates were genotyped for assemblages A and B using assemblage specific primers of the triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) gene. Thirty samples (34.5%) were positive for G. lamblia. Conversely, neither genotype A nor B were detected using tpi genotyping on the studied samples. Further investigations are required using higher number of samples including both human and animals in the country taking into consideration the analysis of other genotypes to provide more detailed understanding about the zoonotic transmission of this parasite.

The single gallbladder stone - is it innocent?

At Security Forces Hospital, 692 consecutive patients underwent surgery for gallstone disease over a period of two years. Eighty of these patients had a solitary gallbladder stone. They are compared, by their presentation, operative findings, mortality and morbidity rates, with the remaining patients harboring multiple gallstones. The demographic data were similar in both groups; however, the frequency of developing mucocele, empyema, gallbladder perforation and postoperative complications were significantly higher in the group with solitary stones than those with multiple gallstones. Furthermore, the need for emergency surgical intervention and technically difficult surgeries were also more frequent in the single stone group. It appears that a solitary gallbladder stone is associated with increased risks more than multiple stones; hence, it may be justified to offer the patient with a solitary stone more attention and surgical priority.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: The first year experience.

A total of 307 consecutive patients with symptomatic gallstones were admitted for cholecystectomy. Two hundred seventy patients (88%) were considered suitable for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Forty-two of these (17%) were admitted on an emergency basis. The procedure was accomplished successfully in 246 patients (91%), while in the remaining 24 patients (9%), the attempt had to be abandoned and converted to open cholecystectomy. Postoperative complications, mostly minor, occurred in 22 patients (9%). Suspected common bile duct stones were treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) prior to surgery. The mean operative time was 82 minutes and 70% of the patients were discharged home within 489 hours after surgery and more than 90% were sent home by the third postoperative day. The results suggest that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible for the majority of patients with symptomatic gallstones.