Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Encephalitozoon cuniculi in Animals from Captivity (Zoo and Circus Animals).

Problems with parasitic infections are common in zoological gardens and circuses. In some animals it can lead to several disorders such as systemic disease, reproductive disorders (abortions and neonatal mortality), and even to death if severe illness is untreated. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of three common parasites in 74 animals from three zoos, and four circuses in Southern Italy. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi were detected in 51%, 12%, and 20% of animals, respectively. Co-infections of T. gondii and N. caninum were reported in seven animals (9%) and co-infection of T. gondii and E. cuniculi in one animal. T. gondii, N. caninum and E. cuniculi seroprevalence differed in type of diet (P ≤ 0.0001; P ≤ 0.037 and P ≤ 0.004, respectively). T. gondii and E. cuniculi seroprevalence also differed in animal families (P ≤ 0.0001) and according to type of housing (P ≤ 0.003), respectively. Statistical differences were not found in other characteristics (gender, age, country of birth, origin, and contact with cats or dogs). This is the first serological study focusing on protozoan and microsporidian parasites in zoo and circus animals from Southern Italy and the first detection of antibodies to E. cuniculi in camels in Europe.

An Overview of Neoplasia in Captive Wild Felids in Southern Italy Zoos.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of neoplasms in captive wild felids in Southern Italy zoos over a 13-year period (2008-2021) and to investigate macroscopic and histologic tumor findings in these animals. A total of 24 cases were necropsied, 9 males and 15 females, with age ranging from 6 to 19 years, including 12 tigers (Panthera tigris), 7 leopards (Panthera pardus), 4 lions (Panthera leo), and 1 black jaguar (Panthera onca). Diagnosis of neoplasm was made in 14/24 cases (58.3%). Tumors diagnosed were two cholangiocarcinomas, two hemangiosarcomas of the liver, two uterine leiomyomas, a renal adenocarcinoma, an adrenal gland adenoma, a thyroid carcinoma, an oral squamous cell carcinoma, an osteoma, a meningioma, a mesothelioma, an esophageal leiomyosarcoma, a muscoloskeletal leiomyosarcoma and a thyroid adenoma. The malignant and benign tumors were 62.5 and 37.5%, respectively. Among malignant tumors, no metastasis was observed in 50% of cases; in 10% of cases metastasis involved only regional lymph nodes; and distant metastases were found in 40% of cases. Based on our findings, the liver was the most frequent primary tumor site (25%). The high rates of malignant and widely metastatic neoplasms suggest the importance of active monitoring and management of neoplasia in these threatened and endangered species.

Congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction: definition and therapy.

Congenital ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is a well recognized pathology. It typically occurs due to the presence of an aperistaltic segment of the ureter, very frequently aggravated by a strangling vessel defined by different authors as "anomalous", "aberrant" or "crossing". An embryologic review of the development of the kidney, ureter and renal vessels reveals that such definitions are etiologically inadequate since such vessels almost always run anterior to the UPJ and therefore in reality are not anomalous or aberrant. It would be, therefore, more appropriate to speak of a "vascular bar" rather that congenital vascular anomaly. A series of 23 patients treated by a laparoscopic technique (15 using the Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty, 4 Fenger's technique, 3 a simple ureterolysis, 1 necessitating a conversion to open procedure (due to bleeding) are presented. An inferior polar vessel was found in 15 cases and this was running anterior to the UPJ in 14. The mean operative time was 235 min., while the mean hospital stay 7 (3-15) days. The mean follow-up was 47.7 months. Twenty-one pts. (95.5%) were symptom-free with imaging studies confirming relief from obstruction.

Robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy: experience on 60 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is still one of the more challenging procedures in urology. Minimizing warm ischemia time (WIT) and bleeding requires efficient intracorporeal suturing. In addition, achieving negative surgical margins requires complete excision of the tumor. Robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RALPN) adds the advantages offered by the "Da Vinci system" to laparoscopy, such as the 3-D vision, and the better degree of freedom of surgical instruments. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to report our experience with RALPN. METHODS: From August 2009 to October 2012, 60 patients underwent RALPN for kidney cancer. The average age of the patients (35 female, 25 male) was 63 (range 48-80) years. Average BMI was 25 (range 21.8-29.7) kg/m2. Average tumor size was 3.2 cm (range 2-6.7 cm). All the procedures were performed by a transperitoneal approach. Ilar clamping was used in all cases: in 47 patients by one intracorporeal tourniquet for the artery and one for the vein; in three cases, ilar clamping was "en block" by Satinsky. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 167.2 min (140-250) with a WIT of 23.8 min (15-28). The mean estimated blood loss was 260 mL (50-300). In one case, nephrectomy was necessary because the tumor involved the renal pedicle. One patient had pulmonary embolism and one urinary leakage conservatively managed.Pathologic examination revealed clear cell renal cell carcinoma in 58 patients, oncocytoma in one patient, and angiomyolipoma in one patient. All resection margins were free from tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Partial nephrectomy, facilitated by robotic technology, is more and more frequently performed as a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure.

Evolving transurethral resection of the prostate: enucleation-resection of the prostate.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Enucleation-transurethral resection of the prostate (e-TURP) is our evolution of the conventional TURP. The aim of this study was to report our experience with e-TURP for the endoscopic management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The e-TURP combines the basic steps of classic TURP with the technique of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) but using only the bipolar resector. The charts of 64 patients who underwent e-TURP for BPH in our department between October 2005 and October 2009 were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: The mean resected tissue weight was 27.21 g, and the mean operative time was 75.7 min. The mean decreases in hemoglobin and serum sodium levels were 1.63 g/dL and 0.55 mEq/L, respectively. Mean catheter duration was 2.53 days, and the mean total hospitalization time was 3.75 days. There was a significant improvement in urinary peak flow rate (Qmax) 2 months postoperatively (P = 0.009718), as well as a significant decrease in the International Prostate Symptom Score during the same period (P < 0.0001). No major complications were observed, and the rates for early and late complications were 10% and 5%, respectively, at 14.75-month mean follow-up. CONCLUSION: The e-TURP seems to be a safe and effective method for the endoscopic management of BPH. Further investigation with randomized trials is needed on this matter.