Molecular prevalence, epidemiology, and phylogenetic analysis of Babesia microti in dogs with a note on its impact on host hematological profile.

Babesia (B.) microti is an intra-erythrocytic protozoan parasite that infects humans as well as domestic and wild animals. Prevalence of B. microti was investigated in 654 apparently healthy dogs belonging to 55 different breeds from three districts in Punjab province (Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur and Jhang) and two districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (Dir Upper and Charsadda) in Pakistan. The hematological profile of dogs, risk factors associated with the infection and phylogenetic diversity of the detected isolates were also evaluated. In total, 29 blood samples (4 %) scored PCR positive. Sanger sequencing of partial 18S rRNA gene confirmed the presence of B. microti. The phylogenetic analysis of the sequences based on the 18S rRNA gene displayed global phylogenetic similarity with the isolates that were previously documented from Russia, France, Poland, Spain, China, Japan and USA. The infection rate was consistent across different sampling sites and dog breeds. Sex or presence of ectoparasites on dog was also not associated with B. microti prevalence. Babesia microti infected dogs had elevated red cell distribution width-coefficient of variation (%) than uninfected animals. This study presents updated data about the prevalence of B. microti among local Pakistani dogs and will be helpful in designing control strategies against this tick-borne pathogen as the tick infesting a B. microti infected dog may transmit this parasites to human as well.

Acute aortic dissection in the Marfan syndrome during the COVID-19 epidemic.

A 17-year-old boy with a recent diagnosis of COVID-19 infection was admitted with acute chest pain due to type A aortic dissection and was subsequently diagnosed with the Marfan syndrome. Literature shows an increased rate of aortic dissection during flu season. The hypothesis is that a cytokine storm triggers the dissection.

Efficacy of Foley's Catheter and the Effect of Histopathology, Age and Endometrial Thickness Relative to the Measured Outcomes in Menorrhagia.

INTRODUCTION: Menorrhagia adversely affects the quality of life. Hysterectomy is the definitive treatment for menorrhagia however, a number of conservative alternatives are available. AIM: Hysterectomy is the definitive treatment for menorrhagia however, a number of conservative alternatives are available. A thermal balloon is an effective but costly option. We used a Foley's catheter as an alternative to commercially available thermal balloons. If effective, it will provide a cheap alternative to the thermal balloon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Foley's catheter was placed in the uterine cavity for 10 minutes using 0.9% saline. The measured outcomes were amenorrhea, eumenorrhea, oligomenorrhea or failure of the therapy. Endometrial thickness, age and endometrial biopsy results were also measured to determine if these variables had any effects on the outcome. RESULTS: Out of the total 42 participants, nearly half had amenorrhea (42.9%, n=18). Furthermore, 28.6% had oligomenorrhea (n=12) and 26.2% experienced eumenorrhea (n=11). Only one participant failed to respond (2.4%, n=1). There were no differences in outcomes between the different forms of histopathology. This means that thermal balloon therapy is effective in causing amenorrhea. No significant relationships existed between participants' measured outcomes and a model containing predictor variables (age and endometrial thickness), R=0.313, R2=0.098, p=0.141. CONCLUSION: A Foley's catheter is effective with reasonable measured outcomes in cases of menorrhagia.