Intestinal parasites in various animals at a zoo in Malaysia.

A survey was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites from different groups of mammals housed in a zoological garden in Malaysia. A total of 197 faecal samples were collected randomly from various primates (99), hoofed mammals (70) and feline (28). It was discovered that 89.3% of feline, 54.5% of primates and 45.7% of hoofed mammals were infected with intestinal parasites. Intestinal parasites found in primates were Balantidium coli (19.2%), Cryptosporidium spp. (14.1%), hookworm (10.1%), Trichuris spp. (5.1%), Ascaris (4.0%) and Blastocystis spp. (2.0%). For hoofed mammals, hookworm had the highest prevalence (34.3%) followed by Trichuris spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. (5.7%). Meanwhile, for feline, Toxocara cati was the most prevalent (64.3%), followed by Cryptosporidium spp. (14.3%), Spirometra spp. (7.1%), and hookworm (3.6%). Animals that were infected were all asymptomatic with low parasite load. Routine monitoring of the presence of parasites in animals kept in the zoo is imperative in assisting zoo management in the formulation and implementation of preventive and control measures against the spread of infectious parasitic diseases among animals within the zoo or to humans.

Anorectal anomalies in adult females corrected by posterior sagittal anorectoplasty.

Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) is preferred by most pediatric surgeon and intermediate types of anorectal anomalies (ARA) in infants. In this report, we describe two girls who presented in their late teens with ARA and were treated by PSARP. Prior to this report, only two adult females with congenital rectovaginal fistulae treated by PSARP have been reported. Megarectum is a feature in late presentation of ARA and requires rectal tapering during PSARP. The functional outcome in late presentation of ARA is discussed.

An unusual cause of efferent loop obstruction.

A patient who presented with massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage underwent a Billroth II partial gastrectomy. He developed efferent loop obstruction due to a retained abdominal drain. Relaparotomy for removal of drain was performed. Retained drains are known complications but rarely, it is cause of efferent loop obstruction.

Novel method of intralesional cidofovir injection into laryngotracheal papillomata.

Laryngeal papillomatosis is characterised by multiple papillomata affecting the upper respiratory tract. This condition is difficult to treat due to its recurrent nature. Treatment often involves surgical debulking. A number of non-surgical treatments have been reported. Intralesional cidofovir, a cytosine nucleoside analogue with antiviral activity, has been used in an attempt to manage the condition. We present a novel technique of administering cidofovir in a case of recurrent laryngotracheal papillomata.