Infectious diseases of livestockare a major threat to global animal health and welfare and their effective control is crucialfor agronomic health, for safeguarding and securing national and international food supplies and for alleviating rural povertyin developing countries. Some devastating livestock diseases are endemic in many parts of the world and threats from old and new pathogens continue to emerge, with changes to global climate, agricultural practices and demography presenting conditions that are especially favourable for the spread of arthropod-borne diseases into new geographical areas. Zoonotic infections that are transmissible either directly or indirectly between animals and humans are on the increase and pose significant additional threats to human health and the current pandemic status of new influenza A (H1N1) is a topical example of the challenge presented by zoonotic viruses (Tomley and Shirley, 2009). Malaysia, being one of the members of the World Organisation forAnimal Health (OIE) which is responsible for setting standards for control of animal diseases. For year 2017, the list included 116 animal diseases, infections and infestations, many of which are zoonotic in nature. As such, this paper discusses the commonzoonotic infections diagnosed in the five Regional Veterinary Laboratories which are spread across the country and entrustedto carry out diagnostic tests to aid in the treatment and control of animal diseases. A total of almost half a million samples weretested comprising more than a million tests to help the Department of Veterinary Services control and eradicate economically important diseases to safeguard the animal population. Of these, zoonotic diseases comprise a small but significant entity which needs careful attention (Chandrawathani et al., 2017) Dora Tan (1981) reported that among the many zoonotic diseases prevalent in Malaysia, are leptospirosis, rabies, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, toxoplasmosis,ornithosis, Q fever and monkeypox which have been investigated at the lnstitute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur. The regional laboratories have full capability to conduct tests to confirm parasitic, viral and bacterial infections except for rabies andavian influenza, which was diagnosed in the Veterinary Research Institute. However, preliminary tests for avian influenza wascarried out in regional laboratories.

Nematode eggs in liver tissues of two wild rats were recorded atthe Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Kota Bharu from 2014 to 2015. A total of 15 (2014) and 48 (2015) wild rats were examined by the laboratory for routine screening of zoonotic pathogens such as Leptospira sp. and others. On histological examination of the haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained liver tissues, masses of parasitic nematode eggs were observed. The shell of the eggsis striated with shallow polar prominences at either end. Numerous mini-pores can be seen on the outer shell as well. The eggswere identified as Capillaria hepatica (C. hepatica) nematode eggs, which causes hepatic capillariasis in rodents and numerous other mammal species, including humans. The wild rats were alsoshown to harbour Salmonella enteritidis from the intestine, E. coli from the lung and liver but none had leptospirosis by PCR. The purpose of this report is to highlight a common nematode of wildrats that is Capillaria hepatica infection in wild rats in Kelantan diagnosed by the Kota Bharu Regional Laboratory, in orderto create the awareness on concurrent parasitic infections which may cause reduced immunity thereby creating higher risk for other zoonotic pathogens such as leptospirosis.

Zoonotic parasitic gastroenteritis has been well-known as a serious limitation to humans as well as livestock productivityin terms of man-power, pathology and fiscal losses, as human infection with these helminths from cattle can resultfrom consumption of meat containing the infective stage of the worm. This study therefore investigates the presence ofzoonotic helminth infections among cattle in Minna metropolis, and scientific basis for their potential transmission to humanpopulation. A total of 184 diarrhoeic faecal samples from cattle were collected from September 2014 to June 2015 in Minna,Niger state and processed using the direct faecal microscopic examination techniques. The obtained results showed that a total of 81 (44%) samples were positive including Ascaris sp, Fasciola gigantica, Trichuris sp. and Taenia sp. with infection rates of 22.3%, 12%, 2.2% and 0.5% respectively, and mixed infections of Fasciola gigantic with Ascaris sp. (4.3%) , and Ascaris sp. with Trichuris sp. (2.7%). Poor human hygiene, inadequate livestock husbandry managements and restriction of animals to residential areas are the major factors responsible for the high prevalence of zoonotic helminths and geo-helminths in the study area. Therefore veterinarians, animal handlers and livestock owners should practice personal hygienic and safe management practices for animal rearing and treatments.

A rare case is presented of a 58-year-old woman who developed ahepatic-bronchopleural fistula following a hydatid hepatic cyst complication. The hepatic-bronchopleural fistula was diagnosed when patient complained of severe repetitive attacks of productive cough of brown yellow to dark colour sputum biliptysis (bile in cough) with vomiting associated with night sweating and fever, for the past one month. She also complained of right side chest and abdominal pain for the past 3 years. This paper describes a unique case of hepatic-bronchopleural fistula caused by hydatid disease, emphasising the clinical feature and its surgical management. Hydatid disease is a zoonotic infection dueto the damage caused by Echinococcus granulosus. E. granulosus, also called the hydatid worm, hyper tape-worm or dog tapeworm, is a cyclophyllid cestode that parasitises the small intestine of canids as an adult, but which has important intermediate hosts such as livestock and humans, where it causes cystic echinococcosis, also known as hydatid disease. It is hoped thatthis case report will add to the meagre case management reports of hepaticbronchopleural fistula in literature.

Brucellosis in goats is mainly caused by the bacterium Brucellamelitensis, which is one of the most important pathogenic species in the world. In Malaysia, the annual prevalence data of brucellosis was recorded in goats and the control strategy of the disease basedon test and cull of infected animals. This strategy has caused huge economic losses to farmers and government alike. Therefore, whole genome sequencing of B. melitensis local strain is essential forimproving the current vaccine. B. melitensis strain VRI 6530/11 wasobtained from veterinary research institute biobank, Ipoh. The strain was submitted for classical identification procedures and the total genomic DNA was extracted by using DNeasy blood and tissue kit(QIAGEN). The concentration and purity of DNA were determined by using agarose gel electrophoresis and spectrophotometer (DNA/RNA) assay respectively. The genome was sequenced by using IlluminaHiSeq platform with insert size ~200 bp. A total of 1.0 Gb data was generated from the sample. More than 95% of sequencing data was retained in the sample after quality filtering, this indicatethe sequencing reads are of high quality. Final assembly had 33 scaffolds with total size ~3.28 Mb, 44 contigs, GC content is 57.25%, N50 is 293,291. A total of 3,238 protein coding genes, 48 tRNAs and 3rRNAs were predicted and over 87% of the genes were functionally annotated. Genome sequencing of a local B. melitensis strain is the first of its kind in Malaysia and work from this study can contribute towards the development of a new effective vaccine for the control ofthe disease in the country.

This study was conducted to investigate the high mortality of young lambs in two sheep farms in Pekan, Pahang over a period of 3 years. Samples from postmortem of 1,451 lambs below one year of age by a farm veterinarian were submitted for laboratory diagnosis at the Bacteriology Section of the Regional Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Kuantan. Escherichia coli is the most commonly recorded bacteria with 161 lambs diagnosed in 2013. In 2014 and 2015, there was a decrease in occurrence of E. coli related deaths, with 120 and 75lambs respectively. A total of 25% of the cases showed Escherichia coli positive by culture on blood agar and MacConkey agar, and confirmed by biochemical tests. A total of 21% of the cases were positive for staphylococcus sp, 3% and 6% for Streptococcus sp and Klebsiella pneumonia, respectively. Other bacteria were isolated in 45% of the cases. It was further noted that a total of 285 lambs between the ages of one to four months of age followed by 58 lambs (20%) less than one month old had E.coli isolation. It is also noteworthy that there were 10 lambs with E.coli infection in one to fourteen day-old lambs during the 3-year period from January 2013 to December 2015. This information was collated as a result of routine diagnosis of field cases submitted and with the intention of highlighting the common pathogens causing high mortality in local small ruminant farms so that preventive action may be taken for future farming ventures. E. coli infections or Colibacillosis is an important finding and indicator of poor management including poor nutrition, hygiene and environmental contamination which can reduce animal immunity and render it susceptible to other infections.

TVT, also known as infectious sarcoma, venereal granuloma, transmissible lymphosarcoma or sticker tumour is a benign reticuloendothelial tumour that affects particularly mucosa of external genital organs and rarely internal genital organs in dogs of both genders. TVT is usually transmitted by coitus but also can be transmitted by licking, sniffing, biting,and scrabbling of the tumour affected area or through damaged skin of mucosa. Transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) is usually observed in stray animals live in tropical and subtropical lands. The affected animals are usually within 9-13 months of age and with high sexual activity. Tumour is frequently located in posterior vagina and vestibulovaginal junction. The averagechromosome count of TVT cells is 59 (57- 64). TVT specific antibodies were found in blood samples of affected animalswhich suggest that they may have a role in natural regression mechanism. The primary objective of tumour treatment is total elimination by surgery, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Controlling of the disease is very difficult because stray dogs are carriers.

Septicaemic pasteurellosis is a fatal, sometimes epidemic, bacterial disease of domestic and wild animals including deer, bison, elk, and pronghorn antelope caused by Pasteurella multocida. This is the case report of septicaemic pasteurellosisin a captive sambar deer. The carcass was sent from Royal Endurance Stable, Bachok, Kelantan to the Kota Bharu RegionalVeterinary Laboratory for post-mortem. Gross examination of organs was followed by collection of specimens from lung, kidney,liver, spleen and heart for histopathology and bacterial examination. Pooled organ samples with rumen content were collected and sent to the nearest Chemistry Department for investigation. For histology, the liver, lung, spleen, kidney, and heart specimens were fixed in 10% neutral formalin, and routinely embedded in paraffin. Fivemicrometer sections were stained with H&E. Other tests such as worm and ectoparasiteidentification were conducted to identify the parasites. Post-mortem lesions revealed generalised haemorrhage in the organs.Pasteurella multocida serogroup B and E. coli were isolated from multiple tissues of the animal. Histological examination alsorevealed severe congestion and haemorhage of multiple tissues with infiltration of the inflammatory cells. The most likely mode of transmission of these bacteria is through an infected wound and into the bloodstream, thereby causing severe septicemia and death to the animal.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the causative agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) a contagious and infectious disease in smallruminants. This report describes a case of CLA in a Boer cross goat infected with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The manifestation of abscess in the superficial lymph node presented as a mass ofapproximately 5 cm by 5 cm in diameter at the base of the ear. The mass was solid and non-movable upon palpation. The mass was incised and the caseous material was aspirated and sent to the bacteriologylaboratory where Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was isolated. Thewound was cleaned and flushed with diluted chlorhexidine and iodine solutions daily. This procedure aids in the complete healing of the wound after a few weeks. However, the agent of the disease persistsin the animal in its entire life and culling is recommended to prevent the spread of the disease in the herd.