A total of 23,322 specimens collected between 2014 and 2017, froma total of 2,592 cases, were received in Veterinary Research Institute, Ipoh (VRI) from various states in Malaysia and testedfor common bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases in pigs. The highest occurrence of isolated bacteria from 771 samples whichtested positive were Salmonella (47.38%) and Escherichia coli (15.68%), followed by Staphylococcus (6.62%), Streptococcus (5.57%), Klebsiella pneumonia (4.88%), Pseudomona (3.38%), Acinetobacter (3.14%), Aeromonas (2.79%), Enterobacter (2.44%), one each of Bacillus and Pasteurella multocida (1.74%), Enterococcus (1.39%) and Corynebacterium (1.05%). 1.74% of each bacteria detected were Moxarella, Aspergillus, Burkholderia andChromobacterium. Positive samples tested by ELISA was Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) (9.15%), Aujezsky disease virus (ADV)(5.37%), porcine cirvo-virus-2 (PCV2) (5.09%) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) (4.52%). Positive amples tested by the molecular test wasPCV2 (1.62%), PRRSV (1.32%) and classical swine fever virus (CSFV) (0.4%). Serology tests were conducted on 11,305 samplesand reported positive for Brucella suis (15.32%), Brucella abortus (0.62%), Brucella melitensis (0.85%), and melioidosis (0.05%). Parasitology analyses on 99 samples. revealed presence of 10.1% coccidia and 1% each of helminths and Sarcocystis. Within the 4-year period, there were no positive samples for porcine parvovirus (PPV), Nipah virus, swine influenza virus (SIV), and bacteria of Johne’s disease and leptospirosis. Continuous assessment is required to establish a comprehensive baseline data of swine diseases in Malaysia.

In Malaysia, helminthiasis due to strongyles such as Haemonchuscontortus and coccidiosis caused by Eimeria sp. have been reported to cause severe economic losses in small ruminants livestock industry. This paper reports the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasite infections on small ruminants situated in Seberang Perai Selatan district, Penang. Faecal samples were obtained from a total of 193 animals,randomly selected from 14 ruminant farms. The results of this survey indicates that helminthiasis and coccidiosis is rampant insheep and goat farms. The most common infections diagnosed were helminthiasis (77.72%) and coccidiosis (60.10%) followedby Moniezia sp. (5.18%). From this study, it shows that parasitic diseases can be managed by good animal husbandryin farms since high parasitic infections were observed in farms that were poorly managed based on nutrition, hygiene andbasic animal husbandry practices. The smallholders depended on health and extension services from the State Veterinary Department. A continuous monitoring of small ruminant farms by the Department of Veterinary Services will provide important information for assisting farmers with managing the spread of parasitic infections and maintaining the productivity of animals.

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.

Fascioliasis is an importantparasitic disease caused by the liver flukeFasciola gigantica in Malaysia. Theinfestation of liver fluke in ruminants;cattle, sheep, goats and buffaloes can resultin economic losses to the country mainlydue to the drop in livestock production,reduction in growth rate, condemnationof liver, reduction in draught power andhigh usage of anthelmintics. This paperdescribes a case of liver fluke infestationin a two year old male buffalo that waseventually slaughtered. The buffalowas reported to be emaciated and wasreared in an oil palm plantation for useas draught power in buffalo-drawn cartsloaded with oil palm bunches; alongwith 18 other buffaloes of various ages.Previously, there were two cases of buffalodeaths from the same herd. The organand faecal samples were sent to KuantanRegional Veterinary Laboratory (RVL)for diagnostic work up. The receivedsamples were then sent to parasitology,histopathology and bacteriology sectionsfor laboratory analysis and confirmationon the pathogens. The bacteriology resultshowed Escherichia coli isolated in allinternal organs. Presence of adult flukes(Fasciola gigantica) were observed inthe bile duct of the liver through grossexamination and also histopathologicalevaluation and supported by the positiveresult of Fasciola ova via sedimentationtest conducted from the faecal sample, thusjustifying the final diagnosis as severe liverfluke infestation leading to emaciation andsimultaneously having colibacillosis.

A study was carried out to detect and identify the presence of coccidia oocysts in the faeces of village chicken from the district of Pasir Putih, Kelantan, West Malaysia. A total of 135 fecal samples were collected from 15 areas in the Pasir PutihDistrict. The faecal samples were examined by direct smear method (qualitative study). A pinch of the faeces was put onto the glassslide with 1-2 drops of normal saline and cover slip, which was then observed under the compound microscope to detect thecoccidia oocysts. The presence of coccidia oocyst was then identified by its size and shape. Results showed that ten out of 135 samples were positive for coccidia oocysts, and classified as Eimeria maxima and Eimeria mitis, both of which are from two locations at Kampung Chap Banir, Pasir Putih, Kelantan. The remaining 125 samples were observed to be negative. This may suggest that the chickens reared in the backyard (extensive)are less susceptible to the coccidia infection due to their environment with lower stocking density (mostly free ranging chicken), and no damp/wet litter as bedding which canfacilitate sporulation of the coccicia oocyst thereby spreading the infection. Further studies need to be done to elucididate other factors which may affect coccidial infections in free range chicken such as the availability of medications in feed or genetic hardiness and tolerance to field infections. The localvillage chicken industry is an up and coming facet of the poultry industry and needs concerted efforts to boost it.

A survey of 95 wild rats which were captured from various locations was conducted to determine the diversity and distribution of ectoparasites and endoparasites infesting wild rat population around the city of Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur. The rodents captured were Rat tus norvegicus and post mortem was carried out immediately after capture, with skin and organs examined for parasite infection. Ectoparasites recovered were blood sucking louse (Polyplax spinulosa) and mites (Myocoptes musculinus). Endoparasites recovered were nematodes (Aspiculuris tetraptera, Trichuris sp., and two strongyles, one of which is Strongyloides sp.) And three intestinal protozoan parasites (Blastocystis sp., Trichomonas sp., and a coccidia). Low diversity of ecto- and endoparasites were observed infecting wild rat population caught in Ipoh as compared to Kuala Lumpur.

This report describes atypical chronic trypanosomosis in a three year male Spitz dog. Fever, lethargy and anorexia were the early presenting signs without any hemato-biochemical abnormality. Peripheral blood smear examination was non-diagnostic on three consecutive times. Trypanosma evansi was confirmed in the Leishman stained thin blood smears (moderate parasetemia) on fourth parasitological examination. Biochemical profile showed a remarkable elevation in total serum bilirubin (6.7 mg%) and activities of alanine amino transferase (ALT) (950 IU/L) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) (1050 IU/L) after a month. Anemia, leucopenia, neutropenia, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia suggestive of bone marrow depression appeared by about 73 days of presentation of case. A rapid complete clinical recovery occurred within a week after treatment with quinapiramine sulphate and chloride combination @ 3.5mg/kg bwt. Hemoglobin, leucocyte and thrombocyte count improved within six days, however, liver enzyme activity normalized slowly over three months.

Trypanosomiasis positive cases were reported in Sahom Farm Retreatin Gopeng, Perak; with multispecies livestock animals. Nzi and Vavoua traps were applied to survey the population of biting flies; stable flies (Muscidae: Stomoxyinae) and horse flies (Tabanidae)as the vector for surra. Results indicated the presence of Trypanosomiasis infection diagnosed by buffy coat examination, thinblood stained smears and serological test (Surra Sero K-Set test) and identification of its insect vectors. The presence of bothbiting flies provides the missing link between the occurrence of the disease and host or environmental factors precipitatingthe disease. Besides trypanosomiasis in cattle, other parasitic infections were also recorded with heavy infections for liver fluke (Fasciola gigantica ova) and coccidia oocysts. Therefore, some control measures are recommended to eradicate the vectors and to treat infected animals in order to prevent the dissemination ofthe trypanosmiasis.

Stray dogs are carriers of several zoonotic diseases such as leishmaniasis and canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) as a result of poor nutrition, low hygienic conditions and lack of veterinary care. Thus, the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) conducted a survey to determine the parasite pathogens such as blood protozoans, gastrointestinal parasites and ectoparasites in stray dogs with the collaboration of the Kuala Lumpur City Council Pest Control Unit. Skin, organ, faecal and blood samples were analysed and results indicate that Babesia canis, Babesia gibsoni, Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis and microfilaria of Dirofilaria immittis are the common parasites species found in the blood and organ samples in 2014. The faecal floatation technique showed the presence ofhelminth ova such as Trichuris, Ancylostoma and Toxocara species. All skin samples were positive for Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks. As strays are closely linked to human habitats such as market and housing areas, it is vital that stray population control is strategically implemented to safeguard these common zoonotic infections from spreading to humans.

Parasitic nematode infection in animal is one of the main causes for the mortality of animals and most of the treatment relies on the use of the anthelmintic drugs to overcome such a problem. However, the heavy use of anthelmintic contributed to the problem of multidrug resistance. This study was carried out to investigate the infectiveness of Punica granatum (aqueous leaf and peel extracts) as an alternative treatment. This study utilised the in-vitro assay technique (motility assayand larval migration inhibition assay) to determine the effect of the extracts on the survival of L3 stage of parasitic nematodes.The results showed that incubation of L3 in different concentrations (5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 mg/ml) of extracts paralysed and killed the worms after 24 hours and 48 hours ofincubation periods. The same results were obtained from larval migration inhibition assay, showing that both extracts of Punicagranatum inhibited the migration of the L3. After 2 hours of incubation in the leaf extract (5 mg/ml), the migration of nematode larvae was inhibited to 56±12.29% as compared tothe control. While for the peel extract the percentage of migration was reduced to 53 ±3.33%. Further reduction of the migration was observed at 10, 20 and 50 mg/ml of leaf extract.