Purpose: The treatment and long term clinical outcomes of anorectal malformations (ARM) in children have always been the focus of pediatric surgeons. This study aimed at reporting our experience as far as long-term follow-up of ARM in children is concern. Methods: We enrolled patients treated between 1999 and 2019, and established selection criteria to choose appropriate subjects. A validated questionnaire was used to determine long-term quality of life outcomes. Results: Out of a total of 48 patients treated within the study period, 28 were enrolled in this study. Among the latter, more than 35% had at least one long-time complication, and more than 90% had a good lifestyle. Urinary and fecal continence was achieved in more than 95% of the patients using medical devices. Conclusion This study aimed to bring up new concepts; taking into consideration all aspects of life in patients with ARM, from school life to sexuality, while evaluating fecal and urinary continence. This is essential for the improvement of the skills of the different specialists involved in the management of these patients, and for the implementation of strategies that can improve postoperative function. Most especially, it will also help improve communication between doctors to ensure an adequate transition of these children into adult life.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of vector-borne bacteria and protozoa in hunting dogs living in Central Italy. Methods: Molecular testing was executed on DNA which was extracted from blood specimens collected from 117 asymptomatic dogs to detect Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia canis (B. canis), Bartonella spp., Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii), Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis, and Leishmania infantum. Results: A total of 48 dogs (41.0%) were infested by Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks. Tick-borne infections were observed in 64 (54.7%) animals. More in detail, 38 dogs (32.5%) screened positive for Hepatozoon canis, 24 (20.5%) for Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, 20 (17.1%) for Leishmania infantum, 6 (5.1%) for C. burnetii, 5 (4.3%) for B. canis (3 B. canis vogeli and 2 B. canis canis), 3 (2.5%) for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and 2 (1.7%) for Ehrlichia canis. Mixed infection by 2 agents occurred in 17 (14.5%) subjects, by 3 agents in 7 (6.0%) dogs, and by 4 agents in 1 (0.9%) animal. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that several vector-borne pathogens were circulating in this region and dogs infected by these agents were usually asymptomatic. A relevant finding was the presence of DNA of C. burnetii, a severe zoonotic agent, in the 5.1% of tested dogs, which can be source of infection for their owners not only through tick bites, but also directly with urine, feces and birth products.