Fatal attraction: A case of multiple magnet ingestion in an infant

Background: Foreign body ingestion is common amongst young children, and they tend to pass spontaneously in most. Multiple magnet ingestion, though not very common, requires early intervention to avoid serious complications. Case presentation: A 1 year old infant was brought to us with symptoms of bilious vomiting and abdominal pain. A plain abdominal x ray revealed presence of multiple radio opaque foreign bodies adherent to each other, lying in the small bowel. This raised the suspicion of accidental ingestion of multiple magnets, which was confirmed on detailed interrogation of the parents. An exploratory laparotomy revealed volvulus with pressure necrosis causing multiple perforations of the small bowel, for which a bowel resection with anastomosis and a loop ileostomy was performed, also all the magnetic beads were removed intact. The stoma was reversed after 4 weeks. At follow up the child has grown well with no residual complaints. Conclusion: The importance of early detection and intervention in a case of multiple magnet ingestion in children should be emphasised amongst the parents of young children. Spread of awareness by the primary paediatricians would help in reducing the morbidity and mortality. Keywords: multiple magnets; intestinal obstruction; perforation.

Fatal attraction of Caenorhabditis elegans to predatory fungi through 6-methyl-salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a phenolic phytohormone which controls plant growth and development. A methyl ester (MSA) derivative thereof is volatile and involved in plant-insect or plant-plant communication. Here we show that the nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans uses a methyl-salicylic acid isomer, 6-MSA as morphogen for spatiotemporal control of trap formation and as chemoattractant to lure Caenorhabditis elegans into fungal colonies. 6-MSA is the product of a polyketide synthase and an intermediate in the biosynthesis of arthrosporols. The polyketide synthase (ArtA), produces 6-MSA in hyphal tips, and is uncoupled from other enzymes required for the conversion of 6-MSA to arthrosporols, which are produced in older hyphae. 6-MSA and arthrosporols both block trap formation. The presence of nematodes inhibits 6-MSA and arthrosporol biosyntheses and thereby enables trap formation. 6-MSA and arthrosporols are thus morphogens with some functions similar to quorum-sensing molecules. We show that 6-MSA is important in interkingdom communication between fungi and nematodes.

Lipid droplets and the host–pathogen dynamic: FATal attraction?

In the ongoing conflict between eukaryotic cells and pathogens, lipid droplets (LDs) emerge as a choke point in the battle for nutrients. While many pathogens seek the lipids stored in LDs to fuel an expensive lifestyle, innate immunity rewires lipid metabolism and weaponizes LDs to defend cells and animals. Viruses, bacteria, and parasites directly and remotely manipulate LDs to obtain substrates for metabolic energy, replication compartments, assembly platforms, membrane blocks, and tools for host colonization and/or evasion such as anti-inflammatory mediators, lipoviroparticles, and even exosomes. Host LDs counterattack such advances by synthesizing bioactive lipids and toxic nucleotides, organizing immune signaling platforms, and recruiting a plethora of antimicrobial proteins to provide a front-line defense against the invader. Here, we review the current state of this conflict. We will discuss why, when, and how LDs efficiently coordinate and precisely execute a plethora of immune defenses. In the age of antimicrobial resistance and viral pandemics, understanding innate immune strategies developed by eukaryotic cells to fight and defeat dangerous microorganisms may inform future anti-infective strategies.