First Report of Burkholderia cepacia Causing Finger-Tip Rot on Banana Fruit in the Guangxi Province of China

Banana (Musa acuminata) is one of the most popular and widely consumed fruit crops in the world. During late October to early November 2020, a banana finger-tip rot disease was observed in the banana (cultivar ‘Brazil’, AAA group) orchard of about 12 hectares located in Zhongcun, Zhangmu Town, Fumian District, Yulin City, Guangxi province, China. The disease incidence was about 0.5% at the surveyed field. Infected fingers and their tips were usually normal in the appearances and then turned to brown to black discoloration in the central fruit pulp adjacent to the fingertips (Fig. 1A). In severe infection, diseased fingers showed brown to black discoloration in both the central and the periphery fruit pulp, and along the longitudinal axis throughout the fruit (Fig. 1B-C). The symptomatic banana fingers were surface-disinfected with 1% sodium hypochlorite for 30 sec, 75% ethanol for 30 sec then rinsed three times with sterile distilled water. The flesh tissues were ground in a sterile mortar and soaked in 1 ml of sterile distilled water for 30 min. A 50 μl of tissue suspensions was streaked onto Luria-Bertani (LB) medium. Single colonies were picked and re-streaked onto new LB medium. The cultures were incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Two representative strains, GX and GX2, were obtained from symptomatic pulps and used in the following studies. To molecularly identify the bacterial species, we performed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using 16S rRNA and recA primers (Turner et al. 1999; Lee and Chan 2007) and amplified 1,442 bp and 1,019 bp sequences, respectively. The amplified sequences were deposited in GenBank under the accession numbers MZ267253 and MZ961355 for the 16S rRNA and MZ287336 and MZ983484 for the recA genes. BLASTn searches shared more than 99% similarity with the reference sequences of B. cepacia strains (MK680073.1 and KC261418.1 for 16S rRNA; AY598028.1 and KF812859.1 for recA). Phylogenetic trees were constructed using the 16 rRNA and recA sequences and showed that the representative strains, GX and GX2, strongly clustered with B. cepacia type strains (Fig. 2). To further determine the genomovars of strain GX, we used specific PCR primers to the B. cepacia epidemic strain marker (BCESM), type III secretion gene cluster (bcscV) and cable pilin subunit gene (cblA) (Lee and Chan 2007; Ansari et al. 2019). The presence of bcscV and BCESM were confirmed by PCR, while cblA was not observed in the strains GX and GX2, suggesting that the isolated strains belong to B. cepacia genomovar III and are slightly different from the Iranian and Taiwan strains of B. cepacia (Lee and Chan 2007; Ansari et al. 2019). Pathogenicity test was conducted on banana fingers (cultivar ‘Zhongjiao No.3’) at the immature and full ripe stages. A final suspensions of 106 CFU/ml, was injected into the banana fingers (100 μl per finger) through the center of the stigma (Lee and Chan 2007; Ansari et al. 2019). The fingers inoculated with sterile water were used as negative control. To maintain humidity, the treated fingertips were wrapped with Parafilm. For each treatment, ten independent replicates were conducted. At 10 days post-inoculation (dpi), the pulp of immature bananas exhibited reddish brown decaying tissue, which symptoms were similar to those observed in the field (Fig. 1D). Moreover, the pulp tissues of ripe bananas showed a dark brown discoloration in the tip at 5 dpi, whereas the controls remained symptomless (Fig. 1E). The same bacterium was re-isolated from diseased tissues and its identification confirmed by 16S rRNA, thus fulfilling the Koch’s postulates. This disease was first described in Honduras in Latin America, and then reported in Taiwan province of China, and Iran (Buddenhagen 1968; Lee et al. 2003; Ansari et al. 2019). To our knowledge, this is the first report of banana finger-tip rot caused by B. cepacia in the Guangxi province, China. It is necessary to determine the distribution of B. cepacia and to prevent its spread in Guangxi province of China.

Porcine ear necrosis in weaned piglets: prevalence and impact on daily weight gain

Background Porcine ear necrosis (PEN) in pigs is characterized by a blue to black discoloration of the tip or margin of the ear followed by necrosis. The present study investigated the prevalence of PEN in a Belgian pig farm with PEN problems in nursery pigs, the effect of a mycotoxin detoxifier added to the feed on PEN prevalence, and the impact of PEN on the piglets’ growth. Six consecutive batches of weaned piglets [565–751 piglets per batch, (n = 3898)] were included. For each weaning batch, the presence and severity of PEN during the nursery period (3–10 weeks of age) were recorded weekly. Average daily gain (ADG) was calculated by weighing 597 individual piglets divided over the six batches. Additionally different mycotoxins were measured in the feed using LC–MS/MS analysis, and to three randomly selected batches, a mycotoxin detoxifier (Mycofix® Plus 5E, Biomin) was added to the feed. Results At the end of the nursery period, 11.0–32.0% of the piglets in each batch were affected. The prevalence increased with the number of weeks post-weaning, especially from week 4 after weaning onwards. Mild, moderate, severe and very severe lesions represented 84.6%, 14.0%, 1.3% and 0.1% of all lesions, respectively. Different mycotoxins were present in the feed, but all at low concentrations. The mean ADG (± SD) for pigs without (n = 243) and with (n = 158) lesions was 391 g (± 71 g) and 394 g (± 65 g), respectively (P > 0.05). The ADG for mildly affected (387 g ± 68 g) and moderately affected piglets (420 g ± 44 g) was not significantly different (P > 0.05). The PEN prevalence in the batches without or with the mycotoxin detoxifier was 25% and 22%, respectively (P > 0.05). Conclusions Twenty-three percent of animals showed lesions at the end of the nursery. Affected pigs did not have a lower ADG compared to non-affected animals, which might be explained by the fact that most affected piglets only had mild lesions. The addition of a mycotoxin detoxifier did not influence the prevalence of PEN, possibly because of the low levels of mycotoxin contamination. Further research is warranted to assess the impact of more severe PEN lesions and the effect of control measures.

Diffuse melanosis secondary to metastatic melanoma in a Nelore bull

We report a case of diffuse melanosis secondary to metastatic malignant melanoma in a Nelore bull. Clinical signs included isolation from the herd, epistaxis, hyperthermia, pale ocular membranes, mucoid diarrhea and dark urine. Despite anti-inflammatory and antibiotic therapy, the bull died 45 days after the onset of the clinical signs. The most striking lesion was diffuse black discoloration to the visceral organs including liver, spleen, lungs, lymph nodes, and kidneys; all these affect organs were moderately enlarged”. The urine was black. Histologically, 50-80% of the parenchyma of the liver, spleen and lymph nodes was obliterated by aggregates of melanin-loaded neoplastic melanocytes. Those neoplastic cells also occurred within capillaries of the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, urinary bladder, lungs and kidneys. Immunohistochemistry of neoplastic melanocytes was positive for Melan A and PNL2 markers. Abundant brown to black pigment was found in melanophages in the lungs, confirmed by IBA1 immunohistochemistry.

Acute Esophageal Necrosis Early after Renal Transplantation

Background. Acute esophageal necrosis (AEN) is defined as a diffused black discoloration of the esophageal mucosa involving mainly the distal part of the esophagus. It is considered a rare clinical entity with a high mortality rate. The etiology of AEN is unknown, but it has been correlated to many causes such as malignancies, infections, and hemodynamics instability. Here, we report a case of a patient developing AEN a few days after kidney transplantation. Case Presentation. A 57-year-old male was admitted electively for kidney transplantation that he received from his son. The surgery was complicated with a significant drop in blood pressure but otherwise was uneventful. The patient was showing good signs of recovery but then suffered from significant hematemesis. An urgent upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed black discoloration of the esophageal mucosa in keeping with AEN. The patient was treated with proton pump inhibitors infusion and started empirically on antivirals and antifungals. The patient’s condition improved in regards to the AEN; nonetheless, the complications resulted in graft loss, and the patient returned to hemodialysis. Conclusion. AEN is a critical condition that mandates early intervention. Identifying high-risk populations may aid in early anticipation and diagnosis. Patients with chronic kidney disease are at risk of atherosclerosis leading to a low flow state which is exacerbated during renal transplantation surgery, especially if the procedure was complicated with a drop in blood pressure.

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Post COVID-19 Condition: Case Study

A 50 years old woman was referred to hospital with complaints of bluish black discoloration of skin or multiple ecchymosis since 6 days and skin rashes, pink changes or petechiae changes since 1 week, dark color stools since 3 days. She had a history of COVID-19 positive on past ‘‘3 months’’ back and she received the corticosteroids, antiviral drugs, broad spectrum antibiotics, anticoagulants, and vitamin B and C supplements. Now patient is admitted and investigated for further management. Her bone marrow examination reveals marrow cytological features are compatible with immune thrombocytopenic Purpura and peripheral examination reveals red cells are microcytic hypochromic with elongation forms, platelets are markedly reduced and elevation of CRP, reduction of the Hb, PCV, MCH, MCV, MCHC, APTT, Serum vitamin B12, Lymphocytes and her HRCT-Chest shows CORADS 5, Rapid antigen test shows positive. A review on introduction of the disease, etiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, mechanism of thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 patients and grading is explained in literature review.

Melanosis coli in a peritoneal dialysis patient: a case report

Background Patients who undergo peritoneal dialysis (PD) are at risk of gut bacteria translocation leading to peritonitis when there is chronic diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea is defined as any course of diarrhea that lasts at least 4 weeks, which can be continuous or intermittent. Chronic diarrhea of any duration may cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and life-threatening hypovolemic shock. In PD patients, excessive ultrafiltration from the exchanges, combined with severe gastrointestinal loss, may cause hypovolemic shock, electrolyte imbalance, and metabolic acidosis. There are multiple causes of chronic diarrhea in PD patients including infective causes, mitotic lesions, and rarely the regular and excessive use of laxatives, which is a diagnosis of exclusion. Case presentation We report a case of Melanau lady with chronic diarrhea secondary to laxative usage in a patient being treated with automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). The patient went into hypovolemic shock, but luckily did not contract peritonitis. A colonoscopy revealed brown to black discoloration of the colon, a feature suggestive of melanosis coli. A biopsy of the intestine further confirmed the diagnosis by histopathological examination. Withdrawal of laxatives and the introduction of probiotics improved the symptoms tremendously. Conclusions The chronic use of laxatives in PD patients can potentially lead to a devastating problem; thus, the management team must monitor treatment commencement appropriately.

Three new species from Guangdong Province of China, and a molecular assessment of Hygrocybe subsection Hygrocybe

Blackening waxcaps (Hygrocybe subsect. Hygrocybe) are a group of colorful and attractive mushrooms. However, the species diversity of subsect. Hygrocybe in China is still poorly known due to the limited sampling. In this study, three new species of this group from Guangdong Province, China are described and illustrated based on their morphological characteristics and molecular analyses of the internal transcribed spacer and large subunit ribosomal DNA regions. Hygrocybe debilipes from grasslands of South China Sea islands is mainly characterized by its orange red to vivid red pileus, fragile stipe, and ellipsoid to oblong basidiospores; H. griseonigricans from woodlands is characterized by its whitish to dull yellow pileus, quick black discoloration and the globose, subglobose to broadly ovoid basidiospores; H. rubroconica from woodlands is characterized by the hemispheric to plano-convex pileus when mature, semitranslucent fibrose stipe, and globose to ellipsoid basidiospores.

EXPANDING HORIZON IN CARIES PREVENTION WITH SILVER DIAMINE FLUORIDE- A REVIEW

Dental caries is the most common pandemic on the globe, affecting various age bars in all countries with varying degree of severity. Silver diamine fluoride provides an alternative care path for those patients in whom traditional restorative treatment cannot be done. Application of SDF to arrest dental caries is a non-invasive procedure that is quick and simple to use. Reports of available studies found no severe pulpal damage after SDF application. However, it has drawbacks like black discoloration of the carious teeth and an unpleasant metallic taste. But, the low cost of SDF and its simplicity in application suggest that SDF is an appropriate therapeutic agent for use in community dental health projects. Keywords: Silver diamine fluoride; Dental caries; Caries arrest

Microbiological and Quality Responses of Strawberry Fruit to High CO2 Controlled Atmosphere and Modified Atmosphere Storage

‘Minomusume’ strawberries were stored in high CO2 atmospheres (20%, 30%, and 40%) by means of a controlled atmosphere (CA) and active modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) for 10 days at 5 °C. The CA of 20% to 40% CO2 was effective in delaying an increase in fungal count and preventing the external formation of mold mycelia, but a CA of >30% CO2 induced black discoloration on the surface of strawberry due to CO2 injury. When strawberry fruit were stored in a MAP flushed with either air or high CO2, all packages approached an equilibrium of ≈20% CO2 and 2% O2 by the end of storage. Fungal counts of strawberry fruit stored in a MAP remained constant throughout the storage period and the diversity of fungal flora was partially similar regardless of the difference in the MAP method. Visual quality (mold incidence and severity of black discoloration) and physicochemical quality (weight loss, firmness, pH, and total ascorbic acid content) were unaffected by CO2 atmospheres as the flushing gas during active MAP storage, except that the fruit in a MAP flushed with 20% and 30% CO2 were firmer than those with air and 40% CO2. After transfer to ambient conditions for 6 days at 10 °C, however, external formation of mold mycelia identified as Botrytis cinerea and surface black discoloration were induced in strawberry fruit in MAP flushed with 30% and 40% CO2.

Multiple Myeloma Mimicking a Small Vessel Vasculitis Presentation

Multiple myeloma can have different clinical manifestations, and not all patients present with classic CRAB component. We describe a 46-year-old woman admitted to our hospital with a complaint of a bluish-to-black discoloration of the second toe that was rapidly progressive and acute kidney injury. We documented a Kappa light chain monoclonal gammopathy, increased presence of plasmacytes in bone marrow aspiration, and multiple lytic bone lesions, which led to a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Although multiple myeloma presenting with blue finger syndrome is uncommon, it must always be considered as a differential diagnosis with this clinical finding.