G6Pd deficiency with severe hemolytic anemia: a case report

A 3-year-old boy presented to our atoll hospital in H.A Alif Dhidhoo, with severe pallor, jaundice, easy fatigability and recurrent episodes of passage of dark-colored urine for past 3 days. He was born mature at 39 weeks of gestation with no past significant medical history. Recent history revealed the consumption of 2 cans of fava beans and application of some medicinal herbs. On admission, physical examination revealed fever of 101 degree Fahrenheit, severe pallor, jaundice, cervical lymphadenopathy and mild hepatomegaly. Laboratory investigation results showed a hemoglobin level of 5.4 g/dl with a hemolytic blood picture and serum Bilirubin of 6mg/dl. The patient's G6PD level was measured which showed marked deficiency. Other causes of hemolytic anemia were excluded. Patient required urgent packed RBC transfusion and antibiotics for infection. He responded well to the treatment and was discharged in a stable condition. Parents were appropriately advised on the condition and the importance of avoiding certain foods and medication. Folic acid was prescribed for maintaining normal hemoglobin concentration. This is a first case report in North Maldives of G6PD presenting with severe hemolytic anemia requiring blood transfusion.

Evaluation of Genotype, Environment, and Management Interactions on Fava Beans under Mediterranean Field Conditions

Faba beans (Vicia faba L.), also known as fava beans, like other crops, are influenced by several factors: their genotype, environment, and management, as well as the interaction between these, have an important impact on seed yielding and seed quality traits. This study was conducted at three locations in South Italy between 2017 and 2019 to evaluate the sowing date effect on yield and yield components of three Vicia faba L., originating from cool climates. The results showed that seed yield (SY) and yield components declined with sowing delay. The crop’s environment (year × site) and management (sowing date) were found to explain 34.01% and 42.95% of the total seed yield variation, respectively. The data showed that the tested genotypes were positively influenced by the environment with sandy loam soil and early winter sowing date, resulting in either a greater number of SY and THS than in the other environment. The three faba bean genotypes showed tolerance to winter frost conditions in the two growing seasons.

Antagonism of Trichoderma on the control of Fusarium spp. on Phaseolus lunatus L.

Biological control strategies have become an important tool in the sustainable management of plant diseases. This paper aims to report the Fusarium species that affect fava beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.) grown in Paraíba, Brazil, and determines the potential of Trichoderma isolates to control these fungi. Two Trichoderma and ten Fusarium isolates from fava bean seeds were selected. The beans were obtained from cultivated areas in the municipalities of Remígio, Alagoa Grande and Campina Grande, in Paraíba state. Phylogenetic analyzes based on DNA sequences of the translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) gene resolved the Fusarium isolates into four species belonging to the F. fujikuroi and F. incarnatum-equiseti species complexes. In vitro tests showed that the two isolates of Trichoderma tested presented antagonistic potential against the pathogens from the fava beans evaluated. In the direct comparison test, the growth of the pathogens was reduced from the seventh day in both treatments. Sporulation also showed a reduction, but only for 40% of Fusarium isolates. This work demonstrates that Trichoderma isolates can be used as a sustainable alternative to manage Fusarium spp. infection of fava beans.

Due fratelli con i globuli rossi stressati

The paper describes the case of two Caucasian brothers (11 and 12 years old resepctively) who for the first time presented with acute haemolysis due to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. The two brothers showed different severity of symptoms, even though the elder one had already eaten fava beans before. Of note, both of them were affected by neonatal jaundice and needed phototherapy in their first days of life.

Substantial Depletion of Vicine, Levodopa, and Tyramine in a Fava Bean Protein-Based Nutritional Product

A commercial fava bean protein isolate and a liquid nutritional product formulated with it were tested by validated HPLC methods for the favism-associated pyrimidine glycoside vicine, the dopamine precursor levodopa, and the biogenic amine tyramine. The vicine, levodopa, and tyramine concentrations in the protein isolate—306, 13.3, and <0.5 mg/kg, respectively—when expressed on a protein basis—34, 1.5, and <0.06 mg/100 g protein, respectively—were at least 96% lower than the vicine, levodopa, and tyramine (protein-based) concentrations reported for fava beans (≥900, ~200, and ~4 mg/100 g protein, respectively). This was also true for the vicine (13 mg/kg or 22 mg/100 g protein), levodopa (≤0.17 mg/kg or ≤0.3 mg/100 g protein), and tyramine (0.08 mg/kg or 0.14 mg/100 g protein) concentrations in the nutritional product. On the basis of these data, one serving (11 fl. oz.) of the nutritional product would deliver approximately 5 mg of vicine, <1 mg of levodopa, and <0.1 mg of tyramine.