Black Colonies Research Articles

Interaction of age and temperature on heat shock protein expression, sperm count, and sperm viability of the adult black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

Information regarding black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) adult biology is vital as this is the life stage that produces eggs and thus drives population size. The goal of this study was to determine key biological characteristics of adult black soldier flies as they age in relation to: (1) the thermal preferences (Tsel) of males and females; (2) the impact of temperature on heat shock protein expression in males and females; as well as (3) the sperm count; and (4) the sperm viability in males. Aging significantly impacted male and female temperature preferences. Young males (<24-h-old) preferred warmer temperatures (median=24.3 °C, range=19.3-28.2 °C) compared to females of the same age (median=20.2 °C, range=15.4-26.2 °C). However, in older adults (i.e. 72-h-old males and 48-h-old females), temperature preferences converged between 21 and 24 °C. Temperatures tested did not impact hsp expression in males or females. However, aging males, but not females, had increased expression of the heat shock proteins (hsp) hsp70 and hsp90. Furthermore, age impacted sperm count but not sperm viability in males. In particular, 48-h-old males had the greatest sperm count (322.5/sample) and sperm viability (60-78%) compared to all other aged males. Thermal data in conjunction with sperm data potentially explain why early thermal segregation behaviour between males and females occurs. Once adult males and females reached 72-h-old and 48-h-old, respectively, they exhibited a common thermal preference, which coincided with the greatest number of viable sperm in males. Forcing adults into environments (i.e. cages) outside these selected preferences could result in premature or delayed mating or low fertilisation rates. Future research exploring cage design and conditions are needed to optimise black soldier fly colony maintenance and fertile egg production, and can leverage information such as the results described here.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Biofilm Formation by Staphylococcus aureus Isolated From Ocular Infections

Background: Untreated staphylococcal ocular infections may cause injuries in the ocular structure and lead to visual impairments, lesions in the anatomical ocular surface, and blindness. The aim of the study was to describe the characteristic of 90 Staphylococcus aureus (SA) strains from hospital and community treated ocular infections with a special emphasis on ability of biofilm formation and drug resistance. The biofilm formation was carried out using the Congo red agar (CRA) method applying Congo red dye. Studies have demonstrated that the CRA method is simple, fast, and repeatable and that modifications of some components can easily increase its accuracy. Methods: Biofilm formation was examined by the method with CRA test. On CRA, slime-producing strains formed black colonies, whereas nonproducing strains developed red colonies in 6 kinds of colors, from very red to very black: very red, red, burgundy, almost black, black, and very black. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disc diffusion or the E-test method according to the current guidelines of the EUCAST. The MRSA, and MLSB phenotypes were detected. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the mecA, and mupA genes. Erythromycin resistance genes (ermA, ermB, ermC, and msr) were detected by multiplex PCR. Results: A positive result of the CRA test was accomplished in 66.2% cases; significantly more often in hospital strains (73.4% vs 45.4%; OR, 3.3; 55% CI, 1.2–9.3). Moreover, 73.4% isolates were fully susceptible. In hospitalized patients, the level of resistance to at least 1 antimicrobial category has been identified as 40.9%, and this rate was 27.2% in outpatients. Among the tested strains, 5 (6.0%) had the resistance phenotype MRSA and 22 (26.5%) the resistance phenotype MLSB; 4 strains manifested both mechanisms; erythromycin resistance was 25.3% in those resistant to fluoroquinolones. Resistance to fluoroquinolones was 5 times more often found in ambulatory patients. All of the tested isolates were vancomycin sensitive. Conclusions: Biofilm formation is an important risk factor for developmental staphylococcal hospital-acquired ocular infections. Our results prove that hospital strains have demonstrated much greater biofilm-forming ability than nonhospital strains. Studies indicate the high efficacy of chloramphenicol and fluoroquinolones treatments, as well as the need to implement new solutions due to the aforementioned bacteria’s high resistance to neomycin and anatomic barriers difficulties.Disclosures: NoneFunding: None

Molecular Detection of gyrA Gene in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi Isolated from Typhoid Patients in Baghdad.

Typhoid fever is endemic in most countries, causing major public health problems with high morbidity and mortality, the resistance of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) towards antimicrobials is recently increased. The aim was to detect the harboring gyrA gene in Typhi Salmonella enterica serovar. Twenty Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi isolates were obtained from the Teaching laboratories of the medical city in Baghdad, the isolates were obtained from blood specimens from typhoid patients. Colonies of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi appeared on CHROM agar and Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate Agar (XLD) as light mauve to mauve-colored and as red with black center colonies, respectively. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique was used to detect the presence of the gyrA gene within the twenty isolates with specific primer. All twenty isolates show the highest resistance rates to Cefazolin 18 (90%), Ciprofloxacin 16 (80%), and Nalidixic acid 15 (75%), while it shows highest sensitivity rates to Cefepime 18 (90%) and Tobramycin 16 (80%) antibiotics. The MIC values show equal to or more than breakpoint of Nalidixic acid and Ciprofloxacin were 15 (75%) and 16 (80%) isolates, respectively. PCR results showed the presence of gyrA gene (488 bp) in 14 (70%) of isolates (isolate number 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18 and 19). On the other hand, 6(30%) isolates (isolate numbers 5, 6, 9, 11, 16, 17, and 20) don't harbor the gyrA gene.

Spatial and Temporal Changes in Nesting Behavior by Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger) in New Jersey, USA, from 1976-2019

Sea level rise from anthropogenic climate change threatens waterbird species worldwide. In New Jersey, USA, one such waterbird, the Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger), uses both salt marsh islands and beaches for nesting colony sites. Both habitats vary in flood risk, with salt marsh islands typically being more vulnerable especially in the face of sea level rise. Given that sea level has increased in the mid-Atlantic region over the past four decades, we hypothesized that Black Skimmers have shifted their colonies from salt marshes to beaches, and that this change has led to an increase in coexistence with Least Terns (Sternula antillarum). We analyzed 44 years of seabird population census data from New Jersey and found that the probability that a Black Skimmer colony was located on a salt marsh island, as opposed to a beach, significantly declined over the survey period. Additionally, the probability of coexistence with Least Terns significantly increased. Such climate change driven population shifts of endangered species may have significant consequences for their conservation in human modified systems where habitat is already limiting.

Exophiala lecanii-corni keratitis presenting as a serpiginous pigmented superficial lesion: a case report

Rationale:Patients with bullous keratopathy (BK) treated by Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) have a compromised cornea, due to the administration of topical steroid, postsurgical use of contact lenses, and impaired barrier function of the corneal epithelium by BK. We report a case of Exophiala lecanii-corni (E lecanii-corni) keratitis presenting as a serpiginous pigmented superficial lesion after DSAEK.Patient concerns:An 81-year-old woman who had undergone cataract surgeries, suffered from decreased vision in the left eye. She was diagnosed BK and she underwent DSAEK. Two months after DSAEK, a pigmented superficial lesion developed on the left cornea. The lesion migrated and recurred repeatedly and she was referred to our department. Best corrected vision was 20/220.Diagnoses:Light microscopy of a corneal scraping revealed branching fungal hyphae. Fungal culture showed growth of a black colony, identified as E lecanii-corni by ribosomal DNA sequencing.Interventions:We started topical treatment with 1% voriconazole and 1.5% levofloxacin. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration of voriconazole was 0.06 μg/mL.Outcomes:The lesion scarred after treatment for 3 months, and left best corrected vision improved to 20/40.Lessons:Genus Exophiala is known as 1 of the “black molds” and a cause of chromomycosis. This is the first description of E lecanii-corni keratitis, and pigmented corneal epithelial lesions may be characteristic of this fungal genus.

Land distribution and inequality in a black settler colony: the case of Sierra Leone, 1792–1831†

AbstractLand distribution is considered to be one of the main contributors to inequality in pre‐industrial societies. This article contributes to the debate on the origins of economic inequality in pre‐industrial African societies by studying land inequality at a particularly early stage of African economic history. The research examines land distribution and inequality in land ownership among settlers in the Colony of Sierra Leone for three benchmark years over the first 40 years of its existence. The findings show that land inequality was low at the founding of the Colony but increased substantially over time. We suggest that this increase was enabled by a shift in the type of egalitarianism pursued by the colonial authorities, which was reflected in a change in the redistributive policy applied, which allowed later settlers to appropriate land more freely than had been previously possible.

First Report of Leaf Spot Caused by Alternaria alternata on Anemone japonica in Italy

Anemone japonica L. (Japanese windflower) is a late summer flowering perennial ornamental belonging to the Ranunculaceae. In August 2019, symptoms of a leaf spot were observed on 10-year-old plants, growing in a private garden located near Biella in northern Italy (45°36′00″N, 8°03′00″E). Initial infections appeared as brown to black, circular to oval spots, 5 to 30 mm in diameter, present on both leaf surfaces. Leaf spots gradually developed concentric rings, which then coalesced into large infected areas, resulting in defoliation. At temperatures ranging between 15 and 28°C (average monthly temperature in August of 24°C), 25 to 30% of about 100 plants were affected. Isolations of the causal agent were made by excising infected leaf tissue pieces, previously immersed in a solution containing 1% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, rinsing in sterile tap water, and placing them on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with 25 mg/liter streptomycin sulfate. PDA plates were incubated for 5 days at 20 to 22°C with 12 h of daylight, after which olivaceous to black fungal colonies developed on 90% of the plates. Monoconidial cultures of two fungal isolates were designated 19-51-31 and 19-51-36. On potato carrot agar (Simmons 2007), the two isolates incubated for 10 days at 22°C with 8 h of daylight developed multicellular, obclavate to obpyriform brown conidia that were produced on branched conidiophores, and measured 49 to 115 μm long × 2.4 to 4.7 μm wide, presenting a similar sporulation pattern as for group 4 (Simmons and Roberts 1993). Conidia were formed mainly in chains of 10 to 14 and measured 11.5 to 42.0 µm (average 27.7 µm, n = 40) in length and 3.2 to 13.9 µm (average 9.9 µm, n = 40) in width. Conidia contained zero to three longitudinal and two to five transverse septa, and, when present, beaks measured 0.9 to 10.5 µm. The fungus was identified as Alternaria sp. based on morphological characteristics (Simmons 2007). DNA extraction for molecular identification of the two fungal isolates was carried out using the E.Z.N.A. Fungal DNA Mini Kit (Omega Bio-Tek, Darmstadt, Germany). PCR assays were done using primers for ITS (White et al. 1990), rpb2, Alt a 1, endoPG, and OPA10-2 (Woudenberg et al. 2015). Sequences with 528 to 530 bp (ITS), 933 to 939 bp (rpb2), 439 to 444 bp (Alt a 1), 459 to 460 bp (endoPG), and 615 to 619 bp (OPA10-2) were obtained (GenBank accession nos. MT044149, MT043353, MT043357, MT185590, and MT043355 for fungal isolate 19-51-31; and MT044150, MT043354, MT043358, MT185591, and MT043356 for isolate 19-51-36, respectively). The sequences of both isolates using a BLASTn analysis showed 100% identity with the ex-type CBS 916.96 of Alternaria alternata (Fries) Keissler in ITS, rpb2, and Alt a 1 portions (accession nos. AF347031, KC584375, and AY563301, respectively) and 99% identity in endoPG and OPA10-2 portions (accession nos. JQ811978 and KP124632, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis of endoPG sequences grouped the 19-51-31 and 19-51-36 isolates with the reference isolates of A. alternata and not with the isolates of other Alternaria species. Pathogenicity tests were performed by spraying leaves of 1-year-old healthy potted A. japonica plants with spore suspensions of both fungal isolates that contained 10⁵ conidia/ml. Plants sprayed with tap water only served as negative controls. Five plants per treatment were used in tests carried out twice. Plants were covered with plastic bags for 5 days after inoculation and maintained in a glasshouse at temperatures ranging between 22 and 26°C. Leaf spots, similar to those observed on the garden plants, developed 7 days after inoculation. Control plants remained with no symptoms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. alternata on A. japonica in Italy, as well as worldwide. A. alternata previously has been reported on Anemone occidentalis in the United States (Woudenberg et al. 2015). The disease has appeared in several gardens on A. japonica, influencing floral characteristics and reducing market value.

Long-term effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on ants

The widespread prophylactic usage of neonicotinoid insecticides has a clear impact on non-target organisms. However, the possible effects of long-term exposure on soil-dwelling organisms are still poorly understood especially for social insects with long-living queens. Here, we show that effects of chronic exposure to the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam on black garden ant colonies, Lasius niger, become visible before the second overwintering. Queens and workers differed in the residue-ratio of thiamethoxam to its metabolite clothianidin, suggesting that queens may have a superior detoxification system. Even though thiamethoxam did not affect queen mortality, neonicotinoid-exposed colonies showed a reduced number of workers and larvae indicating a trade-off between detoxification and fertility. Since colony size is a key for fitness, our data suggest long-term impacts of neonicotinoids on these organisms. This should be accounted for in future environmental and ecological risk assessments of neonicotinoid applications to prevent irreparable damages to ecosystems.

From five to one: Sandyella species (Palaemonidae) are distinct ontogenetic stages of a single species

AbstractThe palaemonid genus Sandyella includes S. tricornuta (Isla María Madre, Mexico), S. mclaughlinae, S. bicornuta, S. quadricornuta and S. sexicornuta (Clipperton Island, France). These species were first described in the genus Chacella based on collections of few individuals and limited to no ecological information. Sandyella was later erected to differentiate Chacella kerstitchi from Chacella tricornuta and Chacella mclaughlinae. The remaining three Chacella species (<3 mm cephalothorax length) were later also moved to Sandyella and distinguished mainly based on variation in the less than three protuberances on the cephalothorax and number of protuberances on the abdomen. Since their description from their type localities, only Sandyella tricornuta has been additionally recorded from Bahía de La Paz, Mexico. Collections done at 13 locations along the Gulf of California (2009–2010) yielded 2,905 specimens including representatives of all Sandyella species as epibionts of 57 black coral colonies Antipathes galapagensis, which prompted a closer taxonomic examination. Based on observations of live and preserved specimens, including type material, population cephalothorax size frequency and mitochondrial COI data, we inferred that all current Sandyella species (a) exhibit three protuberances on the cephalothorax; (b) cephalothorax length and number of protuberances appear to be progressive among species; (c) species exhibit high COI sequence similarity; and d) the five Sandyella species were observed cohabiting the same black coral colony. Therefore, we conclude that the five current Sandyella species are in fact distinct ontogenetic stages of a single species, S. tricornuta, and our results of a morphological Bayesian analysis led us conclude that this species belongs to the genus Sandyella rather than Chacella.

Mobility and Wax Trade in the Black Sea Region: The Merchants of Kilia, 1360–1361

Abstract This article, based on Genoese, Moldavian, Wallachian, and Transylvanian sources, combines a topical subject like mobility with the trade of an indispensable commodity like wax, which, in the Middle Ages, was used in candle making and shipbuilding and was even employed in pharmacy. Specifically, the author aims, first, to analyze and explain the presence of a dynamic group of merchants, coming from different countries and involved in the wax trade, in the Genoese colony of Kilia, and second, to compare the case of Kilia to that of Caffa—Genoa’s most important Black Sea colony, where wax was one of the main exports. The results of the research show that compared with Caffa, fourteenth-century Kilia was a more recent and promising wax market, not monopolized by the Italians but also open to traders from other countries, such as Armenians, Greeks, and Hungarians.

Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) Nest Success and Incubation Behavior in Northern Michigan, United States

Nest success and chick survival are difficult to determine in Black Terns (Chlidonias niger) due to cryptic nests and chicks, challenging to access nest locations, and potential detrimental effects on nest success from increased disturbance in the colony. Nest success and attendance rates were documented in a Black Tern colony in northern Michigan, USA, in 2017 and 2018 using nest cameras and weekly site visits to overcome these challenges. Nest success was estimated at 74% (95% CI = 41%-91%) in 2017 and 81% (95% CI = 61%-92%) in 2018. Mean nest attendance during the late incubation stage (86%) was significantly higher than during the early stage (77%); and time of day had a significant effect on nest attendance rates, with adult Black Terns spending more time on the nest at night. When chicks reached 6 days post-hatch, mean diurnal nest attendance dropped to 35% or lower. Nocturnal nest attendance remained high until the chicks were 6 or more days old, then nest attendance declined precipitously. These findings may provide further insight into the use of nest cameras and potential factors limiting Black Tern nest success and chick survival in the Great Lakes.

Emancipating Mental Slavery: The Survival of a Black “Culture of Education” Within the Canadian Colonial System

This paper is a case study of Black Barbadians, colonialism, and education systems on the Island and Canada. Throughout their respective histories and contemporary realities, euro-centric systems of education have been tools to control and conform Black and Indigenous peoples. This piece argues that groups, including racially conscious Black liberators, can support Black student achievement in Canada, by indoctrinating the values of a West Indian, specifically Barbadian, culture of education. This culture of education for Black youth is rooted in the post-Emancipation Barbadian history. This article will compare how racist colonial education systems, impacted Indigenous peoples in Canada and facilitated the emigration and settlement of Black Barbadians.

A comparative study on the use of selective media for the enumeration of Clostridium perfringens in poultry faeces

Isolation and fast detection of Clostridium perfringens is essential in veterinary medical diagnostics and veterinary research, as it allows to recommend suitable treatment options after antimicrobial resistance determination, and is essential to study pathogenesis. In this study four selective media were tested for the enumeration of, and selectivity towards C. perfringens in faecal samples from poultry. The routinely used Columbia agar with 5% sheep (CBA), Shahidi-Ferguson-perfringens agar (SFP), tryptose sulphite cycloserine agar (TSC), and a novel chromogenic medium, CHROMagar™ C. perfringens (CHCP), were tested. Overall, no difference in C. perfringens recovery could be observed between the selective media. The limit of quantification was 103 CFU/mL for all agars. CHCP showed the highest specificity, especially when low C. perfringens loads were present in the faeces, with TSC being the second most specific selective medium. Both CBA and SFP allowed considerable growth of other faecal microbiota and were not specific for C. perfringens. On CHCP, differentiation of C. perfringens from other faecal bacteria was straightforward due to the appearance of C. perfringens as orange colonies, with other bacteria being absent or appearing as blue/green colonies. On TSC, C. perfringens appeared as black colonies, but longer incubation periods were sometimes needed for the black colour to develop. Therefore, CHCP can be recommended when timely and easy identification and enumeration of C. perfringens from complex samples, such as faeces, is needed.

Phenotypic and genotypic evaluation of biofilm formation among orthopedic patients showing prosthetic joint infection by molecular techniques

This study carried out to detect a adhesion genes (icaA and ica D) among orthopedic patients showing prosthetic joint infection in Helmia Armed Forces Hospital. The hip and knee aspirate samples (49) were collected from (patients showing infected prosthesis). Understand conditions and transfer rapidly to the lab. Notes: (5) sample were negative control means total (54) samples. The aim of this study to detect biofilm formation and also detect some genes (icaA, icaD) which are responsible for biofilm formation. and gene expression The material and methods The samples were cultured on blood Agar medium then the isolates were cultured on Conog Red. Agar medium to detect biofilm formation. Molecular detection carried out: firstly DNA was extracted from bacterial isolates, RNA was also extracted and was used as template for real time PCR (qRCR) by light cycler (Roch) PCR, syber green as fluorescent dye. Reverse transcriptase was done, specific primers were used for icaA and icaD to transfere RNA into cDNA genes 16rSRNA was used as reference control. The results The results showed that 67% of the samples (hip and knee aspirates) were biofilm formation (black colonies +ve biofilm) red colonies (-ve) biofilm formation. The results showed that in hip aspirate samples) (4) out of (28) 14.8% were positive for both (icaA, icaD) and positive for biofilm formation. In knee aspirate sample (5) out of (21) 28.5% were positive for both (icaA and icaD) and positive for biofilm formation, in current study. The phenotype (biofilm formation) don't correlate with the presence of icaA, icaD. The gene expression was evaluated with the presence of mRNA (icaA, icaD) for example, in current study (hip aspirate samples) (4) out of (28) 14.2% and negative for biofilm formation (phenotype). In knee isolates samples (3) out of (21) were negative for icaA and icaD but positive phenotype. Conclusion: biofilm bacteria is difficult to eradicate and it causes catastrophic problem for prosthetic infected orthopedic patients. There are some factors lead to biofilm formation genes basically and the environment, the surface of biomaterial. The presence, the concentration of some substances like: glucose, iron, phenols, limited oxygen. The genes expression of icaA, icaD is proportional with amount of mRNA of these genes,

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Salmonella Species Isolated from Human Blood Samples in Robe Hospital, Bale Zone,South East Ethiopia

The occurrence of Salmonella was a global challenge in the public health and food production sectors. Salmonella infections were one of the major global public health problems. The present study investigated the prevalence and antimicrobial sensitivity of strains of Salmonella species isolated from human blood samples of the patients in and around regions of Robe Hospital during the period of March to June 2016. This study revealed the fact that the prevalence of Salmonella was more common on males (14.68%) than the females (10.42%). The total prevalence of Salmonella species in Robe Hospital sample were (25.1%). The age group more commonly prone to this disease ranged from 1-30 followed by 50-60. The Salmonella Species were isolated by using different Selective media such as, Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate (XLD), Brilliant Green Agar (BGA), Macconkey agar and Salmonella Shigella agar (SS). The plates which showed black colonies were characterized using the biochemical analysis and identified as Salmonella species. Different Commercial antibiotics: Chloramphenicol (C), Rifampin(R), Tetracycline (T), Kanamycin (K), Ciprofloxacin (Cip), Ceftriaxone (CRO), Gentamycin (CN), Doxycline(D) and Streptomycin(S)were used to identified the sensitivity of pattern of Salmonella species. The isolated Salmonella species showed more sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin 100%, Ceftriaxone,91%, Gentamicin 58% antibiotics. Other antibiotics Doxycyline, Kanamycin, Chloramphenicol, Rifampin, Streptomycin and Tetracycline showed intermediate to complete resistance against tested Salmonella species. The study provides valuable information to agencies and legislators involved in making policy decisions about the use of antimicrobials. Keywords: Antibiotics, Antibiotic sensitivity test, Biochemical test, Prevalence, Salmonella species. DOI : 10.7176/JMPB/63-05 Publication date: January 31 st 2020

Chromoblastomycosis: A rare fungal infection from a nonendemic region—Southern Odisha

Chromoblastomycosis, a slowly progressing localized fungal infection confined to the skin and subcutaneous tissue, is caused by dematiaceous fungi. Dermal lesions are pleomorphic and can range from small nodules to large papillary like eruptions. Herein, we report a case of chromoblastomycosis in a 26-year-old male caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi. The patient was immunocompetent and had thorn injury 4 years back and developed a nonhealing ulcer on the medial aspect of his right leg, which was clinically suspected as tuberculous or carcinomatous lesion. Punch biopsy was done and sent in normal saline for the histopathological examination. Microscopically, sclerotic bodies, characteristic of chromoblastomycosis, were noticed on hematoxylin and eosin stained sections. Potassium hydroxide mount of the punch biopsy also revealed dematiaceous branching septate fungal hyphae. The fungal culture produced typical black colonies of Fonsecaea pedrosoi. The case is of interest because to the best of our knowledge it has so far not been reported from our region—southern part of Odisha.

Survey, identification and pathogenicity of alternaria blight of Tomato

The study aimed to assess survey, isolation, identification and pathogenicity of the Alternaria alternata. Disease intensity varied from 46.6 to 55.7% in four surveyed districts of Rajasthan during summer 2017–18. The disease severity of Alternaria blight of tomato was more in Jaipur (55.75) district followed by Alwar (49.56), Dausa (48.45) and Tonk (46.63) district, Alternaria alternata isolated from infected samples of tomato leaves, purified and its pathogenicity was proved. The pathogen produced dark brown to black colony with septate mycelium and acro petal chain of ellipsoidal brown or muriform conidia.

First Report of Papaya (Carica papaya) Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum plurivorum in Mexico

Mexico is an important papaya (Carica papaya L.) producer. In October 2014, papaya fruits cultivar Maradol with anthracnose symptoms such as sunken lesions and intense black sporulation with lighter edges were collected in Veracruz State (18°52′25″N, 96°12′2″W). The fungal culture on potato dextrose agar showed cottony greenish black colonies after 7 days. Conidia were single-celled, hyaline, cylindrical, and straight with obtuse ends, which measured 15.3 (12.2 to 18.6) × 4.5 (3.5 to 5.7) µm (n = 100). This description is similar to species Colletotrichum plurivorum (Sun et al. 2019). From a representative isolate (HP157), the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), calmodulin (CAL), β-tubulin 2 (TUB2), and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) regions were amplified and sequenced (GenBank accession nos. KU522226, KU522228, KU522230, and KU522232, respectively). Basic local alignment (NCBI database) showed between 99.75 and 100% identity with sequences of C. plurivorum (accession nos. NR_160828, MG600985, and MG600781). A multilocus sequence analysis was performed from concatenated sequences using maximum likelihood with a branch support of 1,000 replicates. Phylogenetic analysis showed clustering of HP157 strain in a monophyletic clade with several C. plurivorum strains. Koch’s postulates were made on five healthy and disinfected papaya fruits cultivar Maradol. Three points per fruit were selected, and 10 µl of a spore suspension (1 × 10⁵ spores/ml) was applied. Sterilized distilled water was used in control fruits. All fruits were placed under humid conditions at 27°C for 7 days. Anthracnose symptoms appeared in all inoculated fruits, and these were similar to those observed in the field. The control fruits remained healthy. Fulfilling Koch’s postulates was confirmed with reisolation of the pathogen. C. plurivorum has been reported causing disease on papaya fruits in Japan and Taiwan (Damm et al. 2019; Sun et al. 2019). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. plurivorum causing anthracnose of papaya in Mexico.

Sexual reproduction of the shallow-water black coral Cirrhipathes anguina (Dana, 1846) from Madagascar

ABSTRACTRandom sampling of shallow-water black corals colonies of Cirrhipathes anguina was carried out over a period of 13 months near the Great Reef of Toliara in southwest Madagascar. Small pieces of tissue were collected monthly from the base and apex of each colony. A total of 114 sets of upper and lower sections were observed. There were 37 males and 39 females for a sex ratio of 0.95, which was not significantly different from 1:1. On female and male colonies, 56% and 60% of the polyps, respectively, were showing developing gametes and no embryo nor larvae. Based on these samples, the species was determined to be gonochoric with broadcast spawning. The development of female and male gametes was divided into 3 stages, with stage 0 referring to unsexable colonies, and stage 2 referring to a high abundance of fully developed gametes inside the reproductive mesenteries. Gametes are released seasonally, with a major increase in the maturity and oocyte size when the temperature and the precipitation were at their highest in January. Intra-colonial differences were observed regarding maturing polyps. A few polyps living on the highest part of the colonies were showing gametes all year long. Their presence may be the result of unspawned gametes and residual mature polyps. All results are in line with previous hypotheses about the sexual reproduction of Cirrhipathes anguina based on the ultrastructure of the gametes or random observation events. An up to date summary of the current knowledge about black coral reproduction is also presented.

The phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of biofilm formation and SCCmec typing of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from different sources

IntroductionStaphylococcus epidermidis is a main cause of healthcare-associated infections, which known as a common pathogen mostly infecting critically ill or immunocompromised patients carrying medical devices. To evaluate the biofilm formation and staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec (SCCmec) typing of S. epidermidis from different parts of two tertiary hospitals in Tehran, Iran. MethodsIn this study, 103 clinical and non-clinical isolates of S. epidermidis were assessed for biofilm production on Congo red agar (CRA) and microtiter plate (MTP) methods. The icaABCD genes in S. epidermidis and SCCmec were also investigated. ResultsOut of 103, 20(19.4%) isolates formed black colonies (biofilm-forming strains) on CRA. The MTP method showed that19 (18.4%) isolates was strongly positive; the reaction of 25(24.2%) isolates was moderately positive, and in the remaining 27(26.2%) isolates, reaction was weakly positive. Additionally, the results of biofilm production on CRA agreed with microtiter plate assay and PCR assay. Fourteen SCCmec type-I were identified among the total 54Methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis isolates. ConclusionThe main factor involved in the pathogenesis of S. epidermidis is expression of ica genes, that mediate biofilm formation. This study indicates a high prevalence of the icaABCD genes among S. epidermidis isolates, and their presence is not always associated with in vitro formation of biofilm.