White Tubercles Research Articles

A new species of the Amolops monticola group (Anura, Ranidae) from southern Yunnan, China

A new species of the Amolops monticola group is described from Yunnan Huanglianshan National Nature Reserve, southern Yunnan, China. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by a moderate body size (snout–vent length 38.3–40.8 mm in adult males and 62.3–63.1 mm in adult females), head being longer than wide, nostril to snout tip distance being slightly smaller than eye to nostril distance, the presence of pineal body, distinct tympanum, vomerine teeth being invisible in males and weak but visible in females, distinct dorsolateral folds, the absence of outer metatarsal tubercle, the presence of vocal sac and nuptial pad in adult males, dorsal surface of head and body being green with no or a few black dots, and the presence of a few large flat white tubercles on the posterior inferior flank. Genetically, the uncorrected genetic distance between the new species and other species of the A. monticola group ranged from 3.0% to 7.6% in 16S ribosomal RNA and from 7.2% to 17.1% in NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene sequences. Currently, the new species is known only from its type locality in Lvchun County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China.

Two new syntopic species of glassfrogs (Amphibia, Centrolenidae, Centrolene) from the southwestern Andes of Ecuador.

We describe two new species of glassfrogs of the genus Centrolene living in syntopy at La Enramada, province of Azuay, southwestern Ecuador. They were found in a small creek in montane evergreen forests at 2,900 m elevation. The first new species is distinguished from all other members of the genus Centrolene by having the following combination of characters: dentigerous process of vomer absent; sloping snout in lateral view; thick, white labial stripe and a faint white line between the lip and anterior ¼ of body; humeral spine in adult males; parietal peritoneum covered by iridophores, visceral peritonea translucent (except pericardium); ulnar and tarsal ornamentation; dorsal skin shagreen with dispersed warts; uniform green dorsum with light yellowish green warts; and green bones. The new species is remarkable by being sister to a species from the opposite Andean versant, C. condor. The second new species is distinguished from all other Centrolene by having the following combination of characters: dentigerous process of vomer absent; round snout in lateral view; thin, yellowish labial stripe with a row of white tubercles between the lip and arm insertion, and a yellowish line between arm insertion and groin; uniform green dorsum; humeral spine in adult males; parietal peritoneum covered by iridophores, visceral peritonea translucent (except pericardium); dorsal skin shagreen with dispersed spicules; ulnar and tarsal ornamentation; and green bones. The second new species is sister to C. sabini and an undescribed species of Centrolene from southeastern Ecuador. Based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, we present a new phylogeny for Centrolene and comment on the phylogenetic relationships inside the genus.

The effect of cutting the bulbil-porang (Amorphophallus muelleri) on its germination ability

Bulbil, an aerial tuber specifically found on porang, is one tool for multiplication of porang (Amorphophallus muelleri).. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of bulbil cutting on the number of tubercles, the proportion of black and white tubercles, the potential for shoot production, the number and height of shoots produced from both cutting (2 and 4 cuts) which appeared in the abaxial or adaxial parts, and the direction of shoot growth. This study was designed using a completely randomized design, each unit of observation was four-replicated. The obtained data were analyzed using Anova, Tukey or independence T-test. The results showed the number of shoots from the whole bulbil, bulbil cut (two or four) differed significantly. The highest number of shoots obtained from bulbil cut was 4 which was 9 shoots. Those highest number of shoots was supported by the highest white tubercle. However, the potential for shoots to emerge from both whole and cut bulbils were almost the same, the length of the shoots did not differ significantly between them as well. The ratio between white and black tubercles seemed to affect the number of shoots, the high ratio produced more shoots. The tubercle ratio from intact bulbils, cut-2 bulbils and cut-4 bulbils tend to increase but not significantly different. The length of shoots that appear from the adaxial and abaxial parts was not different as well. All shoots from both the whole bulbil and cut bulbil grew upwards, none of which grows horizontally or towards the earth.

Peritoneal tuberculosis as a cause of ascites in a patient with cirrhosis

A 59-year-old Portuguese Caucasian man with a history of heavy alcohol intake and no significant medical history presented with ascites, weight loss and general malaise. The ascitic fluid analysis showed...

Tuberculous Lymphadenopathy Mimicking Pancreatic Neoplasm

Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) is the sixth most common location of extrapulmonary TB involvement. Because its symptoms and signs are often nonspecific, laboratory and imaging findings mimic other diseases including carcinoma. Therefore, the diagnosis of abdominal TB is challenging. We herein report a case of 74-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain, anorexia, and weight loss. She had been given a diagnosis of pancreatic head carcinoma. Laboratory data was unremarkable except for elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CA125, and sIL-2R. CT scan revealed multiple enlarged peripancreatic lymph nodes and concentric thickening of the ileocecal wall. Colonoscopy demonstrated deformed ileocecal valve and erosions. Histological examination showed epithelioid granulomas. Laparoscopy revealed numerous white tubercles diffusely covering the parietal peritoneum. Histopathological images of peripancreatic lymph node revealed large multiple caseating granulomas surrounded by Langhans_giant cells and epithelioid cells. Polymerase chain reaction and culture of the specimens were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculous lymphadenopathy, colitis, and peritonitis were finally diagnosed. She responded well to the antitubercular treatment.

Highly virulent Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida isolated from Taiwan paradise fish, Macropodus opercularis (L.), in Taiwan

In Taiwan, a fish conservation farm had about 6,250 Taiwan paradise fishes, Macropodus opercularis (L.), which were separately cultivated in an outdoor tank containing 3,250 fishes, and an indoor tank containing the rest. The water supplying both tanks was the same running water source from the adjacent hills. Following a change in the fish feed (the commercial aquaculture feed became eel’s feed) to all fishes in May 2010, rotten body surfaces were only found in diseased and dead fishes in the outdoor tank. Interestingly, no sick fishes were found in the indoor tank. The clinical findings of the diseased fishes were bleeding at basal fins, peripheral site of genital pore, and bilateral surface of the abdomen. Additionally, we discovered whitish-mucus gills, edema of the intestines, and multi-focal white tubercles in infected fishes during gross examination. The results of the histopathology study showed that there were numerous multi-focal granulomas in the spleen, posterior kidney, and liver. Furthermore, Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida was isolated from lesions of the ailing fishes. We conducted an experimental animal virulence test, and our data revealed that P. damselae subsp.piscicida was a highly virulent pathogen. Fortunately, P. damselae subsp. piscicidaappeared to be susceptible to most commonly used antimicrobial agents, according to the results of the antibiotic sensitivity study. We recommended a treatment with oxolinic acid (20 mg/kg/day) in the feed for 7 days for all Taiwan paradise fishes. The fishes’ condition significantly improved and the disease appeared to be controlled. Key words: Conservation, photobacteriosis, Taiwan paradise fish, virulence.

Where is the Bacillus: A Case of Tuberculous Peritonitis

Purpose: A 61-year-old Cambodian female with a history of chronic Hepatitis B related cirrhosis presented with 1 month of progressive dyspnea and increasing abdominal girth. There was no history of encephalopathy, bleeding, jaundice, edema or ascites. She denied fevers, weight loss or abdominal pain. She had a positive purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test for which she received 9 months of isoniazid therapy 10 years before. On examination, her abdomen was distended with a palpable fluid thrill and normoactive bowel sounds. Laboratory studies showed a WBC count of 6600 with 83% neutrophils, AST 71 U/L (normal, 8-43 U/L), ALT 23 U/L (normal, 7-45 U/L) and Alkaline phosphatase 59 U/L (normal, 41-108 U/L). Abdominal computed tomography showed hepatic cirrhosis and ascites. Paracentesis with removal of 4 Liters of serous fluid resulted in a rapid improvement of dyspnea. Ascitic fluid showed a serum ascitic albumin gradient (SAAG) of 1.1, total protein 3.4 g/dL and 487 nucleated cells with 69% lymphocytes. Given the high protein, lymphocytic ascites and the history of positive PPD, tuberculous peritonitis was suspected. Acid fast bacillus (AFB) stain and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) PCR on ascitic fluid were negative. Chest x-ray showed bibasilar atelectasis. Three sputa for AFB stain and MTB PCR were negative. Laparoscopy showed white tubercles in the abdomen. Pathology showed non necrotizing granulomatous inflammation with negative AFB stain, MTB PCR and fungal stains. Despite a high initial suspicion for tuberculous peritonitis, no confirmatory evidence was found, prompting a search for alternative diagnoses. Ascitic fluid cytology did not show malignant cells. An ACE level was 23 micrograms/L (normal, <40 micrograms/L). Fungal and autoimmune serologies were negative as well. Despite the absence of a diagnosis, the patient was doing well clinically and was dismissed with out-patient follow up. After 6 weeks, AFB cultures from the peritoneal biopsies grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis, confirming a diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis. Tuberculous peritonitis is an uncommon form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The diagnosis should be suspected based on a high protein ascitic fluid with a lymphocytic pleocytosis. The SAAG is typically <1.1 but can be >1.1 in patients with cirrhosis. However, making a definitive diagnosis can be both challenging and tardy since ascitic fluid has a low sensitivity for detecting the bacillus. A peritoneal biopsy with mycobacterial culture is necessary to make the diagnosis in most cases. The risk of tuberculous peritonitis is increased in cirrhosis and a high index of suspicion should be maintained in a cirrhotic patient with lymphocytic ascites.

A NEW SPECIES OF GLASS FROG (CENTROLENIDAE: COCHRANELLA) FROM THE LOWLANDS OF NORTHWESTERN ECUADOR, WITH COMMENTS ON THE COCHRANELLA GRANULOSA GROUP

We describe a new species of Cochranella from the Montañas de Mache in the Chocó Ecoregion of the lowlands of northwestern Ecuador. The new species is placed in the Cochranella granulosa group and can be distinguished from all other species of Cochranella by having: (1) white parietal and visceral peritonea; (2) a snout that is gradually inclined in lateral aspect; (3) conspicuous dermal folds, and large, white tubercles on ventrolateral edges of Finger IV, forearms, elbows, tarsi, Toe V, and heels; (4) fleshy, tuberculate, ∩-shaped cloacal fold; and (5) dorsum green with small yellow dots in life. The new species shares several characters with C. daidalea, C. resplendens, C. savagei and C. solitaria, including dermal folds with white tubercles on the arms and legs, snout gradually inclined in profile, and cloacal ornaments. Finally, we briefly discuss the characters that define the Cochranella granulosa group.

Isolation and characterization of the causative agent of pasteurellosis, Photobacterium damsela ssp. piscicida, from sole, Solea senegalensis (Kaup)

The first description of pasteurellosis affecting sole, Solea senegalensis (Kaup), cultured in the South‐west of Spain is reported. Diseased fish showed no apparent lesions except for a dark skin pigmentation and swelling in the abdominal cavity. Internally, affected specimens showed paleness of liver and kidney and typical white tubercles of 1–2 mm in diameter in the spleen. Microbiological analysis of these fish revealed the presence, in pure culture from all the organs examined, of one type of bacterial colony which was biochemically and serologically characterized as Photobacterium damsela ssp. piscicida. The sensitivity pattern to antimicrobials and the enzymatic activities of the bacterial extracellular products are described.

Laparoscopic Appearance of the Liver in Schistosoma mansoni Infection

In an area endemic for Schistosoma mansoni infection laparoscopy was performed in 45 patients with liver disease. Hepatic schistosomiasis was diagnosed by histology in 20 cases. The only complication encountered was unusual bleeding from the biopsy site in one patient. Liver lobe size was variable. Mild uniform irregularity of the liver surface was seen in most of the patients. Other changes noted were macronodularity, lumpy surface, tiny white tubercles, white patchy discoloration, and thick and thin adhesions. Characteristic features of the liver surface in Schistosoma mansoni infection as seen on laparoscopy are thus described.

Laparoscopic diagnosis of tuberculous ascites.

We report 14 patients with tuberculous peritonitis presenting as persistent and exudative ascites. We found a primary site of tuberculous infection in only 10% of the patients. PPD test was positive in 9 patients. Ascitic fluid showed a protein content in excess of 3.5 g/dl. and more than 300 cells/mm3, mainly lymphocytes, in all patients, Ziehl stain and the culture for Tb. bacilli were negative in all cases. The confirmatory diagnosis was made by laparoscopy and peritoneal biopsy. Good views were obtained on all occasions, and there was no morbidity. Appearances were similar in all cases. Multiple white tubercles were scattered over the parietal and visceral peritoneum. filmy adhesions were present. Four patients had cirrhotic liver disease confirmed by laparoscopy. The biopsy specimen showed caseating granulomata, and the auramine stain was positive in four cases. We conclude that laparoscopy and biopsy is a safe and effective method of obtaining an early diagnosis in patients with tuberculous ascites, especially if they also have cirrhosis.

LARVA OF PARASA CHLORIS, H.-Sch.

Length .50 of an inch, elliptical, as is the usual shape of the Lymacodes group, nearly .20 of an inch high and about the same width. The dorsum has four lines of purplish black alternating with white, and bordered outside with yellowish white or pale yellow. The region of the subdorsal line is a bright vermillion ridge with yelrowish white tubercles arising from joints 2, 3, 4, 7, 10 and 12, those on joint 2 moderately short, but those on joints 4 to 12 are nearly one fourth of an inch long; all of them spiny. There are short bunches of spines on the intervening joints, as it were representatives of missing tubercles. In the subdorsal space are four scarlet lines alternating with lines of yellowish white, the middle yellowish line instead of being continuous, consists of alternate blotches of vermilion and yellowish white. The substigmatar line is vermilion, bordered as the subdorsai with pale yellow, and this also has its row of yellowish white spiny tubercles, each about one sixteenth of an inch long. Below this is a single dark purple line bordered each side with a lighter shade, and below this a vermilion line or rather a series of tubercles without spines in place of the prolegs. Legs 6, no prolegs, but the under side of the body consisting of a muscular pad upon which the insect glides along instead of walking. Head brown, retractile when at rest into the joint back of it.