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Primary enterolith is also known as a gastrointestinal concretion. In this condition, stone formation occurs in small bowel. Enterolithiasis is an uncommon pathological condition in humans. Its prevalence is 0.3-10%. We present an uncomplicated case of primary enterolith in a small bowel. A 50-years old female patient came with abdominal pain due to small bowel obstruction and intestinal stricture on clinico radiological correlation. After clinical examination and investigations, she was taken up for exploratory laparotomy wherein segment of ileum was resected and sent for histopathology examination.

Background: Orbital cellulitis is an acute inflammatory disorder of the orbit. It results from an acute infection spread from the blood, adjacent sinuses and facial skin. Cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) typically occurs due to an infection originating from regions such as the face, sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses, or the oral cavity. Case report: An eleven-year-old girl was brought by her parents to our hospital with a complaint of right nasal discharge and fever for the last 10 days. She developed right-sided periorbital oedema for the past six days. She was under treatment at a local hospital. After that her parents noticed an increase in swelling associated with redness in her right peri-orbital region, so she came to our hospital. MRI brain showed changes of cavernous sinus thrombosis. A functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) was performed for right nasal blockage on the second day of admission and about 10 ml of pus was drained. Fragmented fibrovascular tissue bits received from the frontal sinus and maxillary sinus revealed numerous pus cells with Gram-positive bacterial cocci on the third day. She responded to treatment as she was without fever by the day fourth on admission. The aerobic culture of the pus swab was positive and the organism detected was staphylococcus aureus on the eighth day after admission. Conclusion: Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a serious complication of orbital cellulitis with high morbidity and mortality. Unusually, orbital cellulitis occurs as sequelae of cavernous sinus thrombosis. Gram-positive bacteria noted on the nasal lesion's histopathology helped in starting antibiotics in the patient before the culture report was positive.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Many patients tend to have a very poor prognosis due to being diagnosed at an advanced stage especially in densely populated nations. The current study presents a case series of lung tumors. All the lung tumors presented as endobronchial mass; however histopathological diagnoses were different in each of the lung tumors after bronchoscopic guided lung mass biopsies. The first case was small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with endobronchial growth in a 64‑year‑old male. Bronchoscopy was suggestive of Left vocal cord palsy. The tiny nodule was seen over both cords with nodule present over carina. Chest CT scans revealed a well-defined irregularly shaped mass lesion with spiculated margin seen in the left lower lobe. The analysis of a biopsy specimen obtained from the tumor resulted in a diagnosis of SCLC. The second case was of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with endobronchial growth in a 77-year-old male. CECT reveals a right upper lobe malignant mass lesion with mediastinal invasion with mediastinal metastatic nodes. Bronchoscopy revealed a right upper lobe malignant mass. Histopathological examination revealed features consistent with NSCLC of Squamous cell carcinoma. The third case was a 58-year-old male whose CECT Thorax revealed a malignant pulmonary mass lesion in the left hilar region. Bronchoscopy was suggestive of endobronchial growth present in Left main bronchus around 1.5 cm from the carina. Tissue taken from the Left Hilar mass showed features of NSCLC-Adenocarcinoma carcinoma of the lung.

Bancroftian filariasis is caused by the filarial parasite Wuchereria Bancrofti and is transmitted by Culexmosquitoes. It is found in tropical and subtropical countries. Traditionally, peripheral blood smears identify this condition by finding microfilaria. Inadvertently found adult worms and microfilaria in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). The disease may be missed in the absence of eosinophilia in a CBC or peripheral blood smear. One must be aware of this possibility. Chronic inflammation and lymphedema lead to lymphatic damage, swelling and elephantiasis of the legs, arms, scrotum, breasts, and vulva. A 29-year-old male patient presented with chief complaints of pain and swelling over the right lower limb for one and a half years. It was reported to be filariasis during laboratory investigations.

Patients with β-Thalassemia Major are at risk of alloimmunization and autoimmunization because they need regular multiple blood transfusions. Here we are reporting a case of an 8 years old male child, known case of β-thalassemia major, who developed autoimmune pancytopenia, known as Evans syndrome, and post-splenectomy neurological complication Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES). Evans syndrome (ES) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) with or without immune neutropenia. There is no established evidence-based treatment. Steroids are used as a first-line therapy. Intravenous immunoglobulin is used as a life-saving therapy in severe cases. Rituximab and splenectomy are used as a second-line therapy. PRES is linked with hypertension. Characteristic clinical features of PRES are headache, blurring of vision, seizures, altered consciousness, cortical blindness or transient motor deficit.

Zika virus (ZIKV) remains a public health concern, with epidemics in endemic regions and sporadic outbreaks in new areas posing significant threats. Several mosquito-borne flaviviruses that can cause human illness, including West Nile, Usutu, and St. Louis encephalitis, have associations with birds. However, the susceptibility of chickens to ZIKV and their role in viral epidemiology is not currently known. We investigated the susceptibility of chickens to experimental ZIKV infection using chickens ranging from 1-day-old chicks to 6-week-old birds. ZIKV caused no clinical signs in chickens of all age groups tested. Viral RNA was detected in the blood and tissues during the first 5 days post-inoculation in 1-day and 4-day-old chicks inoculated with a high viral dose, but ZIKV was undetectable in 6-week-old birds at all timepoints. Minimal antibody responses were observed in 6-week-old birds, and while present in younger chicks, they waned by 28 days post-infection. Innate immune responses varied significantly between age groups. Robust type I interferon and inflammasome responses were measured in older chickens, while limited innate immune activation was observed in younger chicks. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (STAT2) is a major driver of host restriction to ZIKV, and chicken STAT2 is distinct from human STAT2, potentially contributing to the observed resistance to ZIKV infection. The rapid clearance of the virus in older chickens coincided with an effective innate immune response, highlighting age-dependent susceptibility. Our study indicates that chickens are not susceptible to productive ZIKV infection and are unlikely to play a role in the ZIKV epidemiology.

Phaeohyphomycosis is an infection due to dematiaceous fungi which usually involve the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Phaeohyphomycosis in subcutaneous location has presentation in the form of nodules, papules ulcerated plaques, verruca-like hyperkeratotic plaques, cystic lesions, abscess formation, pyo-granuloma, discharging sinuses, non-healing ulcers. Brown-walled hyphae in the epidermis and dermis are its hallmark. Aspergillosis is ubiquitous, invasive fungal infection in diabetics and immunocompromised hosts. Here, we are reporting a mixed fungal infection of right maxillary sinus in a newly diagnosed case of diabetes mellitus.

Abstract The emergence of a novel pathogen in a susceptible population can cause rapid spread of infection. High prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has been reported in multiple locations, likely resulting from several human-to-deer spillover events followed by deer-to-deer transmission. Knowledge of the risk and direction of SARS-CoV-2 transmission between humans and potential reservoir hosts is essential for effective disease control and prioritisation of interventions. Using genomic data, we reconstruct the transmission history of SARS-CoV-2 in humans and deer, estimate the case finding rate and attempt to infer relative rates of transmission between species. We found no evidence of direct or indirect transmission from deer to human. However, with an estimated case finding rate of only 4.2%, spillback to humans cannot be ruled out. The extensive transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within deer populations and the large number of unsampled cases highlights the need for active surveillance at the human–animal interface.

It is a challenge to diagnose and treat extracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) because of complex vascular malformations. AVMs are congenital vascular shunts with long standing expansion of vascular channels, collateralization of microcirculation and localized tissue infiltration. Even though the exact etiopathogenesis of AVMs remains undefined however newer genetic/molecular basis of the same are evolving. Any age can be affected by AVMs however it is seen to increase in dimension after an early period of inactivity. They may present at any age following an early quiescent period. Diagnosis is based on vascular staining, soft tissue expansions, progressive growth/ warmth and pulsations.

Introduction Lack of studies and information on hematological parameters for adolescent population (10-19 yrs) is obvious on extensive research. In adolescent stage, nutritional deficiency is more common, more so in girls which are vulnerable to anaemia. Assessment of Hematological parameters in young, growing population is important in determination of normal values worldwide and for identification of anemia. Methodology The present study was a cross sectional, observational, retrospective study. The study period is of 1 year and 3 months (1st January 2020 to 31st March 2021). This study is based on hematological profile of 250 Adolescents (aged 10-19 years). For each of the adolescents, a blood sample by venipuncture was derived in an EDTA vacutainer. The blood sample was used to determine both the complete blood count and peripheral smear findings in each case. The automated hematology analyzer "Horiba Yumizen 500" was used to measure the variables of full blood count. All the data was tabulated in Microsoft excel sheet and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results In our study, out of 250 cases studied, Males were 95 (38%) and females were 155 ( 62%). According to Age distribution, maximum cases were in 17-19 years of age group (57.6%) and minimum cases were in 10-13 age group (19.2 %). The haemoglobin level among these adolescents ranged from 12-18 gm/dl (52.4%) . 28.8% cases were present in 10-12 gm/dl range . The hemoglobin level 35 pg was seen in 0.8% cases. MCHC count >34 g/dl was seen in 53.6% cases, whereas

Objective: To carry out the genetic characterization and evolutionary analysis of three avian orthoavulavirus 1 (AOAV-1) isolates from poultry workers with respiratory symptoms. Methods: Using Illumina MiSeq, whole-genome sequencing was carried out to assess the evolutionary dynamics of three AOAV-1 isolates. A phylogenetic and comparative analysis of all coding genes was done using bioinformatics tools. Results: Phylogenetic analysis and genetic distance estimation suggested a close relationship among human- and avian-originated velogenic strains of genotype XIII, sub-genotype XIII.2.1. Several substitutions in the significant structural and biological motifs were exclusively identified in the human-originated strains. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of a velogenic AOAV-1 isolate from natural infection of the human upper respiratory tract. Our findings highlight the evolution and zoonotic potential of velogenic AOAV-1 in a disease endemic setting.

Introduction: Adequacy of thyroid aspirate comprise five to six groups of thyroid follicular epithelial cells with each group containing 10 or more cells on atleast two smeared slides. Thyroid fine needle cytology (FNC) can be used for cell pattern analysis. Aims: To study pattern analysis of solitary thyroid nodules (STN) and to assess diagnostic parameters for cyto diagnosis of thyroid lesions. Materials and Methods: Forty-seven cases of STN were subjected to cell pattern analysis and correlated with histopathological diagnosis. Aspirate smears were classified based on primary pattern and secondary pattern. Primary pattern was the most dominant pattern seen. The next co- dominant pattern was labelled as secondary pattern. The final Bathesda based cytological diagnosis was categorised based on these two patterns in each case. Histopathology report of these cases after surgery was correlated with the cytological diagnosis. For each correlation; sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, diagnostic accuracy was calculated by appropriate formula manually. Kappa measure of agreement was used for inter-observer variation. Results: Based on the cell pattern analysis of STN cases, the diagnostic parameters in our study were: Sensitivity- 71.43%, Specificity- 97.5%, Positive predictive value- 83.33%, Accuracy or Efficacy- 93.62%, False positive rate- 2.43%, False negative rate- 4.26%. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates the application of pattern analysis in diagnosing thyroid lesions on FNC which are easily reproducible. Also, such study can help beginners in pathology field to understand systematic arrival at a cytological diagnosis that helps triage neoplastic from non-neoplastic thyroid lesions.

A 23-year-old female patient presented with chief complaints of discomfort in right lower abdomen and weakness. She was subjected to computerized tomography scan abdomen which revealed neoplastic lesion in right adnexa. Cytological features from ovarian cystic fluid sample received intra-operatively from Ovarian Tumour (OT) showed features of Yolk Sac Tumour (YST) which was later confirmed on histopathology. YST is a rare neoplasm, which mainly affects gonads of children and adolescents. When exfoliated cytological samples are considered, YSTs are most often identified in pleural, peritoneal or pericardial fluids. However, intraoperative ovarian cystic fluid aspirates have been rarely used for prompt cytological diagnosis. Rapid intraoperative diagnosis of the nature of the OT in young woman avoids unnecessary removal of the contralateral ovary and helps in preservation of fertility. Aspirate sample obtained can also be used for flow-cytometry and cytogenetic studies.

Acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an uncommon histopathological variant of SCC characterised by acantholysis of neoplastic cells, producing pseudo-lumina and appearance of glandular differentiation. It is also called pseudo-vascular adenoid SCC or pseudo-glandular SCC or pseudoangiosarcomatous SCC. This tumormimics the histopathological appearance of vascular neoplasm, particularly angiosarcoma.We describe a case of Acantholytic SCC in a fair-skinned 63 years old male construction worker to highlight the clinic- pathological features, as well as the recurrence and aggressivenessof this rare form of cutaneous SCC and demonstrate the difficulties in establishing the correct diagnosis.

Acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an uncommon histopathological variant of SCC characterised by acantholysis of neoplastic cells, producing pseudo-lumina and appearance of glandular differentiation. It is also called pseudo-vascular adenoid SCC or pseudo-glandular SCC or pseudoangiosarcomatous SCC. This tumormimics the histopathological appearance of vascular neoplasm, particularly angiosarcoma.We describe a case of Acantholytic SCC in a fair-skinned 63 years old male construction worker to highlight the clinic-pathological features,as well as the recurrence and aggressivenessof this rare form of cutaneous SCC and demonstrate the difficulties in establishing the correct diagnosis.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) or Bourneville's disease is a genetic multisystem disorder of multisite hamartomas. Majority of TSC cases are sporadic. TSC typically presents in the first decade of life and has a reported incidence of 1:6000–12,000, with intracranial involvement in the form of cortical tubers or subependymal nodules. Tubers (potato-like nodules) are triangular-shaped lesions centered at the cortex/juxtacortical, with apex oriented “inward” toward the ventricles, on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Tubers represent cortical glioneuronal hamartomas and consist of focal distortions in the cellular organization and morphology, which extend into the underlying (subcortical) white matter. Skin lesions with a history of seizures can be an eye-opener to diagnose angiofibromas and its variant, which can lead to further effective workup such as ophthalmoscopy and MRI of the brain to diagnose TSC, just like in our case.

Introduction: Oral cavity is a common site for many types of benign, precancerous conditions and malignant tumours as well as development of congenital and acquired lesions. Oral cancers are the most common type of cancer in Indian men and actually accounted for 40% of all forms of cancers due to tobacco addiction, representing 4% of total body cancers. In Indian females, 2% of all cancers are of oral cavity. The knowledge of aetiological factors for the development of oral cancers can make the disease preventable. Aim: To study histopathological spectrum of various oral lesions. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study done, during the period from November 2013 to June 2017, 150 cases of oral lesions were studied at a tertiary care hospital in Miraj. All the cases were studied and histopathological diagnosis was correlated with clinical findings. The Microsoft Excel 2010 sheet was filled as per case proforma of patients. Analysis was done manually like age wise, gender wise, site wise and sex wise distribution based on the Excel sheet data. Results: The age of study population ranged from 6-80 years. Most oral cavity lesions were found in the age group 51-60 years of age group with 46/150 (30.67%) cases. Male to female ratio was 1.78:1. Malignant epithelial tumours of oral cavity comprised 100/150 cases (66.67% cases). Amongst malignant tumours, Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) comprised 92/100 cases (92% cases). There was history of addiction in 96/100 cases (96% cases) with 52/100 cases as tobacco chewers (52% cases). 4/100 cases did not have history of addiction (4% cases). Conclusion: The clinical examination of the oral pathological lesions does not lead to appropriate diagnosis. The clinical diagnosis must be supplemented by ‘gold standard’ histopathological examination for confirming the malignant tendency of oral lesions.

A field experiment was conducted during kharif of 2020, 2021 and 2022 at Veterinary College, Shivamogga to study the integrated nutrient management in hybrid napier cultivar CO-4. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with eight treatments comprisesT1: recommended package of practices, T2: 50 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer + 50 per cent N through FYM, T3: 50 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer + 50 per cent N through poultry manure, T4: 50 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer + 50 per cent N through horse manure, T5: 50 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer + 50 per cent N through vermicompost, T6: 50 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer + 50 per cent N through swine manure, T7: 50 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer + 50 per cent N through sheep and goat manure, T8: recommended package of practices + Azotobacter were replicatedthrice. The pooled data of experimental results revealed that integrated application of 50 per cent N through inorganic fertilizer + 50 per cent N through vermicompost recorded significantly superior growth parameters of the CO-4 hybrid napier viz., plant height, number of tillers and number of leaves/tillers and green fodder yield (254.27 t/ha/year) as compared to other treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zika virus (ZIKV) remains a public health concern, with epidemics in endemic regions and sporadic outbreaks in new areas posing significant threats. Several mosquito-borne flaviviruses that can cause human illness, including West Nile, Usutu, and St. Louis encephalitis, have associations with birds. However, the susceptibility of chickens to ZIKV and their role in viral epidemiology is not currently known. We investigated the susceptibility of chickens to experimental ZIKV infection using chickens ranging from 1-day-old chicks to 6-week-old birds. ZIKV caused no clinical signs in chickens of all age groups tested. Viral RNA was detected in the blood and tissues during the first 5 days post-inoculation in 1-day and 4-day-old chicks inoculated with a high viral dose, but ZIKV was undetectable in 6-week-old birds at all timepoints. Minimal antibody responses were observed in 6-week-old birds, and while present in younger chicks, they waned by 28 days post-infection. Innate immune responses varied significantly between age groups. Robust type I interferon and inflammasome responses were measured in older chickens, while limited innate immune activation was observed in younger chicks. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (STAT2) is a major driver of host restriction to ZIKV, and chicken STAT2 is distinct from human STAT2, potentially contributing to the observed resistance to ZIKV infection. The rapid clearance of the virus in older chickens coincided with an effective innate immune response, highlighting age-dependent susceptibility. Our study indicates that chickens are not susceptible to productive ZIKV infection and are unlikely to play a role in the ZIKV epidemiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avibacterium paragallinarum (historically called Hemophilus paragallinarum) causes infectious coryza (IC), which is an acute respiratory disease of chickens. Recently, outbreaks of IC have been reported in Pennsylvania (PA) in broilers, layer pullets, and laying hens, causing significant respiratory disease and production losses. A tentative diagnosis of IC can be made based on history, clinical signs, and characteristic gross lesions. However, isolation and identification of the organism are required for a definitive diagnosis. Major challenges with the bacteriological diagnosis of A. paragallinarum include that the organism is difficult to isolate, slow-growing, and can only be successfully isolated during the acute stage of infection and secondary bacterial infections are also common. As there were very limited whole genomes of A. paragallinarum in the public databases, we carried out whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of PA isolates and based on the WGS data analysis; we designed a novel probe-based PCR assay targeting a highly conserved sequence in the recN, the DNA repair protein gene of A. paragallinarum. The assay includes an internal control, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.93 genomic copies. The PCR efficiency ranged between 90 and 97%, and diagnostic sensitivity of 98.5% compared with conventional gel-based PCR. The test was highly specific, and no cross-reactivity was observed with other species of Avibacterium and a range of other common poultry respiratory viral and bacterial pathogens. Real-time PCR testing on 419 clinical samples from suspected flocks yielded 94 positives and 365 negatives in agreement with diagnostic bacterial culture-based detection. We also compared the recN PCR assay with a previous HPG-2 based real-time PCR assay which showed a PCR efficiency of 79%.

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) cause major economic losses to the global poultry industry. Many host factors have been identified that act as regulators of the inflammatory response and virus replication in influenza A virus (IAV) infected cells including nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) like receptor (NLR) family proteins. Evidence is emerging that NLRC5, the largest NLR member, is a regulator of host immune responses against invading pathogens including viruses; however, its role in the avian immune system and AIV pathogenesis has not been fully explored. In this study, we found that NLRC5 is activated by a range of low and highly pathogenic AIVs in primary chicken lung cells and a chicken macrophage cell line. Further, siRNA mediated NLRC5 knockdown in chicken macrophages resulted in a significant reduction in AIV replication which was associated with the upregulation of genes associated with activated NFκB signaling pathway. The knockdown of NLRC5 enhanced the expression of genes known to be associated with viral defense and decreased innate cytokine gene expression following AIV infection. Overall, our investigation strongly suggests that NLRC5 is a pro-viral factor during IAV infection in chicken and may contribute to pathogenesis through innate cytokine regulation. Further studies are warranted to investigate the IAV protein(s) that may regulate activation of NLRC5.

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy remains a significant cause of preventable birth defects and developmental disabilities; however, the mechanism of toxicity remains unclear. Methanol is present as a congener in many alcoholic beverages and is formed endogenously. Because ethanol is preferentially metabolized over methanol, it has been found in the sera and cerebro-spinal fluid of alcoholics. Toxicity resulting from methanol has been attributed to formic acid. Formic acid is present in significantly higher quantities in the biofluids of alcoholics. These higher levels can be cytotoxic and cause neuronal cell death. However, the adverse effects can be mitigated by adequate levels of hepatic folic acid, because formic acid elimination depends on folic acid. During pregnancy, folate concentrations are at least 2-fold higher in cord blood then in maternal blood, owing to increased folate requirements. The reverse has been demonstrated in pregnancies with alcohol abuse, suggesting downregulation of folate transporters and low fetal folate levels. Moreover, formic acid can cross the placenta and its adverse effects can be mitigated by folic acid. Thus, the combination of low fetal folate levels and presence of formic acid form a potent cytotoxic combination that may play a significant role in the etiology of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Key words: formic acid, methanol, folic acid, FASD, neurotoxicity. La consommation d'alcool pendant la grossesse demeure une cause significative de deficiences congenitales et developpementales evitables, mais le mecanisme responsable de sa toxicite est encore flou. Le methanol est present comme congenere dans plusieurs boissons alcooliques et il est forme de maniere endogene. Puisque l'ethanol est preferentiellement metabolise par rapport au methanol, ce dernier a ete trouve dans le serum et le liquide cephalorachidien des personnes alcooliques. La toxicite resultant du methanol a ete attribuee a l'acide formique. L'acide formique est present en quantite significativement plus elevee dans les liquides biologiques des patients alcooliques. Ces niveaux plus eleves peuvent etre cytotoxiques et causer la mort neuronale. Cependant, ces effets nocifs peuvent etre attenues par des niveaux appropries d'acide folique hepatique, car l'elimination d'acide formique depend de l'acide folique. Durant la grossesse, les concentrations de folate sont au moins deux fois plus elevees dans le cordon ombilical que dans le sang maternel a cause des besoins accrus en folate. L'inverse a ete demontre chez les femmes enceintes qui abusent d'alcool, suggerant une regulation a la baisse des transporteurs du folate et de faibles niveaux foetaux de folate. En outre, l'acide formique peut traverser le placenta et ses effets nocifs peuvent etre attenues par l'acide folique. Ainsi, de faibles niveaux foetaux de folate et la presence d'acide formique forment une combinaison cytotoxique puissante qui peut jouer un role significatif dans l'etiologie de troubles du spectre de l'alcoolisation foetale. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : acide formique, methanol, acide folique, TSAF, neurotoxicite., Introduction Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe a range of physical, behavioral, and cognitive effects resulting from in-utero exposure to alcohol. The most severe [...]

Abstract Influenza A viruses (IAVs) continue to threaten animal and human health globally. Bats are asymptomatic reservoirs for many zoonotic viruses. Recent reports of two novel IAVs in fruit bats and serological evidence of avian influenza virus (AIV) H9 infection in frugivorous bats raise questions about the role of bats in IAV epidemiology. IAVs bind to sialic acid (SA) receptors on host cells, and it is widely believed that hosts expressing both SA α2,3-Gal and SA α2,6-Gal receptors could facilitate genetic reassortment of avian and human IAVs. We found abundant co-expression of both avian (SA α2,3-Gal) and human (SA α2,6-Gal) type SA receptors in little brown bats (LBBs) that were compatible with avian and human IAV binding. This first ever study of IAV receptors in a bat species suggest that LBBs, a widely-distributed bat species in North America, could potentially be co-infected with avian and human IAVs, facilitating the emergence of zoonotic strains.

Meningioma is the most common extra-axial neoplasm which accounts for 30% of all intracranial tumors with a female predilection. These tumors exhibit a broad spectrum of differentiation potency corresponding to different histological subtypes. Meningothelial cells can rarely show separate secretory or lipomatous (metaplastic) transformation. The coexistence of these two different histological subtypes in a single meningeal tumor is extremely rare with only two reported cases. We report an uncommon case of meningioma in a 40-year-old female showing histological admixture of both secretory and lipomatous (metaplastic) meningioma, which to our knowledge is only the third reported case in the world. It highlights the multipotency of phenotypic transformation of primary meningothelial cells. This rare tumor behaves in a fashion similar to benign meningioma of WHO Grade I type.

The umbilicus is an uncommon site of cutaneous metastasis called as Sister Mary Joseph's nodule (SMJN), which is associated with grave prognosis. The most common primaries are the colon and stomach in males and ovaries and endometrium in females. We present a case of an elderly male with indurated umbilical swelling, unguided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of which revealed umbilical metastasis (SMJN). On subsequent extensive work-up, this case was diagnosed as primary gastric adenocarcinoma on relevant gastric biopsy. This highlights the cost-effectiveness, time-saving diagnosis with the usage of FNAC procedure in such umbilical nodule cases, which are later confirmed on histopathology.

Tularemia is an endemic zoonotic disease in many parts of the world including Asia. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine genome-based prevalence of Francisella tularensis (Ft) in soil, assess an association between its occurrence in soil and likely predictors i.e., macro and micro-nutrients and several categorical variables, and determine seroconversion in small and large ruminants. The study included a total of 2,280 soil samples representing 456 villages in eight districts of the Punjab Province of Pakistan followed by an analysis of serum antibodies in 707 ruminants. The genome of Ft was detected in 3.25% (n = 74, 95% CI: 2.60–4.06) of soil samples. Soluble salts (OR: 1.276, 95% CI: 1.043–1.562, p = 0.015), Ni (OR: 2.910, 95%CI: 0.795–10.644, p = 0.106), Mn (OR:0.733, 95% CI:0.565–0.951, p = 0.019), Zn (OR: 4.922, 95% CI:0.929–26.064, p = 0.061) and nutrients clustered together as PC-1 (OR: 4.76, 95% CI: 2.37–9.54, p = 0.000) and PC-3 (OR: 0.357, 95% CI: 0.640, p = 0.001) were found to have a positive association for the presence of Ft in soil. The odds of occurrence of Ft DNA in soil were higher at locations close to a water source, including canals, streams or drains, [χ2 = 6.7, OR = 1.19, 95% CI:1.05–3.09, p = 0.004] as well as places where animals were present [χ2 = 4.09, OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.05–4.05, p = 0.02]. The seroconversion was detected in 6.22% (n = 44, 95% CI: 4.67–8.25) of domestic animals. An occurrence of Ft over a wide geographical region indicates its expansion to enzootic range, and demonstrates the need for further investigation among potential disease reservoirs and at-risk populations, such as farmers and veterinarians.