Infectious lameness among migratory sheep and goats in north-west India, with particular focus on anaerobes

Various bacterial species, particularly Dichelobacter nodosus, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Trueperella pyogenes (previously Arcanobacterium pyogenes) and Treponema spp., have been implicated in infectious conditions manifesting in lameness in sheep and goat populations. The current study reports the causes of infectious lameness in the north-western Himalayan region, particularly Himachal Pradesh (HP), where no such study has been conducted in the past. Among a total surveyed population of 27,586 animals, comprised of 15,006 sheep and 12,580 goats, 216 samples were collected from foot lesions. A total of 6.48% (14/216) samples were positive for D. nodosus, 20.83% (45/216) for F. necrophorum and 20.37% (44/216) for T pyogenes. In three instances, all of the three aforementioned bacteria were present in a single foot lesion. Most of the positive samples were from areas in the state of HP adjoining the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), where footrot is endemic. The confirmation of footrot in HP and the fact that F. necrophorum and T pyogenes were detected from cases of foot/hoof infection in high numbers emphasises thatthese organisms play an important role in inducing morbidity in migratory sheep and goats. The present investigation also confirms the detection of D. nodosus from cases of footrot for the first time from HP. With new reports identifying F. necrophorum as a pathogen with a potential role in aggravating infection caused by footrot, the development of a combined vaccine to prevent lameness in sheep and goats in the north-western Himalayan region has been suggested.

Perianal giant condyloma acuminata [buschke lowenstein tumour] - first case report from the Kashmir valley

Buschke Lowenstein tumour or giant condyloma acuminata is a rare entity with only less then 50 cases reported in English literature so far. No such case has been reported from the Kashmir valley. They are considered as intermediate lesions between simple condyloma acuminata and invasive squamous cell carcinoma. A 57-year-old heterosexual male presented with a giant perianal condyloma. The lesion was surgically excised completely. Postoperatively patient was put on topical 5-FU ointment. Patient is recurrence free 6 months after surgery. The giant condyloma acuminate is an aggressive tumour with propensity for recurrance and malignant transformation. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. One such rare case is discussed with review of literature.

Moderately halophilic, alkalitolerantHalomonas campisalis MCM B-365 from Lonar Lake, India

Seven bacterial isolates obtained from sediment and water samples, collected from the alkaline Lonar Lake were identified on the basis of their morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics and were confirmed by 16S rDNA sequencing to be Halomonas campisalis. They were capable of using a variety of electron donors and were found to grow in the presence of sodium chloride (NaCl) up to 4 M, at pH from 7 to 11, 9 being the optimum. The isolates could grow over a wide range of temperatures (from 4 to 45 degrees C) and showed temperature-dependent salt tolerance. They exhibited requirement of sodium for growth and could grow in any medium where NaCl is replaced by NaNO(3) and Na(2)S(2)O(3) but not in the presence of salts like LiCl, MgCl(2) . 6H(2)O, KCl and NH(4)Cl. One of the seven isolates, ARI 351, was able to produce lipase at pH-9.0, while two isolates, ARI 351 and ARI 360, could accumulate polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA) granules when grown in a medium containing maltose. Thus the H. campisalis isolated from Lonar Lake was different from the previously reported one, with respect to its biotechnological potential for production of Lipase and PHA.

Bacterial Aerobic Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Magnetite

The synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles of the predominantly magnetite phase by the reaction of aqueous iron complexes with the bacterium, Actinobacter spp., is described. This reaction occurs at room temperature and under aerobic conditions, resulting in the formation of superparamagnetic magnetite.

Acute bilateral extradural hematomas

The occurrence of bilateral extradural hematomas is an uncommon consequence of craniocerebral trauma and its incidence is variable in various studies ranging from 2-25%.1 We studied all cases of head injury brought to our institute over a period of 6 months and found the incidence of bilateral extradural hematomas to be 13.3%.