Clostridioides difficile in bat guano

Bats are associated with the emergence of several mammalian diseases. Their sessional migration, and tendency to form large colonies in close proximity to human habitats enables effective intra- and inter-species transmission of pathogens. Clostridioides difficile is an important enteric pathogen in humans and animals; however, the source of its dissemination in the population is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of C. difficile in bats, and to characterize C. difficile isolates.Feces (n = 93) was sampled from bats during their migration across Europe. Eighteen samples (19.4%) were positive for C. difficile; ribotypes 078, 056, and a new ribotype CDB3 were identified.Clostridioides difficile ribotypes 078 and 056 are associated with human and animal diseases. The C. difficile prevalence and ribotypes in this study do not necessarily identify bats as a significant source, but more likely as an indicator of C. difficile perpetuation in the environment.     

Inheritance and allelic relationship among gene(s) for blast resistance in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

Six blast‐resistant pearl millet genotypes, ICMB 93333, ICMB 97222, ICMR 06444, ICMR 06222, ICMR 11003 and IP 21187‐P1, were crossed with two susceptible genotypes, ICMB 95444 and ICMB 89111 to generate F₁s, F₂s and backcrosses, BC₁P₁ (susceptible parent × F₁) and BC₁P₂ (resistant parent × F₁) for inheritance study. The resistant genotypes were crossed among themselves in half diallel to generate F₁s and F₂s for test of allelism. The F₁, F₂ and backcross generations, and their parents were screened in a glasshouse against Magnaporthe grisea isolates Pg 45 and Pg 53. The reaction of the F₁s, segregation pattern of F₂s and BC₁P₁ derived from crosses involving two susceptible parents and six resistant parents revealed the presence of single dominant gene governing resistance in the resistant genotypes. No segregation for blast reaction was observed in the F₂s derived from the crosses of resistant × resistant parents. The resistance reaction of these F₂s indicated that single dominant gene conferring resistance in the six genotypes is allelic, that is same gene imparts blast resistance in these genotypes to M. grisea isolates.     

Fractures of the scapula

Fractures of the scapula are uncommon and the majority of these involve the supraglenoid tubercle in young horses 2 years of age or less. Scapula fractures of the neck or body are rare. Comminuted scapula fractures have been diagnosed in racing breeds (Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses) and a review of the literature on the different fracture types and their management is presented in this article. The best prognosis for soundness is given for horses treated surgically. The different techniques for surgical management are described here and comments made with reference to nonsurgical management. A residual gait deficit may persist in some horses because of involvement of the suprascapular nerve at the time of injury, during surgery and follow‐up period, the severity of which depends on the degree of nerve trauma.