An Indian botanist who specialises in mycology — the study of fungi — contracted a deadly fungal disease found in plants, it has been reported.
Experts said this is a previously unseen case of phytonoses — the transmission of plant disease to humans.
The Medical Mycology Case Reports journal said that a mycologist, 61, from eastern Kolkata was infected by silver leaf, a fungal disease caused by the pathogen Chondrostereum purpureum.
This mostly attacks species of the rose family, causing progressive silvering of leaves on affected stems and branches.
According to the report, this is a “first of its kind” case transmission from plant host to a human.
The academic had been working with decaying material and various plant fungi for a long time as part of his research.
“This case highlights the potential of environmental plant fungi to cause disease in humans and stresses the importance of molecular techniques to identify the causative fungal species,” the journal said.
He had been complaining of hoarseness, a sore throat, a cough difficulty in swallowing and fatigue for several months, said the report.
A CT scan detected a paratracheal abscess, a potentially fatal condition where pus collects in the neck.
Samples were sent for testing to the World Health Organisation's Collaborating Centre for Research on Fungi of Medical Importance, in Chandigarh, the capital of the northern Indian states of Punjab and Haryana.
There the researcher was diagnosed with Chondrostereum purpureum, the report said.
It was treated with complete drainage of the pus and an oral course of antifungal medication.
“After two years of follow-up, the patient was absolutely fine and there is no evidence of recurrence,” the report said.
The journal also said that the case demonstrated the crossover of plant pathogens into humans when working in close contact with plant fungi.
“The cross-kingdom pathogenicity demands much work to be done in order to explore insights of the mechanisms involved, thus leading to possible recommendations to control and contain these infections,” it said.
Prof Shyam Saran Vaish, head of plant pathology in Banaras Hindu University, in Varanasi, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, said, “in nature, anything is possible”.
“The organism sometimes develops some sort of host jumping,” Prof Vaish told The National.
“The mutation or development of the mechanism switches over to the host also. The pathogen which earlier was infecting plants may change and infect human beings.”
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Fixtures (all times UAE)
Saturday
Brescia v Atalanta (6pm)
Genoa v Torino (9pm)
Fiorentina v Lecce (11.45pm)
Sunday
Juventus v Sassuolo (3.30pm)
Inter Milan v SPAL (6pm)
Lazio v Udinese (6pm)
Parma v AC Milan (6pm)
Napoli v Bologna (9pm)
Verona v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Monday
Cagliari v Sampdoria (11.45pm)
The%20specs
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Bournemouth 0
Manchester United 2
Smalling (28'), Lukaku (70')
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
More Expo 2020 Dubai pavilions:
Champions parade (UAE timings)
7pm Gates open
8pm Deansgate stage showing starts
9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral
9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street
10pm City players on stage
11pm event ends
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