Paraneoplastic Calmodulin Kinase-Like Vesicle-Associated Protein (CAMKV) Autoimmune Encephalitis.

Objectives: To report an autoimmune paraneoplastic encephalitis characterized by immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody targeting synaptic protein calmodulin kinase-like vesicle-associated (CAMKV).

Methods: Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples harboring unclassified antibodies on murine brain-based indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) were screened by human protein microarray. In 5 patients with identical cerebral IFA staining, CAMKV was identified as top-ranking candidate antigen.

Avirulent Isolates of to Control the Blue Mold of Apple Caused by .

Blue mold is an economically significant postharvest disease of pome fruit that is primarily caused by . To manage this disease and sustain product quality, novel decay intervention strategies are needed that also maintain long-term efficacy. Biocontrol organisms and natural products are promising tools for managing postharvest diseases.

An In-Depth Evaluation of Powdery Mildew Hosts Reveals One of the World's Most Common and Widespread Groups of Fungal Plant Pathogens.

Powdery mildews are highly destructive fungal plant pathogens that have a significant economic impact on both agricultural and ecological systems worldwide. The intricate relationship between powdery mildews and their host plants has led to cospeciation. In this study, we conducted an extensive evaluation of powdery mildew hosts to provide an updated understanding of the host ranges and distributions of these fungi.

Extensive intragenomic variation in the internal transcribed spacer region of fungi.

Fungi are among the most biodiverse organisms in the world. Accurate species identification is imperative for studies on fungal ecology and evolution. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA region has been widely accepted as the universal barcode for fungi.

Genetic time traveling: sequencing old herbarium specimens, including the oldest herbarium specimen sequenced from kingdom Fungi, reveals the population structure of an agriculturally significant rust.

Sequencing herbarium specimens can be instrumental in answering ecological, evolutionary, and taxonomic inquiries. We developed a protocol for sequencing herbarium specimens of rust fungi (Pucciniales) and proceeded to sequence specimens ranging from 4 to 211 yr old from five different genera. We then obtained sequences from an economically important biological control agent, Puccinia suaveolens, to highlight the potential of sequencing herbarium specimens in an ecological sense and to evaluate the following hypotheses: (1) The population structure of a plant pathogen changes over time, and (2) introduced pathogens are more diverse in their native range.

Phylogeny and taxonomy of the genera of Erysiphaceae, part 2: .

The second contribution to a new series devoted to the phylogeny and taxonomy of powdery mildews is presented. An overview of species is given, including references to ex-type sequences or, if unavailable, representative reference sequences for phylogenetic-taxonomic purposes are provided. The new species is described, and is reduced to synonymy with .

Phylogeny and taxonomy of the genera of Erysiphaceae, part 1: .

Powdery mildews are a monophyletic group of obligate plant pathogenic fungi in the family Erysiphaceae. Powdery mildews are economically important in that they cause damage to many agriculturally significant crops and plants in ecologically important habitats. In this contribution, we introduce a new series of publications focusing on the phylogeny and taxonomy of this group, with an emphasis on specimens collected from North America.

More than a Virulence Factor: Patulin Is a Non-Host-Specific Toxin that Inhibits Postharvest Phytopathogens and Requires Efflux for Tolerance.

Mycotoxin contamination is a leading cause of food spoilage and waste on a global scale. Patulin, a mycotoxin produced by spp. during postharvest pome fruit decay, causes acute and chronic effects in humans, withstands pasteurization, and is not eliminated by fermentation.

Infections of the Spine and Spinal Cord.

Purpose Of Review: Infections of the spine and spinal cord are associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality and, therefore, require prompt clinical recognition, efficient diagnostic evaluation, and interdisciplinary treatment. This article reviews the pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of infections of the spine and spinal cord to help practicing clinicians recognize, evaluate, and manage patients with such infections.

Recent Findings: Aging of the population, increasing use of immunosuppressive medications, and other factors have contributed to increasing rates of spinal infections.

Neurosarcoidosis: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment.

Although often regarded as a protean illness with myriad clinical and imaging manifestations, neurosarcoidosis typically presents as recognizable syndromes that can be approached in a rational, systematic fashion. Understanding of neurosarcoidosis has progressed significantly in recent years, including updated diagnostic criteria and advances in treatment. The diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis is established by the clinical syndrome, imaging and histopathological findings, and exclusion of other causes.

An Analysis of Postharvest Fungal Pathogens Reveals Temporal-Spatial and Host-Pathogen Associations with Fungicide Resistance-Related Mutations.

Fungicides are the primary tools to control a wide range of postharvest fungal pathogens. Fungicide resistance is a widespread problem that has reduced the efficacy of fungicides. Resistance to FRAC-1 (Fungicide Resistance Action Committee-1) chemistries is associated with mutations in amino acid position 198 in the β-tubulin gene.

Meningoencephalitis due to Spotted Fever Rickettsioses, Including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Background: The spotted fever rickettsioses (SFR), including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, are tick-borne infections with frequent neurologic involvement. High morbidity and mortality make early recognition and empiric treatment critical. Most literature on SFR meningoencephalitis predates widespread magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilization.

Emergency Evaluation and Management of Encephalitis and Myelitis in Adults.

Infection of the central nervous system is often a life-threatening emergency. In many cases, the clinician faces an unknown pathogen and must rely upon clinical acumen and a thorough, systematic diagnostic investigation to establish a diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment. Because patients typically present with a syndrome, such as temporal lobe encephalitis, rather than a known pathogen (e.

An Overview of Autoimmune and Paraneoplastic Encephalitides.

The understanding of the manifestations, mechanisms, and management of autoimmune encephalitis has expanded dramatically in recent decades. Immune-mediated encephalitides are comparable in incidence and prevalence to infectious etiologies, and are associated with significant morbidity, especially when there is a delay in recognition and treatment. As such, clinicians from many specialties must develop a functional understanding of these disorders.

Effectiveness of alternative dose fingolimod for multiple sclerosis.

Background: Fingolimod is a daily oral medication used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). Clinicians often adopt less frequent dosing for patients with profound drug-induced lymphopenia or other adverse events. Data on the effectiveness of alternate dose fingolimod are limited.

Wearable biosensors to monitor disability in multiple sclerosis.

Purpose Of Review: Biosensors capable of measuring physiologic and kinetic parameters associated with disability are being applied to the study of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). We review the use of biosensors in people with MS with an emphasis on measuring/monitoring disability and understanding knowledge gaps between biosensor data and clinical care.

Recent Findings: Accelerometers are available to the public and may be able to help the clinician understand a patient's degree of disability.

Central Nervous System Infections Associated with Immunosuppressive Therapy for Rheumatic Disease.

Patients on immunosuppressive therapy for rheumatic diseases are at increased risk of infection. Although infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are less common compared with other sites, patients on broadly immunosuppressive and biologic immunomodulatory agents may be susceptible to more severe, disseminated forms of infection, including of the CNS. Certain key principles regarding infection risk apply across immunosuppressive therapies, including increased risk with higher doses and longer duration of therapy and with combination therapy.

Infliximab for the treatment of CNS sarcoidosis: A multi-institutional series.

Objective: To describe clinical and imaging responses in neurosarcoidosis to infliximab, a monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor-α.

Methods: Investigators at 6 US centers retrospectively identified patients with CNS sarcoidosis treated with infliximab, including only patients with definite or probable neurosarcoidosis following rigorous exclusion of other causes.

Results: Of 66 patients with CNS sarcoidosis (27 definite, 39 probable) treated with infliximab for a median of 1.

Case report of novel gene mutation causing episodic ataxia type 2.

Background: Episodic ataxia type 2 (OMIM 108500) is an autosomal dominant channelopathy characterized by paroxysms of ataxia, vertigo, nausea, and other neurologic symptoms. More than 50 mutations of the CACNA1A gene have been discovered in families with episodic ataxia type 2, although 30%-50% of all patients with typical episodic ataxia type 2 phenotype have no detectable mutation of the CACNA1A gene.

Case: A 46-year-old Caucasian man, with a long history of bouts of imbalance, vertigo, and nausea, presented to our hospital with 2 weeks of ataxia and headache.