In 1990, an unreported blight occurred on kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos spp.) plants in Okinawa, southern Japan. Initially the disease developed in roots, and the symptoms of wilt and browning progressed upwards. The root growth was suppressed and the internal part of the root was discoloured to brown. Eventually flowering stalks and leaves showed a brown to black discoloration exhibiting blight symptoms. Two species of Fusarium were obtained from the diseased plant. The same symptoms appeared in plants transferred to soil and inoculated artificially with the two species of Fusarium. Based on the cultural characteristics and morphology, the two fungi were identified as Fusarium chlamydosporum Wollenweb. & Reinking and Fusarium semitectum auct. non Berk. & Ravenel. As no report was found on the blight of kangaroo paw plants, we suggest naming the disease as Fusarium blight of kangaroo paw.

No abstract

To investigate abnormalities in the keratinization process in lesional epidermis of molluscum contagiosum, production of filaggrin, loricrin, Ted-H-1 antigen, involucrin, cystatin A and CD95 ligand (CD95L) was investigated using specific antibodies. Anti-filaggrin monoclonal antibody (MoAb) did not react with keratohyalin granules (KHG), but with the substance around virus particles in the stratum corneum. KHG reacted with anti-loricrin polyclonal antibody (PoAb) and anti-Ted-H-1 MoAb. Anti-involucrin PoAb and anti-cystatin A PoAb reacted with materials in the cytoplasm of the middle stratum spinosum to the stratum granulosum. CD95L was expressed in the cell membrane region of the living cell layers in lesional epidermis. These observations suggest that the keratinization process may be altered in molluscum contagiosum.

No abstract

No abstract