Redescription and new record of Paracapillaria (Ophidiocapillaria) najae (Nematoda: Trichuroidea) in the monocled cobra Naja kaouthia from central Thailand: morphological and molecular insights

The parasitic nematode Paracapillaria (Ophidiocapillaria) najae De, 1998, found in the Indian cobra Naja naja is redescribed and re-illustrated in the present study. The monocled cobra Naja kaouthia was discovered to be a new host for this parasite in central Thailand. A comprehensive description extending the morphological and molecular characteristics of the parasites is provided to aid species recognition in future studies. The morphometric characters of 41 parasites collected from 5 cobra specimens are compared with those described in the original studies. Phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA genes were performed to provide novel information on the systematics of P. najae. Similar characteristics were observed in the examined nematode samples, despite being found in different hosts, confirming their identity as P. najae. The molecular genetic results support the species status of P. najae, indicating P. najae is well defined and separated from other related nematode species in the family Capillariidae. Morphological descriptions, genetic sequences, evolutionary relationships among capillariids and new host and distribution records of P. najae are discussed. Paracapillaria najae specimens found in the Thai cobra had some morphological variation, and sexual size dimorphism was also indicated. Paracapillaria najae was found to infect various cobra host species and appeared to be common throughout the Oriental regions, consistent with its hosts' distribution

An expanded description, natural history, and genetic variation of the recently described cobra species Naja fuxi Shi et al., 2022

The morphological variation, extended distribution, and sequence divergence of a recently described of cobra Naja fuxi Shi et al., 2022 captured from mountainous areas in Thailand are evaluated by using molecular and morphological analyses. We investigated the genetic variation and affinities of 72 specimens in the genus Naja by using mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b and control region) and the nuclear DNA gene, C-mos. Morphological examination was conducted for 33 cobra specimens obtained from the northern, western, and north-eastern regions, and data on their natural history were gathered during field surveys. A high degree of genetic differentiation was shown to exist between the cobras collected from lowlands and those from mountainous areas. N. fuxi occurs in uplands bordering Thailand’s Central Basin, whereas the similar looking N. kaouthia Lesson, 1831 is more or less restricted to the lowlands. All phylogenetic and network analyses supported a distinct clade of N. fuxi from north, west, and, north-east regions. In addition, N. fuxi seems to exhibit a split between the north-eastern population and those from the north and west. The range of N. fuxi probably extends far into the mountainous areas of the neighbouring countries Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. Morphologically, N. fuxi in Thailand can be distinguished from all other cobra species in the adjacent Oriental Region. The speciation of cobras in Thailand likely reflects key events in the region’s geographical, climate and environmental history

Regional Variation of the Monocled Cobra, Naja kaouthia Lesson, 1831 (Squamata: Elapidae) in Thailand: Development, Temperature Effects, Environment, and Phylogeny

Serpentes (snakes) include over 3,600 described species, the biology of which remains poorly resolved in many regions. Snake diversity within Thailand likely reflects the diverse range of suitable habitats and climate conditions. A better understanding of their biology would allow a more comprehensive evaluation of species diversification, evolution, and conservation. Here, I tested both phenotypic and genetic polymorphisms of the Monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia) across its distribution range (north, south, centre, and north-east) in Thailand, examining regionally discrete populations that show variation in features of external morphology. To assess the possible influences of environment vs genetics on phenotypic variation, regional cobra embryos were incubated at different temperatures and examined through development while mtDNA sequencing was used to reconstruct a phylogeny of N. kaouthia. The results confirmed the effect of temperature on some aspects of cobra development and morphology. 32ºC was found to be the optimal incubation temperature for embryonic development. Unusual high temperatures increased the rate of development but also the occurrence of embryonic abnormalities while lower temperatures slowed development and extended the incubation period. Although the relationship between temperature and some developmental aspects is clear, there was no unambiguous link between temperature and regional traits. In contrast to the morphological results, high levels of genetic variation support a divergence between north+centre cobra populations and those in the south, recognise an endemic population on Pha-ngan Island in the south, and identify the north-eastern cobra population as a potential cryptic species. Thus the current variation in N. kaouthia is mainly a reflection of genetic difference, rather than environmental effect (as in phenotypic plasticity). By addressing the effect of temperature on development of N. kaouthia, the results also demonstrate the potential threat of rapid climatic change for the future of this and other reptiles

Acute polyarticular synovitis as a rare presentation of Kaposi sarcoma

Patients with HIV are prone to a number of unusual infectious and malignant conditions, typically resulting from declining immune function. However, there are also a few of reports of HIV associated conditions potentially created by viral release of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Herein, we present a case of HIV IL-6-related systemic inflammatory syndrome, a Kaposi sarcoma (KS)-associated syndrome in the absence of multicentric Castleman disease (MCD)

DISSEMINATED GRANULOMA ANNULARE: A CUTANEOUS ADVERSE EFFECT OF ANTI-TNF AGENTS

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors, such as etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab, bind to TNF-α and thereby act as anti-inflammatory agents. This group of drugs has been approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, ankylosing spodylitis, Crohn disease, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. We describe a 56-year-old woman who developed an erythematous pruritic rash on both arms—diagnosed as granuloma annulare by skin biopsy—approximately 22 months after initiating adalimumab for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. On stopping adalimumab there was total clearance of the skin lesions, but a similar rash developed again when her treatment was switched to another anti-TNF agent (etanercept). This clinical observation supports a link between TNF inhibition and the development of granuloma annulare