The present work has been designed to study the effect of feeding on transgenic potatoes, which carry the CryI gene of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki strain HD1, on the light and electron microscopic structure of the mice ileum, in comparison with feeding on potatoes treated with the ‘δ‐endotoxin’ isolated from the same bacterial strain. The microscopic architecture of the enterocytes of the ileum of both groups of mice revealed certain common features such as the appearance of mitochondria with signs of degeneration and disrupted short microvilli at the luminal surface. However, in the group of mice fed on the ‘δ‐endotoxin’, several villi appeared with an abnormally large number of enterocytes (151.8 in control group versus 197 and 155.8 in endotoxin and transgenic‐treated groups, respectively). Fifty percent of these cells were hypertrophied and multinucleated. The mean area of enterocyte was significantly increased (105.3 µm2 in control group versus 165.4 µm2 and 116.5 µm2 in endotoxin and transgenic‐treated groups, respectively). Several forms of secondary lysosomes or auotophagic vacuoles were recognized in these cells. These changes were confirmed with the scanning electron microscope which revealed a remarkable increase in the topographic contour of enterocytes (23 µm in control group versus 44 µm and 28 µm in endotoxin and transgenic‐treated groups, respectively) at the divulged surface of the villi. The basal lamina along the base of the enterocytes was damaged at several foci. Several disrupted microvilli appeared in association with variable‐shaped cytoplasmic fragments. Some of these fragments contained endoplasmic reticulum, as well as ring‐shaped annulate lamellae. In addition, the Paneth cells were highly activated and contained a large number of secretory granules. These changes may suggest that δ‐endotoxin‐treated potatoes resulted in the development of hyperplastic cells in the mice ileum. Although mild changes are reported in the structural configuration of the ileum of mice fed on transgenic potatoes, nevertheless, thorough tests of these new types of genetically engineered crops must be made to avoid the risks before marketing. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

spondylodiscitis caused by a fully sensitive M tuberculosis isolate. 4 In our Clinical Picture, 1 the patient's improvement started 10 days after the beginning of treatment, followed by a complete clinical recovery and return of systemic inflammatory markers to normal concentrations. 2 months after treatment in hospital, the follow-up MRI showed significant regression of the epidural abscess, which would have been highly improbable in tuberculous spondylodiscitis. Therefore, in our opinion, the results suggest that C jejuni caused spondylodiscitis in the patient.We declare no competing interests.

The present work has been designed to study the effect of feeding on transgenic potatoes, which carry the CryI gene of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki strain HD1, on the light and electron microscopic structure of the mice ileum, in comparison with feeding on potatoes treated with the 'delta-endotoxin' isolated from the same bacterial strain. The microscopic architecture of the enterocytes of the ileum of both groups of mice revealed certain common features such as the appearance of mitochondria with signs of degeneration and disrupted short microvilli at the luminal surface. However, in the group of mice fed on the 'delta-endotoxin', several villi appeared with an abnormally large number of enterocytes (151.8 in control group versus 197 and 155.8 in endotoxin and transgenic-treated groups, respectively). Fifty percent of these cells were hypertrophied and multinucleated. The mean area of enterocyte was significantly increased (105.3 microm(2) in control group versus 165.4 microm(2) and 116.5 microm(2) in endotoxin and transgenic-treated groups, respectively). Several forms of secondary lysosomes or auotophagic vacuoles were recognized in these cells. These changes were confirmed with the scanning electron microscope which revealed a remarkable increase in the topographic contour of enterocytes (23 microm in control group versus 44 microm and 28 microm in endotoxin and transgenic-treated groups, respectively) at the divulged surface of the villi. The basal lamina along the base of the enterocytes was damaged at several foci. Several disrupted microvilli appeared in association with variable-shaped cytoplasmic fragments. Some of these fragments contained endoplasmic reticulum, as well as ring-shaped annulate lamellae. In addition, the Paneth cells were highly activated and contained a large number of secretory granules. These changes may suggest that delta-endotoxin-treated potatoes resulted in the development of hyperplastic cells in the mice ileum. Although mild changes are reported in the structural configuration of the ileum of mice fed on transgenic potatoes, nevertheless, thorough tests of these new types of genetically engineered crops must be made to avoid the risks before marketing.

The present investigation used Galleria mellonella larvae as an infection model to describe the virulence of Escherichia coli, the most frequent causes of several common bacterial infections in humans and animals. Some hemolymph physical properties such as hemolymph volume -and its relation to body water content, hemolymph density, and pH, along with a quantitative estimation of hemolymph proteins, lipids and carbohydrates were recorded in G. mellonella larvae at different time intervals post-injection with a sub-lethal dose (LD 20 ) of E. coli into the larval hemocoel. A decrease in fresh body weight and body water content with an increase in the hemolymph volume was observed at all time intervals post-larval treatment. This may be due to the loss of tissue water and gained it into the hemolymph. At the same time, bacterial injection decreased the hemolymph density and pH immediately following injection, while the viscosity and acidity of the hemolymph restored its original level with time. The bacterial injection also recorded an obvious decrease in the hemolymph proteins and lipids of the treated larvae at all time intervals post-treatment. This may be due to their elimination and/or their involvement in immune defence reactions or may be due to the intensive consumption and depletion of nutrition during infection. On the contrary, the levels of hemolymph carbohydrates increased at all-time intervals post bacterial injection into larvae. This increase may be due to the release of stored sugars (treehouse) which is responded strikingly due to bacterial infection causing an increase in the level of glucose and glycogen in the hemolymph. These results may lead to a better understanding of the regulatory events and the physiology of infected insects.