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Most species of Helvella have been described from temperate regions in Asia, Europe, and North America, but little is known about the genus from tropical regions. In this report, phylogenetic analyses of 11 newly collected saddle-like fungi from northern Thailand using three genetic markers [the nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU), the heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF)] confirm their assignment in Helvella. Two species were described as new, i.e., Helvella atroides and H. orentitomentosa, and two species, i.e., H. fistulosa and H. rugosa, were reported for the first time in Thailand. Details of macro- and microscopic characters and illustrations were provided for each species. To date, seven species of Helvella have been recorded in Thailand, and a key for identifying the Thai Helvella species was provided here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malaria has declined dramatically along the Thai-Myanmar border in recent years due to malaria control and elimination programmes. However, at the same time, artemisinin resistance has spread, raising concerns about the efficacy of parenteral artesunate for the treatment of severe malaria. Case presentation: In November 2015 and April 2017, two patients were treated for severe malaria with parenteral artesunate. Quinine was added within 24 h due to an initial poor response to treatment. The first patient died within 24 h of starting treatment and the second did not clear his peripheral parasitaemia until 11 days later. Genotyping revealed artemisinin resistance Kelch-13 markers. Conclusions: Reliable efficacy of artesunate for the treatment of severe malaria may no longer be assured in areas where artemisinin resistance has emerged. Empirical addition of parenteral quinine to artesunate for treatment is recommended as a precautionary measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction is presented to the article "Treating the invisible: Gaps and opportunities for enhanced TB control along the Thailand-Myanmar border" which appeared in the 2017 issue.