Investigation of the Prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in Small Ruminants in the Siirt Region, Turkey

Background: Fasciolosis is a disease of the liver caused by trematodes in the family of Fasciolidae, particularly by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of F. hepatica in sheep using the ELISA method, and in hair goats by post-mortem liver examination in the Siirt region, Turkey. Methods: This study was conducted between Feb-Sep 2018. Five ml of blood samples were taken from the jugular veins of 320 sheep, which were selected from various locations of Siirt region by random sampling method. Fasciolosis seroprevalence in sheep was investigated by the ELISA method, using commercial kits (BIOK 211-Monoscreen AB ELISA F. hepatica test). In order to determine the prevalence of fasciolosis in hair goats, 580 slaughtered goats were examined for F. hepatica by incisions in the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts. Results: While 24 (7.50%) sheep were seropositive, 296 (92.50%) were seronegative. Regarding the hair goats, on the other hand, 82 (14.14%) were positive, while 498 (85.86%) were negative. Conclusion: F. hepatica infection causes significant economic losses due to the destruction of the liver in small ruminants. Considering zoonotic properties of the disease, it has been concluded that the necessary measures should be taken and anti-helminthic drugs should be applied to the animals that come out of the pasture. Furthermore, periodic examinations should be conducted, and the breeders should be informed about the disease to raise awareness

Cryptosporidium spp. in Dogs - Prevalence and Genotype Distribution

Background: Cryptosporidium spp. is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that affects the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. The disease can cause acute and chronic diarrhoea and even death in both humans and animals. In this study, it was aimed to determine the prevalence and genotype distribution of Cryptosporidiosis in shelter dogs in Diyarbakır province located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. Materials, Methods & Results: The animal material of the study consisted of 100 dogs of different breeds and sexes. Faecal samples were collected from the rectum with disposable latex gloves and placed in individual sample containers.  All of the samples were examined for Cryptosporidium  spp. by Kinyoun Acid Fast and Nested PCR methods. In the Kinyoun Acid Fast staining method, firstly, smear preparations were prepared from fresh faecal samples, fixed in pure methanol for 1 min and allowed to dry. The slides were kept in Kinyoun Carbol-Fuxin for 5 min, dipped in 50% ethyl alcohol, shaken, washed in tap water, kept in 1% sulphuric acid for 2 min and washed in tap water.  The slides were kept in methylene blue for 1 min, washed in tap water and allowed to dry. After drying, immersion oil was dripped and examined under a microscope at 100 magnification. DNA extraction was performed from all samples using GeneMATRIX Stool DNA Purification Kit according to the manufacturer's protocol. After Nested PCR analysis was performed. In the PCR step, primers 5'-TTCTAGAGCTAATACATGCG-3' and 5'- CCCATTTCCTTCCTTCGAAACAGGA-3' were used to amplify the 1325 bp gene region. In the nested PCR step, primers 5'- GGAAGGGTTGTATTTATTTATTAGATAAAG-3' and 5'-AAGGAGTAAGGAACAACCTCCA-3' were used to amplify the 826-864 bp gene region. As a result of both methods, a prevalence of 3% was determined. The infection rate was higher in males (3.57%) than females (2.27%) and in younger than 1 year (5.56%) than in older than 1 year (1.56%). The DNA sequences obtained from the sequence analysis of 3 positive PCR samples were analysed in BioEdit software. A phylogenetic tree was constructed with the data set created by using the 18s rRNA gene sequences obtained from the NCBI genbank database and the DNA sequences obtained as a result of the study, and it was shown which Cryptosporidium species the study samples were related to. Today, many Cryptosporidium species have been identified and most of these species have host adaptation. Although C. canis is the most common species in dogs, C. muris, C. meleagridis, and C. parvum have also been detected. Among these species, C. parvum is recognized as a zoonotic species infecting a wide range of mammals. In this study, DNA sequencing of nested PCR positive samples revealed that 3 samples were zoonotic C. parvum. Discussion: This suggests that dogs may be a reservoir for zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium.  Consequently, it is recommended that people should be informed about the potential for transmission of this protozoan to humans and animals and that control programmes should be implemented, including the prevention of free entry of stray dogs into public places and homes. Keywords: Cryptosporidium  parvum, molecular analysis, canine, Diyarbakır, Turkey

Oxidant/Antioxidant Status, PON1 and ARES Activities, Trace Element Levels, and Histological Alterations in Sheep with Cystic Echinococcosis

Background: Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI), nitric oxide (NO), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) levels, paraoxonase (PON1), arylesterase (ARES) activities, and biochemical changes were studied on sheep with cystic echinococcosis. Methods: The materials were taken from 2-3 yr old sheep slaughtered in Van Province, Turkey in 2017. Before the slaughter, blood samples were collected from the healthy sheep, while various organs of animals were examined for hydatid cysts after the slaughter. Thirty sheep were protoscolex positive, hydatic group, while 30 sheep that did not have any pathological lesions in organ examinations were accepted as the control group. TOS levels, PON1 and ARES activities, and Zn levels were determined by commercial kits, while Cu levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The collected data were then statistically analyzed. Results: Serum TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher in sheep with cystic echinococcosis compared to the control group (P<0.001). TAS levels (P<0.01), PON1 and ARES activities, on the other hand, were significantly higher in control group compared to the cystic echinococcosis group (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in Zn, NO and Cu levels between the groups. Conclusion: PON1 and ARES activities increased in sheep infected with cyst hydatid. The decline of antioxidant reserves in the metabolism results in excessive amounts of free radicals, along with alterations of the normal histological structure of the cystic organ and changes in trace element metabolism

Molecular Survey of the Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in brain tissue of aborted fetuses of Morkaraman sheep in Muş, Türkiye

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are obligate intracellular protozoan parasites that can affect different warm-blooded species worldwide. In this study, it was aimed to detect T. gondii and N. caninum using PCR method in brain tissues of aborted sheep fetuses. Brain specimens were collected from 50 Morkaraman sheep fetuses that had undergone abortion at various stages of pregnancy, within the lambing seasons of 2023 in Muş. Approximately 1 cm³ of brain tissue from the right cerebral hemisphere was excised and subsequently frozen at -20°C for DNA extraction. DNA extraction and PCR amplification were then performed. As a result of this study, 11 (22%) of 50 brain tissues were positive. All brain samples examined in this study were negative for Neospora caninum. Based on the results of this study, it is possible to say that T. gondii is an important abortion agent in sheep in this region. Although N. caninum was not detected in this study, larger scale studies are recommended. Moreover, this study provides important information to breeders and veterinarians in the field in the evaluation and management of abortion

Investigations of the endohelminths of some fish from Murat river in Ağrı and Aras river in Erzurum in TURKEY

In this study which has been done between April 2008 and June 2009, fishes captured from Ağrı and Erzurum were examined by endoparasite fauna. Examined fishes are as follows: Acanthobrama marmid Heckel, 1843, Alburnus akili Battalgil, 1942, Barbus plebejus Bonaparte, 1839, Barbus mursa Güldenstädt, 1773, Capoeta barroisi Lortet in Barrois, 1894, Capoeta capoeta Güldenstädt, 1773, Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758, Leuciscus cephalus Linnaeus, 1758. Consequently, a total of 908 individual parasites were detected from six parasite species; Rhabdochona denudata Dujardin, 1845 (Nematoda), Neoechinorhynchus sp. and Pomphorhynchus sp. (Acanthocephala), Bothriocephalus acheilognathi Yamaguti, 1934, and Caryophyllaeus laticeps Pallas, 1781 (Cestoda), Allocreadium isoporum Looss, 1894 (Digenea). The distribution of the infection prevalence, mean intensity, and abundance values of parasite species were determined. As a result of our study, 93 of 233 (39.91%) fish were reported with parasites

Investigations on Endohelmint Fauna of Teleost Fishes of Aras and Murat Rivers in Turkey

In this study which has been done between April 2008 and June 2009, fishes captured from Ağrı and Erzurum were examined by endoparasite fauna. Examined fishes are as follows: Acanthobrama marmid Heckel, 1843, Alburnus akili Battalgil, 1942, Barbus plebejus Bonaparte, 1839, Barbus mursa Güldenstädt, 1773, Capoeta barroisi Lortet in Barrois, 1894, Capoeta capoeta Güldenstädt, 1773, Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758, Leuciscus cephalus Linnaeus, 1758. Consequently, a total of 908 individual parasites were detected from six parasite species; Rhabdochona denudata Dujardin, 1845 (Nematoda), Neoechinorhynchus sp. and Pomphorhynchus sp. (Acanthocephala), Bothriocephalus acheilognathi Yamaguti, 1934, and Caryophyllaeus laticeps Pallas, 1781 (Cestoda), Allocreadium isoporum Looss, 1894 (Digenea). The distribution of the infection prevalence, mean intensity, and abundance values of parasite species were determined. As a result of our study, 93 of 233 (39.91%) fish were reported with parasites

Endohelminth Fauna of Teleost Fishes from Coasts of Şile Region of the Black Sea

A total of 508 fish specimens belonging to 19 species collected in the coast of Şile region of the Black sea were examined to detect the presence of endohelminths. Of this, 357 (70.27%) were found to be infected with parasites. 15 distinct helminths species were recovered including four species of nematodes, seven digenean species, one species of cestodes and three species of acanthocephalans. It was also determined that the species of nematode Hysterothylacium aduncum was the most common parasite and the most diverse endohelminth fauna was found in Gobius niger and Solea vulgaris, with five species. Furthermore, it should be noted that Capillaria gracilis is reported for the first time from the Turkish coasts. The infection rates, hosts, and parasites are listed in this paper

The Investigation of Giardiasis (Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases) in Buffaloes in Van Region, Türkiye: First Molecular Report of <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> Assemblage B from Buffaloes

Giardia duodenalis (G. duodenalis) is an important zoonotic protozoan agent that causes foodborne and waterborne diarrhea in humans and other mammals. Molecular-based tests are critical in diagnosing giardiasis in humans and animals, identifying species, understanding the zoonotic potential and transmission routes, and evaluating taxonomy. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the molecular characterization of G. duodenalis in buffaloes in the Van region in Türkiye. Buffaloes are a species that has been poorly studied in this regard. For this purpose, 100 fecal samples were collected from buffaloes in the Van region. The DNA extraction was performed using the GeneMATRIX STOOL DNA Purification Kit from stool samples. The nested PCR test was performed with the appropriate primers from the obtained DNA samples. The obtained bands suitable for sequencing were sent for sequence analysis, and the sequence results were aligned bidirectionally and compared with the database of GenBank by BLAST. As a result of the study, an 11% positivity rate for G. duodenalis was found in buffaloes, and assemblage E and assemblage B were isolated. To our knowledge, assemblage B in buffaloes was reported for the first time in this study. As a result, it was concluded that buffaloes are an important reservoir for waterborne and foodborne giardiasis

Preliminary investigation of the prevalence and genotype distribution of Cryptosporidium spp., and Giardia duodenalis in cats in Siirt, Turkey

Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are protozoan parasites found in humans and many animal species worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and genotypes of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in cats and to evaluate the zoonotic potential of these agents. The animal material of the study consisted of a total of 40 cats brought to the Veterinary Faculty. Fresh fecal samples taken from the cats were placed in individual sample containers. All samples were examined under the microscope by Kinyoun Acid Fast staining for Cryptosporidium spp. and by the native-Lugol method for Giardia duodenalis. Nested PCR and sequence analyses were then performed. As a result of microscopic and nested PCR analyses for Cryptosporidium spp., no positivity was found in any sample. The prevalence of Giardia duodenalis was 2.5% in both microscopic examination and nested PCR analyses. When the DNA sequences of the β-Giardin gene obtained in the study were compared with the database in NCBI Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, it was determined that one sample overlapped with Assemblage B samples. As a result of this study, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in cats was determined and the presence of Assemblage B was revealed. It is recommended that repetitive studies should be carried out as much as possible to determine the possible role of these parasites in the transmission of these parasites to humans

seroprevalance of anaplasmosis in cattle in Van, Muş, Siirt and Diyarbakır Provinces

Rikettsiales dizisi, Anaplasmatacae ailesindeki Anaplasma türlerinin meydana getirdiği anaplasmosis, tropik ve subtropik iklim bölgelerindeki memeli hayvanlarda görülen enfeksiyöz bir hastalıktır. Sığır anaplasmosisi genellikle Anaplasma marginale ile ilişkilendirilir ve bu hastalık hem kan emici sinekler ile mekanik hem de keneler ile biyolojik yolla nakledilir. Bu çalışma Van, Muş, Siirt ve Diyarbakır İllerinde sığırlarda Anaplasma spp. seroprevalansının araştırılması amacıyla yapılmıştır. Serum örnekleri ticari cELISA kiti ile Anaplasma’ya karşı gelişen antikorlar yönünden analiz edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda incelenen 182 sığırın 52’sinde (%28,6) Anaplasma spp. antikorları bakımından seropozitiflik saptanmıştır. Dişi sığırlarda seroprevalans %29.3, erkeklerde ise %27.1 olarak belirlenmiş ve bu farklılık istatistiksel açıdan önemsiz bulunmuştur. İstatiksel olarak sığırlarda yaş gruplarına göre farklı seropozitiflik saptanmış olup, en yüksek oran 3-5 (%45.1) yaş arasındaki hayvanlarda bulunmuştur. Ayrıca çalışma merkezleri arasında en yüksek seropozitiflik %78.7 oranı ile Siirt ilinde belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, Van, Muş, Siirt ve Diyarbakır illerinde sığırlarda subklinik ve kronik Anaplasma enfeksiyonlarının varlığı ortaya konulmuştur.Anaplasmosis, caused by the genus Anaplasma related to the family Anaplasmataceae the order Rickettsiales, is an infectious disease occurs in mammals in tropical and subtropical climatic regions. Bovine anaplasmosis is usually associated with Anaplasma marginale infection in cattle and its can be transmitted both mechanically by biting flies or and biologically by ticks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of Anaplasma spp. in cattle in Van, Mus, Siirt and Diyabakir provinces. cELISA was used to detect specific anti-Anaplasma spp. antibodies in the serum samples. 52 (28.6%) of the 182 asymptomatic cattle were seropositive against Anaplasma. The prevalence of anaplasmosis in female and male cattle was found as 29.3% and 27.3%, respectively and this difference was not found significant. Seropositive rate was statistically differ among the age groups of cattle and the highest seropositive rate was found in 3-5 years. Moreover, the highest seropositive rate of study sites was determined in Siirt as 78.7%. As a result, this is serologic survey for subclinical and chronic Anaplasma spp. infections performed on cattle in Van, Mus, Siirt and Diyabakir province