Tracking the footsteps of Francisella tularensis: Bacteriological and serological monitoring in epidemic areas in Ankara

MakaleWOS:000906995400005PubMed ID: 36455310The study aimed to detect Francisella tularensis (F. tularensis) in water samples and to investigate the seror-eactivity of sheep to tularemia in endemic areas where human tularemia cases have been reported in Ankara, Turkey. For the isolation of F. tularensis, 50 water samples were collected from rural areas of 5 regions of Ankara (Turkey) and selectively cultured on Francis medium supplemented with 8-9 % sheep blood and antibiotics (100 IU/ml penicillin G, 100 mg/L cycloheximide, 80,000 U/L polymixin B). No F. tularensis isolate was cultivated from the water samples. To determine the seroreactivity of sheep to tularemia, 1006 sheep blood samples were collected from the regions, where human tularemia is endemic. A microagglutination test (MAT) identified significant antibody titers, ranging from 1/20-1/640 in 181 (17.99%) of the investigated sheep sera. Further investigation is required in order to evaluate and confirm a possible epidemiologic relationship between human outbreaks and probable role of sheep or other sources

Distribution of species and biotypes of brucella isolates obtained from sheep and cattle abortions

This study was carried out to evaluate Brucella spp. isolated from various tissue samples of aborted sheep and bovine fetuses sent to the laboratory of Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafkas University between 2011 and 2023 years and determine the Brucella species and biotype diversity that carry a higher risk for abortion complications in these animals. In this context, 155 Brucella spp. isolates obtained from aborted fetuses were identified by species-specific Bruceladder PCR and biotyped using conventional biotyping methods. As a result of the study, B. melitensis and B. abortus were identified in 92.5% (n=74) and 7.5% (n=6) of sheep, B. abortus and B. melitensis were identified in 80% (n=60) and 20% (n=15) of cattle, respectively. B. melitensis biotype 2 in sheep and B. abortus biotype 3 in cattle were found as the dominant biotypes in these definitive hosts. In the Kars region, where brucellosis is endemic, while the biotype responsible for cattle brucellosis (B. abortus biotype 3) maintained its dominance over a 20-year period, there is a profile change from B. melitensis biotype 3 to B. melitensis biotype 2 in sheep. Considering the period covered by the study and the sample size analyzed, the data obtained provide up-to-date and important information about Brucella species and biotypes in Kars region and the animal species that host these agents

Prevalence of subclinical mastitis in cows, isolation of agents and determination of their antibiotic susceptibility

Aim: To investigate bacterial agents causing subclinical mastitis in cow husbandry in Kars province, Turkey. Materials and Methods: Subclinical mastitis was identified in 120 (24%) of 500 dairy cows screened by CMT. Within the scope of the study, it was taken milk samples from 120 dairy cows and evaluated in the laboratory. For bacterial isolation, the milk samples were mixed with vortex and 100 μl of milk were streaked on Blood Agar (with 7% sheep blood) and Eosin Methylene Blue Agar. For Mycoplasma spp. isolation, milk samples were transferred to PPLO broth and PPLO agar. For phenotypic identification, cultures were evaluated according to the colony morphology, hemolysis on BA and Gram staining properties, and then were subjected to biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibilities of isolates were determined by Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion Test. Results: As a result of bacteriological studies, 229 Staphylococcus spp., 7 Corynebacterium spp., 16 Bacillus spp., 5 Acinetobacter spp., 2 Escherichia coli, and 2 Mycoplasma spp. were isolated from milk samples of 120 cows. As a result of antibiogram, the majority of isolates have found sensitive to cefoxitin (30 μg) and imipenem (10 μg) and the highest resistance among the isolates was determined against to penicillin (10 μg). Conclusion: The screening of subclinical mastitis at certain periods in enterprises, the proper characterization to be determined by isolation and identification of agent are crucial for the profitability and sustainability of dairy farming

Isolation and moleculer identification of thermophilic campylobacter species from mallard (anas platyrhynchos)

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the Camplyobacter species which adversely affect human and animal health in mallard. Materials and Methods: 110 stool samples were collected from the mallard and examined by the cultural and molecular method. For pre-enrichment step, samples were inoculated with Preston Campylobacter Enrichment Broth. At the end of the incubation, preenriched culture was inoculated on Preston Campylobacter Selective Agar and the plates were incubated for 48-72 hours at 42°C. The cultures in which the growth was observed were first evaluated for the colony morphology and then for microscopic appearance. Suspected colonies were examined with multiplex PCR. Results: In this study, Campylobacter spp. was found in 10 (9.1%) of the 110 stool specimens. All 10 isolates were typed as Campylobacter jejuni by multiplex PCR. Conclusion: In this study, Campylobacter was detected in mallards and it was concluded that mallard may be an important reservoir for Campylobacter species. Besides, since Kars area is on the migration route of birds, it is important to examine the migratory birds and to determine the infections which birds have the potential