An Overview of One Health Concept Focusing on Toxoplasmosis

The "One Health" concept is a universal approach to sustainably balancing and optimizing the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems. This approach is based on the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, and plants in a wider environment in which self-renewable ecosystems exist, with essential characteristics of integration, unifying and holistic perspective. Toxoplasmosis, one of the most common zoonotic infections in both terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems in the world, is an ideal model disease for the “One Health” approach. Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the obligate intracellular pathogen protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. In the life cycle of T. gondii, the definitive host is domestic cats and felines, and the intermediate hosts are all mammals (including humans), birds and reptiles. The infected cats have primary importance and play a crucial role in the contamination of habitats in the ecosystems with T. gondii oocysts. Thus, ecosystems with domestic cats and stray cats are contaminated with cat feces infected with T. gondii oocytes. T. gondii positivity has been scientifically demonstrated in all warm-blooded animals in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The disease causes deaths and abortions in farm animals, resulting in great economic losses. However, the disease causes great problems in humans, especially pregnant women. During pregnancy, it may have effects such as congenital infections, lesions in the eye and brain of the fetus, premature birth, intrauterine growth retardation, fever, pneumonia, thrombocytopenia, ocular lesions, encephalitis, and abortion. The mechanism of death and abortion of the fetus in a pregnant woman infected with T. gondii occurs as a result of complete disruption of the maternal immune mechanism. The struggle against toxoplasmosis requires the universal collaboration and coordination of the World Organization for Animal Health, the World Health Organization and the World Food Organization in the "One Health" concept and integrative approaches of all responsible disciplines. Establishing universal environmental safety with the prevention and control of toxoplasmosis requires the annihilation of the feces of the infected cats using suitable techniques firstly. Then routinely, the monitoring and treatment of T. gondii positivity in cats, avoiding contact with contaminated foods and materials, and development of modern treatment and vaccine options. Particularly, mandatory monitoring or screening of T. gondii positivity during the pregnancy period in humans should be done. It would be beneficial to replace the French model, especially in the monitoring of disease in humans. In this article, the ecology of toxoplasmosis was reviewed at the base of the "One Health" concept

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii detected by the Sabin-Feldman dye test in sheep in the region of Gümüşhacıköy (Amasya)

Bu çalışma Amasya yöresinde koyunlarda toxoplasmosis'in seroprevalansını saptamak amaciyla yapılmıştır. Bunun için Temmuz 1999 ve Ağustos 1999 tarihlerinde Guümsşhacıköy ilçesine bağlı ceşitli köylerden 1 yaşın üstünde 108 koyundan kan alınmış, ve serumları Sabin-Feldman testi ile Toxoplasma antikorları bakmından kontrol edilmiştir. Bu test sonucunda 108 koyundan 72'si (%66.6) seropozitif ve 36'si (%33.3) seronegatif bulunmuştur. Seropozitif koyunlardan sulandirma basamağı 1/16'da 33 pozitif serum, 1/64'de 23 pozitif serum, 1/256'da 13 pozitif serum ve 1/1024'de 3 pozitif serum saptanmiştir,Between July and August 1999, this study was carried in order to detect the Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in sheep in Amasya. Using the Sabin-Feldman test Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were determined in 108 sera from sheep over one year of age in Gümüşhaciköy Out of 108 sheep, 72 (66.6%) were found to be seropositive and 36 (33.3%), seronegative. The titers in the group of seropositive sheep were as follows: at 1/16 33 sera were positive; at 1/64, 23; at 1/256, 13; and at 1/1024, 3

Seroprevalance of Toxoplasma gondii in cattle in the region of Amasya

Bu çalışma Amasya yöresinde sığırlarda toxoplasmosis'in seroprevalansım saptamak için yapılmıştır. Bu amaçla Temmuz ve Ağustos 1999'da Gümüşhacıköy ilçesine bağlı çeşitli köylerden rastgele seçilen toplam 100 sığırdan kan alınmış ve serumları Sabin-Feldman testi ile Toxoplasma gondii antikorları bakımından kontrol edilmiştir. Bu test sonucunda 100 sığırdan 58'i (%58) seropozitif ve 42'si (%42) seronegatif bulunmuştur. Seropozitif sığırlardan 32'si 1/16, 19'u 1/64, 6'sı 1/256, l'i de 1/1024 dilüsyonlarda pozitiflik vermişlerdir.This study was carried between July and August 1999 out in cattle to determine the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in Amasya. A totaly 100 sera taken from cattle were examined with respect to Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using the Sabin Feldman Dye Test (SFDT). As a result, 58 of 100 cattle (%58) were found seropositive and 42 of 100 cattle (%42) were found seronegative. In the group of seropositive cattle, it was found that 32 sera samples were positive at the 1/16 dilution, 19 sera samples at the 1/64 dilution, 6 sera samples at the 1/256 dilution and 1 sera sample at the 1/1024 dilution

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) in Niğde Province, Turkey

Bu çalışma, Niğde yöresinde Niğde Ömer Halisdemir Üniversitesi uygulama kümesinde yetiştirilen bıldırcınlarda (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Toxoplasma gondii'nin seroprevalansının belirlenmesi amacı ile yapılmıştır. Bu amaçla, 139'u erkek ve 5'i dişi olmak üzere toplam 144 bıldırcından elde edilen kan serumu örnekleri Sabin-Feldman boya testi (SFDT) ile anti-Toxoplasma gondii antikorları yönünden incelenmişlerdir. Bu test sonucunda incelenen 144 bıldırcın serumunun tümü T. gondii antikorları yönünden seronegatif bulunmuştur. Bu durum endüstriyel olarak üretilen bıldırcınların daha iyi yetiştirme koşullarına sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak bu çalışma ile Niğde yöresinde bıldırcınlarda ilk kez toxoplasmosis varlığı serolojik yöntemle araştırılmış ve seropozitiflik tespit edilememiştir.The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii. Quails were obtained from Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University poultry. A total of 144 (139 male and 5 female) quails were used for collection of blood samples. The sera were tested for T. gondii antibodies using the Sabin Feldman Dye Test (SFDT). All of the 144 quail serum samples tested were seronegative for T. gondii antibodies. This situtation shows that the quails produced in a industrial way have better breeding conditions. In conclusion, this is the first serological study on toxoplasmosis in the quails in the Niğde province of Turkey and seropositivity could not be detected in this stud

Niğde yöresinde evcil (Columba livia domestica) ve yabani güvercinlerde (Columba livia livia) toxoplasma gondii antikorlarının prevalansı

Amaç: Bu çalışma, Niğde yöresinde evcil (Columba livia domestica) ve yabani (Columba livia livia) güvercinlerde Toxoplasma gondii’nin seroprevalansının saptanması amacı ile yapılmıştır. Yöntemler: Bu amaçla Ekim 2003-Haziran 2004 tarihleri arasında Niğde yöresinden 105’i evcil (53 dişi, 58 erkek) toplam 216 güvercinden kan alınmış ve serumları çıkarılmıştır. Elde edilen serumlar T. gondii antikorları açısından Sabin-Feldman boya testi ile incelenmişlerdir. Bulgular: Test sonucunda 105 evcil güvercinin 1’i (%0.95) ve 111 yabani güvercinin 1’i (%0.90) 1/16 T. gondii antikorları yönünden titrede seropozitif bulunmuştur. Sonuç: Bu çalışma, Niğde ilinde evcil ve yabani güvercinlerdeki toxoplasmosis üzerine yapılan ilk serolojik çalışmadır.Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii specifi c antibodies in domestic (Columba livia domestica) and wild (Columba livia livia) pigeons between October 2003-June 2004. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 216 pigeons, consisting of 105 (55 female, 50 male) domestic pigeons and 111 (53 female, 58 male) wild pigeons. The sera were tested for T. gondii antibodies using the Sabin Feldman Dye Test (SFDT). Results: One of the 105 (0.95%) domestic pigeon and one of the 111 (0.90%) wild pigeon were found to be seropositive for T. gondii antibodies at the titer of 1:16. Conclusion: This is the fi rst serological study on toxoplasmosis in the domestic and wild pigeon in the Niğde region of Turkey

Investigation of Antibodies against Listeria monocytogenes in ram and ewes in Ankara province

Bu çalışma kurbanlık için Ankara’da satılan koç ve koyunlarda Listeriosis seroprevalansını belirlemek için yapıldı. Listeria monocytogenes’e karşı oluşan antikorlar Osebold Aglütinasyon Testi (OAT) ile belirlendi. 205 serum örneğinin 112’sinde (%54.6) Listeriosis yönünden seropozitiflik tespit edildi. Bu sonuçlar ile Ankara’ da kurbanlık için satılan koyun ve keçilerde Listeria monocytogenes’in yaygın olduğu gözlendi.This study was conducted on determination seroprevalance of listeriosis in sacrifial ewes and rams in Ankara. Antibody titers were detected against Listeria monocytogenes by Osebold Agglutination Test (OAT). 112 sera of 205 were found as seropositive (%54.6) against Listeriosis. According to this study, Listeria monocytogenes was determined as a common disease in rams and ewes for sacrify in Ankara

An unknown side effect of isotretinoin: Pericardial effusion with atrial tachycardia

acne vulgaris and other dermatologic disorders. Systemic isotretinoin therapy may cause some cardiac side effects, like atrial tachycardia (1), congenital heart disease, and cardiac remodeling (2), reported as case reports. A 26-year-old female presented to the emergency unit of with syncope after a long palpitation episode. Her physical examination was normal except for tachycardia. A 12-lead electrocardiogram revealed atrial tachycardia, and the heart rate was 149 beats/min. After a 25-mg intravenous injection of diltiazem hydrochloride bolus, the atrial tachycardia terminated and normal sinus rhythm was sustained. Her laboratory tests and chest X-ray were normal. Echocardiography revealed normal left ventricular function and pericardial effusion of 0.8 cm at posterior side, 0.9 cm at the right atrial side and 1.3 cm at the right ventricle side. Several atrial tachycardia episodes were detected on rhythm Holter. During the longest episode of atrial tachycardia, the heart rate was 149 beats/min. The patient had been on oral isotretinoin therapy of 0.5 mg/kg/day for the previous 4 months because of nodular acne and was not using any other medication. After consulting with a dermatology physician, isotretinoin was stopped. Holter analysis revealed whole-day sinus rhythm 2 months after the drug therapy was interrupted. Echocardiography revealed gradual regression of pericardial effusion at the follow-up

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and intestinal parasites in stray cats from Nigde, Turkey

The prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was investigated by the Sabin-Feldman Dye test (SFDT) in 72 stray cats from Nigde, Turkey. A total of 55 (76.4%) of the analysed sera had antibodies to T. gondii. The seropositivity of T. gondii was 77.1% in male and 75.7% in female cats (P>0.05). Faeces of these cats were also examined by zinc sulphate flotation method for the presence of parasite oocysts and eggs of other parasites. Two protozoan parasites were identified as Isospora spp. (12.5%) and Eimeria spp. (4.1%) in cats. Toxoplasma gondii oocysts were not found in any faecal samples analysed. Two parasitic helminth species were observed: Toxocara cati (15.2%) and Toxascaris leonina (20.8%). These common ascarids were recorded for the first time in cats from Nigde