Prevalence and risk factors associated with Fasciola hepatica in cattle from Kayseri province, Turkey

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica and to investigate the related risk factors in cattle from Kayseri, Turkey. Faecal and blood samples were collected from 282 cattle from May 2004 to April 2005 and were examined by modified McMaster sedimentation and ELISA techniques to detect Fasciolar sp. eggs and anti-F. hepatica antibodies, respectively. Of the total of 282 cattle, 184 were seropositive for F. hepatica with a prevalence of 65.2%. In addition 24.5% of seropositive cattle had fluke eggs in the faecal examination. The mean number of EPG in infected cattle was 42.8 +/- 4.4. The highest prevalence was observed in >= 6 age group (87.2%) followed by 3-5 (79.5%) and 0.05) was observed between 3-5 and 6 age groups. The infection was more prevalent in females (70.7%) than males (47.8%) and in cattle from the traditional farms (76.5%) than the small-scale dairy farms (37.2%). No statistically significant difference (p>0.05) was observed related to breed. Our results highlight the importance of initiating a control program for fasciolosis based on regular treatment and prophylaxis in Kayseri Province

Comparative Diagnosis of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in Cattle by Reverse Line Blotting, Nested PCR and Real Time PCR Techniques

This study was carried out to compare Reverse Line Blotting (RLB), Nested PCR and Real Time PCR techniques in the molecular diagnosis of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in cattle. Genomic DNA extractions were performed on 400 blood samples which were previously collected from cattle in various provinces of Turkey and stored in the laboratory with respect to use in different project studies. The concentrations of the DNAs were measured in NanoDrop spectrophotometer and analyzed by RLB, Nested PCR and Real Time PCR techniques after preparing the suitable concentrations. Totally 18 (4.50%), 59 (14.75%), 16 (4.00%) and 2 (0.50%) of examined samples were found to be infected with B. bovis, B. bigemina, Babesia spp. and B. bovis + B. bigemina mix, respectively by RLB. 23 (5.75%), 71 (17.75%), 7 (1.75%) and 23 (5.75%), 75 (18.75%), 9 (2.00%) of the examined samples were found to be infected with B. bovis, B. bigemina and B. bovis + B. bigemina mix by Nested PCR and Real Time PCR, respectively. When comparing the Nested PCR and RLB results with Real Time PCR assay, 94.4% and 88.8% sensitivity and both 100.0% specificity were determined, respectively. 5, 9 and 2 out of the total 16 Babesia spp. positivity's in RLB test were determined as B. bigemina, B. bovis, B. bovis + B. bigemina mix, respectively by both Real Time and Nested PCR. In conclusion, Real Time PCR was found to be more sensitive than Nested PCR and RLB in the investigation of B. bovis and B. bigemina in cattle with this study