Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. Infections in Arab Horses, Southwest of Iran

Background: Because of the economic importance of the Arab race horses and also the role of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in abortion and reproductive failure of these animals, we decided to perform this study. Objectives: We designed this study to investigate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora spp. antibodies in Arab horses from 12 cities of Khuzestan province in southwest of Iran. Materials and Methods: From October 2009 to March 2011, a total of 235 blood samples were collected from jugular veins of Arab horses of different ages and genders from 12 cities of Khuzestan province. All the sera were tested for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT) and the existence of anti-Neospora antibodies were tested using N-MAT for Neospora spp. Results: According to the MAT results, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 114 (48.5%) of 235 sera with titers of 1:20 in 84, 1:40 in 19, 1:80 in four, 1:160 in four, and 1:320 in three horses. According to the N-MAT results, antibodies to Neospora spp. were found in 47 (20%) of 235 sera with titers of 1:40 in 39, 1:80 in five, and 1:160 in three horses. We did not observe any statistically significant differences regarding age groups and genders between seropositive and seronegative horses for Neospora spp. using chi-square (chi(2)) test, but it seemed that anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were more prevalent in older horses ( >= 10 years old). Conclusions: The results indicated that Arab horses are exposed to these parasites in southwest of Iran. Further research is required to determine the genomic structures of these parasites in Arab horses in southwest of Iran

The first record of the mite (Hirstiella sp.) on a green iguana from Turkey and its therapy with fipronil - a case report

GAZYAGCI, SERKAL/0000-0002-0043-6942WOS: 000298907600010The aim of this case was to document the occurrence of a mite (Hirstiella sp) on a green iguana and therapy to treat it with a 0.25% fipronil spray. Upon physical examination, a number of red mites, erythema, darkness, and itching were observed on the skin of a green iguana and Hirstiella sp. was diagnosed after microscopic examination. Treatment consisted of a 0.25% fipronil spray once weekly for three weeks. Fipronil was also sprayed into the cage. Mites were eliminated completely from both the body of the green iguana and its cage after the second application and clinical remission was observed

Kırıkkale Yöresinde Bulunan Küçük Ruminantlarda Mavidil, Maedi-Visna ve Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Enfeksiyonlarının Serolojik ve Epidemiyolojik Araştırılması

Viral infections cause important problems and significant economic loses in sheep and goats that can be protected by an investigation of infections. This study aimed to determine the sheep and goat viral infections including bluetongue virus (BTV), maedi-visna virus (MVV) and caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) in Kirikkale city located in Central Anatolia region of Turkey. Blood samples collected from 279 sheep and 146 goats were tested by ELISA, RT-nested PCR and nested PCR. It was detected that antibody response to BTV (49.8%), CAEV (7.5%) and MVV (19.4%) were seropositivity values in all serum samples. BTV (2.87%) and MVV (9.25%) antigens were detected in seropositive whole blood samples via RT-nested PCR and nested PCR but not CAEV. It was found that double positive animals (14.6%) for MVV and BTV in sheep but not goat. As a conclusion sheep and goat were infected with naturally BTV, CAEV and MVV in Kirikkale region. This study showed that this the first report for BTV, MVV and CAEV infections from Kirikkale region. Therefore infections are needed to be further investigations to determine detailed survey studies

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in sheep in Aydin region in Turkey

This study was carried out on 100 sheep in Aydin region, in Turkey between March and April 2002. The serum samples were tested with Sabin Feldman dye test (DT) to detect antibodies against T. gondii. Of 100 sheep serum samples tested with DT, 72 (72%) were positive. Titers of 16, 64, 256 and 1024 were found in 23 (31.94%), 25 (34.72%), 20 (27.77%) and 4 (5.55%) of the 72 seropositive sheep

Usage of inactivated microsporum canis vaccine in cats naturally infected with M. canis

The aim: In the present study the aim was to investigate the efficiency of inactivated M. canis vaccine in cats naturally infected with M. canis. Material and methods: 38 long-haired cats at the age of 6 months-6 years, naturally infected with M. canis were included in the present study. At physical examination well-circumscribed areas of alopecia and overflowed circumscribed dark color lesions especially on the head (between ear, pinna and neck), front paws, dorsal and lateral trunk and back, in some cats moist, chapped and itchy lesions and otitis were detected. Microbiological culture from the lesions was positive only for M. canis. The cats were treated with inactivated M. canis vaccine (Biocan-M-Micanfin, Bioveta) 15 days apart for 2 times and 11 cats did not received any therapy. Results: In all of the cats vaccinated the lesions improved gradually within 15 days after vaccination. Complete clinical remission was detected and all cats became culture negative within 28 days. No clinical healing was observed in untreated 11 control cats. By day 70 a new and healthy cat, detected to have no lesions consistent with dermatophytosis and negative culture result, was introduced into the same house within the vaccinated cats. After being introduced the cats were recultured by day 90 and all of the vaccinated cats and the new cat were detected to have negative culture results. No recurrency was observed within 10 months after therapy. Conclusion: Results of the present study indicate that inactivated M. canis vaccine may be a safe and effective therapy for M. canis infection. Copyright © 2006 Cornetis

The relationship of Coxiella burnetii seropositmty between farm animals and their owners: A pilot study

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. This study aimed to detect the relationship of C. burnetii seropositivity between farm animal owners and their animals. Blood serums of 20 farm animal owners, 32 cow and 88 sheep were investigated with indirect Immuno Fluorescent Assay (IFA) using C. burnetii phase I and II antigens. Milk samples of the same animals were tested for C. burnetii by PCR. The serological test results of animals and their owners were compared by statistically methods to reveal the interdependence and correlations. The seropositivities of IgG antibodies against C. burnetii were 90.0% for farm animal owners, 53.1% for cows and 63.6% for sheep. All of the animal owners were consuming dairy products made from their own animals raw milk. However, as shown by PCR results, none of the tested cows and sheep were responsible for shedding of C. burnetii through their milks. Although, there was no correlation between the shedding pattern and serological results of animals, there was a significant correlation between the serological results of animals and their owners for both phase I and II antigens against C. burnetii. There are statistically important relationships between farm animals and their owners about phase I and phase II IgG titration levels against C. burnetii. Moreover, there was close dependency between the presence of chronic C. burnetii infections in animals and their owners. On the other hand, serological results of milk samples are not in significant correlation with the serologically dependency of animals and their owners. © Medwell Journals, 2010

Investigation of seroprevalance of toxoplasmosis in mares and stallions in Ankara province, Turkey

GAZYAGCI, SERKAL/0000-0002-0043-6942WOS: 000299717400013The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in mares and stallions in the province of Ankara. Sera from 168 clinically healthy horses were tested for the presence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies using the Sabin Feldman dye test. Toxoplasma gondii infection was determined in 62 (36.9%) of 168 horses with the titers ranging from 1:16 to 1:256

Türkiye kırıkkale yöresinde koyunlar arasında pestivirüs enfeksiyonlarının serolojik ve moleküler karakterizasyonu

Border diseases virus causes economical loss in the sheep flocks and have high seroprevalence in the world. In the study 1075 samples from 25 sheep flocks obtained from Kirikkale and all district in the province of Kirikkale (Turkey) were used. Antibodies against pestivirus detected in 74.51% of 1075 sera samples using ELISA. However, range of seropositivity varied between 8.4% and 100% in the each sheep flocks. The correlation between seropositivity and race, age, and gender were investigated. While no relationships between seropositivity and gender and age were detected, a statistically significant correlation was noticed between the race of sheep and positive antibody response to pestivirus (P<0.05). Virus detection studies demonstrated that rate of viremic animals which did not show antibody response against to pestivirus in the sampling time was 4.37%. 5'UTR region of the infecting viruses were amplified through reverse transcription and nested PCR. PCR experiments after which sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were carried out. Accordingly, the viruses infecting the sheep flocks were different than BDV from previously reported from Turkey but very close to related to pestivirus type 3

Seroprevalence of Q fever in dairy cattle in the Konya province, Turkey

GAZYAGCI, SERKAL/0000-0002-0043-6942; Celebi, Bekir/0000-0002-4545-5573WOS: 000296110500001The present study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of Q fever among the dairy cattle in the Konya province, Central Anatolia, Turkey. Specifically, sera samples were collected from 322 dairy cattle and the presence of IgG antibodies occurred against Coxiella burnetii phase II was identified by an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) test using the 1:32 dilution as positive threshold. A total of 40 cows (seroprevalence: 12.4%) gave positive results. No association was evidenced between the seropositivity and reproductive disorders or the tick presence. These results indicate that C. burnetii was implanted in the dairy cattle in both the Konya province and Central Anatolia, Turkey