Parasitological and molecular prevalence of bovine Theileria and Babesia species in the vicinity of Kayseri

This study was carried out to detect and compare the prevalence of bovine Theileria and Babesia species in the vicinity of Kayseri by microscopic examinations (ME) and reverse line blotting (RLB). A total of 337 cattle usually grazed on pasture in 13 different regions of Kayseri were sampled randomly. Blood samples were collected into tubes containing EDTA from jugular veins. Thin blood smears were prepared from ear capillaries. On microscopic examination of smears, 51 (15.1%) were positive for piroplasms. In the RLB assay, 61 (18.1%) were positive for T. annulata and 3 (0.9%) for T. buffeli/orientalis. Two (0.6%) of the animals were infected with B. bigemina and also had a concurrent infection of T. annulata. No animals were positive for B. bovis or B. divergens. The differences between ME and RLB results were statistically significant (P < 0.05)

Status of tick infestation of cattle in the Kayseri region of Turkey

This study was carried out to determine the status of tick infestation of cattle in the Kayseri region in Turkey. Eight hundred and sixty-six cattle and their barns in 12 localities were examined during the period of June 2000-November 2001, where 188 (21.7%) of which were infested by ticks. A total of 1,585 ticks consisting of Rhipicephalus turanicus (2.27%), R. bursa (2.14%), R. sanguineus (0.94%), Hyalomma marginatum (17.16%), H. anatolicum excavatum (24.73%), H. a. anatolicum (19.62%), Dermacentor niveus (1%), Boophilus annulatus (16.71%), Ornithodorus lahorensis (0.25%), Hyalomma sp. nymphs (7.31%), and Boophilus annulatus nymphs (7.82%) were collected. Seasonal fluctuation of ticks was also determined in this region. Rhipicephalus species were generally found in spring, others like Hyalomma in late spring, summer, and early autumn, B. annulatus in September, October, and December, D. niveus in December, January, and February, and O. lahorensis in December. Immature forms (nymphs) of Hyalomma species were found in summer and autumn, while B. annulatus nymphs were observed in October, November, and December

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

Prevalence and epidemiological aspects of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs from Kayseri Province, Turkey

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection and to investigate the risk factors related to heartworm disease in dogs from Kayseri, Turkey. Blood samples were collected from 280 dogs from May 2005 to March 2006 and were examined by membrane filtration-acid phosphatase histochemical staining and antigen Elisa techniques to detect circulating microfilariae and antigens of D. immitis, respectively. Of the total of 280 dogs, 27 were positive for D. immitis with a prevalence value of 9.6%. In addition 29.6% of positive dogs determined to have occult D. immitis infections. D. immitis was the only canine filarial parasite present in the study area. The mean number of microfilariae in infected dogs was 4730 +/- 5479 per ml of blood. The highest heartworm prevalence were observed in 7-10 age group (28.6%) followed by 4-6 (17.1%) and 0.5-3 (4.8%) age groups. The differences between 0.5-3 and other age groups were found significant, whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between 4-6 and 7-10 age groups. The infection was more prevalent in males, larger breeds and the dogs not on prophylaxis. No statistically significant difference was observed between stray and owned dogs. Our results suggest that heartworm treatment and prophylaxis should be considered in Kayseri Province. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Detection of Theileria and Babesia species in ticks collected from cattle

The present study was carried out to detect tick species that infest cattle, and Theileria and Babesia species transmitted by these ticks in Kayseri province (Turkey). A total of 300 cattle were examined for tick infestations. Of the 300 cattle, 14 7 (39%) were infested with ticks. A total of 1160 ticks belonging to I I Ixodid genera were collected from the infested animals and their shelters. The most prevalent tick species was Boophilus annulatus 26.37% (306/1160) followed by Hyalomma marginatum marginatum 21.12% (245/1160) and Rhipicephalus turanicus 18.7% (217/1160). The collected ticks were separated into 43 tick pools, according to their species. These pools were examined for bovine Theileria and Babesia species (Thederia sp., Babesia sp., Theileria annulata, T buffelilorientalis, Babesia bigemina, B. bovis and B. divergens) by using the reverse line blotting method (RLB). Of the 43 tick pools examined, 6 (14%) were infected with B. bigemina, 4 (9.3%) with T annulata, and 1 (2.3%) with Babesia sp., whereas 1 (2.3%) displayed mixed infection with T annulata + B. bigemina. The sequence and phylogenetic analyses of Babesia sp., which could not be identified to the species level by RLB, were performed. In the phylogenetic tree, Babesia sp. (Kayseri 1) grouped with Babesia sp. (Kashi 2), Babesia sp. (Kashi 1), Babesia sp. (Xinjiang) and B. orientalis with 96.8-100% identity. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

The curative and antioxidative efficiency of doramectin and doramectin plus vitamin AD(3)E treatment on Psoroptes cuniculi infestation in rabbits

In the present study, the efficiency of the administration of doramectin (DOR) and DOR + vitamin AD(3)E (VIT), and the influence of these agents on oxidative stress parameters in rabbits infested by Psoroptes cuniculi (P. cuniculi) were investigated. DOR (200 mu g/kg) and DOR (200 mu g/kg) + VIT AD(3)E were administered to infested rabbits intramuscularly (IM). The administration of DOR and DOR + VIT improved the healing of ear lesions on day seven. Increase in the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level and erythrocyte catalase (CAT) activity, and decrease in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined in infested rabbits. In the rabbits which were administered DOR + VIT, plasma MDA levels decreased, and erythrocyte GSH-Px and SOD activities increased on day seven. In conclusion, DOR and DOR + VIT combination were effective against P. cunuculi infestation. Infestation stimulated oxidative stress. VIT treatment resulted in antioxidant activity against oxidative stress induced by P. cuniculi infestation. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Aedes vexans and Culex pipiens as the potential vectors of Dirofilaria immitis in Central Turkey

This study was carried out to investigate the potential vectors and relative mosquito infection rates of Dirofilaria immitis throughout two mosquito seasons (2008-2009) in Kayseri province where is located in Central Anatolian part of Turkey. For this aim, totally 1198 genomic DNA pools, extracted and grouped according to the species and collection site (1-17 specimens/pool) from 6153 mosquito specimens, were examined by PCR using species-specific primers for D. immitis. The captured mosquitoes from 46 focuses were survived under in vitro conditions for 7 days to allow the development of larval stages of D. immitis. DNA extraction was performed individually to both thorax-head and abdomens in order to determine infective and infected mosquito specimens, respectively. The most abundant mosquito species in the study area was determined as Ae. vexans (51.7%) and this was followed by Cx. pipiens (42.1%), Cx. theileri (3.1%), Cs. annulata (1.5%), An. maculipennis (1.0%) and Cx. hortensis (0.6%). The PCR results indicated that 9/312 and 12/312 pools from Ae. vexans abdomens and thorax-heads were positive for filarial DNAs, respectively where as 3/241 pools of each abdomens and thorax-heads from Cx. pipiens were positive for D. immitis DNAs. The minimum infection rates (MIRs) for Ae. vexans and Cx. pipiens were calculated as 0.41 and 0.12, respectively. Although D. immitis DNA's were found in both pools from Ae. vexans and Cx. pipiens, the calculated MIRs provide evidence that Ae. vexans could be the main potential vector of D. immitis in Kayseri. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved