The occurrence and levels of cyanotoxin nodularin from Nodularia spumigena in the alkaline and salty Lake Burdur, Turkey

The occurrence of cyanobacteria species Nodularia spumigena and its toxin nodularin were studied in Burdur Lake, a saline alkaline lake with endemic fauna and a Ramsar site of ornithological importance. The water samples were collected from three different locations of Lake Burdur between May and November of 2011. Abundance of Nodularia spumigena and the nodularin levels peaked at the end of July (112,147 cells mL-1 and 4.82 µg L-1), coinciding with the highest levels of chlorophyll a (Chl a) (27.15 µg L-1) and the water temperature (29oC). Although fish or other animal deaths were not detected during the episodes, it is concluded that N. spumigena blooming should be monitored in Burdur Lake for the ecosystem and environmental health. </p

Relationship between seropositivity of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and renal biochemical markers in clinically healthy rabbits

WOS: 000471803700012Encephalitozoon cuniculi can cause latent disease, especially in lagomorphs and many wild and domestic animals in various countries. This infection is important for veterinary and public health because it is caused by a potentially zoonotic and opportunistic pathogen. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between seropositivity of E. cuniculi and renal function markers, which may be useful in predicting the disease in clinically healthy rabbits. In this study, the seropositivity of E. cuniculi infection in clinically healthy rabbits was determined, and necropsy fmdings were evaluated along with the results of renal function tests. In a laboratory rabbit breeding facility, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests showed that 48 (49.5%) of 97 rabbits were seropositive against E. cuniculi. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were significantly elevated in seropositive animals. Two seropositive rabbits were necropsied to confirm the infection. According to histopathological findings in the kidney, degenerative changes and E. cuniculi spores were identified in the tubule epithelia. Serum creatinine (p<0.001) and BUN (p<0.01) levels were found to have a statistically significant relationship with the serological status of rabbits. Serological and histopathological methods are not routinely used in rabbits to diagnose E. cuniculi infection. The kidneys were one of the most affected organs in encephalitozoonosis in rabbits. As revealed in this study, the testing blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels would be useful for the evaluation of general health status and renal function of the seropositive rabbits, and clinical interpretation as well