Molecular detection and prevalence of feline hemotropic mycoplasmas in Istanbul, Turkey

The aim of this study was to investigate Mycoplasma spp. species in blood samples of the domestic cats from the province of Istanbul, Turkey. Three hundred eighty four blood samples of client-owned cats were used for the identification of Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (CMhm) and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis (CMt) by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) assays. Out of 384 blood samples, 74 (19.3%) were positive for one of Mycoplasma species. The total prevalence of Mhf, CMhm and CMt infections was 9.9%, 17.7% and 0.8% respectively. The most common species was CMhm. Co-infections were mostly with Mhf/CMhm and the frequency was 8.1%. Two cats were infected with three species. The current study was the first molecular prevalence study of hemotropic mycoplasmas in Istanbul, reporting the presence of CMt for the first time in Turkey. Prevalence of feline mycoplasma was notably high in Istanbul and PCR assay could be preferred rather than the microscopic examination for the diagnosis

Molecular Detection And Typing Of Anaplasma Species In Small Ruminants In Thrace Region Of Turkey

This study was conducted to determine the presence and distribution of Anaplasma ovis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in small ruminants in Istanbul, Tekirdag, Edirne and Kirklareli provinces in Thrace region of northwestern Turkey during May-September in 2014. A total of 423 blood samples (216 sheep and 207 goats) were collected randomly from small ruminants regardless of the clinical symptoms. Species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, targeting the major surface protein 4 (msp4), were employed for identification of A. ovis and A. phagocytophilum and selected products were confirmed via sequencing. A total of 230 small ruminants (54.37%) were found to be infected with A. ovis and/or A. phagocytophilum. The rates of infected animals for A. ovis and A. phagocytophilum were 50.83% (215/423) and 8.51% (36/423) respectively. Coinfection rate in small ruminants was determined as 4.96% (21/423). Sequence diversity rates of 0-0.94% for A. ovis and 0.41-2.49% for A. phagocytophilum have been observed. This is the first detection of A. ovis and A. phagocytophilum in sheep and goats in Thrace region of northwestern Turkey via polymerase chain reaction and sequence characterization. Further researches are needed to determine the vectors, vector-host interactions and genotypic variants that may affect the presence and distribution of Anaplasma species in the region.WoSScopu

Serum protein electrophoresis in dogs with intestinal parasites

The serum of 66 dogs with intestinal parasites (showing gastrointestinal problems caused by taeniosis, coccidiosis, ancylostomosis, trichuriosis and ascarididosis) was examined by electrophoresis. There were 6 dogs with coccidiosis, 6 dogs with ancylostomosis, 6 dogs with trichuriosis. 24 dogs with taeniosis and 24 dogs with ascarididosis. After agar gel protein electorphoresis of the serum samples, alpha 1 globulin levels were significantly lower in the coccidiosis group than in the other groups (p<0.05). While alpha 2 globulin levels increased in the ancylostomosis group (p<0.05), these levels decreased significantly in the dogs with ascarididosis (p<0.05). There was no change in beta and gamma globulin levels in any of the groups. While the protein level increased in the dogs with taeniosis (p<0.05), these levels were lower in the coccididosis group than in the other groups (p<0.05)