AIMSurv: First pan-European harmonized surveillance of Aedes invasive mosquito species of relevance for human vector-borne diseases

Human and animal vector-borne diseases, particularly mosquito-borne diseases, are emerging or re-emerging worldwide. Six Aedes invasive mosquito (AIM) species were introduced to Europe since the 1970s: Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Ae. japonicus, Ae. koreicus, Ae. atropalpus and Ae. triseriatus. Here, we report the results of AIMSurv2020, the first pan-European surveillance effort for AIMs. Implemented by 42 volunteer teams from 24 countries. And presented in the form of a dataset named “AIMSurv Aedes Invasive Mosquito species harmonized surveillance in Europe. AIM-COST Action. Project ID: CA17108”. AIMSurv2020 harmonizes field surveillance methodologies for sampling different AIMs life stages, frequency and minimum length of sampling period, and data reporting. Data include minimum requirements for sample types and recommended requirements for those teams with more resources. Data are published as a Darwin Core archive in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility- Spain, comprising a core file with 19,130 records (EventID) and an occurrences file with 19,743 records (OccurrenceID). AIM species recorded in AIMSurv2020 were Ae. albopictus, Ae. japonicus and Ae. koreicus, as well as native mosquito species

Tapeworm Infections in Stray Dogs and Cats in Istanbul, Turkey

This study was performed to determine the tapeworm infections of stray dogs and cats in Istanbul, Turkey. Stool samples were obtained from animals in a temporary animal rehabilitation center in Istanbul. Stools were examined microscopically for tapeworm eggs by saturated salt water flotation and by Teleman's sedimentation (for fatty stools) method and macroscopically for proglottids. Infected animals were treated with praziquantel (Cestacit Injectable Solution (R) Topkim, Turkey) at a dose of 5.68 active ingredient/kg bw and stools were re-examined daily until no parasite was seen for two consecutive days in terms of proglottids and scolices macroscopically and eggs microscopically. Out of 250 dogs, 26 (10.4%) were found to be infected with tapeworms, 16 (6.4%) with Dipylidium caninum, 10 (4%) with Taenia spp., and 2 (0.8%) with Echinococcus granulosus and, 2 (4.65%) of 43 cats had Joyeuxiella pasqualei infection

Effectiveness of eprinomectin 0.5% pour-on against gastrointestinal nematodes in naturally infected cattle

Effectiveness of eprinomectin, which until now has not been assessed in Turkey, was tested against gastrointestinal nematodes of naturally infected cattle under field conditions in Adapazari, Sakarya. Out of 25 cattle used in trial, 17 were treated with eprinomectin and 8 were kept as untreated controls. To determine gastrointestinal nematode fauna, a fecal culture was prepared from the mixed fecal samples of 25 trial cattle at 26-27 degrees C for 3 weeks. Eprinomectin 0.5% pour-on (Eprinomec 0.5% Dokme Cozelti (R), TOPKIM) at the recommended dose of 1 mL/10 kg bw (0.5 mg active ingredient/kg bw) was applied along the backline of each animal (day 0). It was determined that the gastrointestinal nematode fauna of 25 trial cows comprised Nematodirus (17%), Strongyloides (9%), Trichostrongylus (24%), Ostertagia (20%), Haemonchus (12%), Cooperia (10%), Oesophagostomum (6%), and Bunostomum (2%) genera. A t-test for independent samples showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the log (EPG + 1) values of control and treatment groups on the treatment day (day 0), whereas the differences were significant (P 99.5% according to geometric means and > 97.3% according to arithmetic means. However, effectiveness against individual nematode species may differ somewhat from these percentages. No adverse reactions were observed in cattle treated with eprinomectin

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

First Record of Stegomyia albopicta in Turkey Determined By Active Ovitrap Surveillance and DNA Barcoding

Despite its confirmed establishment in neighboring Greece and Bulgaria, the presence of the Oriental invasive species Stegomyia albopicta (Skuse) (=Aedes albopictus) has never been confirmed in Turkey. Active surveillance for this container-breeding species was carried out using oviposition traps at 15 discrete sites in the towns of Ipsala (n=8 sites), Kesan (n=5) (Edirne District), and Malkara (n=2) (Tekirdag District) in the Thrace region of northwestern Turkey, from May 23 through November 10, 2011. Eggs collected were reared to the fourth larval instar and adult stages where possible to facilitate integrated morphological and molecular species identification. DNA barcodes (658bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I [COI] gene) were compared with all four potentially invasive Stegomyia species: St. aegypti, St. albopicta, St. cretina, and St. japonica. Sequences generated for samples collected in Thrace Region were herein confirmed as St. albopicta, the first record of this vector species in Turkey. Eggs of St. albopicta were detected in two discrete localities: (1) In the grounds of a restaurant in Kesan (in week 36), and (2) in the customs area of the Turkish-Greek border at Ipsala (in weeks 32 and 38). Multiple detection of St. albopicta eggs indicates the possible establishment of the species in northwestern Turkey. Finding this important disease vector has implications for public health and requires the implementation of active vector monitoring programs and targeted vector suppression strategies to limit the spread of this invasive vector species in Turkey

Early Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Is Associated With Less Risk Of Complications After The Removal Of Common Bile Duct Stones By Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

Background/Aims: Several studies recommend prompt laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for choledocholithictsis. However, histopathological alterations in the gallbladder during this time interval and the role played by ERCP in causing these changes have not been sufficiently elucidated. To compare early period LCs with delayed LCs following common bile duct stone extraction via ERCP with regard to operation time, hospitalization period, conversion to open cholecystectomy rate, morbidity, mortality, and histopathological alterations in the gallbladder wall. Materials and Methods: A total of 85 patients were retrospectively divided into three groups: early period LC group (48-72 h; n=30), moderate period LC group (72 h-6 weeks; n=25), and delayed period LC group (6-8 weeks; n=30). Results: The operation time was significantly shorter, and the total number of complication rates and hospital readmission was significantly less frequent in the early period LC group (p3 mm) in the moderate and late period LC groups than in the early period LC group (p<0.001). Culture growth was significantly higher, and fibrosis/collagen deposition in the gallbladder wall with injury to the mucosal epithelium was significantly more frequently detected by histopathological examination in the moderate and late period LC groups than in the early period LC group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Early period LC following stone extraction by ERCP is associated with shorter operation time, fewer fibrotic changes in the gallbladder, and lower risk for the development of complications. Therefore, LC can be performed safely in the early period after ERCP.WoSScopu

Arboviral Surveillance of Field-Collected Mosquitoes Reveals Circulation of West Nile Virus Lineage 1 Strains in Eastern Thrace, Turkey

Introduction: Arbovirus screening in invertebrate vectors is an important component of the vector-borne disease surveillance programs. Turkey has been shown to harbor medically important mosquito-borne arboviruses such as West Nile Virus (WNV). However, limited information about infections in vectors are currently available. This study was performed to provide preliminary data from Eastern Thrace region, Turkey, where no arbovirus vector surveillance has previously been performed. Materials and Methods: Mosquito sampling was undertaken at 23 sites in Edirne province during July, 2012. All specimens were identified morphologically, and selected individuals were subjected to DNA barcoding via cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequencing. Consensus PCR for Flavivirus, Alphavirus, and Phlebovirus genera and WNV-specific nested and real-time reverse transcription PCR were employed for mosquito pool screening and/or confirmation. Viral sequences detected in pools were characterized via sequencing. Results: A total of 9261 mosquitoes were captured and distributed into 232 pools from the following species: Ochlerotatus caspius (90.9%), Culex pipiens sensu lato (s.l.) (4.7%), Anopheles pseudopictus (3%), and Anopheles maculipennis s.l. (1.3%). Specimens morphologically classified as Cx. pipiens s.l. were identified as Cx. pipiens pipiens via barcoding. Thirty-seven mosquito pools (15.9%) were positive in pan-flavivirus and WNV-specific assays. Viral sequences in positive pools were characterized as WNV lineage 1 clade 1a and demonstrated 1-4% divergence. No flavivirus sequences other than WNV were detected in the mosquito pools. WNV infection rates in Oc. caspius and Cx. pipiens s.l. pools were 15.6% and 36.3%, respectively. Comparison of current and previously identified WNV sequences from Turkey revealed 94.00-96.34% similarity. Discussion: WNV RNA was identified for the first time in Cx. pipiens s.l. and Oc. caspius mosquitoes in Eastern Thrace, Turkey. Our findings indicate the circulation of WNV lineage 1 strains in potential vector species and provide an epidemiological link between WNV activity in mosquitoes and vertebrate infections

Phlebovirus and Leishmania detection in sandflies from eastern Thrace and northern Cyprus

Background: Phlebotomine sandflies are vectors of several pathogens with significant impact for public health. This study was conducted to investigate and characterize phlebovirus and Leishmania infections in vector sandflies collected in the eastern Thrace region in Turkey and Northern Cyprus, where previous data indicate activity of these agents

West Nile virus, Anopheles flavivirus, a novel flavivirus as well as Merida-like rhabdovirus Turkey in field-collected mosquitoes from Thrace and Anatolia

Mosquitoes are involved in the transmission and maintenance of several viral diseases with significant health impact. Biosurveillance efforts have also revealed insect-specific viruses, observed to cocirculate with pathogenic strains. This report describes the findings of flavivirus and rhabdovirus screening, performed in eastern Thrace and Aegean region of Anatolia during 2016, including and expanding on locations with previously-documented virus activity. A mosquito cohort of 1545 individuals comprising 14 species were collected and screened in 108 pools via generic and specific amplification and direct metagenomics by next generation sequencing. Seven mosquito pools (6.4%) were positive in the flavivirus screening. West Nile virus lineage 1 clade 1a sequences were characterized in a pool Culex pipiens sensu lato specimens, providing the initial virus detection in Aegean region following 2010 outbreak. In an Anopheles maculipennis sensu lato pool, sequences closely-related to Anopheles flaviviruses were obtained, with similarities to several African and Australian strains of this new insect-specific flavivirus clade. In pools comprising Uranotaenia unguiculata (n = 3), Cx. pipiens s. l. (n = 1) and Aedes caspius (n = 1) mosquitoes, sequences of a novel flavivirus, distantly-related to Flavivirus AV2011, identified previously in Spain and Turkey, were characterized. Moreover, DNA forms of the novel flavivirus were detected in two Ur. unguiculata pools. These sequences were highly-similar to the sequences amplified from viral RNA, with undisrupted reading frames, suggest the occurrence of viral DNA forms in natural conditions within mosquito hosts. Rhabdovirus screening revealed sequences of a recently-described novel virus, named the Merida-like virus Turkey (MERDLVT) in 5 Cx. pipiens s. l. pools (4.6%). Partial L and N gene sequences of MERDLVT were well-conserved among strains, with evidence for geographical clustering in phylogenetic analyses. Metagenomics provided the near-full genomic sequence in a specimen, revealing an identical genome organization and limited divergence from the prototype MERDLVT isolate

Diabetik Sıçanlarda Eritropoetinin Kardiyovasküler Dokuda Kök Hücre Düzeyine Etkisinin Araştırılması

Deneyim ve Hedefler:Bu çalışmada, Diabetes Mellitus'un kardiyovasküler sistem üzerindeki etkileri serum ve kalpteki kök hücre düzeyleri değerlendirilerek ve normal popülasyonla karşılaştırılarak incelenmiştir. Buna ek olarak, kök hücreleri arttırdığı bilinen eritropoietinin etkinliği, diyabetik sıçanlar üzerinde incelenmiştir.Metotlar: Yirmi beş erkek Spragie Dawley rat kontrol grubu (grup 1), diyabetik grup (grup 2) ve glutamin kaynaklı diyabetik grup (grup 3) olmak üzere üç gruba ayrıldı. Intraperitoneal 50 mg / kg Streptozosin ile diyabet modeli oluşturuldu. Diyabetin yan etkilerini görmek için denekler 1 ay sağ kaldı. Grup 3 ratlara, kök hücrelerin indüklenmesi amacıyla 24. ve 27. günlerde olmak üzere 2 kez 3000U / kg eritropoietin intraperitoneal olarak enjekte edildi. Bir ayın sonunda sağ atriyum, sağ ventrikül, sol atriyum ve sol ventrikülden kan ve yeterli doku örnekleri alındı. Kan retikülosit seviyeleri hemogram cihazı ile otomatik olarak saptandı ve değişiklikler 3 grupta değerlendirildi. Fibrozisin derecesini belirlemek için dokular rutin H / E ve Mason-Tricrom ile boyandı. Güvenilir bir kök hücre işaretleyicisi olarak immünohistokimyasal değerlendirmelerde kullanılan CD34 ve VEGF dokularda analiz edildi .Sonuçlar: Glukoz düzeyleri işlem öncesi tüm gruplarda sıçanlar arasında ortalama 72,80 ± 11,516mg / dl olarak ölçüldü. Streptozocin uygulamasının 2. gününde 358,70 ± 44,749 mg / dl'ye yükseldiği saptandı. Kan şekeri seviyelerindeki artış 2. grupta retikülosit düzeylerinde anlamlı seviyede düşüşe neden oldu. Buna ek olarak, kan şekeri seviyelerindeki artış, fibrozis, CD34 ve VEGF doku seviyelerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir artışa neden oldu. Grup 1 ve 2'deki sıçanlar, fibrozis, CD34 ve VEGF açısından karşılaştırıldığında, Grup 2’de düzeylerin istatistiksel olarak anlamlı derecede yüksek olduğu görüldü. Grup 3 ratlar diğer gruplarla karşılaştırıldığında, CD34 ve VEGF'nin doku düzeyinin daha belirgin olarak arttığı saptandı. Grup 2 ve grup 3 karşılaştırıldığında, her ne kadar miyokard dokularında fibrozis gözlense de, fibrozis düzeyi Grup 3’te daha düşük olarak saptandı. Ek olarak, CD34 ve VEGF seviyeleri Grup 3'te Grup 2'den anlamlı olarak daha yüksekti.Kararlar: Hücresel koruma ve doku rejenerasyonunda işlev gören CD34 ve VEGF miktarı, güvenli bir şekilde uygulanabilen eritropoietin ile arttırılabilir. Çalışmanın orijinalliğinin serumda retikülosit düzeyleri ile birlikte sağ atriyum, sağ ventrikül, sol atriyum ve sol ventriküldeki CD34 ve VEGF seviyelerinin ölçümü ile arttığına inanıyoruz