Distribution of Scabies Infestations in Stray Dogs in Bursa Province.

Objective: Scabies infestation is a major parasitic disease affecting both human and animal health worldwide. This study aimed to determine the distribution of scabies infestation in stray dogs in Bursa province. Methods: The study material was obtained from stray dogs suspected of mange kept in a municipal shelter in Bursa between June 2020 and February 2022. Samples from stray dogs were examined in a laboratory, and dogs with scabies were determined. Results: During the study, samples were collected from 205 (115 males, 90 females) scabies-suspected stray dogs, 58 (28.29%) of which had scabies. Demodex spp. were detected in 35 of the positive dogs (60.34%) (D. canis, D. injae), 19 (32.76%) Sarcoptes scabiei canis, 2 (3.44%) mixed infestation (Sarcoptes and Demodex), and 2 (3.44%) Otodectes cynotis agents. It was determined that 32 (55.17%) of 58 scabies-positive dogs were male and 26 (44.83%) were female. The association of infestations with age, season, and sex has not been found to be statistically meaningful. Conclusion: This study identified scabies agents and their prevalence rate in stray dogs of Bursa province, Türkiye.

Experimentation of Essential Oils and Entomopathogenic Fungi Against Wax Moth Larvae in Laboratory Conditions

Objective: Larvae of wax moths cause great harm to honeybee hives and especially stored honeycombs. In the battle for wax moth in storage rooms; biological methods of struggle that does not harm the bee, product and the environment have become important. This study was conducted to determine the effect of essential oils of cloves, thyme and bay plants at 5% and commercial preparation derived from the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae under laboratory conditions against wax moth larvae. Methods: Content analyses of essential oils have determined components by doing them with the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry device. Previously collected and cultured lesser wax moth (Achroia grisella) larvae are divided into three groups, small/medium/large, based on their period. For each group of fifteen larvae, three volatile oils, one fungal experiment were performed, and two control groups were formed. The trials were conducted in glass jars and the larvae were retained in an incubator with a temperature of 25 °C/75% relative humidity conditions. Each jar was checked daily for nine weeks with dead/live larvae recorded and dead ones taken from the jar. Results: At the end of the study, moth emerging rates were determined for each group of dead larvae and remainders. Based on their percentage average; while no difference was seen between the essential oil groups and the control group, the fungal groups were observed to be effective relative to the control groups. Conclusion: According to the data, it was determined that M. anisopliae fungus preparation could be used as an alternative control methods against wax moth larvae in storage conditions.

Parasites of Horses, Donkeys and Mules in Turkey

Significant numbers of parasites such as protozoa, helminths and arthropods infest equids. Various investigations have been conducted in Turkey to detect these parasites. In this review, all parasites reported in horses, donkeys and mules have been listed. A total of 62, 52 and 21 helminths were recorded in horses, donkeys and mules, respectively. As protozoan parasites, 13 species were detected both in horses and donkeys, and 3 in mules. With regard to arthropods, 40, 23 and 6 species were detected in horses, donkeys and mules, respectively. In the recent years, various molecular diagnostic methods have been developed and especially applied to the protozoan research area. Classical diagnostic methods were incapable of detecting certain protozoan parasites. Such protozoan parasites can be detected at the nucleic acid level with these new techniques. During the last quadranscentennial, a reduction has been recorded in the total number of equids in Turkey, whereby the breeding of sport horses is becoming an important issue. Thus, this review summarises the published research papers in Turkey in order to raise awareness among the animal owners and veterinarians in terms of the prevention of potential hazards resulting from parasitic infections/infestations in equids.

Intestinal helminths of the white stork (Ciconia ciconia Linnaeus 1758) from an inter-route site in Turkey.

In Turkey, a study was conducted during the years 2009-2015 to detect the gastrointestinal helminth species of 18 white storks (Ciconia ciconia Linnaeus, 1758 (Aves: Ciconiiformes) sampled from aquatic or swamp areas of Bursa Province, one of the inter-route sites where storks intensely stay. The results of postmortem examination revealed that 17 (94.44%) white storks harboured one or more helminth species. Eight species of helminths were detected at the following prevalence rates: Dictymetra discoidea (38.88%), Chaunocephalus ferox (37.50%), Schistocephalus solidus (27.77%), Stephanoprora (Monilifer) spinulosa (18.75%), Echinoparyphium sp. (12.50%), Tylodelphys excavata (6.25%), T. clavata (6.25%), and Syncuaria ciconiae (6.25%). This study is the first report on the presence of all the above species except T. excavata from white storks in Turkey. Stephanoprora (M.) spinulosa was found in Ciconiiform birds for the first time in this study.

Eimeria leuckarti infections in sport horses in Northwest Turkey.

The aim of the present study was to examine sport horses in Northwest Turkey for Eimeria (E.) leuckarti infections. Between 2004 and 2008 fecal samples from 549 horses of different age, breed and sex of 21 farms were examined for E. leuckarti oocysts using a qualitative method which involved centrifugation/flotation and saturated sugar solution as medium. The prevalence of infection was evaluated relative to host age, sex, breed and pasture availability. 16 (2.9%) horses were found to be infected with E. leuckarti, whilst infected horses were located in nine (42.8%) farms. Younger horses (< 1 year old) were more frequently infected than older ones. However, breed, sex and availability of pasture were not identified as factors influencing the prevalence. As a main conclusion, compared with the low infection rate found in individual horses, E. leuckarti was highly prevalent at the farm level which possess a permanent risk of infection of especially younger horses at these premises. This study reports for the first time on the prevalence of E. leuckarti in sport horses from farms in Northwest Turkey.

Ectoparasites of hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor) from Turkey.

Hedgehogs are small, nocturnal, spiny-coated animals that have been growing in popularity as exotic pets. However, these animals are host to a wide variety of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, some of which are of zoonotic character. Thus, because hedgehogs have a potential role to transmit zoonoses including arthropod-borne diseases, we examined them for their ectoparasites. The study was carried out on hedgehogs found dead mainly due to road casualties in the Bursa province of Turkey. The ectoparasites were collected by both insecticide spraying of the body and inspection on a white paper carefully. Totally three species of ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Hyalomma aegyptium, Haemophysalis parvo) and one flea species (Archeopsylla erinacei) were detected. The prevalence of mixed infestation with both ticks and fleas was 45.5%. Haemaphysalis parva was reported for the first time from hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor) in Turkey. The occurrence of ectoparasites and their potential role as vectors of certain zoonotic diseases are briefly discussed.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) species of wild birds in northwestern Turkey with a new host record.

The goal of this study was to identify the chewing lice species of migratory and non-migratory wild birds in the province of Bursa, which is located in northwestern Turkey, between August 2009 and November 2012. Sixty-eight birds brought to the animal hospital in need of medical intervention, which belonged to 25 species, 20 genera and 15 families in 10 orders, were examined for ectoparasites. To sample for the presence of chewing lice, an insecticide was pulverised on the feathers of each bird over a white piece of paper, and then all of the lice were collected and placed in tubes containing 70% alcohol. The lice specimens were cleared in 10% KOH for 24 h, mounted in Canada balsam and identified using a light microscope. Forty (58.8%) out of 68 birds examined were infested with at least one species of chewing lice, and a total of 29 lice species were found on the birds. This study represents the first documentation in Turkey of 9 of these lice species and also provides the first worldwide record of Degeeriella nisus on the Common buzzard (Buteo buteo).

Acaricidal efficacy of Origanum onites L. essential oil against Rhipicephalus turanicus (Ixodidae).

Essential oils that were extracted by steam distillation from Origanum onites L. from northwest Turkey were analyzed using an Agilent GC-MSD system. Carvacrol was the major component (64.3%) of the oil. Both pure commercial carvacrol and essential oil at concentrations of 1.5%, 3.2%, 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 100% (v/v) were tested for their effects against engorging Rhipicephalus turanicus, which were collected from cattle breeding in the region. Pure carvacrol killed all the ticks following 6 h of exposure, while 25% and higher concentrations of the oil were completely effective in killing the ticks by the 24th-hour post-treatment (p < 0.05). The concentrations of 6.25% and 12.5% killed all the ticks by day 2. Lethal concentrations for 50% (LC(50)) and 90% (LC(90)) of 2.34% and 7.12%, respectively, were detected 24 h post-treatment. These findings indicate that the essential oil of O. onites L. has potential to be utilized at reasonable concentrations to control tick infestations.