Detection and Identification of Toxocara Canis in Infected Dogs Using PCR.

Faecal samples were collected from 224 dogs (47 villages) in Ankara. Toxocara spp. eggs were diagnosed in faeces using centrifugal flotation and sedimentation methods. A total of 21 dogs (9.38 %) were positive for Toxocara spp. eggs. In this study, we used the PCR technique that, in combination with DNA sequencing, allows the detection and identification of T.canis eggs in faeces of infected dogs. For this purpose, the ATPase subunit-6 gene (mtDNA) was selected as a target for the amplification T. canis. The primers were used to amplify 217 bp region. Amongst 21 coproscopically detected Toxocara isolates from dogs, 5 (23.8 %) samples were PCR-positive for T. canis, and the remaining 16 samples were PCR-negative. Results indicate that PCR can detect Toxocara canis DNA in faeces of infected dogs, but efficacy was low when compare to sedimentation/flotation. PCR is additional test for diagnosing of this infection. But, the difficulties of identification based on PCR in faecal examinations need to be investigated further.

Effects of immunization with purified specific proteins on the formation of secondary hydatid cysts in mice.

In this study, immunoreactive proteins (8, 68 and 116 kDa) of Echinococcus granulosus metacestode stages were partially purified using isoelectrical focusing by a Rotofor cell device. Sixty Swiss albino mice were separated into three experimental and three control groups (n = 10). The mice of the three experimental groups were immunized with 8, 68 and 116 kDa purified proteins, respectively. 25 days after immunization, serum samples from each group were examined to assess immunization status by Western blotting. Protoscolices were applied intraperitoneally to control and immunized groups. By necropsy, mice were examined for cyst formation, size, number and fertility 2, 5, 8, and 10 months after experimental infection, respectively. Immunization with all three proteins was found to have a significant inhibitory effect on the metacestode formation of in mice (p < 0.001).

Immunoblotting analysis of somatic components of Dirofilaria immitis.

SDS-PAGE analysis of Dirofilaria immitis extracts demonstrated the complexity of somatic protein component of adult male similar to that of adult female worm. Western blot analysis showed six major peptide bands of 85, 66, 42, 20, 16.2 and 14.5 kDa recognized in the sera of infected dogs. Western blotting sera from dogs with Dirofilaria immitis infection suggest that antigenic components in the low molecular weight region may be related to the anti-parasitic mechanism of the host.

Setaria equina infection of Turkish equines: estimates of prevalence based on necropsy and the detection of microfilaraemia.

Necropsies on 43 horses, 35 donkeys and two mules slaughtered in Ankara, Turkey, revealed that 12 (15%) of the equines harboured adult Setaria equina. When blood samples were checked for microfilariae, using Knott's method and a combination of membrane filtration followed by histochemical staining for acid phosphatase (AP), only three (4%) of the animals were found to be microfilaraemic. When stained for AP, the S. equina microfilariae exhibited diffuse red staining over the entire body, including the sheath, with brighter staining around the anal and excretory pores. Application of Knott's method revealed only two of the three microfilaraemias detected using the combination of filtration and AP staining. The combination may represent a useful technique for the detection of equine microfilaraemia.

Prevalence and distribution of Dirofilaria immitis in domestic dogs from Ankara and vicinity in Turkey.

A total of 280 dogs in Ankara and vicinity were examined from November 2000 through December 2001 by the PetChek antigen ELISA and polycarbonate filter-acid phosphatase histochemical staining techniques for Dirofilaria immitis infection. Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) infection was found in 26 dogs (9.3%), all of which were kept always outdoors and non prophylacted by their owners. The distribution of heartworm infected dogs was not uniform. Infection with D. immitis was correlated with differences in age and sex. But, no significant association was found.

Migration of pacemaker lead into the spinal venous plexus: case report with special reference to Batson's theory of spinal metastasis.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Migration of a foreign material via venous routes into the spinal canal is a very rare incidence. We report the second case in which a foreign body has migrated into the spinal canal via the venous route. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: This 35-years-old man presented with sudden onset of severe low back pain and pain in the right leg four months after an unsuccessful attempt to remove a disconnected cardiac pacemaker lead via the femoral vein. Direct lumbar x-ray demonstrated the broken lead of the cardiac pacemaker at the entrance of the right L5 foramen which was also demonstrated by lumbar CT. SURGICAL INTERVENTION: After right L5 hemilaminotomy, the pacemaker lead was found in a vein of the anterior spinal venous plexus just beneath and lateral to the right L5 root. After dissecting it from the surrounding adipose tissue, the embolised pacemaker lead was taken out. CONCLUSION: We present a case report and review of the literature on migration of foreign material into the spinal canal, factors effecting the flow directions in the spinal veins. This case may be the first evidence that proved Batson's theory of spinal metastases in man.

Quantitative comparison of various methods for detecting eggs of Toxocara canis in samples of sand.

Six techniques for recovering unembryonated Toxocara canis eggs from sand samples were tested for efficiency and suitability for routine use. The tests were done under standardised conditions on 50g of sand samples contaminated experimentally with 10, 100 and 500 eggs of T. canis. Best result was achieved by the method of Dunsmore et al. [Dunsmore, J.D., Thompson, R.C.A., Bates, I.A., 1984. Vet. Parasitol. 16, 303-311]. The results were expressed as the number of T. canis eggs recorded and percentage rates of recovery in sand samples.

Prevalence of Toxocara spp. eggs in the soil of public parks in Ankara, Turkey.

One hundred and seventy soil samples from forty-six public parks in Ankara area were examined to determine the level of contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs. 30.6% of the 170 soil samples were contaminated with Toxocara spp. eggs. The number of eggs in the positive soil samples varied from 1 to 10. A high proportion of the eggs was fully embryonated. The findings demonstrate the common occurrence of these eggs in locations likely to be important in the transmission of visceral larva migrans. Of 19 fecal collected, 5 (26.3%) contained Toxocara spp. eggs. Eggs of Ancylostomidae, Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris spp., Taenia spp. and Enterobius vermicularis were also recovered from 17.6, 4.1, 2.4, 1.8 and 1.2% of soil samples, respectively.

The effect of doramectin, moxidectin and netobimin against natural infections of Syphacia muris in rats.

In this study, the effect of doramectin, moxidectin and netobimin was investigated in naturally infected Syphacia muris in rats. The natural infection was determined by the use of cellophane tape method on the perianal region and by the technique of centrifugal flotation of feces. The infected rats were divided into three treated and one control group (N = 10). Doramectin and moxidectin at the dose of 0.2 mg/kg per day and netobimin at the dose of 7.5 mg/kg per day were given in the diet for 4 days. Cellophane tape preparations were performed in all groups on 4th and 7th day after the last treatment. The rats of treated groups were necropsied on 7th day after the last treatment together with that of control group. While doramectin and netobimin were highly effective against S. muris, moxidectin was not found to be effective for eradication of S. muris.

Neurocutaneous melanosis associated with Dandy-Walker malformation. case report and review of the literature.

Neurocutaneous melanosis is a rare dysmorphogenesis associated with single or multiple giant pigmented cutaneous nevi and diffuse involvement of the leptomeninges anywhere in the central nervous system (CNS). It is interesting that almost 8-10% of patients had associated Dandy-Walker malformation in the literature, suggesting a common origin of the developmental abnormalities. In this article, we present a 2-year-old patient with neurocutaneous melanosis associated with Dandy-Walker malformation. We reviewed the literature and discuss the pathogenesis based on the preferred hypotheses so far.

Spinal angiolipoma: case report and review of literature.

Spinal extradural angiolipomas are distinct, benign, and rare lesions composed of mature lipocytes admixed with abnormal blood vessels. They account for 0.14% of all spinal axis tumors. The case described here was a 72-year-old patient presenting with a history of paraparesis, hypoesthesia under the T2 level, hyperreflexia, and urinary overflow incontinence that appeared within 7 days after the administration of a coronary vasodilator drug regimen. The spinal magnetic resonance scan showed a lipomatous mass with signal void lesions, suggesting a vascular component of the tumor. The patient improved rapidly after surgical resection of the epidural tumor and decompression of the cord. According to the present literature, the duration of neurological symptoms ranges from 1 to 180 months (mean 28 months). But this patient's neurological deterioration took place 4 days before hospitalization. We believe that this can be explained by the increased tumor blood volume caused by vasodilator drugs, which in turn exerted a pulsatile compressive effect on the cord.

Congenital malformations of the craniovertebral junction: classification and surgical treatment.

The clinical, radiological and surgical findings of 56 patients with congenital malformations of the craniovertebral junction who underwent surgical intervention in the Department of Neurosurgery, Hacettepe University Medical School were reviewed. The anomalies were classified according to their embryonic origin. Forty-two cases of the series were major abnormalities formed by the combination of more than one germ layer.

Giant congenital meningioma in a newborn.

The authors report the case of a giant meningioma in a 5-day-old newborn. Congenital meningiomas are extremely rare. Five newborns with meningiomas have been reported in the literature to date. This is the first case of a newborn with a giant meningioma with supra- and infratentorial and intraorbital components.

Cranial dermoid and epidermoid cysts.

63 patients with epidermoid and dermoid cysts were treated surgically during the past sixteen years. Total tumour removal was achieved in 65% of cases. Because of their soft and slow growing nature, adjacent subarachnoidal spaces and clefts were filled and in some cases total removal was impossible. Due to the advances in technology mortality and morbidity rates are greatly decreased.