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.

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.

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.