Molecular prevalence and subtyping of Blastocystis sp. isolates in stray cats of Izmir, Turkey: First report of "ST4 allele 42" in cats.

Blastocystis sp. is one of the most frequently detected intestinal parasites in humans and can inhabit a wide range of animals. Close contact with animals is one of the transmission factors of Blastocystis sp. infection in humans. In this study, we aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence and subtypes of Blastocystis sp. in stray cats living in Izmir, Turkey. The PCR target- ing the barcode region in the SSU rRNA gene was performed with DNA samples isolated from feces (n:465) to investigate the presence of Blastocystis sp. PCR positive samples were sequen- ced for subtyping analysis. Among the samples analyzed, Blastocystis sp. DNA was detected in 17 (3.65%) of them and sequence data were obtained from only seven isolates. Phylogenetic analysis showed that seven Blastocystis sp. isolates clustered with the reference Blastocystis ST4 isolates. Similarity rates were between 83.22% and 99.25%. In addition, Blastocystis database results confirmed that all of these were "allele 42" corresponding to ST4. As a result, the present study shows for the first time the presence of "ST4 allele 42", the prevalent subtype in humans, in stray cats in Izmir, Turkey. This finding supports the notion that stray cats can be a source of Blastocystis sp. infection in humans.

Cryptosporidiosis outbreak on a dairy farm: Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum as a causative agent in the water source.

Diarrhea caused by parasitic agents is common in neonatal calves and leads to significant economic losses in cattle farms worldwide. Cryptosporidium spp. is one of the most frequently detected parasitic agents causing diarrhea in neonatal calves. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. on a dairy farm which a has major diarrhea problem. Samples were collected from calves, cows, drinking bowls, and two different artesian water sources, as well as from the environment. All fecal samples were investigated using Kinyoun acid-fast stained slides and real-time PCR targeting the Cryptosporidium spp. COWP gene. In addition, species identification was performed by nested PCR targeting the Cryptosporidium spp. COWP gene and sequencing. Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 11 calves (30.55%; 11/36) by real-time PCR and the cows were negative. Among real-time PCR positive samples, only five were also found positive by microscopy. Moreover, Cryptosporidium spp. was found in one of the two artesian water sources and five environmental samples by real-time PCR. Among these positive samples, eight were sequenced. According to the RFLP pattern, BLAST and, phylogenetic analyses, all sequenced samples were Cryptosporidium parvum. These findings show the importance of C. parvum as a cause of calf diarrhea on dairy farms.

Comparison of two ketamine-propofol dosing regimens for sedation during interventional radiology procedures.

AIM: Invasive diagnostic and therapeutic interventional radiological procedures can be painful and anxiety provoking. The combination of propofol and ketamine may minimize the need for supplemental opioid analgesics and has the potential to provide better sedation with less toxicity than either drug alone. METHODS: Seventy-two consenting ASA physical status I- III patients undergoing interventional radiological procedures under sedation were recruited according to a randomized, double-blind, institutional review board-approved protocol. Patients were randomized to two groups. Group 1 received propofol 0.5 mg.kg-1 + ketamine 0.5 mg.kg-1, and group 2 received propofol 0.5 mg.kg-1 + ketamine 0.25 mg.kg-1 intravenously. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to demographic characteristics and the duration of the interventional radiological procedure, hemodynamic data, oxygen saturation, or side-effects. However, the mean propofol dosage was higher in group 2 (33.7+/-39.3 mg) than in group 1 (15.5+/-22.3 mg), and the number of oversedated patients (sedation score >4) was higher in group 2 (19 patients) than group 1 (6 patients) (P=0.019 and P=0.001, respectively). Sixteen patients (44%) in group 1 and 21 (58%) patients in group 2 required additional propofol during the procedure. The mean recovery times were 12.1+/-1 minutes in group 1 and 13.8+/-0.8 minutes in group 2 (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the two different dosages of ketamine coadministered with propofol for sedation during interventional radiological procedures showed no clinically significant hemodynamic changes or side effects, and both appeared to prompt early recovery time. We recommend propofol 0.5 mg.kg-1 + ketamine 0.5 mg.kg-1 for sedation and analgesia during interventional radiological procedures, rather than propofol 0.5 mg.kg-1 + ketamine 0.25 mg.kg-1 because the former combination is associated with reduced rescue propofol requirements and therefore less oversedation.

The release of morphine from the mast cells by 48/80 in morphine perfused dogs.

The aim of this study was to determine whether or not mast cells store or bind morphine. Injection of a potent mast cell depleter, compound 48/80 to dogs, 10 minutes after completion of a perfusion of 30 mg/kg of morphine produced a large concomitant increase of both morphine and histamine in blood samples drawn from the aorta. This increase is transient and statistically significant up to 1 minute following the injection of the drug. Morphine and histamine levels decrease rapidly as they reach the general circulation and are subjected to distribution. Injection of compound 48/80 one hour after the end of the morphine perfusion produces a less prominent increase in morphine and histamine levels. In both instances, subsequent doses of compound 48/80 failed to produce any increase in the levels of morphine or histamine. All these findings strongly indicate that in these dogs, the increase in morphine levels following 48/80 injection is caused by a release of morphine, bound or stored in the mast cells of the lungs, during the course of the perfusion.