Helminth parasites found in hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor) from Turkey.

Hedgehog diseases are becoming important issues for veterinary surgeons due to growing interest in this animal species among pet owners and an increase in cases of rescued hedgehogs requiring veterinary care. A parasitological study was carried out on hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor) in the Bursa province of Turkey, found dead mainly due to road casualties, to determine their helminth parasite burden. The detected helminths and their prevalences were as follows: Physaloptera clausa (72.2%), Crenosoma striatum (55.5%), Aonchotheca erinacei (55.5%), Hymenolepis erinacei (55.5%), Nephridiorhynchus major (50%) and Eucoleus aerophilus (22.2%). The number of parasites in infected animals varied from 1 to 203. The highest mean intensity of infection was observed with C. striatum, and the lowest was observed with N. major. The mean abundance of different species varied from 0.7 to 41.8, where E. aerophilus and C. striatum had the lowest and highest abundance, respectively. This study represents the first time N. major and E. aerophilus have been reported in hedgehogs in Turkey. The presence of E. aerophilus and its potential role as a zoonotic agent are discussed.

[A new control method for Haemonchus contortus: FAMACHA]. / Haemonchus contortus'un kontrolünde yeni bir yöntem: FAMACHA.

FAMACHA is a method that has been developed against Haemonchus contortus which causes anemia in sheep and goats especially in tropical and subtropical areas. The basic principle of the method is the detection of the color changes in the mucous membrane of the eye that is caused by anemia. According to the FAMACHA Anemia Guide, (FAG), the mucous membranes of the eyes of animals are inspected for color differences at two or three week intervals. The criteria are used for treating the animals. Thus FAG provides practical diagnosis and treatment of animals that are actually affected by H. contortus. Avoiding unnecessary treatment prevents the formation of drug resistance. The method is effective only if it is used with an effective Trichostrongylidae control program. The FAMACHA method can be tested in Turkey where H. contortus is a problem; especially in mild and rainy areas. Furthermore, the method maybe modified for other parasites causing anemia.

[An investigation of helminth fauna of the bleak (Alburnus alburnus L.) from the Mustafakemalpasa stream, Bursa, Turkey]. / Mustafakemalpasa deresi (Bursa)'ndeki Inci baliginin (Alburnus alburnus L.) helmint faunasi üzerine bir arastirma.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the helminth fauna of the bleak (Alburnus alburnus L.). According to the results obtained, a total of 6 species of helminth parasites were encountered on the bleak. These parasites include Dactylogyrus alatus, D. fraternus and Diplozoon homoion (Monogenea) on the gills; Bothriocephalus acheilognathi (Cestoda) and Rhapdochona denudata (Nematoda) in the intestine; and Diplostomum sp. (Digenea) in the eyes, on the surface of body and on the fins.

[Occurrence of helminths during spring and autumn months on rudd (Scardinus erythrophthalmus L. 1758) from Kocadere stream (Bursa)]. / Kocadere deresi (Bursa)'ndeki kizilkanat baliklari (Scardinus erythrophthalmus L. 1758)'nda ilkbahar ve sonbahar aylarinda görülen helmintler.

The aim of this study was to determine the rate of helminth infection in rudd, (Scardinus erythrophthalmus L. 1758) between spring and autumn seasons. A total of 87 rudd fish were investigated. Of these, 66 were infected with four species [Dactylogyrus difformis (Monogenea), Diplostomulum spathaceum metacerceria with Asymplodora markewitschi (Digenea), and Hysterothylacium sp. (Nematoda)]. During the study, it was noted that 46 out of 87 hosts were infected with D. difformis . The level of infection for this species was found to be 93% in the spring but it was 13% in the autumn. For D. spathaceum which was the second dominant species, 365 para-sites were found on 71 of 87 hosts. The maximum infection level for this species was 95% in the autumn. A total of 55 A. markewitschi could be found on 3 fish only during the spring. During the study, the lowest infection rate of the four species was that of Hysterothylacium sp. of which only 8 specimens were found on 7 fish.