Prevalence and economic significance of bovine hypodermosis in Afyonkarahisar province of Turkey.

This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and economic losses due to in cattle of hypodermosis between May 2008 and April 2009 in Afyonkarahisar province of Turkey. A total of 6,598 cattle-3,498 in pasture and 3,100 in slaughterhouse-were examined for hypodermosis. One hundred ninety-five out of 6,598 cattle (2.96%) were found positive. Concerning this infestation rate, the prevalence of hypodermosis in field was 5.3%, whereas the prevalence was 0.3% in slaughter house. Hypoderma bovis and Hypoderma lineatum were recorded in slaughter house. First-stage Hypoderma spp. larvae weren't found in cattle organs in slaughterhouse. The annual economic loss on skins is estimated to be about 18,288 TL (currency exchange rate is 1 USD:1.499 TL).

Current status of ruminant theileriosis and its economical impact in Turkey.

The diagnosis of ruminant theileriosis in Turkey is based on microscopical examination of thin blood and lymph smears, serology, traditional staining methods of the salivary glands of ticks and molecular techniques. Although some investigators reported that T. mutans was found in cattle with microscopic examination (7.4%-36.7%) and experimental study, they did not detect this parasite using molecular techniques. On the other hand, the prevalence of T. buffeli/orientalis was found to differ between 0.9% and 13.6% using molecular techniques in different regions of Turkey. Tropical theileriosis caused by T. annulata is widespread, and constitutes a major health and management problem in cattle in Turkey. The economic losses resulting from the tropical theileriosis were estimated to be US $598,000, $133,000 and $130,000 in the endemic stable zones of Turkey. Microscopic prevalence of T. annulata has been reported to be between 0% and 60.5% in different parts of Turkey. The serologic prevalence of T. annulata was found to differ between 1.8% and 91.4% by IFAT. In subsequent studies, the prevalence of this parasite was found to differ between 15.4% and 61.2% by molecular techniques. Clinical cases of ovine theileriosis have not been documented in Turkey. The prevalence of T. ovis/recondita was found to differ between 0% and 41.3% by microscopic examination of thin blood smears and its seroprevalence was found to be between 8.2% and 63.2% by IFAT. This parasite has also been reported to be present between 41.8% and 67.7% by molecular techniques.

[Use of geographical information systems in parasitic diseases and the importance of animal health economics]. / Paraziter Hastaliklarin Kontrolünde Cografi Bilgi Sistemlerinin Kullanim Olanaklari ve Hayvan Sagligi Ekonomisi Açisindan Onemi.

In the world, economical losses due to the parasitic diseases reach enormous ratios in animal production. Both developed and developing countries set aside a considerable budget to control these parasitic diseases. This situation aids in the improvement of control methods of parasitic diseases. Also, it causes new ways of investigation that includes observation, evaluation and prevention of parasitic diseases. The Geographical Information System (GIS) has recently become one of the most common methods utilized to provide disease information technology with computer supported technology in many countries. The most important qualities of GIS are the formation of a powerful database, continual updating and rapid provision of coordination related to units. Many factors are evaluated at the same time by the system and also, results from analysis of data related to disease and their causes could reduce or prevent economical losses due to parasitic disease. In this study, possible uses of Geographical Information Systems against parasitic diseases and an approach in terms of animal health economics were presented.