First isolation and molecular characterization of canine parvovirus-type 2b (CPV-2b) from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) living in the wild habitat of Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The canine parvovirus, with its many variants, is responsible for a pivotal and common viral infection affecting millions of dogs and other carnivore species worldwide, particularly the wild ones, which are considered as the main reservoir hosts. To that end, this study investigated the presence of canine parvovirus (CPV) in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) living in wild habitats of several regions of Turkey. METHODS: We randomly collected 630 archival fox stool specimens from rural areas of 22 provinces and used real-time PCR to detect CPV. RESULTS: Two of the 630 (0.3%) stool samples were positive for CPV-DNA, named Tr-Fox/128(Aydin) and Tr-Fox/159(Manisa). We attempted to isolate the virus in a MDCK cell line, and cytopathic effects were observed four days post-inoculation. Three regions corresponding to the CPV capsid protein VP2 gene from extracted DNA of positive samples were amplified by conventional PCR, and the products were visualised, purified, and Sanger sequenced. Three overlapping DNA raw sequence fragments, were read, assembled, and aligned to obtain approximately 1.5 kb-long regions that cover most of the VP2 gene, then deposited in GenBank. After comparing the isolates with parvovirus sequences data of domestic and wild carnivores by BLAST processing, our isolates' similarity rate with each other was 99.40%, with base differences in 9 nucleotide positions. They were classified as 2b variant closely related to isolates from dogs in Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Italy, Thailand, and China. CONCLUSION: This study presents evidence of interspecies transmission of CPV, of which there are no reports on prevalence in wildlife carnivores of our country. Identification of CPV in red foxes threatens local and hunting dogs, which may contract the infection or disseminate it to other wild animal species or vice-versa.

A one-year extensive molecular survey on SARS-CoV-2 in companion animals of Turkey shows a lack of evidence for viral circulation in pet dogs and cats.

Current evidence have now demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 infects a wide array of mammalian animals; however, the full range of hosts and the viral circulation in companion animals remains to be clarified. In this context, as no such evidenced cases have been reported from Turkey, we aimed to screen for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in housed dogs and cats clinically evaluated for respiratory symptoms and reared in different locations of Samsun province in the black sea region of Turkey from July 2020 to July 2021. Nasal swabs were collected from a total of 415 pets (65 cats and 350 dogs) aged between 1 and 9 years old. All the specimens were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA presence by real-time RT-PCR targeting two genomic regions of SARS-CoV-2, but none showed positive results. Our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 does not circulate in local pets and is not responsible for respiratory symptoms. However, further comprehensive molecular and serological surveys are required to have a better picture of the zoonotic, reverse zoonotic and pathogenic consequences of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey.

The Border Disease virus (BDV) prevalence and genetic typing in ruminant flocks in Turkey.

This study aims to update current data regarding Border Disease in sheep and goats, determine the first prevalence of BDV in cattle and identify its circulated genotype in Turkey. For this purpose, 100 sheep, 20 goats and 193 cattle aborted fetuses sent for diagnosis to Samsun Veterinary Control Institute between 2015 and 2017 were analyzed in terms of pestivirus by Ag­ELISA, BDV by Real­Time test (RT­PCR) and Conventional RT­PCR test. The rate of pestivirus positive animals was found at 50.26% (97/193) in cattle, 58% (58/100) in sheep and 55% (11/20) in goats by the pestivirus Ag­ELISA test. Total of 58 Ag­ELISA positive sheep were tested by Real­Time RT­PCR and conventional RT­PCR tests. End of the tests, one sheep sample (1.72%) was found BDV positive by Real­Time RT­PCR test and three sheep (5.17%) and one cattle (1.03%) samples were detected as BDV positive by conventional RT­PCR test. BDV positivity was not detected in goats in this research. All samples that were found positive by conventional RT­PCR test and Real­Time RT­PCR test were genotyped by phylogenetic sequence analysis, and obtained results showed that BDV­3 and BDV­7 genotypes of BDV in sheep and BVDV­1 genotype in cattle circulated in the investigated area. The sequence analysis results revealed that conventional RT­PCR and Real­Time RT­PCR tests detected genotype BDV­3, while genotype BDV­7 was only detected by conventional RT­PCR test in sheep abortion materials. Additionally, it was found that one bovine specimen was BDV positive by conventional PCR, but the same sample was identified as BVDV­1 at sequence analysis. The obtained data of this study showed that new probes should be designed using our local strains for BDV diagnosis by Real­Time RT­PCR assay, and cattle must be sampled for BDV screening, and PCR tests results should always be confirmed by sequence analysis.

A serosurvey for bovine respirovirus 3 in Turkish domestic ruminants: The first comparison study of A and C genotypes.

Bovine parainfluenza virus-3 (BPIV-3), also known as bovine respirovirus 3, causes serious respiratory infection in ungulates, often involving other pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria and mycoplasmas. In this study, we evaluated antibody titers against virus genotypes A (BPIV-3a) and C (BPIV-3c). We conducted a serological survey and comparison analysis of archived serum samples from small and large ruminants reared in four Turkish provinces. A total of 1,307 samples, consisting of sheep (n = 444), cattle (n = 402), water buffalo (n = 261) and goat (n = 200) sera, were randomly selected from stock samples collected between 2015 and 2019 and screened by standard virus neutralisation assay. We found that 49.9% (653/1307) of all samples were positive for neutralising antibody titers. Goats had the highest titer, with total seropositivity of 63% (126/200), followed in descending order by cattle, sheep and water buffalo at 56.2% (226/402), 32.2% (143/444) and 26% (68/261) total seropositivity, respectively. BPIV-3c had the highest neutralising antibody rate at 34.3% (448/1307), whereas BPIV-3a had a 24.3% (317/1307) seropositivity rate. Neutralising antibody titers for positive samples ranged between 1/4 and 1/512 per the SN50 test. Seropositivity rates ranged from a low of 8.9% to a high of 18.3%. Our study was the first to compare antibody seroprevalence for two BPIV-3 genotypes in small and large domestic ruminants, which were shown to be more commonly exposed to BPIV-3c than BPIV-3a. This finding could have significant implications as current vaccines mainly use the BPIV-3a genotype. Further research can determine if current vaccines protect against different BPIV-3 virus genotypes.

Maedi-visna virus infection in Karayaka and Amasya Herik breed sheep from provinces in northern Turkey.

Maedi-visna is an important virus infection of sheep having prolonged incubation period (slow disease) and reflecting two distinct forms clinically and pathologically. In this study, the presence of MVV was investigated serologically in 58 Amasya Herik sheep breed and 525 Karayaka sheep breed. Seropositivity rates in Amasya Herik sheep breed and Karayaka sheep breed were detected as 69.0% and 18.5%, respectively. MVV antibodies were found in 137 of 583 serum samples (23.5%). Positivity rates for the provinces varied and were as follows: Samsun 19.4%, Sinop 15.4%, Ordu 25.8%, Trabzon 26.7%, Rize 36.7%, Amasya 69.0% and Tokat 35.0%, however no antibody response was detected in all of the sheep in Giresun province.

Distribution of HSV-1 IgG antibodies by two methods comparing in Turkish atopic children.

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) is a ubiquitous pathogen. Other than known diseases, HSV-1 may have an important role in the pathogenesis of atopy by causing immortality of th2 cells. From June 1st to July 31st 2006, seventy five blood samples were collected from atopic children referred to the allergy clinic of the hospital. The bloods samples were used to detect HSV-1 IgG antibodies by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Virus Neutralization Test. HSV-1 IgG antibody seroprevalence in atopic children was found high, 62.6% by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and 57.3% by Virus Neutralization Test. Thus Virus Neutralization Test sensitivity was 92.15% and specificity was 100% regarding to the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay technic. Although Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay was more sensitive than Virus Neutralization Test, there was no significant difference between two technics (p > 0.05) in detecting HSV-1 IgG antibodies in serum.