The detection and full genomic characterization of domestic cat Orthohepadnaviruses from Türkiye.

BACKGROUND: Domestic cat hepadnaviruses (DCHs) have been described as a novel virus that can infect cats. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is the first identification and molecular characterizations of DCH infection in Turkish domestic cats. METHODS: The blood, organ and ascites fluid samples from 550 cats were randomly sampled. The presence of DCH nucleic acid was investigated by using both in the literature and newly designed primers. RESULTS: It was found that the hepadnavirus positivity rate is 4% (22/550) in Türkiye. The full genomic characterization was performed on 13 of 22 samples, and others were characterized as nearly full genome. In this study, we highlight that whole blood samples should be also screened for DCH, not only serum samples as has frequently been done in other studies. DCH-infected cats were also found positive (54.54%, 12/22) for Feline leukaemia virus infection. BLAST results revealed that Turkish DCHs have 86.32%-99.08% homology with strains in the GenBank database, enabling us to construct phylogenetic trees. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study's results, it is suggested that this infection should be added to veterinary diagnostic panels worldwide. Additionally, we suggest that our new synthesized primers for the amplification of X gene can also be used for diagnosis.

Molecular characterization of human adenoviruses associated with respiratory infection in Turkey.

Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are responsible for various clinical diseases. Molecular epidemiological studies of respiratory HAdVs are limited in Turkey. To determine the main genotypes and epidemiological characteristics of HAdVs in patients with respiratory symptoms. HAdV PCR-positive extracts of nasal/nasopharyngeal specimens sent to the Turkish Public Health Institution from various cities of Turkey in 2015-2016 were investigated by seminested PCR. Partial sequence analysis of the hexon gene of HAdVs was performed. SPSSv.24.0 was used. A total of 23/68 (33.82%) HAdV-positive samples were amplified. Mastadenovirus B, C, D, and F were detected and mastadenovirus B (10/23; 43.5%) and C (10/23; 43.5%) were predominant strains. Interestingly, HAdV-F known to have gastrointestinal system tropism was detected in two patients with respiratory symptoms. HAdV-B3 was the most prevalent genotype (9/23; 39.1%). Also, HAdV-B7 is defined as a reemerging pathogen. It is noteworthy that there is a cluster of four HAdV-C strains showing a close paraphyletic relationship with HAdV-2/6 intertypic recombination. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing that HAdV-B7 reemerging pathogen circulating in patients with respiratory infections in our country. It is also necessary to emphasize that HAdV-2/6 recombinant strains were detected in this study for the first time in Turkey.

Endless variety for bovine virus diarrhea viruses: new members of a novel subgroup into Pestivirus A from Turkey.

As ubiquitous pathogens, bovine virus diarrhea viruses (BVDVs) in cattle have been reported several times in Turkey. Over time, the frequency and importance of this infection has increased for the livestock industries. A total of 1291 animals were sampled from a dairy herd in Turkey suspected of BVDV clinical signs, for instance, reproductive failures (abortion, congenital malformations in calves, repeat breeding, etc.) and interdigital phlegmon in adult animals. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCRs) were made by using targeted 5' untranslated region (UTR), Npro, E2, and NS2-3 pestiviral gene region primers for antigen ELISA-positive samples (n = 20). The obtained amplicons were sequenced. Sequence results showed the presence of a new subgroup in Pestivirus A species. This paper describes the nucleotide sequences of a new BVDV 1 (BVDV 1-v) subgroup member.

Comparison of genetic characteristics of canine papillomaviruses in Turkey.

Papillomavirus (PV) infections often cause benign and malignant skin neoplasia in dogs. To date, twenty types of canine papillomaviruses (CPVs) have been described worldwide. A detailed molecular characterization of CPVs in Turkey is lacking. In the present study, oral and mucosal lesions from 13 dogs with suspected CPV infection from the Mediterranean and central Anatolian regions of Turkey were analyzed. The partial gene sequences of the L1, E6, and E7 regions were compared with those of CPV types in the GenBank database. The results showed that CPV-1 infection was the dominant type of canine papillomatosis in Turkey. In addition, there was no statistically significant association between the frequency of the disease and the age or gender of the dog (p>0.05). However, all the dogs were pedigree breeds, suggesting that the disease may be more prevalent among pure-bred dogs than mixed breeds.

Evidence of zoonotic pseudocowpox virus infection from a cattle in Turkey.

Pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) infects cattle throughout the world and has zoonotic potential. However, it is not known to infect cattle in Turkey. In August 2013, we observed ulcerative nodular swelling and pustules on udder and teats of a cow in a small village nearly Lake of Bafa, Milas, Mugla locate in southwestern part of Turkey. Interestingly, the similar lesions were also observed on skin of milkier women's hand at the same time. A PCPV strain was characterized based on the major envelop gene sequence. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolated strain was closely related to the members of other parapoxvirus genus. This study provides the first description of PCPV infection in Turkey.