Prevalence of Theileria/Babesia Species in Ruminants in Burdur Province of Turkey.

PURPOSE: Theileriosis and babesiosis, two tick-borne haemoparasitic diseases (TBHDs) of ruminants, are caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Theileria and Babesia, respectively. Among them, some species are considered to be highly pathogenic causing serious economic losses to livestock holders especially in tropic and subtropic regions. Local and/or general control measures are needed to be applied to reduce economic impact of TBHDs. Prevalence studies are essential for the implementation and/or design of effective prevention and control measures based on true epidemiological data. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence, prevalence and possible cross infections of Theileria/Babesia species between sheep, goat and cattle herds in Burdur province in Turkey. METHODS: A total of 964 blood samples were collected from sheep (n = 330), goat (n = 300) and cattle (n = 334) from five different districts of Burdur province. The samples were investigated for ovine and bovine Theileria/Babesia species using reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization assay. RESULTS: In small ruminants, T. ovis was the most abundant Theileria species detected in sheep with a rate of 79.69%. Among Babesia species, B. ovis and B. crassa were detected only in blood of goats (0.66%) and sheep (1.12%) as single and mixed infections, respectively. In cattle, T. annulata, B. bovis, Babesia spp. were detected in rates of 0.59%, 3.29%, 3.59%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Obtained results clearly indicated that no cross infections with Theileria/Babesia species occurred in small ruminant and cattle herds that use the same grazing area.

Investigation of Neospora caninum Seroprevalence and Association with Reproductive Problems in Cows in Burdur Province of Turkey.

BACKGROUND: An apicomplexan protozoon Neospora caninum, causative agent of neosporosis, is recognized as one of the most common and important cause of sporadic and endemic bovine abortion and reduced reproductivity in dairy and beef cattle worldwide. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between N. caninum seroprevalence and infertility problems in 400 cows in Burdur, city, Turkey. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from vena jugularis into sterile serum tubes from 49 aborted, 58 infertil, 48 pregnant and 245 healthy cows for the findings of reproductive anamnesis during a period of March 2010 to March 2011. Sera samples were analyzed by competitive ELISA kit. RESULTS: The seroprevalences were 7.7%, 6.4% and 4.2% in 2-4, ≤2 and ≥4 age groups respectively and no statistically significance observed between age groups. Seropositivity rates were 5.7%, 5.1%, 4.5%, 3.6% in Holstein, Montofon, cross-breeds and Simental breeds respectively. Seroprevalence differences was not statistically significant among cattle breeds. Antibodies to N. caninum were found in rates of 16.3%, 6.9%, 6.3%, 2.4% in aborted, infertile, pregnant and healthy cows respectively and there was a significant difference (P<0.01) between aborted and healthy animals. Seroprevalences were Yesilova 10%, Gölhisar and Aglasun 8%, Bucak, Çavdir and Kemer 4%, Karamanli and Burdur Centrum 2%, according to districts. CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence of N. caninum was revealed in Burdur region. It was emphasized that N. caninum infection should not be ignored in reproductive problems, especially in abortion cases.

Prevalence and genotyping of bovine Cryptosporidium species in the Mediterranean and Central Anatolia Region of Turkey.

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium species in calves and heifers with relation to diarrhea from several herds was investigated in this study. Fecal samples were collected from 135 and 120 pre-weaned calves and 79 and 130 heifers raised in the Central Anatolia (CAR) and Mediterranean Regions (MR) of Turkey, respectively. A total of 86 post-weaned calves in CAR were also included in the study. For diagnostic comparison, all samples were examined by microscopic examination, SSU rRNA nested PCR and TaqMan real-time PCR for the presence of oocyst and Cryptosporidium DNA. In total, 102 (34.0 %) and 93 (37.2 %) of the examined samples from CAR and MR were found positive for Cryptosporidium DNA with both nested PCR and real-time PCR analyses, respectively with an overall prevalence of 35.5 %. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of microscopic examination were determined as 68.7 % and 100.0 % compared to molecular tools, respectively. RFLP and sequence analyses of the SSU rRNA from the PCR products revealed that 138 (70.8 %) out of 195 positive isolates were C. parvum further confirming the species-specific real-time PCR results. Among the remaining 57 (29.2 %) positive isolates, 30 (15.4 %) and 27 (13.8 %) were characterized as C. ryanae and C. bovis, respectively. C. parvum was the dominant species in pre-weaned calves especially with diarrhea while C. bovis and C. ryanae were mostly found in post-weaned calves and heifers. The sequence analyses of the gp60 gene of C. parvum isolates revealed two subtypes (IIaA13G2R1, IIaA14G1R1) belonging to zoonotic family IIa, with IIaA13G2R1 being the most common in diarrheic calves.

Parasitologic and pathologic observations of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus).

This study describes the parasites and related pathologic observations in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). In total, 48 birds were examined and 41 sparrows were found to be infected with one or more endoparasites (85.4%). The most common parasites were liver trematodes identified as Brachydistomum microscelis and Brachydistomum gracupicae. In addition, coccidia and a cestode (Infula spp.) were observed. In one bird, one female Tetrameres sp. and one female Microtetrameres sp. were found in the proventriculus. No blood parasite was found after examination of the blood smears. No gross pathologic lesion was seen in the organs except for the proventriculus, gut, and liver. At histologic examination small necrotic areas and inflammatory reactions were seen in the liver and the gastrointestinal system related to the parasites. Incidentally, anthracosis was diagnosed in 23 and mild pneumonia in 12 of the lungs.

Efficacy of eprinomectin against Toxacara canis in dogs.

This study was made to investigate efficacy of eprinomectin against to Toxocara canis in dogs. In the study, 20 stray dogs naturally infected with T. canis were divided into two groups as treatment (ten dogs) and control (ten dogs). Eprinomectin (100 microg/kg, Eprinex 250 ml) was given to treatment group dogs orally, and eggs per gram were determined in the faeces on the day of pre-treatment and the second, fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth days of post-treatment. No side effects associated with nervous, respiratory, gastrointestinal systems and some haematological parameters were observed. In conclusion, eprinomectin was determined to be 100% effectual against T. canis.