Entamoeba histolytica in Different Water Sources of Nigde Province of Turkey.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to determine the presence of Entamoeba histolytica in water sources of Nigde province in Turkey, between June and November 2021. METHODS: A total of 90 water samples were taken from 15 different water sources (drinking water, well water, spring water, wastewater and dam water) every month and the presence of E. histolytica antigens in the samples was examined by ELISA. RESULTS: The positivity for E. histolytica was determined in 7 (7.7%) of 90 samples. While no antigens were found in any of the samples in June and September, E. histolytica was positive for three samples (20%) in July, one sample (6.6%) in August and October and two samples in November (13.3%). One of 24 dam samples (4.1%), 1 of 12 wastewater samples (8.3%), 1 of 12 well samples (8.3%), and 4 of 24 fountain samples (16.6%) that examined by ELISA were found positive. On the other hand, none of the examined 18 spring samples were positive. In addition, 4 (8.8%) of 45 samples that examined in summer and 3 (6.6%) of 45 samples that examined in autumn were detected positive by using ELISA. Entamoeba histolytica positivity in samples was statistically insignificant in terms of months, water resources and seasons (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: As a result, the presence of E. histolytica, which is an important public health problem in water sources, was determined for the first time in Nigde province of Türkiye with this study.

Wolbachia spp. and Spiroplasma spp. in Musca spp.: Detection Using Molecular Approaches

Objective: This study aimed to detect the presence of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma endosymbionts in Musca flies through molecular approaches. Methods: In total, 40 Musca spp. (20 female and 20 male) were used. Before DNA extraction, the flies were dissected and their heads, wings and legs were detached from their bodies under a stereomicroscope. Genomic DNA was analysed by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers against Musca beta-tubulin. Afterward, the samples were examined for the presence of Wolbachia spp. using primers against Wolbachia wsp and GroEL. Furthermore, the DNA samples were analysed by PCR to detect the presence of Spiroplasma using primers against the 16S rRNA. Results: No Wolbachia positivity was detected in Musca flies, as shown by the negative PCR results for wsp and GroEL. Spiroplasma positivity was detected in 5% (1/20) of the female Musca flies but not in the male flies (0/20). Conclusion: Wolbachia spp. were not detected in Musca flies. Of the total Musca flies, only one was positive for Spiroplasma spp. To our knowledge, this is the first study to detect the presence of Spiroplasma in Musca flies.

Investigation of Wolbachia spp. and Spiroplasma spp. in Phlebotomus species by molecular methods.

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of Wolbachia spp. and Spiroplasma spp. in natural populations of sand flies in Turkey by molecular methods. A total of 40 Phlebotomus specimens (19 female and 21 male) were used in this study. Genomic DNA from whole sand flies was isolated and Wolbachia spp. infection prevalence was investigated by using Wolbachia gene specific primer sets (wsp and GroEL). In addition, the DNA were analyzed for the presence of Spiroplasma infections utilizing bacterium specific 16 S rDNA PCR-amplification primers. Results of this analysis showed a Wolbachia infection prevalence of 70% (28/40). There was no sex-bias in infection prevalence, being 76% (16/21) and 63% (12/19) in males and females, respectively. Analysis of Spiroplasma infections indicated that 26% (5/19) of female sand flies were positive for infection, while none of the screened males (0/21) were positive. Of the 40 sand fly samples, only 2 were found to be positive for both Wolbachia spp. and Spiroplasma spp. The present study demonstrates the presence of Wolbachia and Spiroplasma infections in the natural sand fly populations in Turkey. This is the first report on Spiroplasma infection in the sand flies from Turkey.

The Importance of Checking Leishmania Promastigotes Viability in the Proteomics Analysis of Secretions.

OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted to detect the prevalence of haemoprotozoan parasites in the domestic and wild pigeons in Nigde province. METHODS: The study material included a total of 216 pigeons, which comprised 105 domestic (55 females, 50 males) and 111 wild (53 females, 58 males) pigeons belonging to Nigde province. Smears were prepared using the blood collected from the vena cutanea ulnaris of the pigeons and then examined for the presence of haemoprotozoan parasites under a light microscope using immersion objective. RESULTS: The microscopic examination of the smears showed that 107 (49.54%) of the 216 pigeons were infected with Haemoproteus columbae. The samples collected from 9 (8.57%) of the 105 domestic pigeons and 98 (88.29%) of the 111 wild pigeons were positive for H. columbae. The positivity rates of H. columbae between the domestic and wild pigeons were calculated to be statistically significant (p<0.01). The average level of parasitaemia in the 107 pigeons infected with H. columbae was detected to be 2.85%. On the other hand, Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, and Trypanosoma species were not observed in the blood smears of the pigeons. CONCLUSION: This is the first survey regarding H. columbae performed on the domestic and wild pigeons in Nigde province.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Sheep from Nevsehir Province inTurkey.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in sheep from Nevsehir Province in Turkey. METHODS: Blood samples were taken from 180 sheep aged between 1 and 7 years, which were randomly selected from seven different study sites in Nevsehir Province. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies to T. gondii was performed on all the serum samples. RESULTS: Eighteen (10%) serum samples were found to be seropositive for T. gondii antibodies. The highest seropositivity rate (11.53%) was found in sheep aged between 1 and 2 years, whereas the lowest seropositivity rate (8.51%) was found in sheep aged between 5 and 7 years old. Eighteen of the 162 ewes (11.1%) were found to be seropositive, whereas none of the 18 tested rams were seropositive. In addition, considering the study site location, the highest seropositivity rate was in Avanos (32%), whereas the lowest seropositivity rate was in Kozakli (2.9%). The T. gondii seropositivity rates were statistically insignificant with regard to age groups and gender (p>0.05), whereas they were statistically significant (p<0.05) with regard to study centers. CONCLUSION: This is the first serological report on toxoplasmosis in sheep from Nevsehir Province in Turkey.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in domestic (Columba livia domestica) and wild (Columba livia livia) pigeons in Nigde region, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii specific antibodies in domestic (Columba livia domestica) and wild (Columba livia livia) pigeons between October 2003-June 2004. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 216 pigeons, consisting of 105 (55 female, 50 male) domestic pigeons and 111 (53 female, 58 male) wild pigeons. The sera were tested for T. gondii antibodies using the Sabin Feldman Dye Test (SFDT). RESULTS: One of the 105 (0.95%) domestic pigeon and one of the 111 (0.90%) wild pigeon were found to be seropositive for T. gondii antibodies at the titer of 1:16. CONCLUSION: This is the first serological study on toxoplasmosis in the domestic and wild pigeon in the Nigde region of Turkey.

Investigation of seroprevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in horses in Nigde province, Turkey.

The prevalence of equine piroplasmosis caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in Nigde, in central Anatolia, Turkey has remained unknown. Serum samples were obtained from a total of 125 horses and were tested for antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi using the Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). Twenty-three (18.4%) horses were seropositive for equine piroplasmosis. Anti-T. equi was observed in 16 horses (12.8%) while anti-B. caballi was detected in 12 horses (9.6%). In addition, 5 serum samples were positive for both parasites. The prevalence rates of antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi for female and male horses were statistically indifferent (p = 0.19 and 0.90). The difference between the seropositivity rates to T. equi among age groups was statistically insignificant (p = 0.44) while the difference to B. caballi among age groups is statistically significant (p = 0.01). Seropositivity rates ranged from 2.9% to 25.7% for T. equi and 2.9% to 14.3% for B. caballi from the selected districts in Nigde. A statistically significant difference on seropositivity rates for the study sites was observed for only T.equi (p = 0.03). This study indicates that T. equi is higher than B. caballi in Nigde.

Hypodermosis in cattle slaughtered in Nigde province, Turkey.

This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of hypodermosis in cattle between January and June 2005 in Nigde province, which is located in the middle of Turkey. A total of 1336 cattle, which were slaughtered in Nigde, were investigated for Hypoderma larvae. The 68 out of 1336 cattle (%5.08) were found positive for Hypoderma larvae. A total of 536 Hypoderma larvae were found in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the back of infested cattle. The 489 out of 536 larvae (%91.23) were identified as Hypoderma bovis and 47 out of 536 (%8.77) as H. lineatum. Number of Hypoderma larvae counted on single infested cattle varied between 1-45 and the mean number of Hypoderma larvae per cattle was 7.88 (536/68). Hypodermosis was recorded for the first time in cattle from Nigde.

[Culicoides latr, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) species in the Nigde province]. / Nigde yöresi Culicoides latr, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) türleri.

This study was carried out in order to detect Culicoides species in the Nigde province (Tepe and Mezbaha) from June 2001-October 2001. Light traps were used for the collection of Culicoides specimens. The Culicoides specimens were cleared in phenol alcohol and they were mounted on slides. In this study a total of 593 Culicoides specimens composed of 548 females and 45 males were collected and 12 species (Culicoides punctatus, C. circumscriptus, C. festivipennis, C. gejgelensis, C. longipennis, C. maritimus, C. picturatus, C. puncticollis, C. nubeculosus, C. odiatus, C. pumilus and C. subneglectus), were identified.

[The remains of cattle slaughtered in the open fields provided the growth medium for the myiasis fly.]. / Sigir kesim artiklari üzerinde gelismelerini sürdüren myiasis sinekleri.

This study has been carried out to show that myiasis flies can grow on the carelessly discarded remains of slaughtered cattle. For this purpose, 11 larvae that were found on a piece of cattle remains that weighed 250 grams was put into 70% alcohol for identification; and the remaining 20 larvae were put into a pot containing sand on the bottom. The pot was covered with a piece of cloth in order to let them complete their growth. Later the pot was put outside so that the larvae could develop under natural conditions and daily growth of the larvae was determined. Pupas were produced by the larvae after 21 days and adult flies, after 28 days. With the help of identification keys, it was determined that out of the eleven larvae that were initially put into 70% alcohol, 5 larvae were third period Calliphora vicina and 3 larvae, second period. The remaining 3 larvae were third period Muscina stabulans. All of the 18 flies that developed from the 20 larvae in the covered pot outside were C. vicina.