BackgroundCanine tick-borne parasites have emerged in recent years, showing a wider geographic distribution and increased global prevalence. In addition to their veterinary importance, domestic dogs play an important role in the transmission cycles of some agents by acting as reservoirs and sentinels. This study investigated Babesia, Theileria, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia species in asymptomatic dogs in ten provinces of Turkey.MethodsDNA obtained from blood samples collected from 757 domestic dogs (243 stray, 351 shelter, 163 pet) of both sexes and various ages were evaluated using PCR and reverse line blotting (RLB) assays.ResultsOf the 757 dogs tested, 41 (5.4%) were found to be infected with one or more parasites. Ehrlichia canis (37/757, 4.9%) was the most common canine tick-borne pathogen, followed by Anaplasma platys (4/757, 0.5%). Babesia canis and Theileria annulata were each detected in 1 (0.13%) sample. Combined infection of E. canis and A. platys was detected in 2 (0.3%) samples. The prevalence of tick-borne pathogens was higher in adult dogs (6.8%) than in those under one year old (3.1%). Difference in infection rate of male and female dogs was not significant. Pet dogs had a lower prevalence of infection (1.2%) compared to stray (7.4%) and shelter dogs (6%) although the difference between stray and shelter dogs was not significant.ConclusionsBabesia canis, T. annulata, A. platys, and E. canis species were identified at the molecular level in dogs in several provinces of Turkey, with E. canis being the most common species among tick-borne pathogens. Detailed studies should be conducted regarding the existence and prevalence of B. canis and Dermacentor reticulatus in eastern Turkey.

In this study, asymptomatic dogs in nine provinces of Turkey were surveyed to investigate the prevalence and intensity of Hepatozoon canis infection. DNA obtained from blood samples collected from 694 domestic dogs (243 stray, 288 shelter, and 163 pets) of both genders and varying ages were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, 285 thin blood smears prepared from these blood samples were also evaluated for microscopic examination. Direct microscopy revealed Hepatozoon gamonts in the peripheral blood of three of 285 (1.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21-3.04) tested. Using PCR, 155 of the 694 (22.3%; 95% CI: 19.28-25.61) were found to be positive for the presence of H. canis DNA. The prevalence of infection was higher in adult dogs (26.2%; 95% CI: 22.1-30.7) than young animals (16.4%; 95% CI: 12.2-21.3). Although the prevalence determined by PCR was higher in male dogs (24.5%; 95% CI: 19.6-29.9) than in female dogs (20.8%; 95% CI: 16.9-25.1), gender differences were not significant. Pet dogs had a lower prevalence of infection (10.4%; 95% CI: 6.2-16.2) compared to stray (26.3%; 95% CI: 20.9-32.3) and shelter dogs (25.7%; 95% CI: 20.7-31.1), but no significant association between stray and shelter dogs was found for the presence of the parasite. Partial sequences of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene shared 99-100% similarity with the corresponding H. canis isolates. This epidemiological survey revealed a high prevalence of H. canis in dogs from several provinces in Turkey, and it suggests that the age and origin are associated with the parasite.

We estimated the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in domestic dogs in five Turkish provinces - Sakarya, Kocaeli, Ankara, Elazig and Mersin - using a commercial ELISA kit for detecting circulating antigen and a PCR test for detecting circulating microfilarial DNA. A total of 211 whole-blood and serum samples were collected from dogs of various breeds, ages and life status (owned or stray). Sample population characteristics were recorded and examined for differences in prevalence. Additionally, we collected 15 blood samples from cats (14 owned and 1 stray) from Ankara province and used PCR to detect D. immitis infection. Twenty-seven (12.8%) of 211 dog samples were positive for D. immitis antigen by ELISA. No differences in prevalence were observed by sex (female: 14.4%; male: 10.7%; P>0.05). The prevalence of D. immitis infection varied with age: 11.8% in younger dogs (0.5-2 years) and 17.5% in older dogs (3-5 years). Prevalence between stray dogs (15.2%) and owned dogs (9.3%) did not differ (P>0.05). Prevalence rates were highest in Kocaeli province (18.3%), followed by Ankara (14.8%), Sakarya (12.3%) and Mersin (10.5%) provinces. Prevalence in Elazig province was 0%. No dogs or cats had microfilarial DNA detectable by PCR.

-In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of Nosema spp. in honeybees of Turkey. For this aim, adult honeybee (Apis mellifera ) samples were collected from 1621 colonies within 95 apiaries located in 22 provinces of Turkey. Samples were examined microscopically. In case of positivity, spore identification was done by multiplex PCR. At the end of microscopic examination, Nosema spp. spores were detected in 7 out of 22 provinces (31.8 %), and 16 out of 95 colonies (16.8 %) that represent 1621 colonies. According to PCR results, 1 out of 16 isolates (6.25 %) was Nosema apis , and 15 out of 16 isolates (93.75 %) were Nosema ceranae . The result of our study indicated that N.ceranae is the dominant species in Turkey.Nosema apis / Nosema ceranae / Multiplex PCR / Turkey

No abstract

SummaryThis study was conducted to determine the Eimeria species of Anatolian ground squirrels (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus). Eimeria spp. oocysts were found in all (100%) of seven fecal samples examined by zinc sulphate flotation method. Eimeria morainensis, E. callospermophili, and E. lateralis were detected in Anatolian ground squirrels in Turkey for the first time.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most important foodborne parasitic diseases of humans. In particular, sheep muscles are significant sources of infection in the transmission of toxoplasmosis. Carnivorism is the most important transmission route for human populations. The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts in sheep meats in retail stores of Turkey. A total of 250 boneless sheep meat samples were purchased from randomly selected retail stores in different locations of Ankara and Kırıkkale provinces of Turkey. The homogenized meat samples were centrifuged with Percoll dilutions. The tissue cysts were removed by pipette and analyzed under light microscope. Additionally, nested PCR was used to detect T. gondii DNA in the meat samples. Tissue cysts were observed in 21.2% of the meat samples with Percoll gradient centrifugation. The prevalences of the tissue cysts were detected as 20.8% in the meat samples obtained from Ankara and 22.4% from Kırıkkale (P > 0.05). T. gondii DNA was detected in 40.8% of the meat samples with nested PCR.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of equine granulocytic anaplasmosis, affects several species of wild and domesticated mammals, including horse, besides human. In Turkey, there were many reports on A. phagocytophilum circulation among cattles, sheep, dogs, mice, humans, except horses. In this study, we aimed to inquiry whether A. phagocytophilum were circulating among the horse population or not. For this purpose, 105 mare horse blood sera were examined for the presence of Anti-Anaplasma phagocytophilum IgG antibodies by IFAT. The seroprevalance rate of 8.57% horse sera were found to be positive. This was the first report about the presence of anti-A. phagocytophilum antibodies in horses in Turkey..