IntroductionEchinococcus granulosus is a zoonotic helminth of the Taeniidae family living in the small intestines of dogs. The hydatid cyst, which is the larval form of this parasite, is observed in sheep, goat, cattle, and many other organisms including humans. It causes a disease called cystic echinococcosis. Identification of strains of E. granulosus in dogs is critical in parasite control and eradication where possible. This study aims to determine the genotype of E. granulosus eggs and prevalence of this parasite in the faeces of dogs in the Van Province using the copro-PCR method.Material and MethodsThis study was conducted between 2015 and 2016 on the faeces obtained from 100 stray dogs from different parts of the Van Province. The coprological examination was conducted using the formalin-ether concentration method.ResultsTaeniidae eggs were found in 10 (10%) out of 100 faecal samples. E. granulosus was detected in 4 out of 10 of these (40%) infected samples. Sequence analysis of positive amplicons obtained from PCR showed that there were sheep strains (G1).ConclusionDogs in Van area are primarily infected with the livestock genotype of E. granulosus, which is thought to be a potential zoonotic threat to humans.

IntroductionToxocara canis and Toxocara cati are roundworms of dogs and cats. The purpose of this study was to investigate the infection caused by these ascarids in cats and dogs, using microscopic and molecular analysis methods.Material and MethodsAdult ascarids were gathered from the faeces of dogs and cats in Van province, in 2015–2016. Existing keys and PCR sequencing of the ITS-2 fragment were used to identify the morphological features of the parasite species.ResultsIt was observed that out of 20 adult ascarids, 17 and 3 were found to be Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, respectively. The ITS-2 gene region was amplified by PCR to perform molecular analysis. Genotyping indicated that the dogs and cats were infected with T. canis and T. cati, respectively, and none had Toxascaris leonina.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the molecular characteristics of adult ascaridoid nematodes from cats and dogs in Turkey. The molecular approaches established in this study enable molecular identification and genetic structure studies of the ascaridoids.

Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato is a zoonotic helminth with a life cycle that include of definitive hosts (dogs and wild carnivores) and intermediate hosts (usually the even-toed ungulates, Artiodactyla). Intermediate hosts become infected by ingesting the parasite eggs in contaminated food and water. Accidental intermediate hosts acquire infection in a similar way as other intermediate hosts. A two-year-old female cat was presented to the Van (Turkey) Animal Care and Rehabilitation Center with abdominal tension. Multiple intraperitoneal vesicles, which were found to be E. granulosus (s.1.) metacestodes, were observed during the ultrasound imaging. Then, the animal was laparotomized. Phylogenetic analysis based the partial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (pcox1) mitochondrial gene region was performed on metacestode samples (hydatid cysts). The isolate was identified as sensu stricto genotype G1, which is most commonly found in Turkey.

Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi of the phylum Apicomplexa. In this study, 102 blood samples were randomly collected from the horses in Mus province of Turkey. PCR analysis, gene sequences, and phylogenetic analyses were carried out for detecting the presence and genotypic characteristics of species that cause piroplasmosis. Four (3.9%) of the 102 horses that were examined were found to be positive for T. equi, while B. caballi was not detected. Theileria equi isolates that were detected in the sequence analyses were found to be 100% identical to the isolates that were isolated from the horses in Turkey, the United States, and South Africa as well. In the phylogenetic analysis, all of the isolates were found to cluster with T. equi sequences in the genotype A. This study, in which we revealed intraspecies sequence heterogeneity of the parasite using the 18S rRNA gene region, provides important epidemiological data for equine piroplasmosis. However, we think that determining the characterization of genotypes that are common in different parts of our country is extremely important in terms of developing new diagnostic tools and vaccines.

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