Steroids (cholesterol and ergosterol) are components of cell membranes. There are important sterols like cardenolide-digoxigenin and bufadienolide-scillarenin, which have an effect on the heart. Fusidic acid, a steroid obtained from the fungus Fusidium coccineum, has antimicrobial characteristics and is used to treat infections caused by gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria (5-10 mg/kg 3 times per day). Alfaxolone and alfadolone are synthetic steroids developed in this way for general anesthesia (1).Soybeans are a major source of beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol, which play a role in the growth of plant cells. Beta-sitosterol is added to products like margarine and corn oil. Fats like these have an antilipidemic effect because they reduce the absorption of cholesterol through the intestines (they cause less lipidemia than normal fats). Stigmasterol acts as an antioxidant. It also reduces the risk of prostate cancer (2,3).It is known that plant-based sterols (stigmasterol) have a negative effect on the absorption of other steroids by the intestines (they also prevent the biosynthesis of cholesterol). Stigmasterol, campesterol, and beta-sitosterol have been demonstrated to inhibit the D24-reductase enzyme in Caco-2 and HL-60 cells. It has been found
Bovine brucellosis, caused by Brucella abortus, is a significant problem for both public and animal health in Turkey. This study was conducted on the calving seasons between 2001 and 2006. A total of 626 serum samples of cattle obtained from 27 herds with a history of abortions was examined for Brucella antibodies by RBPT, SAT and ELISA. Of the cattle sera analysed, 221 (35.30%) and 206 (32.92%) and 247 (39.45%) were found to be positive by RBPT, SAT and ELISA, respectively. B. abortus was isolated from 48 (32.21%) of 149 lung samples and stomach contents of the aborted fetuses. Based on the biochemical tests and the agglutination tests with monospecific A and M antisera, only 3 of the isolates were found to be B. abortus biotype 1 and the remaining 45 were biotype 3. This study also revealed that the dominant biotype of B. abortus was biotype 3 in this region. The determination of the agents responsible for bovine brucellosis and serosurvey of this disease are expected to help better understanding of this zoonotic infection in this region and neighbouring countries.
The prevalence of brucellosis was investigated in cattle, farmers and veterinarians in the Kars district of Turkey between 2004 -2006. In order to achieve this, a total of 407 serum samples of cattle from 27 herds having history of abortions were examined for Brucella antibodies by RBPT and SAT. In addition, the sera collected from 246 farmers (130 males and 116 females) and 28 veterinarians in the same district were analysed serologically by RBPT, SAT and ELISA. Of the cattle sera analysed, 134 (32.92%) and 141 (34.64%) were determined as positive by RBPT and SAT, respectively. Thirty-two (13%), 35 (14.22%) and 44 (17.88%) of the farmers' sera were found positive for brucellosis by RBPT, SAT and ELISA, respectively. There was no significant difference between sexes for Brucella seropositivity. Of the 28 sera from veterinarians, 13 (46.42%) were positive by the three serological tests. The high prevalence of brucellosis both in cattle and humans suggests that brucellosis is common in this area. Preventive and control measures should be implemented and pursued more strictly to reduce and/or eradicate brucellosis from the area.
In this study, the prevalence and distribution of various Arcobacter spp. were investigated in samples taken from the cloacae of healthy domestic geese raised in Turkey. A membrane filtration technique with a non-selective blood agar was employed after enrichment in Arcobacter enrichment broth (AEB) to isolate a wide range of Arcobacter spp. In addition, the isolates were characterized phenotypically and identified at species level using a multiplex-PCR assay. A total of 90 cloacal swab samples taken from geese, collected on three farms (18, 25, 47 samples, respectively), were examined. Of the samples examined, 16 (18%) were found positive for Arcobacter. One Arcobacter species was isolated from each bird. Of the 16 Arcobacter isolates, 7 (44%), 7 (44%) and 2 (12.5%) were identified by m-PCR as A. cryaerophilus, A. skirrowii and A. butzleri, respectively. The present study indicates that domestic geese can harbour a variety of Arcobacter spp. in their cloacae. The presence of Arcobacter in geese may be of significance as reservoirs in their dissemination. Detailed research is needed for better understanding of the epidemiology and zoonotic potential of this emerging pathogen. #
Background Bacillus (B.) anthracis, the causal agent of anthrax, is effectively controlled by the Sterne live spore vaccine (34F2) in animals. However, live spore vaccines are not suitable for simultaneous vaccination and antibiotic treatment of animals being at risk of infection in an outbreak situation. Non-living vaccines could close this gap.ResultsIn this study a combination of recombinant protective antigen and recombinant Bacillus collagen-like antigen (rBclA) with or without formalin inactivated spores (FIS), targeted at raising an immune response against both the toxins and the spore of B. anthracis, was tested for immunogenicity and protectiveness in goats. Two groups of goats received from local farmers of the Kars region of Turkey were immunized thrice in three weeks intervals and challenged together with non-vaccinated controls with virulent B. anthracis, four weeks after last immunization. In spite of low or none measurable toxin neutralizing antibodies and a surprisingly low immune response to the rBclA, 80% of the goats receiving the complete vaccine were protected against a lethal challenge. Moreover, the course of antibody responses indicates that a two-step vaccination schedule could be sufficient for protection.ConclusionThe combination of recombinant protein antigens and FIS induces a protective immune response in goats. The non-living nature of this vaccine would allow for a concomitant antibiotic treatment and vaccination procedure. Further studies should clarify how this vaccine candidate performs in a post infection scenario controlled by antibiotics.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-017-1140-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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