The equid herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) and 5 (EHV-5), identified agents of respiratory infections and keratoconjunctivitis cases in some equids, comprise a high degree of antigenic heterogeneity. Prevalence and genetic characterization of EHV-2 and EHV-5 strains from Turkey were investigated in this study. A total of 73 nasal swabs and 54 blood specimens were sampled from horses with respiratory tract diseases characterized by mucopurulent nasal discharge and occasional coughing. Overall, EHV-2- and EHV-5-specific DNA amplicons were obtained from 19.2% (14/73) and 21.9% (16/73) of horses tested by multiplex nested PCR. Sequences of EHV-2 and EHV-5 glycoprotein B (gB) gene were used in a phylogenetic analysis that included six EHV-2 and three EHV-5 isolates, which showed that the Turkish EHV-2 and EHV-5 strains have marked sequence divergence from European strains and from each other. Turkish EHV-2 isolates were divided into two distinct subdivisions, and a few isolates were located on a separate branch. This study provides the first epidemiological and phylogenetical report about EHV-2 and EHV-5 infections in Turkey.

BackgroundTicks are involved with the transmission of several viruses with significant health impact. As incidences of tick-borne viral infections are rising, several novel and divergent tick- associated viruses have recently been documented to exist and circulate worldwide. This study was performed as a cross-sectional screening for all major tick-borne viruses in several regions in Turkey. Next generation sequencing (NGS) was employed for virus genome characterization. Ticks were collected at 43 locations in 14 provinces across the Aegean, Thrace, Mediterranean, Black Sea, central, southern and eastern regions of Anatolia during 2014–2016. Following morphological identification, ticks were pooled and analysed via generic nucleic acid amplification of the viruses belonging to the genera Flavivirus, Nairovirus and Phlebovirus of the families Flaviviridae and Bunyaviridae, followed by sequencing and NGS in selected specimens.ResultsA total of 814 specimens, comprising 13 tick species, were collected and evaluated in 187 pools. Nairovirus and phlebovirus assays were positive in 6 (3.2%) and 48 (25.6%) pools. All nairovirus sequences were closely-related to the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) strain AP92 and formed a phylogenetically distinct cluster among related strains. Major portions of the CCHFV genomic segments were obtained via NGS. Phlebovirus sequencing revealed several tick-associated virus clades, including previously-characterized Antigone, Lesvos, KarMa and Bole tick viruses, as well as a novel clade. A wider host range for tick-associated virus strains has been observed. NGS provided near-complete sequences of the L genomic segments of Antigone and KarMa clades, as well as Antigone partial S segment. Co- infections of CCHFV and KarMa or novel phlebovirus clades were detected in 2.1% of the specimens.ConclusionsWidespread circulation of various tick-associated phlebovirus clades were documented for the first time in Anatolia. Genomes of CCHFV AP92 strains were identified in previously unexplored locations. NGS provided the most detailed genomic characterization of the Antigone and KarMa viruses to date. The epidemiological and health-related consequences must be elucidated.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-017-2279-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Specimens from 72 wild birds belonging in 8 orders and 14 species were collected. A total of 158 specimens that comprise 32 sera (20.3%) from 7 species and 126 tissues (79.7%) from 14 species were screened. Eight specimens (8/158, 5%), obtained from 4 individuals (4/72, 5.5%), were positive. West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 1 sequences were characterized in the spleen, heart, and kidney tissues from a lesser spotted eagle (Clanga pomarina), which distinctly clustered from sequences previously identified in Turkey. Toscana virus (TOSV) genotype A and B sequences were identified in brain and kidney tissues from a greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), a great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), and a black stork (Ciconia nigra), without successful virus isolation. Partial amino acid sequences of the viral nucleocapsid protein revealed previously unreported substitutions. This study documents the involvement of avians in WNV dispersion in Anatolia as well in TOSV life cycle.

Introduction: Toscana virus (TOSV) is a sandfly-borne bunyavirus with a significant public health impact. Preliminary studies have revealed TOSV exposure in dogs and they were suggested as potential reservoirs. This study was performed to characterize canine TOSV infections in an endemic region. Sequencing of TOSV small (S) segment in several previously identified specimens was also undertaken to reveal viral genealogy. Materials and Methods: Canine and feline plasma were collected in several districts of Mersin province, Mediterranean Anatolia, Turkey, during May-September, 2015. Phlebovirus RNA was screened through two nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, targeting S and large (L) segments of the viral genome. A kinetoplast minicircle nested PCR was employed for Leishmania DNA detection and typing. Previously collected TOSV-positive specimens from humans, dogs, cats, and sandflies from various regions in Turkey and Cyprus were further evaluated through the S segment PCR. All amplicons were characterized through sequencing. Results: A total of 210 specimens that comprise canine (76.2%) and feline (23.8%) plasma were screened. In three (1.9%) and two (1.3%) canine specimens, TOSV and Leishmania nucleic acids were detected, respectively. The TOSV strains were characterized as genotype B, and Leishmania infantum was identified in positive specimens. Twenty-four partial S segment sequences were amplified, which demonstrated a maximum intramural diversity of 3.88% in the nucleotide level. Sequence comparisons revealed significant similarities to particular genotype B strains characterized in Spain and France, whereas a notable divergence was observed among several TOSV strains. Single or recurrent amino acid substitutions were noted in eight residues of the viral nucleocapsid. Discussion: Canine infections of TOSV genotype B, with temporal and spatial association with L. infantum, were detected. Divergent TOSV S segment sequences with amino acid substitutions, presumably associated with host adaptation, were observed.

This study was planned to determine the prevalences of the Nosema spp. and the black queen-cell virus (BQCV) among honeybees (Apis mellifera) raised in the province of Van by PCR and to determine the molecular characteristics of the determined isolates. A total of 260 adult worker bees from 26 colonies at 5 apiary locations belonging to the province of Van in April and May 2015 were collected for this reason. Samples were examined microscopically. In the case of positivity, spore identification was done by multiplex PCR. Reverse transcription/PCR analysis (RT/PCR) was carried out for the BQCV analysis. At the end of the microscopic examination, Nosema spp. spores were detected in 8 out of 26 colonies (32.5%). The result of multiplex-PCR revealed Nosema ceranae positivity in all of the samples, but no Nosema apis was determined. As a result of the RT/PCR tests of the samples BQCV was detected in 23 (88.5%) of the total 26 colonies. This study is the first to investigate Nosema spp. and BQCV with the PCR technique in bees raised in the province of Van.

The aim of this work was to investigate the molecular characteristics of bovine leukemia viruses (BLVs) in Turkey. The variability of env and gag fragments of BLVs was examined using DNA from blood samples obtained for sequence analysis of BLVs in four cattle herds from three different geographical areas in Turkey. The env gene sequences were highly similar to those of Brasilian, Argentine, and Japanese BLV strains, while gag genes from Turkish BLV isolates showed greatest similarity to those of Iranian isolates. This paper is the first report on the partial characterisation of env and gag genetic fragments of BLVs from Turkey.

SummaryThis study aimed to determine the presence and prevalence of viral and parasitic infections causing high rates of colony loss in honey bee colonies in Van province, eastern Turkey. Twenty-six different apiaries were collected from five counties in Van province. These samples were tested by Reverse-Transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) for acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), black queen cell virus (BQCV) and deformed wing virus (DWV). Selected positives were sequenced, phylogenetically analyzed and investigated in terms of Varroa. DWV and BQCV were identified in 69.23% (18/26) and 88.46% (23/26) of the bees respectively whereas ABPV and CBPV were not detected in the sampled apiaries. Results of the phylogenetic analysis of DWV and BQCV sequences showed 94-100% similarity to DWV and BQCV isolates obtained from Genbank. Prevalence of varroasis was 89% (23/26) in Van. The obtained samples were identified as Varroa destructor by morphological investigation. The study showed that viral and parasitic agents commonly infect honeybees in Van province, with high prevalence rates for BQCV and DWV. There was also a high degree of conservation of DWV and BQCV sequences distinct from DWV and BQCV isolates from other geographical regions. These findings, including current prevalence and phylogenetic analysis data for DWV, BQCV and varroazis in honeybees, are useful for future studies.

The present study investigated the seroprevalance of Visna Maedi Virus (VMV) and Border Disease Virus (BDV) infections in sheeps in regions in and around Van province, Turkey. Sample materials were taken from 360 sheep sent to slaughterhouses around Van. All serum samples were examined using ELISA for antibodies for Visna Maedi (VMV) and Border Disease (BDV) viruses. Of these, 38 (10.5%) tested positive for Visna Maedi virus antibodies and 163 (45.2%) for Border Disease virus antibodies. Varying numbers of samples were positive for both virus antibodies across the towns of Erciş, Çaldıran, Erçek and Başkale in Van, Ağrı and Hakkari provinces. Both infections should be eliminated by informing veterinarians and animal owners, identifying and eliminating persistently infected animals from flocks, and conducting appropriate eradication measures. Economic support should be provided for this.