Studies on the Determination of Ectoparasites and the Prevalence Rate in Cattle in İzmir, Aydın and Muğla Regions

Objective

The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence rates of ectoparasites (external parasites) seen in cattle in Muğla, Aydın and İzmir regions.

Methods

For ectoparasite screening, a total of 1,353 cattle breeds from Muğla, Aydın and İzmir regions were included in the study. Ectoparasite samples were collected with the help of hand, forceps, comb and scalpel, brought to the laboratory in plastic containers containing 70% alcohol and examined under a microscope.

Results

In the study, 191 (14.12%) of 1,353 cattle were infested with external parasites. Of the cattle, 138 (72.25%) ticks, 24 (12.57%) lice, 9 (4.71%) tabanid, 8 (4.19%) hippoboscid, 7 (3.66%) fleas and 5 (2.62%) mites were detected. Accordingly, 4 tick species in cattle Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma excavatum, Hyalomma detritum, Rhipicephalus turanicus, 4 lice species (Bovicola bovis, Linognathus vituli, Solenopotes capillatus, Haematopinus quadripertusus ), 1 mite species (Chorioptes bovis), 2 flea species (Ctenocephalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis), 1 hippoboscid fly species (Hippobosca equina) ve 3 tabanid fly species (Tabanus bromius, Tabanus exclusus, Philipomyia aprica) diagnosed.

Conclusion

The presence of external parasites varied depending on the frequency of antiparasitic use in cattle.

Retrospective Analysis of Cystic Echinococcosis Results in Aydın Adnan Menderes University Training and Research Hospital Parasitology Laboratory Between 2005 and 2017

Objective

Echinococcus granulosus is the causative helminth of cystic echinococcosis (CE). The parasite is known to form fluid-filled cysts that grow slowly in the internal organs, particularly the liver and/or lungs. This disease is still important in terms of public health and economically in Turkey and other countries where animal husbandry is widespread. The aim of our study was to retrospectively evaluate the cases that were admitted to the Adnan Menderes University, Training and Research Hospital Parasitology laboratory on suspicion of CE between January 2005 and January 2017.

Methods

Totally, 3446 sera (from 2019 female and 1427 male) were tested with an in-house ELISA for the presence of E. granulosus specific IgG antibodies at the timeswhen they were sent. Socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, residence, and dog ownership), positivity titers, and cyst locations of pathologically confirmed CE patients were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

The ages of patients varied between 4-87 years. It was found that 1104 (32%) of the 3446 sera were positive, and of them, 642 (58.1%) were female and 462 (41.9%) were male. Patients who had pathologically confirmed CE diagnosis constituted 247 (22.3%) of the total seropositive sera. Liver was the most commonly affected organ (81.8%), followed by lungs (6.1%).

Conclusion

CE remains an important public health problem in our city; therefore, it is once again emphasized that preventive studies should be planned.

Retrospective Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii Serology Results from Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine Parasitology Laboratory from 2007 to 2017

OBJECTIVE

Toxoplasma gondii is a common apicomplexan parasite of humans and can cause significant morbidity and mortality due to congenital transmission and in patients with immune deficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate T. gondii serology results of 11 years and to determine compatibility of serologic diagnosis methods.

METHODS

The study was conducted between 2007 and 2017, and anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were investigated by an in-house Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Indirect Fluorescence Antibody (IFA) methods. Moreover, T. gondii-specific IgM antibodies were also studied by ELISA and a commercial kit. In our study, compatibility of ELISA and IFA methods was also investigated statistically.

RESULTS

Serology of T. gondii was studied in 8095 individuals including 1123 (13.9%) males and 6972 (86.1%) females. The overall rate of anti-T. gondii IgG positivity was 31.5% (n=2550) and anti-T. gondii IgM positivity was 1.6% (n=127). There was no significant relationship between sex and seropositivity. A high degree of correlation was found between ELISA and IFA.

CONCLUSION

The current findings reveal that toxoplasmosis is still an important public health disease and that the seropositivity rate is consistent with the region in general. Moreover, using IFA and ELISA methods together in the laboratory seems to be effective.