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The aim of this work was to investigate the possible usage of hot saline extract antigens (HSE) of Brucella abortus RB51(HSE-RB51) and B. canis M- variant strains (HSE-M-) in ELISA by comparing the results with those of obtained from commercial I-ELISA kit for the serological diagnosis of B. ovis infection. In this study, a total of 183 serum samples collected from different cities (Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Gaziantep, Diyarbakır) in Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey were tested by using three ELISAs, one of which is from a commercial source, Rose Bengal plate agglutination tests prepared by rough (R-RBPT) and smooth strains (S-RBPT). Recombinant protein A/G conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (A/G-HRPO) was used as conjugate in the in house ELISAs. Seropositivity rate was 11% for HSE-RB51-ELISA and 3.3% for both HSE-M- and commercial ELISA. The percentage of positive results was 7.6% for S-RBPT and 2.7% for R-RBPT. Only 2 serum samples were positive for all the tests except S-RBPT. Because similar results were obtained from the same serum samples by both commercial ELISA and HSE-M-ELISA, these results may suggest that HSE-M- antigen could be used in ELISA for serologic diagnosis of B. ovis infection in sheep. Since 7.6% of the serum samples were found as positive by only HSE-RB51-ELISA, it was assumed that this test could be less specific or more sensitive than other tests used in the study. Although R-RBPT is a screening test, it showed the lowest seropositivity in the study. This could be explained by less mucoid nature of its antigen than other test systems using natural rough species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three serological methods used in the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis were conducted to assess the diagnostic sensitivity of the tests in brucellosis-infected herds. A total of 487 unvaccinated bovine serum samples collected from infected herds in the southeast region of Turkey having history of abortion with a known bacteriological status for the last three years were tested for anti-Brucella antibodies detection using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), the complement fixation test (CFT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA). A protein A/G conjugate was used in i-ELISA in order to reduce background reactivity and to use the test in multispecies if required. The serum samples were found as positive in 74.3%, 83.7% and 81.3% when we employed the CFT, i-ELISA and RBPT, respectively. i-ELISA could be used as a single test or combined with the RBPT for serologic diagnosis for brucellosis in infected herds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the epidemiology some of the important bacterial and fungal agents that cause infertility in purebred arabian horses was investigated in Sanliurfa province. For this purpose, 50 uterus swabs taken from mares with infertility problems were examined bacteriologically. While only 6 (12%) uterus swabs exhibitted growth, there was growth in the 44 (88%) swabs. Bacterial agents isolated were identified as 20 β heamolytic streptococci (45.4%), 8 E. coli (18.2%), 5 S. aureus (11.4%), 5 Lactobacillus spp. (11.4%), 3 Micrococcus spp. (6.8%) and 3 Acinetobacter spp. (6.8%). Cultures prepared for fungal agents resulted in 4 (33,3%) isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus and 8 isolates of Candida albicans (66,7%). There was no growth for T. equigenitalis. In conclusion, β-heamolytic streptoccocci were isolated the most from mares having infertility problems in Sanliurfa province. Isolation of both the bacterial and the fungal agents from mares with infertility showed that it might be worthwhile consider the to add antifungal agents in the treatment and protection programs of horses with infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it was aimed to determine staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) genes, toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST) gene and exfoliative toxin (ET) genes in 110 Staphylococcus aureus strains from gangrenous mastitis cases in seven ewe flocks in Sanliurfa, Turkey. Among investigated isolates, only sec and tst toxin genes were detected. The results of this study showed that the rates of enterotoxin production were high (100%) in S. aureus strains isolated from ovine gangrenous mastitis. Moreover, it was demonstrated that S. aureus causing gangrenous mastitis harboured sec and tst genes suggesting that these genes may have a role in ovine mastitis pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of anti-Brucella antibody and Brucella spp. DNA in cow, sheep and goat milk and in Urfa cheese collected from markets and bazaars in Şanlıurfa, located in southeast of Turkey. A total of 258 samples consisting of 178 raw milk (48 cow milk, 65 sheep milk and 65 goat milk) samples and 80 Urfa cheese samples were investigated. Anti- Brucella antibody was detected by indirect ELISA (i-ELISA), and the presence of Brucella spp. DNA was screened by real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR). 16.6% of the cow, 6.1% of the goat and 6.1% of the sheep milk and 16.25% of the cheese samples were found as positive for brucella antibodies by i - ELISA. The RT-PCR assay amplified Brucella DNA from 18.75, 7.6 and 6.1% cow, goat and sheep milk samples respectively. Brucella DNA was amplified from 22.5% cheese samples. The 11.2% and 13.9% of the samples were found as positive by i-ELISA and RT-PCR respectively. This study indicates that milk and milk products consumed in Şanlıurfa poses a risk to public health in terms of brucellosis. The combining usage of both i-ELISA and RT-PCR methods could lead to more reliable results to detect anti-Brucella antibody and Brucella spp. DNA from milk and cheese samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundBrucellosis is a bacterial zoonosis causing severe illness in humans and animals and leading to economic losses in the livestock production in Türkiye and other endemic countries.AimWe aimed at investigating genomic differences of Brucella isolates from animals and humans in Türkiye.MethodsWe used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to assess the genetic diversity of Brucella isolates from 41 provinces in Türkiye and compared with isolates from other countries. We applied allele-based typing and core genome single nucleotide polymorphism (cgSNP) determination.ResultsOf the 106 Turkish Brucella isolates included, 57 were B. abortus and 49 were B. melitensis . One B. melitensis and two B. abortus isolates were identified as vaccine strains. Most (n = 55) B. abortus isolates clustered in three major branches, with no spatial discernible pattern. Of the B. melitensis isolates , 48 were assigned to the Eastern Mediterranean lineage with no discernible patterns between host species, location and sampling date. The Turkish isolates clustered with isolates from neighbouring countries such as Greece and Syria, but some also with isolates from human patients in European countries, like Germany, Norway and Sweden, suggesting that the source may be travel-related.ConclusionSeveral B. melitensis and B. abortus lineages are circulating in Türkiye. To decrease the prevalence and prevent brucellosis in animals and humans, stricter control measures are needed, particularly in areas where humans and animals have close contact. Furthermore, illegal transportation of animals across borders should be more closely controlled and regulated.

In this study, Staphylococcus aureus strains (n = 110) isolated from seven ewe flocks in Sanliurfa, Turkey were screened for antibiotic resistance and biofilmforming ability as well as for genes associated with antibiotic resistance and biofilm-forming ability. All isolates were found to be susceptible to oxacillin, gentamicin, clindamycin, cefoxitin, tetracycline, vancomycin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin and sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim. The percent proportions of strains resistant to penicillin G, ampicillin and erythromycin were 27.2% (n = 30), 25.4% (n = 28) and 6.3% (n = 7), respectively. Regarding the antibiotic resistance genes, 32 (29%) isolates carried the blaZ and 8 (7.2%) the ermC gene. Other resistance genes were not detected in the isolates. All isolates showed biofilm-forming ability on Congo red agar (CRA), while 108 (98.18%) and 101 (91.81%) of them were identified as biofilm producers by the use of standard tube (ST) and microplate (MP) methods, respectively. All isolates carried the icaA and icaD genes but none of them harboured the bap gene. The results demonstrated that S. aureus isolates from gangrenous mastitis were mainly resistant to penicillins (which are susceptible to the staphylococcal beta-lactamase enzyme), and less frequently to erythromycin. Furthermore, all of the S. aureus isolates produced biofilm which was considered a potential virulence factor in the pathogenesis of staphylococcal mastitis.