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Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are protozoan parasites found in humans and many animal species worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and genotypes of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in cats and to evaluate the zoonotic potential of these agents. The animal material of the study consisted of a total of 40 cats brought to the Veterinary Faculty. Fresh fecal samples taken from the cats were placed in individual sample containers. All samples were examined under the microscope by Kinyoun Acid Fast staining for Cryptosporidium spp. and by the native-Lugol method for Giardia duodenalis. Nested PCR and sequence analyses were then performed. As a result of microscopic and nested PCR analyses for Cryptosporidium spp., no positivity was found in any sample. The prevalence of Giardia duodenalis was 2.5% in both microscopic examination and nested PCR analyses. When the DNA sequences of the β-Giardin gene obtained in the study were compared with the database in NCBI Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, it was determined that one sample overlapped with Assemblage B samples. As a result of this study, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in cats was determined and the presence of Assemblage B was revealed. It is recommended that repetitive studies should be carried out as much as possible to determine the possible role of these parasites in the transmission of these parasites to humans.

This study was performed on Ehrlichia canis positive ticks collected from dogs to perform sequencing of their 16S rRNA genetic section using the PCR method. The collection of ticks was performed from a total of 60 dogs in the Siirt province, Turkey. A total of 250 ticks were collected and morphologically investigated. All ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l). Ehrlichial DNA was detected by the PCR method performed on 38 (15.2 %) of the ticks. The E. canis strains obtained as a result of the sequence analysis were found to be 100% identical to the American Texas (MH620194), Indian (KX766395), and Egyptian (MG564254) strains. This study thereby has identified a zoonotic agent from the R. sanguineus ticks collected from the dogs in the Siirt province.

Background: Blastocystis spp. is one of the most common protozoa worldwide, living in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and many other animals. On the basis of the genetic heterogeneity of small subunit ribosomal RNA, at least 28 subtypes (ST1‐ST17, ST21 and ST23–ST32) are reported to exist in mammals and birds. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and subtypes of Blastocystis spp. in Anatolian buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Van province in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. Methods: DNA was extracted using commercial GeneMATRIX Stool DNA Purification Kit and then stored at −20°C until PCR amplification. After PCR amplification of the SSU rRNA gene region positive Blastocystis spp., amplicons from buffalo faeces were sequenced and then deposited in GenBank (OR576949.1, OR576950.1, OR576970.1, OR576971.1, OR577019.1, PP837943.1, PP837940.1, PP837939.1, PP837604.1, PP837937.1, PP837934.1, PP837601.1, PP837936.1 and PP837603.1). Results: PCR analysis of 120 faecal samples showed a total prevalence of 11.67% (14/120). The prevalence was higher in females and young animals (p > 0.05). Sequence analysis revealed Blastocystis spp., ST10, ST14, ST25 and ST26 subtypes. To our knowledge, Blastocystis subtypes ST25 and ST26 in buffaloes were reported for the first time in this study. Conclusion: It is thought that more large‐scale studies should be carried out to determine the zoonotic subtype potential of this protozoan in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptosporidium (C.) is an opportunistic protozoan causing gastrointestinal illness in both humans and animals, leading to acute or chronic diarrhea and even death. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and subtyping of Cryptosporidium spp. in shelter dogs in Van province, Türkiye. For microscopic identification of this parasite, a total of 300 fecal samples were collected and stained with Kinyoun's acid-fast method. For molecular analysis, the positive samples were subjected to DNA extraction and SSU rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium spp. was amplified using nested PCR. The microscopic examination revealed a 4.67% prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. Sequence analysis indicated all samples were positive to C. parvum. In addition, GP60 gene was also amplified and C. parvum subtypes IIaA15G2R1 was confirmed by analyzing the obtained sequences. All the sequences of SSU rRNA and GP60 were deposited in GenBank. To our knowledge, Cryptosporidium parvum subtypes IIaA15G2R1 have been reported first time in dogs in Türkiye. It is recommended to implement control strategies by awareness campaign, preventing stray dogs from freely entering public areas, and proper disposal of dog feces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giardia duodenalis is a protozoan parasite found in humans and several mammals. This parasite spreads worldwide and is generally recognized as a zoonotic agent being reported to be one of the most common causes of diarrhea in humans and animals. In this study, it was aimed to determine the prevalence and genotypes of G. duodenalis in shelter dogs in Diyarbakır province being located in the southeastern Anatolia region of Türkiye. Native- Lugol method and nested polymerase chain reaction analyses of 100 fecal samples showed a prevalence of 3.00 and 4.00%, respectively. The prevalence was higher in females and in those younger than 1 year. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of zoonotic assemblage B, assemblage D and assemblage E. The detection of zoonotic assemblage B in this study suggests that dogs may be a reservoir for human giardiasis. Further molecular research is needed to determine the genotype diversity of Giardia as well as its possible role in the transmission of this parasite to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in dogs in the Van region by microscopic and molecular methods. The animal samples of the study consists of a total of 200 dog aged 0-3 years feces samples, which were brought to private veterinary clinics in Van province between 2020-2021. Stool samples were taken from the rectums of dogs and brought to the laboratory in a cold chain. Then, microscopic examination of Giardia spp. was performed. Microscopic examination was performed for Giardia spp, and then DNA extraction was performed from all 200 samples Nested PCR with the relevant primers was applied to the study. While the microscopic result of the study was 12 (6%) of 200 samples, Giardia spp cysts were detected in 18 (9%) of the Nested PCR results. In conclusion, molecular investigation of the prevalence of Giardia spp in dogs in Van province was recorded for the first time. In addition, the Nested PCR method was found to be more reliable when compared to microscopic examination. According to the data of the study, it was reported that Giardiasis is common in dogs and that necessary precautions should be taken for protection controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cryptosporidium spp. is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that affects the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. The disease can cause acute and chronic diarrhoea and even death in both humans and animals. In this study, it was aimed to determine the prevalence and genotype distribution of Cryptosporidiosis in shelter dogs in Diyarbakır province located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. Materials, Methods & Results: The animal material of the study consisted of 100 dogs of different breeds and sexes. Faecal samples were collected from the rectum with disposable latex gloves and placed in individual sample containers. All of the samples were examined for Cryptosporidium spp. by Kinyoun Acid Fast and Nested PCR methods. In the Kinyoun Acid Fast staining method, firstly, smear preparations were prepared from fresh faecal samples, fixed in pure methanol for 1 min and allowed to dry. The slides were kept in Kinyoun Carbol-Fuxin for 5 min, dipped in 50% ethyl alcohol, shaken, washed in tap water, kept in 1% sulphuric acid for 2 min and washed in tap water. The slides were kept in methylene blue for 1 min, washed in tap water and allowed to dry. After drying, immersion oil was dripped and examined under a microscope at 100 magnification. DNA extraction was performed from all samples using GeneMATRIX Stool DNA Purification Kit according to the manufacturer's protocol. After Nested PCR analysis was performed. In the PCR step, primers 5'-TTCTAGAGCTAATACATGCG-3' and 5'-CCCATTTCCTTCCTTCGAAACAGGA-3' were used to amplify the 1325 bp gene region. In the nested PCR step, primers 5'-GGAAGGGTTGTATTTATTTATTAGATAAAG-3' and 5'-AAGGAGTAAGGAACAACCTCCA-3' were used to amplify the 826-864 bp gene region. As a result of both methods, a prevalence of 3% was determined. The infection rate was higher in males (3.57%) than females (2.27%) and in younger than 1 year (5.56%) than in older than 1 year (1.56%). The DNA sequences obtained from the sequence analysis of 3 positive PCR samples were analysed in BioEdit software. A phylogenetic tree was constructed with the data set created by using the 18s rRNA gene sequences obtained from the NCBI genbank database and the DNA sequences obtained as a result of the study, and it was shown which Cryptosporidium species the study samples were related to. Today, many Cryptosporidium species have been identified and most of these species have host adaptation. Although C. canis is the most common species in dogs, C. muris, C. meleagridis, and C. parvum have also been detected. Among these species, C. parvum is recognized as a zoonotic species infecting a wide range of mammals. In this study, DNA sequencing of nested PCR positive samples revealed that 3 samples were zoonotic C. parvum. Discussion: This suggests that dogs may be a reservoir for zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium. Consequently, it is recommended that people should be informed about the potential for transmission of this protozoan to humans and animals and that control programmes should be implemented, including the prevention of free entry of stray dogs into public places and homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ticks harbor the largest diversity of microorganisms, ranging from viruses, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes. Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks are the most common ticks worldwide. Although dogs are the main host of this tick species, it has been reported that it also infests humans in various parts of the world. This study aimed to examine some bacteria (Coxiella burnetii, Mycoplasma haemocanis, Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum, Wolbachia) in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks sampled from dogs. In this study, 350 tick samples collected from 85 dogs in Siirt province were determined to be Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks. Coxiella DNA was detected in 3 (0.85%) out of 350 ticks using Nested PCR (687 base pairs). None of the samples were found to contain Mycoplasma haemocanis, Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum, and Wolbachia DNA. A partial sequence of the IS1111 gene region was registered in GenBank with OM472143 accession numbers. Considering the zoonotic nature of the Q disease, it is very important for dog owners and related institutions to periodically spray animals against ticks, and to take any other necessary precautions. More samples are needed to determine the Mhc, CMhp, and Wolbachia prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]