Turkiye parazitolojii dergisi最新文献

Objective: This study aimed to determine the Culicoides species distributed across different districts of İzmir province, reveal their molecular characterization, and assess their vector potential for the transmission of avian haemosporidian parasites.

Methods: The study material comprised 800 female Culicoides specimens collected from Bergama, Ödemiş, Kemalpaşa, and Foça districts between May and August 2016. Following morphological identification, specimens from each identified species underwent molecular analyses. The mt-COI gene region of genomic DNA isolates from the specimens was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subjected to sequence analyses to reveal their molecular characterization and phylogenetic relationships. Haemosporidian DNA was investigated by nested PCR in the gDNA isolates of head/thorax (HTP) and abdomen pools, constituted from specimens separated by species and location. Molecular characterization of identified parasites was performed using sequence analyses.

Results: Morphological identification revealed that C. circumscriptus (39.4%) and C. imicola (33.8%) were the most common species in the research areas, followed by Culicoides sp. (ERU-Izm-Culi1) (9.1%), C. nubeculosus complex (7.6%), C. obsoletus (4.3%), C. gejgelensis (2.3%), C. punctatus (1.9%), and C. newsteadi (1.8%). A total of 175 polymorphic sites were distributed among the COI sequences of the obtained isolates, leading to the detection of 18 different haplotypes. The highest haplotype diversity was observed in C. circumscriptus, C. punctatus, and C. newsteadi. Phylogenetic analyses clustered the characterized haplotypes of Culicoides species into three major groups. Haemoproteus sp. GAGLA05 and H. minutus TURDUS2 lineages were detected in C. circumscriptus HTP genomic DNA isolates, providing evidence of this species' vector potential for Haemoproteus lineages in the research area.

Conclusion: This study determined the Culicoides species distributed in the İzmir Region using an integrated morphological and molecular diagnostic approach, providing original data for the molecular epidemiology of these important flies. Furthermore, the results suggest the potential importance of C. circumscriptus in the transmission dynamics of Haemoproteus lineages.

Objective: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease that causes fluid-filled cysts in internal organs and is a major public health problem worldwide. The lack of standardized methods for the diagnosis/follow-up of CE disease necessitates the development of new non-invasive diagnostic tools, such as the determination of changes in the expression levels of circulating microRNAs (miRNA). In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of miR-146a in archived serum samples of CE patients for the first time and to evaluate its potential role in the diagnosis and follow-up of CE over a three-year period.

Methods: This study included archived serum samples from 39 CE patients, 56 follow-up samples from 14 CE patients, and 3 healthy controls, and expression levels of miR-146a were evaluated in each group using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Due to the small and unbalanced control group, bootstrapped confidence intervals were used; time-dependent changes in follow-up patients were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model and Welch's F test to address variance heterogeneity.

Results: The miR146 gene was found to be significantly upregulated in archived serum samples of patients with CE compared to healthy control samples. Additionally, the expression level of the miR146 gene in follow-up serum samples significantly decreased in the third year post-surgery compared to follow-up blood samples taken in previous years (p<0.05).

Conclusion: According to the obtained results, it was concluded that miR-146a can be recommended as a diagnostic biomarker in the diagnosis and follow-up of CE, and archived materials of CE patients can be utilized in new biomarker research.

Objective: This study retrospectively evaluates our laboratory Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgG antibody and avidity test results to determine the distribution of the pathogen according to sex, age, clinics and years.

Methods: The serum samples sent to Pamukkale University Healthcare Research and Practice Hospital's Medical Microbiology laboratory between January 2016 and December 2023 were evaluated for T. gondii seropositivity. Toxoplasma antibodies and avidity testing were studied using chemiluminescent microparticle immunological testing method (Abbott Architect i2000SR, Weisbaden, Germany).

Results: The study evaluated 42,817 tests ordered from patients with suspected toxoplasmosis. Five hundred-three (2.1%) were found to be anti-T. gondii-IgM positive and 4.406 (24.7%) to be anti-T. gondii-IgG positive. Anti-T. gondii-IgM and anti-T. gondii-IgG positivity were significantly higher in women than in men (p=0.0001; p=0.0001, respectively). Anti-T. gondii-IgM positivity was found to be high between the ages of 19 and 49 (p=0.0001). The anti-T. gondii-IgG positivity rate increased with age (p=0.0001). Anti-T. gondii-IgM and anti-T. gondii-IgG positivity rates have decreased significantly over the last four years (2020-2023) compared to the first four years (2016-2019) (p=0.0001; p=0.0001, respectively). When the results of 582 patients with T. gondii-avidity requests were evaluated, 38.1% of the anti-T. gondii-IgM positive patients and 7.8% of the anti-T. gondii-IgM negative patients had low avidity.

Conclusion: T. gondii seroprevalence was found to be similar to the global average, with female sex, age and nationality among the risk factors. It has also been observed that seroprevalence has significantly decreased in recent years.

Objective: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic condition that can be encountered, particularly in developing countries, and leads to significant economic losses. This study was planned to observe the treatment options, complications, in the patients we followed.

Methods: Patients aged 18 and over who were diagnosed with hydatid cyst and followed in our hospital between January 2018 and December 2023 were included in the study. Data were obtained from the hospital's record system. The patients with CE were retrospectively evaluated in terms of age, gender, cyst location, treatment method applied, presence of relapse, and complications.

Results: A total of 30 patients, with a mean age of 42.8 years (range: 19-68), were included in the study; 13 (43.3%) were male and 17 (56.7%) were female. The most common presenting complaint was abdominal pain (n=14, 46.7%), and 6 patients (20.0%) were asymptomatic. Sixteen patients had multiple cysts in the same region, and 6 patients had cysts in different regions. The most common site of involvement was the liver (n=21, 70.0%), followed by the lungs in 4 patients (13.3%). Single cases of brain, spinal cord, spleen, kidney, and bone involvement were observed. Diagnosis was made by ultrasonography in 16 patients (53.3%), magnetic resonance imaging in 8 patients (26.7%), and computed tomography in 6 patients (20.0%). Surgical intervention was performed in 20 patients (66.7%), and percutaneous drainage in 3 patients (10.0%). All patients received albendazole treatment. Complications included intra-abdominal abscess in three patients (10.0%) and rupture in one patient. One patient with intracranial involvement died.

Conclusion: Although observed worldwide, CE maintain their importance in terms of morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of amoebiasis, which has been neglected in recent years according to the World Health Organization, in ulcerative colitis patients and investigate the relationship between amoebiasis and ulcerative colitis.

Methods: The study included 150 individuals, including 100 ulcerative colitis patients and 50 healthy individuals without gastrointestinal complaints. The samples collected were first analyzed macroscopically and then using native-Lugol, trichrome staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: In the microscopic examination, Entamoeba spp. cysts were found in 22% of the ulcerative colitis patients and 2% of those in the control group. Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica) adhesin antigen was detected by ELISA in 31% of the ulcerative colitis patients and 4% of those in the control group. A significant correlation was found between the incidence of E. histolytica and ulcerative colitis in the statistical evaluation.

Conclusion: E. histolytica should not be neglected in ulcerative colitis patients and should be investigated in the presence of diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

The study presents two imported malaria cases with a history of travel to malaria-endemic areas and replied late response to treatment. In the blood preparations of the first case, dot-shaped nucleus structures were identified in the erythrocytes, which looked different from the classical erythrocytic forms. In the SD-Pf/Pan test, bands were obtained for both P.f and Pan; while in the SD-Pf/Pv test, a band was obtained for P.f. The P. falciparum 18S rRNA gene was detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Artemether-lumefantrine treatment protocol was started. Due to deterioration in general condition on the third day, artemether-lumefantrine treatment was extended to six days, and primaquine phosphate was added. Discharge was on the 16^th day of treatment. In the second case, young trophozoites were identified in blood smears. Bands in P.f were obtained in both the SD-Pf/Pan and SD-Pf/Pv tests. Artemether-lumefantrine treatment protocol was started. On the third day of treatment, banana-like gametocytes were observed in blood smears. The patient was discharged at his own request and two days later, upon follow-up, gametocytes were still observed in blood smears. Artemether-lumefantrine treatment was restarted. Gametocytes continued to be observed in the following days. Primaquine phosphate was added to the treatment protocol. The patient was discharged after a 3-week follow-up. The study is presented to draw attention to the increasing cases of imported malaria in Hatay and the increase of malaria cases that respond late to treatment in recent years.

Objective: The objective of this study was to ascertain the knowledge level of animal breeders and butchers regarding cystic echinococcosis (CE) in the Ardahan province and its districts situated in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye. Additionally, the study aimed to identify the potential risk factors that may contribute to the occurrence of the disease.

Methods: The research was conducted between November 2021 and May 2022. A total of 402 animal breeders and 23 butchers participated in the survey. In order to ascertain the extent of awareness regarding CE, a series of multiple-choice questions were administered in a face-to-face setting.

Results: Upon evaluation of the data obtained from the research in a socio-demographic context, it shows that people's awareness of CE increases with age, and women have the most knowledge on this subject (45.85%). A total of 71.76% (305/425) of participants reported owning a dog. Of these, 48.52% (148/305) typically feed their dog food waste. Additionally, 58.03% (177/305) of dog owners do not regularly take their dogs to the vet. The animals were slaughtered by the participants (53.65%; 228/425), and the infected organs found during slaughter were destroyed by deep burial (72.81%; 166/228). The majority of participants (93.41%; 397/425) expressed a desire to gain further insight into the subject.

Conclusion: It was thus established that the districts and province of Ardahan are deficient in the availability of information regarding CE among animal breeders and butchers. It was therefore concluded that the inhabitants of the aforementioned region should be made aware of CE and other zoonotic diseases prevalent in the Ardahan province.

Objective: Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is an important veterinary and public health problem in Mediterranean countries. Although CanL and vector sandflies are widespread in the study area, there are no standardized diagnostic and treatment methods followed by private clinics. This study aimed to survey (i) the treatment, diagnosis, and control measures preferred by veterinarians, (ii) compare the differences in the first-step diagnostic tests applied, and (iii) identify differences in the guidance for CanL.

Methods: This study was conducted between August 2017 and 2019, and an accessible weblink was distributed to veterinary clinics that were registered with the Veterinary Affairs of İzmir. The questionnaire was prepared by following published guidelines and several CanL guidelines and comprised 13 questions. A total of 103 veterinarians voluntarily participated in the study and completed the questionnaire.

Results: Most of the clinicians (n=99; 96.1%) reported that localized alopecia was one of the most common clinical findings in the suspicion of CanL, while only four clinician did not consider this finding in the suspicion of CanL. According to the answers received, 41 clinician (39.8%) frequently observed this finding in CanL-suspected cases, 49 clinician (47.6%) observed it occasionally, and nine clinician (8.7%) rarely observed this finding. The findings of the study indicate that a minority of clinicians employ advanced diagnostic techniques.

Conclusion: The results demonstrate that veterinarians play a unifying role in the fight against CanL. However, the preference for less advanced diagnostic methods over those employed by their European counterparts may result in insufficient detection of particularly asymptomatic patients. It is therefore necessary to validate rapid diagnostic tests, which are the most used method for diagnosing the disease. Furthermore, there is a need to increase awareness of the disease among patient owners and veterinarians in regions where it is endemic, and to recognise it as a notifiable disease in Türkiye.

Objective: In the study, various complaints such as gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, night urination, itching around the anus, malnutrition, malabsorption, anemia, intelligence and developmental delay were reported to University of Health Sciences Türkiye, Dr. Behçet Uz Pediatric Diseases and Surgery Training and Researhc Hospital, Microbiology Laboratory between 2017 and 2022. It was aimed to determine the frequency and distribution of intestinal parasites in patients presenting with clinical symptoms.

Methods: In the study, the results of 33,249 stool and 3499 cellophane tape samples sent to the microbiology laboratory between January 2017 and September 2022 were evaluated. The stool samples were examined with saline-Lugol, modified Kinyoun acidfast and trichrome staining methods.

Results: Parasites were detected in the stool samples of 1.8% of a total of 36,748 patients. The intestinal parasite detected at the highest rate was Entamoeba histolytica (67%). In order of frequency: Enterobius vermicularis (19%), Giardia intestinalis (12%), Ascaris lumbricoides (0.6%), Hymenolepis nana (0.2%) Blastocystis spp. (0.2%) is followed by Hymenolepis diminuta (0.2%).

Conclusion: While the rate of parasite occurrence in patients applying was found to be 19.9% in 2017, 24.6% in 2018, and 28.6% in 2019, this rate decreased to 4.3% in 2020, 16% in 2021 and 6.6% in 2022. Looking at the distribution of parasites by years, it is seen that there was a decrease in the rate of parasite occurrence with the start of the Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic in 2020. We believe that infection control measures and strict enforcement of quarantine rules to reduce the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 may have significantly reduced the parasite positivity rate during the pandemic period. Data on intestinal parasites in Türkiye show regional differences, and national surveillance studies are needed, especially in children.