Akin Kirbas

Molecular detection of tick-borne rickettsial and protozoan pathogens in domestic dogs from Turkey

BackgroundCanine tick-borne parasites have emerged in recent years, showing a wider geographic distribution and increased global prevalence. In addition to their veterinary importance, domestic dogs play an important role in the transmission cycles of some agents by acting as reservoirs and sentinels. This study investigated Babesia, Theileria, Anaplasma, and Ehrlichia species in asymptomatic dogs in ten provinces of Turkey.MethodsDNA obtained from blood samples collected from 757 domestic dogs (243 stray, 351 shelter, 163 pet) of both sexes and various ages were evaluated using PCR and reverse line blotting (RLB) assays.ResultsOf the 757 dogs tested, 41 (5.4%) were found to be infected with one or more parasites. Ehrlichia canis (37/757, 4.9%) was the most common canine tick-borne pathogen, followed by Anaplasma platys (4/757, 0.5%). Babesia canis and Theileria annulata were each detected in 1 (0.13%) sample. Combined infection of E. canis and A. platys was detected in 2 (0.3%) samples. The prevalence of tick-borne pathogens was higher in adult dogs (6.8%) than in those under one year old (3.1%). Difference in infection rate of male and female dogs was not significant. Pet dogs had a lower prevalence of infection (1.2%) compared to stray (7.4%) and shelter dogs (6%) although the difference between stray and shelter dogs was not significant.ConclusionsBabesia canis, T. annulata, A. platys, and E. canis species were identified at the molecular level in dogs in several provinces of Turkey, with E. canis being the most common species among tick-borne pathogens. Detailed studies should be conducted regarding the existence and prevalence of B. canis and Dermacentor reticulatus in eastern Turkey.

Rutin attenuates gentamicin-induced renal damage by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy in rats

Abstract Gentamicin is commonly used against gram-negative microorganisms. Its therapeutic use is mainly limited by nephrotoxicity. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of rutin on oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The rats were treated with saline intraperitoneally (group I), 150 mg/kg of rutin orally (group II), 80 mg/kg of gentamicin intraperitoneally for 8 d (group III), or 150 mg/kg of rutin plus 80 mg/kg of gentamicin (group IV). The serum urea, creatinine, kidney malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and protein concentration were measured, and renal histopathology analysis and immunohistochemical staining were performed. Rutin pretreatment attenuated nephrotoxicity induced by gentamicin by reducing the urea, creatinine, and MDA levels and increasing the SOD, CAT, and GPx activity, and the GSH levels. The rutin also inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cleaved caspase-3 and light chain 3B (LC3B), as evidenced by immunohistochemical staining. The present study demonstrates that rutin exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-autophagic effects and that it attenuates gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

A molecular and parasitological survey of Hepatozoon canis in domestic dogs in Turkey.

In this study, asymptomatic dogs in nine provinces of Turkey were surveyed to investigate the prevalence and intensity of Hepatozoon canis infection. DNA obtained from blood samples collected from 694 domestic dogs (243 stray, 288 shelter, and 163 pets) of both genders and varying ages were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, 285 thin blood smears prepared from these blood samples were also evaluated for microscopic examination. Direct microscopy revealed Hepatozoon gamonts in the peripheral blood of three of 285 (1.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21-3.04) tested. Using PCR, 155 of the 694 (22.3%; 95% CI: 19.28-25.61) were found to be positive for the presence of H. canis DNA. The prevalence of infection was higher in adult dogs (26.2%; 95% CI: 22.1-30.7) than young animals (16.4%; 95% CI: 12.2-21.3). Although the prevalence determined by PCR was higher in male dogs (24.5%; 95% CI: 19.6-29.9) than in female dogs (20.8%; 95% CI: 16.9-25.1), gender differences were not significant. Pet dogs had a lower prevalence of infection (10.4%; 95% CI: 6.2-16.2) compared to stray (26.3%; 95% CI: 20.9-32.3) and shelter dogs (25.7%; 95% CI: 20.7-31.1), but no significant association between stray and shelter dogs was found for the presence of the parasite. Partial sequences of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene shared 99-100% similarity with the corresponding H. canis isolates. This epidemiological survey revealed a high prevalence of H. canis in dogs from several provinces in Turkey, and it suggests that the age and origin are associated with the parasite.

Effects of ramipril and darbepoetin on electromechanical activity of the heart in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity Yunusemre Ozkanlar ⁎, Mustafa Sinan Aktas , Mehmet Turkeli , Nergis Erturk , Ertan Oruc , Seckin Ozkanlar , Akin Kirbas , Burak Erdemci , Enbiya Aksakal f a Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey b Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey c Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey d Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey e Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey f Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey

Total oxidant and antioxidant capacities, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels in cats seropositive for the feline coronavirus.

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is a highly contagious virus that is ubiquitous in multicat environments and may induce oxidative stress. This virus commonly causes an asymptomatic infection, which can persist in certain individuals. Sporadically and unpredictably, FCoV infection leads to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a highly fatal systemic immune-mediated disease. There are no data in the veterinary literature relating to oxida - tive stress in FCoV. Antioxidant capacity (TAC) can be attributed to single components in the defence systems against free radicals. The measurement of the total oxidant status (TOS) accurately reflects the oxidative status of blood plasma or serum. Nitric oxide (NO) acts as a free radical and contributes to host defences against oxida - tion. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a reliable and commonly used marker of overall lipid peroxidation levels and the presence of oxidative stress. This study aimed to determine levels of oxidative stress markers, serum TAC, total oxidant capacity (TOC), NO and serum MDA in 24 cats seropositive for FCoVs and 15 cats seronegative for FCoVs. Significantly higher serum TOC, NO and MDA levels were found in seropositive animals ( P < 0.001, P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively) than in seronegative animals. In contrast, serum TAC levels were found to be significantly lower in seropositive cats compared with seronegative cats ( P < 0.001). The results of the present study suggest that FCoV seropositivity is associated with oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant status.

Cardiac Troponin-I Concentration In Weaned Calves With Bovine Respiratory Disease

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations in weaned calves with moderate and severe bovine respiratory disease. Eighteen healthy weaned calves (group I), 18 weaned calves with moderate bovine respiratory disease (group II) and 18 weaned calves with severe bovine respiratory disease (group III) were included in the study. Clinical signs and severity of respiratory disease according to clinical index scores were determined. Blood cell counts and cardiac biomarkers, such as serum cTnI concentrations and creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were determined in all groups. Temperature and respiratory and pulse rates were significantly increased in calves with moderate and severe bovine respiratory disease compared to healthy calves (P < 0.05). Serum cTnI concentrations and LDH activities were significantly increased in the calves with severe bovine respiratory disease compared to healthy calves and calves with moderate bovine respiratory disease (P < 0.05). A significant increase in white blood cell counts in calves with moderate and severe bovine respiratory disease and lymphopenia and neutrophilia in calves with severe bovine respiratory disease were also found. The study suggests that severe bovine respiratory disease causes increased serum cTnI concentrations in weaned calves.

Investigation of the effects of hesperidin and chrysin on renal injury induced by colistin in rats

This study aimed to investigate whether hesperidin and chrysin antioxidants have protective effects on renal injury induced by colistin in rats. Renal lipid peroxidation, total glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities, serum urea and creatinine levels, as well as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels were determined. Injuries to the proximal and distal tubules were determined using histopathological and double immunohistochemistry examinations. The results showed that hesperidin and chrysin significantly decreased the levels of MDA and inflammatory parameters and significantly increased GSH, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px levels against colistin-induced renal injury. The results also showed that cystatin C and calbindin D28K immunopositivities significantly increased through hesperidin and chrysin treatment. Hesperidin and chrysin alleviated the renal injury induced by colistin via anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Thus, hesperidin and chrysin could attenuate colistin-induced nephrotoxicity via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Addition of hesperidin or chrysin to the treatment protocol of colistin treatment might benefit patient treatment in terms of the prevention of colistin-induced renal injury.

Evaluation of oxidative stress in sheep infected with Psoroptes ovis using total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, and malondialdehyde level

Abstract Introduction: The study aimed at evaluating oxidative stress using malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) markers in sheep naturally infected with Psoroptes ovis (Acari). Material and Methods: The study was performed on 40 sheep divided into two equal groups: a healthy group (group I) and a group naturally infected with Psoroptes ovis (group II). The sera were obtained by centrifuging blood samples collected from the vena jugularis and serum MDA level changes in the samples were measured spectrophotometrically. Commercially available test kits were used for the measurement of TAC and TOS levels. The percentage ratio of TOS level to TAC level was accepted as OSI. Results: The serum malondialdehyde, total oxidant status levels, and oxidative stress index increased significantly (P < 0.01) in group II, while the serum total antioxidant capacity levels decreased significantly (P < 0.01) in this group. Negative correlations between total antioxidant capacity and total oxidant status and total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde, and a positive correlation between total oxidant status and malondialdehyde were found in infected sheep. Conclusion: The obtained results indicated the relationship between oxidant/antioxidant imbalance and Psoroptes ovis infection in sheep. Their MDA, TAC, TOS, and OSI markers may be used to determine the oxidative stress in natural infections with Psoroptes ovis.

Evaluation of arginase activity, nitric oxide and oxidative stress status in sheep with contagious agalactia

It is known that inflammatory organ damages due to various agents, such as microorganisms including mycoplasmas, lead to oxidative stress. Nitric oxide (NO) functions as an antimicrobial agent, and arginase decreases proinflammatory cytokine release. There are very few studies on arginase activity, NO level and oxidative stress status in mycoplasmal infections. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate erythrocyte arginase activity, plasma NO level and oxidative stress status in sheep with contagious agalactia. The study material consisted of 10 healthy sheep and 14 sheep with contagious agalactia characterised by mastitis, arthritis and keratoconjunctivitis. Erythrocyte arginase activity, plasma NO, malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant capacity (TOC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were measured. Significant decreases in erythrocyte arginase activity and plasma TAC level (P < 0.001), and significant increases in plasma NO, MDA and TOC levels (P < 0.001) were found in the diseased sheep as compared with the healthy animals. This study suggests that contagious agalactia may cause oxidative stress due to increased plasma MDA and TOC levels and decreased plasma TAC levels, and that the decrease in erythrocyte arginase activity and increase in plasma NO level may contribute to the elimination of mycoplasmal agents causing contagious agalactia.