Bayram Senlik

Helminth parasites found in hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor) from Turkey

Hedgehog diseases are becoming important issues for veterinary surgeons due to growing interest in this animal species among pet owners and an increase in cases of rescued hedgehogs requiring veterinary care. A parasitological study was carried out on hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor) in the Bursa province of Turkey, found dead mainly due to road casualties, to determine their helminth parasite burden. The detected helminths and their prevalences were as follows: Physaloptera clausa (72.2%), Crenosoma striatum (55.5%), Aonchotheca erinacei (55.5%), Hymenolepis erinacei (55.5%), Nephridiorhynchus major (50%) and Eucoleus aerophilus (22.2%). The number of parasites in infected animals varied from 1 to 203. The highest mean intensity of infection was observed with C. striatum, and the lowest was observed with N. major. The mean abundance of different species varied from 0.7 to 41.8, where E. aerophilus and C. striatum had the lowest and highest abundance, respectively. This study represents the first time N. major and E. aerophilus have been reported in hedgehogs in Turkey. The presence of E. aerophilus and its potential role as a zoonotic agent are discussed.

Helminth infections of wild boars (Sus scrofa) in the Bursa province of Turkey

The present study aimed to investigate the status of helminth infections in wild boars in the Bursa province of Turkey. For this purpose, during 2007-2008, 27 wild boars were necropsied and examined for helminths. Individual samples of tongue and diaphragm from 27 necropsied wild boars and an additional 22 tongue and diaphragm samples provided by hunters were examined by trichinoscopy and artificial digestion for Trichinella spp. larvae. Twenty animals (74%) were identified as being infected with at least one helminth species. Twelve species of helminths were detected, with the following prevalence rates: Metastrongylus apri (59%), Metastrongylus salmi (52%), Metastrongylus pudendotectus (52%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (33%), Globocephalus urosubulatus (22%), Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (19%), Gongylonema pulchrum (11%), Physocephalus sexalatus (7%), Trichuris suis (7%), Ascarops strongylina (4%), Hyostrongylus rubidus (4%) and Taenia hydatigena larvae (4%). Generally, lungworms were the predominant helminths. The highest mean abundance was observed for M. pudendotectus, and the lowest was determined for T. hydatigena larvae. Significant differences in the prevalence and intensity were found for D. dendriticum with respect to host age and sex, respectively. The mean intensity of M. pudendotectus was significantly influenced by the sex and age of the wild boars. This study is the first report describing the presence of M. salmi, M. pudendotectus, D. dendriticum, G. urosubulatus, M. hirudinaceus, P. sexalatus, A. strongylina and H. rubidus in wild boars in Turkey. All analysed muscle samples were negative for Trichinella spp. larvae.

Comparative plasma disposition, bioavailability and efficacy of ivermectin following oral and pour-on administrations in horses.

Pour-on formulations of endectocides decrease the risk of injury for both user and animal, and are particularly convenient for animal owners who can apply the product. This study was designed to investigate the plasma disposition and efficacy of ivermectin (IVM) following pour-on, per os and intravenous administrations. Eighteen female horses weighing 510-610 kg were used in this study. The animals were allocated into three groups (per os, pour-on and intravenous groups). The equine paste, bovine pour-on and bovine injectable formulations of IVM were administered orally, topically and intravenously at the dose rates of 0.2, 0.5 and 0.2mg/kg bodyweight, respectively. Heparinized blood samples and hair samples were collected at various times between 1h and 40 days. The samples were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector. Faecal strongyle egg counts (EPG) were performed by a modified McMasters technique before and at weekly intervals during 10 weeks after treatment. The results indicated that the plasma concentration and systemic availability of IVM was lower but the plasma persistence was prolonged after pour-on administration compared with per os route. IVM (paste) reduced the EPG by >95% for 10 weeks, whereas the reduction in pour-on group varied from 82 to 97%. EPG reduction in pour-on group was lower than that of per os group. Degradation on the application site, cutaneous biotransformation, binding of IVM to the haircoat and/or sebum are probably responsible for the relatively lower bioavailability of IVM in horses after pour-on administration. In conclusion, the poor plasma availability observed after pour-on administration could result in subtherapeutic plasma concentrations, which may promote the development of drug resistance in parasites.

Major causes of organ/carcass condemnation and financial loss estimation in animals slaughtered at two abattoirs in Bursa Province, Turkey

An abattoir survey was conducted from July 2012 to December 2012 to determine the major causes of organ and carcass condemnation and to estimate the associated direct financial loss at two abattoirs in Bursa Province in Turkey. A total of 22,872 sheeps and 5363 cattle were examined by postmortem inspection using standard inspection procedures. The total economic loss in two abattoirs was estimated from the summation of organ and carcass condemnation in six-month period. The retail prices of offal (lung, liver, kidney, heart, and spleen) and kg price of cattle and sheep carcasses were obtained from local markets. The results of postmortem examination indicated that a total of 658 (2.33%) offals and 93 (0.32%) carcasses were condemned. While the main causes of organ condemnation were hydatidosis and fasciolosis, carcasses were condemned mainly due to tuberculosis and jaundice. The total revenue in 2012 for all animals (164,080 sheeps and 56,035 cattle) slaughtered in 15 abattoirs in Bursa Province was 144,401,765 USD. This study showed that financial loss due to organ and carcass condemnations at two abattoirs in six-month period was 245,483 USD (0.17% of the total annual revenue of all slaughtered animals at 15 abattoirs). In sheep, six-month financial loss was estimated at 3281 USD and 4015 USD from organ condemnation due to fasciolosis and hydatidosis, respectively. In cattle, total loss was calculated as 4042 USD and 12,321 USD due to fasciolosis and hydatidosis, respectively. A common cause of carcass condemnation in cattle was tuberculosis, totalling 214,995 USD in losses, whereas condemnation due to tuberculosis was not determined in sheep. The current study also showed that six-month monetary losses from carcass condemnation of sheep and cattle due to jaundice were 8099 USD and 6026 USD, respectively. From the data obtained in this study, it can be concluded that bacterial and parasitic diseases remain common and cause considerable economic loss in Bursa Province, Turkey. The result of this abattoir study provided regional information on major causes of organ and carcass condemnation in sheep and cattle slaughtered at two abattoirs as well as giving an estimation of the direct financial losses.

Pharmacological assessment of netobimin as a potential anthelmintic for use in horses: Plasma disposition, faecal excretion and efficacy

This study aimed to determine the plasma disposition and faecal excretion of netobimin (NTB) and its respective metabolites as well as the efficacy against strongyles in horses following oral administration. Netobimin (10mg/kg) was administered orally to 8 horses. Blood and faecal samples were collected from 1 to 120h post-treatment and analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using a chiral phase-based HPLC, plasma disposition of ABZSO enantiomers produced was also determined. Faecal strongyle egg counts (EPG) were performed by a modified McMasters technique before and after the treatment. Neither NTB nor ABZ were present and only albendazole sulphoxide (ABZSO) and sulphone metabolites (ABZSO(2)) were detected in the plasma samples. Maximum plasma concentration of ABZSO (0.53+/-0.14microg/ml) and ABZSO(2) (0.36+/-0.09microg/ml) were observed at (t(max)) 10.50 and 19.50h, respectively following administration of NTB. The area under the curve (AUC) of the two metabolites was similar to each other. Netobimin was not detected, and ABZ was predominant in faecal samples. The maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) of (-)ABZSO was significantly higher than (+)ABZSO, but the area under the curves (AUCs) of the enantiomer were not significantly different each other in plasma samples. The enantiomers of ABZSO were close to racemate in the faecal samples analyzed. Netobimin reduced the EPG by 100%, 100%, 77%, 80% and 75% 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks post-treatment, respectively. The specific behaviour of the two enantiomers probably reflects different enantioselectivity of the enzymatic systems of the liver which are responsible for sulphoxidation and sulphonation of ABZ. Considering the pharmacokinetic and efficacy parameters NTB could be used as an anthelmintic in horses.

The effects of different ages and dosages on the plasma disposition and hair concentration profile of ivermectin following pour-on administration in goats.

The effects of different ages and dosages on the plasma disposition and hair concentration profile of ivermectin following pour-on administration in goats. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.34, 70-75. The effects of different ages and dosages on the plasma disposition and hair degradation of ivermectin (IVM) were investigated following pour-on administration in goats. Twenty-eight female Saanen goats allocated into two groups of 14 animals according to their ages as young (5-6 months old) and old (12-24 months old) groups. Each age group was divided into two further of seven goats and administered pour-on formulation of IVM topically at the in recommended dosage rate of 0.5 mg/kg bodyweight The recommended cattle dosages rate of 0.5 mg/kg or at the higher dosage of 1.0 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected at various times between 1 h and 40 days. In addition, hair samples (>0.01 g) were collected using tweezers from the application sites and far from application sites of the all animals throughout the blood sampling period. The plasma and hair samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using fluorescence detection following solid and liquid phase extractions, respectively. Dose- and age-dependent plasma disposition of IVM were observed in goats after pour-on administration. In addition, relatively high concentration and slow degradation of IVM in hair samples collected from the application site and far from the application site were observed in the present study. The differences between young and old goats are probably related to differences in body condition and/or lengths of haircoat. The systemic availability of IVM following pour-on administration is relatively much lower than after oral and subcutaneous administrations but the plasma persistence was prolonged. Although, the longer persistence of IVM on hairs on the application site may prolong of efficacy against ectoparasites, the poor plasma availability could result in subtherapeutic plasma concentrations, which may confer the risk of resistance development in for internal parasites after pour-on administration in goats.

Infectivity of Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices under different conditions of temperature and humidity

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different temperatures and humidities on the infectivity of Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices. Eighteen dogs (6 groups, n = 3 each) were fed with offal mince harbouring approximately 20,000 protoscolices of E. granulosus of different viabilities. Dogs were infected with E. granulosus protoscolices of: (1) 5% viability at -10 degrees C and 50% relative humidity (RH); (2) 30% viability at 0 degrees C and 60% RH; (3) 20% viability at +10 degrees C and 65% RH; (4) 15% viability at +30 degrees C and 75% RH; (5) 11% viability at +40 degrees C and 80% RH; (6) 68% viability (control group). Dogs in each group were necropsied at 29-49 days post-infection. Mean intensities of E. granulosus recovered from dogs were 256.7 +/- 60.3 in the second group; 32.7 +/- 7.1 in the third group; 40.3 +/- 15.5 in the fourth group and 1533 +/- 513 in the control group. However, no parasites were recovered from the first and fifth groups. Results obtained in the present study show that larval stages could be infective for 1 to 4 weeks during spring, autumn or winter months when maximal temperatures are approximately 0-10 degrees C. In conclusion, cold-storage depots in slaughterhouses and abattoirs where sheep carcasses might be discarded should be kept at -20 degrees C for 2-3 days, dogs should be properly controlled and adequate control programmes must be established in areas where the disease is endemic.