Harun Albayrak

Seroprevalance of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in Goitered Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa) in Turkey

Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa (goitered gazelle) is a native species of Anatolia. Because of the risk of extinction, captured gazelles have been taken under protection in a restricted area at the Ceylanpinar state farm, Southeast Anatolia, Turkey. Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) infection had been detected previously in domestic ruminant species in this region, like in many other parts of Turkey. In this study, serum samples from 82 goitered gazelle were tested using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Based on the test results, PPRV-specific antibodies were detected in 10 gazelles (12%). All c-ELISA-positive sera were confirmed by virus neutralization test.

Molecular Detection of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) but not West Nile Virus (WNV) in Hard Ticks from Provinces in Northern Turkey

In this study, the hard ticks collected from a variety of mammalian species (cattle, sheep, goat, buffalo) and a turtle in either coastal or inland Black Sea region of Turkey were surveyed for the presence of RNA from Crimean‐Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and West Nile virus (WNV). No WNV genomic RNA was detected in any tick sample. However, CCHFV RNA was found in 29 of 421 tick pools (6.88%). Positivity rates for the provinces varied and were as follows: Samsun 4.38%; Ordu 4.34%; Giresun 6.32%; Sinop 14.63%; Amasya 5.55%; Tokat 3.38% and Sivas 4.83%. Crimean‐Congo haemorrhagic fever virus genomic RNA was detected in seven of eleven tick species tested. These results suggest that these hard ticks may act as a reservoir for CCHFV in northern Turkey, but probably have no role in WNV transmission.

An antigenic investigation of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in hard ticks from provinces in northern Turkey.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus threatens human health. Exposure of the infected tick is a strong risk factor for human disease. In this study, the hard ticks collected from a variety of mammalian species (cattle, sheep, goat, and buffalo) and a turtle in either coastal or inland Black Sea region of Turkey were surveyed for the presence of antigen from Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). CCHFV antigen was found in 46 of 421 tick pools (10.92%). Positivity rates for the provinces varied and were as follows: Samsun 33.87%, Ordu 4.34%, Giresun 8.86%, Sinop 6.09%, Amasya 7.40%, Tokat 5.08%, and Sivas 8.06%. CCHFV antigen was detected in seven of 11 tick species tested. These results suggest that these hard ticks may act as a reservoir for CCHFV in northern Turkey.

Molecular detection of pestiviruses in aborted foetuses from provinces in northern Turkey

All pestiviruses are important veterinary pathogens causing economic losses in cattle, sheep and pigs. Besides the important economical losses, pestiviruses may compromise the normal immune response to other pathogens and increase the severity of other infections in sheep. In this study, aborted foetuses (cattle and sheep) in either coastal or inland Black Sea region of Turkey were surveyed for the presence of RNA from pestiviruses (bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), border disease virus (BDV)). The presence of BVDV RNA was found in 6 of 21 aborted calves (28.57%), although BDV RNA was detected in 14 of 21 aborted lambs (66.66%) by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. This study also investigates the distribution of viral RNA within the brain, liver and lung of aborted foetuses. The viral RNA positivity rates for the organs varied and were as follows: brain 40.47% and liver and lung 38.09%. The results revealed that pestiviruses are important abort pathogen in the provinces of northern Turkey.

Serosurvey and molecular detection of Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in northern Turkey

In this study, the hard ticks, whole blood and serum samples collected from small ruminants (sheep and goat) in middle Black Sea region of Turkey where Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) human cases were observed in the past years were surveyed for the presence of RNA and specific IgG antibodies from CCFH virus (CCHFV). CCHFV RNA was found in 30 of 255 tick pools (11.76%) and nine of 105 (8.57%) leucocyte samples. No CCHFV genomic RNA was detected from animals in Yildizeli and Vezirkopru. However, CCHFV RNA was found from animals in Gerze and Resadiye. Seventy-eight of 105 goat and sheep blood serum samples tested were antibody-positive for CCHFV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (goat: 42/63; sheep: 36/42). Viral RNA was detected from tick samples in all of four provinces. Positivity rates for the provinces varied and were as follows: Gerze 13.04%, Resadiye 35.41%, Vezirkopru 1.61% and Yildizeli 6.06%. CCHFV genomic RNA was detected in four of seven tick species tested. These results suggest that these hard ticks may act as a reservoir for CCHFV in northern Turkey.

A serologic investigation of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) in cattle and Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa in Turkey.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) is a vector-borne disease of ruminants disseminated in the tropic and subtropic zone of the world. Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa (goitered gazelle) is native species of Anatolia. Due to risk of extinction, captured gazelles have been taken under protection in a restricted area at Ceylanpinar state farm. In this study, the presence of EHDV was investigated serologically in 82 goitered gazelle and 399 cattle. Seropositivity rates in goitered gazelle and cattle were detected as 2.43% and 3.50%, respectively.

Molecular Detection of Avian Influenza Virus but not West Nile Virus in Wild Birds in Northern Turkey

In this study, a total of 402 samples (173 cloacal swab samples, 169 tracheal swab samples and 60 organ pools including the lung, spleen, liver, trachea and brain) obtained from 27 different wild avian species from Kizilirmak delta and the adjacent wetlands in northern Turkey were surveyed for the presence of RNA from Avian influenza virus (AIV) and West Nile virus (WNV) by Taqman‐based real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction assay. No WNV genomic RNA was detected in any sample. In contrast, AIV RNA was found in two of 402 samples (0.49%).

Serosurveillance for equine infectious anaemia in the Ardahan province of Turkey

Equine infectious anaemia is a retroviral infection of horses. All infected horses, including those that are asymptomatic, become carriers and are infectious for life. In this study, blood samples of all equines in the province of Ardahan were collected. The material consisted of 8,947 equines, including 8,769 horses and 178 donkeys, from Ardahan province in northeastern Turkey. Blood was collected from all horses and donkeys and the sera were analysed for the presence of antibodies to equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results revealed that none of the horses and donkeys were positive for antibodies to EIAV.

Investigation of the effect of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) fruit extract against cisplatin-induced renal cell injury in vitro

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of cornelian cherry fruit extract against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in vitro. Materials and methods: African green monkey kidney epithelial cells (Vero) were incubated with 100 mg/mL of cornelian cherry fruit extract, 50 μmol/L of cisplatin or 50 μmol/L of cisplatin plus 100 mg/mL of cornelian cherry fruit extract for 4 h. The wells containing cells without any supplementation served as control. Cell viability was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide assay. Culture mediums were collected, centrifuged and analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Results: The cell viability was 59% in cells co-treated with cisplatin and cornelian cherry fruit extract simultaneously and 42% in cisplatin treated cells. The cellular damage ratio was elevated in cells treated with cisplatin. However, when cisplatin combined with cornelian cherry fruit extract the deleterious effects of cisplatin were significantly decreased. The MDA concentration was significantly higher (p<0.05), GSH concentration and GPx and SOD activities were significantly lower (p<0.05) in cisplatin treated group when compared with control group, cornelian cherry group, and cisplatin+cornelian cherry group. Conclusion: The present study indicated that cornelian cherry fruit extract exert protective effects on oxidative damage in vitro induced by cisplatin.

Maedi-visna virus infection in Karayaka and Amasya Herik breed sheep from provinces in northern Turkey

Maedi-visna is an important virus infection of sheep having prolonged incubation period (slow disease) and reflecting two distinct forms clinically and pathologically. In this study, the presence of MVV was investigated serologically in 58 Amasya Herik sheep breed and 525 Karayaka sheep breed. Seropositivity rates in Amasya Herik sheep breed and Karayaka sheep breed were detected as 69.0% and 18.5%, respectively. MVV antibodies were found in 137 of 583 serum samples (23.5%). Positivity rates for the provinces varied and were as follows: Samsun 19.4%, Sinop 15.4%, Ordu 25.8%, Trabzon 26.7%, Rize 36.7%, Amasya 69.0% and Tokat 35.0%, however no antibody response was detected in all of the sheep in Giresun province.