Mehmet Haligur

Pathological, serological, and virological findings in sheep infected simultaneously with Bluetongue, Peste-des-petits-ruminants, and Sheeppox viruses

In this study, pathological, serological and virological examinations were performed on 15 sheep from a flock of 250 sheep and lambs that suffer from simultaneous naturally occurring BTV, PPRV and SPV outbreaks. SPV was diagnosed macroscopically and histopathologically, BTV was diagnosed by ELISA, and PPRV was diagnosed pathologically and by ELISA. Clinically fever, diarrhea, depression, polypnea, conjunctivitis, lacrimation, rhinitis, erosive stomatitis, edema of eyelids, photophobia, cutaneous eruption with erythematous areas especially noticeable in wool-free parts of the body and axilla lesions evolving into papules were observed. At necropsy, the most effected organs were lungs and gut. Subepicardial hemorrhages were also commonly seen. While typical pox lesions were observed in some lambs, usually fibrinous pleuropneumonia was more prominent lung lesion. SPV and PPRV lesions were seen at the histopathological examination of the lesioned tissues, BT lesions were mild than SPV and PPRV microscopically. Serum and leukocyte samples of 15 animals were examined for PPRV and BTV by ELISA; 5 samples were positive for PPRV and 6 BTV, 4 were positive for both PPRV and BTV simultaneously. One hundred animals died, most were lambs. Mortality rates were 100% in lambs and 80% in the herd.

Early degenerative effects of diabetes mellitus on pancreas, liver, and kidney in rats: an immunohistochemical study.

Liver and kidney commonly affected by diabetes in chronic cases but pathogenetic mechanisms are not fully understood in early stages of the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of caspase-3, cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and-2, calcium sensing receptor (CSR), and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in pancreas, liver, and kidney in streptozotocin (STZ) induced DM. Study group (n = 6) were received streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) and control group (n = 6) physiologic saline. The blood glucose and ketonuria were measured, and necropsy was performed on them on third, fourth, and fifth days. Immunohistochemistry revealed that marked increase in caspase-3 reaction pancreas, liver, and kidney in the study group than control group. COX-1 slightly increased in these organs in study group compared to controls. Immunohistochemically COX-2 reaction was markedly positive in liver and kidney, but slightly increased in pancreas. The most increased reaction was observed in CRS and all organs were markedly positive. HIF-1α expression was also increased but the reaction was more severe in pancreas than liver and kidney. This study indicated that degeneration starts in organs in early stages of the disease and the most effective route for degeneration related to increase of calcium influx and hypoxia upon cells in DM.

Effects of Caffeine and Lycopene in Experimentally Induced Diabetes Mellitus.

Objectives Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global epidemic with increasing prevalence. The disease is chronic in nature, and patients must use antidiabetic drugs or insulin during their lifespan. Because of the difficulty of using injectable insulin preparations, patients and practitioners prefer to use oral antidiabetic drugs for prophylaxis and treatment. There are, however, numerous adverse effects of antidiabetic drugs and rapidly increasing attention is being paid to new nutraceutical drugs with fewer adverse effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of caffeine and lycopene on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DM in rats. Methods Caffeine and lycopene were administered to the study groups by oral gavages for 1 month whereafter experimental diabetes was induced in 90 rats in 6 groups. Results There were no pathological effects of lycopene and caffeine on the pancreas. Marked vacuolization and degeneration were observed in STZ-treated groups. Caffeine and lycopene decreased the pathological findings and lowered the blood and urine glucose levels in the rats with STZ-induced DM, whereas these compounds increased serum insulin levels. Conclusions This study showed that caffeine and lycopene provided protective effects against experimentally induced DM. The protective effects of lycopene were observed to be much greater than those of caffeine.

Coagulation profile, haematological and biochemical changes in kids naturally infected with peste des petits ruminants

The aim of this study was to examine the coagulation profile in peste des petits ruminant (PPR) in kids. Five kids from a group of 150 animals (72 goats and 78 kids) were brought to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from a farm in Burdur province (Turkey) with nasal and ocular discharges and diarrhea. Fifteen goats and 41 kids had died due to diarrhea and three kids were presented to the Department of Pathology for diagnosis. Blood samples were taken from 12 ill animals (infected group) for haematological and biochemical analysis. In addition, five healthy kids were examined from another healthy flock (control group). Leukocyte and lymphocyte numbers of infected group showed significant declinations in comparison to control group (≤0.001). Haemorrhages in all organs of digestive system and small haemorrhagic areas in liver were caused to decrease in erythrocyte and haematocrit values (p ≤ 0.001) in infected group. Concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (p ≤ 0.01) and creatinine (p ≤ 0.001) in infected group were significantly higher than control group. Compared to control group, significant increases were determined in serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p ≤ 0.01), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p ≤ 0.001) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p ≤ 0.001) in the infected group. No significant differences were observed between the infected and control groups for serum gamma glutamyl-transferase (GGT) concentration value. In our study, thrombocytopenia (p ≤ 0.001) together with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT; p ≤ 0.01) and prothrombin time (PT; p ≤ 0.001) may show that disseminated intravascular coagulopathy which can occur in kids with PPR.

Ultra-high dose of intra-amniotic or direct fetal intramuscular betamethasone for lung maturation in the preterm goat model

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of intra-amniotic (IA) and fetal injections of a single ultra-high dose of betamethasone (BM) 48 h before preterm delivery on neonatal pulmonary function, using an experimental goat model. STUDY DESIGN Eighteen date-mated singleton pregnant Hair goats were randomized into four groups. At gestational day 118 (alveolar phase, term 150-155 days) after obtaining a sample of amniotic fluid, fetuses in group 1 (n=5) received 8 mg/kg IA BM, and in group 2 (n=5) 4 mg/kg fetal IM BM. In group 3 (n=4) (0.3mg/kg/day) maternal BM was administered at day 118 and 119 with a 24h interval; control fetuses (n=4) received 1 mL/kg of IA saline at day 118. At gestational day 120, after obtaining second sample of amniotic fluids 18 kids were delivered by preterm cesarean section, entubated, weighed, and mechanically ventilated for 15 min. Arterial blood gas samples and deflation/inflation lung pressure-volume measurements were obtained. After sacrifice, lungs were removed, weighed, gross examined and processed for further histological and immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluations. On hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stained slides, presence and severity of lung emphysema was evaluated; slides stained for surfactant proteins, and caspases were used for semi-quantitative evaluation of lung maturation. Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon signed rank, and chi-square tests were used for comparisons. RESULTS IA BM was associated with increased number of stillbirths (60% vs. 0% in control) (p=0.06) and emphysematous changes. Bodyweight-adjusted pressure-volume measurements were improved after maternal, but not IA or fetal, BM (p=0.06). Following mechanical ventilation, arterial blood gas parameters did not significantly alter across maternal and fetal administrations. However, pH was significantly lower (p<0.05) and carbon dioxide partial pressure was higher (p<0.05) in the control group, indicating hypercapnic acidemia in non-treated pregnancies. None of the treatments induced measurable alterations in amniotic fluid lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) values. IA and fetal routes were associated with decreased surfactant protein expressions and increased apoptotic activity in alveolar and bronchio-alveolar epithelial cells. CONCLUSION Ultra-high dose IA and fetal IM BM is not superior to the standard dose and maternal way of administration in our experimental design.

Fatal systemic cladosporiosis in a merino sheep flock.

Systemic cladosporiosis is described in 25 merino sheep from a flock consisting 250 animals. The fungal pneumonia appeared after an intensive antibiotic treatment, because of a respiratory system disorder. The pen of the flock was humid and crowded, and animals had signs of respiratory distress, coughing, fever and anorexia. All of the ill animals died, and necropsy was performed on 10 sheep. The lesions were characterized by a multifocal pyogranulomatous pneumonia and an abomasitis. Severe hemorrhages were observed in the lungs. At the histopathological examination, severe vasculitis with thrombosis was observed in various organs, especially in the lungs and abomasums, suggestive for a hematogenous dissemination of the infection in these organs. Numerous PAS-positive fungal elements were seen in the pyogranulomatous foci. Dark green fungal colonies were seen in the blood agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar that were identified as Cladosporium cladosporioides. This report highlights that phaeohyphomycosis can cause a severe systemic and fatal disease in merino sheep under insufficient management conditions.

PARASITOLOGIC AND PATHOLOGIC OBSERVATIONS OF THE HOUSE SPARROW (PASSER DOMESTICUS)

This study describes the parasites and related pathologic observations in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). In total, 48 birds were examined and 41 sparrows were found to be infected with one or more endoparasites (85.4%). The most common parasites were liver trematodes identified as Brachydistomum microscelis and Brachydistomum gracupicae. In addition, coccidia and a cestode (Infula spp.) were observed. In one bird, one female Tetrameres sp. and one female Microtetrameres sp. were found in the proventriculus. No blood parasite was found after examination of the blood smears. No gross pathologic lesion was seen in the organs except for the proventriculus, gut, and liver. At histologic examination small necrotic areas and inflammatory reactions were seen in the liver and the gastrointestinal system related to the parasites. Incidentally, anthracosis was diagnosed in 23 and mild pneumonia in 12 of the lungs.

Immunohistochemical Detection of Viral Etiopathogenesis in Lambs and Goat Kids with Neonatal Diarrhea

Background: Neonatal enteritis is an important disease that causes deaths of animals before 3 weeks of age, and results in significant economic losses. Viral agents can predispose the young animals to secondary infections in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in lambs and goat kids younger than 21 days. Although the neonatal diarrhea is common in calves, there is still little knowledge about pathology, pathogenesis and immunohistochemical localization of viral agents that cause neonatal enteritis in lambs and goat kids. In this study, we carried out investigations with the aim of detecting adenovirus, rotavirus, coronavirus and herpes virus in the guts of goat kids and lambs with viral enteritis. Materials, Methods & Results: Adenovirus, rotavirus, coronavirus and herpes virus antisera were applied to paraffin-embedded intestinal tissue from neonatal lambs and kids that had died from enteritis. In addition, viral agents in the gut cells were detected and evaluated by electron microscopy. The study material consisted of 15 lambs and 15 goat kids that were presented for diagnosis. Viral agents were detected by immunohistochemically in 20 out of 30 animals. Rotavirus was diagnosed in 10 animals, adenovirus in five, herpes virus in three and coronavirus in two animals; and these results were supported by the electron microscopy. This study showed that viral agents play an important role in neonatal enteritis in lambs and kids. Discussion: Bacteria, viruses and protozoa may have a role in the etiology of neonatal enteritis and identifying the etiological agents is not always possible without laboratory studies. In addition, the immune system of the animal and environmental factors are important factors for to occurrence of the disease. The ages of the animals in present study varied between 1 and 21 days, but susceptibility to infection was most commonly observed between the ages of 1 and 12 days, and the infected animals immediately died after the appearance of clinical symptoms during this period. The most common clinical symptoms were fever, depression, dehydration, tenesmus, abdominal swelling and loss of appetite. Histopathological examinations revealed mild to severe lesions in the gut samples including hyperemia of vessels, submucosal edema, desquamation, erosion and ulcers of the epithelial layer of the gut, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the submucosa. Enlargement of mucus-secreting cells was most commonly observed. These results are common in neonatal enteritis and an agreement with previous studies and classical knowledge about clinical and pathological findings in this study. The agents of neonatal diarrhea most often isolated in calves are rotavirus, coronavirus, Cryptosporidium and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. A diagnosis of viral agents can be made by immunohistochemical examination of tissue fixed in formalin. This study revealed that the most common viral agents in lambs and goat kids neonatal diarrhea was rotavirus. In this study, protozoal and bacterial contamination was also observed. Our current study also showed that coronavirus is not an important etiological factor, compared with other viral causes of diarrhea in small ruminants. However, according to a previous study by our group, its incidence has increased and may be an important viral agent in neonatal enteritis in the future. This study showed that viral etiology was very important to occurring of neonatal diarrhea, practitioners must be taken into consideration when meet this problem. One of the most important prophylactic measurements may be vaccination pregnant sheep or goat for passive immunity of offspring.

Fetal pulmonary injury following single high-dose intra-amniotic betamethasone treatment in preterm goat kids.

OBJECTIVE Fetal lung maturation is an extremely important process that is necessary for the survival of the neonates. Conventionally, corticosteroids are administered maternally for inducing fetal lung maturation in preterm fetuses. Alternatively, single-dose intra-amniotic (IA) treatment might be speculated to improve lung maturity. In the goat model, we recently showed that high-dose IA betamethasone (BM) was associated with an increased number of stillbirths and emphysematous changes. The aim of the present study is to expand our previous findings and evaluate the histopathological effects of IA injection of a single high-dose of BM 48 h before induced preterm delivery, using our previously collected specimens. MATERIAL AND METHODS Five hair goat fetal lungs that had received 8 mg/kg IA BM at gestational day 118 (term, 150 days) and scheduled for preterm delivery by cesarean section at day 120 of gestation were examined pathologically. Specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and were interpreted by light microscopy. RESULTS The histopathological examination of the fetal lungs revealed edema, hemorrhage, slight inflammatory reaction, marked emphysema, and desquamation of the pneumocytes and bronchiolar or bronchial epithelial cells. CONCLUSION High-dose IA BM administrations to induce lung maturation can paradoxically cause severe pathological lesions in the fetal lungs. These might explain the toxic effects we encountered with this mode of treatment.