Mehmet Tolga Tan

Prevalence of equine herpesvirus-1 and equine herpesvirus-4 infections in equidae species in Turkey as determined by ELISA and multiplex nested PCR.

In this report we examined the presence of specific antibodies against equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), and equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) in several equidae, including mules, donkeys, horses. The presence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in respiratory diseases of equids, and ability of multiplex nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening in simultaneous diagnosis of horses acutely infected by EHV-1 and EHV-4 were also investigated. Sera from 504 horses, mules and donkeys sampled were tested for the presence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 specific antibodies. Blood samples taken from 21 symptomatic horses and nasal swabs taken from 40 symptomatic horses were tested for the presence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 by a multiplex nested PCR. A total of 14.3% (3/21) of buffy coat samples and 32.5% (13/40) nasal swab samples were found to contain EHV-1 DNA, while 19% (4/21) buffy coat samples and 22.5% (9/40) nasal swab samples were found to be positive for EHV-4 DNA. By species, 14.5% of horses, 37.2% of mules and 24.2% of donkeys tested were EHV-1 seropositive. EHV-4 specific antibodies were detected in 237 (81.7%) of 290 horse sera tested. Results from this investigation demonstrate that EHV-1 and EHV-4 are prevalent throughout the equid population, and that donkeys and mules might also represent an important source of infection for other equids. We also showed that the multiplex nested PCR assay might be useful for diagnosis of mixed respiratory infections in horses due to EHV-1 and EHV-4.

Detection and sequence analysis of equine gammaherpesviruses from horses with respiratory tract disease in Turkey.

The equid herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) and 5 (EHV-5), identified agents of respiratory infections and keratoconjunctivitis cases in some equids, comprise a high degree of antigenic heterogeneity. Prevalence and genetic characterization of EHV-2 and EHV-5 strains from Turkey were investigated in this study. A total of 73 nasal swabs and 54 blood specimens were sampled from horses with respiratory tract diseases characterized by mucopurulent nasal discharge and occasional coughing. Overall, EHV-2- and EHV-5-specific DNA amplicons were obtained from 19.2% (14/73) and 21.9% (16/73) of horses tested by multiplex nested PCR. Sequences of EHV-2 and EHV-5 glycoprotein B (gB) gene were used in a phylogenetic analysis that included six EHV-2 and three EHV-5 isolates, which showed that the Turkish EHV-2 and EHV-5 strains have marked sequence divergence from European strains and from each other. Turkish EHV-2 isolates were divided into two distinct subdivisions, and a few isolates were located on a separate branch. This study provides the first epidemiological and phylogenetical report about EHV-2 and EHV-5 infections in Turkey.

Evidence of zoonotic pseudocowpox virus infection from a cattle in Turkey

Pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) infects cattle throughout the world and has zoonotic potential. However, it is not known to infect cattle in Turkey. In August 2013, we observed ulcerative nodular swelling and pustules on udder and teats of a cow in a small village nearly Lake of Bafa, Milas, Mugla locate in southwestern part of Turkey. Interestingly, the similar lesions were also observed on skin of milkier women’s hand at the same time. A PCPV strain was characterized based on the major envelop gene sequence. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolated strain was closely related to the members of other parapoxvirus genus. This study provides the first description of PCPV infection in Turkey.