Zeynep Taş Cengiz

Cryptosporidium spp. is an important enteric protozoan with zoonotic potential that infects both humans and animals. Data on the incidence and molecular characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs in Türkiye remain limited. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in owned dogs in Iğdır Province. Fecal samples were collected from 146 owned dogs. The fecal samples were analyzed using nested PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Samples positive for Cryptosporidium spp. were sequenced using the Sanger sequencing method, and phylogenetic analyses were performed. Microscopy detected oocysts in 2.05% (3/146) of samples, whereas nested PCR detected positivity in 4.11% (6/146) of samples. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was 4.41% in females and 3.85% in males (P > 0.05). The infection rate in dogs younger than one year (6.90%) was higher than that in dogs older than one year (2.27%), although the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). All four successfully sequenced isolates were identified as Cryptosporidium parvum (100% identity to GenBank references) and clustered within the C. parvum lineage in the phylogenetic analysis. The detection of zoonotic C. parvum suggests that dogs in Iğdır may serve as potential reservoirs of infection for humans, particularly in areas where close contact is frequent. This study provides valuable molecular epidemiological data on Cryptosporidium species.

Cryptosporidium spp. are important enteric protozoa capable of infecting a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including cats. Although feline cryptosporidiosis is often subclinical, certain species such as Cryptosporidium felis possess zoonotic potential. Data on the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Cryptosporidium infections in cats in Türkiye remain limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, species distribution, and zoonotic relevance of Cryptosporidium spp. in cats from the Iğdır region. Fecal samples collected from 100 cats were examined microscopically using the Kinyoun acid-fast staining method and molecularly by nested PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene. PCR-positive samples were sequenced using the Sanger method, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with MEGA 12 software. Microscopy detected oocysts in 1% (1/100) of samples, while nested PCR identified 3% (3/100) positivity. Higher prevalence was observed in females and in cats younger than one year; however, these differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). All three sequenced isolates were identified as C. felis, showing 99.75% identity to reference sequences in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that all isolates clustered within the C. felis lineage. The presence of C. felis in cats in the Iğdır region highlights their potential role as reservoirs of zoonotic Cryptosporidium species. These findings underscore the importance of continued surveillance and molecular characterization of feline cryptosporidiosis in Türkiye, particularly due to the close human–cat interaction in domestic environments.

The aim of this study was to determine the dominant strains from samples of different hosts using molecular methods to contribute to the fight against cystic echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus, which is an important parasitic agent for human and animal health. Within the scope of this study, 75 cyst materials from humans, 25 cyst materials from cattle, and 25 cyst materials from sheep were used. After microscopic examination of cyst fluids, DNA was isolated from the cyst membrane/fluid and the NAD1 mitochondrial gene region was amplified by PCR. 60 cyst samples were analyzed by PCR amplicon sequence analysis and the strains of E. granulosus isolates were identified. Mutations in the NAD1 mitochondrial gene region were also identified. Hydatid cyst organ localization in sheep and cattle showed that liver localization was the most common in cattle while lung localization was the most common in sheep. When the results of sequence analysis were compared with the reference strains in NCBI, nine samples were found to be G3 (%15), and the remaining 51 (%85) samples were G1 strains. In this study, we determined, for the first time, that nine samples had mutations. The prevalence of G1 (sheep) strain in Van region indicates that sheep play an important role in the prevalence of E. granulosus in the region.

This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between toxoplasmosis and cryptogenic epilepsy (CE) by performing a meta-analysis of the results of the studies that previously discussed the relationship between Toxoplasma gondii and CE. A systematic search was first conducted using the Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases for meta-analysis. Jamovi (Ver. 2.4.1.0) statistical analysis program was used for meta-analysis. The amount of heterogeneity was estimated using the restricted maximum-likelihood estimator. In addition to the estimation of tau², the Q-test for heterogeneity and the I² statistic are reported. The analysis was carried out using the log odds ratio as the outcome measure. A random-effects model was fitted to the data. Meta-analysis findings were presented as forest plots, and the correlation between T. gondii infection and epilepsy was demonstrated by the OR and 95% CI. Effect sizes of correlation coefficients were interpreted according to Cohen. It was seen that four studies included in the analysis were conducted in Egypt, three studies in Türkiye, and two studies in Iran (k:9). The results of the meta-analysis that included nine studies showed a pooled OR of 0.89 (95% CI 0.39 to 1.39). This OR value suggests a strong association between T. gondii infection and increased risk of CE according to the Cohen classification. There was a relationship between toxoplasmosis and increased CE. However, seroprevalence studies should be performed in larger populations to better understand the relationship between CE and T. gondii. In addition, molecular studies of how T. gondii infection affects the neurological system should be performed to interpret the relationship between toxoplasmosis and CE. FULL TEXT PDF

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of opportunistic parasites and Blastocystis spp. in patients with gastric cancer (CA) and to determine the significance of these parasite. The patient group and the control group were composed of 100 people each. The stool samples were examined under the microscope for intestinal parasites with the native-Lugol method. Then, samples were multiplied by formol-ethyl acetate method and stained with modified acid-fast method. Intestinal parasite positivity was indicated in 14% of the gastric CA, and 2% of the healthy individuals (p=0.001). Blastocystis spp. (p=0.009) was identified in 11%, Cryptosporidium spp. was identified in 4%, G. intestinalis was identified in 2%, and C. cayetanensis was identified in 1% of the patient group. There were significant differences between the intestinal parasite positivity (p=0.012), abundant Blastocystis spp. positivity (p=0.041) and all Blastocystis spp. positivity (p=0.037) in patient and control groups. Most of the patients who were positive for parasites had diarrhea. Based findings, it was concluded that it would be beneficial to evaluate gastric CA patients, especially those with diarrhea, for intestinal parasites.

In this study, it was aimed to reveal the frequency of fascioliasis in cattle slaughtered in the slaughterhouses of Ağrı province. The study was carried out on 230 cattle. The presence of Fasciola hepatica eggs in stool and bile fluid samples taken from each cattle was investigated by sedimentation-zinc sulfate flotation method, and the presence of adult parasites in the liver and bile ducts by postmortem examination. The study was conducted on 230 cattle samples. Fasciola spp. eggs were observed in 43 (18.7%) of the stools examined. As a result of the postmortem examination of the liver and gall bladder, F. hepatica adults were found in 52 (22.6%) cattle. All cattle positive in stool examination were also positive in liver and gallbladder examination. Fasciola gigantica adults were not detected in any of the cattle, and there was no statistically significant difference in terms of gender and race. In this study conducted on cattle in the Ağrı region, F. hepatica was found to be significantly common. The data obtained show that in order to prevent economic losses in animal husbandry, which is an important source of livelihood of the local people, effective prevention and control programs should be planned and implemented, and both sheep and cattle breeders should be made aware of the prevention of this infection.

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in hemodialysis (HD) patients and to reveal the importance of toxoplasmosis as a risk factor in these patients. The study was carried out between 26.12.2013 and 01.01.2016 at Van Yüzüncü University Dursun Odabaş the Medical Center on patients with chronic renal failure who entered HD. As the patient group in the study, 150 patients with chronic renal failure who underwent HD; as the control group, 50 people without any known chronic disease and who did not receive any immunosuppressive therapy were included. The ELISA method was used to determine anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibody levels. A questionnaire including risk factors that may cause the transmission of T. gondii was applied to the patient and control groups. In the study, 89 out of total 150 HD patients (59.3%) were found anti-T. gondii IgG antibody seropositive and 4 were (2.7%) anti-T. gondii IgM antibody seropositive. Fourteen of 50 healthy individuals in the group (28%) were anti-T. gondii IgG antibody positive, while none in this group was anti-T. gondii IgM antibody positive. Statistical analysis demonstrated there were separate significant correlations between both anti-T. gondii IgG (pT. gondii IgM antibody (pT. gondii IgG antibody identification based on gender and age groups, there were significant differences between the prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgM antibody based on both gender (p<0.05) and age groups (p<0.05). Some living conditions and habits of the patient group were evaluated statistically, and a significant correlation (p<0.05) was found between eating only raw meatballs and toxoplasmosis seropositivity. As a result, it was understood that the physicians who monitor of HD patients should assess toxoplasmosis among the risk factors.

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the patients infected with Fasciola hepatica and establish whether these parameters differ among the patients with fascioliasis. The patient group consisted of 140 individuals with F. hepatica seropositive; the control group consisted of 140 healthy individuals who tested negative for this parasite and had no other diseases. The patient group consisted of individuals with no chronic diseases other than fascioliasis; in both the patient and the control groups, the subjects had no unhealthy habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption, etc. The blood samples taken to diagnose fascioliasis were evaluated by the ELISA method. The samples were studied according to the kit procedures for SOD, CAT, GPx and MDA markers. In this study, 43.6% of 140 individuals in the patient group infected with F. hepatica had CAT (p=0.001), 35% had GPx (p=0.001), 12.9% had SOD (p=0.002), 90.7% had MDA (p=0.001). There was found a statistically significant difference between the patient and the control group in terms of the positivity of these four parameters. As a result, a statistically significant relationship was found between the increase in the SOD, GPx, CAT, and MDA levels and fascioliasis. The high rate of MDA revealed that oxidative stress occurred in patients with fascioliasis, resulting in an increased activity of SOD, GPx, and CAT. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Fasciola hepatica ile enfekte hastalarda süperoksit dismutaz (SOD), glutatyon peroksidaz (GPx), katalaz (CAT) ve malondialdehit (MDA) düzeylerini belirlemek ve fascioliasisli hastalarda bu parametrelerde farklılık meydana gelip gelmediğini ortaya koymaktır. Hasta grubu, F. hepatica pozitif olan 140 hastadan; kontrol grubu ise bu parazit yönünden negatif bulunan ve başka herhangi bir hastalığı bulunmayan 140 sağlıklı kişiden oluşturuldu. Hasta grubuna fascioliasis dışında herhangi bir kronik hastalığı olmayan ve hem hasta hem de kontrol grubuna sigara, alkol kullanımı olmayan kişiler dahil edildi. Hastalarda fascioliasis pozitifliğini belirlemek için alınan kan örnekleri ELISA yöntemi ile çalışıldı. Serum SOD, CAT, GPx ve MDA düzeyleri ELISA yöntemi ile değerlendirildi. Bu çalışmada F. hepatica ile enfekte hasta grubundaki 140 kişinin %43,6’sında CAT (p=0,001), %35’inde GPx (p=0,001), %12,9’unda SOD (p=0,002) ve %90,7 MDA pozitifliği saptandı. Bu dört parametrenin pozitifliği açısından hasta ve kontrol grubu arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark bulundu (p=0,001). Sonuç olarak SOD, GPx, CAT ve MDA düzeyindeki artış ile fascioliasis arasında istatistik olarak anlamlı bir ilişki saptanmıştır. Çalışmamızda MDA’nın yüksek oranda saptanmış olması fascioliasisli hastalarda oksidatif stres oluştuğunu ve SOD, GPx ve CAT aktivitelerinde artış olduğunu ortaya koymuştur.

This study was conducted to investigate the frequency of intestinal parasites in substance abusers and to reveal its significance. The study was conducted in Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Medical Faculty Parasitology Research Laboratory and University of Health Sciences Turkey Van Training and Research Hospital between May 2019 and February 2020. The patient group included 150 patients with substance abuse who applied to the Alcohol and Drug Addicted Treatment Center of University of Health Sciences Turkey Van Training and Research Hospital, while the control group included 75 patients who had no chronic illness and did not use cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs. Stool samples were examined using native-Lugol and modified acid-fast staining methods. In this study, one or more intestinal parasites were found in 21.3% of 150 patients who applied to the internal medicine outpatient clinic and had no chronic illness and did not use cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the parasite frequency (p=0.03). In the patient group, Giardia intestinalis was detected in 7.3% (p=0.02), Blastocystis hominis in 6.7%, and Hymenolepis nana in 0.7%. Considering the frequency of parasites in terms of age groups, intestinal parasites were found at a higher rate in the 35 and younger age group (23.8%) than in the 36 and older age group (17.2%). Intestinal parasite positivity was found at the highest rate (23.8%) in those using methamphetamine. Constipation (79.3%) was the most prevalent in parasite-positive substance abusers, followed by diarrhea (23%). This study contributed to the literature by determining the frequency of intestinal parasites in people addicted to substance, and it was revealed that intestinal parasite infections are a negative consequence of substance addiction. Conclusively, our findings revealed that intestinal parasites should be considered in substance abusers. Also, more detailed studies involving more individuals should be conducted to obtain information about intestinal parasite infections.

This study aimed to investigate the frequency of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in stray dogs in Ağrı province and its districts and to reveal the zoonotic importance of these parasites. Fecal samples were collected from a total of 279 stray dogs in the center of Ağrı and the districts of Diyadin, Doğubayazıt, Eleşkirt, Hamur, Patnos, Taşlıçay, and Tutak. After macroscopic examination of the stool samples, they were examined microscopically by the native and multiplexing (Fulleborn flotation and Benedek sedimentation) methods. Helminth eggs belonging to one or more species were detected in 80 (28.7%) of the 279 stool samples examined. In total, 31 (11.1%) T. canis, 24 (8.6%) T. leonina, 17 (6.1%) Taenia spp., 15 (5.4%) Capillaria spp., 10 (3.6%) Alaria spp., 5 (1.8%) T. vulpis, and 3 (1.1%) A. caninum egg were detected in the stool samples. In this study, which was performed for the first time in Ağrı, it was revealed that stray dogs in Ağrı province and its districts were infected with helminths, which may consequently affect human health significantly. Therefore, necessary precautions should be taken to preserve the health of both humans and dogs.