Göksel Erbaş

This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of a Vero cell–based neutralization assay as an alternative to the toxin neutralization test (TNT), which does not comply with the 4R principles, for the control of clostridial vaccines. In the study, 20 vaccines containing Clostridium septicum alpha toxoid and 10 vaccines lacking this component (clostridial or non-clostridial), submitted to the Bornova Veterinary Control Institute, Veterinary Biological Products Control Laboratory for routine marketing authorization, were used. For each vaccine, ten New Zealand White rabbits with no history of disease or vaccination were immunized, and sera were collected. The sera were equally divided and subjected to neutralization analysis in Vero cell lines and to TNT using 15 mice per serum sample. According to TNT results, 16 of the 20 C. septicum–containing vaccines were found to be above the acceptance limit, while 4 were below the limit. In sera obtained from rabbits vaccinated with vaccines lacking C. septicum, no antitoxin formation was detected and all mice died in TNT. The Vero cell–based assay yielded results parallel to TNT, with the sensitivity and specificity of the new method calculated as 100%. In conclusion, the Vero cell neutralization assay provided results comparable to TNT while requiring less time and cost, and offering more stable and reliable outcomes.

The prevalence of some tick-borne zoonotic bacteria (Borrelia sp., Coxiella burnetii, and Rickettsia sp.) in dog blood samples were examined using by PCR. A total of 200 dog blood samples were collected from dogs located in western Türkiye. Three pathogens for dogs, Borrelia burgdorferi, C. burnetii and Rickettsia sp. of were detected in dog blood samples. A single PCR was performed for the C. burnetii and multiplex PCR was applied for the Rickettsiae spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi. At the end of PCR study, Borrelia burgdorferi, C. burnetii and Rickettsiae sp. target pathogens were identified at the rate of 55.0% from all blood samples. The percentage distributions according to identified species were at the rate of C. burnetii 1.5%, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato 2.0% and Rickettsiae spp. 51.5%. In this results show that the dogs may be a risk factor for the distribution of the tick-borne zoonotic bacteria. Tick borne zoonotic bacteria were to create a hazard to the human health.

The potency control of the clostridium vaccines containing epsilon toxoid is performed with the Toxin Neutralization Test (TNT). Although TNT is a standard method, it has some disadvantages in terms of animal welfare and method validation studies. For this reason, the development and application of alternative methods are encouraged. However, purification and standardization of antigen, antibody and reference standards in serological-based in vitro methods still remain a significant problem. In this respect, cell culture analyses performed using similar reagents are considered possible alternatives in potency tests of the clostridial vaccines. Based on this approach, epsilon antitoxin levels in the sera of vaccinated rabbits were determined by cytotoxicity assay in mouse TNT and Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cell cultures. The toxicity response in cell culture is similar to the response in mice. A high correlation and a good linear relationship were observed in the results of the two methods. There were no non-specific reactions. These results show that, in potency tests of vaccines containing Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxoid, in vitro MDCK cell line seroneutralization assay can be successfully used instead of in vivo mouse TNT.

In this study, it was aimed to determine the resistance profile by examining the prevalence and species distribution of enterococci in rectal samples of healthy budgerigars and their susceptibility to antibiotics. 100 cloacal swab samples were used in the study. Identification and antibiotic resistance of Enterococcal isolates obtained by classical methods were determined with the automated identification system. As a result of the study, 22 (75.86%) E. faecalis, 2 (6.90%) E. faecium (6.90%) E. hirae (6.90%) and E. casseliflavus/gallinarum and 1 S. uberis (3.44%) was obtained. The presence of Enterococci was detected in 29% of the samples. In general, they were suspectible to Amoxicillin clavunate (96.4%), Ampicillin (100%), Ciproflaxacin (54.2%), Levoflaxacin (60.9%), Gentamicin(Syn) (82.1%), Streptomycin(Syn) (28.6%), Tigecycline (80%), Vancomycin(89.3%), Teicoplanin (96.4%), Linezolide (96.4%) and Nitrofurontion (100%), and they showed 100% resistance to Cefocitin, Amikacin, Gentamicin, Tobramycin, Clindamycin, Erythromycin, TMP-SXT, Fusidic acid and Quinopuristin-Dalfopuristin. The presence of Entrococcal species, which are very important in terms of zoonosis, in healthy budgerigars was revealed. In addition, the different types of antibiotic resistance found in the studies also reveal the necessity of performing antibiotic susceptibility tests in this type of infections. However, it has been demonstrated that which antibiotics will be effective in nosocomial and/or gastrointestinal infections of Enterococcal origin in budgerigars.

Amaç: Bu araştırma ile İzmir ilinde bulunan bazı liselerdeki tuvaletlerin kapı kolu, musluk başları, klozet kapağı, sifon başlığı ve zemindeki enterik bakterilerin varlığının saptanması ve alınabilecek önlemlerin tartışılması amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Çalışmamızda İzmir ilindeki 4 adet lisede bulunan ve aktif kullanımda olan tuvaletlerden alınan sürüntü örnekleri kullanılmıştır. Her bir tuvaletin ana giriş ve içeride bulunan kapı kolları, musluk başlıkları, klozet kapakları, sifon başlıkları ve zeminlerinden okulların açık olduğu 2016 yılı Şubat-Nisan ayları arasında sürüntü numuneleri alınarak, Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dalı Rutin Teşhis Laboratuvarında Enterik bakterilerin varlığı incelenmiştir. Bulgular: Alınan 147 örneğin 83’ünde (%56.5) Gram negatif bakteri kontaminasyonu bulunmuştur. Toplam Gram negatif üremelerin %55.4’ünde E. coli üremesi saptanmıştır. Bunun yanında %12’şer P. vulgaris ve P. fluorescens, %7.3 A. hydrophila, %4.8 K. oxytoca, %3.7 E. cloacae, %2.4’er oranlarında ise K. pneumoniae ve E. aerogenes varlığı tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç: Bu çalışmada izole edilen Gram negatif basillerin çoğu, dışkı bulaşmasını düşündüren enterik kökenli mikroorganizmalardı. Çalışma sonuçları incelendiğinde bu tarz toplu kullanılan tuvaletlerin herzaman enfeksiyonla temas riski altında olduğu düşünülmekte ve bu tip yerlerin çok doğru planlanmış dezenfektan ve temizlik maddeleri ile uygun prosedürler çerçevesinde temizliği sağlanmalıdır.

The seasonal variance, global warming, and extraordinary climate conditions around the world change the physiology and behaviors of different animal species. Free ranging birds and mammals harbor some species of potentially pathogenic bacteria; however, these diseases do not result in spontaneous deaths. Being significant individuals of the ecosystem, free living immigrant birds are prone to bacterial diseases. Migratory birds are accommodated in areas located on migration routes to provide rest, food, and water. During this stay, they spread the diseases they bring with them to the poultry in the region and to the poultry farms that do not take adequate biosecurity measures—especially to the free range poultry farms. The migratory birds confront numerous health risks brought on by bacterial species that affect other livestock populace and public health. This chapter provides brief reference on bird-to-bird transmission and general aspects of emerging bacterial zoonoses of migratory birds for wildlife professionals, veterinary practitioners, and students.

In this study, the presence of tick-borne zoonotic bacteria (Borrelia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsiae spp.) in camel blood samples were examined using by PCR. A total of 50 blood samples were collected from one humped dromedary camels found in western side of Aegean region which had tick infestation in their anamnesis. Three pathogens, viz Borrelia burgdorferi, C. burnetii and Rickettsiae spp. were detected in camel blood samples. A single PCR was performed for the C. burnetii and multiplex PCR for the Rickettsiae spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi. At the end of PCR study, C. burnetii was identified at the rate of 4% out of 50 blood samples. Borrelia burgdorferi and Rickettsiae spp. were not detected from all blood samples. The results showed that tick-borne zoonotic pathogens may come up with risk factors for Camelus dromedarius population. For this reason, it is important to increase microbiological studies for Camelus dromedarius populations.

Background: Among the vaginal diseases seen in women, candidiasis is in the first place. This disease, which is caused by Candida species, can sometimes persist very stubbornly. The aim of this study was to determine Candida species isolated from vaginal specimens by using VITEK MS (MALDI-TOF Microbial Identification System) rapid identification system and to evaluate their susceptibility to some antifungals.Methods: In this study, 220 cervicovaginal swab were used. Isolates were identified by VITEK MS rapid identification system. After identification, antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the M-44 A2 guideline of The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).Results: Total 16.3% (36) of Candida spp. positivity was determined from 220 cervicovaginal samples, and 25 (69.4%) C. glabrata, 6 (16.7%) C. albicans, 3 (8.3%) C. kefyr and 2 (5.6%) C. krusei were obtained with Vitek MS. All identified C. albicans strains were found to be completely resistant to all antifungals used except nystatin agent, C. krusei strains were found to be resistant to flucytosine but sensitive to all other antifungals, C. glabrata and C. kefyr strains were susceptible to all antifungals within the antifungals used in this study.Conclusions: It is concluded that it is necessary to distinguish Candida species in order to apply a correct treatment. And species selection is very important for the selection of antifungal to be used. Nystatin is recommended if no laboratory tests are to be performed for the diagnosis of Vaginal Candidiasis.