Muzaffer Akyuz

North-eastern Türkiye is highly endemic for human cystic (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE), but the contribution of free-roaming dogs to transmission remains poorly understood. The molecular occurrence and diversity of Echinococcus species and other taeniid cestodes in free-roaming dogs were therefore evaluated across the region, comparing probe-based copro-real-time PCR (copro-qPCR) with a sieving/flotation-based classical PCR (S/F-cPCR) and with a classical polymerase chain reaction PCR performed directly on copro-DNA (copro-cPCR). A total of 494 canine fecal samples collected in 2019–2020 across 7 provinces were analysed. Copro-qPCR was used for Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato ( s.l. ) and E. multilocularis , and both copro-qPCR and copro-cPCR were used for Taenia spp., each followed by sequencing. Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto ( s.s. ) was the most frequently detected species (20.0%), followed by E. multilocularis (5.7%) and E. canadensis (G6/G7) (0.4%). Among other cestodes, livestock-associated species ( Taenia hydatigena, T. multiceps, T. ovis ; 1–19.4%) and rodent/lagomorph-associated species ( T. crassiceps, T. serialis, T. pisiformis ; 0.4–0.6%) were identified, along with Mesocestoides spp. (8.9%). Taenia crassiceps is reported for the first time in dogs in Türkiye. Co-infections between domestic and sylvatic cycle parasites highlighted the bridging role of dogs in transmission dynamics. Methodological comparisons showed only fair agreement between copro-qPCR and S/F-cPCR for E. multilocularis , while moderate agreement was observed between copro-qPCR and copro-cPCR for Taenia spp. These findings demonstrate that free-roaming dogs link domestic and wildlife cycles, escalating zoonotic risks in a region where CE and AE are co-endemic. Targeted control strategies, including dog population management and public education, are urgently required to mitigate transmission.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a significant zoonotic infection caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, and it is a serious public health problem in Türkiye. The study aims to determine the current prevalence of bovine CE in Erzurum, to identify its molecular genotypes, and to analyze long-term trends in infection prevalence. A total of 1,241 slaughtered cattle were examined, and the CE prevalence was 24.09% (299/1,241). The lungs were the most frequently infected organ, with a rate of 93.31% (p < 0.05). The study revealed that the highest infection rates were observed in cattle over 5 years of age and in females (p < 0.05). The vast majority of infected cattle exhibited single cysts (73.24%) (p < 0.05), with cyst diameters ranging from 1 to 15 cm. Medium-sized cysts (2–5 cm) were predominant in 73.06% of cases (p < 0.05). Microscopic examinations revealed that the fertility rate of cysts was 9.25%. Cyst fertility significantly increased with cyst size (p < 0.05). A molecular analysis of 105 selected cyst samples targeting the 12 S rRNA and COI gene regions identified all isolates as E. granulosus sensu stricto. The epidemiological data from the last thirty years demonstrate a decrease in the prevalence rate of approximately 10% per decade in the region, with a decline from 46.4% to 24.09%. Consequently, in order to maintain the current downward trend in prevalence observed in CE endemic regions and to minimize public health risks, it is crucial to implement comprehensive control programs based on a ‘One Health’ approach and to continue periodic epidemiological studies to monitor the parasite’s status in hosts.

Dogs have an important role in public health due to their close contact with humans and living in common areas. This study was aimed to investigate the presence and prevalence of gastrointestinal system helminths in stray dogs in Erzurum province. Gastrointestinal helminth eggs were detected in a total of 190 out of 446 (42.6%) in stray dogs in Erzurum province. In the study, taeniid eggs (17.71%, 79/446), T. canis (16.82%, 75/446), T. leonina (12.78%, 57/446), Linguatula spp. (4.48%, 20/446), spiny-headed worms (2.91%, 13/446), hookworms (2.69%, 12/446), Alaria spp. (1.12%, 5/446) and Trichuris spp. (0.22%, 1/446) eggs were observed. In addition, proglottid structures of Mesocestoides spp. (3.14%), Taenia spp. (2.69%), and D. caninum (1.12%), adults of Alaria spp. (0.22%), T. canis (0.22%), and T. leonina (0.22%) were detected. According to the results of the study, zoonotic parasites including taeniid cestodes, T. canis, Linguatula spp., spiny-headed worm, hookworm, Alaria spp., and Trichuris spp. were common in stray dogs in the province. Public health risks can be reduced by regular deworming of dogs, proper management of the process, prevention of environmental contamination with dog feces, and proper enforcement of sanitation protocols.

Echinococcosis, caused by larval stage of the genus Echinococcus, is one of the most important zoonotic diseases worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence and prevalence of Echinococcus species in stray dogs of Erzurum, a highly endemic region for cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in Turkey. The study samples consisted of 446 stray dog faecal specimens collected from an animal shelter in Erzurum, Turkey, between October 2015 and February 2016. The faecal samples were collected from individual dogs for the isolation of taeniid eggs using the sequential sieving and flotation method (SSFM). Molecular analyses and sequencing revealed the prevalence of Echinococcus spp. as 14.13% (63/446) in faecal samples. The stray dogs harboured five different Echinococcus spp.: E. granulosus s.s. (G1/G3) (n = 41), E. equinus (G4) (n = 3), E. ortleppi (G5) (n = 1), E. canadensis (G6/G7) (n = 3) and E. multilocularis (n = 16). E. granulosus s.s. was the most abundant species. Surprisingly, the occurrence of E. multilocularis in dogs was revealed for the first time in Turkey. E. ortleppi was also reported for the first time in Turkey. These findings highlight a significant public health risk for human AE and CE, presenting useful baseline data on Echinococcus spp. infection in dogs for designing control strategies.