Hamza Avcioglu

Purpose: Changes in land use, habitat fragmentation, and global climate fluctuations are reshaping pathogen circulation dynamics by increasing the permeability of the interface among wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. In this context, wild mammals play a crucial role as natural reservoirs for parasites and sources of environmental contamination. The primary aim of this study is to microscopically and molecularly identify gastrointestinal helminth eggs detected in bear fecal samples, as well as adult parasites found in two dead bears. Methods: A total of 333 fecal samples were collected from four locations in Erzurum, Türkiye, and examined microscopically; helminth eggs were further identified by molecular methods. Two dead bears were examined post-mortem for adult parasites. Results: Baylisascaris transfuga (23.7%), Uncinaria stenocephala (3%), and Dicrocoelium sp. (19.5%) were detected in the 333 fecal samples collected from four locations. Furthermore, B. transfuga (in both animals), U. stenocephala (in one animal), and D. dendriticum (in one animal) were identified following post-mortem examinations. Conclusion: This study suggests that bears may act as reservoirs for parasitic agents, playing an active role in the persistence of pathogens in the environment and their transmission to different hosts. The findings of this study need to be examined from a One Health perspective, which focuses on biological transmission networks within ecosystems rather than on infection foci alone, to assess risks to public and animal health.

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.

Background: Rodents are reservoir hosts for zoonotic pathogens that cause tropical diseases, many of which have been overlooked.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of viral lymphocytic choriomeningitis and hantavirus infections, bacterial tularaemia and leptospirosis, and parasitic leishmaniasis and toxoplasmosis in rodents that are likely to carry and spread zoonotic agents, by using molecular methods.Methods: A total of 498 voles collected from 20 counties of Erzurum province. Conventional PCR was used for pathogen search. PCR‐positive samples were subjected to sequence analysis.Results: Hantavirus (4.8%, 24/498) and tularaemia (0.8%, 4/498) positivity were detected. However, no positivity was detected for other selected pathogens.Conclusions: Rodents, which are pathogen carriers and potential risk factors, are thought to may act as reservoirs for hantavirus and tularaemia in the study area. A preliminary study has been carried out at the point of detection of these diseases of global importance. The extent of the distribution of the infections, alternative hosts and the consequences of human exposure needs to be clarified through further studies.

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.

Echinococcoses require the involvement of specialists from nearly all disciplines; standardization of the terminology used in the field is thus crucial. To harmonize echinococcosis terminology on sound scientific and linguistic grounds, the World Association of Echinococcosis launched a Formal Consensus process. Under the coordination of a Steering and Writing Group (SWG), a Consultation and Rating Group (CRG) had the main missions of (1) providing input on the list of terms drafted by the SWG, taking into account the available literature and the participants’ experience; and (2) providing independent rating on all debated terms submitted to vote. The mission of the Reading and Review Group (RRG) was to give an opinion about the recommendation paper in terms of readability, acceptability and applicability. The main achievements of this process were: (1) an update of the current nomenclature of Echinococcus spp.; (2) an agreement on three names of diseases due to Echinococcus spp.: Cystic Echinococcosis (CE), Alveolar Echinococcosis (AE) and Neotropical Echinococcosis (NE), and the exclusion of all other names; (3) an agreement on the restricted use of the adjective “hydatid” to refer to the cyst and fluid due to E. granulosus sensu lato; and (4) an agreement on a standardized description of the surgical operations for CE, according to the “Approach, cyst Opening, Resection, and Completeness” (AORC) framework. In addition, 95 “approved” and 60 “rejected” terms were listed. The recommendations provided in this paper will be applicable to scientific publications in English and communication with professionals. They will be used for translation into other languages spoken in endemic countries.