Hasan Yılmaz

Culicoides species are important in public health and veterinary medicine as biological vectors of various pathogens. These species play a role in the epidemiology of certain viral infections, particularly in farm animals, and cause economic losses. Additionally, they can trigger hypersensitivity reactions related to their blood-feeding activities. Therefore, monitoring the distribution, diversity, and population dynamics of Culicoides species is a critical component of vector control and surveillance efforts. This study subjected 290 scientific publications on Culicoides spp. from 1975 to 2025 to bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software. Using text mining and data visualization techniques, global research trends and thematic focuses related to these parasitic vectors were revealed. Research on Culicoides has demonstrated a strong growth trend that became apparent after 2009. While the main focus areas of the studies are Veterinary Sciences (34.8%) and Entomology (20.0%), the United States (28.3%) and various European countries dominate global research output. The field stands out for its publications in journals with high standards in terms of methodological rigor and academic impact, with an analysis of 290 articles receiving a total of 5849 citations supporting these findings. This study is the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis conducted on Culicoides spp. The most frequently used keyword is “Bluetongue virus,” the most researched field is veterinary science, and the most productive country is the United States. This analysis reveals global trends in Culicoides research, providing an important guide for future research directions.

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.

Ticks are important vectors that pose a risk to both animal and human health because they parasitize by sucking blood and transmitting many pathogenic disease agents. Turkey harbors a large number of tick species due to its location, geographical structure, climate, habitat richness, and animal diversity. This study was designed to investigate the frequency and seasonal distribution of tick species found in sheep, cattle, and goats in the center and districts of Iğdır. Bovine and ovine animals were examined for tick infestation between January and December 2024 in the center and districts of Iğdır, and the shelters where they lived were also examined. A total of 1,050 tick samples obtained from 1,483 animals were collected and transferred to tubes containing 70% ethyl alcohol. Subsequently, these samples were sent to the Parasitology Research Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, where the species were identified based on their morphological characteristics using a stereo microscope, in accordance with the relevant literature. Of the ticks examined, 57.52% were female and 42.48% were male. The following tick species were detected: Rhipicephalus turanicus (33%), Rhipicephalus bursa (21.6%), Hyalomma a. anatolicum (17.2%), Hyalomma a. excavatum (20.2%), Hyalomma scupense (3.6%), Ixodes ricinus (0.7%), Hyalomma sulcata (1.5%), Hyalomma punctata (0.4%), and Dermacentor niveus (1.8%). Among these, ticks belonging to the Rhipicephalus genus (54.6%) were the most common. When the tick species detected in the study were evaluated, Rhipicephalus species were found to be most prevalent between May and July. Additionally, the detection of Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus tick species, which are known vectors of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus that poses a risk to human health, is important. We believe that this data will serve as a valuable reference for future studies to be conducted in this province.

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.

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients admitted to University of Health Sciences Türkiye (UHS) Van Training and Research Hospital. A total of 300 patients between the ages of 18-90 who applied to UHS Van Training and Research Hospital with gastrointestinal complaints and were referred to the parasitology laboratory between September 2021 and December 2021, and 100 patients without any chronic disease and gastrointestinal complaints in the control group were included in the study. Stool samples taken from patients included in the study and individuals in the control group were analyzed by native-lugol and modified acid-fast staining methods. In the study, intestinal parasites were detected in 41 (13.3%) of 300 patients in the patient group and in seven (7%) of 100 individuals in the control group. The highest rate of Blastocystis species (Blastocystis spp.) (5.7%) was found in the patient group. Entamoeba coli 3%, G. intestinalis 2.7% and Cryptosporidium species (Cryptosporidium spp). 2.3% were found among the other species detected. In addition, a statistically significant correlation was found between the incidence of parasites and abdominal pain (p=0.022) and nausea (p=0.029). As a result; it was concluded that intestinal parasites are still an important health problem in patients with gastrointestinal complaints and intestinal parasites should definitely be considered in this patient group.

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.

Increasing world population parallelly also brings an increase in food production and consumption. As food consumption increases, so do foodborne infections. In cases where adequate food safety and hygiene is not provided in places such as restaurants, dormitories, prisons, hospitals where mass feeding is made outside the home, many parasitic agents can be transmitted to people through food. People working in the food processing and distribution sector and who are in the position of porters play an important role in the spread of parasites, as they can transmit parasitic agents to food through fingernails and hands. Parasites such as Enterobius vermicularis , Entamoeba histolytica , and Giardia intestinalis can be transmitted to food and then to patients through nails and hands. This study was planned to investigate the presence of parasites in hospital food production and distribution workers, such as cooks and waiters, using various methods. Stool and serum samples were taken from 100 food production and distribution workers. Stool samples were examined by native-Lugol, concentration, trichrome, acid-fast staining, and cellophane tape methods. E. histolytica antigen in stool and Toxoplasma and Taenia antibodies in serum were searched by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Parasites were detected in 59% people, and 41 were evaluated as negative. This positivity was 71.9% (23/32) in the 45–61 age range. Blastocystis sp. (27%), Toxoplasma (25%), E. histolytica (10%), Taenia spp. (7%), E. vermicularis (7%), Entamoeba coli (7%), G. intestinalis (5%), Chilomastix mesnili (1%), and I. butschlii (1%) were detected in food handlers. High Toxoplasma antibody positivity (25%) suggests the possibility of transmission to kitchen workers through ways, such as infected raw meat. However, the detection of E. histolytica , Taenia spp., E. vermicularis , G. intestinalis parasites in workers at significant levels poses a significant risk for society consuming these foods. As a result, it is important to investigate the presence of parasites in the employee dealing with food production and distribution to protect patients from parasitic infections especially in hospitals where the people are immunocompromised and more susceptible, and where mass meals are eaten.