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Background: Bacillus (B.) anthracis, the causal agent of anthrax, is effectively controlled by the Sterne live spore vaccine (34F2) in animals. However, live spore vaccines are not suitable for simultaneous vaccination and antibiotic treatment of animals being at risk of infection in an outbreak situation. Non-living vaccines could close this gap. Results: In this study a combination of recombinant protective antigen and recombinant Bacillus collagen-like antigen (rBclA) with or without formalin inactivated spores (FIS), targeted at raising an immune response against both the toxins and the spore of B. anthracis, was tested for immunogenicity and protectiveness in goats. Two groups of goats received from local farmers of the Kars region of Turkey were immunized thrice in three weeks intervals and challenged together with non-vaccinated controls with virulent B. anthracis, four weeks after last immunization. In spite of low or none measurable toxin neutralizing antibodies and a surprisingly low immune response to the rBclA, 80% of the goats receiving the complete vaccine were protected against a lethal challenge. Moreover, the course of antibody responses indicates that a two-step vaccination schedule could be sufficient for protection. Conclusion: The combination of recombinant protein antigens and FIS induces a protective immune response in goats. The non-living nature of this vaccine would allow for a concomitant antibiotic treatment and vaccination procedure. Further studies should clarify how this vaccine candidate performs in a post infection scenario controlled by antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of the plasmid-mediated virulence factors of Bacillus anthracis, a tripartite toxin located on pXO1 and an antiphagocytic capsule encoded by genes located on pXO2, following long-term storage was investigated. A collection of 159 isolates of B. anthracis were collected from the Kars region of Turkey between 2000 and 2013 and stored at -20°C in Brucella broth supplemented with 20% glycerine. A total of 142 isolates were recovered of which one failed to express a capsule upon primary culture. A further 35 isolates yielded a mixture of mucoid and non-mucoid colonies; the majority of which had lost the pXO2 plasmid as determined by PCR analysis. Results would suggest that pXO2 is more unstable than pXO1 and that this instability increases with the length of storage. It is possible that the pXO2-deficient isolates of B. anthracis described here could be developed into a vaccine to treat at risk animals in the Kars region as many animal vaccines are based upon pXO2 deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campylobacter jejuni is a causative agent of gastroenteritis in humans worldwide, and wild and domestic poultry carry of this bacterium in their gastrointestinal tract. Molecular studies to determine the pathogenicity, origin, and epidemiological relationships among C. jejuni isolates from poultry such as chicken, turkey, and goose consumed as human food are important for public health and infection control. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of virulence genes and Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus (ERIC‐PCR) based genotyping of C. jejuni isolates obtained from goose cloacal swab samples. For this purpose, PCR analysis of flaA, racR, dnaJ, pldA, cadF, cdtC, ciaB, cdtB, cdtA, virB11, and wlaN virulence genes and ERIC‐PCR analysis of 50 C. jejuni isolates were performed. The emerged genetic profiles and antimicrobial resistance genes regarding the isolates were interpreted with the existing multi‐drug resistance (MDR) findings. Virulence gene positivity was detected as 88%, 84%, 82%, 82%, 80%, 80%, 72%, 30%, and 18% for flaA, racR, dnaJ, pldA, cadF, cdtC, ciaB, cdtB, and cdtA, respectively. VirB11 and wlaN genes were not detected among the C. jejuni isolates. Virulence genes‐based genotyping revealed that the C. jejuni isolates exhibited 22 profiles (A–V). As a result of ERIC‐PCR analysis, the C. jejuni isolates showed heterogeneous distribution, exhibiting 14 different ERIC‐PCR profiles (Cluster I [Cl‐I]–Cluster XIV [Cl‐XIV]). The MDR positivity was detected in 7 (14%) of the C. jejuni isolates. Tetracycline and ciprofloxacin were the antibiotics most frequently included in the MDR profiles. There was no clear correlation between ERIC‐PCR profiles, virulence gene profiles, and MDR profiles. However, isolates with triple‐MDR resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin showed significant heterogeneity in both ERIC‐PCR profile and virulence gene‐based genetic profile, all of which were positive for ciaB and flaA genes. These results indicate that carriage of the C. jejuni isolates with high gene prevalence and MDR profiles by geese may pose a risk for Campylobacter infections in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthrax is common as a zoonotic disease in the southern Caucasus area including parts of Turkey and Georgia. In this region, population genetics of the etiological agent Bacillus anthracis comprises, where known, the major canonical single nucleotide polymorphism (canSNP) groups A.Br.Aust94 and A.Br.008/009 of the pathogen’s global phylogeny, respectively. Previously, isolates of B. anthracis from Turkey have been genotyped predominantly by multi locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) or canSNP typing. While whole genome sequencing is the future gold standard, it is currently still costly. For that reason we were interested in identifying novel SNPs which could assist in further distinguishing closely related isolates using low cost assay platforms. In this study we sequenced the genomes of seven B. anthracis strains collected from the Kars province of Eastern Anatolia in Turkey and discovered new SNPs which allowed us to assign these and other geographically related strains to three novel branches of the major A-branch canSNP-group (A.Br.) Aust94. These new branches were named Kafkas-Geo 1-3 and comprised isolates from the Kars region and the neighboring republic of Georgia suggesting a common ancestry. The novel SNPs identified in this study connect the population genetics of B. anthracis in the South Caucasus and Turkey and will likely assist efforts to map the spread of the pathogen across this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brucellosis is a chronic disease caused by Brucella species with a wide range of hosts, from marine mammals to terrestrial species, but with strict host preferences. With the zoonotic character, the prevalence of human brucellosis cases is a reflection of animal infections. This study aimed to identify 192 Brucella isolates obtained from various sources by Bruce-ladder PCR and to determine their antibiotic susceptibilities by gradient diffusion method (E-test). As a result of the PCR, all human isolates (n = 57) were identified as B. melitensis. While 58 (82.9%) of the cattle isolates were identified as B. abortus , 59 (90.8%) of the sheep isolates were identified as B. melitensis. In addition, 12 (17.1%) of the cattle isolates and 6 (9.2%) of the sheep isolates were determined as B. melitensis and B. abortus, respectively. The primary host change behavior of B. melitensis was 1.9 times higher than that of B. abortus. While gentamicin and ciprofloxacin susceptibilities of Brucella isolates were 100%, tetracycline, doxycycline, streptomycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and rifampicin susceptibilities were 99%, 99%, 97.4%, 91.7% and 83.9%, respectively. The lowest sensitivity of the isolates was determined against to cefoperazone as 26%. A triple-drug resistance was detected in 1 B. abortus isolate that included simultaneous resistance to cefoperazone, rifampicin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The high susceptibility profiles we found against to antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline gentamicin and ciprofloxacin, used widely in treatment, are encouraging. However, the change in the canonical Brucella species-primary host preference suggests the need to reconsider eradication program, including updating vaccine formulations. • Brucella melitensis is the only species responsible for brucellosis in humans in Turkey. • The primary host change behavior of Brucella melitensis was 1.9 times higher than that of Brucella abortus. • The high susceptibility of Brucella species to tetracycline, doxycycline, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin continues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Enilconazole is a broad-spectrum topical antimycotic agent used for the management of bovine dermatophytosis. Hypothesis/Objectives To investigate the efficacy of pomades containing different concentrations of enilconazole for the treatment of bovine dermatophytosis. Methods Dermatophytosis was confirmed in 120 cattle from farm in Gole region of Turkey. Animals were divided into six groups ( n = 20 in each). Pomades containing 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% enilconazole were applied topically to individual lesions in groups I-V, respectively, once a day for 3 days. Group VI animals were used as a control group. Animals were monitored clinically once a week for a two month period. Results Cows treated with pomades containing 4% and 5% enilconazole recovered; adverse topical reactions occurred in 40% and 55% of animals, respectively. The success rate for cows treated with pomades containing 3% enilconazole was 95% and they recovered with no adverse reactions. Success rates for treatment were 25% and 50% for cows treated with pomades containing 1% and 2% enilconazole, respectively. No improvement was observed in the control group. Conclusions and clinical importance Pomades containing 3% enilconazole are recommended for the treatment of bovine dermatophytosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) is well recognized as a pathogen that infects the respiratory and reproductive tracts. This study is a serological investigation of BoHV-1 in breeding bulls at 1-5 years of age from small scale family operations in three Northeastern Anatolian provinces (Kars, Ardahan and Igdir) in Turkey. For this purpose, blood was collected from 250 breeding bulls and was tested for antibodies against BoHV-1 using the virus neutralization technique. Out of 250 blood sera samples tested, 110 (44.00%) were detected as positive against to BoHV-1 and antibody titres were found to be varied between 1/2-1/64. Among the controlled regions, the highest seroprevalance of BoHV-1 infection was found in Kars (64.81%) followed by Ardahan (30.00%) and Igdir (26.82%) provinces. The results suggested that the infection was spreading in breeding bulls in small scale family operations. This study is the first serological study to determine seroprevalence of BoHV-1 infection in breeding bulls in North-eastern Anatolia region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it was aimed to determine the levels of acute phase proteins (APP) and some biochemical parameters in cattle infected with Mycobacterium bovis. Twenty-five M. bovis infected and twenty-five antibodynegative healthy bovine sera were used according to ELISA test results to investigate the biochemical parameters. Blood samples obtained from Jugular veins of animals were collected into plain tubes. Haptoglobin, serum amyloid A (SAA), ceruloplasmin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), urea, creatinine and iron (Fe) levels were measured colorimetrically. Compared with the control group, cattle with tuberculosis were found have statistically significant increased levels of APP such as serum haptoglobin, SAA and ceruloplasmin and levels of biochemical parameters such as AST, ALP, GGT, urea and creatinine while decreased levels of serum Fe. It was determined that acute phase response occurred in cattle infected with M. bovis which led to increase APP and impairment in the normal functions of the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it was aimed to determine the levels of acute phase proteins (APP) and some biochemical parameters in cattle infected with Mycobacterium bovis. Twenty-five M. bovis infected and twenty-five antibodynegative healthy bovine sera were used according to ELISA test results to investigate the biochemical parameters. Blood samples obtained from Jugular veins of animals were collected into plain tubes. Haptoglobin, serum amyloid A (SAA), ceruloplasmin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), urea, creatinine and iron (Fe) levels were measured colorimetrically. Compared with the control group, cattle with tuberculosis were found have statistically significant increased levels of APP such as serum haptoglobin, SAA and ceruloplasmin and levels of biochemical parameters such as AST, ALP, GGT, urea and creatinine while decreased levels of serum Fe. It was determined that acute phase response occurred in cattle infected with M. bovis which led to increase APP and impairment in the normal functions of the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]