Investigation of Norovirus genogroups (GI, GII and GIV) in stool of pet dogs with diarrhea / Investigação de genogrupos de norovírus (GI, GII e GIV) nas fezes de cães de estimação com diarréia

In this study, we searched the existence of human norovirus (NoV) GI, GII and GIV in the stool of 128 pet dogs with diarrhea, of different sex, age and breed, in Burdur, Turkey, using Real-Time PCR method. Human NoV GII was found in only 5 of the 128 dog stool samples (3.91%). It was discovered that human NoV existed most in crossbreed, female and aged 24 months or over dogs. These dogs found with human NoV GII were either bought from pet shops, stray dogs or taken as puppy of another pet dog. The sheltering conditions of these dogs were moderate and they were fed with home food residue and dry food. It was also found that most of them were vaccinated and had certain walking sites. The owners of the animals detected with infection generally did not have the habit of washing their hands or changing their clothes before or after caring their pets. We strongly advice that dog owners' personal hygiene, the necessity of changing their clothes during their contact with animals, the environment provided for the dog, the sensitivity in caring, use of strong and effective disinfectant, keeping the dogs away from toilets and sewerage systems, as well as not feeding them with food residues are crucial issues in dogs' care. Owners of the dogs with NoV GII were middle aged or elderly people, male, and there were no children in their houses. As these dogs are treated like the owner's child, it is assumed that they could be transmitted with NoV GII as a result of close interaction with their owner.(AU)

Neste estudo pesquisamos a existência de norovírus humano (NoV) GI, GII e GIV nas fezes de 128 cães com diarréia, de diferentes sexos, idades e raças, em Burdur, Turquia, utilizando o método de PCR em tempo real. NoV GII humano foi encontrado em apenas 5 das 128 amostras de fezes de cães (3,91%). Foi descoberta NoV humana, principalmente em cruzamentos, fêmeas e cães com idade igual ou superior a 24 meses. Os cães encontrados com NoV GII humano foram comprados de lojas de animais, eram vira-latas ou foram tomados como filhotes de outro cão de estimação. As condições de abrigo desses cães eram moderadas. Os cães foram alimentados com restos de comida caseira e comida seca. Verificou-se também que a maioria dos animais foi vacinada e tinham locais adequados para caminhada. Os donos dos animais detectados com infecção geralmente não tinham o hábito de lavar as mãos ou trocar de roupa antes ou depois de cuidar de seus animais de estimação. Aconselhamos que a higiene pessoal dos donos, a necessidade de trocar de roupa durante o contato com animais, o ambiente fornecido para o cão, a sensibilidade no cuidado, o uso de desinfetantes eficazes, manter os cães longe de banheiros e esgotos, assim como evitar alimentá-los com resíduos alimentares, são questões cruciais no cuidado dos cães. Os proprietários dos cães com NoV GII são de meia-idade ou idosos, a maioria do sexo masculino, e não havia crianças em suas casas. Como esses cães são tratados como um filho, presume-se que eles foram infectados com o NoV GII como resultado de uma interação próxima com o proprietário.(AU)

New Culicoides Vector Species for BTV Transmission in Central and Central West of Anatolia

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of BTV infection and possible vector species in different regions of Turkey. In the study, blood samples taken from 666 Akkaraman sheep were examined. 2000 Culicoides specimens were captured by light traps from the same provinces and 20 Culicoides spp. were identified. Blood sera samples were investigated by c-ELISA and SNT for detecting Abs to BTV. Sera samples were detected as positive 67 (10.06%) and 160 (24.02%) by SNT and ELISA, respectively. SN50 values of the 67 positive sera samples by SNT were detected between 1/2.38 and 1/200. All sheep blood samples and pools became Culicoides spp. samples were examined for BTV Ag presence by BTACE. Thirty six (5.40%) blood samples were detected as positive, but no from Culicoides pools. In the meantime, all sheep blood samples and Culicoides samples were directly investigated for BTV genome by one step RT-PCR. Fourteen (2.10%) blood samples and 7 (11.11%) Culicoides species were detected as positive. Also, the blood samples and the Culicoides samples were inoculated into Vero cell culture and passaged 5 times. Twenty nine (4.35%) blood samples cultured in Vero cell culture lines showed CPE but non CPE was observed in Culicoides samples. While 5 (17.24%) of 29 CPE positive isolates were identified as BTV by One Step RT-PCR. Total 26 samples (14 blood samples, 7 Culicoides samples and 5 supernatants) which detected BTV genome positive by One Step RT-PCR were serotyped. At the end of the study, while 23 of 26 samples were serotyped as BTV-9, two samples were serotyped as BTV-4. One sample (C. punctatus) from Culicoides was not serotyped as none of serotypes of BTV. In the present study, BTV was isolated for the first time from C. circumscriptus, C. kibunensis, and C. punctatus in Turkey.