ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In this study, we investigated the lethal potency, electrophoretic protein pattern and in vivo effects of Hottentotta saulcyi scorpion venom in mice. METHODS: Scorpions were collected at night, by using a UV lamp from Mardin Province, Turkey. Venom was obtained from mature H. saulcyi scorpions by electrical stimulation of the telson. The lethality of the venom was determined by i.v. injections using Swiss mice. In vivo effects of the venom were assessed by using the intraperitoneal route (ip) injections into mice (20±1g) and monitored for 24 h. The protein profiles of the scorpion venom were analyzed by NuPAGE(®) Novex(®) 4-12 % gradient Bis-Tris gel followed by Coomassie blue staining. RESULTS: The lethal assay of the venom was 0.73 mg/kg in mice. We determined the electrophoretic protein pattern of this scorpion venom to be 4, 6, 9, 31, 35, 40, 46 and 69 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Analysis of electrophoresis indicated that H. saulcyi scorpion intoxicated mice exhibited autonomic nervous system symptoms (tachypnea, restlessness, hyperexcitability, convulsions, salivation, lacrimation, weakness). CONCLUSIONS: Hottentotta saulcyi scorpion venom includes short-chain neurotoxins and long-chain neurotoxins according to the electrophoretic protein patterns. The stings of H. saulcyi scorpion must be considered of risk for humans in the southeastern region, Turkey.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to compare the diagnosis of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microscopic examination of blood specimens collected from show and sport horses in the region of Ankara in 2004. The blood specimens were collected from randomly selected 200 show and sport horses in the region of Ankara during the tick season as well as before and after the tick season for PCR testing. At the same time, Giemsa stained peripheral blood smears were examined for the presence of Babesia spp. and also the horses were examined for the presence of ticks. Of the 200 horse blood samples analyzed, 3% were found to be positive by microscopic examination and and 10 % (B.caballi %3; T.equi %7) by the polymerase chain reaction. The difference between these two methods was confirmed to be statistically important (p < 0,001). This is the first study in which Babesia species were investigated in horses in Turkey using the PCR method. Theileria equi was found to be more prevalent than Babesia caballi.
Subject(s)
Babesia/isolation & purification , Babesiosis/veterinary , Horse Diseases/diagnosis , Theileria/isolation & purification , Theileriasis/diagnosis , Animals , Arachnid Vectors , Babesia/genetics , Babesiosis/diagnosis , Babesiosis/epidemiology , DNA, Protozoan/blood , Horse Diseases/epidemiology , Horse Diseases/parasitology , Horses , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Prevalence , Theileria/genetics , Theileriasis/epidemiology , Tick Infestations/diagnosis , Tick Infestations/veterinary , Ticks , Turkey/epidemiologyABSTRACT
In this study, the epidemiology and clinical findings of scorpion stings in the Sanliurfa province of Turkey was evaluated between May and September 2003. Data obtained from questionnaires was evaluated and the identification of scorpions collected from the region was carried out in the laboratory. It was determined that of the species of scorpions only Androctonus crassicauda was collected. This species plays the major role in 50.8% of scorpionism cases. This study also showed that intoxications caused by A. crassicauda in southeast Anatolia region were seen in the summer during the hot months especially in August. Females and people above 15 years of age were the most affected and they had been stung on the extremities. In clinical evaluations, it was found that 17.7% of the cases showed systemic effects and no deaths were reported. Also parasympathetic effects were more common in comparison to sympathetic effects.
