Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate feline morbillivirus (FmoPV) frequency, phylogeny and associated pathology in cats in Istanbul, Turkey. Methods: Samples from sick (n = 96) and dead ( n = 15) cats were analysed using reverse transcription PCR. Blood and urine analyses and histopathology were also performed. Results: FmoPV RNA was detected in six cats (5.4%), including three sick (in the urine) and three dead cats (tissues). A significantly greater proportion of FmoPV RNA-positive cats had street access compared with non-infected cats. Blood samples from the morbillivirus-positive cats were negative for morbillivirus RNA. Tubular parenchymal cells, lymphoid and plasma cells in kidney and hepatocytes, lymphoid and plasma cells in liver from dead cats were also positive by immunohistochemistry for the viral N protein. Two FmoPV-positive cats were also positive for feline coronavirus RNA and one cat for feline immunodeficiency virus RNA and feline leukaemia virus proviral DNA. Phylogenetic analysis of the six FmoPV-positive cats showed that the strains were grouped into cluster D and had high similarity (98.5–100%) with strains from Japan and Germany. In the three FmoPV RNA-positive sick cats, respiratory, urinary and digestive system signs were observed as well as weight loss, fever and depression in some cats. Similar clinical signs were also seen in the morbillivirus RNA-negative sick cats. FmoPV RNA-positive cats had lower median red blood cell count, haemoglobin, albumin, albumin/globulin and urobilinogen and higher alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin compared with non-infected cats. Significant histopathology of FmoPV RNA-positive dead cats included tubulointerstitial nephritis characterised by severe granular and vacuolar degeneration of the epithelial cells of the cortical and medullary tubules as well as mononuclear cell infiltrates. Widespread lymphoid cell infiltrates were detected in the renal cortex and medullary regions of the kidneys. Cellular infiltration, cholangiohepatitis and focal necrosis in the liver were also found. Although virus-infected cells were found in the kidney and liver of FmoRV RNA-positive cats, tubulointerstitial nephritis, cholangiohepatitis and focal necrosis seen in FmoRV RNA-positive cats were similar to those observed in FmoRV RNA-negative cats. Conclusions and relevance: This is the first study to show the presence of FmoPV infection in cats in Turkey. Sick cats, particularly those with kidney disease, should be tested for this virus. The genotypes found in this study were similar to previously reported strains, indicating that circulating morbilliviruses in Turkey are conserved.

Thermal tolerance and intersexual differences of nine ornamental fish species (Chindango demosoni, Aulonocara stuartgranti, Mylandia lombardoi; Cichlidae; Carassius auratus, Pethia conchonius, Branchydanio rerio; Cyprinidae; Xiphophorus helleri, X. maculatus, Poecilia reticulate; Poecilidae) were determined in this study. CT-min of the species ranged between 9.63 and 11.37 in poecilids, 11.29 and 12.53 in cichlids, 4.67 and 8.46°C in cyprinids, while CT-max ranged between 39.12 and 40.53 in poecilids, 37.82 and 39.37 in cichlids, 36.12 and 40.30°C in cyprinids. While intersexual differences in the CT-min/CT-max values were not evident in cichlids and cyprinids, these values significantly differed across poecilids. The females of poecilids were approximately 0.5 to 1°C more resistant to both low and high temperatures than their males. Among the species included in our study, due to their resistance to low temperature, especially C. auratus and a lesser extent B. rerio and P. conchonius were considered the most suitable ones for outdoor aquaculture in subtropical regions. However, if they are cultured outside of their natural distribution, it should be noted that upon escapement from aquaculture facilities to nature, they may interfere with the ecosystem and compete with native species there due to their wide range of thermal tolerance.

The study aims to approach Canine Parvovirus (CPV) diagnosis using multi-method biotechnological techniques including molecular, serological, and hematological analyses. CPVs are causing severe global viral diseases with high dog mortality. Samples were taken from 52 unvaccinated dogs exhibiting symptoms between 2020 and 2021. These included stool, blood, serum, and patient data. CPV genomic DNA was extracted from fresh stools, with DNA concentration and purity measured using Nano drop-spectrophotometry. CPV genomic DNA was detected via RT-PCR in 29 samples (55.8%), CPV IgM-Ab and IgG-Ab were detected in the sera through ELISA in 27 samples (51.9%), and Canine parvovirus antigens were identified in the stool samples by immunochromatography in 20 samples (38.5%). Utilizing canine-specific quantitative ELISA kits, the average level of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was determined to be 4.66 g/L (with a range of 3.27 to 6.05 g/L). Hematological analysis revealed lymphopenia in 89.6%, leucopenia in 44.8%, anemia in 68.9%, and low hematocrit in 82.8%. All the dogs examined were under 1 year of age, among which 21 (72.4%) were up to 3 months old, and 8 (27.6%) were up to 6 months old, testing positive for CPV. The highest CPV positivity, at 93.1% (n=27), was observed among dogs with outdoor access. The results indicated that hematological parameters and CRP alone were not specific for CPV diagnosis, but provided valuable data for prognosis and differential diagnosis. No significant differences were observed in RT-PCR and ELISA results. However, a noticeable reduction in positivity rates was evident in lateral immunochromatographic viral antigen detection in stool.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) has been observing since 2002 and 2015 in Turkey and Adana, respectively. However, there were no previous seroepidemiological data on CCHFV in Adana. This study, thus, aimed to investigate the seroepidemiological status of Adana province for CCHFV in ruminants, according to species, breed, age, gender and geographical location. The study was carried out in 15 districts from sea level to plateaus (0-1472 m), within a 14,030 km² area. 485 samples were tested with modified anti-CCHFV IgG ELISA. A human-based IgG ELISA was adapted to recognize cattle, sheep and goats IgG antibodies. The conjugation (anti-human IgG peroxidase) was replaced with appropriate conjugate in each species. Statistical analyses indicated a significant relationship between antibody presence and animal age, species, breed and location but there was no relation with animal gender. Out of 485 samples, 154 were seropositive (31.8%). It was determined that the statistical cluster varied between 5.8% and 74.3% according to location and seropositivity. The most important variable associated with antibody presence was geographic location. While high seropositivity is found at altitudes above 555 meters, it is found to be 7% and 3% at sea level. The seropositivity reached 100% in the village where human deaths were seen in 2015, and 74.3% in the Tufanbeyli district where this village is located. The results indicate that Adana is an endemic province for CCHFV infection, especially in high altitude regions.