Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic disease that occurs acutely or chronically in young or immune-compromised animals and humans, caused by Cryptosporidium species. Cryptosporidium is recognized as one of the major enteropathogens associated with neonatal diarrhea in ruminants. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in lambs in Siirt province using microscopic and molecular methods. The fecal materials of the study collected from 194 randomly selected lambs of different sexes, up to 4 weeks of age, in various farms. As a result of microscopic examination, Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were found in 54 (27.84%) of 194 samples, while specific bands were obtained in 63 (32.47%) samples as a result of Nested PCR analysis. A statistically significant relationship was found between lambs with and without diarrhea (P0.05). In conclusion, the data obtained from this study revealed that Cryptosporidium infection is present in Siirt province, and Cryptosporidium spp. should be considered as one of the agents in the etiology of neonatal diarrhea in lambs.

Toxocara vitulorum is a pathogenic gastrointestinal nematode found in cattle and buffaloes all over the world, especially in tropical and subtropical regions with humid climates. Buffalo farming is a sector whose value has increased in recent years in Turkey and is intensively performed to obtain various products such as milk, cream, meat, and horns. This study aims to determine the prevalence of T. vitulorum in Anatolian Water Buffaloes in Diyarbakır. Fresh stool samples from animals were placed in individual stool containers. The sex and age of the animal were recorded for each sample collected. The samples were evaluated under the light microscope after the application of the Fulleborn saturated salt solution method and under Scanning Electron Microscope. Positivity was detected in 5 (3.01%) of the 166 samples. Regarding prevalence by age groups, T. vitulorum was detected in 10% of the 0-6 month group, 4.17% of the 6-12 month group, and 0.89% of the older than 12 months group. The prevalence by sex was determined as 3.85% for females and as 1.61% for males. To determine the epidemiology of the disease in the region, it was concluded that larger herds should be studied and serological and molecular methods should be used to confirm and support the findings of microscopic methods.

Ticks harbor the largest diversity of microorganisms, ranging from viruses, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes. Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks are the most common ticks worldwide. Although dogs are the main host of this tick species, it has been reported that it also infests humans in various parts of the world. This study aimed to examine some bacteria (Coxiella burnetii, Mycoplasma haemocanis, Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum, Wolbachia) in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks sampled from dogs. In this study, 350 tick samples collected from 85 dogs in Siirt province were determined to be Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks. Coxiella DNA was detected in 3 (0.85%) out of 350 ticks using Nested PCR (687 base pairs). None of the samples were found to contain Mycoplasma haemocanis, Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum, and Wolbachia DNA. A partial sequence of the IS1111 gene region was registered in GenBank with OM472143 accession numbers. Considering the zoonotic nature of the Q disease, it is very important for dog owners and related institutions to periodically spray animals against ticks, and to take any other necessary precautions. More samples are needed to determine the Mhc, CMhp, and Wolbachia prevalence.

Cryptosporidiosis, one of the main protozoan infections of the last century, is especially dangerous for calves and causes significant economic losses. This research was carried out to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. by microscopic and molecular methods and to determine subtypes in 100 calves up to 6 months old and with diarrhoea in the Siirt Province, Türkiye. As a result of the microscopic examination (Kinyoun’s acid-fast), Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were found in 8 (8%) of 100 samples. As a result of nested PCR, 826-864 bp specific bands for Cryptosporidium spp. were obtained in 13 (13%) of 100 samples. When the DNA sequences of the SSU rRNA gene were compared with the NCBI Basic Local Alignment Search Tool database, it was determined that eight samples sequence analyses showed 100% similarity with the C. parvum , C. ryanae , and C. bovis samples. The detection of C. parvum , which has zoonotic importance in this study, suggests that calves with diarrhoea may be a source of contamination for other animals and humans. Therefore, animal owners and people in close contact with animals should be informed about the public health of cryptosporidiosis.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and parasite burdens of Coeunurus cerebralis and Oestrus ovis in sheep in Siirt province, Türkiye. Between December 2022 and November 2023, a total of 520 sheep (260 male, 260 female) heads (10 heads per week) were randomly sampled from a butcher. The total prevalence of C. cerebralis was determined to be 12.9%. The prevalence was higher in males, in the Morkaraman breed, in animals younger than two years of age, in dark-coloured ones, in October, and in the right brain hemisphere. The total prevalence of O. ovis was determined to be 38.3%. The prevalence was higher in females, in the Akkaraman breed, in dark-coloured breeds, in age groups older than two years, and in December. In terms of larvae, L ₁ was detected in 108 sheep, L ₂ in 106 sheep, and L ₃ in 139 sheep. A total of 1,039 larvae (278 L ₁ , 321 L ₂ , and 440 L ₃ ) were detected. The significant presence of O. ovis found in the sheep in this study indicates that Siirt province has suitable climatic conditions for O. ovis and larval development. It is recommended to include more animals in a future study in order to determine the exact seasonal prevalence of O. ovis infestation in the region, and to use an antiparasitic drug effective against O. ovis in the routine treatment of sheep to reduce the incidence of this disease.

Background: Blastocystis spp. is one of the most common protozoa worldwide, living in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and many other animals. On the basis of the genetic heterogeneity of small subunit ribosomal RNA, at least 28 subtypes (ST1‐ST17, ST21 and ST23–ST32) are reported to exist in mammals and birds.Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and subtypes of Blastocystis spp. in Anatolian buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Van province in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey.Methods: DNA was extracted using commercial GeneMATRIX Stool DNA Purification Kit and then stored at −20°C until PCR amplification. After PCR amplification of the SSU rRNA gene region positive Blastocystis spp., amplicons from buffalo faeces were sequenced and then deposited in GenBank (OR576949.1, OR576950.1, OR576970.1, OR576971.1, OR577019.1, PP837943.1, PP837940.1, PP837939.1, PP837604.1, PP837937.1, PP837934.1, PP837601.1, PP837936.1 and PP837603.1).Results: PCR analysis of 120 faecal samples showed a total prevalence of 11.67% (14/120). The prevalence was higher in females and young animals (p > 0.05). Sequence analysis revealed Blastocystis spp., ST10, ST14, ST25 and ST26 subtypes. To our knowledge, Blastocystis subtypes ST25 and ST26 in buffaloes were reported for the first time in this study.Conclusion: It is thought that more large‐scale studies should be carried out to determine the zoonotic subtype potential of this protozoan in the region.