The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in the cattle raised in the Siirt province of Turkey and to obtain epidemiologic data about the disease in order to reveal its relationship with certain biochemical parameters. The material of the study consists of a total of 380 cattle. The blood sample was obtained from the jugular vein of the animals. Meanwhile, approximately 50-100 gr of feces were also collected from the animal’s rectum for a fecal examination. The zinc sulfate flotation method was used to inspect the fecal samples. 338 (89%) of samples were found to be seronegative, while the remaining 42 (11%) were seropositive. GGT, ALP, ALT, AST, TP and Albumin parameters analyzed on the serum samples. GGT levels of the seropositive animals were found to be statistically higher compared to the control group. As a result, the ELISA method was confirmed to be more accurate in the diagnosis of fasciolosis, and the increased GGT activity in the serum was determined as a significant indicator of the diagnosis.

Toxoplasmosis is an important zoonotic disease, which is caused by Toxoplasma gondii and is quite common in the world, found in all mammals including humans, poultry, and reptiles. It has been reported that; adult cattle do not have toxoplasmosis clinically, and it is possible they pass the parasite through the placenta to the fetus, and that some infected animals give birth to aborted or infected calves. This study was conducted to determine T. gondii seroprevalence in cattle of Siirt region in Turkey and seropositivity was determined in blood samples of 300 cattle by using ELISA. Results showed that 53 (18%) of the samples were seropositive, while 247 (82%) of the samples were seronegative. In addition, there was a significant difference between their average age groups.

This study was performed on Ehrlichia canis positive ticks collected from dogs to perform sequencing of their 16S rRNA genetic section using the PCR method. The collection of ticks was performed from a total of 60 dogs in the Siirt province, Turkey. A total of 250 ticks were collected and morphologically investigated. All ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l). Ehrlichial DNA was detected by the PCR method performed on 38 (15.2 %) of the ticks. The E. canis strains obtained as a result of the sequence analysis were found to be 100% identical to the American Texas (MH620194), Indian (KX766395), and Egyptian (MG564254) strains. This study thereby has identified a zoonotic agent from the R. sanguineus ticks collected from the dogs in the Siirt province.

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.