This study was carried out to explore epidemiological and molecular features of lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) in the Aegean, Central Anatolian and Mediterranean regions of Turkey, to evaluate the risk factors associated with LSDV infection and to investigate the financial impact of LSD and potential role of the Culicoides spp. in the transmission of LSDV. Samples were obtained from 611 cattle, each from different farms, and each clinically suspected to be infected with LSDV during the months of July 2014 and June 2015. Culicoides spp. were trapped from April to June 2015. Genetic characterization of the local LSDV field isolates was conducted by sequencing G-protein-coupled chemokine receptor gene segment. Real-time PCR high-resolution melting analysis was used for distinguishing each type of capripoxviruses. Viral DNA was detected in 448 of the 611 animals and Culicoides midges. Three hundred and ninety-three of the 448 affected farms were surveyed. The morbidity and mortality rates detected were 12.3% and 6.4%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the field isolates in this study were clustered together with other Africa and Middle East isolates. Genotyping of isolates from infected cattle has revealed the presence of LSDV. A generalized mixed linear model showed that there were positive associations between LSDV infection, European breeds, small-sized family-type farms and nearness of farm to a lake. The financial cost of disease presence in surveyed cattle farms was estimated to be 72.75 GBP per head. The sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene showed that the species of Culicoides in LSDV-positive pools was Culicoides punctatus. Detection of LSDV in Culicoides punctatus suggests that it may have played a role in transmitting LSDV. Furthermore, movement of infected animals into disease-free areas increases the risk of the transmission of LSD. Control strategies for LSDV infection should include consideration of the risk factors identified in this study.

Lumpy skin disease is an economically important poxvirus disease of cattle. Vaccination is the main method of control but sporadic outbreaks have been reported in Turkey. This study was carried out to determine the changes in serum biochemical values of cattle naturally infected with lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV). For this study, blood samples in EDTA, serum samples, and nodular skin lesions were obtained from clinically infected animals (n = 15) whereas blood samples in EDTA and serum samples were collected from healthy animals (n = 15). A quantitative real-time PCR method was used to detect Capripoxvirus (CaPV) DNA in clinical samples. A real-time PCR high-resolution melt assay was performed to genotype CaPVs. Serum cardiac, hepatic, and renal damage markers and lipid metabolism products were measured by autoanalyzer. LSDV nucleic acid was detected in all samples which were obtained from clinically infected cattle. The results of serum biochemical analysis showed that aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, and creatinine concentrations were markedly increased in serum from infected animals. However, there were no significant differences in the other biochemical parameters evaluated. The results of the current study suggest that liver and kidney failures occur during LSDV infection. These findings may help in developing effective treatment strategies in LSDV infection.

A total of 20 microsatellite DNA markers were used for genetic characterization and determination of phylogenetic relationships of native cattle breeds of Turkey, including the Anatolian Grey (AG), Anatolian Black (AB), South Anatolian Red (SAR), East Anatolian Red (EAR), Southern Anatolian Yellow (SAY), and Zavot (ZAV). DNA samples were isolated from 271 blood samples using an organic method. Amplified polymerase chain reaction products were separated by capillary electrophoresis and genotypes were determined for 20 microsatellites. A total of 269 different alleles were determined. The lowest (7.80) and highest (10.80) mean allele numbers were observed for the ZAV and SAY populations, respectively. TGLA122 was the most polymorphic locus; however, only 7 different alleles were observed for INRA005. A total of 40 different private alleles were determined. The general F IS values were between 0.034 and 0.123. Due to the close location to the domestication center, higher genetic diversities were observed. The observed genetic diversities and the results of the phylogenetic analyses were in agreement with evolutionary history and the geographical origins of Turkish native cattle breeds.

Street children are commonly faced with oral health problems, especially periodontal problems. Therefore, the dental and periodontal needs of this particular population must be addressed. Oral health policies and preventive services including oral health promotion programmes which aim to give information about dental issues and to make positive changes in behavioural and environmental factors should be developed. The priority should be to control the factors which result in the occurrence of new dental problems.

In the current study, the mtDNA D-Loop region was analyzed in South Anatolian Red (SAR, n=51), Anatolian Black (NB, n=50), Anatolian Grey (AG, n=54), Native Southern Anatolian Yellow (NSAY, n=51), East Anatolian Red (EAR, n=54) and Zavot (ZAV, n=19) cattle breeds (n=279) to reveal diversity of mitochondrial DNA, differentiation of breeds, and relevance between genetic differentiations and geographic distributions. Blood samples were collected from native cattle breeds. Genomic DNA was isolated using a standard phenol/chloroform method. MtDNA D-loop region was amplified by PCR. After mtDNA sequence analysis, sequence of the D-Loop region was aligned with reference sequence. Haplotypes were determined and phylogenetic tree was constructed using BioEdit version 5.0.6, DNAsp version 5.10.01, MEGA 4.0 Network, Arlequin, Phylip and TreeView software. The sequence data was examined for nucleotide and haplotypes diversity, genetic distance between breeds visualized with Neighbor Joining tree and Median Joining Network, evaluated with mismatch distribution analyses, neutrality tests and AMOVA analyses. As a result in comparison with cattle breeds throughout the world, the higher nucleotide (π=0.02240, ±0.0005) and haplotype diversity (H=0.9966, ±0.0006) higher haplotype number and also high genetic variation within and between the populations were determined in native Anatolian cattle breeds. These findings support the idea that Anatolia has been situated in a central position during the domestication process of the cattle species.