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Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the parasite species carried by hamsters and rabbits purchased from some commercial pet shops in Turkey. Methods: For this purpose, the fecal samples of clinically healthy Syrian hamsters, dwarf hamsters, and crossbred rabbits were collected from 22 pet shops randomly selected in Ankara and Kirikkale provinces, located in Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. The fecal samples were examined with centrifuge flotation technique using saturated salt solution. Results: Parasitic infection rate was 57.5% in dwarf hamsters, 54.9% in Syrian hamsters, and 56.3% in crossbreed rabbits. Trichurid eggs were the most prevalent parasite in the feces of Syrians hamsters (28.1%). The other parasites of Syrian hamsters were as follows: Eimeria spp. oocysts (15.4%) and the eggs of H. nana (11.2%), Syphacia spp. (11%). and Aspiculuris spp. (5.6 %). Only trichurid eggs were observed in the fecal samples of dwarf hamsters (51.5%). Oocysts of Eimeria spp. (52.7%) and the eggs of P. ambiguus (3.6%) were detected in the feces of rabbits. Conclusion: Within the scope of this study, the detection of H. nana eggs, a zoonotic parasite, in the feces of Syrian hamster was quite remarkable for public health. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2014; 38: 102-5) (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2014; 38: 102-5) Anahtar Sözcükler: Parazit, petshop, tavşan, hamster, dışkı muayenesi

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Summary Objective: Some studies have performed in vitro neutrophil isolation from feline blood. The major limiting factor for these studies is the small volume of blood that can be collected without development of potentially life-threatening complications. In the present study we attempted neutrophil isolation from feline venous blood samples using discontinuous Percoll gradients. Material and methods: Blood was collected from the cephalic vein of clinically healthy adult cats. The blood samples were layered on Percoll dilutions (72 %, 63 %, 54 % and 45 %). After centrifugation, the feline polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) accumulated as a band between 72–63 % Percoll dilutions. The total cell count was calculated using light microscopy counts. The percentage of the neutrophils was determined microscopically after staining with Diff-Quik stain. Neutrophil viability was evaluated with a 0.01 % Trypan blue assay. The activation was determined based on intact cell morphology in the isolated neutrophils. Results: The mean PMN number was 22 x 105 per ml (minimum – maximum: 20–26 x 105/ml). Neutrophil homogeneity was > 95 % in the cell suspensions. The viability of isolated neutrophils was > 98 %. The technique did not result in neutrophil activation. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Discontinuous Percoll gradients (72 %, 63 %, 54 % and 45 %) can be used to isolate neutrophils from blood samples of cats. The technique was simple to perform and neutrophil activation was minimal.

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