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Güvendi M, Can H, Köseoğlu AE, Erkunt Alak S, Ün C. First report of a novel 108 bp deletion and five novel SNPs in PRNP gene of stray cats and in silico analysis of their possible relation with feline spongiform encephalopathy. Top Companion Anim Med 2024; 59:100859. [PMID: 38508487 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcam.2024.100859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and animals. A relationship between variations in the prion gene of some species and susceptibility to prion diseases has been detected. However, variations in the prion protein of cats that have close contact with humans and their effect on prion protein are not well-known. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the variations of prion protein-encoding gene (PRNP gene) in stray cats and to evaluate variants detected in terms of genetic factors associated with susceptibility or resistance to feline spongiform encephalopathy using bioinformatics tools. For this, cat DNA samples were amplified by a PCR targeting PRNP gene and then sequenced to reveal the variations. Finally, the effects of variants on prion protein were predicted by bioinformatics tools. According to the obtained results, a novel 108 bp deletion and nine SNPs were detected. Among SNPs, five (c314A>G, c.454T>A, c.579G>C, c.642G>C and c.672G>C) were detected for the first time in this study. Bioinformatics findings showed that c.579G>C (Q193H), c.454T>A (Y152N) and c.457G>A (E153K) variants have deleterious effects on prion protein and c.579G>C (Q193H) has high amyloid propensities. This study demonstrates prion protein variants of stray cats and their deleterious effects on prion protein for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Biruni University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Türkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye.
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Köseoğlu AE, Can H, Güvendi M, Erkunt Alak S, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Karakavuk M, Döşkaya M, Ün C. Molecular characterization of Anaplasma ovis Msp4 protein in strains isolated from ticks in Turkey: A multi-epitope synthetic vaccine antigen design against Anaplasma ovis using immunoinformatic tools. Biologicals 2024; 85:101749. [PMID: 38325003 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2024.101749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens increasingly threaten animal and human health as well as cause great economic loss in the livestock industry. Among these pathogens, Anaplasma ovis causing a decrease in meat and milk yield is frequently detected in sheep in many countries including Turkey. This study aimed to reveal potential vaccine candidate epitopes in Msp4 protein using sequence data from Anaplasma ovis isolates and then to design a multi-epitope protein to be used in vaccine formulations against Anaplasma ovis. For this purpose, Msp4 gene was sequenced from Anaplasma ovis isolates (n:6) detected in ticks collected from sheep in Turkey and the sequence data was compared with previous sequences from different countries in order to detect the variations of Msp4 gene/protein. Potential vaccine candidate and diagnostic epitopes were predicted using various immunoinformatics tools. Among the discovered vaccine candidate epitopes, antigenic and conserved were selected, and then a multi-epitope protein was designed. The designed vaccine protein was tested for the assessment of TLR-2, IgG, and IFN-g responses by molecular docking and immune simulation analyses. Among the discovered epitopes, EVASEGSGVM and YQFTPEISLV epitopes with properties of high antigenicity, non-allergenicity, and non-toxicity were proposed to be used for Anaplasma ovis in further serodiagnostic and vaccine studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Duisburg-Essen University, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Essen, Germany
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Odemis Vocational School, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye.
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Bilgen N, Güvendi M, Sezgin E, Can H, Köseoğlu AE, Erkunt Alak S, Döşkaya M, Ün C. Mitotyping of random bred cats and pure breed cats (Turkish Angora and Turkish Van) using non-repetitive mitochondrial DNA control region. Gene 2024; 892:147849. [PMID: 37776989 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
The Fertile Crescent appears to be the most plausible region where the domestication of cats commenced through a mutually beneficial relationship between wild cats and early agrarian societies. These domesticated cats then journeyed across the globe mirroring the paths of human migration. An examination of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region-based mitotyping suggested that a significant majority, exceeding 80%, of globally sampled random-bred and pure-bred cats could be categorized into 12 predominant mitotypes. However, the extent of mitotype diversity within random-bred cats from regions proximate to the Fertile Crescent remains inadequately explored. In light of this we aimed to investigate the mitotype diversity in random bred cats sampled from various regions across Turkey. Additionally, we sought to establish a comparison with the mitotype profiles of locally recognized pure breeds, namely the Turkish Angora and Turkish Van. To unravel their evolutionary narratives, we engaged in comprehensive population genetics analyses at both the individual and mitotype-based levels. Our study encompassed a sample size of 240 specimens, forming the basis for both mitotyping and population genetics scrutiny. Our analysis yielded the identification of nine 'universal' mitotypes (A-J), alongside an 'outlier' mitotype group I. Notably mitotypes A and D emerged as particularly prevalent in contrast to the lesser occurrence mitotypes C, G, and H. With the realm of random bred cats the structure of haplotypes exhibited remarkable diversity presenting distinctions from Turkish Angora and Van breeds. Nucleotide diversity was higher compared to previous reports from Turkey and was one of the highest among reported world cat population estimates. Intriguingly, our investigations did not unveil any pronounced instances of strong selection, population expansions or contractions within any specific population or mitotype. To conclude, our study represents a pioneering effort in uncovering the mitotype profiles and haplotype structures inherent to both random-bred and pure breed cats in Turkey. This endeavor not only broadens our understanding of the feline genetic landscape within the region but also lays the foundation for future inquiries into the evolutionary trajectories and genetic legacies of these feline populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nüket Bilgen
- Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Genetics, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Efe Sezgin
- İzmir Institute of Technology, Department of Food Engineering, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Biruni University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Türkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye.
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Kenanoğlu OB, Gül A, Can H, Karakavuk M, Erkunt Alak S, Korukluoğlu G, Altaş AB, Pullukçu H, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Karakavuk T, Gül C, Çiçek C, Taşbakan MS, Çinkooğlu A, Ün C, Gürüz AY, Avcı M, Karasulu E, Tekin Ş, Döşkaya M, Işıkgöz Taşbakan M. Importance of screening severe COVID-19 patients for IFN-λ1, IL-6 and anti-S1 IgG levels. Cytokine 2023; 171:156357. [PMID: 37690425 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Cytokine storm is an important cause of death in COVID-19 patients. A recent clinical study showed that administration of recombinant interferon lambda 1 (IFN-λ1 or IL-29) may prevent severe COVID-19. On the other hand, IL-6 has been associated as a prognostic marker of worsening for COVID-19 patients. The objective of this study is to screen IFN-λ1, IL-6 and antibody levels in consecutive serum sample sets of COVID-19 patients. A total of 365 serum samples collected from 208 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were analyzed for IFN-λ1 and IL-6 levels as well as SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and anti-S1 IgG antibodies. Analyses of serum samples for cytokine levels showed that IFN-λ1 (>8 pg/mL) and IL-6 (>2 pg/mL) were detected in approximately 64% and 21% patients, respectively. A decrement in IFN-λ1 levels and IL-6 levels above 35 pg/mL can be sign of clinical severity and upcoming dead. An increment in IL-6 levels wasn't detected in every COVID-19 patient but a decrement in IL-6 levels was related to clinical improvement. Importantly, the detection of IFN-λ1 level together with an increase in anti-S1 IgG antibody response were observed in clinically improved patients. Screening severe COVID-19 patients for IFN-λ1, IL-6, and anti-S1 IgG antibody levels during their hospital stay especially in intensive care units may be beneficial to monitor the clinical status and management of treatment strategies. Importantly, detection of IFN-λ1 together with protective IgG antibody response can be an indication of clinical improvement in severe COVID-19 patients and these patients may be discharged from the hospital soon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olcay Buse Kenanoğlu
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Aytül Gül
- Ege University Faculty of Engineering Department of Bioengineering, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences Department of Bioengineering, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Gülay Korukluoğlu
- Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health, National Virology Reference Central Laboratory, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Ayşe Başak Altaş
- Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health, National Virology Reference Central Laboratory, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Hüsnü Pullukçu
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science Department of Biotechnology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Ceren Gül
- Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science Department of Biotechnology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Candan Çiçek
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Microbiology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mehmet Sezai Taşbakan
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Chest Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Akın Çinkooğlu
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Radiology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mahmut Avcı
- Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health, National Virology Reference Central Laboratory, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Ercüment Karasulu
- Ege University Research and Application Center of Drug Development and Pharmocokinetics, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Şaban Tekin
- University of Heatlh Sciences Faculty of Medicine Department of Basic Sciences, Üsküdar, İstanbul, Türkiye; TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center, Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Kocaeli, Türkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences Department of Vaccine Studies, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye.
| | - Meltem Işıkgöz Taşbakan
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Infectious Diseases, Bornova, İzmir, Türkiye
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Teferedegn EY, Can H, Erkunt Alak S, Ün C. Low frequency of protective variants at regulatory region of PRNP gene indicating the genetically high risk of BSE in Ethiopian Bos indicus and Bos taurus africanus. Anim Biotechnol 2023; 34:1931-1936. [PMID: 35400314 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2058007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Susceptibility to classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been linked to 23 bp indel in promoter and 12 bp indel in the first intron of cattle prion protein gene. This study aimed to investigate 23/12 bp indel polymorphisms in the polymorphisms in cattle prion protein (PRNP) gene to reveal the risk of BSE in Ethiopian cattle. Also, frequency of each polymorphism was compared to the other Bos taurus and Bos indicus breeds. According to results, the insertion variant was detected at a low frequency in all of the study populations at both loci. The 23 bp insertion allele in Fogera breed was relatively lower than Borona and Arsi and the same allele at the same locus in Afar breed was higher than the rest of the breeds (0.16). Due to high linkage disequilibrium (LD) of the deletion allele in Bos taurus, the frequencies of deletion allele at 23 bp (0.84) and 12 bp (0.86) loci in Afar breed were relatively closer than the rest of the breeds. In addition, DD/DD was found as the highly frequent diplotype in all of the breeds. The low frequency of insertion alleles at 23 and 12 bp indel sites demonstrate that Ethiopian cattle have a genetically high risk for BSE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eden Yitna Teferedegn
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
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Sürgeç E, Güvendi M, Karakavuk M, Erkunt Alak S, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Ün C, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Can H. Genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi isolates detected in stray cats of İzmir, Türkiye. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:2729-2735. [PMID: 37707609 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07974-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
The phylum Microsporidia includes obligate intracellular parasites that can infect humans and various animals. To date, 17 different species within the phylum have been reported to infect humans. Among them, Enterocytozoon bieneusi (E. bieneusi) is one of the most frequently detected species in humans. Identification of E. bieneusi as well as its genotypes in humans and animals is important to reveal their role in transmission to each other. Cats are blamed as the source of E. bieneusi transmission to humans. In this study, we aimed to genotype 170 E. bieneusi positive samples isolated from stool of stray cats living in İzmir province of Türkiye. According to the results, 47 samples were amplified by nested PCR protocol targeting ITS region and successfully sequenced. The phylogenetic analysis showed the presence of zoonotic genotype D and type IV in stray cats, which are also frequently detected in humans. Among the E. bieneusi genotypes detected, the prevalence of type IV (93.6%; 44/47) was very high compared to genotype D. Overall, the identification of zoonotic genotypes of E. bieneusi supports that stray cats can play an important role in the transmission of E. bieneusi to humans in İzmir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ecem Sürgeç
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Zoology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Türkiye
- Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Türkiye.
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Türkiye.
- Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Türkiye.
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Can H, Güvendi M, Sürgeç E, Köseoğlu AE, Erkunt Alak S, Karakavuk M, Gül A, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Ün C, Değirmenci Döşkaya A. Genetic characterization of Bartonella henselae samples isolated from stray cats by multi-locus sequence typing. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:195. [PMID: 37805521 PMCID: PMC10559530 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03748-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bartonella henselae is one of the most commonly identified Bartonella species associated with several human diseases. Although B. henselae was detected in humans and cats in Turkey, they have not been genotyped previously. Therefore, this study aimed to genotype B. henselae samples (n = 44) isolated from stray cats using the multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) method. For this aim, eight different housekeeping markers were amplified by nested PCR and then sequenced to reveal sequence types (STs) of B. henselae samples. RESULTS Allelic profiles obtained from 40 B. henselae isolates (90.9%) were compatible with available allelic profiles in the MLST online database. However, allelic profiles obtained from the remaining 4 B. henselae isolates (9.1%) were incompatible with the database. Among B. henselae isolates with compatible allelic profiles, 5 different STs including ST1, ST5, ST9, ST35 and ST36 were identified according to the B. henselae MLST online database. ST35 was the most prevalent ST with a prevalence rate of 29.5% (13/44), followed by ST36 with a prevalence rate of 22.7% (10/44). In addition, ST5 (16%, 7/44) and ST9 (18.2%, 8/44) were also among the prevalent STs. The prevalence of ST1 was 4.5% (2/44). For B. henselae isolates with incompatible allelic profiles, we recommended a new ST called ST38. CONCLUSION The present study genotyped B. henselae samples isolated from stray cats in Turkey for the first time and ST1, ST5, ST9, ST35, and ST36 as well as a new sequence type named ST38 were identified among these B. henselae isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hüseyin Can
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ecem Sürgeç
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Zoology Section, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Biruni University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
- Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Department of Bioengineering, Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey.
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.
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Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Can H, Gül A, Karakavuk T, Güvendi M, Karakavuk M, Gül C, Erkunt Alak S, Ün C, Gürüz AY, Döşkaya M. A preliminary study to develop a lateral flow assay using recombinant GRA1 protein for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in stray cats. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 101:102057. [PMID: 37647822 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that may infect many mammals including humans. Cats are one of the main sources of infection for humans. Therefore, routine screening of cats with tests that are inexpensive, rapid, and do not require sophisticated laboratory equipment is important. In this study, a lateral flow assay (LFA) was designed to rapidly diagnose toxoplasmosis in cats. For this purpose, we selected GRA1 protein of T. gondii due to its high antigenicity in diagnostic and vaccine studies. We further analyzed the immunological properties of GRA1 protein using in silico tools. Then, we expressed and purified recombinant GRA1 (rGRA1) protein and used it during the development of LFA to detect toxoplasmosis in serum samples (n = 40) of cats. According to the results, rGRA1 protein has negative GRAVY value, high aliphatic index, alpha helix, random coil and 12 B cell epitopes. The in silico data supported the high antigenic properties of rGRA1 protein and showed that it can be a good antigen candidate for LFA. Among 30 cat positive serum samples, 27 were found positive by the LFA while seronegative sera (n = 10) were negative by the LFA. The preliminary data showed that the LFA has high sensitivity (90 %) and specificity (100 %). When we used high responsive cat sera (i.e. sera that have optical density > 0.5 with ELISA) the sensitivity value reached 100 %. These results showed that rGRA1 protein is a good candidate to develop a LFA for rapid diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Aytül Gül
- Ege University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Bioengineering, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Engineering Department of Bioengineering, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege University Graduate Faculty of Natural and Applied Science Biotechnology Program, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ceren Gül
- Ege University Graduate Faculty of Natural and Applied Science Biotechnology Program, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
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9
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Koçkaya ES, Güvendi M, Köseoğlu AE, Karakavuk M, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Erkunt Alak S, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Ün C, Can H. Molecular prevalence and genetic diversity of Hepatozoon spp. in stray cats of İzmir, Türkiye. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 101:102060. [PMID: 37678079 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Hepatozoon spp. are an apicomplexan protozoan parasites that infect vertebrates including mammals, marsupials, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Among Hepatozoon species, H. canis and H. felis are causative agents of hepatozoonosis in dogs and cats, respectively and have veterinary importance. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. in stray cats living in İzmir and investigate genetic diversity among positive samples. To achieve this aim, the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. 18S rRNA gene was screened by PCR in DNA samples extracted from blood samples of stray cats (n = 1012). Then, Hepatozoon-positive samples were sequenced and the generated data were used for species identification, phylogenetic and haplotype analyses. According to the results, among the samples screened, 2.37 % (24/1012) of them were found to be Hepatozoon-positive, and of these positive samples, 18 (18/24; 75 %) were successfully sequenced. BLAST and phylogenetic analyses revealed that all of these samples were H. felis. Also, phylogenetic analysis showed that H. felis samples were genotype I. Within H. felis samples isolated from cats living in different countries/regions, 9 haplotypes were detected and among these haplotypes, H-1 was found to be prevalent (n = 20 H. felis isolates). In conclusion, this study showed that the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. was low in stray cats analyzed. Also, H. felis genotype I was predominant in comparison to other Hepatozoon species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ecem Su Koçkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Biruni University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey.
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Erkunt Alak S, Can H, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Sürgeç E, Güvendi M, Ün C, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Karakavuk M. Molecular prevalence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in stray cats of İzmir, Türkiye. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 100:102037. [PMID: 37556942 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
The phylum Microsporidia contains obligate single celled parasites that can infect many vertebrate hosts including humans. Enterocytozoon bieneusi is considered as the most diagnosed species in humans. E. bieneusi has also been detected in many animals such as cats, dogs and cattle. Among these animals, cats are carriers of type D and IV which are the most common human pathogenic genotypes of E. bieneusi. In Türkiye, the prevalence of E. bieneusi in stray cats is not well known. Therefore, in this study, the molecular prevalence of E. bieneusi in stray cats (n = 339) was determined by Real-Time PCR targeting ribosomal DNA ITS (internal transcribed spacer) region of E. bieneusi. Initially, the analytical sensitivity of Real-Time PCR was determined by a plasmid control and then E. bieneusi DNA was investigated in fecal samples of stray cats. The results showed that the analytical sensitivity of Real-Time PCR targeting ITS region of E. bieneusi was ≤1 copy plasmid/reaction. Analysis of fecal samples revealed that the molecular prevalence of E. bieneusi was 50.15% (170/339). Overall, these results showed that the Real-Time PCR successfully detected E. bieneusi in cat's fecal samples and stray cats can be an important source for transmission of E. bieneusi to humans and other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Ecem Sürgeç
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Zoology Section, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Vaccine Studies, İzmir, Turkiye; Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Turkiye.
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11
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Karakavuk T, Gül C, Karakavuk M, Gül A, Erkunt Alak S, Can H, Ün C, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Değirmenci Döşkaya A. Biotechnological Based Recombinant Protein Vaccines Developed Against Toxoplasmosis. Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2022; 46:342-357. [DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2022.41636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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12
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Güvendi M, Can H, Köseoğlu AE, Erkunt Alak S, Kandemir Ç, Taşkın T, Sürgeç E, Demir S, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Karakavuk M, Gül A, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Ün C. Investigation of the genetic diversity and flea-borne pathogens in Ctenocephalides felis samples collected from goats in İzmir and Şanlıurfa provinces of Turkey. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 90-91:101896. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Parmaksız S, Gül A, Erkunt Alak S, Karakavuk M, Can H, Gül C, Karakavuk T, López-Macías C, Puralı N, Döşkaya M, Şenel S. Development of multistage recombinant protein vaccine formulations against toxoplasmosis using a new chitosan and porin based adjuvant system. Int J Pharm 2022; 626:122199. [PMID: 36115468 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a global health problem affecting both human and animal populations. The lack of effective treatment makes the development of a vaccine against toxoplasmosis one of the main goals in the management of this disease. In our study, vaccine formulations containing the multistage recombinant antigens, rBAG1 + rGRA1 were developed with a combined adjuvant system consisting of chitosan and Salmonella Typhi porins in micro (MicroAS) and nanoparticulate (NanoAS) forms. BALB/c mice were immunized intraperitoneally with vaccine formulations two times at three-week intervals. Three weeks after the second vaccination, mice were challenged with 7-8 live tissue cysts of the virulent T. gondii PRU strain by oral gavage. Higher cellular uptake by macrophages and enhanced cellular (IFN-γ and I-4 in stimulated spleen cells) and humoral (IgG, IgG1, IgG2a) responses were obtained with the adjuvanted formulation, higher with microsystem when compared to that of nanosystem. Microsystem was found to stimulate Th1-polarized immune responses, whereasnon-adjuvanted antigens stimulated Th2-polarized immune response. The highest survival rate and reduction in cysts numbers and T. gondii DNA were obtained with the adjuvanted antigens.Our study showed that adjuvanted multistage recombinant vaccine systems increase theimmune response with strong protection againstT. gondii, more profoundly in microparticulate form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selin Parmaksız
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- Ege University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Bornova, Izmir 35040, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Izmir 35100, Turkey; Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, Izmir 35040, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Izmir 35100, Turkey; Ege University, Vocational School, Odemis, Izmir 35750, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Izmir 35100, Turkey; Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, Izmir 35040, Turkey
| | - Ceren Gül
- Ege University Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Izmir 35100, Turkey; Ege University Institute of Science, Department of Biotechnology, Bornova, Izmir 35040, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege University Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Izmir 35100, Turkey; Ege University Institute of Science, Department of Biotechnology, Bornova, Izmir 35040, Turkey
| | - Constantino López-Macías
- Medical Research Unit on Immunochemistry, Specialties Hospital of the National Medical Centre ''Siglo XXI'', Mexican Institute for Social Security, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nuhan Puralı
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biophysics,06100 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Izmir 35100, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Sevda Şenel
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
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Gül C, Karakavuk T, Karakavuk M, Can H, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Gül A, Erkunt Alak S, Gürüz AY, Ün C, Döşkaya M. An Overview of DNA Vaccines Development Studies Against Toxoplasma gondii. Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2022; 46:253-270. [PMID: 36094131 DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2022.02486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasite that can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans, and one-third of the global population is thought to be infected with this parasite. Infection can occur through consumption of contaminated food, contact with an infected host, or congenital transmission. While toxoplasmosis is asemptomatic in people with a healthy immune system, it can cause severe infections in people with a suppressed immune system or with immunodeficiency. In addition to causing diseases in humans, it also causes infections in livestock and may result in stillbirth and abortion in sheep and goats. There is no 100% effective medicine or vaccination against the parasite that causes major clinical symptoms and financial losses. There is a need for an effective, safe, and durable vaccine that can provide protective immunity for use in humans and animals. Vaccination studies against toxoplasmosis have gathered speed since the 1990s. Today, studies can be carried out to develop effective and safe vaccines depending on the developments in molecular biology, biotechnology, and immunology. DNA vaccines are a promising vaccine platform against toxoplasmosis because they are easy to produce, they are safe, they do not need a cold chain, and they can stimulate both humoral and cellular immune responses. This review provides an overview of the complex life cycle, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of the parasite; the immune response that develops in the host against the infection it causes; and the DNA vaccines developed against toxoplasmosis and these vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceren Gül
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoteknoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoteknoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | | | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoloji Bölümü, Moleküler Biyoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | | | - Aytül Gül
- Ege Üniversitesi Mühendislik Fakültesi, Biyomühendislik Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoloji Bölümü, Moleküler Biyoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Parazitoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi, Biyoloji Bölümü, Moleküler Biyoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Parazitoloji Anabilim Dalı, İzmir, Türkiye
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Köseoğlu AE, Can H, Güvendi M, Karakavuk M, Manyatsi P, Erkunt Alak S, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Gül A, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Ün C. Molecular prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in stray cats of İzmir, Turkey. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:305. [PMID: 36038877 PMCID: PMC9422166 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05431-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bartonella spp. are vector-borne pathogens that cause zoonotic infections in humans. One of the most well-known of these is cat-scratch disease caused by Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae, with cats being the major reservoir for these two bacteria. Izmir, Turkey is home to many stray cats, but their potential role as a reservoir for the transmission of Bartonella to humans has not been investigated yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Bartonella species and their genetic diversity in stray cats living in Izmir. Methods Molecular prevalence of Bartonella spp. in stray cats (n = 1012) was investigated using a PCR method targeting the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer gene (ITS), species identification was performed by sequencing and genetic diversity was evaluated by haplotype analysis. Results Analysis of the DNA extracted from 1012 blood samples collected from stray cats revealed that 122 samples were Bartonella-positive, which is a molecular prevalence of 12.05% (122/1012; 95% confidence interval [CI] 10.1–14.2%). Among the Bartonella-positive specimens, 100 (100/122; 81.96%) were successfully sequenced, and B. henselae (45/100; 45%), B. clarridgeiae (29/100; 29%) and Bartonella koehlerae (26/100; 26%) were identified by BLAST and phylogenetic analyses. High genetic diversity was detected in B. clarridgeiae with 19 haplotypes, followed by B. henselae (14 haplotypes) and B. koehlerae (8 haplotypes). Conclusions This comprehensive study analyzing a large number of samples collected from stray cats showed that Bartonella species are an important source of infection to humans living in Izmir. In addition, high genetic diversity was detected within each Bartonella species. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05431-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Biruni University, Istanbul, Turkey.,Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Pumla Manyatsi
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Aytül Gül
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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16
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Öncü Öner T, Karakavuk M, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Güvendi M, Gül A, Köseoğlu AE, Erkunt Alak S, Gürüz AY, Ün C, Döşkaya M, Can H. Molecular prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and subtype diversity in fecal samples collected from cattle in dairy farms in Turkey. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 87:101850. [PMID: 35751914 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Close contact with infected animals is one of the main risk factors for zoonotic transmission of enteric protozoan parasite Blastocystis and thus, several animal species are being screened for the detection of the zoonotic subtypes. For this purpose, 22 fecal samples were collected from healthy cattle aged > 2 months and 39 fecal samples were also collected from cattle (aged <2 months) which are treated with TMP-SMX due to diarrhea. Later, Blastocystis sp. and subtypes were investigated by a PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene and subsequently by sequencing. Among the 22 fecal samples collected from healthy cattle, Blastocystis was detected in 12 of them with a prevalence rate of 54.5 %. Among Blastocystis-positive samples, five different subtypes (ST3, ST5, ST10, ST12, and ST13) were detected. The predominant subtype was ST10 (allele 152) with a prevalence rate of 50 % (6/12). In the other group treated with TMP-SMX due to diarrhea, Blastocystis was detected in only one (2.56 %;1/39) fecal sample and its subtype was ST1 (allele 2). High prevalence of Blastocystis as well as predominance of ST10 (allele 152) were detected in healthy cattle. The identification of zoonotic ST1, ST3, ST5 and ST12 subtypes among the detected subtypes with a high prevalence (46.1 %; 6/13) showed the importance of cattle as a source for transmission of Blastocystis to humans. It was observed that the efficiency of TMP-SMX on the clearance of Blastocystis in cattle was very strong. Moreover, to our knowledge, this is the first study detecting Blastocystis ST13 subtype in the cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tülay Öncü Öner
- Manisa Celal Bayar University Faculty of Engineering Department of Bioengineering, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Odemis Vocational School, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- Ege University Faculty of Engineering Department of Bioengineering, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Biruni University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey.
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Can H, Aksoy Gökmen A, Döşkaya M, Erkunt Alak S, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Karakavuk M, Köseoğlu AE, Karakavuk T, Gül C, Güvendi M, Gül A, Gürüz AY, Kaya S, Mercier A, Ün C. Development of a new serotyping ELISA for Toxoplasma gondii type II, type III and Africa 1 lineages using in silico peptide discovery methods, well categorized feline and human outbreak serum samples. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:110. [PMID: 35100997 PMCID: PMC8802539 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07088-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Discovery of new Toxoplasma gondii serotyping epitopes is important due to reports showing the influence of genotype on the severity of toxoplasmosis. In Turkey, genotypes belonging to type II, type III and Africa 1 lineages were mainly detected. The present study focused on to find out epitopes with high discriminative capacity to serotype these genotypes using well characterized strains isolated from Turkey. METHODS To meet this objective, GRA6 and GRA7 genes were sequenced from strains belonging to the type II, III and Africa 1 lineages, and B cell epitopes inside these sequences were predicted by Bcepred and additional docking analysis was performed with B cell receptor. Based on these analyses, 22 peptides harboring lineage specific epitopes were synthesized. Then, the serotyping potency of these peptides was tested using peptide ELISA and well categorized serum samples collected from stray cats infected with genotypes of the different lineages type II (n:9), III (n:1) and Africa 1 (n:1). As a result of peptide-ELISA, a serotyping schema was constructed with peptides that show high discriminative capacity and this assay was validated by sera collected from humans after an outbreak (n:30) and mother/newborn pair sera (n:3). Later, the validated serotyping schema was used to serotype a larger group of human (n:38) and cat (n:24) sera. RESULTS Among 22 peptides, GRA6II/c, GRA7III/d, and GRA6 Africa 1/b epitopes have shown discriminative capacity. During the validation of peptide-ELISA, the serotype of toxoplasmosis outbreak and mother/newborn cases were detected to be serotype II. Moreover, the analyses in a larger group showed that serotype II was prevalent in humans and stray cats. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the results showed that the serotyping schema could be successfully used to serotype T. gondii infections caused by type II, III and Africa 1 genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hüseyin Can
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Ayşegül Aksoy Gökmen
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Ege University Ödemiş Technical Training College, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Karakavuk
- Graduate Faculty of Natural and Applied Science Biotechnology Program, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ceren Gül
- Graduate Faculty of Natural and Applied Science Biotechnology Program, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Selçuk Kaya
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aurélien Mercier
- Centre National de Référence (CNR) Toxoplasmose/Toxoplasma Biological Resource Center (BRC), Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Dupuytren, Limoges, France
- INSERM, Université Limoges, CHU Limoges, IRD, U1094 Neuroépidémiologie Tropicale, Institut d'Epidémiologie et de Neurologie Tropicale, GEIST, Limoges, France
| | - Cemal Ün
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
- Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey
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18
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Karabey M, Can H, Öner TÖ, Döşkaya M, Alak SE, Döşkaya AD, Karakavuk M, Köseoğlu AE, Ün C, Gürüz AY, Alacacıoğlu A, Pektaş B, Gül A, Kaya S, Gökmen AA. Cryptosporidium spp. during chemotherapy: a cross-sectional study of 94 patients with malignant solid tumor. Ann Saudi Med 2021; 41:293-298. [PMID: 34618605 PMCID: PMC8497003 DOI: 10.5144/0256-4947.2021.293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptosporidium spp. is a protozoan parasite that infects many vertebrate animals, including humans. Since Cryptosporidium spp. can cause chronic life-threatening diarrhea and severe malabsorption in immunocompromised patients, we investigated the prevalence of this parasite among patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignant solid tumors. OBJECTIVE Investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in stool samples. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Tertiary care. PATIENTS AND METHODS Stool samples were collected from adult patients with malignant solid tumors receiving chemotherapy and diarrhea. Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence was determined using Ziehl-Neelsen staining, ELISA, and real-time PCR targeting of the COWP gene. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignant solid tumors. SAMPLE SIZE 94 RESULTS: The prevalence was 2.1% (2/94), 5.3% (5/94), and 5.3% (5/94) as detected by Ziehl-Neelsen staining, real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. The prevalence reached 8.5% (8/94) using all results obtained from the three methods. Among eight positive stool samples, four were positive by at least two different methods (Ziehl-Neelsen staining-ELISA or ELISA-real-time PCR) whereas the remaining four were positive by either ELISA or real-time PCR. CONCLUSION These findings show the risk of cryptosporidiosis in cancer patients and the necessity to use at least two diagnostic methods during the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis to reach more accurate and trustworthy results. LIMITATIONS Further studies with a larger sample size are recommended. CONFLICT OF INTEREST None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Karabey
- From the Department of Medical Microbiology, Izmir Katip Celebi Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- From the Department of Biology, Ege Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Tülay Öncü Öner
- From the Department of Bioengineering, Manisa Celal Bayar Universitesi, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- From the Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | | | | | | | - Cemal Ün
- From the Department of Biology, Ege Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Ahmet Alacacıoğlu
- From the Department of Medical Oncology, Izmir Katip Celebi Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Bayram Pektaş
- From theızmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Department of Microbiology,ızmir, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- From the Department of Bioengineering, Ege Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Selçuk Kaya
- From the Department of Medical Microbiology, Izmir Katip Celebi Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ayşegül Aksoy Gökmen
- From the Department of Medical Microbiology, Izmir Katip Celebi Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
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Karakavuk M, Can H, Gül A, Döşkaya AD, Alak SE, Ün C, Gürüz AY, Döşkaya M. GRA8 DNA vaccine formulations protect against chronic toxoplasmosis. Microb Pathog 2021; 158:105016. [PMID: 34098019 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii has a very wide host range and infects all warm-blooded animals including humans. The disease causes great economic losses both in animals and humans. Vaccination is the most effective approach to fight against toxoplasmosis however an effective vaccine has not been developed yet. In the present study, GRA8 protein of T. gondii that showed high immunogenicity in our previous microarray screening study was used to develop a DNA vaccine using pcDNA 3.3 vector for the first time. In order to increase the potency of the DNA vaccine, 10 times lower amount of GRA8 DNA vaccine was combined with molecular adjuvant CpG and formulated into a commercial liposome (pcDNA3.3-GRA8+CpG+Escort). Mice were vaccinated intramuscularly two times at three-week intervals and challenged orally with the T. gondii PRU strain tissue cysts. The humoral immune response was determined by Western Blot and ELISA. The cellular immune response was analyzed by flow cytometry, cytokine ELISA and MTT assay. Among the vaccine groups, pcDNA3.3-GRA8 and pcDNA3.3-GRA8+CpG+Escort induced strong IgG response compared to controls (P < 0.001). The IgG1 and IgG2a responses showed a balanced Th1-Th2 polarization. The ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes secreting IFN-γ increased, and significantly higher extracellular IFN-γ secretion was achieved compared to the controls (P < 0.01). The amount of tissue cysts in the group of mice vaccinated with pcDNA3.3-GRA8 decreased significantly compared to control groups (P < 0.0001). In the group vaccinated with pcDNA3.3-GRA8+CpG+Escort, the amount of tissue cysts also decreased significantly compared to PBS (P = 0.0086) and Empty plasmid+CpG+Escort (P = 0.0007) groups. This study showed for the first time that pcDNA 3.3. vector encoding GRA8 with or without CpG and Liposome can induce strong cellular and humoral immune responses and confer strong protection against mouse model of chronic toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University, Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University, Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University, Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- Ege University, Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University, Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University, Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University, Vaccine Development, Application and Research Center, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey.
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20
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Köseoğlu AE, Can H, Güvendi M, Erkunt Alak S, Kandemir Ç, Taşkın T, Demir S, Akgül G, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Karakavuk M, Döşkaya M, Gürüz AY, Ün C. Molecular investigation of bacterial and protozoal pathogens in ticks collected from different hosts in Turkey. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:270. [PMID: 34016174 PMCID: PMC8138928 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04779-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The emergence of tick-borne disease is increasing because of the effects of the temperature rise driven by global warming. In Turkey, 19 pathogens transmitted by ticks to humans and animals have been reported. Based on this, this study aimed to investigate tick-borne pathogens including Hepatozoon spp., Theileria spp., Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., and Bartonella spp. in tick samples (n = 110) collected from different hosts (dogs, cats, cattle, goats, sheep, and turtles) by molecular methods. Methods To meet this objective, ticks were identified morphologically at the genus level by microscopy; after DNA isolation, each tick sample was identified at the species level using the molecular method. Involved pathogens were then investigated by PCR method. Results Seven different tick species were identified including Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. turanicus, R. bursa, Hyalomma marginatum, H. anatolicum, H. aegyptium, and Haemaphysalis erinacei. Among the analyzed ticks, Hepatozoon spp., Theileria spp., Babesia spp., and Anaplasma spp. were detected at rates of 6.36%, 16.3%, 1.81%, and 6.36%, respectively while Borrelia spp. and Bartonella spp. were not detected. Hepatozoon spp. was detected in R. sanguineus ticks while Theileria spp., Babesia spp., and Anaplasma spp. were detected in R. turanicus and H. marginatum. According to the results of sequence analyses applied for pathogen positive samples, Hepatozoon canis, Theileria ovis, Babesia caballi, and Anaplasma ovis were identified. Conclusion Theileria ovis and Anaplasma ovis were detected for the first time to our knowledge in H. marginatum and R. turanicus collected from Turkey, respectively. Also, B. caballi was detected for the first time to our knowledge in ticks in Turkey. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Çağrı Kandemir
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Turğay Taşkın
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Samiye Demir
- Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gülşah Akgül
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Siirt University, Siirt, Turkey
| | | | | | - Mert Döşkaya
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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21
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Can H, Erkunt Alak S, Köseoğlu AE, Şahar U, Bostanbaş B, Baydarlı S, Döşkaya M, Ün C. Molecular characterization of cytidine monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH) gene and frequency of blood types in stray cats of İzmir, Turkey. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:282. [PMID: 33874895 PMCID: PMC8054402 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07588-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cytidine monophospho-n-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH) gene associated with blood groups in cats encodes CMAH enzyme that converts Neu5Ac to Neu5Gc. Although variations in CMAH gene of pedigree cats have been revealed, the presence/lack of them in non-pedigree stray cats is unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the variations in CMAH gene and the quantity of Neu5Ac and Neu5Gc on erythrocytes of non-pedigree stray cats (n:12) living in İzmir, Turkey. Also, the frequency of blood types was determined in 76 stray cats including 12 cats that were used for CMAH and Neu5A/Neu5Gc analysis. Results In total, 14 SNPs were detected in 5’UTR as well as in exon 2, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of CMAH gene. Among these SNPs, -495 C > T in 5’UTR was detected for the first time as heterozygous in type A and AB cats, and homozygous and heterozygous in type B cats. The remaining 13 that have been detected in previous studies were also found as homozygous or heterozygous. Both Neu5Gc and Neu5Ac were detected in type A and AB cats. In type B cats, only Neu5Ac was detected. Among two type AB cats, the level of Neu5Ac was found higher in cat carrying heterozygous form (T/C) of 1392T > C. The prevalence of type B cats (67.1 %) was higher than others. Conclusions The presence of a new SNP as well as previous SNPs indicates that more variations can be found in stray cats with a more comprehensive study in the future. Also, the high prevalence of type B cats demonstrates the possible risk of neonatal isoerythrolysis among stray cats living in İzmir, Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hüseyin Can
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, Bornova, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, Bornova, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, Bornova, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Umut Şahar
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, Bornova, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Berna Bostanbaş
- Department of Veterinary Affairs, Municipality of Narlıdere, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Serdar Baydarlı
- Department of Veterinary Affairs, Municipality of Narlıdere, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Ege University, Bornova, 35040, İzmir, Turkey.
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22
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Can H, Köseoğlu AE, Erkunt Alak S, Güvendi M, Döşkaya M, Karakavuk M, Gürüz AY, Ün C. In silico discovery of antigenic proteins and epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 for the development of a vaccine or a diagnostic approach for COVID-19. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22387. [PMID: 33372181 PMCID: PMC7769971 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79645-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In the genome of SARS-CoV-2, the 5′-terminus encodes a polyprotein, which is further cleaved into 15 non-structural proteins whereas the 3′ terminus encodes four structural proteins and eight accessory proteins. Among these 27 proteins, the present study aimed to discover likely antigenic proteins and epitopes to be used for the development of a vaccine or serodiagnostic assay using an in silico approach. For this purpose, after the full genome analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan isolate and variant proteins that are detected frequently, surface proteins including spike, envelope, and membrane proteins as well as proteins with signal peptide were determined as probable vaccine candidates whereas the remaining were considered as possible antigens to be used during the development of serodiagnostic assays. According to results obtained, among 27 proteins, 26 of them were predicted as probable antigen. In 26 proteins, spike protein was selected as the best vaccine candidate because of having a signal peptide, negative GRAVY value, one transmembrane helix, moderate aliphatic index, a big molecular weight, a long-estimated half-life, beta wrap motifs as well as having stable, soluble and non-allergic features. In addition, orf7a, orf8, and nsp-10 proteins with signal peptide were considered as potential vaccine candidates. Nucleocapsid protein and a highly antigenic GGDGKMKD epitope were identified as ideal antigens to be used in the development of serodiagnostic assays. Moreover, considering MHC-I alleles, highly antigenic KLNDLCFTNV and ITLCFTLKRK epitopes can be used to develop an epitope-based peptide vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hüseyin Can
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | | | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey.
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Demir S, Erkunt Alak S, Köseoğlu AE, Ün C, Nalçacı M, Can H. Molecular investigation of Rickettsia spp. and Francisella tularensis in ticks from three provinces of Turkey. Exp Appl Acarol 2020; 81:239-253. [PMID: 32394036 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00498-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites as well as mechanical and biological vectors of a wide variety of microbial pathogens. To date, 19 tick-borne diseases have been reported from Turkey. In this study, ticks collected from Aydın, İzmir and Şanlıurfa provinces of Turkey were identified using morphological and molecular methods. After the presence of bacterial DNA was checked, Rickettsia spp. and Francisella tularensis were investigated in bacterial DNA-positive tick specimens by PCR. Furthermore, amplicons belonging to tick specimens and positive bacterial samples were sequenced and processed for BLAST, alignment and phylogenetic analysis. As a result, seven tick species were identified: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rh. bursa, Rh. turanicus, Hyalomma marginatum, Hy. aegyptium, Hy. anatolicum and Haemaphysalis erinacei. Fifty-five tick specimens tested positive for bacterial DNA and among them, rickettsial DNA was found in five ticks (infection rate = 9.1%) belonging to Hy. marginatum, Hy. aegyptium, Rh. bursa and Rh. turanicus. Of the five Rickettsia-positive ticks, three contained Rickettsia aeschlimannii, one Ri. massiliae and one an unidentified Rickettsia sp. No Francisella tularensis DNA was detected. Sequence analysis of the ompB gene indicated two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in two different Ri. aeschlimannii strains and two novel SNPs as well as a novel insertion (GACGGT) were found in Rickettsia sp. This study indicated the presence of polymorphic Rickettsia species in ticks from Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samiye Demir
- Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Muhammed Nalçacı
- Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey.
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Erkunt Alak S, Köseoğlu AE, Kandemir Ç, Taşkın T, Demir S, Döşkaya M, Ün C, Can H. High frequency of knockdown resistance mutations in the para gene of cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) samples collected from goats. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2067-2073. [PMID: 32468188 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06714-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Fleas are ectoparasites of mammals and birds. In livestock such as sheep and goat, flea bites cause many clinical signs. Several types of insecticides including pyrethroids are used to struggle against fleas. The widespread use of these insecticides causes an increase in the number of resistant individuals in flea populations. T929V and L1014F mutations corresponding to pyrethroid resistance have been found in the para gene of cat fleas. We aimed to investigate T929V and L1014F mutations in flea samples (n:162) collected from goats in seven different farms where cypermethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid, had been used intensively. To achieve this aim, collected flea samples were morphologically identified under a stereo microscope and DNA isolation was conducted by HotSHOT method. Later, a bi-PASA targeting the para gene was applied to identify both mutations in corresponding samples. According to the results obtained, all fleas were Ctenocephalides felis. Frequencies of T929V and L1014F mutations in fleas were 92.6% (150/162) and 95.7% (155/162), respectively. In conclusion, the frequency of mutations related to pyrethroid resistance was very high in the fleas collected from all the farms and it was thought that the high frequency of these mutations can be attributed to intensive use of pyrethroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Çağrı Kandemir
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Turğay Taşkın
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Samiye Demir
- Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, 35100, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Molecular Biology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, 35040, İzmir, Turkey.
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