Browsing by Author "Aras, Zeki"

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A Novel Polymerase Chain Reaction To Detect Brucella Canis in Dogs
(Kafkas Univ, veteriner Fakultesi dergisi, 2015) Aras, Zeki; Taspinar, Mehmet; Aydin, Ibrahim
In this study, the specific polymerase chain reaction has been standardized and evaluated for the direct diagnosis of Brucella canis in vaginal swab samples from dogs. The specific primer sets are directed to the 16S-23S rRNA inter-space region of Brucella spp. and the deletion of 351 bp in BMEI1426-BMEI1427 in B. canis. A total of 21 references and field strains and 35 vaginal swab samples were used for the evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction. It found that polymerase chain reaction is positive for B. canis DNA indicated by only amplification of 214 bp product. It detected at least 2.7 x 10(1) CFU/g of bacteria diluted in vaginal swab samples indicates that the polymerase chain reaction can be used as a practical alternative for bacterial isolation. The novel polymerase chain reaction provides a simple and rapid for the detection of B. canis in clinical and field samples in one step and in short time about 24 h.
Prevalence of Dermatophytosis in Cats and Dogs in Turkiye: Dominance of Microsporum Canis and First Detection of Trichophyton Rubrum
(BMC, 2025) Golen, Gokcenur Sanioglu; Balevi, Asli; Uslu, Ali; Akar, Kadir; Tasmertek, Melih; Aras, Zeki
Background: Dermatophytosis is a fungal infection that can be zoonotic, with transmission occurring in both directions between humans and companion animals, particularly in settings involving close contact. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and identify the causative agents of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats using conventional and molecular diagnostic methods. A total of 150 animals with dermatological lesions were sampled, including 105 cats and 45 dogs from both household and shelter environments. This cross-sectional study employed direct microscopy and fungal culture as the initial diagnostic methods. PCR targeting the CHS1 gene was subsequently performed on fungal isolates obtained from 38 culture-positive samples, followed by species-specific amplification to identify Microsporum canis and Trichophyton rubrum. For molecular identification, DNA was extracted from pure cultures derived from hair, skin scrapings, and nail specimens. ITS region sequencing was also performed on two of the PCR-confirmed T. rubrum isolates. Prevalence was compared across animal species, age groups and living environments. Results Dermatophytes were detected in 25.3% (38/150) of samples. In cats, only M. canis 76% (19/25) was identified. In dogs, both M. canis (5/13) and T. rubrum (2/13) were found. This represents the first report of T. rubrum in a dog in T & uuml;rkiye, with ITS sequencing confirming > 99% identity to reference strains. Infection rates were significantly higher in animals under one year of age (p = 0.0097 ), while no statistically significant difference was observed between dogs and cats (p = 0.529). PCR and sequencing provided rapid and accurate identification. Conclusions Dermatophyte infections are more prevalent among juvenile animals and pose a growing zoonotic threat. Molecular diagnostics improve early detection and control strategies. These findings highlight the need for routine surveillance and reflect the critical importance of the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health to prevent and manage zoonotic disease transmission.