Prevalence of Coenurus Cerebralis in Van, Turkey and the Significance of the Enolase (Nse) Enzyme as a Supporting Parameter in the Diagnosis of Coenurosis

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of Coenurus cerebralis in sheep in the province of Van, Turkey, its seasonal incidence and serum Enolase enzym levels with ELISA method. 64.7% of the examined animals (156 out of 241 sheep) were found to be positive in terms of C cerebralis. The rate of infection was found to be 35.7% in male and 29% in female sheep. While coenurosis was seen by 46.9% in sheep in the age range of 0-1 year, it was determined to be seen by 17.8% in sheep over the age of 2 years. Coenurus cysts, 32.1% were in the right hemisphere of the brain, 46.8% were in the left hemisphere, 12.2% were in both hemispheres, 5.1% were in the cerebellum and 3.8% were in the occipital region. It was a statistically significant finding that the incidence of the cysts in both hemispheres was found only in males (female: 0 cysts, male: 19 cysts) (P<0.05). Coenurus cysts was seen the most frequently in November (10.4%), while it was seen the least frequently in May (2.1%). In the sheep with coenurosis Enolase levels in the blood serum of the total of 80 (40 females, 40 males) animals that were found in the range of 5.44-84.96μg/l. Enolase enzym levels were found to be high in all animals with clinical symptoms. In patients with no symptoms, the results were found to be within the Cut-off limits. The results were statistically significant (P<0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference between the males and the females. As a result, it was concluded that the enolase enzyme can be used as an auxiliary parameter in the diagnosis of sheep with clinical signs of coenurosis. © 2019 Ataturk Universitesi. All rights reserved.