Identification of Ticks on Tortoises (Testudo graeca) and Investigation of Some Pathogens in these Ticks in Kahramanmaras, Turkey

Yıl 2013, Cilt: 16 Sayı: 1, 42 - 46, 29.03.2013

Ekrem Kirecci , Ali Özer İbrahim Balkaya , Hüseyin Tanış , Sümeyra Deveci

Öz

 

Abstract: This study was made to identify the tick types causing infestation in tortoises living in orchards in the city centre of Kahramanmaraş and the microorganisms they carried. Eighty-four tortoises were included in the study. Species determination of ticks collected from animals in which infestation was seen and their microbiological analyses were conducted. Species determination of 272 ticks on 60 of 84 (71.4%) tortoises taken for the study was made. The tick supernatants were used to detect CCHFV antigen by means of commercial ELISA test kits and aerobic, anaerobic cultures were performed. All ticks (180 of which were male and 92 of which were female) were detected as Hyalomma aegyptium. 98 aerobic bacteria were isolated in bacteriological treatments of ticks. These bacteria were as follows: 38 Bacillus sp., 23 Diphtheroid bacilli, 21 CNS, 7 Pasteurella sp., 6 Micrococcus sp. and 3 Enterobacter aerogenes. CCHFV antigen was not identified in ELISA testing. It is clearly seen in our study that hard ticks live on vertebrate host animals, like the tortoise, not only in rural and mountainous areas but also in crowded city centres and may carry various microorganisms. Additionally, these animals should be held under the control.

Key words: Tick infestations; Ixodidae; Tick-borne diseases

 

Kaplumbağalardaki (Testudo graeca) Kenelerin İdentifikasyonu ve Kahramanmaraş'daki Bu Kenelerdeki Bazı Patojenlerin Araştırılması

 

Özet: Bu çalışma Kahramanmaraş şehir merkezindeki meyve bahçelerinde yaşayan kaplumbağalarda enfestasyona neden olan kene tiplerini ve taşıdıkları mikroorganizmaları tanımlamak için yapıldı. Çalışmaya seksen dört kaplumbağa alındı. Enfestasyonun görüldüğü hayvanlardan toplanan kenelerin türleri belirlendi ve mikrobiyolojik incelemeleri yapıldı. Çalışma için alınan 84 kaplumbağanın 60'ındaki 272 kenenin tür belirlemesi yapıldı. Kene örneklerinde CCHV antijeni belirlemek için ticari ELISA testi kullanıldı. Ayrıca bu örneklerin aerobik ve anaerobik olarak kültürleri yapıldı. Tüm kenelerin  (180 erkek, 92 dişi) Hyalomma aegyptium türü olduğu saptandı. Kenelerin bakteriyolojik incelemelerinde 98 aerobik bakteri izole edildi. Bu bakteriler şöyleydi: 38 Bacillus sp., 23 difteroid basil, 21 CNS, 7 Pasteurella sp., 6 Micrococcus sp. ve 3 Enterobacter aerogenes. ELISA testinde CCHFV antijeni bulunmadı. Bizim çalışmamızda açıkça görülmektedir ki sert keneler sadece kırsal ve dağlık alanlarda değil aynı zamanda kalabalık şehir merkezlerinde kaplumbağalar gibi omurgalı konakçı hayvanlarda yaşamaktalar ve çeşitli mikroorganizmalar taşıyabilirler. Ayrıca, bu hayvanlar kontrol altında tutulmalıdır.

Anahtar kelimeler: Kene infestasyonları; Ixodidae; Kene kaynaklı hastalıklar

 

Anahtar Kelimeler

Tick infestations; Ixodidae; Tick-borne diseases

Kaynakça

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