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Öğe A compilation answering 50 questions on Monkeypox virus and the current Monkeypox outbreak(Wiley, 2023) Cabanillas, Beatriz; Murdaca, Giuseppe; Guemari, Amir; Torres, Maria Jose; Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Aksoy, Emel; Vitte, JoanaThe current monkeypox disease (MPX) outbreak constitutes a new threat and challenge for our society. With more than 55,000 confirmed cases in 103 countries, World Health Organization declared the ongoing MPX outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on July 23, 2022. The current MPX outbreak is the largest, most widespread, and most serious since the diagnosis of the first case of MPX in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a country where MPX is an endemic disease. Throughout history, there have only been sporadic and self-limiting outbreaks of MPX outside Africa, with a total of 58 cases described from 2003 to 2021. This figure contrasts with the current outbreak of 2022, in which more than 55,000 cases have been confirmed in just 4 months. MPX is, in most cases, self-limiting; however, severe clinical manifestations and complications have been reported. Complications are usually related to the extent of virus exposure and patient health status, generally affecting children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised patients. The expansive nature of the current outbreak leaves many questions that the scientific community should investigate and answer in order to understand this phenomenon better and prevent new threats in the future. In this review, 50 questions regarding monkeypox virus (MPXV) and the current MPX outbreak were answered in order to provide the most updated scientific information and to explore the potential causes and consequences of this new health threat.Öğe A potential immunological silver bullet for COVID-19: The trivalent chimpanzee adenoviral serotype-68 vector (Tri:ChAd)(Wiley, 2022) Ardicli, Ozge; Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Azkur, Dilek[Abstract No tAvailable]Öğe Antibodies to Schmallenberg virus in domestic livestock in Turkey(Springer, 2013) Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Albayrak, Harun; Risvanli, Ali; Pestil, Zuleyha; Ozan, Emre; Yilmaz, OktayThis, partly retrospective study, was designed to determine the seroprevalence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a new Orthobunyavirus first reported in Germany in late 2011, in domestic ruminants from the Middle Black Sea, West, and Southeast regions of Turkey. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to screen serum samples collected from slaughterhouse animals between 2006 and 2013. The overall seroprevalence was 335/1,362 (24.5 %) with 325/816 (39.8 %), 5/307 (1.6 %), 3/109 (2.8 %), and 2/130 (1.5 %) recorded in cattle, sheep, goats, and Anatolian water buffalo, respectively. This is the first study to demonstrate the presence of antibodies to SBV in Turkish ruminants; it indicates that cattle are more susceptible to infection than sheep, goats, or buffalo and that exposure of domestic ruminants to SBV in Turkey may have occurred up to 5 years prior to the first recorded outbreak of the disease in 2011.Öğe Circulation of Schmallenberg virus in Turkey, 2013(Scientific Technical Research Council Turkey-Tubitak, 2016) Tonbak, Sukru; Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Pestil, Zuleyha; Biyikli, Emel; Abayli, Hasan; Baydar, Ersoy; Bulut, HakanSchmallenberg virus (SBV) infection emerged in European domestic and wild ruminants in 2011. There is very limited information about the characterization of SBV isolates and the epidemiology of its infections in the rest of world, except for in European countries. We investigated the circulation of SBV in cattle herds in Central Anatolia, Turkey, in 2013. A total of 180 whole-blood samples were analyzed using real-time RT-PCR. The presence of SBV RNA was detected in 6 (3.3%) samples. For phylogenetic analysis and confirmation of real-time RT-PCR results, the S gene segment was amplified, sequenced, and compared to other segments. In addition, SBV-specific antibodies were detected in 87 (24.1%) of 360 sera using a virus neutralization test. In the S gene sequence analysis of four randomly selected samples, 98%-99% nucleotide identity was observed between our strains and SBVs isolated in European countries between 2011 and 2013. The results of this study indicate that SBV was in Turkey in 2013. Furthermore, the sequencing results suggest that it could be the same virus that is in European countries.Öğe Comparison of Flow Cytometric Analysis and Eosin-Nigrosin Staining Methods for Determining some Morphological Characteristics of Bull Epididymal Spermatozoa(Kafkas Univ, Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi, 2015) Akyol, Numan; Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Ekici, HusamettinThe aim of this study is to investigate necrosis and apoptosis in epididymal bull spermatozoa before freezing and after thawing using the flow cytometric method and to compare this with eosin-nigrosin dyeing, which is the conventional method used in assessing of spermatozoa. The testicles from fourteen bulls at local slaughterhouse were used for this study. The proportions of live spermatozoa, total apoptotic, necrotic and early necrotic spermatozoa levels were observed via flow cytometry. Annexin V/ PI fluoruscence dyeing was used to investigate the proprotions of apoptotic, necrotic, early necrotic and live spermatozoa for flow cytometry. The proportion of dead spermatozoa and protoplasmic droplets were determined using the eosin-nigrosin conventional dyeing method in fresh and frozen-thawed spermatozoa. The average dead spermatozoa count with flow cytometry was less than with the eosin-nigrosin method (P < 0.05). Some morphological characteristics such as protoplasmic droplets could be determined with the eosin-nigrosin method; however, sperm subpopulations entering the death process (apoptotic, necrotic and early necrotic) could be defined clearly only with the flow cytometric method. As a result, combination of eosin-nigrosin dyeing method and flow cytometric analysis of sperm morphological evaluation could give better results of bull epididymal semen in comparison to eosin-nigrosin dyeing method alone.Öğe Comparison of hematological and biochemical parameters in sheep naturally and persistently infected with a border disease virus(Springer, 2011) Gazyagci, Serkal; Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Caglayan, OsmanIn this study, we investigated the changes occurring in the activities of determining the biochemical and hematological parameters in persistently infected sheep with border disease virus (BDV) and control sheep. While cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, high-density lipoprotein, and glucose parameters were found to be statistically different between control and BDV positive groups (p < 0.01), total protein, alkaline phosphotase, creatine kinase, amylase, glucose, and high-density lipoprotein were found to be statistically different between control and persistently infected group (p < 0.01). Interestingly, all groups were shown only mean corpuscular volume parameter was different (p < 0.01). It was found that cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, amylase, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein parameters were different between PI and infected sheep (p < 0.01). It was speculated that BDV might effect also the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor and determination of the changes in BD and its clinical importance might contribute to the veterinarians and scientists studying in this area.Öğe Comparison of hematological parameters of Brucella-seronegative naturally infected cattle with BVDV, BHV-1, and BHV-4(Scientific Technical Research Council Turkey-Tubitak, 2016) Aslan, Muhammet Eren; Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Biyikli, Emel; Gazyagci, Serkal; Sozdutmaz, IbrahimAbortion, neonatal deaths, and infertility cause important production losses in the livestock industry. Many viral infections are responsible for changes in hematological values of animals. This study aimed to find whether there is any difference in blood parameters of cattle that are naturally infected with BVDV, BHV-1, and BHV-4 and Brucella-seronegative. For this purpose, 401 whole-blood samples collected from cattle were analyzed by ELISA and PCR/RT-PCR to detect specific antibodies and antigens for BVDV, BHV-1, and BHV-4. Hematological analysis and results were compared between naturally infected BVDV, BHV-1, and BHV-4 groups and a control group. Results showed a statistically significant increase in hematological values of group 2 with BVDV compared to the corresponding parameters of group 1 (control) for mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hematocrit (Hct%), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and mean platelet volume (MPV). The same was seen for hematological values of BHV-1 for MCV, Hct (%), and MPV and of BHV-4 for MPV (P < 0.005). However, it was determined that statistical differences in hematological values of naturally infected animals cannot be used as markers for clinical diagnosis of viral infections. Thus, we suggest that evaluations of hematological parameters with specific diagnostic tests are necessary to obtain more reliable results for the diagnosis of viral diseases.Öğe Complete genome analysis of highly pathogenic bovine ephemeral fever virus isolated in Turkey in 2012(Springer Wien, 2017) Abayli, Hasan; Tonbak, Sukru; Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Bulut, HakanRelatively high prevalence and mortality rates of bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) have been reported in recent epidemics in some countries, including Turkey, when compared with previous outbreaks. A limited number of complete genome sequences of BEF virus (BEFV) are available in the GenBank Database. In this study, the complete genome of highly pathogenic BEFV isolated during an outbreak in Turkey in 2012 was analyzed for genetic characterization. The complete genome of the Turkish BEFV isolate was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequenced. It was found that the complete genome of the Turkish BEFV isolate was 14,901 nt in length. The complete genome sequence obtained from the study showed 91-92% identity at nucleotide level to Australian (BB7721) and Chinese (Bovine/China/Henan1/2012) BEFV isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of the glycoprotein gene of the Turkish BEFV isolate also showed that Turkish isolates were closely related to Israeli isolates. Because of the limited number of complete BEFV genome sequences, the results from this study will be useful for understanding the global molecular epidemiology and geodynamics of BEF.Öğe Development and validation of SYBR Green- and probe-based reverse-transcription real-time PCR assays for detection of the S and M segments of Schmallenberg virus(SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC, 2020) Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; van der Poel, Wim H. M.; Aksoy, Emel; Hakze-van der Honing, Renate; Yildirim, Murat; Yildiz, KaderSchmallenberg virus (SBV), discovered in Germany in 2011, causes congenital malformations in ruminants. Reverse-transcription real-time PCR (RT-rtPCR) assays based on various segments of SBV have been developed for molecular detection. We developed alternative RT-rtPCR assays for SBV detection to avoid earlier reported mutations and hypervariable regions of the S and M segments of the viral genome. For SYBR Green-based detection of the S segment, theR(2)value and efficiency of the developed assay were 0.99 and 99%, respectively. For probe-based S segment detection, 2 assays were developed; the first had anR(2)value of 0.99 and 102% efficiency, and the second had aR(2)value of 0.98 and 86% efficiency. The probe-based M segment assay had anR(2)value of 1.00 and 103% efficiency. Detection limits of the RT-rtPCR assays with new primer sets were 10(2)and 10(1)copies/mu L for the S and M segments, respectively. Field samples from cattle and sheep were also used for primary validation of the developed assays. Our assays should be suitable for SBV detection in ruminants and for in vitro studies of various SBV strains.Öğe Do CCR5 (CCR5?32) and TLR3 (RS5743313) gene polymorphisms prevent chronic hepatitis B infection?(Wiley, 2023) Tuncel, Burcin; Kaygusuz, Sedat; Kocakap, Derya Beyza Sayin; Aksoy, Emel; Azkur, Ahmet KursatHepatitis B virus (HBV) is still a significant health problem in human. HBV severity or sensitivity of patients may be based on the individual genetic factors significantly. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of CCR5 (CCR5 Delta 32), TLR3 (rs5743313) functional gene polymorphisms, interferon-gamma (IFN-?) level in HBV infection, which are thought to play an important role in innate and acquired immunity in patients who have undergone HBV seroconversion and those who have chronic hepatitis B disease and receive treatment. One hundred patients who are became naturally immune against HBV infection (HBsAg negative, anti-HBc IgG, and anti-HBs IgG positive), and 100 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection (>6 months HBsAg positive) who are receiving oral antiviral therapy were compared for CCR5 Delta 32, TLR3 (rs5743313) genotypes and serum IFN-gamma level. It was found that CCR5 Delta 32 polymorphism (Wt/Delta 32 and Delta 32/Delta 32) was significantly higher in the chronic hepatitis B group (p=0.048) but not for TLR3 gene polymorphism. However, serum IFN-gamma level was significantly higher in the HBV seroconversion group (75 +/- 89ng/ml) than in the chronic hepatitis B group (4.35 +/- 17.27ng/ml) (p < 0.001). In conclusion, a higher CCR5 Delta 32 allele frequency in patients with chronic hepatitis B might be considered as a marker of progression to chronic hepatitis.Öğe Extracellular Trap Formation by Donkey Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils Against Toxoplasma gondii(Elsevier Science Inc, 2019) Yildiz, Kader; Gokpinar, Sami; Sursal, Neslihan; Babur, Cahit; Ozen, Dogukan; Azkur, Ahmet KursatToxoplasma (T.) gondii is an obligatory intracellular apicomplexan parasite. The donkey is one of the intermediate hosts of T. gondii. There are almost no data about T. gondii infection in donkeys, apart from a few seroprevalence reports. The aim of the study was to detect the formation of extracellular traps by donkey polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) when exposed to T. gondii tachyzoites in vitro. Tachyzoites were observed to be entrapped within extracellular traps (NET) structures. Myeloperoxidase, neutrophil elastase (NE), and histone (H3) were observed in NET structures. NE and reactive oxygen species activity increased with time and was higher in the PMN-tachyzoite cocultures. Some tachyzoites were seen close localization to the nucleus of neutrophils. Degranulation and extracellular traps were observed simultaneously in some donkey neutrophils after incubation for 1 hour. The tachyzoite invasion rate decreased in PMN-tachyzoite cocultures in comparison to the controls. NETs can negatively affect the viability of entrapped tachyzoites in addition to their action of physical entrapment. NE may play a key role in the viability of T. gondii in donkeys. The amount of extracellular DNA increased with incubation time in the PMN-tachyzoite cocultures (P < .001). This is a first report regarding the formation of donkeys NETs after exposure to T. gondii tachyzoites in vitro. Unlike sheep and cattle PMN, degranulation and extracellular traps developed in the same neutrophil. Further studies focusing on signaling pathways may shed light on what determines the behavior of donkey neutrophils after exposure to T. gondii. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Öğe Genetic Variability of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus in the 5 '-UTR in the Central Anatolia of Turkey(Univ Fed Rio Grande Do Sul, 2012) Sarikaya, Baki; Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Gazyagci, Serkal; Aslan, Muhammet ErenBackground: The genus Pestivirus in the family Flaviviridae comprises the members bovine viral diarrhea virus type 1 (BVDV-1), classical swine fever virus and border disease virus. The BVDV enveloped and the genome is a single-strand positive sense RNA molecule of approximately 12.3 kilobases in length. The genome is transcribed as a single open reading frame, flanked by 5' and 3' untranslated regions. Genetic typing of BVDV has usually been performed using sequences from the 5'-UTR, N-pro and E2 regions. BVDV is an RNA virus with a high genome variability having practical consequences on epidemiology, diagnosis and disease control. Genetic monitoring was suggested as the first step in BVDV control because genetic typing of BVDV shows evidence of an increasing number of variants. For this reason circulating genetic typing of BVDV is important update these data. Circulating BVDV in the field shows genetic and antigenic diversity. 5'-UTR nucleotide sequence analysis has been widely used for pestivirus genotype identification. To further characterize the BVDV, the nucleotide sequence of the 5'-UTR that represents a conserved region of the virus genome was analyzed in many studies. The purpose of the current study was to investigate genotypes of pestivirus were circulating in cattle populations in Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. Materials, Methods & Results: Blood samples from 160 animals in randomly selected seven cattle dairy farms that lives with more than 1100 cattle, were collected between November 2009 and March 2010 from Kirikkale (n = 57), Corum (n = 50), Ankara (n = 21), Yozgat (n = 17), Kirsehir (n = 15) cities where are located in Central Anatolia region of Turkey. To detect BVDV in cattle, viral RNA was extracted from whole blood samples using QIAamp Viral RNA Kit and the 5'-UTR were targeted using RT-nested PCR accomplished with first round primers pair panpestivirus and with second round BVDV-1a, BVDV-1b and, BVDV-2 pooled blood samples, respectively. It was detected in second round of RT-nested PCR that BVDV-1a and, BVDV-2 rate are 0.625%, 7.5% in the cattle respectively but not BVDV-1b. Positive PCR amplicons were purified from agarose gel by using commercial DNA purification kit GeneClean III. Two panpestivirus positive PCR amplicons were sequenced using 326 primer. To determine genetic typing of circulating BVDV in the cities, two panpestivirus positive PCR amplicons were sequenced to found genetic diversity and all data were deposited in GenBank under accession numbers; BVDV/Turkey/Kirikkale/01 (HQ393488.2) and BVDV/Turkey/Kirikkale/02 (HQ393489.2). Gene sequences were compared to Mega 4.1 and ClustalW analyzing software. Discussion: The BVDV has a world-wide distribution and causes significant economical losses especially on cattle farms. In this study, it was investigated genetic variability of BVDV subtypes by identifying the 5'-UTR nucleotide sequences of two panpestivirus amplicons from field samples. It was found that BVDV-1a and BVDV-2 in terms of BVDV epidemiology is genotyping, 0.625% and 7.5% using RT-nested PCR respectively. Genetic typing is important for the precise classification and molecular epidemiology of BVDV-1 and epidemiological information on currently epidemic viruses is also important for BVDV prevention and control. We suggest that vaccines should contain at least one strain of both species in Turkey. The study of genetic diversity of BVDV is useful for the understanding of pestivirus field locations as well as for epidemiological studies and planning future BVDV control and vaccination programs in Turkey.Öğe Haematological parameters in blood of maedi-visna virus-infected and uninfected sheep(Academic Journals, 2011) Gazyagci, Serkal; Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Aslan, Muhammet ErenThe maedi-visna virus (MVV) classified as a lentivirus of the retroviridae family, causes a very common economically important disease in sheep, in many parts of the worlds. Presences of the infection in Turkey have been shown by researches in previous studies. In this study all blood samples were examined by ELISA and PCR to detect MVV antibody and antigen responses, respectively. Hematological findings were monitored and comparing antibody and antigen positive naturally infected (n=5), antibody positive and antigen negative (n=20), antibody and antigen negative (n=20) in sheep was done. When infected sheep were compared with control sheep, Hgb and MPV parameters were shown statistically different (P <= 0.001). These findings suggested that MVV infections should be considered as an important health risk for sheep flock and Hgb and MPV blood parameters may be helpful to diagnosis of MVV.Öğe Immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and mechanisms of immunopathological changes in COVID-19(WILEY, 2020) Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Akdis, Mubeccel; Azkur, Dilek; Sokolowska, Milena; van de Veen, Willem; Bruggen, Marie-Charlotte; O'Mahony, LiamAs a zoonotic disease that has already spread globally to several million human beings and possibly to domestic and wild animals, eradication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) appears practically impossible. There is a pressing need to improve our understanding of the immunology of this disease to contain the pandemic by developing vaccines and medicines for the prevention and treatment of patients. In this review, we aim to improve our understanding on the immune response and immunopathological changes in patients linked to deteriorating clinical conditions such as cytokine storm, acute respiratory distress syndrome, autopsy findings and changes in acute-phase reactants, and serum biochemistry in COVID-19. Similar to many other viral infections, asymptomatic disease is present in a significant but currently unknown fraction of the affected individuals. In the majority of the patients, a 1-week, self-limiting viral respiratory disease typically occurs, which ends with the development of neutralizing antiviral T cell and antibody immunity. The IgM-, IgA-, and IgG-type virus-specific antibodies levels are important measurements to predict population immunity against this disease and whether cross-reactivity with other coronaviruses is taking place. High viral load during the first infection and repeated exposure to virus especially in healthcare workers can be an important factor for severity of disease. It should be noted that many aspects of severe patients are unique to COVID-19 and are rarely observed in other respiratory viral infections, such as severe lymphopenia and eosinopenia, extensive pneumonia and lung tissue damage, a cytokine storm leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome, and multiorgan failure. Lymphopenia causes a defect in antiviral and immune regulatory immunity. At the same time, a cytokine storm starts with extensive activation of cytokine-secreting cells with innate and adaptive immune mechanisms both of which contribute to a poor prognosis. Elevated levels of acute-phase reactants and lymphopenia are early predictors of high disease severity. Prevention of development to severe disease, cytokine storm, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and novel approaches to prevent their development will be main routes for future research areas. As we learn to live amidst the virus, understanding the immunology of the disease can assist in containing the pandemic and in developing vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat individual patients.Öğe Inactivated Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Vaccine Trigger Leucopenia and Lymphopenia on Calves(Univ Fed Rio Grande Do Sul, 2011) Sarikaya, Baki; Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Gazyagci, SerkalBackground: Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in cattle is a very common viral infection that causes economic losses. In acute infection fever, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia may be observed. BVDV, an enveloped, single-stranded positive RNA virus, is a member of the genus pestiviruses within the family of flaviviridae. Vaccination and eradication programs should be applied against BVDV in herds with high prevalence of BVDV that includes removal of persistently infected (PI) animals from the herds. The vaccines used against BVDV are either modified live virus (MLV) or inactivated-virus vaccines. These commercially produced vaccines are being tested before introduced to the market, although afterwards some have been withdrawn regardless of preliminary tests. For example in Germany in 2010, inactive vaccines were withdrawn from the market when 80% of the newborn calves from vaccinated cattle were hemophilia. This phenomenon indicates the side effects of vaccine were needed by independent laboratories. For these reason in this study, in a dairy farm in 23 calves were investigated the effect of vaccination on the blood values. Materials, Methods & Results: In this study it were used 23 healthy heifers aged 6-12-months old, held in a dairy farm in Kirikkale. All of the heifers were vaccinated subcutaneously with one vial of commercial PregSure BVD inactive vaccine as recommended by the manufacturer. Whole blood samples collected before one week and three weeks after one dose commercial inactivated BVDV vaccination, blood values analyzed and compared. Before and after one week from vaccination, the blood values of hematocrit, hemoglobin, leucocytes, red blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrofil/granulocyte and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were decreased and this decrease was statistically significant (P <= 0.05). Before and after three weeks from vaccination mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration increase was significant (P <= 0.05). One and three weeks after vaccination were compared, hematocrit, hemoglobin and red blood cell values were decreased and white blood cell, lymphocyte and neutrofil/granulocyte values increased found significant (P <= 0.05). Divided into three groups against to BVDV antigen and antibodies in the serum of samples could not be found. Discussion: In the present study we compared to effect of inactivated BVDV vaccination on blood values analyzed and compared with kinetics. Before study it was confirmed that all animal did not have BDVD specific antibodies by Porquier ELISA. When Before and after one week from vaccination, the blood values of hematocrit, leucocytes, lymphocyte, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were decreased and this decrease was statistically significant (P <= 0.05). According to these results we found that a single-dose of vaccination causes a partial leucopenia and lymphopenia. To investigate whether vaccinations suppress immune system in calves, number of Treg cell population might be more detail observed after vaccination. As a result, though one dose of inactive BVDV vaccine cause lymphopenia and leucopenia it was unable to achieve high titers of antibodies. However veterinarian and animal owner prefer to perform widespread usage of one dose inactive vaccination in Turkey in order to cheaper than multiple dose vaccination.Öğe A Large-Scale Outbreak of Bovine Ephemeral Fever in Turkey, 2012(Japan Soc Vet Sci, 2013) Tonbak, Sukru; Berber, Engin; Yoruk, Mustafa Deniz; Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Pestil, Zuleyha; Bulut, HakanRegional cases of bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) were documented previously in Turkey. Previous cases were confirmed in South-East Turkey with low cow mortality. Recent BEF-suspected outbreaks with high mortality were documented in many regions of Turkey in 2012. The aim of study was the epidemiological examination of the outbreak and molecular characterization of the viruses detected from the outbreak. For this reason, blood samples were collected from BEF-suspected outbreak regions. From the results of RT-PCR, high rate of BEF-suspected samples (48/60 or 80%) was found positive for BEF virus (BEFV) RNA. The nucleotide sequences of the G(1) region of G gene of BEFV in the current study during the 2012 outbreak were grouped into cluster II of BEFV. It was suggested that BEFV may be spread out to other neighbor countries in the future years.Öğe Monkeypox 2024 outbreak: Fifty essential questions and answers(Wiley, 2024) Cabanillas, Beatriz; Murdaca, Giuseppe; Guemari, Amir; Torres, Maria Jose; Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Aksoy, Emel; Vitte, JoanaAs the world still vividly recalls the previous monkeypox (mpox) outbreak that impacted over 120 countries worldwide with more than 99,000 cases in 2022, we are now facing a second wave of infections from the monkeypox virus (MPXV), characterized by an exponential increase in cases. The current 2024 outbreak has already recorded more than 20,000 cases in Africa, marking a dramatic escalation compared to previous outbreaks. The predominance of the newly identified clade Ib variant, first detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and now identified across multiple African nations and beyond, underscores its enhanced transmissibility and potential for international spread, evidenced by cases in Sweden and Thailand. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on August 14, 2024, the current mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), calling for heightened global public health measures. The ongoing pattern of unusual, frequent, and extensive outbreaks of mpox with potential global implications poses significant questions. This review addresses, in the format of 50 questions and answers, the 2024 mpox outbreak, detailing its characteristics, epidemiological data, and impact compared to previous outbreaks. It comprehensively explores critical questions related to MPXV virological characteristics, immunological response, clinical manifestations, epidemiology, diagnostics, and available treatments. The review also documents the significant and evolving challenges posed by the current mpox outbreak, highlighting its scale, spread, and public health response.Öğe Monkeypox and other zoonotic poxviruses(Ankara Univ, 2022) Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Aksoy, Emel; Akdis, CezmiPoxviruses have caused the most important diseases for humanity for a long time. An important triumph was achieved with the eradication of smallpox, defined by the World Health Organization in 1979. Poxviruses include significant agents that cause important animal diseases that are non-zoonotic and zoonotic. While humanity has been battling COVID-19, a new battle against monkeypox has recently emerged due to an increase in case numbers and the outbreak's global spread. The other points of the 2022 monkeypox outbreak that make it more serious than previous outbreaks are severe clinical outcomes such as encephalitis and death, and also the higher transmission rate, which occurs at approximately 99% in men, especially those who have sex with men. The 2022 monkeypox virus outbreak has focused public and scientific attention on poxviruses and potential bioterrorism risks posed by poxviruses. Therefore, it is aimed at writing a review that compiles information about monkeypox, cowpox, vaccinia, bovine papular stomatitis, orf, pseudocowpox, gray seal pox, and red deerpox viruses.Öğe Optimisation of Indirect ELISA by Comparison of Different Antigen Preparations for Detection of Antibodies Against Schmallenberg Virus(KAFKAS UNIV, VETERINER FAKULTESI DERGISI, 2020) Azkur, Ahmet Kursat; Aksoy, Emel; Yildirim, Murat; Yildiz, KaderSchmallenberg virus (SBV) infection, discovered in 2011, was reported in Europe including Turkey, Africa and recently in some Asian countries. Commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were widely used by researchers in many epidemiological studies and SBV diagnosis. The aim of this study was to optimise indirect in-house ELISA that is based on different antigen preparations of cell-culture derived whole SBV particle. Antigen preparations were maintained with various methods: PEG precipitation, ultracentrifugation, dialysis, and antigen inactivation. Following antigen optimisation, steps of antigen coating, blocking, conjugate and stop solution were optimised and in-house ELISA was compared to commercial indirect SBV ELISA kit. The best result in ELISA antigen preparation for SBV was gained by 30% PEG purification method followed by formaldehyde inactivation. Although results of this study demonstrated that in-house ELISA for detection of SBV specific antibodies was equally sensitive and specific as commercial kit, purified SBV antigen based in-house ELISA development could increase S/P ratios.Öğe Recent advances and developments in COVID-19 in the context of allergic diseases(Wiley, 2021) Ding, Mei; Dong, Xiang; Sun, Yuan-li; Sokolowska, Milena; Akdis, Mubeccel; van de Veen, Willem; Azkur, Ahmet KursatBackground Since the first reports of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, there have been 198 million confirmed cases worldwide as of August 2021. The scientific community has joined efforts to gain knowledge of the newly emerged virus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the immunopathological mechanisms leading to COVID-19, and its significance for patients with allergies and asthma. Methods Based on the current literature, recent advances and developments in COVID-19 in the context of allergic diseases were reviewed. Results and Conclusions In this review, we discuss the prevalence of COVID-19 in subjects with asthma, attacks of hereditary angioedema, and other allergic diseases during COVID-19. Underlying mechanisms suggest a protective role of allergy in COVID-19, involving eosinophilia, SARS-CoV-2 receptors expression, interferon responses, and other immunological events, but further studies are needed to fully understand those associations. There has been significant progress in disease evaluation and management of COVID-19, and allergy care should continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. The European Academy of Allergy & Clinical Immunology (EAACI) launched a series of statements and position papers providing recommendations on the organization of the allergy clinic, handling of allergen immunotherapy, asthma, drug hypersensitivity, allergic rhinitis, and other allergic diseases. Treatment of allergies using biologics during the COVID-19 pandemic has also been discussed. Allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines, including severe anaphylaxis, have been reported. Vaccination is a prophylactic strategy that can lead to a significant reduction in the mortality and morbidity associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, and in this review, we discuss the proposed culprit components causing rare adverse reactions and recommendations to mitigate the risk of anaphylactic events during the administration of the vaccines.
