Publications

Pyrethroid and organochlorine susceptibility in Aedes aegypti populations from eastern black sea region, Türkiye: traces in the kdr gene region of the species origin

Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus 1762) is a significant public health concern in both its native and invaded regions because of the transmission of arboviruses. Target-site mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel (vgsc) gene, commonly referred to as knockdown resistance (kdr), represent the most extensively studied mechanism underlying pyrethroid resistance. Therefore, we aimed to assess possible pyrethroid and organochlorine resistance levels, knockdown resistance, and mutation types known to contribute to the resistance profile in the Black Sea region of Türkiye in 2020. Bioassay results showed that all field populations, as well as the Bora Bora laboratory strain, were susceptible and predominantly carried wild-type genotypes. For kdr, all samples were wild type for the V410L, L982W, S989P, I1011V/M, L1014F, V1016I/G, and T1520I mutations. The mutant allele was detected in only one specimen in the Pazar population, where it was found in a homozygous state at position F1534C from ten specimens. Novel mutations in the vgsc gene region, with unknown implications for resistance, were determined at positions A1498T, R1599C, P1611L, and P1615S in the studied populations. Two different intron types were detected in the kdr gene (in domain 2) between nucleotide positions 3111 and 3228 and within an intron region (coded as type-1 and type-2). These findings indicate that, Ae. aegypti populations in the Eastern Black Sea region remain susceptible to pyrethroid and organochlorine insecticides. Genetic analyses indicate that these populations likely originated from Asia, with evidence of two distinct lineages. Notably, this study represents the first molecular and phenotypic assessment of insecticide resistance in Ae. aegypti populations conducted in Türkiye.

Mobile phone-based plasmodium parasites stage detection from Giemsa stained blood smear by convolutional neural networks

Plasmodium vivax is a malaria parasite with a broad geographic distribution worldwide. The unique biological characteristics of P. vivax, such as early gametocytogenesis and its latent hypnozoite stage, make it more difficult to control compared to P. falciparum. Malaria remains a significant global health concern, particularly in regions with limited diagnostic infrastructure. This study aims to develop a computer-assisted method for characterizing and classifying malaria parasites using a machine learning approach based on light microscopic images of peripheral blood smears. One of the major challenges in malaria diagnostics is the inadequacy of current detection methods. To address this, the study introduces a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based pipeline for the automated detection and staging of malaria infections from Giemsa-stained blood smear images. The dataset used in this study was annotated into four classes: Ring Form, Trophozoite, Schizont, and Uninfected Red Blood Cells (RBCs), encompassing diverse staining qualities and morphological variations. The dataset was divided into training (70%), validation (15%), and testing (15%) subsets. The CNN achieved an overall classification accuracy of 92.4%, with precision, recall, and F1-scores exceeding 0.90 across all classes. Statistical metrics, including mean accuracy (92.4% ± 2.1%), precision (93.1% ± 1.8%), and recall (92.8% ± 1.9%), demonstrated the robustness of the model. Class-specific analysis revealed that the Schizont stage achieved the highest classification accuracy (94.7%), while the Ring Form stage showed slightly lower performance (91.2%), likely due to inherent morphological overlaps with early Trophozoite forms. Visualizations, including confusion matrices and class probability distribution overlays, provided detailed insights into the model's decision-making processes. The pipeline was further evaluated using cross-validation techniques, showing high reliability across various dataset splits. This approach offers scalability and adaptability, with the potential for deployment in real-world diagnostic workflows, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

Possible Efficacy of Some Plant Crude Extracts Against Orosanga japonica (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) Nymphs

Bu çalışmada, onbir bitki familyasından yirmi türün Orosanga japonica nimf kontrolüne karşı potansiyel etkinlikleri edilmiştir. Etil Asetat özütleri için, en yüksek mortalite oranlarını Daucus carota ve Salvia vertisillate vermiştir. En düşük mortalite 24 saat sonra Matricaria camomilla ve 48 saat sonra Tripleurospermum caucasicum için bulunmuştur. Metanol ekstraktlarında, en düşük ölüm oranları iki test süresinde de Matricaria camomilla için bulunmuştur. En yüksek mortalite oranları 24 saat Salvia verticillate ve 48 saat için Salvia verticillate, Erigeron annuus, Daucus carota için bulunmuştur. Metanol ekstraktları ölüm oranlarının genellikle etil asetat ekstraktlarından daha yüksek olduğu bulunmuştur. En etkili bitki ham özütleri sırasıyla Salvia verticillate (Lamiaceae) ve Daucus carota (Apiaceae) olarak görülmüştür. Sonuç olarak, on bir farklı bitki familyası türlerinden alınan özütlerin Orosanga nimflerine karşı yüksek veya orta derecede potansiyel insektisidal aktivite rapor edilmiştir. Bu nedenle Karadeniz ülkelerinde istilacı Orosanga japonica'ya karşı biyolojik bazlı kontrol yöntemlerinin oluşturulması için kapsamlı ve daha ayrıntılı bir çalışma yapılması gerekmektedir.

Evaluation of resistance to four different groups of insecticides in Culex pipiens populations collected from the Black Sea region of türkiye

Insecticide resistance status in Aedes Albopictus (Skuse, 1894), (Diptera: Culicidae) populations after the first invasion of Türkiye during two years

An invasive Aedes Albopictus (Skuse, 1894) (Diptera: Culicidae) is considered one of the most crucial disease vectors. In this study, we aimed to monitor gradual changes in insecticide resistance profiles of Ae. Albopictus populations have recently invaded the Turkish territory. We collected Ae. Albopictus specimen from ten localities in the Black Sea, Marmara and Aegean regions in subsequent years. Adult Ae. Albopictus insecticide susceptibility to deltamethrin (0.05%), cyfluthrin (0.15%), etofenprox (0.5%), bendiocarb (0.1%), fenitrothion (1%) and dichloro diphenyl trikloroetan (DDT) (4%) was determined by the susceptibility test of World Health Organisation. Results showed common pyrethroid susceptibility. Bendiocarb and fenitrothion resistance was more common in the study. Interestingly, DDT resistance was still high in some populations despite the prohibition of the insecticide in Türkiye. A comparison of resistance status in two years demonstrated that populations were not under pyrethroid selection pressure in the study area. The fact that the bendiocarb and fenitrothion resistance, which was present when the populations were first established, continues after two years, demonstrates that the populations are under selection pressure in the study area. We believe that the findings in the study would help resistance management which is a major component of Ae. Albopictus control efforts.

Status of the invasive mosquito species Aedes aegypti (L., 1762) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1895) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Turkey

Aedes aegypti (L., 1762) ve Aedes albopictus (Skuse, 1895) (Diptera: Culicidae) birçok arbovirüsü taşıyan çok önemli vektörlerdir. Türkiye’de Ae. albopictus yumurtaları ilk defa 2011 yılında Türkiye’nin kuzeybatısında bulunan Trakya’da tespit edilmiştir. 2015 yılında ise yapılan çalışmalarla, Ae. albopictus’un yayılımını genişlettiği ortaya çıkarılmış ve Ae. aegypti türü de Türkiye’nin kuzeydoğusunda ilk defa tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışma Ae. albopictus ve Ae. aegypti’nin Türkiye’de 5 yıl boyunca yayılım ve dağılımlarına dair bulgular veren ilk çalışmadır. 2019 yılı itibarıyla Ae. albopictus ve Ae. aegypti’nin varlığını tespit etmek için 5 coğrafi bölgede (Karadeniz, İç Anadolu, Marmara, Akdeniz ve Ege Bölgeleri) çalışmalar yapılmıştır. Çalışmada lastikler, yapay konteynerler, mezarlıklar, su şişeleri ve doğal üreme habitatları gibi tüm potansiyel larva üreme alanları kontrol edilmiştir. Ayrıca bazı alanlarda ovitrap ve ergin tuzakları da kullanılarak örneklemeler yapılmıştır. Sonuçlar, Ae. albopictus’un her yıl yayılımını arttırdığını ve gelecek yıllarda tüm Türkiye’de yayılma potansiyeli taşıdığını göstermiştir. Aedes aegypti’nin yayılımı ise şimdilik sadece kuzeydoğu ile sınırlı kalmıştır. Gelecekte yapılabilecek daha efektif sürveyans ve kontrol çalışmaları da tartışılmıştır.

Türkiye'nin Orta ve Doğu Karadeniz Bölgesi tarımsal ve yapay alanlarda yayılım gösteren Culex pipiens L., 1758 (Diptera: Culicidae)’te kdr ve ace-1 mutasyon varyasyonlarının izlenmesi ve dağılımı

Culex pipiens L., 1758 (Diptera: Culicidae) dünyadaki en önemli ve hastalık vektörü olan türlerden biridir. Efektif bir kontrol yapılabilmesi için insektisitlere karşı gelişen direnci takip etmek büyük öneme sahiptir. Bu çalışmada Türkiye Orta ve Doğu Karadeniz Bölgesi’nde 2020 aktif sezonunda dokuz ilden toplanan Cx. pipiens örneklerinde vgsc (kdr L1014F/C) ve ace-1 (G119S, F290V) spesifik bölgelerinde direnç ile ilgili mutasyonların varlığı araştırılmıştır. kdr için, her bölgede L1014F mutasyonu belirlenirken, yabanıl ve dirençli tip aleller için üç farklı sessiz mutasyon tespit edilirken çalışılan popülasyonların hiçbirinde L1014C mutasyonu saptanmamıştır. ace-1 bölgesi için, çalışılan popülasyonlarda F290V değişimi heterozigot ve düşük oranlarda saptanırken, G119S değişimi daha yaygın bulunmuştur. ace-1 bölgesi için G119I (6 popülasyon) ve G119A (5 popülasyon) değişimleri ilk defa tespit edilmiştir. Dirence neden olan mutasyon tiplerinde yapay ve tarımsal alanlar arasında anlamlı fark bulunamamıştır.

Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I variation in Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus): Determination of the different and multiple introduction situations in Turkiye

Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse, 1894) is an invasive mosquito species that can transmit many arboviral diseases. In Turkiye, this species was found first in Thrace in 2011, then in the Eastern Black Sea in 2014, and in the Aegean regions in 2018. We analyzed the COI gene region of 554 samples from 13 different locations in the Black Sea, Aegean, and Marmara regions to determine the COI diversity and possible introduction origin of A. albopictus in Türkiye. Three haplotypes derived from two segregation sites were detected, and the Hd and π values were 0.175 and 0.00029, respectively. Hap_1 was a common haplotype and was detected in all regions. Hap_2 was detected in the Black Sea and Marmara regions, while Hap_3 was rare, and recorded only in Aegean lineages. In pairwise FSTs of 13 geographical populations, the Marmara lineages were statistically different from the Black Sea and Aegean lineages (except the Mugla samples). AMOVA test results indicated significant differences between the three studied regions (df = 2, f = 0.01784). Although Turkish Aedes albopictus lineages appear to have originated from temperate Northern Italy lineages and Aegean lineages may have originated from a mix of Italy and Albania lineages, the results revealed multiple introduction events via various routes.

Arboviral screening of invasive Aedes species in northeastern Turkey: West Nile virus circulation and detection of insect-only viruses

Invasive Aedes mosquitoes are established in certain locations of northeastern Turkey. Herein we conclusively show the role of these species in WNV circulation in the region. Biosurveillance is imperative to monitor the spread of these species further into Asia Minor and to detect possible introduction of pathogens.

The Effect of Digital Technology on the Civil Aviation Economy

Yapılan araştırmada, sivil havacılıktaki işletmelerin dijital uyu-ma ne derece uyum sağladıkları, yaptıkları yenilikleri ve müşteri deneyimi, sivil havacılığa olan katkıları açısından dijitalleşmenin değerlendirilmesi ele alınmıştır. Dijital teknolojiler Endüstri 2.0 olarak geçen dönemde 20. yüzyılda ilk bilgisayarla birlikte başlamıştır. Sonralarda üretim süreçlerinin geliştirilmesiyle birlikte Endüstri 3.0 adını alarak internet çağı başlamış olup endüstri 4.0 ile süreç devam etmektedir. Bilgisayarların ve internet teknolojileriyle birlikte hizmet sektöründeki dijital faaliyetler yaygın bir şekilde kullanılmaktadır. Dijitalleşmenin getirdiği teknolojik gelişmelerle hız kazanmış ve insan hayatını kolaylaştırıcı etken haline gelmiştir. Bu sürecin içerisinde işletme maliyetlerinin düşürülmesi, insanların hizmetlere daha kolay ulaşabilmesinin önünü açmaktadır. Dünya’da dijitalleşmenin yaygınlaşmasıyla birlikte teknolojik değişimleri de beraberinde getirmektedir. Özellikle rekabetin yoğun olduğu Hava yolları işletmelerinde karlılıkları artırabilmek için teknolojik dönüşümlerde hız kazanmaktadır. İşletmelerin geliştirdikleri mobil uygulamalarla birlikte daha çok müşteri portföyüne ulaşmayı amaç edinmektedir. Havacılıkta daha fazla müşteri grubuna ulaşmak açısından dijitalleşmenin önemi her geçen gün artmaktadır. Geleneksel modellere kıyasla işlem yapmaları daha kolay hale gelmiştir. Hava yolları işletmeleri dijital mecralarla birlikte mobil uygulamalarını geliştirerek bilet satın alma, check-in işlemleri, müşteri şikayetlerinin oluşturulması gibi olanaklara kolay erişebilmelerini sağlamıştır. Bu sayede ekonomik büyümelerini hedef haline getirmişlerdir. Araştırmanın sonucunda, dijital teknolojinin sivil havacılık ekonomisine katkıları düşünülerek Türkiye’de faaliyet gösteren 2 hava yolu işletmesinin mobil uygulamaları incelenerek değerlendirmeler yapılmıştır. Dijital teknolojinin ekonomik etkilerinin sınırlılıkları genişleterek uluslararası hava yolu işletmeleri de incelenip araştırmaya eklenebilir. Farklı sektörlerinde bu konuda araştırmaları yapılarak literatüre kazandırılabilir.

Natural infection potential and efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana against Orosanga japonica (Melichar)

Molecular phylogenetics of Aedes aegypti (L., 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Eastern Black Sea area of Turkey and possible relations with the Caucasian invasion

Aedes aegypti (L., 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) is an important pest for human health. It vectors many diseases, including yellow fever (YF), dengue (DENV), and chikungunya (CHIKV). This species has invaded numerous countries including Balkan and Caucasian countries few past decades. The established populations of species were found in Turkey in 2015. We investigated the genetic variation, molecular phylogenetics, and differences between samples from Turkey and Georgia using four mitochondrial and one genomic DNA markers. The possible origin of the species was determined separately for each gene region using maximum likelihood trees. The ML analysis showed a close relation with the Caucasian samples, and some haplotypes are specific to this region. Our results suggest that Turkish Ae. aegypti strains might have been a mix of Asian and American strains. The differences between Turkish and Georgian samples were statistically insignificant and values of difference were very low according to AMOVA. Pairwise difference values between the two countries indicated that populations may have the same origin and variation value between two countries is very low. As a conclusion, our results revealed that our region (Turkey and Georgia) samples were most probably a new invasion rather than an ancient one.

Assessment of expertise in morphological identification of mosquito species (Diptera, Culicidae) using photomicrographs

Accurate identification of insect species is an indispensable and challenging requirement for every entomologist, particularly if the species is involved in disease outbreaks. The European MediLabSecure project designed an identification (ID) exercise available to any willing participant with the aim of assessing and improving knowledge in mosquito taxonomy. The exercise was based on high-definition photomicrographs of mosquitoes (26 adult females and 12 larvae) collected from the western Palaearctic. Sixty-five responses from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East were usable. The study demonstrated that the responders were better at identifying females (82% correct responses) than larvae (63%). When the responders reported that they were sure of the accuracy of their ID, the success rate of ID increased (92% for females and 88% for larvae). The top three tools used for ID were MosKeyTool (72% of responders), the ID key following Becker et al. [2010. Mosquitoes and their control, 2nd edn. Berlin: Springer] (38%), and the CD-ROM of Schaffner et al. [2001. Les moustiques d’Europe: logiciel d’identification et d’enseignement – The mosquitoes of Europe: an identification and training programme. Montpellier: IRD; EID] (32%), while other tools were used by less than 10% of responders. Responders reporting the identification of mosquitoes using the MosKeyTool were significantly better (80% correct responses) than non-MosKeyTool users (69%). Most responders (63%) used more than one ID tool. The feedback from responders in this study was positive, with the exercise being perceived as halfway between educational training and a fun quiz. It raised the importance of further expanding training in mosquito ID for better preparedness of mosquito surveillance and control programmes.

Distribution and molecular differentiation of Culex pipiens complex species in theMiddle and Eastern Black Sea Regions of Turkey

Culex pipiens species complex is commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas. Identification of species complexes and their spatial distribution patterns are fundamental steps needed to improve our understanding of arboviral disease circulation and their control. The specimens were differentiated using the Ace-2 gene, and the ecological forms of Culex pipiens were identified by analysis of the CQ11 microsatellite locus. Results showed that all sample points comprised of Culex pipiens s.s., and seven points contained Culex torrentium. Further, we determined that 22 haplotypes from five haplogroups were identified within the Ace-2 marker, and three haplotypes were contained within the CQ11 microsatellite locus. We determined that there was a high degree of the genetic flow of each marker between populations. In conclusion, Culex pipiens complex and sibling species were determined to be distributed throughout the coastal and inland parts of the Black Sea region in Turkey. The occurrence of two distinct ecological forms has the potential to create hybridization zones and a high risk of WNV transmission.