The island of Cyprus is located in the Eastern Mediterranean, where leishmaniasis is endemic. Although human visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis (VL and CL) cases have already been documented on the island, there are limited data on the Leishmania species in northern Cyprus. In this report, we present a CL case diagnosed by both microscopic examination and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The patient, a 79-year-old man residing in northern Cyprus, developed an ulcerative lesion on his left leg. The lesion was surgically excised for histopathological examination, and tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Microscopic examination of H&E-stained tissue sections revealed Leishmania amastigotes. To confirm the diagnosis and identify Leishmania species at the molecular level, DNA was extracted from the paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Following deparaffinization, qPCR targeting the Leishmania-specific Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 region (located between SSU and 5.8S rRNA genes) was performed. In the qPCR assay, the infecting agent was identified as a member of the L. donovani complex, presumptively L. infantum, based on the melting curve analysis. Our findings provide molecular evidence for the presence of leishmaniasis in northern Cyprus and contribute to addressing the lack of molecular data in the region. Our study also suggests that, due to the zoonotic nature of the identified pathogen, continuous vector and reservoir control programs should be implemented in the region to prevent the spread of the disease.

This study was conducted to investigate rickettsial seropositivity among hunters, a high-risk population for tick-borne diseases in northern Cyprus. Serum samples were collected from 300 hunters from different locations during the 2017-2018 hunting season (November 2017 - February 2018). The samples were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using slides coated with Rickettsia slovaca, a species belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG). During the sample collection, a questionnaire was also applied to evaluate possible risk factors for rickettsial seropositivity. Of the 300 serum samples, six (2.0%) were found to be IgG-positive with a titer of 1:64. While all seropositive individuals were male, the statistical analysis revealed no significant association of gender with rickettsial seropositivity (p=1.000). Other factors including age (p=0.414), residential places of the participants (p=0.347), hunting years (p=0.694) or hunting abroad (p=1.000) did not significantly affect the IgG positivity. Also, no statistical correlation was found between a history of an arthropod (tick, louse, or flea) bite and rickettsial seropositivity (p=1.000). To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrates rickettsial seropositivity among human population in northern Cyprus. Our study suggests that awareness should be raised among the people especially involved in outdoor activities such as hunting, and control programs should be implemented to prevent possible rickettsiosis cases. Further serological studies using other Rickettsia spp. antigens, as well as molecular studies that search for Rickettsia spp. in humans, animals and arthropods are needed to obtain more comprehensive data on rickettsiosis in northern Cyprus.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe human infection which can lead to fatal consequences. Acute CCHF patients were previously shown to exhibit frequencies of regulatory T-cell (Treg) but lower Treg-mediated suppressive activities than the healthy counterparts. This study aims is to investigate the phosphorylation levels of Foxp3 protein (master regulator of Treg cells) in CCHF patients. Blood samples collected from 18 CCHF patients and nine healthy volunteers were used to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Total and phosphorylated Foxp3 expression levels in the isolated PBMC samples were monitored by western blot and quantified using ImageJ software. Total Foxp3 expression levels in CCHF patients displayed decreasing trend, but not significantly. In contrast, significantly lower expression levels of phosphorylated Foxp3 were reported in CCHF patients. Our results suggest a possible association between Foxp3 dephosphorylation and CCHF pathogenesis. Nevertheless, more studies are required to evaluate the effect of Foxp3 dephosphorylation on Treg function, which would not only help to enlighten the CCHF pathogenesis but also contribute to the development of effective treatment strategies.