Research Article

Earthworms are able to protect themselves against invading microorganisms through their immune systems. Although there are many studies about defense systems of Dendrobaena veneta, this is the first report focusing on the immune properties of earthworms belonging to the same species, which live in different localities. Thus, it was aimed to compare antibacterial and hemolytic activities of earthworms collected from different localities of Istanbul (Vezneciler, Süleymaniye and Beykoz). Both activities were studied with dilution and agar diffusion techniques. In antibacterial activity assays with dilution technique, it was observed that all suspensions of coelomic fluid of D. veneta living in Beykoz had significantly strong activity, while no results could be determined in diffusion assays. Nevertheless, in dilution assays for determination of hemolytic activity, coelomic fluid of earthworms living in Süleymaniye was the most effective group. In dilution assays, hemolytic activity were in the order of (S) > (V) > (B) for human erythrocytes. As a conclusion, coelomic fluid of Beykoz earthworms was a potential agent, which can be used as an alternative drug, since this coelomic fluid was effective against bacteria but not on erythrocytes. Keyworlds: Dendrobaena venata, earthworms, coelomic fluid, antibacterial activity, hemolytic activity. *Corresponding author: Elif Özlem Arslan-Aydoğdu (E-mail: [email protected])