Risk Factors for Oropharyngeal Colonization in Intensive Care Units

In this study, the risk factors for oropharyngeal colonization in intensive care units were determined. Daily throat cultures in the first week and once a week in the following weeks were obtained from the patients admitted to intensive care units of Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital from October 2000 to December 2000. A hundred and thirty adult patients were included, and the mean age was 53. Risk factors for oropharyngeal colonization were analysed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The risk factors studied by multivariate analysis were length of stay > 5 days (odds ratios (OR); 5.1, confidence interval (CI); 1.9-13.2, p= 0.001), Glasgow coma scala score < 10 (OR; 4.5, CI; 1.6-12.1, p= 0.003), use of broad spectrum antibiotics (OR; 4.8, CI; 2.3-9.9, p< 0.001)

The evaluation of HBV-DNA levels In patients who had lost Hbsag after recovery from Hepatitis B virus infection

Amaç: Hepatit B enfeksiyonu geçiren kişilerin kanında HBsAg negatifleşse de hepatit B virüsünü bulaştırma riskinin devam ettiği bildirilmektedir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmamızda; hepatit B enfeksiyonu geçiren ve HBsAg negatifleşen olgularda, hepatit B virüs DNA’sının polimeraz zincir reaksiyonu yöntemi ile araştırılması amaçlandı. Toplam 57 olgu değerlendirmeye alındı. Akut hepatit B virüs enfeksiyonu geçirip HBsAg negatifleşen 44 olgunun 19’unda (%43,2) hepatit B virüs DNA pozitif saptandı. Bulgular: Doğal immünitesi olup antiHBs pozitif saptanan 13 olgunun ise 2’sinde (%15,4) hepatit B virüs DNA’sı pozitif bulundu. Toplam 21 (%36,8) olguda enfektivitenin devam ettiği gözlendi. Bu olgularda hepatit B virüs DNA düzeyleri 4,6x102 ile 1x105 genom/mL arasında saptandı. Sonuç: Çalışmamızda hepatit B virüs enfeksiyonu geçirip HBsAg negatifleşen olgularda HBV-DNA’nın pozitif olabileceği görülmüştür. Bu nedenle; kan donörü seçiminde antiHBc bakılmasının HBsAg aramaya göre daha güvenilir olduğu, organ transplantasyonu uygulamalarında ise HBV serolojik göstergelerinden herhangi birinin pozitif bulunduğu vericilerde, serum ve dokularda polimeraz zincir reaksiyonu ile hepatit B virüs DNA aranmasının uygun olacağı düşünülmektedir.Objective: The risk of transmitting hepatitis B virus has been reported to continue in the blood of people with loss of HBsAg after recovery from hepatitis B virus infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hepatitis B virus DNA in patients with loss HBsAg after recovery from hepatitis B virus infection by using polymerase chain reaction. Materials and Methods: Total 57 cases were evaluated. Hepatitis B virus DNA was detected in 19 (43.2%) of 44 patients with loss of HBsAg after acute hepatitis B virus infection, and in 2 (15.4%) of 13 cases who had natural immunity with positive antiHBs. Results: Infectivity continued in 21 (36.8%) cases. Hepatitis B virus DNA levels were detected between 4.6 x102 with 1x105 genome / mL in these serum samples. Conclusion: In our study, hepatitis B virus DNA can positive in patients with loss of HBsAg after hepatitis B virus infection have been shown. For this reason, antiHBc screening more reliable than HBsAg was thought in the selection of blood donors. It was thought that hepatitis B virus DNA testing with polymerase chain reaction is appropriate in serum and tissues of donors with positive hepatitis B virus serology in the organ transplantation practices

Peritoneal Tuberculosis Presenting with Fever, Abdominal Pain and Diarrhea: Case Report

Tuberculous peritonitis may occur by spread from adjacent intraabdominal tuberculous diseases or haematogenously spread during miliary tuberculosis. Presenting symptoms are usually fever, abdominal pain, abdominal swelling and weight loss, diarrhea is not a common symptom. We report a patient with peritoneal tuberculosis who were presented with diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain and ascites. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from ascites. Peritoneal tuberculosis should be considered in patients presenting with fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea and ascites

Cryptococcal Sepsis in a HIV/AIDS Patient: Clinical Findings, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast causing infection in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). With the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the incidence of infection due to Cryptococcus has significantly decreased. The era of HAART has not only affected the incidence ratebutalso the clinical presentation called immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome as a consequence of the immune recovery of the host. In this paper, we presented a HIV/AIDS patient with cryptococcal sepsis and discussed clinical manifestations of cryptococcosis, diagnostic and therapeutic approach