A Microbiology Laboratory Workflow in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Trakya University Medical Faculty Experience

Aim:The Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) epidemic first started in China and spread all over the world. In our country, pandemic management is carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Health. With the change in the case increase rate in our province within months, the needs of our hospital were fully answered as the medical microbiology laboratory. In this study, it is aimed to convey our experiences and to make a retrospective analysis of the samples that came to the coronavirus laboratory in the first seven months of the pandemic.Materials and Methods:In order to create a safe working environment and organize the workflow during the pandemic process, some changes were made in the laboratory and it was made a guide. In addition, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests that came to the coronavirus laboratory between 21.03.2020 and 21.10.2020 were screened retrospectively.Results:A total of 73,773 SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests and 1,170 anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests were run in our laboratory. It was determined that total PCR positivity was 2.7% and antibody positivity was 1.9%.Conclusion:When the PCR positivity rates were examined, a dramatic decrease was observed after the first month with the measures taken and this decrease continued until the fifth month. It is seen that PCR positivity increased again in the sixth and seventh months with the relaxation of the measures. It is thought that our experiences in the first months of the pandemic can provide valuable information for other laboratories

The Effect of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing in Education on Early Detection and Prevention of Epidemics: A Faculty Example from Trakya University

Introduction: To ensure the safe continuation of face-to-face education, there is ongoing discussion regarding the routine use of easily applicable tests. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the COVID-19 rapid antigen tests in the early diagnosis of COVID19 cases among university students studying face-to-face. Materials and Methods: Our study spanned a duration of eight weeks and included students from three different departments within a faculty. The first group of students underwent rapid antigen tests twice a week, with positive results confirmed by PCR testing. The second group was visited twice a week, and students displaying symptoms underwent both rapid antigen and PCR tests. The third group was monitored solely through the use of “Hayat Eve Sığar (Life Fits Into Home)” codes. To identify asymptomatic cases and students who did not report their symptoms in the second group, all volunteers on the final day of the study underwent screening using rapid antigen tests. The groups were compared based on the obtained results, and a questionnaire was administered to the students during each visit. This approach allowed for the investigation of factors associated with positive cases. Results: A total of 274 students participated in our study, with 114 (41.6%) in the first group, 96 (35.0%) in the second group, and 64 (23.4%) in the third group. The rate of detecting the cases in the first group was significantly higher than in the second and third groups. Conclusion: The obtained findings indicate that COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, as mentioned, can serve as a screening tool for the early detection of cases and prevention of further spread among students during face-to-face education. These results align with the criteria established by international organizations and epidemiological standards. By screening all participating students, the potential for bias is minimized, enabling the identification of asymptomatic individuals who may unknowingly transmit the virus

Tularemia seroprevalence in humans in the region of the Hittite-Arzawa War (Inner Aegean Region), where the first biological weapon was used 3300 years ago

Background/aim: According to Egyptian records, tularemia emerged in the Canaan region, where it was first identified and spread to Anatolia over the Euphrates. It was used as an active biological weapon for the first time in the Hittite-Arzawa War in 1320–1318 BC. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of tularemia in the Inner Aegean Region, which is thought to be the region where this war was fought 3300 years ago. Materials and methods: Tularemia seropositivity in humans was investigated in 27 villages/neighborhoods in 3 districts in each of Manisa, Kütahya, and Uşak provinces. Before the study, the participants were informed about the disease via posters, and their blood samples were taken following filling out the questionnaire. Microagglutination tests were performed using in-house tularemia antigen and V plate for serological experiments. Rose-Bengal test was also performed on seropositive sera. Results: Of the total of 410 people, 226 (55.12%) were male. The mean age of the volunteers was 43.72 years. The highest participation was from Kütahya Province. According to the results of the tularemia microagglutination test, seropositivity was detected in 6 cases. It was determined that all of the seropositive volunteers were in Kütahya. When the tularemia antibody titers were examined, seropositivity was determined at 1/20–1/160 titers. No positivity was detected in the Rose-Bengal test for cross-reaction. Conclusion: Kütahya has been identified as a risky region in terms of tularemia in the Inner Aegean Region. In order to use the resources in the country economically, first of all, the risk areas in terms of tularemia should be determined by serological studies in all regions. In order to increase awareness about the disease, physicians and filiation teams should be trained in risky areas. Surveillance studies should be conducted to identify and monitor possible sources in areas identified as risky

Assessment of the perioperative period in civilians injured in the Syrian Civil War

BACKGROUND: wars and its challenges have historically afflicted humanity. In Syria, severe injuries occurred due to firearms and explosives used in the war between government forces and civilians for a period of over 2 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the study included 364 cases, who were admitted to Mustafa Kemal University Hospital, Medicine School (Hatay, Turkey), and underwent surgery. Survivors and non-survivors were compared regarding injury site, injury type and number of transfusions given. The mortality rate found in this study was also compared to those reported in other civil wars. RESULTS: the mean age was 29 (3-68) years. Major sites of injury included extremities (56.0%), head (20.1%), abdomen (16.2%), vascular structures (4.4%) and thorax (3.3%). Injury types included firearm injury (64.4%), blast injury (34.4%) and miscellaneous injuries (1.2%). Survival rate was 89.6% while mortality rate was 10.4%. A significant difference was observed between mortality rates in this study and those reported for the Bosnia and Lebanon civil wars; and the difference became extremely prominent when compared to mortality rates reported for Vietnam and Afghanistan civil wars. CONCLUSION: among injuries related to war, the highest rate of mortality was observed in head-neck, abdomen and vascular injuries. We believe that the higher mortality rate in the Syrian Civil War, compared to the Bosnia, Vietnam, Lebanon and Afghanistan wars, is due to seeing civilians as a direct target during war