Successful Treatment of Herpes Esophagitis With Ganciclovir in a Liver Transplant Patient

The presence of Herpes Simplex Virüs-1 (HSV-1) esophagitis in patients with liver transplantation has been reported rarely. Among the reports that are accessible in the literature, none could have shown tissue positivity for Herpes virus-1 DNA via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in patients with liver transplantation. This case is presented as the patient was diagnosed with herpes esophagitis based on the histopathological findings and HSV-1 DNA positivity (detected by PCR) in the biopsy material and was treated with Ganciclovir. Due to the specific action of Ganciclovir against CMV infections, it is natural that the drug cannot use in the treatment of HSV infections. However it is reported that ganciclovir has been reduced the incidence of symptomatic HSV infections after liver transplantation. We report on a patient after liver transplantation with HSV-1 esophagitis, who was successfully treated with Ganciclovir. We assume that most transplant centers according to their protocols use ganciclovir for CMV prophylaxis, which may contribute to avoid HSV infection

The seroprevalence of diphtheria among adults in Izmir-Turkey.

A serological survey to determine the immunity to diphtheria in the adult population in Izmir-Turkey was conducted according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization. A total of 339 blood samples were collected from subjects aged between 20 and 81, and diphtheria antitoxin levels were measured by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. Titers below 0.1 IU/ml were considered to show insufficient immunity. Of the studied population, 56.3% had showed insufficient immunity against diphtheria. Diphtheria protection rates showed a gradual age-related decrease. The lowest immunity rate was observed in 40-49-year age group (30.6%) (p 0.05). These results emphasize the need for booster immunization of adults. The present vaccination policy should include re-vaccinations of the adult population every 10 years in order to provide a complete protection of the population. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Recommendations for Intra-abdominal Infections "Consensus Report"

WOS: 000407294300008Guidelines include recommendations of experts from various specialties within a topic in consideration of data specific to each country. However, to date there has not been a guideline standardizing the nomenclature and offering recommendations for intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) in Turkey. This is mainly due to the paucity of laboratory studies regarding the clinical diagnosis and treatment of IAIs or the sensitivity of microorganisms isolated from patients with IAIs. However, due to the diversification of host characteristics and advancements in technological treatment methods, it has become imperative to "speak a common language". For this purpose, meetings were formed under the leadership of the Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialty Society of Turkey (EKMUD) consisting of 15 experts in IAIs from the Turkish Surgical Association, Turkish Society of Colon, Turkish Hernia Society, Turkish Society of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, and the Turkish Society of Hospital Infections and Control; and relevant studies were analyzed.. Ultimately, the suggestions for adults found in this consensus report were prepared using available data from Turkey, and referring predominantly to the 2010 guidelines for diagnosing and managing complicated IAIs in adults and children by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Surgical Infection Society. Recommendations are conducted in two sections from the initial evaluation of patients for diagnosis to treatment approach for IAI. This Consensus Report was presented in Turkey EKMUD 2016 Congress/Antalya and subsequently opened for any suggestions in Turkey EKMUD and Turkish Surgical Association official web sites for a month. The manuscript was updated according to the suggestions

Effects of Blood Products on Nosocomial Infections in Liver Transplant Recipients

WOS: 000329558500010PubMed ID: 23901878Objectives: Infection is the most severe complication after an organ transplant. Blood cell transfusion is an independent risk factor for adverse events, including infection in the recipient. This study sought to evaluate the effect of blood product transfusions on nosocomial infections in liver transplant patients. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent a liver transplant at our hospital between 2003 and 2010 were recruited for this study. Exclusion criteria were incomplete records, patients who were hospitalized for more than 48 hours during the 4 weeks before transplant, and pediatric transplants. Incidence of nosocomial infections, which were defined as infections occurring within 30 days after transplant was the primary endpoint. Results: The incidence of nosocomial infections was 28.7%. The number of transfusions of packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma was significantly higher in patients with nosocomial infection compared with patients without nosocomial infection (P = .018 and P = .039). Blood products dose-dependently contributed to nosocomial infections. Transfusions of >= 7.5 units of red blood cells (odds ratio: 2.8) or >= 12.5 units of fresh frozen plasma (odds ratio: 3.27) were associated with nosocomial infections (P = .042 and P = .015). The infection-related mortality rate was 10.3%. Conclusions: Blood product transfusions are associated with an increased rate of nosocomial infections, which contributes to higher morbidity and mortality

Effects of community-acquired infections on fever, leukocyte count and the length of stay in elderly. A cross-sectional study of 240 cases.

Objective: To evaluate the relationships between community acquired infections in elderly cases ( 65 ages) not living in a nursing home and factors such as, fever and white blood cell (WBC) counts; age, gender and the presence of underlying chronic diseases as compared to the length of stay

Risk Factors for Early Bacterial Infections in Liver Transplantation

Objective. Our aim was to determine perioperative risk factors for early bacterial infection after liver transplantation

Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 antibody persistence and viral spread in stool: a long-term care experience before COVID-19 vaccination

Background Due to elderly residents, nursing homes/assisted living facilities were the most affected places in COVID-19 pandemic. Besides symptomatic patients, asymptomatic patients were detected during routine screening. Aim This study aims to determine the factors that affect antibody response and viral shedding in stool samples after natural exposure to the virus in residents and staff who recovered from COVID-19 before the vaccine was available. Methods This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the nation's highest-capacity Residential and Nursing Home. Blood samples were collected between December 15, 2020 and January 15, 2021 from participating residents and staff for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. Stool samples were obtained for SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing 2 months after COVID-19. The Social Sciences (SPSS) program version 15.0 was used for statistical analysis. The Mann-Whitney U test compared SARS-CoV-2 antibody concentration between two groups. Results Four hundred sixty-four (52.3%) residents and 424 (47.7%) staff participated. Entirely 259 (29.2%) participants were anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG (+) and 255 (28.7%) were SARS-CoV-2 PCR (+). Both antibody and PCR positivity was detected in 196 (76.9%). In PCR (-) group, 63 (10.0%) participants were SARS-CoV-2 IgG (+). Antibody titers were found highest in SARS-CoV-2 PCR (+) male residents. SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers were significantly high in SARS-CoV-2 PCR (+) and hospitalized participants regardless of age. Stool samples were obtained from 61(23.9%) participants and were found negative. Conclusion A durable SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody response was monitored at least 9 months after the participants were diagnosed with COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity was detected 76.9% in PCR (+) and 10.0% in PCR (-) participants. Knowing the duration of detectable antibodies is an important finding for developing disease prevention and public health strategies