Influence of Maternal Toxoplasmosis on the Second-Trimester Aneuploidy Screening Test

Objective: With apoptosis being critical for the development and homeostasis of placental tissues, it is possible to hypothesize that accelerated trophoblastic apoptosis during pregnancy may result in a partial loss of trophoblastic activity or trophoblastic cell mass, and ultimately may alter the second-trimester screening test parameters. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the influence of maternal toxoplasmosis on second-trimester aneuploidy screening tests. Study Design: This retrospective study was conducted with 552 pregnant women admitted to our University Hospital. The demographic data such as maternal age and weight; and the main parameters of second-trimester aneuploidy screening test including maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein, unconjugated estriol (uE3) and human chorionic gonadotropin were analyzed with the comparison of their Toxoplasma immunoglobulin serology results. Results: The mean age of the pregnant women was 27.6 (17.0 - 43.0) years, and the mean maternal weight was estimated at 65.0 (40.0 - 120.0) kg. The pregnant women with positive Toxoplasma IgG antibody had a higher mean maternal age than those with negative Toxoplasma IgG antibody (p< 0.0001). No significant difference for the concentrations and MoM values of second-trimester screening test parameters in women with Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies was observed (p> 0.05, for all). Conclusion: Although IgG-seropositivity of toxoplasmosis may lead to an accelerated trophoblastic apoptosis during pregnancy, there is no significant influence on the second-trimester screening test results. There was no data regarding the unaffected population whom used for calculation of MoM, if the

Skin-homing T-cell responses associated with Demodex infestation and rosacea

Derici, Mehmet Kursat/0000-0002-8260-7492; Ozkan, Aysegul Taylan/0000-0001-8421-3625WOS: 000475958100003PubMed: 31125450Aims Our aim was to investigate the skin-homing T-cell immune responses triggered in patients with Demodex infestation and/or rosacea. Methods Collected whole blood samples were divided into four groups: control subjects; nonrosacea patients with Demodex infestation (Demodex group); papulopustular rosacea (PPR) patients without Demodex infestation (Rosacea group); and PPR patients with Demodex infestation (Rosacea/Demodex group). Following ex vivo activation, skin-homing CLA+CD4+ T-cell subset levels were monitored by flow cytometry. Results When compared with control subjects, among skin-homing CD4+ T-cell subsets analysed, Demodex patients had higher T(H)9 and T-reg cell levels; Rosacea subjects displayed elevated T(H)1 cell levels; and Rosacea/Demodex patients exhibited increased frequencies of T(H)9 and T(H)22 cells. In contrast to Rosacea subjects, Rosacea/Demodex group members displayed higher T(H)2 cell levels; and when compared with Demodex groups, they had higher T(H)1 and T(H)2 but lower T-reg cell levels. Demodex group members also exhibited higher T-reg but lower T(H)1 and T(H)22 levels than Rosacea/Demodex group subjects. Conclusions The skin-homing T-cell responses associated with Demodex infestation and rosacea formation seem to influence each other. The present as well as future studies could contribute to the development of effective treatment strategies for demodicosis and rosacea.Hitit University Scientific Research Projects UnitHitit University [TIP19002.16.005]Hitit University Scientific Research Projects Unit, Grant/Award Number: TIP19002.16.00

Skin‐homing T‐cell responses associated with Demodex

Derici, Mehmet Kursat/0000-0002-8260-7492; Ozkan, Aysegul Taylan/0000-0001-8421-3625WOS: 000475958100003PubMed: 31125450Aims Our aim was to investigate the skin-homing T-cell immune responses triggered in patients with Demodex infestation and/or rosacea. Methods Collected whole blood samples were divided into four groups: control subjects; nonrosacea patients with Demodex infestation (Demodex group); papulopustular rosacea (PPR) patients without Demodex infestation (Rosacea group); and PPR patients with Demodex infestation (Rosacea/Demodex group). Following ex vivo activation, skin-homing CLA+CD4+ T-cell subset levels were monitored by flow cytometry. Results When compared with control subjects, among skin-homing CD4+ T-cell subsets analysed, Demodex patients had higher T(H)9 and T-reg cell levels; Rosacea subjects displayed elevated T(H)1 cell levels; and Rosacea/Demodex patients exhibited increased frequencies of T(H)9 and T(H)22 cells. In contrast to Rosacea subjects, Rosacea/Demodex group members displayed higher T(H)2 cell levels; and when compared with Demodex groups, they had higher T(H)1 and T(H)2 but lower T-reg cell levels. Demodex group members also exhibited higher T-reg but lower T(H)1 and T(H)22 levels than Rosacea/Demodex group subjects. Conclusions The skin-homing T-cell responses associated with Demodex infestation and rosacea formation seem to influence each other. The present as well as future studies could contribute to the development of effective treatment strategies for demodicosis and rosacea.Hitit University Scientific Research Projects UnitHitit University [TIP19002.16.005]Hitit University Scientific Research Projects Unit, Grant/Award Number: TIP19002.16.00

Bacterial and protozoal pathogens found in ticks collected from humans in Corum province of Turkey.

Tick-borne diseases are increasing all over the word, including Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial and protozoan vector-borne pathogens in ticks infesting humans in the Corum province of Turkey.From March to November 2014 a total of 322 ticks were collected from patients who attended the local hospitals with tick bites. Ticks were screened by real time-PCR and PCR, and obtained amplicons were sequenced. The dedected tick was belonging to the genus Hyalomma, Haemaphysalis, Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor and Ixodes. A total of 17 microorganism species were identified in ticks. The most prevalent Rickettsia spp. were: R. aeschlimannii (19.5%), R. slovaca (4.5%), R. raoultii (2.2%), R. hoogstraalii (1.9%), R. sibirica subsp. mongolitimonae (1.2%), R. monacensis (0.31%), and Rickettsia spp. (1.2%). In addition, the following pathogens were identified: Borrelia afzelii (0.31%), Anaplasma spp. (0.31%), Ehrlichia spp. (0.93%), Babesia microti (0.93%), Babesia ovis (0.31%), Babesia occultans (3.4%), Theileria spp. (1.6%), Hepatozoon felis (0.31%), Hepatozoon canis (0.31%), and Hemolivia mauritanica (2.1%). All samples were negative for Francisella tularensis, Coxiella burnetii, Bartonella spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania spp.Ticks in Corum carry a large variety of human and zoonotic pathogens that were detected not only in known vectors, but showed a wider vector diversity. There is an increase in the prevalence of ticks infected with the spotted fever group and lymphangitis-associated rickettsiosis, while Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. were reported for the first time from this region. B. microti was detected for the first time in Hyalomma marginatum infesting humans. The detection of B. occultans, B. ovis, Hepatozoon spp., Theileria spp. and Hemolivia mauritanica indicate the importance of these ticks as vectors of pathogens of veterinary importance, therefore patients with a tick infestation should be followed for a variety of pathogens with medical importance

Presence of bacterial pathogens in tick species isolated from humans in the Corum province.

<p>Presence of bacterial pathogens in tick species isolated from humans in the Corum province.</p

Map of the Corum province and its location within Turkey.

<p>Map of the Corum province and its location within Turkey.</p

Total number and percentage of pathogens found in the 322 examined ticks, the percentage of their nucleotide identity and their accession number in NCBI GenBank.

<p>Total number and percentage of pathogens found in the 322 examined ticks, the percentage of their nucleotide identity and their accession number in NCBI GenBank.</p

PCR methods, target genes and primer sequences used for tick-borne pathogens.

<p>PCR methods, target genes and primer sequences used for tick-borne pathogens.</p

Presence of protozoan pathogens in tick species isolated from humans in the Corum province.

<p>Presence of protozoan pathogens in tick species isolated from humans in the Corum province.</p