The Effectiveness of Nucleoside Analogues in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Unresponsive to Interferon Therapy: Our Clinical Trials for One Year

Background and Aims: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nucleoside analogues such as Lamivudine, Adefovir, Entacavir, and Tenofovir in patients with chronic hepatitis B who failed to respond to interferon therapy and relapsed

Focal Infections Accompanying Urticaria, a Common Skin Disease

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the most common focal infections in patients with acute and chronic urticaria, and their relationships with age and gender

The Role of the Basal Core Promoter (BCP) and Precore Codon 28 Mutations in the Treatment Response to the Pegylated Interferon

Objective: Pegylated interferon has an important place in chronic hepatitis treatment and there are many factors affecting treatment response. Among these factors, studies on viral genomic mutations increase recently. In this study we aimed to determine the effects of precore and basal core promoter (BCP) mutations on the response to peg-interferon treatment treatment in patients received interferon treatment with the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B

Case report on the development of a brucellosis-related epidural abscess

Brucellosis is an endemic disease in developing countries. The most commonly observed complications include bone-joint involvement, particularly sacroiliitis and spondylitis. Epidural abscesses caused by brucellosis are a rare complication. We describe the case of a 33-year-old man presenting with high fever, back pain, and weakness. At physical examination, the patient was found to be paraparetic. At thoracic MRI, spondylodiscitis and epidural abscess with significant cord compression were observed. In laboratory examinations, Rose Bengal and tube agglutination tests were positive in patient's serum for brucellosis, and specific antibiotherapy was initiated. Total laminectomy was performed and the abscess was aspirated. The biopsy sample was consistent with chronic non-specific inflammation in acute abscess. No growth was detected in the abscess or blood cultures. Following surgery, medical treatment was initiated and, at six weeks' follow-up, clinical and MRI findings indicated that he had recovered. The diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess due to brucellosis should be considered among differential diagnoses in endemic regions. Early diagnosis and specific treatment are important to prevent later complications

Central nervous system aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient

Aspergillus sp. is a fungus that is very common in nature and may cause invasive disease with high mortality, especially in immunosuppressed patients. Here we present a case of central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis in a previously healthy immunocompetent patient. A 23-year-old female was admitted to hospital with the complaints of headache, blurred vision, and double vision. In her cranial magnetic resonance imaging, abscess and paranchymal edema were observed in the left frontal lobe, and biopsy was performed with endoscopic nasal operation. The pathology result was consistent with aspergillus infection. It should be remembered that although CNS aspergillosis generally occurs in immunosuppressed patients, it may also rarely be diagnosed in immunocompetent individuals

Virological responses of pegylated interferon alpha-2a treatment in hemodialysis patients infected with hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is the most frequently encountered hepatic disease in dialysis patients. Data related to pegylated interferon alfa-2a (Peg-IFN-alpha-2a) use in hemodialysis patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Peg-IFN-alpha-2a among these patients

Evaluation of vaccination results in high-risk patients included in hepatitis B vaccination program

Hepatitis B infection is one of the infectious diseases quite common in Turkey and around the world. Hepatitis B virus infection is a significant health problem which may cause chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. With the introduction of Hepatitis B vaccine, a significant progress has been made in the prevention of HBV infections. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the characteristics of the individuals included in the risk group who admitted to our vaccination clinic, as well as their immune responses following the vaccination. Among the patients admitted to the vaccination clinic of our hospital between January 2003-December 2005 and that were included in the risk group (patients who have family members with chronic Hepatitis B infection, healthcare workers, hemodialysis patients, etc.,) those who were included in the vaccination program by examining the results of HBs Ag, anti-HBc and anti-HBs were evaluated in terms of their characteristics (age, gender, smoking, etc.,) and results of Anti-HBs score. A total of 958 people were included in the vaccination program. Upon evaluation in terms of risk factors, presence of patients with chronic hepatitis B infection in the family was found to be 80.6% (772/958), being healthcare worker was 9.2% (88/958), HCV positivity and chronic liver disease was 3.0% (29/958), being a hemodialysis patient was 2.8% (27/958), and being an oncology patient was 2.1% (20/958). Post-vaccination immune response could be evaluated in 69.8% (669/958) of patients and no responsiveness to vaccine was detected only in 8.1% (54/669) of them. Of the non-responders, 64.8% (35/54) were hemodialysis and oncology patients. Anti-HBs positivity rate following hepatitis B vaccination program was found compatible with the results of previous studies. With this vaccine of considerably high effectiveness, immunization of the entire community including primarily the risk groups should be targeted

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome: a case report

Hypereosinophilic syndrome is a spectrum of disorders characterized by marked eosinophilic leukocytosis without identifiable cause or organ dysfunction. We report 37 years old man applied with nonproductive cough and itchy skin eruptions for one year. At the physical examination there were nodular erythematous lesions on his upper extremity. We didn't find any reason which can explain the eosinophily like allergic disease, mycotic infections, parasitic infections, malignancy and collagen tissue diseases with his anamnesis, clinical findings and laboratory tests. He was diagnosed as hypereosinopyhilic syndrome, and treated with hydroxiure. After treatment his skin lesions, leukocytosis and eosinophily were regressed

Investigation of Etiology in 88 Patients Admitted with High Fever

Objective: In this study we aimed to investigate the etiology of patients admitted with fever (>37.2 degrees C axillary) to our clinic and to evaluate their results

THE SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS A IN ADULTS IN IZMIR: PRIOR TO INTRODUCING VACCINE INTO ROUTINE VACCINATION PROGRAM

WOS: 000329084300009Objective: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an important public health problem in Turkey. This study was aimed to determine the population-based seroprevalence of HAV in Izmir. Material and Method: In this cross-sectional study, a representative sample of the population, which was at the age of 5 years, was selected by using random stratification method. A total of 2156 healthy subjects participated in this present study Blood specimens were collected for testing anti-HAV IgG, and were examined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A questionnaire was also administered to obtain data regarding demographic characteristics and living conditions of the participants. Results: Anti-HAV IgG positivity was 93.9%. It was found that anti-HAV IgG seropositivity was higher in the subjects with lower income levels, lower education status, at older age, whereas it was lower in younger an(d) single subjects. Conclusion: Improved water and food sanitation resulted in reduced seroprevalence of HAV at younger age groups in Izmir