Single-strand conformation polymorphism-based genetic characterization of the cyclospora cayetanensis strains collected from different provinces in turkey

Introduction and objective. Cyclospora cayetanensis, a coccidian protozoan species, has been recently found to cause diarrhea in all age groups in immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals in most regions of the world. This study aimed to conduct the molecular detection of C. cayetanensis and to determine the genetic diversity of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence of C. cayetanensis isolated from individuals living in different provinces in Turkey by using PCR–single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Materials and method. A total of 22 subjects were included in the study. Fourteen of the subjects were female and eight were male, with ages ranging between 7–65 years. Stool specimens were examined using wet mount and modified acid-fast staining methods, which revealed the presence of oocysts in the samples. The 18S rRNA ITS-1 Ccits37f-GCTTGCTATGTTTTAGCATGTGG and Ccits501r-GCACAATGAATGCACACACA gene regions were used as primers. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and visualized on a UV transilluminator. For the SSCP, the PCR products were denatured with formamide, run for 16 h in 6% (49:1) polyacrylamide gel, and then imaged with silver staining. Results. SSCP assay was performed given that the DNA strands demonstrated different folds; the DNA strands contain different nucleotides based on the PCR-SSCP results for the Cyclospora strains collected in 4 provinces. Moreover, 3 different band profiles were observed in the investigated samples. A slight mutation difference was observed among the strains collected. Conclusions. Further comprehensive studies involving more C. cayetanensis-positive specimens and utilizing different mutation screening methods are warranted to demonstrate mutation differences in Cyclopora strains in Turkey. © 2021, Institute of Agricultural Medicine. All rights reserved

The Significance of Opportunistic Parasitosis and Blastocystosis in Patients with Gastric Cancer: a Study with Control Group

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of opportunistic parasites and Blastocystis spp. in patients with gastric cancer (CA) and to determine the significance of these parasite. Methods: The patient group and the control group were composed of 100 people each. The stool samples were examined under the microscope for intestinal parasites with the native-Lugol method. Then, samples were multiplied by formol-ethyl acetate method and stained with modified acid-fast method. Results: Intestinal parasite positivity was indicated in 14% of the gastric CA, and 2% of the healthy individuals (p=0.001). Blastocystis spp. (p=0.009) was identified in 11%, Cryptosporidium spp. was identified in 4%, G. intestinalis was identified in 2%, and C. cayetanensis was identified in 1% of the patient group. There were significant differences between the intestinal parasite positivity (p=0.012), abundant Blastocystis spp. positivity (p=0.041) and all Blastocystis spp. positivity (p=0.037) in patient and control groups. Most of the patients who were positive for parasites had diarrhea. Conclusion: Based findings, it was concluded that it would be beneficial to evaluate gastric CA patients, especially those with diarrhea, for intestinal parasites

Investigation of Blastocystis hominis Frequency in Patients with Diabetes by Microscopy and Conventional PCR Methods

Background: We aimed to determine the frequency and subtype of B. hominis in diabetic patients. Methods: One hundred and fifty diabetic patients and 100 healthy people without any chronic disease were included in the study. Stool samples were analyzed by native-Lugol, condensation, trichrome staining and PCR methods. Results: İn 150 patients with diabetes; B. hominis was detected in 38 (25.3%) by PCR, in 34 (22.7%) by native-Lugol and trichrome staining. In the control group, 14 (14%) out of 100 subjects were positive by PCR, and 10 (10%) were positive by native-Lugol and trichrome staining. In the statistical evaluation, a significant difference was found between gender (P=0.023), age (P=0.045; ≤35 and >35 comparison), duration of diabetes (P=0.04), the HbA1c value (P=0.023; <8 and ≥8 comparison), and B. hominis positivity. ST1 was determined in 76.9% of patients with diabetes, and ST2 was determined in 23.07%. Considering the 3 methods, B. hominis positivity was detected in 40 patients (26.7%) in diabetic group and in 14 participants (14%) in the control group (P=0.011). Conclusion: B. hominis is a factor to be considered in patients with diabetes. Herein, the most common subtype detected in the patients with diabetes mellitus was ST1, but this result was not considered sufficient to reveal the importance of the subtype factor in the pathogenicity of B. hominis in patients with diabetes. In this context, there is a need for more comprehensive studies in both diabetic and other immunocompromised patient groups

Prevalence of head lice in some primary schools in Iğdır province

Amaç: Bu araştırma, Pediculus capitis infestasyonunun prevalansını saptamak ve risk faktörlerini değerlendirmek amacıyla Iğdır'da 2010 yılı Nisan ve Mayıs aylarında dört ilköğretim okulunda yürütülmüştür. Yöntemler: Çalışma, yaşları 6-15 arasında değişen 1116'sı kız, 1106'sı erkek olmak üzere toplam 2222 öğrenci üzerinde yürütülmüştür. Öğrencilerin özellikle ense ve başlarının arkası olmak üzere, saçları bitin erişkin, nimf ve yumurtaları yönünden incelenmiştir. Muayene edilen öğrencilerden alınan örnekler incelenmek üzere Iğdır Üniversitesi Sağlık Hizmetleri Meslek Yüksekokulu Tıbbi Laboratuarına getirilmiştir. Her bir öğrenci infestasyonla ilişkili bazı soruları içeren anketi cevaplamıştır. Bulgular: Muayene edilen kız öğrencilerin %22.9'unda, erkek öğrencilerin %3.2'sinde olmak üzere, bütün öğrencilerin %13.1'inde parazitin yumurta, nimf ya da erişkin formlarına rastlanmıştır. Sonuç: Baş biti infestasyonu ile cinsiyet, okulların sosyoekonomik durumu, saç uzunluğu, evdeki birey sayısı ve evdeki oda sayısı arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlılık saptanmıştır. Pediculosis capitis'in görülme sıklığı ile öğrenci annelerinin öğrenim durumu, babalarının öğrenim durumu, gelir düzeyi ve mesleği arasında çoğu karşılaştırmalarda farklı düzeylerde anlamlılık belirlenmiştir. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2011; 35: 199-203)Objective: This study was carried out to detect the prevalence and evaluate risk factors of Pediculus capitis infestation in four primary schools in Iğdır in April and May, 2010. Methods: The study was performed on 2222 students (6-15 years old), 1116 female and 1106 male. The hair of the students, especially from the neck and back of the head, were examined for egg, nymph and imago of P. capitis. The samples taken from the students were brought to the Medical Laboratory of Health Services Vocational School of Iğdır University for examination. Each student answered a questionnaire containing some questions related to the infestation. Results: The imago, nymph or eggs of the parasite were encountered in 22.9% of females and in 3.2% of males. Prevalence of infestation in all students was 13.1%. Conclusion: It was determined that there was a significant relation between head louse infestation and gender, socioeconomic status of the schools, hair length, number of people living in the home and the number of rooms in the house. In most comparisons, relations between prevalence of pediculosis capitis and education level, income level and job of the children's father and education level of the children's mother were found significant at different levels. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2011; 35: 199-203

The effects of classic and web-designed conceptual change texts on the subject of water chemistry

The purpose of this study is to research the effects of traditional and web-assisted conceptual change texts for the subject of water chemistry on the success, conceptual errors and permanent learning of students. A total of 37 8th graders in a secondary school of Samsun participated in this study which had a random experimental design with pre–test and post-test groups. With the three-stage conceptual success test developed by the researchers, a pilot scheme was conducted with 103 participants (9th graders). As a result of this scheme, the test’s validity and reliability was completed and traditional conceptual change texts based on the determinated conceptual errors were prepared. In addition, this test was applied to students as pre-test at the beginning of the study. Classical conceptual change texts that were prepared were taught with traditional methods in control group’s lessons. On the other hand, traditional conceptual change texts were prepared web-assisted and the experimental group was taught by using web-assisted conceptual change texts. At the end of the study, three-stage conceptual success test was conducted on the sample again as post-test. The data collected was analyzed by using SPSS and Microsoft Office Excel 2007 package program. As a result of the study, it was found that conceptual change texts caused a decrease in the conceptual errors of students on the subject of water chemistry. This improvement was 65% for the experimental group and 14% for the control group. In addition, even after three months, this rate was 61% for the experimental group and 3,8 % for the control group. Web-assisted conceptual change texts were found to be more effective in the permanence of what is learne

Intestinal and hepatic parasites determined in a university hospital parasitology laboratory

Objective: The aim of this study is to present the prevalence of intestinal and hepatic parasites determined in Yüzüncü Yıl University Medical Faculty Parasitology Laboratory. Methods: The study was performed in 2008, and a total of 5985 stool samples were examined. Stool samples were examined with native-Lugol, sedimentation, flotation, trichrome staining and modified acid-fast staining methods. The stool samples of patient suspected to have Entamoeba histolytica/E.dispar infection were stained by trichrome staining method and evaluated by ELISA method for the antigen. ELISA method was used to confirm the results of Fasciola hepatica positive patients in stool examination. Results: In this study intestinal parasites were identified in 29.6% out of the 5985 people. In the study Giardia intestinalis (9.4%), plenty Blastocystis hominis (5.5%), Hymenolepis nana (1.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.2%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.2%; in the stool examination), F.hepatica (0.1%), Cyclospora cayetanensis (0.1%), E.histolytica/E.dispar (0.06%), Taenia saginata (0.05%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0.05%), Trichuris trichiura (0.03%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (0.02%), pathogenic parasites, were detected. Conclusion: In the study it is also understood that pathogenic intestinal parasites have still been reported at high rates and the problem of parasitosis continues in Van Province

Nadir Bir Sekonder Kist Hidatik Olgusu: Aynı Hastada Uterus ve Kolon Lokasyo

The aim of the present study was to present a case with secondary hydatid cysts in both uterus and colon. The patient was a 71-yearoldfemale living in Hakkari, Turkey. She was admitted to the Van Yuzuncu Yil University Faculty of Medicine Medical Center withcomplaints of chronic abdominal and pelvic pain, and swelling in the abdomen. First, the sagittal T2 weighted magnetic rezonanceimaging (MR) showed a type-3 cyst hydatid with daughter vesicles located at the posterior of uterus. Later, MR revealed a type-2cystic lesion with detached membrane adhered to the anterior wall of colon and it was reported to be associated with abdomen.When the previous liver surgery history of the patient was kept in mind, the new finding was suggestive of a secondary cystichydatid . In conclusion, it is possible to diagnose secondary cystic echinococcosis in patients with a history of primary cyst surgeryin liver or any other organ by combining the symptoms and imaging findings.Bu çalışmanın amacı hem uterus hem de kolon yerleşimli bir sekonder hidatik kist olgusu sunmaktır. Hasta Hakkari’de yaşayan 71yaşında bir kadındı. Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Dursun Odabaş Tıp Merkezi’ne kronik karın - pelvik bölge ağrısı ve karın şişliğişikayeti ile başvurdu. İlk olarak, sagittal T2 ağırlıklı manyetik rezonans (MR) görüntülerinde, uterus posteriorunda kız veziküllerinbulunduğu tip-3 kist hidatik saptandı. Daha sonraki MR’de, kolonun ön duvarına yapışmış ve karın ile ilişkili olduğu bildirilen ayrıkmembranlı tip-2 kistik bir lezyon ortaya çıkarıldı. Hastanın daha önce karaciğer cerrahisi öyküsü olması nedeniyle, olgu sekonderkistik hidatik olarak kabul edildi. Sonuç olarak, karaciğerde veya başka bir organda primer kist cerrahi öyküsü olan hastalardasemptomları ve görüntüleme bulgularını birleştirerek sekonder kistik ekinokokkozis tanısı koymak mümkündür

Human infection with Dicrocoelium dendriticum in Turkey

Human dicrocoeliosis is reported sporadically in various parts of the world. We report a case in a 21-year-old male, who had right upper abdominal pain, weight loss, and chronic relapsing watery diarrhea three to four times daily for four weeks. The patient had abdominal tenderness to palpation in the right upper quadrant. Alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and serum immunoglobulin E levels were slightly elevated; all other biochemical and hematological findings were in their normal ranges. The duodenal biopsy samples were normal and an abdominal ultrasonography showed no biliary or hepatic abnormality. Stool microscopy revealed numerous eggs of Dicrocoelium dendriticum. As pseudoparasitosis can result from eating raw, infected animal liver, the patient was given a liver-free diet for three days, to rule out that possibility. Subsequent stool examinations showed eggs in each of the samples indicating that the infection was genuine. The patient was treated with triclabendazole 10 mg/kg in a single dose. Four weeks later, no parasite eggs were detected in the microscopic examination of the stool samples. The patient got better gradually and the symptoms disappeared. Physicians should keep in mind parasitic diseases such as the rarely encountered dicrocoeliosis

Cystic echinococcosis in Turkey from 2001-2005

Echinococcus granulosus’un metasestod formunun ara konaklarda sebep olduğu kistik ekinokokkozis (KE) dünyada özellikle de hayvancılığın yaygın olduğu bölgelerde büyük bir halk sağlığı problemidir. Çalışmamızda, Türkiye’de 2001-2005 yıllarında değişik hastanelerden, İl Sağlık Müdürlüklerinden ve Sağlık Bakanlığı’ndan elde edilen kayıtların retrospektif olarak gözden geçirilmesiyle saptanan KE olguları incelenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre Marmara Bölgesi’nde 2534 (%13,13), Ege Bölgesi’nde 2114 (%16,94), Akdeniz Bölgesi’nde 2578 (%16,09), İç Anadolu Bölgesi’nde 5404 (%38,57), Karadeniz Bölgesi’nde 428 (%5.70), Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi’nde 844 (%6,80), Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgesi’nde 887 (%2,75) olmak üzere toplam 14789 KE olgusu saptanmıştır. Saptanan olguların toplam 149464 gün hastanede yattığı belirlenmiştirCystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by the metacestode form of Echinococcus granulosus is a major public health problem especially in animal-raising regions of the world. In the present study, CE cases were determined during 2001-2005 by investigating different hospital and health directorship documents and Health Ministry documents, retrospectively. Our results show that there were 2534 (13.13%) cases in the Marmara region; 2114 (16.94%), in the Aegean region; 2578 (16.09%), Mediterranean region; 5404 (38.57%), in the Middle Anatolian region; 428 (5.70%), in the Black Sea region; 844 (6.80%), in the eastern Anatolian region; and 887 (2.75%), in the southeastern Anatolian region making a total of 14,789 CE cases. Finally, it has been determined that the patients were hospitalized for a total of 149,464 days