Identification of virulence genes carried by bacteriophages obtained from clinically isolated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Bacteriophages play an important role in the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) either by carrying accessory virulence factors or several superantigens. Despite their importance, there are not many studies showing the actual distribution of the virulence genes carried by the prophages obtained from the clinically isolated Staphylococcus. In this study, we investigated prophages obtained from methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from hospital- and community-associated (HA-CA) infections for the virulence factors. In the study, 43 phages isolated from 48 MRSA were investigated for carrying toxin genes including the sak, eta, lukF-PV, sea, selp, sek, seg, seq chp, and scn virulence genes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot. Restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to analyze phage genomes to investigate the relationship between the phage profiles and the toxin genes’ presence. MRSA strains isolated from HA infections tended to have higher prophage presence than the MRSA strains obtained from the CA infections (97% and 67%, respectively). The study showed that all the phages with the exception of one phage contained one or more virulence genes in their genomes with different combinations. The most common toxin genes found were sea (83%) followed by sek (77%) and seq (64%). The study indicates that prophages encode a significant proportion of MRSA virulence factors

Rotavirus and Adenovirus Frequency in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis

Introduction: The most common causes of acute gastroenteritis in children are rotavirus and adenovirus, and laboratory tests are required to make a definitive diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate retrospectively the frequency of rotavirus and adenovirus, detected by immunochromotographic method, in children with acute gastroenteritis referred to our hospital. Materials and Methods: Between January 2013 and September 2014, 3189 children (aged 0-18) with acute gastroenteritis were included into the study. In faecal samples, rotavirus and adenovirus were tested with a qualitative immunochromotographic test (Abon Biopharm Rota/Adeno, China). Patient records were retrospectively analyzed. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis and the difference was accepted statistically significant when p< 0.05. Results: Viral antigens were determined in 706 (22.1%) of the stool samples. Rotavirus was identified in 17.5%, adenovirus in 3.3%, rotavirus and adenovirus together in 1.3%. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of detection of rotavirus and adenovirus among genders (p> 0.05). Rotavirus was most frequently seen between 7-24 months (22%) of ages and between 25 months-4 years (21.2%) of ages (p 0.05). Adenovirus was detected most frequently between 25 months-4 years (4.6%) of ages and lowest among 11 17 years (0.1%) of ages (p= 0.007 and p= 0.0006, respectively). Rotavirus was detected most frequently in spring (25.5%), winter (25.2%), and autumn (23.5%) seasons and the least (5.9%) in summer season (p< 0.005). Conclusion: In conclusion, rotavirus and adenovirus should be routinely investigated in children between 7 months and 4 years, especially in acute gastroenteritis between november and april. Identification of viral agents in children with acute gastroenteritis will help to prevent unnecessary antibiotic administration to provide effective treatment, to prevent heavy dehydration of children and to plan vaccination procedures. Mothers should also be encouraged to breast-feed their babies until they are two years old, as they may have protective effects against viral gastroenteriti

Microorganisms Isolated from Blood Cultures and Their Antimicrobial Susceptibility in Hitit University Corum Training and Research Hospital

Introduction: In the diagnosis of bacteremia and sepsis, blood culture is the gold standard. Determining the distribution and antibiotic sensitivity of the microorganisms isolated from blood cultures is very important in reducing mortality and morbidity. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the blood cultures sent to our laboratory from our hospital’s intensive care unit and other services and the distribution of isolated microorganisms, extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positivity and the susceptibility to various antibiotics. Materials and Methods: Between 01.01.2014 and 31.03.2015, 3100 blood cultures taken from patients were incubated in automated blood culture system (BACT/ALERT 3D, bioMerieux, France) in the Microbiology Laboratory of Hitit University Corum Training and Research Hospital. From signal received bottles, inoculations were made on to blood agar, eosin methylene blue (EMB) and chocolate agar. Plates were incubated at 37°C for 18-24 hours and microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp.) and antibiotic susceptibilities were determined in VITEK 2 (bioMerieux, France) fully automated bacterial identification device. Results: Among the 224 strains isolated from blood cultures, 80 (35.7%) of them were gram-positive and 144 (64.3%) of them were gram negative bacteria. ESBL-positive strains of E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains were found as 37.2%, 29.4%, respectively. 25% of S. aureus strains was found to be resistant to methicillin. S. aureus and Enterococcus spp. strains were highly sensitive to tigecycline, vancomycin and teicoplanin, while Enterobacteriaceae to carbapenem, colistin and aminoglycosides. Conclusion: Isolation, identification and determination of antibiotic sensitivity of the microorganisms cultivated in blood cultures give a lead in terms of empiric treatment. Since ESBL producing bacteria are multi drug resistant, broad spectrum antibiotics are needed to be used

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

Molecular Survey of Babesia microti (Aconoidasida: Piroplasmida) in Wild Rodents in Turkey

Babesia microti (Aconoidasida: Piroplasmida) (Franca, 1910) is an important tick-borne zoonotic parasite with rodents serving as reservoir hosts. In the present study, 536 rodents were captured from Burdur, Bartin, Giresun, and Yozgat provinces of Turkey between the years 2010 and 2012, and blood samples were examined for the presence of Babesia spp. using conventional PCR which targeted the 18S rRNA gene. The sequence analysis of PCR amplicons was tested for B. microti as well as for Hepatozoon spp., and Sarcocystis spp. Overall, 5.8% of the rodents were positive for B. microti: 41% in Myodes glareolus, 7.7% in Chionomys roberti, and 2% in Apodemus spp., whereas no Babesia DNA was detected in Mus macedonicus and Microtus spp. Six rodents were positive for Hepatozoon spp. and one rodent was positive for Sarcocystis spp. Overall, 14.9 and 4.5% of rodents captured from Bartin and Giresun provinces, respectively, were PCR positive for B. microti, whereas none of rodents captured in Burdur and Yozgat were positive for Babesia spp. The sequence data of B. microti from rodents revealed that all sequences belonged to the zoonotic genotype. Sequences of B. microti obtained from rodents of the Bartin province were genotypically closer to European isolates, whereas those obtained from rodents of the Giresun province were closer to Russian and Mongolian isolates. © 2019 Crown copyright 2019

Molecular Survey of Babesia microti (Aconoidasida: Piroplasmida) in Wild Rodents in Turkey

Babesia microti (Aconoidasida: Piroplasmida) (Franca, 1910) is an important tick-borne zoonotic parasite with rodents serving as reservoir hosts. In the present study, 536 rodents were captured from Burdur, Bartin, Giresun, and Yozgat provinces of Turkey between the years 2010 and 2012, and blood samples were examined for the presence of Babesia spp. using conventional PCR which targeted the 18S rRNA gene. The sequence analysis of PCR amplicons was tested for B. microti as well as for Hepatozoon spp., and Sarcocystis spp. Overall, 5.8% of the rodents were positive for B. microti: 41% in Myodes glareolus, 7.7% in Chionomys roberti, and 2% in Apodemus spp., whereas no Babesia DNA was detected in Mus macedonicus and Microtus spp. Six rodents were positive for Hepatozoon spp. and one rodent was positive for Sarcocystis spp. Overall, 14.9 and 4.5% of rodents captured from Bartin and Giresun provinces, respectively, were PCR positive for B. microti, whereas none of rodents captured in Burdur and Yozgat were positive for Babesia spp. The sequence data of B. microti from rodents revealed that all sequences belonged to the zoonotic genotype. Sequences of B. microti obtained from rodents of the Bartin province were genotypically closer to European isolates, whereas those obtained from rodents of the Giresun province were closer to Russian and Mongolian isolates