Investigating virulence factors of clinical Candida isolates in relation to atmospheric conditions and genotype

Aim: To investigate some virulence factors in Candida species isolated from patients with suspected invasive fungal infection and to identify their relationship with Candida genotypes

Use of the Brucella IgM and IgG flow assays in the serodiagnosis of human brucellosis in an area endemic for brucellosis

The clinical utility of two complementary tests for brucellosis, the Brucella IgM and IgG flow assays, was evaluated in a hospital in eastern Turkey. The results show that the flow assays are convenient diagnostic tests for use in endemic areas. A positive result in the flow assays was obtained in 91% and 97% of the admission sera from adult and pediatric patients with brucellosis, respectively, and the sensitivity at admission was 100% for culture-confirmed brucellosis. The assay system performed equally well in diagnosing patients at different stages of illness including patients with acute, subacute, or chronic disease and with relapse. The results of the flow assays correlated well with those of a serum agglutination test at a cut-off > or =1:160. The agreement was 92%. Application of the flow assays on serum samples collected during a village survey for brucellosis after an outbreak demonstrated their diagnostic potential as field test

Effect of Thymoquinone on Oxidative Stress in Escherichia coli-Induced Pyelonephritis in Rats

CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that TQ administration attenuated the oxidative damage that occurred in PYN and, therefore, could be used as a supportive agent to protect the kidneys from oxidative damage caused by PYN. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2011;72:204-215) (C) 2011 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. All rights reserved

Investigations of ALS1 and HWP1 genes in clinical isolates of Candida albicans

Aim: To explore the presence of ALS1 and HWP1 genes by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in Candida albicans strains

Pediatric neurobrucellosis associated with hydrocephalus

Brucellosis is an infectious disease, frequently encountered in developing countries. It may involve multiple organ systems of the human body. However, neurobrucellosis is a rare complication of brucellosis. The most frequent events of cranial involvement are meningitis and meningoencephalitis. In the present case, a 10-year-old girl was referred to our clinic with fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting. The patient’s blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures were found positive for brucellosis. Communicating hydrocephalus was also present in the cranial computed tomography as a complication of neurobrucellosis. The patient was successfully treated by external ventricular drainage and triple antibiotic therapy. There was no need to insert a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt

Predictors of response to pegylated interferon treatment in HBeAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis B

Introduction: Although pegylated interferons (pegIFNs) alpha-2a and alpha-2b have been used in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment for many years, there are few studies concerning predictors of sustained virologic response (SVR) to pegIFN therapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the predictors of response to pegIFN treatment in cases with HBeAg-negative CHB infection. Methodology: Seventeen tertiary care hospitals in Turkey were included in this study. Data from consecutively treated HBeAg-negative CHB patients, who received either pegIFN alpha-2a or alpha-2b, were collected retrospectively. SVR is defined as an HBV DNA concentration of less than 2,000 IU/mL six months after the completion of therapy Results: SVR was achieved in 40 (25%) of the 160 HBeAg-negative CHB patients. Viral loads in patients with SVR were lower compared to those with no SVR, beginning in the third month of treatment (p < 0.05). The number of cases with a decline of 1 log(10) IU/mL in viral load after the first month of treatment and with a serum HBV DNA level under 2,000 IU/mL after the third month of treatment was higher in cases with SVR (p < 0.05). The number of patients who had undetectable HBV DNA levels at week 48 among responders was significantly greater than among post-treatment virological relapsers (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Detection of a 1 log(10) decline in serum HBV DNA level at the first month of treatment and a serum HBV DNA level < 2000 IU/mL at the third month of therapy may be predictors of SVR

Impact of antimicrobial drug restrictions on doctors' behaviors

Conclusion: This study indicated that the AR policy was supported by most of the specialists. Physicians supported this restriction policy more so than surgeons did