9 research outputs found
Multi-assay investigation of viral etiology in pediatric central nervous system infections
Introduction: In an attempt to identify a wide spectrum of viral infections, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were collected from pediatric cases with the preliminary diagnosis of viral encephalitis/meningoencephalitis in two reference hospitals, from October 2011 to December 2015. Methodology: A combination of nucleic acid-based assays, including in house generic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for enteroviruses, flaviviruses and phleboviruses, a commercial real-time PCR assay for herpesviruses and a commercial real time multiplex PCR, enabling detection of frequently-observed viral, bacterial and fungal agents were employed for screening. Results: The microbial agent could be characterized in 10 (10%) of the 100 specimens. Viral etiology could be demonstrated in 7 (70%) specimens, which comprises Human Herpesvirus 6 (4/7), Herpes Simplex virus type1 (2/7) and Enteroviruses (1/7). In 3 specimens (30%), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were detected via the multiplex PCR, which were also isolated in bacteriological media. All specimens with detectable viral nucleic acids, as well as unreactive specimens via nucleic acid testing remained negative in bacteriological cultures. Conclusions: Herpes and enteroviruses were identified as the primary causative agents of central nervous system infections in children. Enterovirus testing must be included in the diagnostic work-up of relevant cases
Serum Nickel and Titanium Levels after Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defects with Amplatzer Septal Occluder
Introduction. There is a concern about release of nickel and titanium after implantation of nitinol-containing devices. Objective. To evaluate serum nickel and titanium release after implantation of Amplatzer occluder. Materials and methods. In 38 pediatric patients with no history of nickel sensitivity, blood samples were drawn 24 hours before and 24 hours, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after implantation. Nickel and titanium concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results. The median serum nickel level which was 0.44 ng/mL before the implantation increased to 1.01 ng/mL 24 hours after implantation and 1.72 ng/mL one month after implantation. The maximum level was detected 3 months after implantation, with a median level of 1.96 ng/mL. During follow-up, the nickel levels decreased to those measured before implantation. Serum nickel levels at the 24th hour, 1st month, and 3rd month following implantation were found to have increased significantly. No patients showed a detectable serum titanium level. Discussion. This is the first study that evaluated both serum nickel and titanium release after implantation of the Amplatzer occluder. Our study shows that nickel is released from the device in the first few months after implantation. Therefore, in patients with nickel allergy, other devices may be considered
Baby-skin care habits from different socio-economic groups and its impact on the development of atopic dermatitis
Skin care practices of children vary among communities and are based on experience, tradition and culture. It was aimed to determine the baby-skin care approaches of mothers from three different socio-economic groups and its effect on the development of atopic dermatitis. The study comprised mothers with children under 2 years of age from three different socioeconomic groups in Istanbul in the first half of 2014. A questionnaire with 38 items related to demographic variables, feeding habits, and baby-skin care were distributed to the mothers and asked to fill at sight. The study comprised of 207 children with 69 from lower socio-economic group, 92 children from group middle socio-economic and 46 children from higher socio-economic group. Mean age was 8.48, 8.74, and 10.98 months, respectively. Atopic dermatitis was reported in 19% of the children from higher socio-economic and 9% of the children in other two groups each. The proportion of using no care products after bath was found to be lower in children with atopic dermatitis from all three groups. The proportion of using wet wipes for diaper care was significantly lower in children with atopic dermatitis in comparison to children without atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis was more common among children from higher socioeconomic group and skin care after bath seems to be an important factor in the development of atopic dermatitis
Emergence of rotavirus G9 in 2012, as the dominant genotype in Turkish children with diarrhea, in a university hospital in Ankara
Introduction: Rotavirus infection is a major cause of morbidity and
mortality in infants and young children with diarrhea throughout the
world. Material and Methods: In this study, we aimed to determine the
detection rate of rotavirus infection in 181 children less than 5 years
of age presenting with acute gastroenteritis and admitted to a tertiary
care hospital in Ankara, Turkey, from April to November 2012. We
documented the epidemiological data by elucidating the prevalent
genotypes. Stool specimens were collected, and rotavirus antigen in the
samples was detected using ELISA. G and P genotypes were determined by
RT-PCR via type specific primers. The nucleotide sequence of the
concerned genes was determined by Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic
analysis was performed by neighbor-joining method. Results: Of the 181
samples, 28 (15.5\%) were positive for the rotavirus antigen.
Twenty-seven samples were positive for G genotypes and 21 were positive
for P genotypes. Genotypes G1 (7.1\%), G2 (7.1\%), G3 (7.1\%), G4
(3.6\%), G9 (71.5\%) and P4 (3.6\%), P8 (71.4\%) were identified.
Genotype G9P{[}8] (50\%) was predominant in the combination of G and P
genotypes. Most of the G9 strains of this study formed an independent
cluster in Lineage III, except two strains which clustered with an
Ethiopian G9 strain of 2012. Conclusions: It seems that during 2012
season, genotype G9P{[}8] increased significantly in Ankara due to a new
circulating strain of G9
Multi-assay investigation of viral etiology in pediatric central nervous system infections
Introduction: In an attempt to identify a wide spectrum of viral
infections, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were collected from
pediatric cases with the preliminary diagnosis of viral
encephalitis/meningoencephalitis in two reference hospitals, from
October 2011 to December 2015.
Methodology: A combination of nucleic acid-based assays, including in
house generic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for enteroviruses,
flaviviruses and phleboviruses, a commercial real-time PCR assay for
herpesviruses and a commercial real time multiplex PCR, enabling
detection of frequently-observed viral, bacterial and fungal agents were
employed for screening.
Results: The microbial agent could be characterized in 10 (10\%) of the
100 specimens. Viral etiology could be demonstrated in 7 (70\%)
specimens, which comprises Human Herpesvirus 6 (4/7), Herpes Simplex
virus type1 (2/7) and Enteroviruses (1/7). In 3 specimens (30\%),
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus
aureus were detected via the multiplex PCR, which were also isolated in
bacteriological media. All specimens with detectable viral nucleic
acids, as well as unreactive specimens via nucleic acid testing remained
negative in bacteriological cultures.
Conclusions: Herpes and enteroviruses were identified as the primary
causative agents of central nervous system infections in children.
Enterovirus testing must be included in the diagnostic work-up of
relevant cases
Evaluation of the results of MOTAKK hepatitis C virus RNA genotyping and hepatitis delta virus external quality assessment programs during 2015-2016
Background/Aims: To evaluate the HCV RNA genotyping and HDV RNA tests
that are performed in molecular microbiology laboratories in Turkey as
part of a national external quality assessment programme, MOTAKK
(Molekuler Tanida Kalite Kontrol) (English translation: Quality control
in molecular diagnostics).
Materials and Methods: Plasmas having different HCV RNA genotypes were
used to prepare HCV genotype control sera. The HDV RNA main stock was
prepared from patients with chronic delta hepatitis who had a
significant amount of viral load detected, as per the WHO reference
materials on viral load studies that were compiled for the purpose of
developing HDV RNA control sera. Samples with different viral loads were
prepared from this main stock by dilution. The prepared controls were
delivered to the registered laboratories. The laboratories carried out
the relevant tests and entered their results via the MOTAKK web page.
External quality assessment (EQA) reports of the participants were
uploaded to the website as well.
Results: In total, there were 23 participating laboratories, out of
which 20 exclusively performed HCV genotyping, and 15 and 16 only
performed HDV RNA in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The success rate of
the results of the HCV genotype was 56-96\% in 2015 and 30-95\% in 2016.
The tube with a 30\% success rate had a recombinant type of HCV,
therefore, it could not be detected in most of the laboratories. The HDV
RNA results were evaluated qualitatively. Accordingly, HDV RNA detection
rates of participant laboratories were 71-100\% in 2015 and 50-100\% in
2016.
Conclusion: This study was the first national external quality control
program in Turkey regarding HCV RNA genotyping and HDV RNA in the field
of molecular microbiology, and it was implemented successfully