Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and characterization of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) continues to be a problem for clinicians worldwide. However, few data on the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of S. aureus isolates in South Africa have been reported and the prevalence of MRSA in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province is unknown. In addition, information on the characterization of S. aureus in this province is unavailable. This study investigated the susceptibility pattern of 227 S. aureus isolates from the KZN province, South Africa. In addition, characterization of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA are reported in this survey. METHODS: The in-vitro activities of 20 antibiotics against 227 consecutive non-duplicate S. aureus isolates from clinical samples in KZN province, South Africa were determined by the disk-diffusion technique. Isolates resistant to oxacillin and mupirocin were confirmed by PCR detection of the mecA and mup genes respectively. PCR-RFLP of the coagulase gene was employed in the characterization of MSSA and MRSA. RESULTS: All the isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, teicoplanin and fusidic acid, and 26.9% of isolates studied were confirmed as MRSA. More than 80% of MRSA were resistant to at least four classes of antibiotics and isolates grouped in antibiotype 8 appears to be widespread in the province. The MSSA were also susceptible to streptomycin, neomycin and minocycline, while less than 1% was resistant to chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin and mupirocin. The inducible MLS(B )phenotype was detected in 10.8% of MSSA and 82% of MRSA respectively, and one MSSA and one MRSA exhibited high-level resistance to mupirocin. There was good correlation between antibiotyping and PCR-RFLP of the coagulase gene in the characterization of MRSA in antibiotypes 1, 5 and 12. CONCLUSION: In view of the high resistance rates of MRSA to gentamicin, erythromycin, clindamycin, rifampicin and trimethoprim, treatment of MRSA infections in this province with these antibacterial agents would be unreliable. There is an emerging trend of mupirocin resistance among S. aureus isolates in the province. PCR-RFLP of the coagulase gene was able to distinguish MSSA from MRSA and offers an attractive option to be considered in the rapid epidemiological analysis of S. aureus in South Africa. Continuous surveillance on resistance patterns and characterization of S. aureus in understanding new and emerging trends in South Africa is of utmost importance

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

Giant malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of thigh in an adolescent with neurofibromatosis type 1: a case report

Haci Bayram Tosun,1 Sancar Serbest,2 Bilge Aydin Turk,3 Seyit Ali Gumustas,1 Abuzer Uludag1 1Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Adiyaman University, Adiyaman, 2Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, 3Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Adiyaman University, Adiyaman, Turkey Abstract: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare sarcomas of children and adolescents, and they are aggressive tumors with a high rate of local recurrence. We present a 15-year-old boy with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), who had a giant MPNST on the right thigh taking into account the available literature. Diagnosis of MPNST may be delayed in NF1 patients due to confusion with a neurofibroma and/or a plexiform neurofibroma. Malignancy should be considered, especially in cases with big masses, with heterogeneous involvement, or in the presence of cysts or necrotic nodules. The aim of surgical treatment is complete surgical excision. Keywords: nerve sheath neoplasm, sarcoma, adolescent, neurofibromatosis, lower extremit

Is there a relationship between fracture healing and mean platelet volume?

Sancar Serbest,1 Ugur Tiftikci,1 Haci Bayram Tosun,2 Seyit Ali Gumustas,2 Abuzer Uludag2 1Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Kırıkkale University, Kırıkkale, 2Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Adiyaman University, Adiyaman, Turkey Objectives: Platelet volume has been defined to be a marker that shows thrombocyte activation and function and it is measured as mean platelet volume (MPV). MPV shows the mean volume of circulating thrombocytes and it is one of the routine parameters in complete blood count. Increased thrombocyte volume is associated with thrombocyte activation. Patients and methods: This study included 76 patients who were operated on due to fractures of long tubular bones. Patients who had union without any additional interventions were defined as group I, and patients who needed additional interventions due to nonunion or inadequate union were defined as group II. The control group included healthy volunteers who did not have a fracture. Hematologic test values of the patients that were obtained at admission to emergency ward were recorded Results: The groups were not statistically different in terms of age, sex, and the affected extremity. There were significant differences between group I and group II in terms of mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and MPV values (P<0.001), but there were no significant differences between group I and the control group. There was also no statistically significant difference among groups in terms of hematologic and biochemical variables. Conclusion: In our study, fractures in patients who had lower MPV values than controls during the inflammation process healed without any problem, but fractures in patients with high MPV values more frequently needed additional surgical interventions. Keywords: fracture healing, bone tissue, mean platelet volume, platelet activation, inflammatio

Measuring the Effect of Filters on Segmentation of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

WOS: 000384820700004PubMed ID: 27853489Background: Developmental dysplasia of the hip(DDH) can be detected with ultrasonography (USG) images. However, the accuracy of this method is dependent on the skill of the radiologist. Radiologists measure the hip joint angles without computer-based diagnostic systems. This causes mistakes in the diagnosis of DDH. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to automate segmentation of DDH ultrasound images in order to make it convenient for radiologic diagnosis by this recommended system. Materials and Methods: This experiment consisted of several steps, in which pure DDH and various noise-added images were formed. Then, seven different filters (mean, median, Gaussian, Wiener, Perona and Malik, Lee, and Frost) were applied to the images, and the output images were evaluated. The study initially evaluated the filter implementations on the pure DDH images. Then, three different noise functions, speckle, salt and pepper, and Gaussian, were applied to the images and the noisy images were filtered. In the last part, the peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) and mean square error (MSE) values of the filtered images were evaluated. PSNR and MSE distortion measurements were applied to determine the image qualities of the original image and the output image. As a result, the differences in the results of different noise removal filters were observed. Results: The best results of PSNR values obtained in filtering were: Wiener (43.49), Perona and Malik (27.68), median (40.60) and Lee (35.35) for the noise functions of raw images, Gaussian noise added, salt and pepper noise added and speckle noise added images, respectively. After the segmentation process, it was seen that applying filtering to DDH USG images had low influence. We correctly segmented the ilium zone with the active contour model. Conclusion: Various filters are needed to improve the image quality. In this study, seven different filters were implemented and investigated on both noisy and noise-free images