Evaluation of Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

Objective. Recently, community and hospital-acquired infections with Staphylococcus aureus have increased and raised antibiotic resistant isolates. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antibiotic resistance profile of S. aureus isolates over several years in various clinical specimens from our hospital. Materials and Methods. S. aureus strains from 2009 to 2014 were isolated from various clinical samples at Yuzuncu Yil University, Dursun Odabas Medical Center, Microbiology Laboratory, and their antibiotic susceptibility test results were retrospectively investigated. The isolates were identified by conventional methods, and antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed by the Phoenix (Becton Dickinson, USA) automated system method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standards. Results. A total of 1,116 S. aureus isolates were produced and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) to 21% of all S. aureus isolates between 2009 and 2014. According to the results of susceptibility tests of all isolates of S. aureus, they have been identified as sensitive to vancomycin, daptomycin, linezolid, and levofloxacin. While the resistance rates to nitrofurantoin, quinupristin-dalfopristin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were determined as 0.3%, 2.4%, and 6%, respectively, resistance rates to penicillin, erythromycin, rifampicin, gentamicin, and clindamycin were determined as 100%, 18%, 14%, 14%, and 11%, respectively. The highest percentage of methicillin resistance was determined as 30% in 2009, and the resistance was determined to have decreased in subsequent years (20%, 16%, 13%, 19%, and 21%) (p<0.001). Conclusion. Currently, retrospective evaluations of causes of nosocomial infection should be done periodically. We think that any alteration of resistance over the years has to be identified, and all centers must determine their own resistance profiles, in order to guide empirical therapies. Reducing the rate of antibiotic resistance will contribute to reducing the cost of treatment

Anti-CCP Antibody Levels Are Not Associated with MS: Results from a Case-Control Study

Citrullinated proteins have been suggested to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Anticyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody is used in the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of anti-CCP antibody in patients with MS compared to RA patients and healthy controls. Fifty patients with MS (38 females, 12 males; mean age 36.72 ± 8.82 years), 52 patients with RA (40 females, 12 males; mean age 40.87 ± 10.17 years), and 50 healthy controls (32 females, 18 males; mean age 38.22 ± 11.59 years) were included in this study. The levels of serum anti-CCP antibody were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results of the study showed that anti-CCP antibody levels were significantly higher in RA patients versus MS or healthy controls (P<0.001). Moreover, anti-CCP antibody was positive in 43 (83%) patients with RA, while it was negative in all MS patients as well as in all healthy controls. Also, no significant correlation was found between the anti-CCP levels and EDSS scores (r=-0.250). In conclusion, the results of this study did not support a positive association between serum anti-CCP antibody and MS

Invasive Pneumococcal Infection Due to Serotype 15A after the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Implementation in Turkey

Invasive pneumococcal infections among children are a serious public health problem in many countries, including Turkey. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been included in Turkey's National Immunization Programme since 2009. We report the first two pediatric cases of invasive pneumococcal infection due to non-vaccine serotype 15A after pneumococcal conjugate vaccine implementation in Turkey. It is essential to monitor the countries' own local seroepidemiologic data for detecting selective pressure of non-vaccine serotypes of S. pneumonia.Wo

The prevalence and impact of brucellosis in patients with hepatitis delta virus infection: inside the Brucella outbreak with cirrhosis

Introduction: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection is a serious health problem leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite evidence that zoonotic infections are associated with end-stage liver disease, brucellosis in patients with delta hepatitis related to liver disease has not been well characterized. So, we examined this relationship using recent hospital-based data. Material and methods : We analyzed data from 96 delta hepatitis patients (mean age: 52.5 ±12.8 years; 50 male; 52 cirrhotics) and 117 (mean age: 50.4 ±7 years; 60 male) control subjects who were selected from patients with splenomegaly. The Brucella Wright test in connection with blood culture was used to detect active Brucella infection. Demographic features, laboratory data, results of ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen and Wright agglutination titers were compared between groups. Results : There were 9 (9%) patients with active brucellosis in delta hepatitis patients. Compared to the control group, there was a statistically significant difference between groups in terms of having active brucellosis (9 vs. 2 patients; p < 0.001). Higher MELD scores were also associated with active Brucella infection (p < 0.005). Conclusions : Patients with chronic hepatitis D related cirrhosis (CHD-C) were at risk of developing brucellosis requiring hospitalization. Higher Wright titers among patients with more advanced liver disease may reflect a unique phenomenon that requires further investigation to determine underlying causative factors

FIRST ISOLATION AND DETECTION OF MULTIPLE CLONES OF VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCI IN THE PEDIATRIC UNIT OF VAN YUZUNCU YIL UNIVERSITY, TURKEY

WOS: 000271840400003PubMed: 20084906Upon isolation of the first vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE) from the urine sample of a nine months old patient in pediatric unit of Van Yuzuncu Yil University Hospital (located in eastern part of Turkey), we aimed to search for the presence of VRE isolates in the unit, to determine the resistance genotypes and to evaluate the clonal relationships among isolates. A total of 28 rectal swabs and 28 skin swabs from the patients, 12 skin swabs from the staff giving care to the patients, 15 skin swabs from the mothers of the patients and 96 environmental samples from the pediatric unit were screened. Antibiotic susceptibilities were tested and the resistance genotypes were determined. Molecular typing of the isolates was performed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Apart from the first case, 13 more VRE isolates, one being a clinical isolate from the urine of a patient and 12 isolates from the screening samples (8 rectal swabs, one skin swab and three swabs from patients' beds) were obtained. All of the isolates were identified as Enterococcus faecium with similar antibiotic susceptibility patterns. VanA gene was present in all of the isolates. PFGE demonstrated two major clones and five clones closely related with the major ones. This was the first VRE isolation and colonization reported in our region. The isolates belonged to more than one clone. Currently, VRE did not seem to be a significant pathogen in Turkey, however, there may be an underestimation of the problem and continuous surveillance studies should be undertaken in every region

HEPATITIS C TESTING AMONG ADULTS BORN BETWEEN 1945 AND 1965 IN TURKEY: A MULTICENTRE STUDY

Conclusions: We determined that the anti-HCV seropositivity rate is significantly higher in adults born between 1945-1965 compared to the younger adults as indicated in the literature. According to data from this study together with the WHO and CDC suggestions, we believe that it is appropriate to offer anti-HCV serology testing for people over 50 years of age since the anti- HCV seroprevalence in this age group is relatively high

Six-year distribution pattern of hepatitis C virus in Turkey: a multicentre study

Hepatitis C infection is a public health problem. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in seven regions of Turkey, by evaluating 7002 patients with chronic HCV in a six-year period. During the 2009-2014 period, serum/plasma samples from 7002 new consecutive HCV RNA positive patients were collected. The female patients were 3867 (55.2%). The genotype distribution of HCV patiens was evaluated by ages and years. Statistical analysis was performed by using the Mann-Whitney test and the chi(2) analysis. During the six-year period, genotype 1b was the most common genotype (67.7%) followed by untypeable genotype 1 (7.7%), genotype 4 (7.3%) and genotype 3 (6.7%). In 2014, genotype 3 was the second most common one (11.3%) and genotype 4 was the third most common one (9.8%). In the group with <25 years old patients, genotype 1b was most common (78.48%, 62/79) between the years of 2009 and 2011, whereas genotype 3 (34.8%, 86/247), between the years of 2012 and 2014. Genotype 1b was the most common in the groups between 26 and 35 years, 36 and 45 years, 46 and 55 years, 56 and 65 years. The rate of genotype 3 was increased from 4.78% to 10.06% and the rate of genotype 4 was increased from 1.3% to 3.84%, from 2009-2011 to 2012-2014. In recent years, genotypes 3 and 4 have gained importance. New therapeutic strategies and survey studies may be required for the modified HCV genotype pattern

HEV seroprevalence in blood donors in Turkey: Comparison of two commercial anti-HEV total Ab ELISA kit

International Liver Congress / 54th Annual Meeting of the European-Association-for-the-Study-of-the-Liver (EASL) -- APR 10-14, 2019 -- Vienna, AUSTRIAWOS: 000463481703163European Assoc Study Live