Investigation of atypical agents in respiratory tract infections

Bu prospektif çalışmada, yaklaşık 1 yıllık bir sürede (Ocak 1999-Mayıs 2000) solunum yolu infeksiyonlarının etyolojik tanısı için 7 viral ve 3 atipik bakteriye ait antijenler immünfloresan yöntemle araştırılmıştır. Solunum yolu infeksiyonu semptomu olan pediatrik (grup l, 76 olgu) ve erişkin (grup II, 135 olgu) yaş grubundaki hastalarda, solunum yolu sekresyonları elde edilmiştir. Etyolojik tanı; pediatrik olgularda %45.4, erişkin olgularda ise %67.3 oranında konulmuştur. Grup l ve grup ll'de sırasıyla; Chlamydia pneumoniae %17.8, %13.3; Mycoplasma pneumoniae %0, %9.6; influenza A virüsü %3.9, %16.3; adenovirüs %3.9, %14.8; parainfluenza virüs tip 1 %5.3, %7.4; respiratuar sinsityal virüs %9.2, %1.5; parainfluenza virüs tip 2 %3.9, %3.0 ve influenza B virüs %1.3, %1.5 oranlarında tespit edilmiştir. Hastaların %2.6 ve %3.9'unda birden fazla etken bulunurken, parainfluenza virüs tip 3 ile Legionella pneumophila'ya ait antijen tespit edilmemiştir. Kullanılan immünfloresan yöntemin etyolojik tanıya katkısı ve sonuçların rasyonel antibiyotik kullanımına etkisi tartışılmıştır.In this prospective study, 7 viral and 3 atypical bacteria antigens were investigated by immunofluorescence method during January 1999-May 2000 for the etiological diagnossis of respiratory tract infections. Respiratory tract secretions were obtained from children (group I, 76 cases) and adults (group II, 135 cases) who had symptoms of respiratory tract infections. Etiological diagnosis was reported as 45.4% in pediatric cases and 67.3% in adults. In group I and group II; the rates of Chlamydia pneumoniae was 17.8%, 13.3%; Mycoplasma pneumoniae 0%, 9.6%; influenza A virus 3.9%, 16.3%; adenovirus 3.9%, 14.8%; parainfluenza virus type 1 5.3%, 7.4%; respiratory syncytial virus 9.2%, 1.5%; parainfluenza virus type 2 3.9%, 3.0%; and influenza B virus 1.3%, 1.5% respectively. In 2.6% and 3.9% of the patients in two groups two or more etiological agents were identified. Parainfluenza virus type 3 and Legionella pneumophila antigens could not be determined in any of the patients. The advantage of immunofluorescence method for the etiological diagnosis and the effect of results to the rational antibiotic use were discussed

Investigation of atypical agents in respiratory tract infections

Bu prospektif çalışmada, yaklaşık 1 yıllık bir sürede (Ocak 1999-Mayıs 2000) solunum yolu infeksiyonlarının etyolojik tanısı için 7 viral ve 3 atipik bakteriye ait antijenler immünfloresan yöntemle araştırılmıştır. Solunum yolu infeksiyonu semptomu olan pediatrik (grup l, 76 olgu) ve erişkin (grup II, 135 olgu) yaş grubundaki hastalarda, solunum yolu sekresyonları elde edilmiştir. Etyolojik tanı; pediatrik olgularda %45.4, erişkin olgularda ise %67.3 oranında konulmuştur. Grup l ve grup ll'de sırasıyla; Chlamydia pneumoniae %17.8, %13.3; Mycoplasma pneumoniae %0, %9.6; influenza A virüsü %3.9, %16.3; adenovirüs %3.9, %14.8; parainfluenza virüs tip 1 %5.3, %7.4; respiratuar sinsityal virüs %9.2, %1.5; parainfluenza virüs tip 2 %3.9, %3.0 ve influenza B virüs %1.3, %1.5 oranlarında tespit edilmiştir. Hastaların %2.6 ve %3.9'unda birden fazla etken bulunurken, parainfluenza virüs tip 3 ile Legionella pneumophila'ya ait antijen tespit edilmemiştir. Kullanılan immünfloresan yöntemin etyolojik tanıya katkısı ve sonuçların rasyonel antibiyotik kullanımına etkisi tartışılmıştır.In this prospective study, 7 viral and 3 atypical bacteria antigens were investigated by immunofluorescence method during January 1999-May 2000 for the etiological diagnossis of respiratory tract infections. Respiratory tract secretions were obtained from children (group I, 76 cases) and adults (group II, 135 cases) who had symptoms of respiratory tract infections. Etiological diagnosis was reported as 45.4% in pediatric cases and 67.3% in adults. In group I and group II; the rates of Chlamydia pneumoniae was 17.8%, 13.3%; Mycoplasma pneumoniae 0%, 9.6%; influenza A virus 3.9%, 16.3%; adenovirus 3.9%, 14.8%; parainfluenza virus type 1 5.3%, 7.4%; respiratory syncytial virus 9.2%, 1.5%; parainfluenza virus type 2 3.9%, 3.0%; and influenza B virus 1.3%, 1.5% respectively. In 2.6% and 3.9% of the patients in two groups two or more etiological agents were identified. Parainfluenza virus type 3 and Legionella pneumophila antigens could not be determined in any of the patients. The advantage of immunofluorescence method for the etiological diagnosis and the effect of results to the rational antibiotic use were discussed

A case of systemic lupus erythematosus presented with aseptic meningitis

Aseptik meninjit, sistemik lupus eritematozuz (SLE)'da nadir görülen klinik bir tablodur. Bu yazıda, aseptik meninjit tablosu ile başvuran bir 22 yaşındaki kadın SLE olgusu sunulmuş, bu tabloya neden olabilecek infeksiyon ve infeksiyon dışı hastalıklar tartışılmıştır.Aseptic meningitis is a rarely observed manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this paper, a case of SLE-related aseptic meningitis, a 22-year-old female, is presented and infectious and noninfectious etiologies of aseptic meningitis are discussed

Genomic surveillance during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic – country experience and lessons learned from Türkiye

BackgroundTürkiye confirmed its first case of SARS-CoV-2 on March 11, 2020, coinciding with the declaration of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, Türkiye swiftly increased testing capacity and implemented genomic sequencing in 2020. This paper describes Türkiye’s journey of establishing genomic surveillance as a middle-income country with limited prior sequencing capacity and analyses sequencing data from the first two years of the pandemic. We highlight the achievements and challenges experienced and distill globally relevant lessons.MethodsWe tracked the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Türkiye from December 2020 to February 2022 through a timeline and analysed epidemiological, vaccination, and testing data. To investigate the phylodynamic and phylogeographic aspects of SARS-CoV-2, we used Nextstrain to analyze 31,629 high-quality genomes sampled from seven regions nationwide.ResultsTürkiye’s epidemiological curve, mirroring global trends, featured four distinct waves, each coinciding with the emergence and spread of variants of concern (VOCs). Utilizing locally manufactured kits to expand testing capacity and introducing variant-specific quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) tests developed in partnership with a private company was a strategic advantage in Türkiye, given the scarcity and fragmented global supply chain early in the pandemic. Türkiye contributed more than 86,000 genomic sequences to global databases by February 2022, ensuring that Turkish data was reflected globally. The synergy of variant-specific RT-qPCR kits and genomic sequencing enabled cost-effective monitoring of VOCs. However, data analysis was constrained by a weak sequencing sampling strategy and fragmented data management systems, limiting the application of sequencing data to guide the public health response. Phylodynamic analysis indicated that Türkiye’s geographical position as an international travel hub influenced both national and global transmission of each VOC despite travel restrictions.ConclusionThis paper provides valuable insights into the testing and genomic surveillance systems adopted by Türkiye during the COVID-19 pandemic, proposing important lessons for countries developing national systems. The findings underscore the need for robust testing and sampling strategies, streamlined sample referral, and integrated data management with metadata linkage and data quality crucial for impactful epidemiological analysis. We recommend developing national genomic surveillance strategies to guide sustainable and integrated expansion of capacities built for COVID-19 and to optimize the effective utilization of sequencing data for public health action

Evaluation of the implementation of WHO infection prevention and control core components in Turkish health care facilities : results from a WHO infection prevention and control assessment framework (IPCAF)-based survey

Background: The core components (CCs) of infection prevention and control (IPC) from World Health Organization (WHO) are crucial for the safety and quality of health care. Our objective was to examine the level of implementation of WHO infection prevention and control core components (IPC CC) in a developing country. We also aimed to evaluate health care-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in intensive care units (ICUs) in association with implemented IPC CCs.Methods: Members of the Turkish Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialization Association (EKMUD) were invited to the study via e-mail. Volunteer members of any healt care facilities (HCFs) participated in the study. The investigating doctor of each HCF filled out a questionnaire to collect data on IPC implementations, including the Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF) and HAIs/AMR in ICUs in 2021.Results: A total of 68 HCFs from seven regions in Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus participated while 85% of these were tertiary care hospitals. Fifty (73.5%) HCFs had advanced IPC level, whereas 16 (23.5%) of the 68 hospitals had intermediate IPC levels. The hospitals' median (IQR) IPCAF score was 668.8 (125.0) points. Workload, staffing and occupancy (CC7; median 70 points) and multimodal strategies (CC5; median 75 points) had the lowest scores. The limited number of nurses were the most important problems. Hospitals with a bed capacity of > 1000 beds had higher rates of HAIs. Certified IPC specialists, frequent feedback, and enough nurses reduced HAIs. The most common HAIs were central line-associated blood stream infections. Most HAIs were caused by gram negative bacteria, which have a high AMR.Conclusions: Most HCFs had an advanced level of IPC implementation, for which staffing was an important driver. To further improve care quality and ensure everyone has access to safe care, it is a key element to have enough staff, the availability of certified IPC specialists, and frequent feedback. Although there is a significant decrease in HAI rates compared to previous years, HAI rates are still high and AMR is an important problem. Increasing nurses and reducing workload can prevent HAIs and AMR. Nationwide "Antibiotic Stewardship Programme" should be initiated.peer-reviewe

Kırıkkale yöresinde insanlarda leptospira seroprevalansının saptanması

Proje -- Kırıkale Üniversitesi2013/530100383

Influenza and Vaccine

Grip, influenza virüsleri tarafından gelişen, akut, ciddi ve salgınlara yol açabilen bir enfeksiyon hastalığıdır. Üç tip (A, B ve C) influenza virüsü tanımlanmış olup, İnfluenza A bu tipler içerisinde en ağır seyirli olandır. Hastalık solunum yoluyla bulaşır ve kış aylarında daha sıktır. Pnömoni, en önemli komplikasyonu olmakla birlikte, kardiyak ve merkezi sinir sistemi komplikasyonları da görülebilir. Tanı genellikle klinik olarak konulmakla birlikte, tanıyı desteklemek için moleküler testler de kullanılabilir. Oseltemivir ve zanamivir tedavide kullanılabilecek antivirallerden olup, hastalığın erken evrelerinde kullanıldıklarında hastalığın süresini ve komplikasyon riskini azaltırlar. Aşı, risk faktörü bulunan kişilerde altta yatan hastalığın daha da kötüleşmesinin, morbiditenin ve mortalitenin önündeki en önemli önleyici seçenektir. Kontrendikasyonu olmayan ?6 aylık tüm kişiler için rutin yıllık influenza aşısı önerilmektedir. 2018-19 sezonunda da standart dozda, adjuvanlanmamış, inaktif influenza aşıları, üçlü (Trivalan) (IIV3) ve dörtlü (Tetravalan) (IIV4) formülasyonlarda piyasaya sunulmuştur. Üçlü influenza aşılarında A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1) pdm09 benzeri virüs, A/Singapur/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2) benzeri virüs ve B/Colorado/06/2017 benzeri virüs (Victoria soyu) bulunurken, dörtlü influenza aşıları, bu üç virüs suşuna ek olarak bir influenza B aşı virüsü olan B/Phuket/3073/2013-benzeri virüs (Yamagata soyu) ile sunulmuştur. Aşıların endikasyonları, kontrendikasyonları ve alınacak önlemler yazıda tartışılmaktadır.Influenza is an acute, severe infectious disease caused by influenza viruses and it can lead to pandemics. Three types of Influenza viruses (A, B and C) are determined and type A causes the most severe infection. The disease spreads via respiratory route and occurs commonly in winter. While pneumonia is the most important complication, central nervous system complications can also be seen. The diagnosis is usually established by clinical findings but molecular techniques can also be used for supporting the diagnosis. Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are the antivirals used for treatment and they shorten the duration of the disease and decrease the complication risk. Vaccination is the most important tool for protecting the patients with comorbidities from worsening of the underlying disease as well as mortality and morbidity. The vaccine is also recommended annually for everyone ?6 months of age without contraindications. In the 2018-2019 season, vaccines without adjuvants, inactive influenza vaccines, quadrivalent (IIV4) and trivalent (IIV3) formulations were also launched. While the trivalent vaccine contains, A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1) pdm09 like virus, A/Singapur/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2) like virus and B/Colorado/06/2017 like virus (Victoria strain), the quadrivalent vaccine contains one more B/Phuket/3073/2013like virus (Yamagata strain), which is an influenza B virus, in addition to these three viruses. The indications, contraindications of the vaccines and the precautions to be taken are discussed in this article

Anti-sitomegalovirus (HCMV) IgM pozitif olgularda HCMV antijenemisinin araştırılması

Sitomegalovirus (HCMV); gebelikte, yenidoğan döneminde ve immünsüpresif konakta önemli infeksiyonlara neden olan bir etkendir. Seroloji, kültür ve moleküler yöntemler erken ve pratik tanı için yetersiz kalmaktadır. Anti-HCMV IgM pozitifliği antijenemi döneminden sonra görülmektedir. Ancak özellikle bağışıklığı baskılanmış bireylerde antijenemi ile anti-HCMV IgM pozitifliği eşzamanlı bulunabilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, anti-HCMV IgM ile antijeneminin birlikte olduğu durumları saptamak idi. Anti-HCMV IgM pozitifliği saptanan ve gebelik, böbrek yetmezliği, malignensi ve akut ateşli hastalık gibi klinik tablolara sahip 56 değişik olguda, immünfloresans yöntemiyle HCMV antijenemisi (HCMV pp65) araştırıldı. Yalnız lenfoma nedeniyle kemoterapi alan bir olguda pozitiflik saptandı. HCMV antijenemisinin araştırılması anti-HCMV IgM pozitif olguların yerine, transplant alıcısı, seronegatif gebe gibi risk altındaki kişilerde periyodik olarak yapılması gerektiği sonucuna varıldı

GRİP VE AŞI

Grip, influenza virüsleri tarafından gelişen, akut, ciddi ve salgınlara yol açabilen bir enfeksiyon hastalığıdır. Üç tip (A, B ve C) influenza virüsü tanımlanmış olup, İnfluenza A bu tipler içerisinde en ağır seyirli olandır. Hastalık solunum yoluyla bulaşır ve kış aylarında daha sıktır. Pnömoni, en önemli komplikasyonu olmakla birlikte, kardiyak ve merkezi sinir sistemi komplikasyonları da görülebilir. Tanı genellikle klinik olarak konulmakla birlikte, tanıyı desteklemek için moleküler testler de kullanılabilir. Oseltemivir ve zanamivir tedavide kullanılabilecek antivirallerden olup, hastalığın erken evrelerinde kullanıldıklarında hastalığın süresini ve komplikasyon riskini azaltırlar. Aşı, risk faktörü bulunan kişilerde altta yatan hastalığın daha da kötüleşmesinin, morbiditenin ve mortalitenin önündeki en önemli önleyici seçenektir. Kontrendikasyonu olmayan ?6 aylık tüm kişiler için rutin yıllık influenza aşısı önerilmektedir. 2018-19 sezonunda da standart dozda, adjuvanlanmamış, inaktif influenza aşıları, üçlü (Trivalan) (IIV3) ve dörtlü (Tetravalan) (IIV4) formülasyonlarda piyasaya sunulmuştur. Üçlü influenza aşılarında A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1) pdm09 benzeri virüs, A/Singapur/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2) benzeri virüs ve B/Colorado/06/2017 benzeri virüs (Victoria soyu) bulunurken, dörtlü influenza aşıları, bu üç virüs suşuna ek olarak bir influenza B aşı virüsü olan B/Phuket/3073/2013-benzeri virüs (Yamagata soyu) ile sunulmuştur. Aşıların endikasyonları, kontrendikasyonları ve alınacak önlemler yazıda tartışılmaktadır.Influenza is an acute, severe infectious disease caused by influenza viruses and it can lead to pandemics. Three types of Influenza viruses (A, B and C) are determined and type A causes the most severe infection. The disease spreads via respiratory route and occurs commonly in winter. While pneumonia is the most important complication, central nervous system complications can also be seen. The diagnosis is usually established by clinical findings but molecular techniques can also be used for supporting the diagnosis. Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are the antivirals used for treatment and they shorten the duration of the disease and decrease the complication risk. Vaccination is the most important tool for protecting the patients with comorbidities from worsening of the underlying disease as well as mortality and morbidity. The vaccine is also recommended annually for everyone ?6 months of age without contraindications. In the 2018-2019 season, vaccines without adjuvants, inactive influenza vaccines, quadrivalent (IIV4) and trivalent (IIV3) formulations were also launched. While the trivalent vaccine contains, A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1) pdm09 like virus, A/Singapur/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2) like virus and B/Colorado/06/2017 like virus (Victoria strain), the quadrivalent vaccine contains one more B/Phuket/3073/2013like virus (Yamagata strain), which is an influenza B virus, in addition to these three viruses. The indications, contraindications of the vaccines and the precautions to be taken are discussed in this article

Echinococcosis: A possible etiology in psoriatic disease

WOS: 000242372000012PubMed: 17135741We aimed to investigate seroprevalence of Echinococcus granulosus in patients with psoriasis to determine a possible etiologic role, since both echinococcosis and psoriasis are defined as T cell-mediated diseases. Forty psoriatic patients and 50 age- and sex-matched control subjects were included in the study. IgG-specific ELISA was used to determine seropositivity. E. granulosus-specific IgG antibodies were found to be positive in 17/40 (42.5%) of the patients with psoriasis and in 11/50 (22%) of the control subjects (p = 0.008). Our results suggest that echinococcosis might be one of the causative pathogens in the etiopathogenesis of psoriasis in highly endemic regions. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel