Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C among Oncology Patients in Turkey

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the public-health issues worldwide. Approximately two billion people are infected with HBV, and about 350 million people are chronic carriers globally. About 3% of the world population is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Oncology patients receiving packed red blood cell suspensions and other blood products usually are in the high-risk group for infections due to these viruses. The aim of the study was to detect the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C among chemotherapy patients at the Oncology Department of the Tepecik Education and Research Hospital. HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBcIgM, anti-HBc total and anti-HCV assays were studied by enzyme immunoassay method (Diasorin, Italy) in serum samples of patients (n=448) referred to the Department of Oncology of the Tepecik Education and Research Hospital during 1 June 2006–1 January 2007. Of the 448 patients, 19 (4.2%) were HBsAg-positive, and three (0.7%) had anti-HCV positivity. In this study, the seroprevalence of HBV was similar to previous data in Turkey. This could be due to widespread vaccination programmes. The seroprevalence of low anti-HCV may be because of controlled blood transfusion. Oncology patients should be monitored for their protective antibody levels against HBV, and they must be included in the vaccination programme. Their anti-HCV status should also be checked as well

The Effectiveness of Nucleoside Analogues in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Unresponsive to Interferon Therapy: Our Clinical Trials for One Year

Background and Aims: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nucleoside analogues such as Lamivudine, Adefovir, Entacavir, and Tenofovir in patients with chronic hepatitis B who failed to respond to interferon therapy and relapsed

Entecavir Therapy in Turkish Adult Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B: One-Year Results from Izmir Province, Turkey

Background and Aims: In the present study, we aimed to present the initial results of chronic hepatitis B patients who received entecavir (ETV) therapy in our hospital in Izmir, Turkey

Czy adiponektyna stanowi czynnik ryzyka występowania napadów przemijającego niedokrwienia mógu/przemijającego niedokrwienia mózgu?

  Adiponectin is an adipocytokine, and it plays a role in atherosclerosis. The role of adiponectin in the development of ischaemic stroke is controversial. Up to now, adiponectin was not evaluated in transient ischaemic stroke. In this study, we investigated the relationship between adiponectin and transient ischaemic attack. Forty patients with transient ischaemic attack were included into the study. In all patients, traditional risk factors of ischaemic stroke and intima-media thickness of carotid arteries were determined. Also, the relationship between these parameters and adiponectin levels were examined. No difference was found in terms of adiponectin levels between patients and healthy subjects. In addition, there was no association between adiponectin levels and traditional risk factors. Our results suggest that adiponectin may not be a predictive risk factor of transient ischaemic attack. (Endokrynol Pol 2015; 66 (3): 214–218)    Adiponektyna jest adipocytokiną i odgrywa ważną rolę w przebiegu miażdżycy. Jej rola w rozwoju udaru niedokrwiennego budzi kontrowersje. Aż do dziś nie oceniono działania adiponektyny w przemijających udarach niedokrwiennych. W niniejszym badaniu prześledzono związek adiponektyny z przemijającymi atakami niedokrwiennymi. Do badania włączono 40 pacjentów cierpiących na przemijające niedokrwienie mózgu. U wszystkich pacjentów wykryto typowe czynniki ryzyka udaru niedokrwiennego oraz zmiany w błonie środkowej i wewnętrznej tętnicy szyjnej. Zbadano także związek między tymi parametrami i stężeniem adiponektyny. Nie znaleziono różnic w poziomie adiponektyny między pacjentami oraz osobami zdrowymi. Dodatkowo, nie wykryto związku między stężeniem adiponektyny i typowymi czynnikami ryzyka. Wyniki badania sugerują, że adiponektyna może nie być czynnikiem ryzyka wystąpienia przemijającego ataku niedokrwiennego. (Endokrynol Pol 2015; 66 (3): 214–218)

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C among Oncology Patients in Turkey

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the public-health issues worldwide. Approximately two billion people are infected with HBV, and about 350 million people are chronic carriers globally. About 3% of the world population is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Oncology patients receiving packed red blood cell suspensions and other blood products usually are in the high-risk group for infections due to these viruses. The aim of the study was to detect the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C among chemotherapy patients at the Oncology Department of the Tepecik Education and Research Hospital. HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBcIgM, anti-HBc total and anti-HCV assays were studied by enzyme immunoassay method (Diasorin, Italy) in serum samples of patients (n=448) referred to the Department of Oncology of the Tepecik Education and Research Hospital during 1 June 2006\u20131 January 2007. Of the 448 patients, 19 (4.2%) were HBsAg-positive, and three (0.7%) had anti-HCV positivity. In this study, the seroprevalence of HBV was similar to previous data in Turkey. This could be due to widespread vaccination programmes. The seroprevalence of low anti-HCV may be because of controlled blood transfusion. Oncology patients should be monitored for their protective antibody levels against HBV, and they must be included in the vaccination programme. Their anti-HCV status should also be checked as well

Usefulness of laboratory parameters and chest CT in the early diagnosis of COVID-19

In the present study, the importance of laboratory parameters and CT findings in the early diagnosis of COVID-19 was investigated. To this end, 245 patients admitted between April 1st, and May 30th, 2020 with suspected COVID-19 were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups according to chest CT findings and RT-PCR results. The non-COVID-19 group consisted of 71 patients with negative RT-PCR results and no chest CT findings. Ninety-five patients with positive RT-PCR results and negativechest CT findings were included in the COVID-19 group; 79 patients with positive RT-PCR results and chest CT findings consistent with COVID-19 manifestations were included in COVID-19 pneumonia group. Chest CT findings were positive in 45% of all COVID-19 patients. Patients with positive chest CT findings had mild (n=30), moderate (n=21) andor severe (n=28) lung involvement. In the COVID-19 group, CRP levels and the percentage of monocytes increased significantly. As disease progressed from mild to severe, CRP, LDH and ferritin levels gradually increased. In the ROC analysis, the area under the curve corresponding to the percentage value of monocytes (AUC=0.887) had a very good accuracy in predicting COVID-19 cases. The multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that CRP, LYM and % MONO were independent factors for COVID-19. Furthermore, the chest CT evaluation is a relevant tool in patients with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 pneumonia and negative RT-PCR results. In addition to decreased lymphocyte count, the increased percentage of monocytes may also guide the diagnosis

The Development of a Specific Health-Related Quality of Life (QOL) Scale for Patients with Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis

WOS: 000272651300011Objective: Allergic rhinitis drastically impairs patients' health-related quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of QOL scale for patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC). Material and Methods: An initial draft questionnaire was designed and a cross-sectional validation study was conducted. Three hundred and seventy five adults with ARC in regional hospitals in Izmir were requested to complete the questionnaire. Test-retest was measured using Pearson's correlation coefficient, internal consistency was estimated using Cronbach's alpha. The questionnaire was readministered to 70 patients 7 days after the first visit for evaluating test-retest reliability. Responsiveness was assessed in a group of 30 patients at baseline and after treatment. Paired t-test was used to examine statistically significant changes of mean scores between pre-treatment and post-treatment periods. Known-group validity was established by comparing ARC symptoms severity scores. A principal component analysis was conducted to examine the construct validity. Results: Test-retest reliability of this new scale ranged from 77% to 84% and internal consistency for these items was excellent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.90). Factor analytical techniques revealed three interpretable scales explaining 52.4% of the total variance: the physical and functional, emotional and daily life problems. Five items were cancelled from the list. The QOL score negatively moderate correlated with ARC symptoms severity scores. The improvements in health were statistically significant for the COL. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the psychometric properties of the quality of life scale for patients with ARC were good

Study on seroprevalence of hepatitis delta in a regional hospital in western Turkey

Introduction: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is an incomplete virus dependent on hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its multiplication. It can infect individuals with active HBV infection and cause severe liver disease. It is less prevalent than hepatitis B virus, but it causes more serious clinical pictures. In this study we investigated anti-HDV seroprevalance and epidemiological features among HBsAg seropositive outclinic patients at Izmir Tepecik Educational and Research Hospital

Inflammatory Biomarkers and Liver Histopathology in Non-Uremic and Uremic Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between hepatic activity index (HAI) and fibrosis score (FS) with inflammation biomarkers in non-uremic and uremic hepatitis C positive patients. Methods: Fifty chronic hepatitis C (cHepC) positive patients, having a liver biopsy were included in this study. Liver biopsies were scored according to modified ISHAC scoring system. 25 healthy controls of similar age and gender were also enrolled as control group. Serum YKL-40, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), thrombocyte/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), CRP and Immunoglobulin (IgG, A and M) levels were used to determine inflammation. AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) score was also evaluated. According to biopsy findings patients were divided into 2 groups: low (0–2) and severe (3–6) FS. Results: Patients with cHepC had increased inflammation compared to the healthy controls. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients had higher levels of inflammation markers (NLR, IgG, CRP and YKL-40) and lower HCV RNA levels, HAI and FS compared to non-uremic patients. When patients were grouped into 2 according to FS as mild and severe, IgG (p < 0.001), YKL-40 (p = 0.02) levels and APRI score (p = 0.002) were significantly higher compared to mild FS (p = 0.002). YKL-40 levels (t value: 3.48; p = 0.001) and APRI score (t value: 4.57, p < 0.001) were found as independent associated with FS in non-uremic patients. However, in adjusted models, only APRI score (t value: 3.98, p = 0.002) was an independent associated with FS in ESRD patients. Conclusion: In non-uremic cHepC patients, YKL-40 levels and APRI score may be valuable markers of FS. In ESRD patients, there is not sufficient data for prediction of HAI and FS. In these patients, APRI score may provide better information