Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Selected Seven Provinces in Turkey

Turkey has been one of the most endemic regions since 2002, when Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever emerged worldwide. The aim of the present study was to estimate the seroprevelance of CCHF virus in humans who reside in rural and urban areas of known endemic and nonendemic selected provinces of Turkey by using commercial ELISA kit. CCHFV IgG antibodies were detected in 2.3% of the population. The most important risk factors for CCHF seropositivity, were older age, male gender, illiterate, farmer, animal husbandry, living in rural residence in adobe houses, and a previous tick bite history. J. Med. Virol. 86:306-314, 2014. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Monitoring Genetic Diversity of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Virus Circulating during the Post-Pandemic Period in Turkey

WOS: 000322850800007PubMed: 23883840The aimes of the present study were to monitor genetic alterations in the hemagglutin (HA) gene and oseltamivir resistance-related alterations in the neuraminidase (NA) gene of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viral isolates detected during the post-pandemic period in Turkey. A total of 2601 clinical specimens obtained from suspected cases of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viral infections were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Viral RNA was detected in 233 (9%) clinical specimens. Sequence analysis of the HA gene in 16 random isolates showed >98.7% homology among each other and with the A/California/07/2009 vaccine strain. These 16 isolates had common (75%-100%) amino acid substitiutions at positions P83S, D97N, S203T, R205K, I216V, V249L, I321V, and E374K in the HA gene. In addition, two additional rare mutations were also observed at positions S162N (addition of a glycosylation site, 6.25%) and A186T (receptor binding region, 6.25%). On the basis of amino acid substitutions in the HA1 domain, majority of the Turkish isolates were classified in the genetic group v and others in the genetic groups ii, iii, and vi. In the present study, we observed an increase in the variety and ratio of mutations detected in the HA1. and HA2 domains of the HA gene; however, these alterations have not yet resulted in vaccine escape mutants in Turkey. In addition, analysis of the NA regions of the isolates revealed that oseltamivir resistance was not an issue in Turkey

Acute Toscana Virus Infection in an Anti-HIV Positive Patient

Sandfly fever is an infectious disease transmitted to people through sandfly bites. It usually takes three days and causes chills, high fever, headache, nausea-vomiting and myalgia. The causative agent, namely sandfly fever virus (SFV), is a member of the Bunyaviridae family, Phlebovirus genus. Toscana virus (TOSV) is a serotype of SFV, as so Sicilian and Naples viruses. Seroprevalence studies have demonstrated that SFV infections which have mild symptoms or asymptomatic, can be overcome. Studies concerning TOSV infections in Turkey are limited to a small number of regional seroprevalence surveys, blood-donor screening studies and detection of viral RNA in previously collected cerebrospinal fluid samples of suspected meningoentephalitis patients in whom no causative agents were identified. In this report from Turkey, the first acute case of TOSV infection diagnosed in a patient with HIV seropositivity, was presented. A 42-year-old male patient was admitted to Numune Research and Training Hospital Adana, Turkey with high fever, headache and malaise. The patient who lived in an area near to a forest in Istanbul, had no contact history with ticks, mosquitoes and other animals. He stated that he had had the symptoms before arriving to Adana. The patient was hospitalized due to leucopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia accompanying high fever. Serum samples were sent to National Arbovirus and Viral Zoonotic Diseases Unit of the Turkish Public Health Institute, for the detection of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus and SFV. Western Blot test was run to confirm the presence of anti-HIV antibodies detected twice with ELISA. In the following days, the patient's fever and symptoms decreased, and thrombocyte levels increased. Although CCHF virus PCR and ELISA IgM tests as well as SFV IgM and IgG immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) tests were negative, real time reverse transcriptase PCR test yielded a positive result for TOSV. SFV IgG antibodies against Toscana and Naples viruses were found to be positive in the serum sample collected at the end of a three-week follow-up. Even though TOSV infection is usually known to have an asymptomatic clinical course, it may rarely lead to serious manifestations like meningoencephalitis. In our country where SFV is endemic, TOSV should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with high fever and meningoencephalitis symptoms

An Imported Chikungunya Fever Case from New Delhi, India to Ankara, Turkey: The First Imported Case of Turkey and Review of the Literature

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an arthropod-borne alphavirus that causes an acute febrile illness, chikungunya fever. CHIKV virus is geographically distributed in Africa, India, and South-East Asia. Chikungunya fever outbreaks have been reported from India since 2006. The incubation period is 3-7 days, and the disease is characterized by sudden onset of high fever and severe arthralgia. Other symptoms can be rash, headache, fatigue, nausea-vomiting, and myalgias. Here, we report the first Chikungunya case imported from India, New-Delhi to Ankara, Turkey. In December 2010, a 55-year-old female Turkish government employee living in urban area of New Delhi for the last 3 years had sudden onset fever up to 38.4 degrees C for 2 days. Itching rash and arthralgia also developed. Symptomatic treatment was given to patient in New Delhi. She returned to Turkey and was admitted to Hacettepe University Medical Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, since arthralgia has continued on the 26th day of her complaints. Hepatomegaly and tenosynovitis were detected in her physical examination. Serum sample sent to Refik Saydam National Public Health Agency, Virology Reference and Research Laboratory, yielded negative results for specific IgM and IgG antibodies against Hantavirus and Dengue virus types 1-4; however, the results were positive for CHIKV specific IgM and IgG antibodies by commercial immunofluorescence method (Euroimmun, Germany). CHIKV RNA which was searched by in-house real-time RT-PCR was negative. The second serum sample obtained three weeks later also found positive for CHIKV specific IgM and IgG antibodies. This was the first laboratory confirmed imported Chikungunya case in Turkey. There are predictions regarding the presence of Aedes species mosquitos that can transmit this virus in Turkey. This case report will be an alarming signal for the clinicians in our country to consider Chikungunya fever in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with fever, arthralgia and rash

Meeting report: First international conference on Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is the most widespread tick-borne disease of humans, occurring from western China to the Balkans in Eurasia and south throughout the length of Africa. Its incidence has increased over the past decade, particularly in Turkey and Iran, and the disease has also emerged in India. Research has been hindered by limited laboratory capacity in many regions where the disease is prevalent, indicating the need for collaboration between investigators in endemic countries and those with greater scientific resources. In an effort to increase such collaboration, the First International Conference on Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever was held in Thessaloniki, Greece, from February 13 to 14, 2015. This meeting followed the conclusion of an EU-supported Collaborative Project under the Health Cooperation Work Programme of the 7th Framework Programme (Grant agreement No. 260427). It is expected to be the first in a series of meetings that will bring together researchers from around the world to exchange knowledge and experience on various aspects of CCHF. This report summarizes major presentations by the invited speakers at the First International Conference on CCHF

Pediatric cases of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Turkey

Background: The aim of the present study was to identify the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory features of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus infection in children. Methods: Fifty children infected with CCHF virus in 20052010, and hospitalized in the Dr Sami Ulus Maternity and Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital in Ankara, were included. All the patients had positive IgM and/or polymerase chain reaction for CCHF virus. Results: Of the 50 patients, 19 were female and 31 were male. Patients were between 8 months and 15 years of age. The majority (82%) of patients had a history of tick bite. Fever (100%), hemorrhagic symptoms (76%), nauseavomiting (60%), tonsillopharyngitis (50%), malaise (50%), myalgia (46%) and maculopapular rash (24%) were the most common presenting clinical features. Mean platelet count on admission was 110 880/mm3, and the lowest was 7000/mm3. The mean of the lowest white blood cell count was 2860/mm3. Other pathological laboratory findings (asparate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase) were elevated, and prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were prolonged. Twenty-three patients (46%) were given ribavirin. No side-effect of ribavirin was seen. No patient died because of CCHF disease. Conclusion: CCHF virus infections are seen mostly in boys and school children and the adolescent age group. Tick bite is the major risk factor. Fever and hemorrhage are the most frequent presenting symptoms. Tonsillopharyngitis and rash on face or body are probably the most remarkable clinical findings in this disease. The CCHF disease course in Turkey may be mild in children

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever: CXCL10 Correlates With the Viral Load

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a human disease with high fatality rate. Although its pathogenesis is not elucidated yet, it is considered that cytokines play a significant role in the progression and outcome of the disease. Serum CXCL10 levels were estimated in 35 patients with acute CCHF and were correlated with the viral load, and various demographic and clinical parameters. The mean CXCL10 concentration in the patients' group was higher compared to the respective value in the control group (4421.74pg/ml vs. 28.47pg/ml, P<0.05). A strong positive correlation between CXCL10 and viral load was seen (r(s)=0.57, P<0.001), while the outcome of the disease was related with the viral load (r(s)=0.47, P=0.004) and the presence of hemorrhagic manifestations (P<0.001). The study provides an insight into the strong correlation between CXCL10 and viral load in acute CCHF cases suggesting that it plays an important role in CCHF pathogenesis. J. Med. Virol. 87:899-903, 2015. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Cytokines as biomarkers of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a potentially severe disease caused by CCHF virus. As in other viral hemorrhagic fevers, it is considered that the course and outcome of the disease depend on the viral load and the balance among the immune response mediators, and that a fatal outcome is the result of a cytokine storm. The level of 27 cytokines was measured in serum samples taken from 29 patients during the acute phase of the disease. Two cases were fatal. Among survivors, significant differences between severe and non-severe cases were observed in the levels of IP-10, and MCP-1, while the levels of IL-1b, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-15, IP-10, MCP-1, TNF-, and RANTES differed significantly between fatal and non-fatal cases (P<0.05). RANTES was negatively correlated with the outcome of the disease. A striking similarity with the cytokine patterns seen in Ebola virus disease was observed. A weak Th1 immune response was seen. The viral load was positively correlated with IL-10, IP-10, and MCP-1 levels, and negatively correlated with the ratio IL-12/IL-10. Especially IP-10 and MCP-1 were significantly associated with the viral load, the severity and outcome of the disease, and they could act as biomarkers and, probably, as potential targets for treatment strategies design. J. Med. Virol. 88:21-27, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

A Fatal Case of West Nile Virus Encephalitis

Although West Nile virus (WNV) serologic evidence has been well demonstrated throghout Turkey in the last 40 years; the first symptomatic WNV infection was reported in 2009 and increased number of cases were reported during August 2010. In that period WNV encephalitis was diagnosed serologically (WNV IgM positivity in serum sample detected by ELISA and IFA) and confirmed by plaque reduction neutralization test in a 76-year-old man who was admitted to Baskent University Faculty of Medicine with complaints of fever, impaired consiousness and generalized tremors. Despite all supportive treatment, he died on the 9th day of hospitalization. In this report, detailed clinical course, laboratory features and diagnosis of this mortal case of WNV encephalitis were described. WNV encephalitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with fever of unknown origin and loss of consiousness especially in summer and early fall in Turkey

Concurrent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever and Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Turkish Girl

In this article, a case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and visceral leishmaniasis coinfection in a 14-month-old girl is reported. The case has been evaluated according to two different points of view based on the coexistence of CCHF and visceral leishmaniasis and a strongly suggested horizontal transmission of CCHF from her father. To the best of our knowledge, this coinfection has not been previously reported in literature