Evaluation of Helicobacter pylori antigen positivity in stool samples of patients with dyspeptic complaints in a tertiary care hospital

Objective: Helicobacter pylori is a microorganism associatedwith gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastriccancer. We aimed to figure out the positivity rate in stoolsamples of outpatients with dyspeptic complaints visitinggastroenterology department and to evaluate its relationwith age, gender and seasonal changes.Methods: Between January 01, 2012 and December 31,2012, stool samples of 330 adult outpatients admitted togastroenterology department are investigated with an immunochromatographictest kit using monoclonal antibodiesfor detection of H. pylori antigen.Results: Among 330 patients’ stool samples tested, 67(20.3%) were positive. 18.6% of men and 22.2% of womenwere detected as positive. According to age groups,17.1% patients were positive for 15-35 age groups,27.1% patients were positive for 36-55 age groups and18.2% patients were positive for above 56. Seasonal differenceof H. pylori antigen positivity in stool samples wasstatistically significant (p=0.001). Highest positivity rate29.7% was detected for winter months (December-January-February). According to logistic regression analysis,winter is found as a risk factor with statistically significant2.295 times greater risk [p=0001, Exp (B) = 2.925, 95.0%C.I. for EXP (B) = 1.668-5.129].Conclusion: H. pylori antigen positivity rate of our study islower than other previously conducted studies in Turkey.But, positivity rates are higher among women comparedto men, concordant with other studies. Even more, detectionof high positivity rates in winter shows primary infectionand/or relapse can be affected by seasonal changes.Key words: Helicobacter pylori, gastroenterology, stool antigen tes

Toxocariasis: a review

Human toxocariasis is a parasitic infection caused by the ingestion of larvae of dog nematode Toxocara canis and less frequently of cat nematode T.cati. In this review, current information about human toxocariasis which is a rare but an important problem suspected to cause rheumatologic, dermatologic and respiratory system diseases, is presented. [Med-Science 2016; 5(4.000): 1063-7

Use of quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen levels in the follow-up of HBV-Infected patients with Genotype D

To determine the role of quantitative HBsAg levels in follow up of chronic HBV treatment and investigate the relationship between qHBsAg, HBV DNA levels and liver histopathology. 74 CHB patients with genotype D visited our Infectious Diseases outpatient clinic were included into the study. Patients were grouped according to treatment status; Group-I (patients new to treatment, 31 patients) and group-II (patients with long-term treatment history). All group-I patients had their serum HBsAg titers (qHBsAg) measured before treatment, at 3 and 6-month time periods after treatment. Group-II consisted of 43 CHB patients who had been on anti-viral treatment for at least 5 years. qHBsAg levels were measured and compared to that of patient in group II. Patients from group I were divided into two groups according to HBeAg positivity. The mean qHBsAg and HBVDNA levels and fibrosis scores were statistically higher (p=0.002, p =0.034, p=0.002) in HBeAg positive patients. For all patients in group-I, a positive correlation was found between qHBsAg and HBV DNA levels before treatment (p=0.003). Serum qHBsAg and HBVDNA levels that were measured before treatment, 3-month and 6-month after treatment were statistically different (p< 0.05) from each other. Group-II patients were classified according to YMDD mutations and virologic breakthrough during treatment. Serum qHBsAg levels of patients with YMDD mutations and virologic breakthrough were found to be statistically higher (p=0.010) than those who did not although these patients were receiving potent antivirals. Quantitative HBsAg levels may differ among chronic HBV patients according to their treatment protocols and duration. In patients who are new to treatment, HBeAg positive patients may have statistically higher levels of qHBsAg. Moreover, this difference was also observed when patient who are new to treatment were compared to those who had been under treatment for a longer time. For clinicians, qHBsAg levels should not be employed only in patients undergoing interferon therapy but also those undergoing antiviral therapy as well.. [Med-Science 2018; 7(3.000): 515-23

Subacute THYROiditis Related to SARS-CoV-2 VAccine and Covid-19 (THYROVAC Study): A Multicenter Nationwide Study.

Context The aims of the study are to compare characteristics of subacute thyroiditis (SAT) related to different etiologies, and to identify predictors of recurrence of SAT and incident hypothyroidism. Methods This nationwide, multicenter, retrospective cohort study included 53 endocrinology centers in Turkey. The study participants were divided into either COVID-19-related SAT (Cov-SAT), SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-related SAT (Vac-SAT), or control SAT (Cont-SAT) groups. Results Of the 811 patients, 258 (31.8%) were included in the Vac-SAT group, 98 (12.1%) in the Cov-SAT group, and 455 (56.1%) in the Cont-SAT group. No difference was found between the groups with regard to laboratory and imaging findings. SAT etiology was not an independent predictor of recurrence or hypothyroidism. In the entire cohort, steroid therapy requirement and younger age were statistically significant predictors for SAT recurrence. C-reactive protein measured during SAT onset, female sex, absence of antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) positivity, and absence of steroid therapy were statistically significant predictors of incident (early) hypothyroidism, irrespective of SAT etiology. On the other hand, probable predictors of established hypothyroidism differed from that of incident hypothyroidism. Conclusion Since there is no difference in terms of follow-up parameters and outcomes, COVID-19- and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-related SAT can be treated and followed up like classic SATs. Recurrence was determined by younger age and steroid therapy requirement. Steroid therapy independently predicts incident hypothyroidism that may sometimes be transient in overall SAT and is also associated with a lower risk of established hypothyroidism