Age- and region-specific hepatitis B prevalence in Turkey estimated using generalized linear mixed models: a systematic review

Toy M, Önder FO, Wörmann T, et al. Age- and region-specific hepatitis B prevalence in Turkey estimated using generalized linear mixed models: a systematic review. BMC infectious diseases. 2011;11(1): 337.BACKGROUND: To provide a clear picture of the current hepatitis B situation, the authors performed a systematic review to estimate the age- and region-specific prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Turkey. METHODS: A total of 339 studies with original data on the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Turkey and published between 1999 and 2009 were identified through a search of electronic databases, by reviewing citations, and by writing to authors. After a critical assessment, the authors included 129 studies, divided into categories: 'age-specific'; 'region-specific'; and 'specific population group'. To account for the differences among the studies, a generalized linear mixed model was used to estimate the overall prevalence across all age groups and regions. For specific population groups, the authors calculated the weighted mean prevalence. RESULTS: The estimated overall population prevalence was 4.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.58, 5.76, and the estimated total number of CHB cases was about 3.3 million. The outcomes of the age-specific groups varied from 2.84, (95% CI: 2.60, 3.10) for the 0-14-year olds to 6.36 (95% CI: 5.83, 6.90) in the 25-34-year-old group. CONCLUSION: There are large age-group and regional differences in CHB prevalence in Turkey, where CHB remains a serious health problem

Seroprevalences of hepatitis B and C among health care workers in Turkey

We determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among health care workers (HCWs) at Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Haydarpasa Training Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Between April 1998 and September 2000, 702 HCWs were included in the study. The blood samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) and HCV antibody (anti-HCV) using third-generation tests, with confirmation by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Seroprevalence rates were compared with those detected in 5670 blood donors during the same period. HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HCV were detected in 21 (3.0%), in 480 (68.4%) and in 2 (0.3%) of 702 HCWs respectively. HBsAg and anti-HCV rates were 2.1 and 0.4% in blood donors, respectively. These data show that the prevalence rates of HBV and HCV were similar with prevalence rates detected in randomized blood donors showing that universal infection-control precautions and encouraging HBV vaccination reduces HCW infection with hepatotropic viruses

Investigation (in vivo and in vitro) of booster dose requiremet for long-term protection against hepatitis B virus infection

KISA, Ucler/0000-0002-8131-6810WOS: 000175704700804

Cutaneous anthrax in Turkey: a review of 32 cases

Anthrax, caused by the Gram-positive, rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is rarely seen in industrialized nations but is common in developing countries. Cutaneous anthrax accounts for 95% of cases and usually develops on exposed sites. This study reviews the clinical and laboratory findings of 32 patients diagnosed with cutaneous anthrax over a 4-y period in the eastern part of Turkey. All patients had a history of direct contact with infected animals. The patients, aged 6-72 y, comprised 17 (53%) males and 15 (47%) females. The most frequent localization site of skin lesions was the hands and fingers (31 patients), whereas the suborbital part of the face was invaded in 1 patient. The diagnosis was made as a result of typical clinical lesions, direct microscopy or bacterial isolation. All but 2 patients were successfully treated with penicillin; these other 2 patients were treated initially with sulbactam-ampicillin. All patients, including the patient with suborbital anthrax, were cured

Atypical Measles Syndrome (Report of One Adult Case)

Atypical measles syndrome has been reported extensively in the pediatric medical literature. It was first recognized by Rauh and Schmidt in 1965 and then it became a well known clinical picture. However, the clinical picture in the adult is similar to that of many other diseases, making the diagnosis elusive. The case reported here, a young man, had been in excellent health until the onset of a perplexing syndrome. He had been ill for 10 days with chills, pharyngitis, and vomiting; later, a nonpruritic, maculopapular rash developed. Symptoms progressed to pneumonitis and hepatitis. In convalescent period, a rubeola titer was obtained and was found to be considerably elevated. Because of the unusual nature and course of the exanthems and the pulmonary involvement, the diagnosis was atypical measles syndrome. Initially, it occurred in children who were exposed to wild measles virus several years after they were immunized with killed measles vaccine. However, in our case a different theory is offered to explain the pathogenesis of this disease

Splenic complications in malaria: report of two cases from Turkey

Malaria is still a major health problem in Turkey, where Plasmodium vivax malaria is endemic. Spontaneous rupture of the spleen is an important and life-threatening complication and occurs in up to an estimated 2% of cases. Hence the small number of case reports suggests under-reporting or underdiagnosis. Review articles have reported only 18 malaria cases with spontaneous splenic rupture in the English language literature since 1960. Two cases of P. vivax malaria with splenic complications are reported here. One of them showed signs and symptoms of acute abdominal pain, then splenic rupture occurred

Trends in Major Transfusion-transmissible Infections among Blood Donors over 17 Years in Istanbul, Turkey

Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis are serious complications of blood transfusion. These infections are routinely screened by blood banks; such tests are obligatory for transfusion safety in Turkey. The results of screening 1 737 943 blood donations from blood centres in Istanbul between I January 1987 and 31 December 2003 for HBV, HCV, HIV and syphilis were analysed retrospectively. Hepatitis B surface antigen rates fell from 5.98% in 1987 to 2.07% in 2003. Anti-HCV seropositivity was found to be approximately 0.5%, whereas anti-HIV seropositivity was approximately 0.001%. Rapid plasma reagin rates (test for syphilis) were 0.04% in 1987, and increased to 0.2% in 2002. The decreasing trends observed in data from the 17-year period studied indicate the value of safety measures taken, in particular the implementation of donor screening procedures in 1997