Serum Neopterin and Procalcitonin Levels in Relationship with Pediatric Burn Wound Infections

Infection and septic complications in burn patients can be monitored by procalcitonin (PCT) and neopterin plasma values. The aim of the study was to investigate serum neopterin and PCT levels with WBC (white blood cell) and CRP (C-reactive protein) levels in patient group (PG) and healthy control group (HCG) and to investigate the relationship of these markers with burn wound infections (BWI). As the PG, 23 patients between 0–12 ages and up to 30% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) burned and 15 HCG were included. PCT, neopterin, WBC, and CRP results on the first, the seventh, the fourteenth and the 21st day have been compared. During the follow-up period, 11 patients with BWI and 12 patients without BWI were classified as infected and non-infected patients, respectively. PCT and neopterin levels were detected higher in patients with BWI but no significant difference were present. Also, PCT and neopterin levels within the first 24 hours following the burn were detected higher in PG than HCG. CRP and WBC levels were detected high due to burn trauma. PCT and neopterin levels were increased in patients with BWI. PCT levels were increased during the pre-infectious period, while neopterin levels increased during the post-infectious period

A Retrospective Study of Cutaneous and Visceral Leishmaniasis in Istanbul Turkey

Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by flagellated protozoans of the genus Leishmania. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological status of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) among patients admitted to a university hospital in Istanbul, located in western Turkey

Phenotypes and Genotypes of Macrolide-Resistant Streptococcus Pneumoniae

Background: Macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is a worldwide problem. Aims: The aim of this work was to analyze the phenotypes, genotypes, and clonal relatedness among macrolide-resistant S. pneumoniae strains isolated from various clinical specimens in our hospital. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: 80 non-duplicate S. pneumoniae strains were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for both the erm (B) and mef (A) genes. Results: Macrolide resistance was observed in 22.5% (18 strains) of strains. Two (11.2%) isolates possessed mef (A), eight possessed erm (B) (44.4%) and eight strains (44.4%) were positive for both erm (B) and mef (A) genes. Although BOX-PCR of 18 macrolide-resistant strains revealed 11 band patterns, they clustered as seven clones with a genetic distance >10% to each other. Eight isolates possessed both erm (B) and mef (A) genes and belonged to a single clone (44.44% of all macrolide-resistant strains). Conclusion: Increased positivity rates for both resistance genes have also been reported from other hospitals in Turkey, but this is the first study from Turkey showing the clonal dissemination of both resistance genes

In Silico Analysis of Common Long Noncoding RNAs in Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium

Background. Schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma parasites is one of the most common parasitic infections worldwide. Genetic regulation of the genus Schistosoma, which has different developmental stages throughout its life, is quite complex. In these parasites, thousands of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) estimated to be functional were identified. Identifying the transcripts expressed in common and detecting their functions for better understanding of the role of these lncRNAs require a comparative study. Methods. Assembled RNA-seq datasets belonging to S. mansoni and S. haematobium were obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology. A basic local alignment search tool (BLASTN) analysis was conducted against previously constructed lncRNA library to identify the common lncRNAs between two species. LncRNAs target genes and their gene ontology annotation was performed. Results. In S. mansoni and S. haematobium, 5132 and 3589 lncRNA transcripts were detected, respectively. These two species had 694 lncRNAs in common. A significant number of lncRNAs was determined to be transcribed from sex chromosomes. The frequently expressed lncRNAs appear to be involved in metabolic and biological regulation processes. Conclusions. These two species share similar lncRNAs; thus, this finding is a clue that they might have similar functions. In sexual development, they especially might play important roles. Our results will provide important clues to further studies about interactions between human hosts and parasites and the infection mechanisms of Schistosoma parasites

Evaluation of knowledge, attitudes and practices of health services vocational schools’ students with regard to COVID-19

Introduction: The most critical intervention to control SARS-CoV-2 infection requires appropriate knowledge and attitude towards the virus. Objective: To determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of students of a health services’ vocational school with regard to COVID-19. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out between May and June 2020 in a university of the Turkish region. Data were collected through an online survey portal. Results: Four hundred and fifty-four questionnaires were completed and returned. Students of medical laboratory techniques and first aid and emergency medicine had significantly higher knowledge scores (p < 0.001). More than 43 % of the students (n = 201) used the TV as their main source of information on COVID-19. There was a positive attitude towards preventive measures such as avoiding crowded places and maintaining hand hygiene and social distance. Conclusions: Health services vocational school students have good knowledge and positive attitude towards COVID-19. The main sources of information were the TV and social media. For this reason, more attention should be given to these issues in the curriculum in order for science-based information sources to be used

Phenotypes and Genotypes of Macrolide-Resistant Streptococcus Pneumoniae

Background: Macrolide resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is a worldwide problem. Aims: The aim of this work was to analyze the phenotypes, genotypes, and clonal relatedness among macrolide-resistant S. pneumoniae strains isolated from various clinical specimens in our hospital. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: 80 non-duplicate S. pneumoniae strains were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for both the erm (B) and mef (A) genes. Results: Macrolide resistance was observed in 22.5% (18 strains) of strains. Two (11.2%) isolates possessed mef (A), eight possessed erm (B) (44.4%) and eight strains (44.4%) were positive for both erm (B) and mef (A) genes. Although BOX-PCR of 18 macrolide-resistant strains revealed 11 band patterns, they clustered as seven clones with a genetic distance >10% to each other. Eight isolates possessed both erm (B) and mef (A) genes and belonged to a single clone (44.44% of all macrolide-resistant strains). Conclusion: Increased positivity rates for both resistance genes have also been reported from other hospitals in Turkey, but this is the first study from Turkey showing the clonal dissemination of both resistance genes

The Effect of Bacterial Colonization and Maggot Debridement Treatment on Wound Healing in Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers

Background: The debridement of necrotic and infected tissues, which prolong the wound healing process, is important for the preparation of the wound bed. Therefore, wound-bed preparation and debridement are vital components of venous leg ulcer management. We aimed to present a perspective to evaluate the clinical and microbiological efficacy of Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT) in the treatment of chronic leg ulcers caused by venous insufficiency

Treatment of Glucantime-resistant/tolerant cutaneous leishmaniasis with Lucilia sericata larvae and its larval secretions: The first study in the world

Lucilia sericata larval secretions have bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects. We investigated the effect of L. sericata larval secretions during passage from the third to the second stage on Leishmania tropica under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The L. sericata larvae and their secretions were also used in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions. A total of 29 patients were included in this study. Seven patients were infected with Glucantime-resistant Leishmania major. In 22 patients, there was no information about the Glucantime resistance status and infection with L. tropica or L. major. All patients were efficiently treated with L. sericata larvae and their secretions without leaving scar tissue. Additionally, after 1-2 months of treatment, Leishmania spp. was not detected in the samples using PCR

In-vivo and In-Vitro Examination of the Effect of Lucilia Sericata Larvae and Secretions on the Bacteria in Open Wounds

BACKGROUND/AIM