Naiv hepatit C enfeksiyonlu hastaların on-altı yıllık prognozu

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical course of treatment-naive patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who were followed up in various centers in Turkey. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study performed with the participation of 15 centers. Patients aged 18 years and older with HCV infection were included. Results: A total of 391 treatment-naive patients infected with HCV were included in this study. During the follow-up period, the final values of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and total protein were significantly decreased when compared to the initial values (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p=0.005, respectively). In the study group, 19.2% of the patients underwent liver biopsy and 4.1% underwent transient elastography (FibroScan). An increased histological activity index (HAI) score and fibrosis in the second biopsy were observed in one patient, only increased HAI in two patients and increased fibrosis in one patient, as shown on the FibroScan. In the 16 years of the study period, cirrhosis was radiologically detected in only one patient. Conclusion: Even if rapid progression is not observed, close monitoring of the clinical findings related to liver failure and fibrosis with invasive or non-invasive methods may be useful.Amaç: Bu çalışmada ülkemizin çeşitli merkezlerinde takip edilen naiv hepatit C virüs (HCV) ile enfekte hastaların klinik seyrini değerlendirmeyi amaçladık. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu çalışma retrospektif olarak 15 merkezin katılımıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmaya 18 yaş üstü, HCV enfeksiyonu olan hastalar dahil edilmiştir. Bulgular: Çalışmada 391 tedavi-naiv HCV enfeksiyonlu hasta yer almıştır. Hastaların takip süresinde son alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase ve total protein değerleri ilk düzeyine göre önemli düzeyde azalmıştır (sırasıyla p<0,001, p<0,001, p=0,005). Çalışma grubunda hastaların %19,2’sine karaciğer biyopsisi, %4,1’ine elastografi (FibroScan) uygulanmıştır. Takip esnasında bir hastada ikinci biyopside histolojik aktivite indeksi (HAI) ve fibroziste artma, iki hastada sadece HAI’da artma, birinde FibroScan ile fibrozis değerinde artma olduğu gözlenmiştir. Bir hastada 16 yıl içinde radyolojik olarak siroz saptanmıştır. Sonuç: Hızlı progresyon gözlenmemekle birlikte hastaların izleminde karaciğer yetmezliği ile ilgili klinik bulguların ve invaziv veya noninvaziv yöntemlerle fibrozisin yakın takibi yararlı olabilir

Characteristics of Streptococcus Strains Isolated From Clinical Specimens Other Than Throat Culture and Characteristics of Streptococcal Infections

Aim: This study was to investigate the laboratory and clinical features of patients in whom Streptococcus spp. were isolated from cultures other than throat cultures. Methods: A total of 161 Streptococcus strains isolated from clinical specimens from 101 (64%) hospitalized patients and 65 (36%) outpatients and clinical and laboratory features of patients were investigated retrospectively. Isolated Streptococcus strains were further identified for type and antibiotic susceptibility according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Results: Streptococcus strains types were determined as follows; group A (9-5.6%), group B (64-39.7%), group C (2-1.2%), group D (2-1.2%), group G (2-1.2%), viridans (57-32.2%), and Streptococcus pneumonia (24-14,9%). Most frequently observed infections were urinary system infections (52-32.2%), skin and soft tissue infections (48-29.8%) and pulmonary infections (25-15.5%). In 87 (54%) of patients, there was more than one comorbid condition. While all group A Streptococcus pyogenes strains were susceptible to penicillin, 13% of Streptococcus pneumonia were resistant to penicillin and 36.3% were resistant to macrolides. Mortality was observed in eight patients. Conclusion: Invasive streptococcal infections may cause serious mortality and morbidity especially in patients with comorbid conditions. Early detection and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are most important parameters for the management of streptococcal infections

Characteristics of Streptococcus Strains Isolated From Clinical Specimens Other Than Throat Culture and Characteristics of Streptococcal Infections

Aim: This study was to investigate the laboratory and clinical features of patients in whom Streptococcus spp. were isolated from cultures other than throat cultures. Methods: A total of 161 Streptococcus strains isolated from clinical specimens from 101 (64%) hospitalized patients and 65 (36%) outpatients and clinical and laboratory features of patients were investigated retrospectively. Isolated Streptococcus strains were further identified for type and antibiotic susceptibility according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Results: Streptococcus strains types were determined as follows; group A (9-5.6%), group B (64-39.7%), group C (2-1.2%), group D (2-1.2%), group G (2-1.2%), viridans (57-32.2%), and Streptococcus pneumonia (24-14,9%). Most frequently observed infections were urinary system infections (52-32.2%), skin and soft tissue infections (48-29.8%) and pulmonary infections (25-15.5%). In 87 (54%) of patients, there was more than one comorbid condition. While all group A Streptococcus pyogenes strains were susceptible to penicillin, 13% of Streptococcus pneumonia were resistant to penicillin and 36.3% were resistant to macrolides. Mortality was observed in eight patients. Conclusion: Invasive streptococcal infections may cause serious mortality and morbidity especially in patients with comorbid conditions. Early detection and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are most important parameters for the management of streptococcal infections

Listeriosis and Infectious Disease Emergencies: Three Cases

Listeria monocytogenes, is the causative agent of life-threatening bacteremia, sepsis, and meningoencephalitis in non-pregnant aduts. Those infectious diseases feared to cause permanent organ and tissue damage and/or death and requiring immediate intervention are known as emergent infections. Although it is an uncommon disease in the community, three adult invasive listeriosis cases diagnosed in two consecutive months, were discussed. For patients suffering from life-threatening bacteremia, sepsis, and central nervous system infections and needing immediate therapy, it is important to add an antimicrobial agent susceptible to L. monocytogenes to prevent complications and improve the outcome of the disease

Long-term treatment of persistent disseminated Nocardia cyriacigeorgica infection

In this paper a disseminated persistent Nocardia cyriacigeorgica infection in an immunocompetent patient is described. The patient's long-term treatment, as well as its implications for managing similar cases in the future, is emphasized. Presenting with high fever, multiple nodules, and ulcerative cutaneous lesions of body sites, the patient was treated with various antimicrobials. Under combined therapy, empyema and arthritis, leading to disseminated nocardiosis, were seen. The overall treatment course was 28 months. It can be concluded that the choice of the antibiotics and optimal duration of treatment are uncertain; therefore the treatment of nocardiosis requires expertise. Keywords: Nocardia cyriacigeorgica, Chronic infection, Treatmen

Evaluation of Hospital-Acquired Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Infections

Introduction: This study was performed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and crude mortality of hospital-wide hospital-acquired Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections. Patients and Methods: A prospective surveillance study was performed from January 2000 through December 2009. Hospital-acquired infections were defined according to the standard definitions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Results: During the study period, hospital-acquired S. maltophilia infection was diagnosed in 52 patients. S. maltophilia constituted 1.1% of hospital-acquired infection isolates and 1.5% of gram-negative microorganisms. The overall incidence was found as 2.1 per 10.000 hospital admissions. Patients with hospital-acquired S. maltophilia infection were documented in surgical wards (38%), medical wards (31%), and the intensive care unit (31%). The clinical manifestations were pneumoniae (38%), surgical site infection (25%), central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection (13%), urinary system infection (13%), peritonitis (6%), and skin and soft tissue infection (4%). The most common underlying diseases were malignancies (37%), chronic renal failure (15%), and cardiac failure (15%). Eighty-eight percent of the patients were on antibiotic treatment before infection. The most common antibiotics prescribed before the onset of infection were carbapenems and third-generation cephalosporins. The crude mortality was found as 13.5%. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (94%) and ciprofloxacin (79%) were found to be the most effective antibiotics against S. maltophilia. Conclusion: The incidence and mortality rate of S. maltophilia infections were found lower in our hospital. As S. maltophilia is associated with a high mortality rate and has high resistance to many currently available broad-spectrum antibiotics, it should be kept in mind in the etiology of a wide range of nosocomial infections in patients with risk factors