Association between matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 and total antioxidant status of patients with asymptomatic hepatitis C virus infection

The aim of this study is to predict potential hepatocellular damage by determining total antioxidant status (TAS) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 levels of different groups of dental surgery patients who are asymptomatic (normal alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase records). Patients were divided into five groups according to the anamnesis [to be diagnosed formerly as hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection or not], microbiological (positive-anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA-positive or negative) and biochemical test results. Except for the control group, serum anti-HCV antibody levels and line immunoassay tests were found positive in all groups. HCV RNAs were found positive only in group 3 whom were formerly diagnosed with HCV infection, not under medical treatment and in group 5 under medical treatment (<2 9 105 IU ml 1). Statistical analyses were performed using one-way multifactorial ANOVA (MANOVA) at the statistical significance level of 5% and were confirmed that the changes in biochemical markers had significant effects on subjects who had been in different groups. Following multiple comparisons, significant groups’ differences were obtained in all biochemical markers. In conclusion, to determine not only TAS levels but also the MMPs and evaluate those together may be noninvasive biomarkers for predicting the inflammation in liver and approaching the prognosis of HCV infection

Türkiye’deki tedavi görmemifl kronik hepatit b’li hastalarda lamivudin direnci

[No Abstract Available

Two cases with HSSDRESS syndrome developing after prosthetic joint surgery: does vancomycin-laden bone cement play a role in this syndrome?

We report two cases of hypersensitivity syndrome/drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (HSS/DRESS) syndrome following systemic and local (via antibiotic laden bone cement (ALBC)) exposures to vancomycin. Both cases developed symptoms 2-4 weeks after the initiation of treatment. They responded to systemic corticosteroid treatment and were cured completely. Various drug groups may cause HSS/DRESS syndrome, and vancomycin-related cases do not exceed 2-5% of the reported cases. Almost all of these cases developed the syndrome following systemic exposure to vancomycin. ALBC seems to be the safer antibiotic administration method, as systemic antibiotic levels did not reach a toxic threshold level. However, local administration may not always be sufficient for bone-related/joint-related infections; these infections may require systemic antibiotics as well. As HSS/DRESS syndrome can mimic infectious diseases, it must be considered during differential diagnosis before suspecting failure of treatment and initiation of a different antibiotic course. Copyright 2015 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved

Human metapneumovirus pneumonia: case report

İlk kez 2001’de tanımlanan human metapnömovirüs (hMPV), 10 yaş altı çocuklarda üst ve alt solunum yolu enfeksiyonlarında izole edilebilen bir virus olsa da ülkemizde bu virusla ilgili olarak yayınlanmış fazla sayıda çalışmaya rastlanmamıştır. Human metapneumovirus tanısında altın standart yöntem RT-PCR yöntemidir. Pnömoni kliniği ve laboratuvar bulguları ile başvuran hastalarda viral/bakteriyel pnömoni ayırıcı tanısında PCR gibi ileri tanı yöntemlerinin hızlı ve etkili bir şekilde kullanılması, hastalara gereksiz antibiyotik tedavisi uygulanmasının önüne geçilmesi ve gerekli durumlarda uygun antiviral tedavinin verilebilmesi açısından önemli katkı sağlayacaktır. Bu makalede solunum sıkıntısı bulguları ve oksijen gereksinimi ile başvuran ve enfeksiyon etkeninin human metapneumovirus olarak tespit edildiği 18 aylık hasta sunulmuş ve 2 yaş altı çocuklarda solunum yolu enfeksiyonlarında klasik solunum yolu viruslarına göre çok daha ender rastlanan ve son yıllarda tanımlanmış bir virus olan human metapnömovirüs ile etken olarak karşılaşılabileceği vurgulanmak istenmiştir

Infectious arthritis

İnfeksiyöz artrit, tek veya birden fazla eklemin; bakteri, virus, mantar, mikobakteri ve parazit gibi mikroorganizmalarla oluşan akut veya kronik infeksiyonudur. Akut bakteriyel artritlerde en sık görülen etken Staphylococcus aureus iken, risk faktörleri arasında da önceden var olan Romatoid artrit başta gelmektedir. Virüsler birden fazla eklemi etkileyen süpüratif olmayan artritler oluşturur. Kronik seyirli fungal ve mikobakteri artritleri monoartrit olarak seyreder ve mikrobiyolojik tanı yöntemleri kullanılarak diğer kronik monoartiküler artritlerden ayrılır. Bakteriyel artritte tedavide temel prensip eklem drenajı ve etkene yönelik antimikrobiyal tedavidirInfectious arthritis is bacterial, viral, fungal, mycobacterial, or parasitic infection of single or multiple joints. The most common cause of acute bacterial arthritis is Staphylococcus aureus, and the most common risk for this is rheumatoid arthritis. Viruses cause nonsuppurative arthritis affecting multiple joints. Chronic fungal and mycobacterial arthritis are generally presents as monoarthritis and the differential diagnosis with other monoarticular arthritis is made by microbiological diagnostic methods. The main principle for the treatment of bacterial arthritis is articular drainage and antimicrobial treatment

The Role of Procalcitonin in Diagnosis of Different Bacterial Infections

It is reported that procalcitonin (PCT), the precursor of calcitonin is elevated in patients with severe bacterial infections. In this study our aim is to determine the value of PCT in different bacterial infections and sepsis as a marker of infection. Six brusellosis, 8 systemic salmonellosis, 9 bacterial meningitis, 11 sepsis, total 33 patients and 20 healthy adults as control group were included in the study. PCT value was measured and compared by diagnostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP). PCT determination was performed by immunoluminometric assay (Brahms Diagnostica Lumitest, PCT, Berlin). A significant difference was found between all patients and control group for both tests. There were significant differences between PCT concentrations in sepsis and other bacterial infections but no difference was found for CRP. PCT levels increased in patients with bacterial infections like CRP but PCT was a more valuable marker than CRP for indicating the severity of infection

How Much Resistance is Considered During Prophylaxis Recommendation? A Case Report of Infective Endocarditis with Multi-Drug Resistant Streptococcus Despite Appropriate Prophylaxis Before Dental Intervention

Infective endocarditis is a disease with high mortality and morbidity, generally caused by a wide range of organisms. Prophylaxis with penicillins, cefalosporins, macrolides, or vancomycin is highly recommended for the patients with endocarditis, prosthetic heart valves. An 83-year-old man admitted with fever, fatigue, and joint pain and reported dental intervention following amoxicillin prophylaxis fortyfive days ago. Patient history indicated acute rheumatoid arthritis, bacterial endocarditis, and mitral and aortic valve replacement. S. Sanguinis was detected in the blood culture of the patient, which was resistant to penicillin and ampicillin. He was given meropenem, the clinical status was improved and no microorganisms were detected in two follow-up blood cultures. Endocarditis prophylaxis should be individualized considering the globally high penicillin resistance, especially for the patients with prosthetic valves and/or infective endocarditis history. In addition, to decrease the bacterial load of the oral flora before elective dental or respiratory intervention is recommended with antibiotic prophylaxis

Determination of TT Virus (TTV) Prevalence in Blood Donors in İstanbul

In this study, TT virus-DNA was detected in the sera of 200 blood donors in ‹stanbul, 68 (34%) from Haydarpafla Numune Hospital and 132 (66%) from Red Crescent Zeynep Kamil blood centers, by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction method. A total of 20 pools, each containing 10 serum samples were prepared. Eight pools were positive by initial screening, among which 9 individual samples were found to contain TTV-DNA by further analysis. This is the first study which determines the prevalence of TT virus in our country. Besides epidemiological studies, it’s also necessary to determine the relation of TT virus with hepatic and extra hepatic diseases