Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus seroprevalence in rural areas of the southwestern region of Turkey

SummaryObjectivesMost previous studies on the frequency of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) have analyzed data obtained from blood donors and risk groups. Few studies have been conducted in the field in rural and urban areas of Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV and to investigate the association with risk factors.MethodsBetween January 2006 and March 2007, 2852 people aged 18 years and over were chosen in three districts using simple random sampling, and blood samples were drawn from them. The card test technique, which is highly sensitive, was applied to blood samples for the qualitative assessment of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis B surface antigen antibodies (anti-HBs), and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV). The ELISA technique was then applied only to positive samples for confirmation. In addition, participants answered survey questions on risk factors for infection with HBV and HCV.ResultsOur results showed that 71 (2.5%) were HBsAg-positive, 462 (16.2%) were anti-HBs-positive, and 29 (1.0%) were anti-HCV-positive. Further survey results showed that seropositivity increased with some of the risk factors.ConclusionsStudies on seropositivity that depend on field analyses reflect the true population more accurately. We conclude that such field studies and public education activities for hepatitis B and C are essential

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Esophagus

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus (PMME) comprises only 0.1-0.2% of all malignant esophageal tumors. PMME tumors are highly aggressive and metastasize early via hematogenic and lymphatic pathways. Treatment outcome is poor because the cancer has often advanced at the time of diagnosis. Inoperability, unsuccessful treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy in advanced tumors and metastases have contributed to its poor prognosis. Here, we present the endoscopic features, endoscopic ultrasonography findings and management of a PMME case

Prevalence of occult hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections in Turkish hemodialysis patients

1st John H Dirks Chronic Renal Disease Prevention on Prevention Strategies for Chronic Kidney Disease in Latin America -- NOV 21-23, 2005 -- Vallarica, CHILEkarakan, tarkan/0000-0003-1561-8789; Mert, Ali/0000-0001-8945-2385WOS: 000242523200018PubMed: 17162434Background and Objective. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Although their exact prevalence is not known, HBV and HCV viral infections and occult viral hepatitis are frequent in these patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of occult HBV and HCV infections in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods. One hundred and eighty-eight end-stage renal disease patients on maintenance hemodialysis (100 male, mean age 49 29 [16-80] years, and mean duration of hemodialysis 98 66 [12-228] months) were enrolled in this study. Scrological markers for HBV and HCV were determined with immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) by using commercial diagnostic kits (Access and BioRad, Beckman-Coulter). HCV-RNA (Cobas Amplicor HCV kit) and HBV-DNA (Artus GmbH HBV kit) were determined quantitatively by polymerase chain reaction. Results. Among the patients screened, 25 (13.3%) had HBV infection alone and 38 (20.2%) had HCV infection alone, while seven (3.7%) had dual infection of both viruses. Serological markers for occult hepatitis B and occult hepatitis C were positive in five (2.7%) and nine (4.8%) of the patients, respectively. Isolated anti-HBc was positive in 12 (6.4%) of all patients, three (7.9%) of the patients with anti-HCV and two (40%) of the patients with occult hepatitis B. Isolated anti-HBc positivity was more frequent in patients with occult hepatitis B than in those without (40% [2/5] vs. 5.5% [10/183], p=0.002). None of the patients with HCV had occult hepatitis B. Conclusions. Both occult and non-occult forms of HCV infection are more prevalent than HBV infection in hemodialysis patients. Especially the patients with isolated anti-HBc positivity should be tested for probable occult hepatitis B infection

Iodine Status in Turkish Populations and Exposure to Iodide Uptake Inhibitors

Perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate are competitive inhibitors of the sodium iodide symporter of the thyroid membrane. These inhibitors can decrease iodine uptake by the symporter into the thyroid gland and may disrupt thyroid function. This study assesses iodine status and exposure to iodide uptake inhibitors of non-pregnant and non-lactating adult women living in three different cities in Turkey (Istanbul, Isparta and Kayseri). We measured iodine and iodide uptake inhibitors in 24-hr urines collected from study participants (N = 255). All three study populations were mildly iodine deficient, with median urinary iodine (UI) levels of 77.5 mu g/L in Istanbul, 58.8 mu g/L in Isparta, and 69.8 mu g/L in Kayseri. Perchlorate doses were higher in the study population (median 0.13 mu g/kg/day), compared with a reference population (median 0.059 mu g/kg/day), but lower than the U. S. EPA reference dose (0.7 mu g/kg/day). Urinary thiocyanate levels increased with increasing exposure to tobacco smoke, with non-smokers (268 mu g/L) significantly lower than light smokers (1110 mu g/L), who were significantly lower than heavy smokers (2410 mu g/L). This pilot study provides novel data indicating that study participants were moderately iodine deficient and had higher intakes of the iodide uptake inhibitor perchlorate compared with a reference population. Further investigation is needed to characterize the thyroid impact resulting from iodine deficiency coupled with exposure to iodide uptake inhibitors such as perchlorate, thiocyanate and nitrate

Participant characteristics.

<p>BMI cutpoints (kg/m²): Underweight (<18.5); Normal (18.5–24.9); Overweight (25–30); Obese (>30). Smoker: total number of current smokers (light and heavy).</p

Median urinary levels (µg/L) and doses (µg/kg/day) iodine, perchlorate, nitrate and thiocyanate in Isparta, Istanbul and Kayseri.

<p>*Isparta lower than Kayseri, p<0.05.</p

Urinary thiocyanate levels increase with increasing exposure to cyanide from tobacco smoke.

<p>(CPD: cigarettes per day).</p

Scatter plot matrix showing correlations of urinary excretion of iodine and iodide uptake inhibitors (perchlorate, thiocyanate and nitrate).

<p>Scatter plot matrix showing correlations of urinary excretion of iodine and iodide uptake inhibitors (perchlorate, thiocyanate and nitrate).</p

Distribution of urinary nitrate excretion (µg/L) for the total study population.

<p>Distribution of urinary nitrate excretion (µg/L) for the total study population.</p

Distribution of urinary thiocyanate excretion (µg/L) for the total study population.

<p>Distribution of urinary thiocyanate excretion (µg/L) for the total study population.</p