Isolation of Acremonium strictum from pleural fluid of a patient with colon adenocarcinoma

Although Acremonium strictum is environmentally widespread as opportunistic fungus, it may cause infection in patients who have immunodeficiency. In this study, A. strictum were isolated from the pleural fluid of a patient with colon adenocarcinoma. The patient did not receive antifungal therapy because the patient died on the same day after the isolation of the mould from the pleural fluid. Major risk factors for the fungal infection are surgery because of cancer, administration of parenteral hyperalimentation and broad-spectrum antibiotics, attaching chest tube and ventilation tube and hospitalization in intensive care unit. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of amphotericin B, fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole for the A. strictum strain isolated from pleural fluid were 0.125, 256, 2, 1.5 and 0.25 mu g ml(-1), respectively. In conclusion, bacteria and fungi, especially opportunistic fungi should be taken into consideration in the developing pleuritis in the patients with predisposing risks for the fungal infection

Pleuritis caused by Acremonium strictum in a patient with colon adenocarcinoma

Although Acremonium strictum is environmentally widespread as opportunistic mold, it may cause infection in patients who have immunodeficiency problems. In this study, Staphylococcus aureus and A. strictum were isolated from the pleural fluid of a patient with colon adenocarcinoma. The patient did not receive antifungal therapy because the patient died after the isolation of mold. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of amphotericin B, fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole for the A. strictum strain isolated from pleural fluid were 0.125, 256, 2 and 1.5, 0.25 mu g ml(-1) respectively. In conclusion, bacteria and fungus, especially opportunistic mold, should be taken into consideration in developing pleuritis in the patients with immune-deficiency

Preventive Effect of Ethyl Pyruvate on Postoperative Adhesion Formation Following Abdominal Surgery

Objective: Postoperative adhesions are among the major causes of morbidity and mortality following abdominal surgery. As an antioxidant and antiinflamatory agent, the potential effect of ethyl pyruvate on adhesion prevention has not been clearly studied. We aimed to investigate the possible anti-adhesive effect of ethyl pyruvate compared with an effective barrier membrane, Seprafilm, in a rat cecal abrasion model. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar albino rats separated into three adhesion model groups (n = 8, each) with applications of different agents during surgery: control (intraperitoneal normal saline), Seprafilm group (intraperitoneal Seprafilm), and Ethyl pyruvate group (40mg/kg intraperitoneal ethyl pyruvate). Postoperative adhesion was graded both macroscopically and histopathologically. Malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels were determined from tissue samples for assessment of oxidative stress. Results: Seprafilm and Ethyl pyruvate groups had lower adhesion scores (both macroscopic and microscopic) and decreased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels compared to the control group (p 0.05). Conclusions: Intraperitoneal ethyl pyruvate application reduced the incidence and the extent of postoperative adhesions in rat cecal abrasion model. Ethyl pyruvate also had comparable overall efficacy for adhesion prevention as Seprafilm

Antioxidant and nitric oxide status in patients diagnosed with Echinococcus granulosus

In the present study, we tried to investigate whether infection with cystic echinococcosis provokes oxidative stress in the host by measuring changes in plasma levels of anti-oxidants enzymes. 23 patients and 25 control individuals were included in the study. Plasma superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn superoxide dismutases, cytoplasmic form/superoxide dismutase 1] and glutathione peroxidase [Cytoplasmic gluthatione peroxidase 1] activities and plasma nitrite levels were all determined based on the colorimetric methods. Statistically significant decreased cytoplasmic glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities with decreased nitric oxide production, which produce superoxide radical was found in patients with cystic echinococcosis. Correlation analysis and statistical evaluation together showed that there was a significant negative correlation between glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities (p < 0.001) and also significant negative correlation between glutathione peroxidase activity and nitric oxide level (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant negative correlation observed between superoxide dismutase activity and nitric oxide level (p < 0.001). These results clearly indicate a decline in the response to oxidative stresses. It may also be concluded that a decrease in the nitric oxide level can be associated with the low stimulation of the cell mediated immune system

Feasibility of single-stage resection and primary anastomosis in patients with acute noncomplicated sigmoid volvulus

Background: The management of sigmoid volvulus remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of treating sigmoid volvulus by using a single-stage resection and anastomosis versus a 2-stage approach

C-reactive protein in gastrointestinal system anastomosis

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of blood C-reactive protein level for early diagnosis of anastomotic leakage that is ahead of the possible dangerous process after gastrointestinal anastomosis

Colorectal cancer and thrombocytosis

Purpose: The association of thrombocytosis with various malignancies has frequently been found. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relations between the platelet counts and colorectal cancer

Unusual causes of intestinal perforation and their surgical treatment

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