Use of aglepristone and aglepristone plus intrauterine antibiotic for the treatment of pyometra in bitches

In this study, the efficacy of aglepristone and/or intrauterine antibiotic administration for the treatment of bitches with cystic endometrial hyperplasia/pyometra complex was investigated. Twenty-four bitches (5-12 years old) with the diagnosis of pyometra were treated at the University of Kafkas and at Istanbul University. The diagnosis of pyometra was established on the basis of the results of clinical, ultrasonographic and vaginal examinations, the haematological and biochemical findings and the history data. In Group I (n = 13), aglepristone (Antiprogestin, Alizine((R)), Virbac, France; 0.33 ml/kg, s.c.) was administered on days 1, 2, 7, and 14 (day 1: diagnosis). In Group 11 (n = 11), intrauterine antibiotic treatment was performed according to the antibiogram on days 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 in addition to aglepristone given as in Group 1. Clinical and ultrasonographic examinations, haematological results and occurrence of oestrous cycles revealed that the ratio of effectively treated bitches was 6/13 and 9/11 in Groups I and II, respectively

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in ceftazidime-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in Turkish hospitals

Purpose: To study the prevalence of TEM-, SHV- and GES-type β -lactamases among Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains having ceftazidime MICs higher than 2 mg/L. Methods: A total of 63 E. coli and 41 K. pneumoniae isolated from five different university hospitals were studied for the existence of TEM-, SHV- and GES-type β -lactamases. Susceptibility tests were carried out according to the criteria of National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. MICs were obtained by agar dilution method. Existence of extended-spectrum β -lactamases (ESBLs) were assessed by double-disc synergy test (DDST). Existence of the above-mentioned β -lactamase genes were studied both by PCR with specific oligonucleotide primers and isoelectric focusing methods. Results: None of the isolates were carbapenem-resistant. DDSTs were positive in 50 (79.3%) and 33 (80.5%) of E. coli and K. pneumoniae , respectively. TEM gene was detected in 41 (65.1%) and 19 (46.3%), whereas SHV gene in 18 (28.6%) and 20 (48.8%) of E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains, respectively. GES genes were not detected. Conclusions: TEM and SHV genes are highly prevalent among ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae , whereas GES-type ESBLs are absent and found not to be responsible of ceftazidime resistance in Turkish hospitals

A national survey of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in Turkey

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of antibiotic prophylaxis for clean and clean-contaminated elective surgical procedures

Intra-familial spread of hepatitis B virus infection in eastern Turkey

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide health problem. The aim of the present study was not only to determine the prevalence of HBsAg in children of HBV-infected parents but also to identify all HBSAg-positive family members to protect as many children, in the present and future, as possible. The study was carried out with the participation of 2113 family members (1205 children, 453 mothers, and 455 fathers) at Sivas SSK Hospital, Turkey. They were screened for HBV markers using standard enzyme immunoassay between September 2001 and March 2005. The prevalence of any HBV markers and HBsAg among family members of index cases was 50·5% and 30·5% respectively. HBsAg carrier rate was higher among fathers (61%) than mothers (47%), (P<0·05). The children of mother index cases had higher rates of HBsAg compared with the children of father index cases (P<0·01). Our results suggest that intra-familial childhood horizontal transmission (especially mother-to-child) is important for HBV transmission in the Turkish community, and highlights the need for screening of adult siblings and mothers of adult HBsAg carriers in addition to their spouses and children

Tuberculous meningits in adults in Turkey: Epidemiology, diagnosis, clinic and laboratory

A retrospective study was performed to assess the epidemiology, diagnosis, clinic, and laboratory of the patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in a multicentral study. The medical records of adult cases with TBM treated at 12 university hospitals throughout Turkey, between 1985 and 1998 were reviewed using a standardized protocol. The diagnosis of TMB was established with the clinical and laboratory findings and/or microbiological confirmation in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The non-microbiologically confirmed cases were diagnosed with five diagnostic sub-criteria which CSF findings, radiological findings, extra-neural tuberculosis, epidemiological findings and response to antituberculous therapy. A total of 469 patients were included in this study. Majority of the patients were from Southeast Anatolia (164 patients, 35.0%) and (108 patients, 23.0%) from East Anatolia regions. There was a close contact with a tuberculous patient in 88 of 341 patients (25.8%) and with a tuberculous family member in 53 of 288 patients (18.4%). BCG scar was positive in 161 of 392 patients (41.1%). Tuberculin skin test was done in 233 patients and was found to be negative in 75. Totally 115 patients died (24.5%) of whom 23 died in 24 hour after admittance. The diagnosis was confirmed with clinical findings and CSF culture and/or Ziehl-Nelson staining in 88 patients (18.8%). Besides clinical criteria, there were three or more diagnostic sub-criteria in 252 cases (53.7%), two diagnostic sub-criteria in 99 cases (21.1%), and any diagnostic sub-criteria in 30 patients (6.4%). Since TBM is a very critical disease, early diagnosis and treatment may reduce fatal outcome and morbidity

Predictors of outcome in patients with tuberculous meningitis

OBJECTIVE: To assess predictors of mortality and neurological sequelae in patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM)