Investigation of Tularemia Incidence and Presence of Francisella tularensis in Streams/Mains Water in a Risky Region of Thrace

WOS: 000464106600016Objective: Tularemia was first detected in Thrace region in our country and the outbreaks continued in the region over the following years. The fact that the agent has been identified in mice around Kaynarca in 2012 suggests the disease poses a risk for our region. Aim of this study was to investigate tularemia incidence and presence of Francisella tularensis in streams/mains water in a risky region of Thrace. Methods: In this study, seropositivity for tularemia was investigated in 13 villages, and 1 town in risky areas of the Thrace region. In January 2016, blood was drawn from 746 people and tularemia microagglutination tests were applied. Seropositivity was not detected. In December, 464 of 746 people were reached. Seroconversion was not observed. In addition, culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedures were applied to specimens collected from mains water and streams in 13 villages and 1 town. Results: The causative agent wasn't isolated from the cultures but F. tularensis DNAs were detected by PCR method in 2 stream, and 3 mains water samples. One of the streams passed through the village of Celaliye, which was very close to Kaynarca, where tularemia cases were seen in the past. The other was farther, passing through the Kavakli town in which no cases has been reported. The mains water which were positive were from Hamzabey, Ceylankoy, and Tatarkoy villages located around Kaynarca. Molecular examination after chlorination was repeated in the water sources in which positivity was detected, and it was seen that the agent was eliminated. Conclusions: In this study, incidence was calculated as zero, although the causative agent was found in the water. Although no seropositivity was detected, the detection of the agent by PCR in 5 water samples showed that the agents in the nature could reach the water resources. It has been observed that surveillance studies in risky areas could be effective in preventing possible outbreaks

Cryptococcal meningitis in a non-HIV patient with solid organ transplantation

Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is often associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Recently, this microorganism has been increasingly identified in HIV-negative patients. CM cases are encountered in HIV-negative individuals, especially secondary to liver disease, solid organ transplantation (SOT), tuberculosis, lymphoproliferative diseases with T-cell-mediated immunological disorders, long-term corticosteroid use, malignancies, diabetes mellitus, and sarcoidosis. Our patient is an HIV-negative, SOT case with CM. It should be considered that CM can also occur in HIV-negative patients. As in our case, patients receiving long-term immunosuppressive therapy should be evaluated for CM, and renal functions should be closely monitored during treatment. There is a need for more case reports on the subject, especially in CM detected HIV-negative patients, due to the different treatment protocols and challenging clinical conditions compared to HIV-positive cases

Comparison between minimal right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy and standard median sternotomy for repair of atrial septal defects

The minimal right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy could be a safe and cosmetic alternative to standard median sternotomy. This study reviews our results and experience with a minimal right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy technique for the repair of atrial septal defects compared with standard median sternotomy. The study was designed as a retrospective, observational, and case-controlled study. Between May 2007 and November 2012, 26 patients underwent atrial septal defect closure with standard median sternotomy (Group 1). This group was compared with 21 patients who underwent repair of atrial septal defects using minimal right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy (Group 2). Quantitative data were given as mean ± standard deviation, and qualitative values were expressed as percentages. In the comparison of the normal variables between the two groups, we used independent sample t test, and in the comparison of categorical variables between groups, Chi-square test was used. The mean length of incision was significantly shorter in Group 2 than in Group 1 (p = 0.03). The time it took to establish cardiopulmonary bypass was longer in Group 2 (p = 0.04). There were no statistically significant differences in cardiopulmonary bypass time (p = 0.11), aortic cross-clamp time (p = 0.10), and total operation time (p = 0.10) between the two groups. Group 2 had less chest tube drainage (p = 0.04), less blood transfusion (p = 0.02), and shorter postoperative mechanical ventilation time (p = 0.09) than Group 1. Minimal right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy can be performed with favorable cosmetic and clinical results for atrial septal defects closure. Infra-axillary thoracotomy provides a good alternative to standard median sternotomy for patients with atrial septal defects

Comparison between minimal right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy and standard median sternotomy for repair of atrial septal defects

Background: The minimal right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy could be a safe and cosmetic alternative to standard median sternotomy. This study reviews our results and experience with a minimal right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy technique for the repair of atrial septal defects compared with standard median sternotomy. Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective, observational, and case-controlled study. Between May 2007 and November 2012, 26 patients underwent atrial septal defect closure with standard median sternotomy (Group 1). This group was compared with 21 patients who underwent repair of atrial septal defects using minimal right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy (Group 2). Quantitative data were given as mean ± standard deviation, and qualitative values were expressed as percentages. In the comparison of the normal variables between the two groups, we used independent sample t test, and in the comparison of categorical variables between groups, Chi-square test was used. Results: The mean length of incision was significantly shorter in Group 2 than in Group 1 (p = 0.03). The time it took to establish cardiopulmonary bypass was longer in Group 2 (p = 0.04). There were no statistically significant differences in cardiopulmonary bypass time (p = 0.11), aortic cross-clamp time (p = 0.10), and total operation time (p = 0.10) between the two groups. Group 2 had less chest tube drainage (p = 0.04), less blood transfusion (p = 0.02), and shorter postoperative mechanical ventilation time (p = 0.09) than Group 1. Conclusion: Minimal right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy can be performed with favorable cosmetic and clinical results for atrial septal defects closure. Infra-axillary thoracotomy provides a good alternative to standard median sternotomy for patients with atrial septal defects

Evaluation of a quality improvement intervention to reduce anastomotic leak following right colectomy (EAGLE): pragmatic, batched stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial in 64 countries

Background Anastomotic leak affects 8 per cent of patients after right colectomy with a 10-fold increased risk of postoperative death. The EAGLE study aimed to develop and test whether an international, standardized quality improvement intervention could reduce anastomotic leaks. Methods The internationally intended protocol, iteratively co-developed by a multistage Delphi process, comprised an online educational module introducing risk stratification, an intraoperative checklist, and harmonized surgical techniques. Clusters (hospital teams) were randomized to one of three arms with varied sequences of intervention/data collection by a derived stepped-wedge batch design (at least 18 hospital teams per batch). Patients were blinded to the study allocation. Low- and middle-income country enrolment was encouraged. The primary outcome (assessed by intention to treat) was anastomotic leak rate, and subgroup analyses by module completion (at least 80 per cent of surgeons, high engagement; less than 50 per cent, low engagement) were preplanned. Results A total 355 hospital teams registered, with 332 from 64 countries (39.2 per cent low and middle income) included in the final analysis. The online modules were completed by half of the surgeons (2143 of 4411). The primary analysis included 3039 of the 3268 patients recruited (206 patients had no anastomosis and 23 were lost to follow-up), with anastomotic leaks arising before and after the intervention in 10.1 and 9.6 per cent respectively (adjusted OR 0.87, 95 per cent c.i. 0.59 to 1.30; P = 0.498). The proportion of surgeons completing the educational modules was an influence: the leak rate decreased from 12.2 per cent (61 of 500) before intervention to 5.1 per cent (24 of 473) after intervention in high-engagement centres (adjusted OR 0.36, 0.20 to 0.64; P < 0.001), but this was not observed in low-engagement hospitals (8.3 per cent (59 of 714) and 13.8 per cent (61 of 443) respectively; adjusted OR 2.09, 1.31 to 3.31). Conclusion Completion of globally available digital training by engaged teams can alter anastomotic leak rates. Registration number: NCT04270721 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)