Disseminated Cryptococcus Infections in Immunocompetent Patients: Two Cases

Cryptococcal infections usually manifest as sporadic infections in immunocompromised individuals. In this paper, two cases of disseminated cryptococcal infections in immunocompetent individuals have been presented. Both patients had meningitis, accompanied by pulmonary infection in one and fungemia in the other. Amphotericin B and fluconazole have been administered but both patients were lost despite pertinent antifungal treatment. Our objective was to point out the high mortality of cryptococcal infections even in immunocompetent patients and emphasize on the importance of early diagnosis and treatment

Evaluation of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Cases

Introduction: The pandemic H1N1 virus has also affected our country between June 2009 and March 2010. This study aimed to evaluate the cases affected by the pandemic and hospitalized in one’s clinic. Materials and Methods: Demographic characteristics, risk factors, laboratory and radiological findings of the patients hospitalized with a provisional diagnosis of H1N1 influenza between October 2009 and March 2010 were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Seventy-five patients admitted to the study, 49 (65.3%) of them were female, and the mean age was 35.9 (18-80). Of the female patients, 13 (26%) were pregnant. The most obvious symptoms of referred patients were fever (98.6%), chills (89.3%), weakness (88%) and cough (85%). Bilateral involvement existed on direct chest X-ray examination during the first application of all patients who needed mechanical ventilation or died later. Forty three percent of the patients had at least one chronic disease. Five of the patients died. The presence of H1N1 was confirmed in 44 (58%) cases by polymerase change reaction (PCR). Exposure to a patient with influenza was positive in 45.5% of the cases (p= 0.019). Lymphopenia was the most common laboratory finding in all patients (64%). Monocyte values were significantly low in certain cases (p= 0.0016). Oseltamivir treatment was used in 72 (96%) patients. Antibiotics were added to treatment in 63 (84%) patients. The most common complication was pneumonia (82%). Conclusion: H1N1 pandemic showed a similar pattern of seasonal influenza but transmission from person to person had been more frequent. Mortality was more common in middle-aged population without underlying comorbid condition

In Vivo Efficacy of Drugs against Toxoplasma gondii Combined with Immunomodulators

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of pyrimethamine (PYR) and sulfadiazine (SDZ) combined with levamisole and echinacea on the survival of mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii. For this, we used 99 specific pathogen-free BALB/c mice. All the mice were infected intraperitoneally with 10(5) T. gondii tachyzoites and were divided into 11 groups, each including 9 mice. Except for the control group, oral treatment was initiated in all groups 24 h post infection and was continued for 10 days. The treatment regimen included dual combinations of PYR (dose, 6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg/day) and SDZ (dose, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day), triple combinations of PYR + SDZ, and levamisole (dose, 2.5 mg/kg/day) or echinacea (dose, 130 and 260 mg/kg/day) and echinacea alone (dose, 130 and 260 mg/kg/day). We observed that an effective dose of the combination of PYR + SDZ and levamisole resulted in a statistically significant increase in the survival rate from 33.3% to 88.9%. Similarly, half the dose of this combination resulted an increase in the survival rate from 0% to 44.4% (p < 0.05). Survival rate also increased in the groups treated with the combinations including echinacea; however, the difference did not reach statistical significance. The triple combination of PYR-SDZ-levamisole could be an alternative treatment option in case of infections caused by T. gondii

Treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Acinetobacter: results of prospective and multicenter ID-IRI study

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) due to Acinetobacter spp. is one of the most common infections in the intensive care unit. Hence, we performed this prospective-observational multicenter study, and described the course and outcome of the disease. This study was performed in 24 centers between January 06, 2014, and December 02, 2016. The patients were evaluated at time of pneumonia diagnosis, when culture results were available, and at 72 h, at the 7th day, and finally at the 28th day of follow-up. Patients with coexistent infections were excluded and only those with a first VAP episode were enrolled. Logistic regression analysis was performed. A total of 177 patients were included; empiric antimicrobial therapy was appropriate (when the patient received at least one antibiotic that the infecting strain was ultimately shown to be susceptible) in only 69 (39%) patients. During the 28-day period, antibiotics were modified for side effects in 27 (15.2%) patients and renal dose adjustment was made in 38 (21.5%). Ultimately, 89 (50.3%) patients died. Predictors of mortality were creatinine level (OR, 1.84 (95% CI 1.279-2.657); p = 0.001), fever (OR, 0.663 (95% CI 0.454-0.967); p = 0.033), malignancy (OR, 7.095 (95% CI 2.142-23.500); p = 0.001), congestive heart failure (OR, 2.341 (95% CI 1.046-5.239); p = 0.038), appropriate empiric antimicrobial treatment (OR, 0.445 (95% CI 0.216-0.914); p = 0.027), and surgery in the last month (OR, 0.137 (95% CI 0.037-0.499); p = 0.003). Appropriate empiric antimicrobial treatment in VAP due to Acinetobacter spp. was associated with survival while renal injury and comorbid conditions increased mortality. Hence, early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy remain crucial to improve outcomes

Turkish registry for diagnosis and treatment of acute heart failure: TAKTIK study

WOS: 000392634300003PubMed ID: 28045409Objective: The goal of this study was to develop a national database of patients hospitalized in Turkey with acute heart failure (AHF) using evaluations of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Methods: Patient data were collected using an Internet-based survey. A total of 588 patients were enrolled from 36 participating medical centers across the country. Results: Mean age was 62 +/- 13 years and 38% of the patients were female. Ratio of de novo AHF to study cohort was 24%. Coronary heart disease and hypertension were found in 61% and 53% of the patients, respectively. Valvular heart disease was the underlying cause in 46% of heart failure patients. The most frequent factor associated with decompensation was noncompliance with treatment, observed in 34% of patients. Systolic blood pressure was 125 +/- 28 mmHg and heart rate was 93 +/- 22 beats/minute in the cohort. The most common findings on physical examination were inspiratory fine crackles (84%), peripheral edema (64%), and cold extremities in 34%. Mean ejection fraction (EF) measured at admission was 33 +/- 13%. Preserved EF (>=%40) was present in 20% of patients. On admission, 60%, 46%, and 40% of patients were using angiotens-in-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker, beta-blocker, or aldosterone antagonist, respectively. In-hospital events were reported as 3.4% death, 1.6% stroke and 2% myocardial infarction. Conclusion: Compared to previous data collected around the world, AHF patients in Turkey were younger, had more frequently valvular heart disease as the underlying cause, and were more noncompliant with medical treatment, but overall mortality was lower. Drugs shown to reduce mortality, and which also form the basis of guideline-directed medical therapy, are still used inadequately.Turkish Society of CardiologyTurkish Society of Cardiolog

Cranial imaging findings in neurobrucellosis: results of Istanbul-3 study

Objective Neuroimaging abnormalities in central nervous system (CNS) brucellosis are not well documented. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of imaging abnormalities in neurobrucellosis and to identify factors associated with leptomeningeal and basal enhancement, which frequently results in unfavorable outcomes

Tuberculous and brucellosis meningitis differential diagnosis

Background: The Thwaites and Lancet scoring systems have been used in the rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). However, brucellar meningoencephalitis (BME) has similar characteristics with TBM. The ultimate aim of this study is to infer data to see if BME should be included in the differential diagnosis of TBM when these two systems suggest the presence of TBM

Quality of life and related factors among chronic hepatitis B-infected patients: a multi-center study, Turkey

Background: The aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in Turkey and to study related factors

Cranial imaging findings in neurobrucellosis: results of Istanbul-3 study

Objective Neuroimaging abnormalities in central nervous system (CNS) brucellosis are not well documented. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of imaging abnormalities in neurobrucellosis and to identify factors associated with leptomeningeal and basal enhancement, which frequently results in unfavorable outcomes