Prostatitis and hepatitis due to Brucella melitensis: a case report

A case is reported of a 43-year-old man who presented prostatitis and hepatitis due to Brucella melitensis. His symptoms were icterus, weakness, anorexia, fever, and urinary discomfort, Physical examination revealed icterus and hepatosplenomegaly, Lymphomonocytosis, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and abnormal liver functions had been detected in laboratory tests, Brucella melitensis was isolated from prostatic fluid and blood cultures

An AIDS Case with Systemic Zygomycosis

Although zygomycosis is a rare opportunistic infection, it is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in immunocompromised patients. A 50-year-old male patient was admitted with complaints of impaired consciousness, difficulty in speaking, headache, lethargy, diarrhea and weight loss. His history revealed that he had lived abroad and consumed alcohol regularly. The diagnosis of chronic alcoholism, AIDS and central nervous system infection were made. The patient died on the seventh day of his hospitalization. His autopsy revealed nonseptated hyphae with right-angled branching in cerebral, pulmonary and cardiac sections, particularly in vascular structures. In the light of these findings systemic zygomycosis was diagnosed

Community and Hospital Acquired Staphylococcal Infections in Adults

Clinical and laboratory findings and therapeutical features of 76 patients with staphylococcal infection have been evaluated. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 53 (70%), and coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) in 23 (30%) patients. Methicillin resistance was found to be 8 (15%) among the S. aureus isolates and 12 (52%) among CNS. Fourtysix of 76 (61%) patients had an underlying disease. Eighteen (34%) patients with infection due to S. aureus and 18 (78%) patients with infection due to CNS had hospital acquired infection. Fourtysix of 76 (61%) patients were diagnosed as sepsis, 23 (30%) soft tissue infection, 4 (5%) endocarditis, 2 (3%) pneumonia, I (I%) pleural empyema. Primary site of infection was soft tissue in 32 % of patients with S. aureus sepsis and intravenous catheter in 94% of patients with coagulase negative staphylococcal sepsis. Antimicrobial therapy was determined according to severity of disease and methicillin resistance of strain. Vancomycin therapy was given in 22 patients. Three of 76 (4%) patients developed different complications and three patients recovered with some sequelae. Seven of 76 (9%) patients died

The assessment of the serum levels of tweak and prostaglandin f2α in covid – 19

Background/aim: It is claimed that aberrant immune response has a more important role than the cytopathic effect of the virus in the morbidity and mortality of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to investigate the possible roles of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK)/Fn14 pathway and leukotrienes (LT) in uncontrolled immune response that occurs in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Materials and methods: This study included 25 asymptomatic patients and 35 patients with lung involvement who were diagnosed with COVID-19 as well as 22 healthy volunteers. Lung involvement was determined using computed-tomography. Serum TWEAK, LTE4, and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) levels were determined. Results: Compared with the healthy control group, TWEAK, LTE4, and PGF2α levels were higher in the group of SARS-CoV-2 infection without lung involvement. In the group of SARS-CoV-2 infection with lung involvement, age, fibrinogen, sedimentation, C-reactive protein and ferritin, TWEAK, LTE4, and PGF2α levels were higher, and lymphocyte levels were lower compared with the asymptomatic group. Conclusions: In the study, TWEAK and LTE4 levels increased in cases with COVID-19. These results support that TWEAK/Fn14 pathway and LT may involved in the pathology of aberrant immune response against SARS-CoV-2. Inhibition of each of these pathways may be a potential target in the treatment of COVID-19

The receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) pathway in COVID-19

Introduction: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) with lung involvement frequently causes morbidity and mortality. Advanced age appears to be the most important risk factor. The receptor for advanced glycation end-product (RAGE) pathway is considered to play important roles in the physiological aging and pathogenesis of lung diseases. This study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between COVID-19 and RAGE pathway. Materials and methods: This study included 23 asymptomatic patients and 35 patients with lung involvement who were diagnosed with COVID-19 as well as 22 healthy volunteers. Lung involvement was determined using computed tomography. Serum soluble-RAGE (sRAGE) levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The sRAGE levels were significantly higher in the asymptomatic group than in the control group. Age, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, and ferritin levels were higher and the sRAGE level was lower in the patients with lung involvement than in the asymptomatic patients. Conclusions: In this study, patients with high sRAGE levels were younger and had asymptomatic COVID-19. Patients with low sRAGE levels were elderly patients with lung involvement, which indicates that the RAGE pathway plays an important role in the aggravation of COVID-19