Investigation of Blastocystis hominis Frequency in Patients with Diabetes by Microscopy and Conventional PCR Methods.

Background: We aimed to determine the frequency and subtype of B. hominis in diabetic patients. Methods: One hundred and fifty diabetic patients and 100 healthy people without any chronic disease were included in the study. Stool samples were analyzed by native-Lugol, condensation, trichrome staining and PCR methods. Results: In 150 patients with diabetes; B. hominis was detected in 38 (25.3%) by PCR, in 34 (22.7%) by native-Lugol and trichrome staining. In the control group, 14 (14%) out of 100 subjects were positive by PCR, and 10 (10%) were positive by native-Lugol and trichrome staining. In the statistical evaluation, a significant difference was found between gender (P=0.023), age (P=0.045; ≤35 and >35 comparison), duration of diabetes (P=0.04), the HbA1c value (P=0.023; <8 and ≥8 comparison), and B. hominis positivity. ST1 was determined in 76.9% of patients with diabetes, and ST2 was determined in 23.07%. Considering the 3 methods, B. hominis positivity was detected in 40 patients (26.7%) in diabetic group and in 14 participants (14%) in the control group (P=0.011). Conclusion: B. hominis is a factor to be considered in patients with diabetes. Herein, the most common subtype detected in the patients with diabetes mellitus was ST1, but this result was not considered sufficient to reveal the importance of the subtype factor in the pathogenicity of B. hominis in patients with diabetes. In this context, there is a need for more comprehensive studies in both diabetic and other immunocompromised patient groups.

Investigation of the presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis in immunosuppressed patients with diarrhea by IFA and real time PCR methods.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the frequency of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis in patients with diarrhea in the immunosuppressed. METHODS: Patients between the ages of 18-85 who applied to different clinics of Mus Bulanik and Bitlis State Hospitals and were referred to the microbiology or parasitology laboratory were selected for this study. A total of 200 individuals, including 88 immunosuppressed with diarrhea patients, 38 immunocompetent with diarrhea patients, 38 immunosuppressed without diarrhea patients, and 36 immunocompetent without diarrhea individuals, were included. Collected stool samples were evaluated using IFA-MAbs and real-time PCR methods to determine the frequency of E.intestinalis and E.bieneusi. RESULTS: E. intestinalis was detected in 59 (29.5%) of 200 samples and E. bieneusi was detected in 46 (23.0%) of them. Mixed infection was detected in 16 (8%) of the positive samples. While there was no statistically significant difference between E. intestinalis positivity and gender, age, diarrhea status and immune system status, a statistically significant relationship was determined between E. bieneusi positivity and diarrhea. When the real-time PCR method was accepted as the gold standard, the sensitivity of the IFA-MAbs method in the diagnosis of E. intestinalis was 94.54%, the specificity was 97.24, the sensitivity in the diagnosis of E. bieneusi was 95.45%, and the specificity was 98.72%. The overall accuracy of the IFA-MAbs method was 96.5% for the diagnosis of E. intestinalis and 98% for the diagnosis of E. bieneusi. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that E. intestinalis and E. bieneusi should be considered in both immunosuppressed and healthy individuals with diarrhea. IFA-MAbs method can be used in addition to the real-time PCR method to diagnose E. intestinalis and E. bieneusi.

[Cystic Echinococcosis Seropositivity in the Blood Samples Sent to Parasitology Laboratory of Yüzüncü Yil University Medical Faculty between 2005 and 2013: Retrospective Assessment]. / Yüzüncü Yil Üniversitesi Tip Fakültesi Parazitoloji Laboratuvarina 2005-2013 Yillari Arasinda Gönderilen Kan Örneklerinde Kistik Ekinokokkozis Seropozitifligi: Retrospektif Degerlendirme.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed in order to contribute the data on the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Turkey and to reveal this parasitosis problem in Van province. METHODS: Blood samples of 2642 patients (1214 men, 1428 women; 506 of them 0-13 age, 2136 of them 14 and over age group), which were sent with suspected CE to Parasitology Laboratory from various policlinics of Yüzüncü Yil University Medical Faculty, between the dates of 01.09.2005 and 01.09.2013, were evaluated for CE by using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) (R-Biopharm, Germany; IgG) method. RESULTS: 801 (30.3%) of examined blood samples of these patients were found positive for this parasitosis. Seropositivity was found 31.9% of men, 29% of women; 33.4% of 0-13 age group, 29.6% of 14 and over age group in the study. Cysts, which were obtained from operated seropositive patients, were confirmed that unilocular cysts as pathological. CONCLUSION: As a result, it was seen that CE is continued to be a major public health problem in Van province and it was appear that comprehensive protection and control programs should be carry out to struggle this disease.

[The prevalence of Demodex sp. in patients admitted to the parasitology laboratory of the Dursun Odabas Medical Center in Yüzüncü Yil University, Van]. / Yüzüncü Yil Üniversitesi Dursun Odabas Tip Merkezi Parazitoloji Laboratuarina basvuran hastalarda Demodex sp.'nin prevalansi.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Demodex sp. in patients referred fom the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic to the Parasitology Laboratory, Dursun Odabas Medical Center of the Yüzüncü Yil University. METHODS: The study was conducted between May 2012-May 2013. The samples were taken from 67 patients using the standard skin surface biopsy method. RESULTS: Demodex sp. mites were identified in 47.4% of 38 women, and in 48.3% of 29 male patients. These mites were detected in 15.8% of 19 patients who were 35 years old and younger, and in 60.4% of 48 patients who were 36 years old and older. Overall, 47.8% (32 patients) of 67 patients were found positive for demodicosis. It was determined that 53.1% of Demodex sp. positive patients had eritemato telangiectatic rosacea, 21.9% had papulo-pustular type rosacea, 18.8% had papules, 3.1% had erythematous pustules, and 3.1% had erythematous squamous plaques. There was a statistically significant difference between the Demodex sp. positivity and age groups (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that dermatologists should also take into consideration the possible presence of Demodex sp. mites in patients with skin symptoms such as erythema, telangiectasia, papules and pustules, and apply the appropriate treatment for these parasites.

[Unilocular cyst hydatid cases diagnosed between 1998-2005 in the Parasitology Laboratory of Yüzüncü Yil University Research and Training Hospital]. / Yüzüncü Yil Üniversitesi Arastirma ve Uygulama Hastanesi Parazitoloji Laboratuarinda 1998-2005 yillari arasinda saptanan uniloküler kist hidatik olgulari.

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to contribute to the information of the spread of disease in our country by determining the distribution of cystic echinococcosis (CE) on people in our region and to demonstrate the importance of it for our region. METHODS: In this study, the blood serum samples of a total of 558 patients, which were sent to the Parasitology Laboratory from several outpatient clinics of the Yüzüncü Yil University Research and Training Hospital between 01.09.1998-01.09.2005, were evaluated in terms of CE by using Indirect Hemaglutination Test (IHA) or ELISA methods. RESULTS: 25.6% of a total of 558 cystic echinococcosis suspected patients were found to be seropositive by IHA or ELISA methods and it was confirmed that the cysts obtained as a result of the positive patients' surgery were unilocular cysts. In our study, seropositivity was found in 25.7% of 303 female patients, 25.5% of 255 male patients; 33.3% of 48 pediatric 8-15 age group patients and 24.9% of 510 adult patients over the age of 15 years. CONCLUSION: Cystic echinococcosis continues to be a major public health problem in the Van province. Large-scale prevention and control programs should be implemented against this disease.

[Prevalence of head lice in some primary schools in Igdir province]. / Igdir ilinde bazi ilkögretim okullarinda bas bitinin yayilisi.

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to detect the prevalence and evaluate risk factors of Pediculus capitis infestation in four primary schools in Igdir in April and May, 2010. METHODS: The study was performed on 2222 students (6-15 years old), 1116 female and 1106 male. The hair of the students, especially from the neck and back of the head, were examined for egg, nymph and imago of P. capitis. The samples taken from the students were brought to the Medical Laboratory of Health Services Vocational School of Igdir University for examination. Each student answered a questionnaire containing some questions related to the infestation. RESULTS: The imago, nymph or eggs of the parasite were encountered in 22.9% of females and in 3.2% of males. Prevalence of infestation in all students was 13.1%. CONCLUSION: It was determined that there was a significant relation between head louse infestation and gender, socioeconomic status of the schools, hair length, number of people living in the home and the number of rooms in the house. In most comparisons, relations between prevalence of pediculosis capitis and education level, income level and job of the children's father and education level of the children's mother were found significant at different levels.

A nasopharyngeal human infestation caused by Linguatula serrata nymphs in Van province: a case report.

The reason for the presentation of this case is that Linguatula serrata, a parasite rarely encountered in humans, was found in a patient in Van province. The patient, who was 26 years old, lived in Ercis a town in Van province, East Turkey. She was admitted to the Outpatient Clinic of Infectious Diseases of Ercis Government Hospital with a complaint of coughing a few worms about 4 cm long from the oral cavity, and also sore throat, partial voice loss and vomiting. The polyclinic doctor suspected that the worm was a parasite but he could not make a diagnosis, and the patient was referred to Health Research and Training Hospital, Yüzüncü Yil University. The parasite was examined in the Parasitology Laboratory and it was observed that this parasite was the nymph of L. serrata whose mouth was surrounded with four hooks and had approximately 90 body segments with small hooks. No medical treatment was given to the patient except that gargling with saline solution was recommended. As a result, we think that physicians should consider L. serrata infestation in patients applying to health foundations with complaints such as pharyngitis accompanied by pharyngeal pain, coughing, sneezing and vomiting.

Human infection with Dicrocoelium dendriticum in Turkey.

Human dicrocoeliosis is reported sporadically in various parts of the world. We report a case in a 21-year-old male, who had right upper abdominal pain, weight loss, and chronic relapsing watery diarrhea three to four times daily for four weeks. The patient had abdominal tenderness to palpation in the right upper quadrant. Alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and serum immunoglobulin E levels were slightly elevated; all other biochemical and hematological findings were in their normal ranges. The duodenal biopsy samples were normal and an abdominal ultrasonography showed no biliary or hepatic abnormality. Stool microscopy revealed numerous eggs of Dicrocoelium dendriticum. As pseudoparasitosis can result from eating raw, infected animal liver, the patient was given a liver-free diet for three days, to rule out that possibility. Subsequent stool examinations showed eggs in each of the samples indicating that the infection was genuine. The patient was treated with triclabendazole 10 mg/kg in a single dose. Four weeks later, no parasite eggs were detected in the microscopic examination of the stool samples. The patient got better gradually and the symptoms disappeared. Physicians should keep in mind parasitic diseases such as the rarely encountered dicrocoeliosis.

[Distribution of head lice in the Ercis district of Van]. / Van'in Ercis Ilçesinde Bas Bitinin Yayilisi.

This study was carried out in order to to detect the prevalence of Pediculus capitis in the Ercis district of Van between May and June, 2007. The study was performed on sixth, seventh and eighth grade schoolchildren between 12 and 15 years old who studied at the Osmangazi Primary School. All of the hair, especially on the neck and the back of the head was examined for the egg, nymph and imago stages of the parasite in 622 schoolchildren (196 females and 426 males) and samples were collected from possibly infected schoolchildren. The questionnaire forms were given to all schoolchildren. The samples taken from schoolchildren were brought to the Parasitology Laboratory of the Health Research and Training Hospital, Yüzüncü Yil University. Eggs of the parasite were found in 9.5% of all schoolchildren, in 23% of females and 3.3% of males. A statistically significant relationship was found between the prevalence of P. capitis and gender, educational status of students' mothers (in some groups), the frequency of bathing (p < 0.01), and the fathers' profession (in some groups; p < 0.05). As a result, relation was observed between head lice and socioeconomic status, hygiene rules, crowded families and classrooms at schools.

[Sheep trichostrongylidosis in Van province]. / Van yöresinde koyunlarda trichostrongylidosis.

This study was performed in the Van Municipality Slaughterhouse from January to December 2001. Abomasums and small intestines from a total of 104 sheep were transported to the parasitology laboratory of the Veterinary Faculty of Yüzüncü Yil University for parasitological examination. The abomasums and small intestines of the animals were opened with appropriate technique in the laboratory, and male nematodes were collected from the contents of the abomasums and small intestines using a sampling method, and then these parasites were identified. Gastrointestinal nematodes were encountered in 87.5% out of 104 sheep. Marshallagia marshalli (85%), Teladorsagia circumcincta (75%), Nematodirus oiratianus (75%), N. spathiger (65%), Haemonchus contortus (40%), Tel. occidentalis (36%), Trichostrongylus axei (33%), N. abnormalis (19%) and T. probolurus (19%), Tel. davtiani (15%), Tel. trifurcate (10%), and Camelostrongylus mentulatus (1%) were detected. Among the parasites, the species encountered most often were Tel. circumcincta (45.23%) in abomasums and N.oiratianus (65.73%) in small intestines. The highest rate of parasites in both abomasums and small intestines occurred in August, September and October. It was found that the young animals have a parasite density higher than the adults and the females have parasite density higher than the males.

[Cystic echinococcosis in Turkey from 2001-2005]. / Türkiye'de 2001-2005 Yillari Arasinda Kistik Ekinokokkozis.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by the metacestode form of Echinococcus granulosus is a major public health problem especially in animal-raising regions of the world. In the present study, CE cases were determined during 2001-2005 by investigating different hospital and health directorship documents and Health Ministry documents, retrospectively. Our results show that there were 2534 (13.13%) cases in the Marmara region; 2114 (16.94%), in the Aegean region; 2578 (16.09%), Mediterranean region; 5404 (38.57%), in the Middle Anatolian region; 428 (5.70%), in the Black Sea region; 844 (6.80%), in the eastern Anatolian region; and 887 (2.75%), in the southeastern Anatolian region making a total of 14,789 CE cases. Finally, it has been determined that the patients were hospitalized for a total of 149,464 days.

[Prevalence of intestinal parasites among workers in food sector in Van region]. / Van yöresinde gida sektörü çalisanlarinda bagirsak parazitlerinin yayginligi

Stool and cellophane tape specimens were taken for parasitological examination from 739 people who work in food sector and applied to the public health lab of the Van Health Administration for porter examination. Parasites were determined at 131 people (17.71%) of 739 worker whom samples were investigated. Ninety-five people had one, 30 people had two, 5 people had three and one person had four parasite species. Parasites determined in the study were 19.08% helminthes and 80.91% protozoon. In this study, 1.21% Ascaris lumbricoides, 0.81% Enterobius vermicularis, 0.67% Hymenolepis nana, 0.40% Trichuris trichiura, 0.27% Taenia saginata, 4.87% Blastocystis hominis, 3.24% Entamoeba coli, 2.84% Giardia intestinalis, 2.02% Iodamoeba bütschlii, 0.67% Endolimax nana, 0.27% Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar, 0.27% Chilomastix mesnili, 0.13% Entamoeba hartmanni were found.