Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma: What is missing?

While there are guidelines from all major liver societies for the screening and management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), many issues remain surrounding the actual practice of screening. This review discusses how to diagnose and screen HCC and more importantly, how well we diagnose and screen for HCC. Improved survival and outcomes after HCC diagnosis depend upon accurate diagnosis of cirrhosis and the timeliness of screening. With all oral direct-acting antivirals now widely available for hepatitis C, there are increasing numbers of patients who may be cured but are still at risk of HCC. Some uncontrolled studies suggest that direct-acting antiviral therapy may even increase the risk of HCC. Before we discuss expansion of who should be screened, we need physicians to realize how poorly we screen those patients who are already recommended for screening by guidelines. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:18-22).

Mortality predictors of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the causes of both community and healthcare-associated bacteremia. The attributable mortality of S. aureus bacteremia (SAB) is still higher and predictors for mortality and clinical outcomes of this condition are need to be clarified. In this prospective observational study, we aimed to examine the predictive factors for mortality in patients with SAB in eight Turkish tertiary care hospitals. METHODS: Adult patients with signs and symptoms of bacteremia with positive blood cultures for S. aureus were included. All data for episodes of SAB including demographics, clinical and laboratory findings, antibiotics, and outcome were recorded for a 3-year (2010-2012) period. Cox proportional hazard model with forward selection was used to assess the independent effect of risk factors on mortality. A 28-day mortality was the dependent variable in the Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 255 episodes of SAB were enrolled. The median age of the patients was 59 years. Fifty-five percent of the episodes were considered as primary SAB and vascular catheter was the source of 42.1 %. Healthcare associated SAB was defined in 55.7 %. Blood cultures yielded methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) as a cause of SAB in 39.2 %. Initial empirical therapy was inappropriate in 28.2 %. Although overall mortality was observed in 52 (20.4 %), 28-day mortality rate was 15.3 %. Both the numbers of initial inappropriate empirical antibiotic treatment and the median hours to start an appropriate antibiotic between the cases of fatal outcome and survivors after fever onset were found to be similar (12/39 vs 60/216 and 6 vs 12 h, respectively; p > 0.05). High Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score (p = 0.002), MRSA (p = 0.017), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (p < 0.001) and prior exposure to antibiotics (p = 0.002) all were significantly associated with mortality. The Cox analysis defined age [Hazard Ratio (HR) 1.03; p = 0.023], ICU admission (HR 6.9; p = 0.002), and high CCI score (HR 1.32; p = 0.002) as the independent predictive factors mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this prospective study showed that age, ICU stay and high CCI score of a patient were the independent predictors of mortality and MRSA was also significantly associated with mortality in SAB.

Comparison of colistin monotherapy and non-colistin combinations in the treatment of multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter spp. bloodstream infections: a multicenter retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of colistin (COL) monotherapy versus non-COL based combinations in the treatment of bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to multidrug resistant Acinetobacter spp.(MDR-A). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data of 107 MDR-A BSI cases from 27 tertiary centers in Turkey were included. PRIMARY END-POINT: 14-day mortality. SECONDARY END-POINTS: Microbial eradication and clinical improvement. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients in the COL monotherapy (CM) group and 71 in the non-COL based combinations (NCC) group were included in the study. Mean age was 59.98 ± 20 years (range: 18-89) and 50.5% were male. Median duration of follow-up was 40 days (range: 9-297). The 14-day survival rates were 52.8% in CM and 47.23% in NCC group (P = 0.36). Microbiological eradication was achieved in 69% of CM and 83% of NCC group (P = 0.13). Treatment failure was detected in 22.9% of cases in both CM and NCC groups. Univariate analysis revealed that mean age (P = 0.001), Charlson comorbidity index (P = 0.03), duration of hospital stay before MDR-A BSI (P = 0.04), Pitt bacteremia score (P = 0.043) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (P = 0.05) were significant in terms of 14-day mortality. Advanced age (P = 0.01) and duration of hospital stay before MDR-A BSI (P = 0.04) were independently associated with 14-day mortality in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: No significant difference was detected between CM and non-COL based combinations in the treatment of MDR-A BSIs in terms of efficacy and 14-day mortality.

The development of pulmonary aspergillosis and pneumothorax in a patient with neutropenic systemic lupus erythematosus and successful treatment of the first case.

There are reports on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with aspergillosis; however, aspergillosis-related pneumothorax has not been reported in SLE. We present a female patient with active SLE who was administered high-dose steroids, developed an opportunistic bacterial infection and had a cavitary pulmonary lesion. Sputum cultures yielded Aspergillus fumigatus. She was administered voriconazole. She developed dyspnoea and chest X-ray showed pneumothorax. She was placed with an underwater drainage chest tube; the pneumothorax and the pulmonary lesion regressed.

Mediterranean spotted fever in the Trakya region of Turkey.

Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is caused by a tick-borne pathogen, Rickettsia conorii subsp. conorii, belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cases with confirmed diagnosis of MSF from 2003 to 2009 in the Trakya region of Turkey. Patients with high fever, maculopapular rash (involving the palms or soles) and/or a black inoculation eschar at the site of the tick bite (tache noire) were included in the study. Before doxycycline treatment, skin biopsy specimens, preferably from the eschar or from the maculopapular rash, were obtained for DNA extraction. Immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was performed to detect IgM and IgG antibodies against R. conorii in acute and convalescent sera. Afterwards, a standard PCR reaction using primers suitable for hybridisation within the conserved region of genes coding for outer membrane protein A (ompA) and citrate synthase (gltA) and DNA sequencing were performed. There were 128 patients with confirmed MSF diagnosis. Using IFA, seroconversion or a fourfold or greater rise in titre was observed in 97 (77%) patients, whereas a single high titre was demonstrated in 16 (12.7%) patients. According to PCR analysis, 77 (72.6%) of 106 biopsy samples showed positive results. Of these, 58 (73%) of 79 biopsy specimens were from the eschar and 19 (70%) of 27 specimens were from the maculopapular rash. No significant difference was found between the rate of positive skin biopsies taken from the eschar and the maculopapular rash. DNA sequence analysis was performed to all PCR-positive cases, and R. conorii conorii (type strain: Malish, ATCC VR-613) was detected in each of them. MSF is prevalent, but has been underdiagnosed and underreported so far in Turkey. It is a potentially severe and even fatal disease resembling viral haemorrhagic fevers that has to be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile illness associated with thrombocytopenia, even in the absence of an eschar or a tick bite. While IFA allows for retrospective diagnosis in MSF, advanced molecular techniques provide the rapid detection of rickettsia in all skin samples, including eschar and maculopapular rash.

Negative serology: could exclude the diagnosis of brucellosis?

Two cases of brucellar spondylodiscitis of the lumbar area were presented. Although both cases showed typical radiological changes, serological tests could not detect Brucella agglutinating antibodies. One of the patients was bacteremic and Brucella spp. was identified from blood culture. In the second patient needle biopsy was required for definite diagnosis. Although small, serologic tests have a certain rate of false negative results in brucellosis. Thus, a negative serology should not exclude the diagnosis of brucellosis, as it is demonstrated in the current cases.

Cost of acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the direct medical costs and outcomes of patients with stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The records of the patients admitted with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke to the University of Trakya, School of Medicine, Department of Neurology were reviewed retrospectively in year 2007. Direct medical costs (total costs, radiological, laboratory, medicine, and other) were calculated, additionally cost per life saved and per life-year saved were calculated for stroke patients. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 328 patients (169 male/159 female) and mean age was 66.5 ± 12.4 years. Length of hospital stay was 10.7 ± 7.5 days. Mortality rate was 20.4% and the mRS score of the patients was 3.2 ± 2.1. The average cost of stroke was US$ 1677 ± 2964 (29.9% medicine, 19.9% laboratory, 12.8% neuroimaging, and 38% beds and staff). Cost per life saved and per life-year saved were US$ 2108 and US$ 1070, respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first study in order to determine direct medical cost of stroke in Turkey, therefore, it may be guideline for disease-cost management of stroke.

CTX-M type extended spectrum beta-lactamases in Escherichia coli isolates from community acquired upper urinary tract infections at a university in the European part of Turkey.

Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli has been an emerging etiologic agent in the community acquired infections. We investigated the occurrence of ESBL producing E. coli isolated from patients admitted with community acquired urinary tract infection (UTI) to the hospital of the Trakya University, Turkey during 2006. Eleven single patient isolates of E. coli harboring ESBL were identified among 30 E. coli isolated from patients admitted with symptoms corresponding to upper UTI. CTX-M type ESBLs were detected in all 11 ESBL-producers by isoelectric focusing and polymerase chain reaction screening. Sequence analysis revealed CTX-M-1 in one isolate, CTX-M-3 in three isolates and CTX-M-15 in seven isolates. ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from community acquired UTIs are widespread in the European part of Turkey.

Spondylodiscitis due to an emergent fungal pathogen: Blastoschizomyces capitatus, a case report and review of the literature.

The study includes a case report and a literature review. The main objective of this study is to present a case of spondylodiscitis due to a fungal pathogen, Blastoschizomyces capitatus and to review the published literature on this emergent fungus in etiology of spondylodiscitis, and osteomyelitis. Osteoarticular involvement due to B. capitatus has been reported in six cases, and vertebral involvement has been seen in five of them. All of these cases had underlying malignancy. Infection is usually advanced at presentation. Case notes and online databases were reviewed. Organism was isolated from bone material in all of the cases and antibiotic treatment by antifungal agents cured the infection. We present another case of infectious spondylodiscitis due to B. capitaus, which is reported first in Turkey and tried to attract attendance to this emergent fungal pathogen as an etiologic agent of spine infections in cancer patients.

Acute onset myositis associated with brucellosis, quite a rare diagnosis.

Brucellosis is a zoonosis that is transmissible to humans. It is a disease with multi-systemic involvement caused by the genus Brucella. Neurological complications, including meningitis, meningo-encephalitis, myelitis-radiculoneuritis, brain abscess, epidural abscess and meningo-vascular syndromes, are rarely encountered. We present a patient presenting with acute onset myositis. This kind of presentation has not previously been reported in the English language literature. We conclude that the diagnosis of neuro-brucellosis should be considered in patients presenting with muscle weakness.

[Short communication: Evaluation of the flu vaccine administered to health care workers in Trakya University Hospital in 2006]. / Kisa bildiri: Trakya Universitesi Hastanesi saglik Calisanlarina 2006 yilinda uygulanan grip asisinin degerlendirilmesi.

After the detection of human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in Eastern Turkey in January 2006, Turkish Ministry of Health has had declared "National Plans of Activity for Pandemic Influenza". All health-care facilities were recommended to develop contingency plans. Then the essential activities were started in August 2006 in Trakya University, Faculty of Medicine (Edirne, Trace region of Turkey), and institutional education about pandemic influenza and preventive measures was implemented to health care workers (HCWs). In November 2006, health care workers were offered inactivated flu vaccine (Vaxigrip, Sanofi Pasteur, France) supplied by the Ministry of Health. The aim of this questionary survey was to evaluate the visions and conceptions of health care workers about influenza vaccination during the vaccination campaign. All the participants were informed by using an information form including the indications, contraindications and possible adverse reactions of flu vaccine, and were requested to complete the questionnaire about influenza vaccination according to their own perception before vaccination. Vaccine recipients were also invited to the vaccination unit if they had any adverse reaction. A total of 1041 HCWs (560 female, 481 male; mean age: 32.8 +/- 8.2 years) completed the questionnaire. Of them 884 subjects (85%) have accepted to be vaccinated, while 157 subjects (15%) have not. It was determined that 72 HCWs (6.9%) had been administered flu vaccine in 2005, and 38 (3.7%) have had an underlying chronic disease requiring medical therapy. Six subjects (16%) with an underlying chronic disease were vaccinated in 2005, while 66 HCWs (6.6%) without any chronic disease received vaccination voluntarily. Seven workers (0.7%) declined vaccination as they defined hypersensitivity to egg, and 84 workers (8%) had influenza vaccine voluntarily before the campaign in 2006. Sixty six workers (6.3%) have refused to be vaccinated as they considered influenza vaccination ineffective to protect against flu. Two workers (0.2%) had allergic skin reactions such as erythema and itching after vaccination. It can be concluded that influenza vaccination of the health care workers is a part of infection control policies and it is also a matter of patient safety. The implementation of necessary education programmes and attempts to emphasize the importance of vaccination of health care workers especially dealing with high risk patients, would be of crucial importance to decrease the morbidity and mortality due to influenza infections.

Acute viral cholecystitis due to hepatitis A virus infection.

Acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is frequent in developing countries. Although some gallbladder abnormalities are defined during the course, an acute cholecystitis is extremely rare. We here report 2 additional cases of cholecystitis due to acute HAV infection and review the previously reported 2 cases. One of our patients was admitted with jaundice and a suspicious portal mass with a presumed diagnosis of cholagiocarcinoma. The other presented with jaundice, abdominal pain, and constitutional symptoms. Both patients were planned to be operated on. During the follow-up, absence of fever, leukocytosis, acute-phase protein response, and calculus in biliary system were against the diagnosis of a bacterial cholecystitis. Moreover the course of cholecystitis was closely parallel to that of the HAV infection. Both patients were managed conservatively. It was concluded that rare, acute viral cholecystitis can develop during the course of acute HAV infection.