High Serum Progranulin Levels in COVID-19 Patients: A Pilot Study.

In this study, we aimed to determine whether the progranulin level in serum predicts the course and severity of the disease in COVID-19 (+) patients and whether it can be used as a biomarker in these patients. Therefore, we sampled 61 people infected with COVID-19, and the cases were divided into the following groups: asymptomatic, noncomplicated, moderate, and severe. Concentrations of progranulin, TNF-α, IL-6 from in serum obtained from all participants were measured using commercially available ELISA kits, as well as WBC, PLT, NE, LY, ALT, AST, Hb, PCT, and CRP were examined with clinical analyzer. All measurements obtained for the patient samples were compared with those of 20 healthy individuals. The serum progranulin concentration was statistically higher in the COVID-19 (+) patient group than in the control group of healthy individuals [112.6 ± 54.8, 0.0 (0.0-54.2 pg/ml, respectively p = 0.000)]. ROC analysis was performed to evaluate the progranulin potential as a biomarker for COVID-19 (+) patients. A larger AUC (0.931 ± 0.08) value and a more significant p-value for progranulin than for CRP (p = 0.000) was detected. As a result, we believe that progranulin reaches high levels in the COVID-19 disease and may be a determinant in diagnosis and prognosis, and may be a better biomarker than CRP.

The serum amino acid profile in COVID-19.

The pandemic of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 affects millions of people worldwide. There are still many unknown aspects to this infection which affects the whole world. In addition, the potential impacts caused by this infection are still unclear. Amino acid metabolism, in particular, contains significant clues in terms of the development and prevention of many diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to compare amino acid profile of COVID-19 and healthy subject. In this study, the amino acid profiles of patients with asymptomatic, mild, moderate, and severe/critical SARS-CoV-2 infection were scanned with LC-MS/MS. The amino acid profile encompassing 30 amino acids in 142 people including 30 control and 112 COVID-19 patients was examined. 20 amino acids showed significant differences when compared to the control group in COVID-19 patient groups with different levels of severity in the statistical analyses conducted. It was detected that the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) changed in correlation with one another, and L-2-aminobutyric acid and L-phenylalanine had biomarker potential for COVID-19. Moreover, it was concluded that L-2-aminobutyric acid could provide prognostic information about the course of the disease. We believe that a new viewpoint will develop regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis as a result of the evaluation of the serum amino acid profiles of COVID-19 patients. Determining L-phenylalanine and L-2-aminobutyric levels can be used in laboratories as a COVID-19-biomarker. Also, supplementing COVID patients with taurine and BCAAs can be beneficial for treatment protocols.

The diagnostic utility of the "Thwaites' system" and "lancet consensus scoring system" in tuberculous vs. non-tuberculous subacute and chronic meningitis: multicenter analysis of 395 adult patients.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) represents a diagnostic and management challenge to clinicians. The "Thwaites' system" and "Lancet consensus scoring system" are utilized to differentiate TBM from bacterial meningitis but their utility in subacute and chronic meningitis where TBM is an important consideration is unknown. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study of adults with subacute and chronic meningitis, defined by symptoms greater than 5 days and less than 30 days for subacute meningitis (SAM) and greater than 30 days for chronic meningitis (CM). The "Thwaites' system" and "Lancet consensus scoring system" scores and the diagnostic accuracy by sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of receiver operating curve (AUC-ROC) were calculated. The "Thwaites' system" and "Lancet consensus scoring system" suggest a high probability of TBM with scores ≤4, and with scores of ≥12, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 395 patients were identified; 313 (79.2%) had subacute and 82 (20.8%) with chronic meningitis. Patients with chronic meningitis were more likely caused by tuberculosis and had higher rates of HIV infection (P < 0.001). A total of 162 patients with TBM and 233 patients with non-TBM had unknown (140, 60.1%), fungal (41, 17.6%), viral (29, 12.4%), miscellaneous (16, 6.7%), and bacterial (7, 3.0%) etiologies. TMB patients were older and presented with lower Glasgow coma scores, lower CSF glucose and higher CSF protein (P < 0.001). Both criteria were able to distinguish TBM from bacterial meningitis; only the Lancet score was able to differentiate TBM from fungal, viral, and unknown etiologies even though significant overlap occurred between the etiologies (P < .001). Both criteria showed poor diagnostic accuracy to distinguish TBM from non-TBM etiologies (AUC-ROC was <. 5), but Lancet consensus scoring system was fair in diagnosing TBM (AUC-ROC was .738), sensitivity of 50%, and specificity of 89.3%. CONCLUSION: Both criteria can be helpful in distinguishing TBM from bacterial meningitis, but only the Lancet consensus scoring system can help differentiate TBM from meningitis caused by fungal, viral and unknown etiologies even though significant overlap occurs and the overall diagnostic accuracy of both criteria were either poor or fair.

[Evaluation of Infections in Intensive Care Units: A Multicentre Point-Prevalence Study]. / Yogun Bakim Ünitelerindeki Enfeksiyonlarin Degerlendirilmesi: Çok Merkezli Nokta Prevalans Çalismasi.

Infection control is a top priority for hospitals, especially in intensive care units (ICU). In intensive care units, prevalence of infection is estimated to be 30% worldwide, which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Many factors are known to increase the risk of infection in ICU patients. Since each of these may lead to different infections, it is important to recognize and identify predisposing factors for early diagnosis and treatment. The regional health care-associated infections (HCAI) prevalence and distribution of risk factors are important strategies in infection control. In this regard, the aim of this point prevalence study was to obtain data related to infections, the prevalence of HCAI among these infections, the epidemiology, agents and antibiotics used among adult ICU patients in the university hospitals, training and research hospitals and public hospitals located in eight of the cities of our region. In the light of these data, we aimed to review and emphasize the guidelines on HCAI prevention. The study included adult ICU patients followed up in nine hospitals in the Eastern and South-eastern Anatolia Regions of eight different cities (Sivas, Erzurum, Mardin, Batman, Diyarbakir Elazig, Van, Adiyaman) in Turkey. Of the hospitals six were university hospitals, one was training and research hospital, and two were public hospitals. The number of beds ranged from 358 to 1418. A specific day was determined on which the researchers concurrently carried out a prospective surveillance in all adult intensive care unit patients. The researchers collected data and recorded the demographic characteristics (age, gender), underlying diseases, length of hospital stay, presence of invasive intervention (urinary catheter, central venous catheter, external ventricular drainage, mechanical ventilator, presence of risk factors such as burn, trauma and surgery, number of infection cases, type of infection (hospital-acquired, community-acquired), type of microorganisms and whether polymicrobial or monomicrobial, which antibiotics were administered, and duration of antibiotic treatment. Our study assessed data of 429 inpatients in the adult ICU of nine hospitals in eight different cities. There were a total of 881 intensive care beds in these hospitals, and 740 (84%) beds were occupied. Of the study group 49.7% was male with a mean age (min-max) of 64.08 ± 18.78 (2-97) years. The point prevalence of HCAI was 21.7% (n= 93). Of the patients who were followed-up 182 (42.4%) presented infections. Of these infections, 21.4% were diagnosed as community-acquired pneumonia, 18.6% were ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), 16.3% were communityacquired urinary tract infection (UTI), and 16.3% were bloodstream infection. In addition, the most commonly administered antibiotics in the study group were piperacillin/tazobactam, carbapenem, quinolone and ceftriaxone, respectively. The most common types of HCAI were community-acquired pneumonia (10.7%), ventilator-associated pneumonia (8.9%) and bloodstream infections (8.2%). The mean length of hospital stay was 32.05 ± 66.85 (1-459) days and the mean duration of antibiotic therapy in patients with HCAIs was 7.76 ± 7.11 (1-41) days. The most widely accepted method to handle infection is to carry out active, prospective and patient-based surveillance studies on a regular basis, and to take control measures and arrange appropriate treatment in the light of the data obtained. We attribute the high prevalence of HCAI in our region to lack of personnel, lack of materials, inappropriate use of antibiotics, insufficiency of physical conditions, and little support for infection control committees. In conclusion, we emphasize that it is of importance to work closely with the hospital administration to take measures and that necessary assistance is provided.

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. METHODS: Istanbul-3 study evaluated 263 adult patients with CNS brucellosis from 26 referral centers and reviewed their 242 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 226 computerized tomography (CT) scans of the brain. RESULTS: A normal CT or MRI scan was seen in 143 of 263 patients (54.3 %). Abnormal imaging findings were grouped into the following four categories: (a) inflammatory findings: leptomeningeal involvements (44), basal meningeal enhancements (30), cranial nerve involvements (14), spinal nerve roots enhancement (8), brain abscesses (7), granulomas (6), and arachnoiditis (4). (b) White-matter involvement: white-matter involvement (32) with or without demyelinating lesions (7). (c) Vascular involvement: vascular involvement (42) mostly with chronic cerebral ischemic changes (37). (d) Hydrocephalus/cerebral edema: hydrocephalus (20) and brain edema (40). On multivariate logistic regression analysis duration of symptoms since the onset (OR 1.007; 95 % CI 1-28, p = 0.01), polyneuropathy and radiculopathy (OR 5.4; 95 % CI 1.002-1.013, p = 0.044), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/serum glucose rate (OR 0.001; 95 % CI 000-0.067, p = 0.001), and CSF protein (OR 2.5; 95 % CI 2.3-2.7, p = 0.0001) were associated with diffuse inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 45 % of neurobrucellosis patients had abnormal neuroimaging findings. The duration of symptoms, polyneuropathy and radiculopathy, high CSF protein level, and low CSF/serum glucose rate were associated with inflammatory findings on imaging analyses.

Serum ß-Defensin-2 Levels and Their Relationship with the Clinical Course and Prognosis in Patients with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the clinical course and prognosis of serum levels of ß-defensin-2 (BD-2) in patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology of the Faculty of Medicine, Ataturk University, were considered for inclusion in this study. The patients had positive real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results of the CCHF virus. There were 60 patients with CCHF in the study group and 25 healthy participants in the control group. Serum BD-2 levels were measured using ELISA. Data were analyzed using the Student t test or Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Of the 60 patients, 6 (10%) died and 54 (90%) were discharged following their recovery. The mean BD-2 level of the patient group was significantly higher (4,180.30 ± 3,944.19 pg/ml) than that of the control group (964.45 ± 266.07 pg/ml; p = 0.001). Serum BD-2 levels of the patients with fatal (1,529.81 ± 1,028.14) and nonfatal disease (4,474.80 ± 4,041.58) differed, but this difference showed only borderline significance (p = 0.055). The mean BD-2 level of the severe group was 5,507.45 ± 4,327.06 pg/ml, while it was 3,611.52 ± 3,676.73 pg/ml in the mild/moderate group, and both were significantly higher than that of the control group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, the expression of serum BD-2 was raised in patients with CCHF, and this increase may beneficially affect survival. Studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the association of serum BD-2 with CCHF prognosis.

Results of a multinational study suggest the need for rapid diagnosis and early antiviral treatment at the onset of herpetic meningoencephalitis.

Data in the literature regarding the factors that predict unfavorable outcomes in adult herpetic meningoencephalitis (HME) cases are scarce. We conducted a multicenter study in order to provide insights into the predictors of HME outcomes, with special emphasis on the use and timing of antiviral treatment. Samples from 501 patients with molecular confirmation from cerebrospinal fluid were included from 35 referral centers in 10 countries. Four hundred thirty-eight patients were found to be eligible for the analysis. Overall, 232 (52.9%) patients experienced unfavorable outcomes, 44 died, and 188 survived, with sequelae. Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.05), Glasgow Coma Scale score (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.93), and symptomatic periods of 2 to 7 days (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.79) and >7 days (OR, 3.75; 95% CI, 1.72 to 8.15) until the commencement of treatment predicted unfavorable outcomes. The outcome in HME patients is related to a combination of therapeutic and host factors. This study suggests that rapid diagnosis and early administration of antiviral treatment in HME patients are keys to a favorable outcome.

Antituberculosis drug resistance patterns in adults with tuberculous meningitis: results of haydarpasa-iv study.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to antituberculosis drugs is an increasingly common clinical problem. This study aimed to evaluate drug resistance profiles of TBM isolates in adult patients in nine European countries involving 32 centers to provide insight into the empiric treatment of TBM. METHODS: Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 142 patients and was tested for susceptibility to first-line antituberculosis drugs, streptomycin (SM), isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF) and ethambutol (EMB). RESULTS: Twenty of 142 isolates (14.1 %) were resistant to at least one antituberculosis drug, and five (3.5 %) were resistant to at least INH and RIF, [multidrug resistant (MDR)]. The resistance rate was 12, 4.9, 4.2 and 3.5 % for INH, SM, EMB and RIF, respectively. The monoresistance rate was 6.3, 1.4 and 0.7 % for INH, SM and EMB respectively. There was no monoresistance to RIF. The mortality rate was 23.8 % in fully susceptible cases while it was 33.3 % for those exhibiting monoresistance to INH, and 40 % in cases with MDR-TBM. In compared to patients without resistance to any first-line drug, the relative risk of death for INH-monoresistance and MDR-TBM was 1.60 (95 % CI, 0.38-6.82) and 2.14 (95 % CI, 0:34-13:42), respectively. CONCLUSION: INH-resistance and MDR rates seemed not to be worrisome in our study. However, considering their adverse effects on treatment, rapid detection of resistance to at least INH and RIF would be most beneficial for designing anti-TB therapy. Still, empiric TBM treatment should be started immediately without waiting the drug susceptibility testing.

Unusual cause of fatal anthrax meningitis.

We report the case of fatal anthrax meningoencephalitis in the province of Mus located in eastern Anatolia, Turkey. The organism isolated from cerebrospinal fluid was identified as Bacillus anthracis. The patient was treated with crystallized penicillin G (24 MU/day IV) and ciprofloxacin (2 × 400/day IV), but died 5 days after hospitalization. Although it is a rare case, we consider that the patients who have skin, respiratory and neurological systems might also have hemorrhagic meningitis.

Serum fibronectin levels in acute and chronic viral hepatitis patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the serum fibronectin (FN) levels and liver enzyme activities in patients with acute hepatitis (A, B, C) and chronic viral hepatitis (B, C); determine whether the virus types correlated with disease severity; and assess whether FN could be used as a marker of virus type or disease severity in patients. METHODS: A total of 60 subjects were enrolled in the study, including 20 patients with acute hepatitis (A, B, C), 20 with chronic hepatitis (B, C), and 20 healthy controls. Serum fibronectin (FN), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and albumin were measured in all patients from blood samples. RESULTS: Serum FN levels were significantly lower in acute (122.9 µg/mL (SD 43.1), P < 0.001) and chronic hepatitis patients (135.7 µg/mL (SD 46.0), P < 0 .001) compared to controls 221.4 µg/mL (SD 32.5). A negative correlation was found between serum FN and AST (r(2) = 0.528, P < 0.001), ALT (r(2) = 0.425, P < 0.001), and GGT (r(2) = 0.339, P < 0.001). Additionally, high serum GGT levels (ß = -0.375, P = 0.010), and low serum albumin levels (ß = -0.305, P = 0.008) were associated with low serum FN levels. CONCLUSION: Serum FN levels were lower in both acute and chronic hepatitis patients, and an inverse relationship between serum FN and serum AST, ALT, and GGT levels was found. A decrease in serum FN levels may indicate hepatitis severity as AST and ALT represent hepatocyte damage.

C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide levels in COVID-19 patients: A prospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a viral infection mediated by coronavirus-2 that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). The disease may affect biochemical parameters and electrolytes. C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide (CTX-I) is released during mature bone resorption and is a biomarker for predicting bone resorption. OBJECTIVES: As the pandemic progressed, understanding the effects of COVID-19 disease remained critical. Inflammatory responses triggered by the virus can result in a bone metabolism regulation imbalance. As such, this study aimed to analyze serum levels of CTX-I, calcium (CA), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), C-reactive protein (CRP), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in COVID-19 patients to investigate the relationship between bone resorption and the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 56 individuals with COVID-19 (divided into mild, moderate and severe subgroups depending on disease severity) and 25 healthy adults as a control group. Serum CTX-I concentrations were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, CRP, Ca, Mg, P, and ALP levels were measured using an automated clinical chemistry analyzer. RESULTS: Serum CTX-I levels were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients than in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a positive weak relationship was detected between CRP and CTX-I (r = 0.303, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum CTX-I levels in the patient group caused COVID-19-driven bone degradation, though serum CTX-I levels did not differ according to disease severity.

Diagnostic approach of tuberculous lymphadenitis in a multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBLN) is the most common infectious etiology of peripheral lymphadenopathy in adults, in Turkiye. This study aimed to identify the demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables that differentiate TBLN from non-tuberculous lymphadenitis (NTBLN), as well as the etiology of lymphadenopathy in adults. METHODOLOGY: Patients who were over 18 years old and were referred to the infectious disease outpatient clinics with complaints of swollen peripheral lymph nodes, and who underwent lymph node biopsy between 1 January 2010 and 1 March 2021, were included in this multicenter, nested case-control study. RESULTS: A total of 812 patients at 17 tertiary teaching and research hospitals in Turkiye were included in the study. TBLN was the most frequent diagnosis (53.69%). The proportion of patients diagnosed with TBLN was higher among females; and among those who had a higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate, positive purified protein derivative test, and positive interferon-gamma release test result (p < 0.05). However, TBLN was less frequent among patients with generalized lymphadenopathy, bilateral lymphadenopathy, axillary lymphadenopathy, inguinal lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, leukocytosis, and moderately increased C reactive protein levels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Identifying the variables that predict TBLN or discriminate TBLN from NTBLN will help clinicians establish optimal clinical strategies for the diagnosis of adult lymphadenopathy.

Comparison of operating room nurses' satisfaction and preferences in using personal protective equipment for eye protection in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives. This study aimed to compare the problems, satisfaction and preferences of operating room nurses about the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for eye protection during operations in the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. This prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted in April 2021 in the operating room of a hospital in Turkey. The sample of this study consisted of 35 nurses who met the inclusion criteria. The evaluation of three types of eye protection equipment (goggles, goggle-type face shield and face shield) was repeated in the same group on consecutive days. Results. The comparison of the problems related to the use of PPE indicated that the highest rate of fogging (91.4%) was observed in goggles (p < 0.001), and skin injuries (28.6%) were experienced in goggles and face shields (p = 0.002). It was observed that operating room nurses were most satisfied (7.2 ± 1.4) with goggle-type face shields and ranked them in first place (80%) (p < 0.001). Conclusion. According to the results of this research, it was found that the PPE for eye protection that was the least problematic, provided the most satisfaction and was ranked in first place during the pandemic was the goggle-type face shield.

Analysis of Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1, IL-1-Alpha, and IL-6 as Novel Inflammatory Biomarkers for COVID-19.

The aim of our study was to investigate the potential role of IL-1-alpha, IL-6, and chitinase 3-like protein-1 (CHI3L1) as potential biomarkers for COVID-19. Sixty adult SARS Cov-2 PCR-positive patients (22 mild, 25 moderate, and 13 severe) and 50 healthy controls were included in this study. The serum levels of CHI3L1, IL-1-alpha, and IL-6 for all study participants were measured by protein-specific ELISAs. Mean serum CHI3L1 levels in patients with severe disease (7,185.5 ± 1,109.4) were significantly higher than in the moderate (3,977.4 ± 1,260.3), mild (1,379.5 ± 598.8), and control (329.5 ± 128.4) groups (P = 0.001). There was no difference in IL-1-alpha levels between the patient and control groups (P = 0.083). IL-6 levels differed significantly, being lowest in the control group (35.9 ± 13.7), 89.1 ± 23.4 in the mild group, 156.2 ± 29.6 in the moderate group, and the highest in the severe group (214.9 ± 28.1) (P = 0.001). A strong significant correlation was found between disease severity and serum IL-6 and CHI3L1 values (r = 0.894 and r = 0.905, respectively, and P < 0.001 for both). Serum CHI3L1 and IL-6 levels exhibited a linear correlation with the clinical course of COVID-19 infection. These results indicate that inhibitors of IL-6 and/or CHI3L1 may provide useful treatments for COVID-19.

The effect of fear of COVID-19 on perceived clinical stress levels in senior nursing students: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the effect of fear of COVID-19 on the perceived stress levels in senior nursing students performing their clinical practice. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with senior nursing students in a nursing facility in March 2021. The data were collected using an APP Application sent to the smartphones of students (n = 148) receiving clinical education. Results: With a mean score of 17.2 ± 7.0 on the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, it was determined that the senior nursing students' COVID-19 fears were at a moderate level. Students' mean score from the Perceived Stress Scale was 71.0 ± 25.7, which indicated a moderate level. A positive, weak, and significant correlation was found between the total scores of fear of COVID-19 and perceived stress level (r = 0.291, p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this study, the perceived stress of students in their clinical practice was at a moderate level, as it was before the pandemic. It appears that a moderate level of fear of COVID-19 during the pandemic does not affect perceived stress levels in the clinical education setting. Accordingly, we recommend that clinical education should be maintained by taking necessary measures and implementing good management during the pandemic.

Evaluation of Serum Trace Element Levels and Biochemical Parameters of COVID-19 Patients According to Disease Severity.

While the COVID-19 disease progresses mildly or asymptomatically in some people, its progression is severe and symptomatic in others, and it is an issue that requires a scientific response regarding the disease. The present study includes 60 people infected with COVID-19, and the cases were divided into the following groups: asymptomatic, mild, moderate, and severe. Serum Zn, Se, and Cu levels of these groups were analyzed by ICP-MS. All measurements in the patients were compared with those of 32 healthy individuals. When the patient group is compared with the control group, the serum Zn and Se concentrations were statistically low (p < 0.001) in the patient group. Serum Zn level decreased significantly in 4 different patient groups compared to the control group. Although the serum Se level decreased in all four patient groups compared to the control group, the change in Se level was statistically significant only in the severe and mild patient groups. This study examined serum Zn, Se concentrations, and biochemical parameters in patients with different severity of COVID-19, compared them with healthy individuals, and revealed new targets for diagnosis and treatment by revealing those data that may be important.

The Effects of Laboratory Parameters on the Prognosis of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: While the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is an ongoing issue across the world, understanding the course of the disease is important for early diagnosis and treatment. We aimed, with this study, to determine the differences between laboratory parameters in different clinical pictures of coronavirus disease 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 443 patients who presented to Atatürk University Medical Faculty Hospital between March 15, 2020, and June 15, 2020, and were diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 upon a positive Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) result. The hospitalized patients were divided into 4 groups based on their clinical status. The roles of these markers in determining the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 443 patients with RT-PCR confirmation were included in the study. The mean age was 46.0 ± 19.1 years and 54.4% of the patients were male. According to the clinical classification, 16.3% of the cases were asymptomatic, 25.7% uncomplicated, 35.7% mild/moderate, and 22.3% severe. The first 3 most frequent symptoms were cough (21.3%), fever (17.7%), and fatigue (15.5%). Hypertension (36.1%) was the major comorbidity among the patients. During the follow-up of severe cases, 39.4% developed the need for intensive care. The overall mortality rate, on the other hand, was 4.7%. Regarding laboratory parameters, procalcitonin (PCT), serum ferritin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, neutrophil count, D-dimer, troponin, and lactate dehydrogenase were at the highest level in the severe patient group while albumin, platelet, and lymphocyte count were found to be at the lowest level in the same group. A statistically significant difference was detected between the groups (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The increase in C-reactive protein, PCT, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ferritin, troponin, D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase, and neutrophil count and the decrease in albumin, platelet, and lymphocyte count are significant in the severe patient group; it has been concluded that they can be used to determine the severity of coronavirus disease 2019.

Impact of methods and duration of surgical hand scrub on bacterial count: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is no standard protocol for surgical scrubbing. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of surgical hand scrub duration and method by analyzing their effects on bacterial count. METHODS: The study was conducted on 180 surgical nurses and surgeons. While the duration of surgical hand scrub in Groups I and II was one minute, participants in Group I used a nail brush, whereas Group II did not. Similarly, the duration of surgical hand scrub in Groups III and IV was two minutes, but Group III used a nail brush, whereas Group IV did not. Bacterial count on the hands of all participants was measured before and after the surgical hand scrub and after the surgery by using the glove juice method. RESULTS: Bacterial count on the hands of the participants in Group III after surgical hand scrub was significantly higher than Group IV (P < .001). We did not find any statistically significant difference between Group II and Group IV in terms of bacterial count on the hands immediately after surgical hand scrub and after the surgery (P = .401, P =.658, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that brushing during surgical hand scrub increased the number of bacteria on the hand. Besides, one-minute surgical hand scrub was equally effective as two-minute scrub to reduce the number of bacteria on the hand.

The Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, Radiology, Microbiology, Treatment, and Prognosis of Echinococcosis: Results of NENEHATUN Study.

Aim: Echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus species, is an important zoonotic disease causing major health problems in humans and animals. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory parameters, radiological, serological, pathological, and treatment protocols of followed-up cases of hydatidosis. Methods: A total of 550 patients diagnosed with hydatid cyst disease were included in this study. Patients who were positive for one or more of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or indirect hemagglutination test, pathological results, or radiological findings were examined. The data analyzed were collected from nine centers between 2008 and 2020. Records were examined retrospectively. Results: Among the patients, 292 (53.1%) were women and 258 (46.9%) were men. The patients' mean age was 44.4 ± 17.4 years. A history of living in rural areas was recorded in 57.4% of the patients. A total of 435 (79.1%) patients were symptomatic. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain in 277 (50.4%), listlessness in 244 (44.4%), and cough in 140 (25.5%) patients. Hepatomegaly was found in 147 (26.7%), and decreased breath sounds were observed in 124 (22.5%) patients. Radiological examination was performed in all cases and serological methods were also applied to 428 (77.8%) patients. The most frequently applied serological test was IHA (37.8%). A single cyst has been found in 66% patients. Hepatic involvement occurred in 327 (59.4%), pulmonary involvement was found in 128 (23.3%), whereas both of them were recorded in 43 (7.8%) patients. Splenic involvement was only detected in nine (1.6%) patients. Echinococcus granulosus (72.5%) was most frequently detected. Cyst diameters of 56.9% of the patients were in the range of 5-10 cm. A total of 414 (75.2%) patients received albendazole as an antiparasitic. Mortality was noted in nine (1.6%) patients. Conclusion: Echinococcosis is an important public health problem in Turkey. It can affect the social, economic, and political structures of the community. Public education and awareness are extremely important.

Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics for differential diagnosis of peripheral lymphadenopathy (LAP) and the etiologic distribution of LAP in adults; a multicenter, nested case-control study including 1401 patients from Turkey.

Peripheral lymphadenopathy (LAP) is an important and common abnormal finding of the physical exam in general medical practice. We aimed to reveal the LAP etiology and demographic, clinical and laboratory variables that may be useful in the differential evaluation of LAP. This multicenter, nested case-control study including 1401 patients between 2014 and 2019 was conducted in 19 tertiary teaching and research hospitals from different regions in Turkey. The ratio of infectious, malign and autoimmune/inflammatory diseases was 31.3%, 5% and 0.3%, respectively. In 870 (62%) of patients had nonspecific etiology. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (n: 235, 16.8%) was the most frequent cause of LAP. The ratio of infective etiology of LAP was significantly lower in patients older than 65 years-old compared to younger patients with the rate of 66.67% and 83.84%, respectively (p 0.016, OR 0.386, 95% Cl 0.186-0.803). The probability of malign etiology was higher both in patients who are older than 45 years-old (p < 0.001, OR 3.23, 95% Cl 1.99-5.26) and older than 65 years-old (p 0.002, OR 3.36, 95% Cl 1.69-6.68). Age, localization and duration of LAP, leukocytosis, anemia, thrombocytopenia, CRP and sedimentation rate were important parameters to differentiate infections. Size of lymph node and splenomegaly in addition to the parameters above were useful parameters for differentiating malign from benign etiology. Despite the improvements in diagnostic tools, reaching a definite differential diagnosis of lymphadenopathy is still challenging. Our results may help clinicians to decide in which cases they need an aggressive workup and set strategies on optimizing the diagnostic approach of adulthood lymphadenopathy.