The evaluation of both the expression and serum protein levels of Caspase-3 gene in patients with different degrees of SARS-CoV2 infection.

To evaluate the effects of Caspase-3 (CASP3) gene expression and serum levels on preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. A total of 41 individuals (male: 21; female: 20) with SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in the current study. Hemograms were examined from patient blood samples, and CASP3 gene expression levels were detected. Also, human CASP3 levels were determined from the serum samples of patients. The mean age of patients was 56.220 ± 18.937 years. Significant differences were detected among all groups for CASP3  2-ΔΔCt (p = 0.014) and CASP3 concentration (p = 0.024). The relationship between CASP3 2-ΔΔCt levels and hemoglobin (p = 0.023), between CASP3 2-ΔΔCt levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.001), between CASP3 2-ΔΔCt levels and ferritin (p = 0.003), between CASP3 2-ΔΔCt levels and lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.001), and between CASP3 2-ΔΔCt levels and SpO2 (p = 0.006) were statistically significant. Also, the relationship between CASP3 concentration levels and SpO2 was statistically significant (p < 0.046). The CASP3 gene and/or its products have an important function to prevent injury caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. They play crucial roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis and viability. Perhaps CASP3 levels may provide information about the severity of the disease.

INVESTIGATION OF TIGECYCLINE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII ISOLATES BY DISC DIFFUSION, AGAR GRADIENT AND BROTH MICRODILUTION TESTS.

The use of tigecycline is becoming increasingly important because of the high levels of antibiotic resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) isolates. In this prospective study, multidrug-resistant A. baumannii isolates were obtained from various tissue and fluid samples of patients admitted to or treated at various departments and tested in Laboratory of Microbiology, Duzce University Medical Faculty between January 2013 and December 2015. Tigecycline resistance in multidrug-resistant A. baumannii isolates were analyzed using the disc diffusion test (DDT), agar gradient test (AGT), and gold standard test [broth microdilution test (BMT)]. A. baumannii isolates resistant to multiple drugs were included in the study (N=94). Using the BMT method, 89 (95%), 4 (4%) and 1 (1%) A. baumannii isolates were determined as tigecycline susceptible, intermediate and resistant isolates, respectively. Using the Food and Drug Administration criteria, the rates of major error (ME), minor error (mE) and categorical agreement (CA) for DDT were 26%, 67% and 9%, respectively. In contrast, for AGT, the rates of ME, mE and CA were 0%, 4%, 95%, respectively. Tigecycline resistance as assessed by BMT showed no increase between 2013 and 2015. Accordingly, isolates found to be resistant or intermediate by DDT should be confirmed by BMT. Due to the ease of application, AGT is a safe method of detecting susceptibility.

The effect of melatonin on antifungal susceptibility in planktonic and biofilm forms of Candida strains isolated from clinical samples.

In recent years, the significant increase in the isolation of antifungal resistant Candida species in presence of biofilm, have made it necessary to develop alternative agents for the treatment of these infections. In this study, the effect of antifungal susceptibility of melatonin were investigated in planktonic and biofilm forms of Candida strains isolated from the clinical samples sent to our laboratory. Biofilm formation was determined by modified microplate method. In order to determine antifungal susceptibility in biofilm-forming strains, MIC was determined by broth microdilution method in planktonic form, and MBEC values by Calgary biofilm method in biofilm form. Susceptibility tests were repeated in the presence of melatonin. Antifungal susceptibility tests repeated with antifungals combined with melatonin showed a decrease in both MIC and MBEC values; melatonin was found to be more effective especially in planktonic forms. While the most effective combination was achieved with fluconazole in the planktonic form, no statistically significant difference was found between the combinations in biofilm form. As a result, melatonin was thought to be a new alternative in the treatment of Candida infections.

Seroprevalence of hantavirus and Borrelia burgdorferi in Düzce (Turkey) forest villages and the relationship with sociodemographic features

Background/aim: Hantavirus and Borrelia burgdorferi are two zoonotic agents that pose a great risk especially for people living in forest areas. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of hantavirus and B. burgdorferi in forest villages of Düzce and its relationship with sociodemographic features. Materials and methods: The presence of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against hantavirus and B. burgdorferi in serum samples was investigated via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hantavirus IgG and B. burgdorferi IgM and IgG positivity was then validated by western blot (WB) method. Results: During the analyses, 193 serum samples were tested. Eleven (6%) cases of hantavirus IgM was found positive by ELISA. Six (3%) cases of hantavirus IgG, 3 (2%) cases of B. burgdorferi IgM, and 12 (6%) cases of B. burgdorferi IgG were found positive by WB. Borrelia burgdorferi IgG positivity was found to be higher in the 46­70 age group and it was seen that the positivity was the highest among those who lived in mud-brick houses. Conclusion: This study was the first to determine the frequency of hantavirus in the study region and it includes current data for B. burgdorferi. Consequently, it is recommended that similar studies be carried out on rodents in all the regions at risk.

[Investigation of Mycobacterium bovis subsp. bovis among the strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolated in Düzce Province, Turkey]. / Düzce ilinde izole edilen Mycobacterium tuberculosis kompleks suslarinda Mycobacterium bovis subsp. bovis varliginin arastirilmasi.

Throughout the history of mankind, tuberculosis (TB) has caused serious illness and still continues to do so. Archaeobiological studies indicated that TB in humans dates back to 4000-8000 BC, and cases were shown to be due to Mycobacterium bovis subsp.bovis rather than Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Moreover, this situation was thought to begin with domestication of animals, consumption of their milk, and living together in the same environment with them. Over time, with the consumption of boiled milk and with the establishment of separate animal shelters, M.bovis subsp. bovis infection began to be seen rarely. Today, M.bovis infection is mostly transmitted from animals to humans and very rarely from humans to other humans. The most significant means of transmission of the infection are to the gastrointestinal tract via consumption of raw milk and to the respiratory system via droplet infection from the animals with disease. In this study, it was planned to investigate the cause of occurrence of TB in cattles in Düzce in the past few years along with the presence of bovine type TB in cases of human tuberculosis. We aimed to carry out subtype determination of the M.tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains isolated in our mycobacteriology laboratory between the years 2004-2014, and evaluate the clinical and sociodemographic data of patients in whom M.bovis subsp. bovis was detected. The strains that were selected for the study have been isolated from radiometric BACTEC™ 12B broth and/or Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) media between 2004-2009, and BACTEC™ MGIT™ (Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube) and/or LJ media between 2009-2014 periods. The GenoType MTBC Kit (Hain-Lifescience GmbH, Germany) was used in the study for determination of the subspecies. Extraction and amplification of DNA and hybridizations were performed according to test procedure in order to investigate the presence of subtypes of the MTBC species in skimmed milk from collections stored at -20°C. In the study, MTBC strains isolated from 220 patients (217 adults, 3 children; 145 male, 75 female) were evaluated and 217 (98.6%) of them were identified as M.tuberculosis/M.canettii and three (1.4%) as M.bovis subsp. bovis. When the distribution of the isolates were evaluated according to the years, it was noted that three (2.8%) cases out of 106 patients within the last three years, were found to be infected with M.bovis subsp. bovis, while none were detected in the 114 cases from the previous years. This data emphasized a parallel course with the reported cases of cattle tuberculosis in recent years. The risk factors, clinical and sociodemographic features, treatment process, outcomes, and mycobacteriological findings of those three patients were reviewed. Accordingly, the first case was a 63-year-old female with diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure, who was dealing with animal husbandry. She was diagnosed as miliary TB on July 2012 and completed her treatment schedule. The second case, who was also dealing with animal husbandry was a 85-year-old male with prostate carcinoma. This case was diagnosed as pulmonary TB on December 2013, however he has quited the treatment and died two months later. The third case, a 27-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with a cervical mass that developed when she was working as a seasonal laborer. She was diagnosed to have lymph node TB in September 2014 and completed her treatment schedule. The strains isolated from the first and third cases were found to be susceptible to streptomycin (STR), isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF) and ethambutol (EMB), while the strain isolated from the second case was susceptible to STR, INH and RIF, but resistant to EMB. All of the three isolates were resistant to pyrazinamide. As a result, it was concluded that large-scaled and attentive monitoring of TB infections in animals, as well as searching for M.bovis subsp. bovis in TB cases, especially in high-risk groups would be essential for an accurate diagnosis.

[A rare case of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in a small child]. / Nadir bir olgu olarak küçük bir çocukta Hymenolepis diminuta enfeksiyonu.

Unlike Hymenolepis nana that transmits directly from person to person, the transmission of Hymenolepis diminuta to human is via accidentally ingesting of arthropods carrying cysticercoid larvae as intermediate host. In places with poor hygienic conditions, this cestod may cause seldom infections especially in children. Studies carried out on various populations have reported the prevalence rate of H.diminuta between 0.001% and 5.5%. Although the reported cases are mostly children, the disease can be seen in every age group. In this report, a pediatric case of H.diminuta infection is presented. A twenty one-month-old male patient with the symptoms of vomiting 3-4 times a day along with mud-like diarrhea continuing for a week was admitted to the pediatric outpatient clinic. According to the history, it was learned that the house where he lived was above a barn and there was a history of insect swallowing. Laboratory findings revealed iron-deficiency anemia. The macroscopic appearance of the stool was in a pale clay-like form, and by direct microscopic examination with lugol solution, 70-75 µm in diameter, thick-shelled and six central hookleted eggs that are characteristic for H.diminuta were identified. A six-day course of oral niclosamide was administered to the patient beginning with 500 mg on the first day and 250 mg on the following five days, together with the treatment for the iron deficiency anemia. After fifteen days, the oral niclosamide treatment was repeated. No H.diminuta eggs were detected in the parasitological examination performed one month after completion of the second round of treatment. This case has been presented to call attention to the importance of patient anamnesis and microscopic examination in the diagnosis of H.diminuta infection which is a rarely seen parasitosis.

Can the Gut Microbiota Serve as a Guide to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Epilepsy?

BACKGROUND: To investigate the activity of the gut-brain axis in the pathogenesis of childhood epilepsy and to define biomarkers capable of assisting with determining new strategies in that context. METHODS: Twenty children with epilepsy of "unknown etiology" and seven healthy controls in the same age group were included in the study. The groups were compared using a questionnaire. Stool samples were stored in tubes containing DNA/RNA Shield (Zymo Research) with a sterile swab. Sequencing was carried out using the MiSeq System (Illumina). The 16S rRNA sequencing of samples using next-generation sequencing involved V4 variable region polymerase chain reaction amplification concluded by 2 × 250-bp paired-end sequencing of amplicons and at least 50,000 reads (>Q30) per sample. DNA sequences were classified at the genus level using the Kraken program. Bioinformatics and statistical analysis were then performed. RESULTS: Individuals' gut microbiota relative abundance values differed between the groups at the genus, order, class, family, and phylum levels. Flavihumibacter, Niabella, Anoxybacillus, Brevundimonas, Devosia, and Delftia were seen only in the control group, whereas Megamonas and Coriobacterium were observed only in the epilepsy group. The linear discriminant analysis effect size method identified 33 taxa as important in differentiating the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We think that bacterial varieties (such as Megamonas and Coriobacterium) that differ between the two groups can be employed as useful biomarkers in the diagnosis and follow-up of epileptic patients. We also predict that, in addition to epilepsy treatment protocols, the restoration of eubiotic microbiota may increase the success of treatment.

Monitoring of antibody levels in healthcare workers after inactivated coronavirus disease 19 vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: Because of the coronavirus disease 19 pandemic, studies on vaccination are being conducted in our country as well as across the world. In this study, the antibody levels in healthcare workers vaccinated with two doses of inactivated vaccine and the factors affecting these levels were investigated. METHODS: Randomly selected volunteers from healthcare workers, who had been vaccinated with two doses of inactivated vaccine in January to February 2021, were included in the study. Blood samples were drawn twice, 1 month and 6 months after the second dose vaccine (CoronaVac:Sinovac Life Science Co, Ltd, Beijing, China). The antibody levels were determined by the chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay method using kits for quantitative detection of immunoglobulin class G antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. RESULTS: The mean antibody levels of 129 volunteers were 1232.5 (min: 103 to max: 7151) AU/mL in the first month and 403.5 (min: 23 to max: 4963) AU/mL in the sixth month. According to the survey results, 91 (71%) volunteers had not been diagnosed with coronavirus disease 19 before vaccination. The antibody levels 1 month and 6 months after the second dose of vaccination were significantly higher in those who had been diagnosed with coronavirus disease 19 before vaccination than in those who had not. It was found that age, gender, fast food, or healthy nutrition had no effect on antibody levels. CONCLUSION: Vaccines are very important both to protect against coronavirus disease 19 and to experience only a mild form of the disease. Immunoglobulin class G levels formed after vaccination may be affected by many factors and may decrease over time.

Analysis of HPV Genotypes and Liquid-Based Cervical Cytology: Results from a Tertiary Academic Center in Northwestern Turkey.

High-risk human papilloma virus (hrHPV) plays an important role in cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of HPV genotypes in the region and to correlate it with liquid-based-cytology (LBC) and colposcopic biopsy results. Furthermore, the potential relationship between HPV infections and bacterial vaginosis (BV) was investigated. HPV genotypes were determined using real-time PCR. LBC, biopsies, and BV examinations were performed by the Pathology and Cytology. Consecutive cervical specimens of 409 women who underwent both cytology and HPV-DNA tests were included in the study. A total of 172 (42.1%) patients were positive for HPV-DNA; of these, 107 (26.2%) had hrHPV. The most common HPV genotypes were HPV 59, 16, 33, 52, and 51, at 16.6%, 15.9%, 13.4%, 13.4%, and 8.9%, respectively. Epithelial cell abnormality was detected in 11.5% of LBC test results. The genotypes of HPV 33, 56, 66, and 68 were found at a higher rate in patients with epithelial cell abnormalities than in those with no detected abnormalities. Bacterial vaginosis was found in 24 patients (5.9%). HPV-DNA positivity was observed to be statistically higher in patients with BV than in those without BV.

Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi infection among forestry workers and farmers in Duzce, north-western Turkey.

Borrelia burgdorferi infection is the most frequent tick-transmitted disease worldwide. Our aim was to assess the seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi infection among forestry workers and farmers in Duzce, in the north-west region of Turkey. Blood samples from 349 forestry workers and farmers and 193 healthy blood donors were obtained to determine the presence of antibodies to B. burgdorferi. A two-step testing strategy was used; the sera were initially tested by ELISA and then by Western blot (WB) IgG. Demographic data regarding residence, age, gender, profession, tick bite history, contact with animals, and symptoms involving the skin, nervous system, and osteoarticular system were collected by questionnaire. All results were evaluated statistically using the chi2 test. The seroprevalence of B. burgdorferi was 10.9% (n=38) in forestry workers and farmers and 2.6% (n=5) in blood donors by ELISA, with a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). Seropositivity rates were related to age, gender, and common risk factors for the disease. IgG seropositivity was confirmed in four (1.1%) sera by WB. In this first seroepidemiological report from the northwest region of Turkey, tick bite exposure was found to be high, whereas B. burgdorferi infection was not common. Preventive measures against tick exposure and further studies to determine the distribution of Lyme disease in Turkey are proposed.

Monitoring of antibody levels in healthcare workers after inactivated coronavirus disease 19 vaccination

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Because of the coronavirus disease 19 pandemic, studies on vaccination are being conducted in our country as well as across the world. In this study, the antibody levels in healthcare workers vaccinated with two doses of inactivated vaccine and the factors affecting these levels were investigated. METHODS: Randomly selected volunteers from healthcare workers, who had been vaccinated with two doses of inactivated vaccine in January to February 2021, were included in the study. Blood samples were drawn twice, 1 month and 6 months after the second dose vaccine (CoronaVac:Sinovac Life Science Co, Ltd, Beijing, China). The antibody levels were determined by the chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay method using kits for quantitative detection of immunoglobulin class G antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. RESULTS: The mean antibody levels of 129 volunteers were 1232.5 (min: 103 to max: 7151) AU/mL in the first month and 403.5 (min: 23 to max: 4963) AU/mL in the sixth month. According to the survey results, 91 (71%) volunteers had not been diagnosed with coronavirus disease 19 before vaccination. The antibody levels 1 month and 6 months after the second dose of vaccination were significantly higher in those who had been diagnosed with coronavirus disease 19 before vaccination than in those who had not. It was found that age, gender, fast food, or healthy nutrition had no effect on antibody levels. CONCLUSION: Vaccines are very important both to protect against coronavirus disease 19 and to experience only a mild form of the disease. Immunoglobulin class G levels formed after vaccination may be affected by many factors and may decrease over time.

[BCG vaccination: where are we now?]. / BCG asilamasinda neredeyiz?

The bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is administered and recommended for the prevention and control of tuberculosis in developing countries with high-risk settings. A new general BCG vaccination programme against tuberculosis has been introduced since 1997 in Turkey. The aim of this study was to evaluate the BCG vaccination status in Düzce and to analyze contributing factors for the vaccination programme. BCG screening were performed in 1100 8th class students from nine primary schools of Düzce city centre and seven counties. BCG scar presence was taken as authoritative for vaccination status. BCG vaccination ratio was 0.94. Of 1100 students, 1030 had BCG scars; 478 had single scar, 536 had two scars and 16 had three scars. The significant negative correlation was observed between the BCG administration ratio and the number of children under age of 15 per health personnel (r= -0.771, p= 0.025). Furthermore, based on some published studies marked regional variation of BCG vaccination status in Turkey was also discussed in this article.