Is periodontal inflamed surface area associated with serum and salivary levels of IL-1ß, visfatin, and omentin-1 in overweight/obese patients?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of salivary and serum interleukin (IL)-1ß, visfatin, and omentin-1 in the relationship between periodontal disease and overweight/obesity as well as to reveal the possible role of periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) in this association. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-six individuals (69 females, 27 males) were divided into 4 groups as systemically healthy (H) and non-periodontitis (HnP, n = 23), systemically healthy and periodontitis (HP, n = 24), overweight/obese (O) and non-periodontitis (OnP, n = 25), and overweight/obese and periodontitis (OP, n = 24). Periodontal parameters were measured, and PISA was calculated. IL-1ß, visfatin, and omentin-1 levels in saliva and serum samples were analysed. RESULTS: Periodontal parameters deteriorated, salivary and serum IL-1ß and visfatin levels were increased, and omentin-1 levels were decreased in OnP and OP groups, compared to HnP and HP groups. Salivary and serum IL-1ß and visfatin levels were increased and omentin-1 levels were decreased in periodontitis groups, compared to HnP and OnP groups. PISA was negatively correlated with salivary omentin-1 and positively correlated with salivary and serum visfatin in H and O groups, whereas a positive relationship was found between PISA and salivary and serum IL-1ß in H group. CONCLUSIONS: PISA may be negatively associated with salivary omentin-1, while positively correlated with salivary and serum visfatin in overweight/obese patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Co-evaluation of PISA and adipokines seems to be an innovative approach to evaluate the association between periodontitis and overweight/obesity.

Head-to-head bisbenzazole derivatives as antiproliferative agents: design, synthesis, in vitro activity, and SAR analysis.

In the present work, a series of bisbenzazole derivatives were designed and synthesized as antiproliferative agents. The antiproliferative activity of these compounds was investigated using MTT assay. Bisbenzazole derivatives showed significant antiproliferative activity against all the four tested cancer cell lines. Among the various bisbenzazole derivatives, bisbenzoxazole derivatives exhibited the most promising anticancer activity followed by bisbenzimidazole and bisbenzothiazole derivatives. All the derivatives were found to be less toxic as compared to methotrexate (positive control) in normal human cells, indicating selective and efficient antiproliferative activity of these bisbenzazole derivatives. The structure-activity relationships of heteroaromatic systems and linkers present in bisbenzazole derivatives were analyzed in detail. In silico ADMET prediction revealed that bisbenzazole is a drug-like small molecule with a favorable safety profile. Compound 31 is a potential antiproliferative hit compound that exhibits unique cytotoxic activity distinct from methotrexate. Twenty-one bisbenzoxazole derivatives have been designed synthesized and evaluated to be an antiproliferative activity against four human tumor cell lines.

Genotyping, drug resistance and virulence factors of Candida species isolated from patients using long-term inhaled steroids.

AIMS: In this study, it was aimed to determine the isolation frequency and species distribution of Candida species isolated from asthmatic patients using long-term inhaled steroids. It was also aimed to determine the drug resistance patterns and the frequency of erg11, HWP1, ALS1, INT1, SAP1 PLB1 genes in isolates. METHODS: Genotyping of Candida strains isolated from patients and healthy control group was performed by PCR-RFLP method. Drug resistance was investigated phenotypically, and the presence of erg11 resistance genes and HWP1, ALS1, INT1, SAP1 PLB1 virulence genes were investigated by PCR method. RESULTS: C albicans was the most isolated species in steroid-using patients and healthy control groups (patients: 44.2%; control group: 30.8%). C tropicalis and C glabrata were found to have the highest rates of non-albicans Candida in patients with 17.4% and 13.77%, respectively. Azole resistance was found to be significantly higher in isolates isolated from patients compared to the control group. Similarly, the presence of erg11 resistance gene was highest in C albicans (17.65%), C glabrata (12.5%) and C tropicalis (8.3%) strains in the control group, while C parapsilosis was highest in patients. (57.1%) and C glabrata (54.2%) strains. Compared to the control group, the virulence of Candida strains isolated from the patients was found to be higher. Presence of HWP1, ALS1, INT1, SAP1 and PLB1 genes in patients were determined as 72.1%, 63.9%, 68.9%, 57.38% and 54.5%, respectively. These rates were 29.4%, 35.3%, 25.5%, 17.7% and 23.5% in the healthy control group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In asthma patients using long-term inhaled steroids, both Isolation rates of Candida species, drug resistance rates, presence of virulence genes were found to be significantly higher in patients than in the control group. We think that this may be due to the suppression of cellular immunity by long-term steroid use.

New chalcone derivatives as effective against SARS-CoV-2 agent.

AIMS: Flavonoids and related compounds, such as quercetin-based antiviral drug Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin, inhibit the protease of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The alkylated chalcones isolated from Angelica keiskei inhibit SARS-CoV proteases. In this study, we aimed to compare the anti-SARS CoV-2 activities of both newly synthesized chalcone derivatives and these two drugs. METHODS: Determination of the potent antiviral activity of newly synthesized chalcone derivatives against SARS-CoV-2 by calculating the RT-PCR cycling threshold (Ct ) values. RESULTS: Antiviral activities of the compounds varied because of being dose dependent. Compound 6, 7, 9, and 16 were highly effective against SARS-CoV-2 at the concentration of 1.60 µg/mL. Structure-based virtual screening was carried out against the most important druggable SARS-CoV-2 targets, viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, to identify putative inhibitors that could facilitate the development of potential anti-coronavirus disease-2019 drug candidates. CONCLUSIONS: Computational analyses identified eight compounds inhibiting each target, with binding affinity scores ranging from -4.370 to -2.748 kcal/mol along with their toxicological, ADME, and drug-like properties.

Synthesis and anti-proliferative activity of fluoro-substituted chalcones.

A series of novel fluoro-substituted chalcone derivatives have been synthesized. All synthesized compounds were characterized by (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), (13)C NMR, and elemental analysis. Their anti-proliferative activities were evaluated against five cancer cells lines, namely, A549, A498, HeLa, A375, and HepG2 using the MTT method. Most of the compounds showed moderate to high activity with IC50 values in the range of 0.029-0.729µM. Of all the synthesized compounds, 10 and 19 exhibited the most potent anti-proliferative activities against cancer cells, and 10 was identified as the most promising compound.

Antiviral Activity of Hatay Propolis Against Replication of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2.

BACKGROUND Propolis is a bee product widely used in folk medicine and possessing many pharmacological properties. In this study we aimed to investigate: i) the antiviral activities of Hatay propolis samples against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in HEp-2 cell line, and ii) the presence of the synergistic effects of propolis with acyclovir against these viruses. MATERIAL AND METHODS All experiments were carried out in HEp-2 cell cultures. Proliferation assays were performed in 24-well flat bottom microplates. We inoculated 1x105 cells per ml and RPMI 1640 medium with 10% fetal calf serum into each well. Studies to determine cytotoxic effect were performed. To investigate the presence of antiviral activity of propolis samples, different concentrations of propolis (3200, 1600, 800, 400, 200, 100, 75, 50, and 25 µg/mL) were added into the culture medium. The amplifications of HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA were performed by real-time PCR method. Acyclovir (Sigma, USA) was chosen as a positive control. Cell morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS The replication of HSV-1 and HSV-2 was significantly suppressed in the presence of 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL of Hatay propolis. We found that propolis began to inhibit HSV-1 replication after 24 h of incubation and propolis activity against HSV-2 was found to start at 48 h following incubation. The activity of propolis against both HSV-1 and HSV-2 was confirmed by a significant decrease in the number of viral copies. CONCLUSIONS We determined that Hatay propolis samples have important antiviral effects compared with acyclovir. In particular, the synergy produced by antiviral activity of propolis and acyclovir combined had a stronger effect against HSV-1 and HSV-2 than acyclovir alone.

The importance of the supratrochlear foramen of the humerus in humans: an anatomical study.

BACKGROUND: The supratrochlear foramen (STF) is an important and relatively common anatomic variation in the lower end of the humerus in humans. Its structure has received increased attention in recent years. Anatomical knowledge of STF is useful for anatomists, anthropologists, orthopedic surgeons, and radiologists. This aperture is of great interest to anthropologists who claim it as one of the points in establishing a relationship between humans and lower animals. The goal of this study was to describe the features of STF of the humerus in the Turkish population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All bones were obtained from the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Department of Antrophology, University of Mustafa Kemal, Hatay. A total of 166 dried humeri (83 right side and 83 left side), of which 78 belonged to males and 88 to females, were examined to determine the presence of supratrochlear foramen. Digital vernier calipers were used to measure the maximum width (transverse) and height (vertical) of the STF. RESULTS: Out of 166 bones, the foramen was present in 18 humeri (4 right side and 14 left side), showing the incidence as 10.8% with unpaired humeri. We observed 4 types of shape: oval, round, triangular, and sieve-like. The average diameter of the long (transverse) axis was 5.93±1.68 mm and the short (vertical) axis was 4.06±0.89 mm. Some of the bones showed translucency of the bony septum, found in 17 (20.5%) on both sides of the humeri. CONCLUSIONS: There are few studies about STF in the Turkish population. Knowledge of supratrochlear foramen in the distal humerus in humans is important in diagnostic orthopedics, in intramedullary nailing of the humerus, and in possibly increasing the risk of future low-energy fractures. In addition, STF is a radiolucent area in radiographs and may be misinterpreted as an osteolytic or cystic lesion.

Relationship between the resistance genes to quaternary ammonium compounds and antibiotic resistance in staphylococci isolated from surgical site infections.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of disinfectant resistance genes (qacA/qacB,qacC) and the aminoglycosides resistance genes [(aac(6')aph(2''),aph(3')-IIIa,ant(4')-Ia)] in both S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains (CoNS) isolated from surgical site infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Totally, 130 staphylococcal strains isolated from surgical site infections between January 2012 and February 2013 were included in the study. The PCR technique was employed to verify any presence of methicillin resistance gene (mecA), aminoglycoside resistance genes [(aac(6')/aph (2''), aph(3)-III a ant (4')-1a)], and disinfectant resistance genes (qacA/qacB,qacC) in staphylococci. RESULTS: MecA gene was determined in 58 (44.6%) of 130 staphylococcal isolates. A total of 28 (73.7%) of 38 S. aureus isolates were found to be positive for the mecA gene, and 4 (12.9%) of 31 isolates sensitive to amikacin were sensitive to methicillin. Eighteen (47.4%) of 38 amikacin-resistant S. aureus isolates were found to be positive for qacA/qacB genes and 11 (8.9%) of them were positive for qacC gene. Both mecA and qacA/qacB genes were found to be positive at the same time in 19 amikacin-resistant S. aureus strains. Seven (18.4%) S. aureus isolates were determined to be positive for qacA/qacB and qacC genes. Frequency of qacA/B genes was found to be 47.4% among amikacin-resistant S. aureus strains, while qacC gene was found to be 28.9% (p<0.05). The ratio of qacA/B and qacC genes in CoNS was found to be 37.9% and 20.7%, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Quaternary ammonium resistance genes were found to be positive at a remarkable ratio in the staphylococcal isolates from surgical wounds. Especially, the high rates of aminoglycosides and methicillin-resistance gene was remarkable in S. aureus isolates. Quaternary ammonium resistance genes were found to be positive.

Performance of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test and Tuberculin Skin Test for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in BCG vaccinated health care workers.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculin skin test (TST) has been used for years as an aid in diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) but it suffers from a number of well-documented performance and logistic problems. Quantiferon-TB Gold In Tube test (QFT-GIT) has been reported to have better sensitivity and specifity than TST. In this study, it was aimed to compare the performance of a commercial IFN-gamma release assay (QFT-GIT) with TST in the diagnosis of HCWs at risk for latent TB infection in BCG vaccinated population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hundred healthy volunteer health care workers were enrolled. All were subjected to TST and QFT-GIT. Results were compared among Health Care Workers (HCWs) groups in terms of profession, workplace, working duration. RESULTS: TST is affected by previous BCG vaccinations and number of cases with QFT-GIT positivity is increased in accordance with the TST induration diameter range. QFT-GIT result was negative in 17 of 32 TST positive (≥ 15 mm) cases and positive in 4 of 61 cases whose TST diameters are between 6-14 mm, that is attritutable to previous BCG vaccination(s). It was negative in all cases with TST diameters between 0-5 mm. HCWs with positive QFT-GIT results were significantly older than the ones with negative results. Furthermore duration of work was significantly longer in QFT-GIT positive than in negative HCWs. CONCLUSIONS: There was a moderate concordance between QFT-GIT and TST, when TST result was defined as positive with a ≥ 15 mm diameter of induration. We suggest that QFT-GIT can be used as an alternative to TST for detection of LTBI, especially in groups with high risk of LTBI and in population with routine BCG vaccination program.

The therapeutic potential and molecular mechanism of Alpha-pinene, Gamma-terpinene, and P-cymene against melanoma cells.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential anticarcinogenic effects of three phytochemicals, namely Alpha-pinene (AP), Gamma-terpinene (GT), and P-cymene (PC), on melanoma cells (A2058 cell line). Additionally, the study aims to explore the synergistic activities of these phytochemicals with Dacarbazine, a chemotherapy drug. To understand the molecular mechanism involved in apoptosis induction in the A-2058 cell line, it was used AO/EB staining for apoptosis detection and cell cycle analysis, monitored through flow cytometry. It also determined the mRNA expression levels of different apoptosis-regulatory genes, including p53, Bax, NF-kB, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and caspase-3. The antitumor activities of these phytochemicals and their combinations were investigated in a subcutaneous mouse tumor model. The tumor diameter was 21.4 ± 1.1 mm in the Dacarbazine treatment group and 42.4 ± 3.1 mm in the control group. The antitumoral activities of AP and PC in the tumor model were similar to those of Dacarbazine. On the other hand, GT exhibited remarkable antitumoral activity, with a 1.75-fold reduction in tumor diameter compared to the Dacarbazine group. When different combinations of phytochemicals and Dacarbazine were used, the GT plus Dacarbazine treatment group was found to have a 3.5-fold reduction in tumor diameter compared to the Dacarbazine group. The tumor diameters in the Dacarbazine, AP plus GT, GT plus Dacarbazine, and AP plus Dacarbazine treatment groups were 21.4 ± 1.1, 7.6 ± 2.2, 8.6 ± 0.5, and 6.2 ± 1.9 mm, respectively.

Association of Helicobacter pylori positivity with the symptoms in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) positivity and the severity of symptoms of nausea and vomiting in patients diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). DESIGN: Prospective controlled. METHODS: Ninety patients with the diagnosis of HG below the 20th week gestation, who had no additional disease and 50 pregnant women with no complaints were enrolled in the study. According to the severity of symptoms, the patients were divided into three groups as group I, II and III (mild, moderate and severe, respectively). The Rhode's scoring system was used to determine the severity of HG symptoms. HpIgG and IgM levels were determined in the blood samples and Hp DNA positivity with PCR was investigated in the saliva. RESULTS: In accordance with the Rhode's scoring system, 15.5 % of the pregnant women had mild, 58.9 % had moderate, and 25.6 % had severe symptoms (group I, II and III, respectively). HpIgG was determined as positive in 78.6, 84.9 and 82.6 % in groups I, II and III, respectively. HpIgM positivity was determined as 26.1 % only in group III (p = 0.847). HpDNA was determined as 7.2, 3.8, and 91.3 % in group I, II, and III, respectively (p<0.01). While HpIgG was positive in 60 %, HpDNA was found to be positive in 2 % and HpIgM was found to be negative in all the pregnant women in the control group. CONCLUSION: A positive relationship between the symptoms of HG and Hp positivity was determined using PCR.

Antibiotic resistance genes & susceptibility patterns in staphylococci.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to evaluate the association between the antibiotic susceptibility patterns and the antibiotic resistance genes in staphylococcal isolates obtained from various clinical samples of patients attending a teaching hospital in Hatay, Turkey. METHODS: A total of 298 staphylococci clinical isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The genes implicated in resistance to oxacillin (mecA), gentamicin (aac(6')/aph(2''), aph(3')-IIIa, ant(4')-Ia), erythromycin (ermA, ermB, ermC, and msrA), tetracyclin (tetK, tetM), and penicillin (blaZ) were amplified using multiplex PCR method. RESULTS: Methicillin resistance rate among 139 Staphlococcus aureus isolates was 16.5 and 25.9 per cent of S. aureus carried mecA gene. Of the 159 CoNS isolates, methicillin resistance rate was 18.9 and 29.6 per cent carried mecA gene. Ninety four isolates identified as gentamicin resistant phenotypically, contained at least one of the gentamicin resistance genes [aac(6')/aph(2''), aph(3')-IIIa, ant(4')-Ia], 17 gentamicin-susceptible isolates were found as positive in terms of one or more resistance genes [aac(6')/aph(2''), aph(3')-IIIa, ant(4')-Ia] by multiplex PCR. A total of 165 isolates were resistant to erythromycin, and contained at least one of the erythromycin resistance genes (ermA, ermB, ermC and msrA). Phenotypically, 106 staphylococcal isolates were resistant to tetracycline, 121 isolates carried either tetK or tetM or both resistance genes. The majority of staphylococci tested possessed the blaZ gene (89.9%). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: The present results showed that the phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility patterns were not similar to those obtained by genotyping done by multiplex PCR. Rapid and reliable methods for antibiotic susceptibility are important to determine the appropriate therapy decisions. Multiplex PCR can be used for confirmation of the results obtained by conventional phenotypic methods, when needed.

Design, synthesis and antiproliferative activity evaluation of fluorine-containing chalcone derivatives.

A series of new chalcones containing fluoro atom at B ring have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated to be antiproliferative activity against a panel of human tumor cell lines. Some of the analogs (8, 9, 12, 45, 46 and 48) displayed powerful antiproliferative effects to certain human tumor cells, but all of them were devoid of any cytotoxicity towards the normal HEK 293. Acridine orange staining data supported that the cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects of the synthesized analogs on tumor cells are mediated through apoptosis. The compounds 12 and 46 manifested concentration-dependent antiproliferative activity in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines using an xCELLigence assay. The structures and antiproliferative activity relationship were further supported by in silico molecular docking study of the compounds against tubulin protein which suggests our compounds interference to cell division. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Behavioral and Cognitive Consequences of Obesity in Parents and Offspring in Female and Male Rats: Implications of Neuroinflammation and Neuromodulation.

Obesity is a rapidly growing public health concern that can create a family-wise burden. This study was aimed to investigate behavioral, cognitive, neuroinflammatory, and neuromodulatory consequences of the diet and parental obesity. Female and male Wistar albino rats were fed on either an obesogenic or standard diet for 12 weeks, beginning with weaning. Thereafter, the animals were matched and allowed to mate. Pups born to obese or normal parents received either the diet or standard chow to the same age. The obesogenic diet and/or parental obesity increased the locomotor activity in both females and males. The diet exhibited anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like properties, and impaired short-term object memory as well as spatial memory. Interestingly, the obesogenic diet resulted in neuroinflammation only in naïve animals, but not in the ones with parental obesity. BDNF, SIRT1, and p53 expressions were decreased, whereas RelN expression was increased in the brain with the diet, regardless of parental obesity. Multi-factor analyses demonstrated that the obesogenic diet is the prominent influencer of cognitive, neuroinflammatory, and neuromodulatory results while parental obesity has an effect on spatial memory, neuroinflammation, and hippocampal RelN and p53 expressions. Here, we provided supporting evidence for detrimental cognitive and neuroinflammatory consequences of early life consumption of the obesogenic diet which accompanies alterations in neuromodulatory factors. Surprisingly, the diet was found beneficial against anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors, and additionally, parental obesity was demonstrated to impair some aspects of cognitive performance which appears unrelated to neuroinflammation.

Evaluation of nosocomial infections and risk factors in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial infections are one of the most serious complications in intensive care unit patients because they lead to high morbidity, mortality, length of stay and cost. The aim of this study was to determine the nosocomial infections, risk factors, pathogens and the antimicrobial susceptibilities of them in intensive care unit of a university hospital. MATERIAL/METHODS: The patients were observed prospectively by the unit-directed active surveillance method based on patient and the laboratory. RESULTS: 20.1% of the patients developed a total of 40 intensive care unit-acquired infections for a total of 988 patient-days. The infection sites were the lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, bloodstream, wound, and the central nervous system. The respiratory deficiency, diabetes mellitus, usage of steroid and antibiotics were found as the risk factors. The most common pathogens were Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida species. No vancomycin resistance was determined in Gram positive bacteria. Imipenem and meropenem were found to be the most effective antibiotics to Enterobacteriaceae. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital infection rate in intensive care unit is not very high. The diabetes mellitus, length of stay, usage of steroids, urinary catheter and central venous catheter were determined as the risk factors by the final logistic regression analysis. These data, which were collected from a newly established intensive care unit of a university hospital, are important in order to predict the infections and the antimicrobial resistance profile that will develop in the future.

GC-MS analysis and antileishmanial activities of two Turkish propolis types.

Propolis is a honeybee product with a very complex chemical composition and various pharmacological properties. This study was aimed to investigate antileishmanial activities of "Bursa" and "Hatay" propolis samples against Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tropica strains. Propolis samples were analysed with the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. Promastigotes were incubated in Roswell Park Memorial Institute culture medium in the absence and presence of several concentrations (50, 100, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 µg/mL) of each propolis sample. The viability and cell morphology of promastigotes in each concentration were examined after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of incubation. The growth of leishmania parasites was significantly suppressed in the presence of 500, 750, and 1,000 µg/mL of Hatay propolis. Bursa propolis was found to be efficient in inhibiting the growth of leishmania promastigotes in culture media at these concentrations, 250, 500, 750, and 1,000 µg/mL. Thus, the in vitro results showed that the Hatay and Bursa propolis samples decreased significantly the proliferation of L. infantum and L. tropica parasites (p < 0.001); however, Bursa propolis was found to be more effective than Hatay propolis against leishmania promastigotes. These two natural products may be useful agents in the prevention of leishmanial infections.

An efficient synthesis of novel di-heterocyclic benzazole derivatives and evaluation of their antiproliferative activities.

A series of unsymmetrical nine di-heterocyclic compounds of benzazole derivatives were synthesized at one step via cyclization reaction. The compounds evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activity against A549, A498, HeLa, and HepG2 cancer cell lines. The biological evaluation results show that 23, 26 and 29 exhibit better activity against HepG2 and HeLa cancer cell lines. Compound 23 also showed good activity against A549, and A498 cancer cell lines. The analogs were further performed molecular docking studies against human cytochrome P450 2C8 monooxygenase enzyme, calculated some theoretical quantum parameters, ADMET descriptor and molecular electrostatic potential analysis. The strategy applied in this research work may act as a perspective for the rational design of potential anticancer drugs. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Detection of slime and methicillin resistance genes in Staphylococci isolated from nasal samples of patients with orthopaedic implants.

BACKGROUND: The purposes of the present study were (1) to determine the prevalence of mecA and femA genes, (2) to investigate the presence of icaA and icaD genes responsible for slime synthesis, and (3) to search in vitro slime synthesis by staphylococcal strains isolated from the nares of patients with orthopaedic implants using the Congo red agar (CRA) plate test. MATERIAL/METHODS: Staphylococci strains were defined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to determine intercellular adhesion genes icaA and icaD. Slime production capability was searched by the CRA plate test, phenotypically. Also, the presence of mecA and femA genes was determined by PCR in all strains. RESULTS: The presence of icaA and icaD was detected in 101 isolates of 134 (75.4%) strains. This ratio was 74.8% (89 of 119) among the Staphylococcus epidermidis and 80% (12 of 15) among the Staphylococcus aureus isolates. A total of 63.4% of all the strains were found to be icaA and icaD positive as well as slime-forming on the CRA plate test. The percentage of icaA- and icaD-negative strains was 36.6%, and all of them were negative on the CRA plate test. Although femA presence was detected in all 15 (11.2%) S. aureus isolates, a total of 5 (3.7%) isolates carried the mecA gene. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of icaA and icaD genes was determined to be of high prevalence among staphylococcal isolates. The staphylococcal strains that were found in the nasal flora of patients with orthopaedic implants may be important potential sources of infection for these patients.

Cutaneous infection caused by Aspergillus terreus.

Aspergillus species are widely distributed in nature, and more than 30 species have been reported to be involved in human and animal infection. Cutaneous infections due to Aspergillus terreus are particularly rare. In this report, we describe a case of cutaneous infection caused by A. terreus in a paediatric patient who underwent surgical treatment for an open tibial fracture secondary to an agricultural accident.

High prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus cultivation and superantigen production in patients with psoriasis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of Staphylococcal enterotoxins (se) a through e, exfoliative toxin (et) a and b, toxin and toxic shock syndrome toxin (tst) and mecA with psoriasis. We also investigated the distribution of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in the skin and nares. Fifty consecutive patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis and 50 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were included in this study. There was a statistical difference in cultivation of S. aureus between lesional (64%) and non-lesional skin (14%) in patients with psoriasis (p = 0.037). S. aureus was cultivated from the nares in 25 (50%) of 50 patients with psoriasis and in 17 (34%) of 50 healthy controls (p > 0.05). In psoriasis patients, 31 (96.8%) out of the 32 strains isolated from the lesional skin and 3 (42.3%) out of the 7 strains isolated from the non-lesional skin were toxigenic (p = 0.01). Isolated strains from the nares were toxigenic in 96% (24/25) for patients with psoriasis and in 41.2% (7/17) for healthy controls, respectively (p = 0.006). Patients with cultivation-positive in lesional skin had a significantly higher PASI score than patients who were cultivation-negative in lesional skin (8.28 +/- 3.97 vs. 5.89 +/- 2.98, p = 0.031). Our results confirm that S. aureus colonization and its toxigenic-strains are associated with psoriasis. According to our findings, non-classical superantigens such as methicillin resistance gene (mecA), see and etb may also be associated with psoriasis.