Fosfomycin: a good alternative drug for prostate biopsy prophylaxis the results of a prospective, randomized trial with respect to risk factors.

PURPOSE: To determine the risk factors and the efficiency of rectal swab samples to prevent infectious complications in prostate biopsy, and compare fosfomycin with ciprofloxacin use in prophylaxis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May and October 2014, pre-biopsy risk factors and their effect in ciprofloxacin and fosfomycin prophylaxis were determined. Pre-biopsy urinalysis, urine culture and rectal swab samples were obtained from all of the patients. Rectal swabs were obtained upon admission, and biopsy was performed in the following 3-7 days. The place of rectal swab samples and efficiency of fosfomycin use was evaluated. RESULTS: Pre-biopsy rectal swabs were obtained from 110 patients who revealed 60.9% fluoroquinolone resistance (FQR), and 32.7% fluoroquinolone sensitivity (FQS). Fosfomycin resistance was present in 3 patients. Ciprofloxacin use in last 6 months was the only risk factor for FQR. Antibiotic prophylaxis was given to both groups with and without risk factors, according to swab results, and no infective complications were observed. Among the group where fosfomycin was used empirically, one patient had an infection needing hospitalization, however this constitutes no statistical difference between the Group that fosfomycin used empirically or according to swab results (p=0.164). CONCLUSIONS: In prostate biopsy prophylaxis, ciprofloxacin may be used liberally in patients without risk factors, but it should be given according to the rectal swab results in the patients with risk, and fosfomycin may be used independently of risk factors and rectal swab results.

Serum fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) levels are independently associated with left ventricular mass and myocardial performance index in maintenance haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is a phosphorus-regulating substance. Circulating FGF-23 levels increase markedly in dialysis patients and are independently associated with increased risk of mortality. Given the fact that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in dialysis patients, the aim of this study was to test if elevated FGF-23 levels might be associated with left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and left ventricular index of myocardial performance (MPI) in maintenance haemodialysis patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, plasma FGF-23 concentrations were measured using a C-terminal human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, and echocardiography was performed in 128 maintenance haemodialysis patients (65 women and 63 men, mean age: 55.5 ± 13 years, mean haemodialysis vintage: 52 ± 10 months, all patients are on haemodialysis thrice a week) and 40 control subjects (21 women and 19 men; mean age: 54 ± 11 years) with normal kidney function (eGFR > 90 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). RESULTS: Serum FGF-23 levels were elevated when compared with age- and gender-matched controls with preserved kidney function [(median 958 RU/mL; interquartile range 106-1894 RU/mL) vs (median 27 RU/mL; interquartile range 11-35), P < 0.0001]. Patients with a history of coronary artery disease and aortic valve calcifications had higher levels of log FGF-23 than those without (3.00 ± 0.22 vs 2.82 ± 0.26, P = 0.002; and 3.06 ± 0.19 vs 2.83 ± 0.26, P = 0.0001, respectively). Patients with MPI > 0.47 had higher serum FGF-23 levels than those with MPI < 0.47 [(median 1156 RU/mL; interquartile range 396-1894 RU/mL) vs (median 657 RU/mL; interquartile range 106-1102 RU/mL), P = 0.0001]. Significant correlations were recorded between log FGF-23 levels and LVMI (r = 0.281, P = 0,007) and MPI (r = 0.555, P = 0.0001). Multivariable-adjusted regression analyses revealed that increased log FGF-23 concentrations were independently associated with increased left ventricular mass index (30% increase per 1-SD increase in log FGF-23 concentration, P = 0.002) and increased MPI (28.5% increase per 1-SD increase in log FGF-23 concentration, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma FGF-23 concentration is independently associated with LVMI and MPI in maintenance haemodialysis patients. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify whether increased serum FGF-23 level is a marker or a potential mechanism for left ventricular involvement in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Changes in antibody titers against Chlamydia pneumoniae after coronary angioplasty.

OBJECTIVES: The potential role of common infectious agents in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis has been studied increasingly over the last decade. The evidence for Chlamydia pneumoniae as a potential causative agent is strong and is based on the findings of numerous sero-epidemiological studies, examination of atheromatous plaque specimens, in vitro animal models. We performed a prospective study in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) patients to investigate whether the angioplasty procedure influenced the specific humoral immune response reaction against C. pneumoniae antigens. METHODS: We studied 76 patients who successfully underwent PTCA for de novo lesions. Blood samples were drawn immediately before PTCA and 1 month after PTCA. IgG and IgA antibodies against C. pneumoniae (strain CDC/CWL-029) were determined by an in-house developed enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: At the time of angioplasty 75% and 34% of the patients had seropositive antibodies to elementary bodies (EBs) of classes IgG and IgA, respectively. Mean titers of IgG antibodies before and 1 month after PTCA were 46+/-31 and 50+/-28 relative units (RU/ml) (P>0.05). One month after PTCA, 97% and 34% of the patients had seropositive antibodies to EBs of classes IgG and IgA, respectively. We divided our patients into two groups on the basis of IgG seropositivity (group I: Chlamydia antibody IgG seronegative patients, group II: Chlamydia antibody IgG seropositive) before PTCA. Significant increase in the antibody titers of IgG (12+/-5 vs. 40+/-18, P<0.001) and IgA (0.6+/-0.33 vs. 1.15+/-0.83, P=0.007) was observed in group I patients 1 month after PTCA and 88% of them gained IgG seropositivity. There were no significant changes in IgG and IgA antibody levels in group II after PTCA. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated a statistically significant rise in C. pneumoniae antibodies (especially IgG) induced by PTCA in patients previously seronegative.

Fosfomycin: a good alternative drug for prostate biopsy prophylaxis the results of a prospective, randomized trial with respect to risk factors

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the risk factors and the efficiency of rectal swab samples to prevent infectious complications in prostate biopsy, and compare fosfomycin with ciprofloxacin use in prophylaxis. Materials and Methods: Between May and October 2014, pre-biopsy risk factors and their effect in ciprofloxacin and fosfomycin prophylaxis were determined. Pre-biopsy urinalysis, urine culture and rectal swab samples were obtained from all of the patients. Rectal swabs were obtained upon admission, and biopsy was performed in the following 3-7 days. The place of rectal swab samples and efficiency of fosfomycin use was evaluated. Results: Pre-biopsy rectal swabs were obtained from 110 patients who revealed 60.9% fluoroquinolone resistance (FQR), and 32.7% fluoroquinolone sensitivity (FQS). Fosfomycin resistance was present in 3 patients. Ciprofloxacin use in last 6 months was the only risk factor for FQR. Antibiotic prophylaxis was given to both groups with and without risk factors, according to swab results, and no infective complications were observed. Among the group where fosfomycin was used empirically, one patient had an infection needing hospitalization, however this constitutes no statistical difference between the Group that fosfomycin used empirically or according to swab results (p=0.164). Conclusions: In prostate biopsy prophylaxis, ciprofloxacin may be used liberally in patients without risk factors, but it should be given according to the rectal swab results in the patients with risk, and fosfomycin may be used independently of risk factors and rectal swab results.

Serum levels of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein are independently associated with left ventricular mass and myocardial performance index in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cross-sectional association between serum adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) level and diagnosis or severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and some echocardiographic indices related with cardiac dysfunction. METHODS: In this study, plasma A-FABP and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations were measured, and echocardiography was performed in subjects without any cardiac or pulmonary disease who were referred for evaluation of OSAS. According to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), subjects were classified into 3 groups: control group (AHI <5; n = 33), mild to moderate OSAS (30 > AHI ≥ 5; n = 30), and severe OSAS (AHI ≥ 30; n = 31). RESULTS: Levels of A-FABP were significantly different between the groups (P < 0.001). After post hoc analyses, all 3 groups were also significantly different from each other. The levels of A-FABP were significantly higher in the patients with severe OSAS (36.4 ± 13.0 ng/mL) than in the control subjects (9.3 ± 4.6 ng/mL; P < 0.0001) or in patients with mild-moderate OSAS (24.5 ± 10.5 ng/mL; P < 0.001). Patients with myocardial performance index (MPI) greater than 0.47 had higher serum A-FABP levels than those with MPI of less than 0.47 (31.8 ± 13.2 ng/mL vs 10.9 ± 6.3 ng/mL; P = 0.001). Multivariable regression analyses revealed that increased serum A-FABP concentrations were independently associated with increased left ventricular mass index (ß = 0.195; P = 0.033) and increased MPI (ß = 0.165; P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: Increased A-FABP levels were found in the patients with OSAS, which were correlated significantly with left ventricular mass index and MPI. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify whether increased serum A-FABP level is a marker or a potential mechanism for left ventricular involvement in patients with OSAS.

Plasma fibroblast growth factor-23 levels are independently associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) has been suggested to play a role in vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease. Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) assessment and common carotid artery (CCA) plaque identification using ultrasound are well-recognized tools for identification and monitoring of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to test that elevated FGF-23 levels might be associated with carotid artery atherosclerosis in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients. In this cross-sectional study, plasma FGF-23 concentrations were measured using a C-terminal human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Carotid artery intima-media thickness was measured and CCA plaques were identified by B-Mode Doppler ultrasound. One hundred twenty-eight maintenance HD patients (65 women and 63 men, mean age: 55.5 ± 13 years, mean HD vintage: 52 ± 10 months, all patients are on HD thrice a week) were involved. The mean CIMT were higher with increasing tertiles of plasma FGF-23 levels (0.66 ± 0.14 vs. 0.75 ± 0.05 vs. 0.86 ± 0.20 mm, P<0.0001). Log plasma FGF-23 were higher in patients with plaques in CCA than patients free of plaques (3.0 ± 0.17 vs. 2.7 ± 0.23, P<0.0001). Significant correlation was recorded between log plasma FGF-23 and CIMT (r=0,497, P=0.0001). In multiple regression analysis, a high log FGF-23 concentration was a significant independent risk factor of an increased CIMT. Further studies are needed to clarify whether an increased plasma FGF-23 level is a marker or a potential mechanism for atherosclerosis in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Prevalence of occult hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections in Turkish hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Although their exact prevalence is not known, HBV and HCV viral infections and occult viral hepatitis are frequent in these patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of occult HBV and HCV infections in maintenance hemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and eighty-eight end-stage renal disease patients on maintenance hemodialysis (100 male, mean age 49+/-29 [16-80] years, and mean duration of hemodialysis 98+/-66 [12-228] months) were enrolled in this study. Serological markers for HBV and HCV were determined with immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) by using commercial diagnostic kits (Access and BioRad, Beckman-Coulter). HCV-RNA (Cobas Amplicor HCV kit) and HBV-DNA (Artus GmbH HBV kit) were determined quantitatively by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Among the patients screened, 25 (13.3%) had HBV infection alone and 38 (20.2%) had HCV infection alone, while seven (3.7%) had dual infection of both viruses. Serological markers for occult hepatitis B and occult hepatitis C were positive in five (2.7%) and nine (4.8%) of the patients, respectively. Isolated anti-HBc was positive in 12 (6.4%) of all patients, three (7.9%) of the patients with anti-HCV and two (40%) of the patients with occult hepatitis B. Isolated anti-HBc positivity was more frequent in patients with occult hepatitis B than in those without (40% [2/5] vs. 5.5% [10/183], p=0.002). None of the patients with HCV had occult hepatitis B. CONCLUSIONS: Both occult and non-occult forms of HCV infection are more prevalent than HBV infection in hemodialysis patients. Especially the patients with isolated anti-HBc positivity should be tested for probable occult hepatitis B infection.