Living with HIV during COVID-19: knowledge and worry about COVID-19, adherence to COVID-19-related precautions, and HIV health outcomes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been profound impacts on mental and physical health of individuals with chronic diseases. Thus, it is important to understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with HIV. We aimed to assess the association between COVID-19-related knowledge and worry, HIV-related health practices and outcomes, and adherence to precautions related to COVID-19, and possible associations of these factors with HIV treatment outcomes (ART adherence and viral load). A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2020 and February 2021 among 291 PLWH at two large university hospital HIV clinics in Izmir, Turkey. Additionally, the most recent HIV-RNA load, CD4 count was recorded using medical records. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine predictors of self-reported adherence to COVID-19-related precautions, ART adherence and undetectable viral load. COVID-19-related worry, COVID-19-related knowledge, and ART adherence were significant predictors of adherence to COVID-19-related precautions. Furthermore, adherence to COVID-19-related precautions was a significant predictor of both ART adherence and undetectable viral load. Findings provide a unique aspect of the interrelations of COVID and living with HIV. Since health behaviors and outcomes for COVID-19 and HIV seem to be interrelated, treatment practices and interventions that address these simultaneously may enhance their efficacy.

Infection markers as predictors of Bacteremia in an Intensive Care Unit: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Although several biomarkers have been evaluated for the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis, the gold standard biomarker has not yet been found. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte count ratio (NLCR), neopterin, pro-adrenomedullin (pro-ADM) and the other infection markers to predict bacteremia in patients with SIRS, sepsis and severe sepsis/septic shock. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted on septic patients in a tertiary referral hospital between December 2014- July 2015. A total of 156 patients diagnosed with SIRS, sepsis and severe sepsis/septic shock in Anesthesia intensive care unit (ICU) were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients who had been diagnosed as SIRS(10.9%), sepsis (44.2%) and severe sepsis/septic shock (44.9%) were included. Positive blood cultures were obtained in 64 patients. NLCR, neopterin and pro-ADM levels were insignificant in predicting bacteremia (p>0.05). The mortality rate was significantly higher in bacteremic sepsis (43.9%) compared to non-bacteremic patients (20.8%) (p=0.001). Only procalcitonin levels were significant predictor of mortality (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: NLCR, CRP, procalcitonin, neopterin and pro-ADM levels were insignificant in diagnosis of bacteremia in critically ill patients. The gold standard method in predicting bacteremia is still blood culture positivity.

Diagnostic Value of Procalcitonin in Predicting Bacteremia in Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Several biomarkers are used in the diagnosis of bacteremia. Procalcitonin (PCT) is more specific than other biomarkers in differentiating bacterial and nonbacterial inflammation. It was aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of PCT in bacteremic patients in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 156 patients diagnosed with noninfectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, and severe sepsis/septic shock in ICU between December 2014 and July 2015 were evaluated in this prospective cohort study. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 64 (41%) bacteremic patients and the control group consisted of 92 (59%) nonbacteremic patients. The overall mortality rate was 60.3%. Although PCT levels in the bacteremic group (11.9 ± 21.5 ng/dL) were higher than nonbacteremic group (5.9 ± 11.5 ng/dL), this difference was not significant (P = 0.168). The mean levels of PCT in bacteremic patients with Gram-negative bacteria were 16.3 ± 27.6 ng/dL, whereas Gram-positive bacteria were 7.3 ± 10.7 ng/dL (P = 0.145). The mean PCT levels were significantly higher in nonsurvivors compared to survivors (10.1 ± 18.0 vs. 5.7 ± 13.7 ng/dL; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PCT may be an effective biomarker for diagnosing sepsis and predicting disease severity and mortality. There is a need for further well-designed studies to confirm the diagnostic and prognostic value of PCT in septic patients in critical care.

Is inhaled colistin beneficial in ventilator associated pneumonia or nosocomial pneumonia caused by Acinetobacter baumannii?

BACKGROUND: In the present study, our objective was to evaluate and compare the clinical and microbiological results in patients receiving systemic and systemic plus inhaled colistin therapy due to nosocomial pneumonia (NP) or ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Acinetobacter baumannii. METHODS: A retrospective matched case-control study was performed at the ICUs at Izmir Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital from January 2013 to December 2014. Eighty patients who received only systemic colistin were matched 43 patients who received systemic colistin combined with inhaled therapy. RESULTS: In 97.6 % of the patients colistin was co-administered with at least one additional antibiotic. The most frequently co-administered antibiotics were carbapenems (79.7 %). The patient groups did not differ significantly in terms of the non-colistin antibiotics used for treatment (p > 0.05). Acute renal injury was observed in 53.8 % and 48.8 % of the patients who received parenteral colistin or parenteral plus inhaler colistin, respectively (p = 0.603). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of clinical success (p = 0.974), clinical failure (p = 0.291), or recurrence (p = 0.094). Only, a significantly higher partial clinical improvement rate was observed in the systemic colistin group (p = 0.009). No significant differences between the two groups in terms of eradication (p = 0.712), persistence (p = 0.470), or recurrence (p = 0.356) rates was observed. One-month mortality rate was similar in systemic (47.5 %) and systemic plus inhaled (53.5 %) treatment groups (p = 0.526). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that combination of inhaled colistin with intravenous colistin had no additional therapeutic benefit in terms of clinical or microbiological outcomes.

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.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of new bioscore in critically ill septic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of biomarkers and new bioscore in septic patients in intensive care unit (ICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study was conducted on septic and non-septic patients in ICU. Diagnostic and prognostic values of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), Sequential Organ Failure Assessments (SOFA) score and new bioscore were analysed statistically. RESULTS: A total of 226 patients were enrolled in the study. In septic patients, PCT, SOFA and bioscore were found significantly increased (p = .007, p = .001 and p = .001, respectively). The AUC value of bioscore was higher than PCT and SOFA in septic patients. SOFA was found to be more significant prognostic marker than bioscore in predicting 28-day mortality. The prognostic value of bioscore and SOFA was similar for predicting 90-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The new bioscore formed by combination of CRP, PCT and SOFA score may be useful in early diagnosis of sepsis.

Vitamin D Levels and Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Gene Polymorphisms in Inactive Hepatitis B Virus Carriers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and vitamin D levels in inactive hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: From March to September 2017 at the Izmir Katip Celebi University (IKCU) Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. METHODOLOGY: Eighty-six inactive hepatitis B carriers and 86 control individuals were included in the study. Individuals with diseases or under medication that could affect vitamin D levels were excluded from the study. Serum vitamin D concentration of >30 ng/mL was considered as sufficient, between 20-30 ng/mL as insufficient, <20 ng/mL as deficiency and <10 ng/mL as severe deficiency. VDR gene Bsm I, Fok I, Apa I and Taq I polymorphisms were identified by the polymerase chain reaction-fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: When vitamin D levels were examined, 52.3% (n = 45) of the inactive HBV carriers had severe deficiency, 38.4% (n = 33) deficiency, 7% (n = 6) insufficiency; 45.3% (n = 39) of the control group had severe deficiency, 43% (n = 37) deficiency, and 7% (n = 6) insufficiency. There was no statistically significant relationship between VDR gene and Bsm I, Fok I, Apa I, Taq I polymorphisms and vitamin D levels in inactive hepatitis B carriers and control group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent both among control population as well as in chronic hepatitis patients. Key Words: Inactive HBV carrier, Vitamin D, Polymorphism, Vitamin D receptor (VDR).

Evaluation of clinical, diagnostic and treatment aspects in hydatid disease: analysis of an 8-year experience.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Echinococcosis is still a common health problem. The aim of this study was to discuss our 8-year data in terms of diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of cystic Echinococcosis. METHODS: A total of 178 patients who had hydatid cyst were analyzed retrospectively from the hospital records. The diagnosis of hydatid cyst was based on clinical-serological and radiological findings. Treatment response was evaluated with clinical, radiological and serological findings. RESULTS: A total of 178 medical records were evaluated; the male:female ratio was 0.73 and mean age 44.6±16.9 years. The most common symptom was abdominal pain (94, 52.8%). The mean cyst size was 9.5±3.9 cm. Eosinophilia was significantly higher in patients with complicated cyst (35.3%) (p=0.002). The average duration of hospitalization in surgical patients was shorter than non-surgical patients (p=0.026). There was no significant correlation between the preference of scolicidal agent (hypertonic saline, H2O2, povidone iodine) and recurrence in patients who underwent surgery (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the patients who underwent radical and conservative surgery in terms of complication and recurrence (p=0.077, p=0.557). No significant difference was found between percutaneous and surgical treatment in terms of complication and recurrence (p=0.264, p=0.276). CONCLUSION: Even though considerable progress has been made, uncertainties remain in the diagnosis and treatment of Echinococcosis. Hence, standardized diagnostic and treatment procedures should be established with well-designed studies.

Predictive Value of Inflammation Markers in Brucellosis.

BACKGROUND: It is important to identify new biomarkers for early detection of complications and treatment success in patients with brucellosis. METHODS: A total of 187 brucellosis patients in the Department of Infectious Diseases of Izmir Katip Celebi University Ataturk Training and Research Hospital were evaluated retrospectively from January 2010 to January 2016.Complications of brucellosis were hematologic, osteoarticular, genitourinary, neurologic, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and ocular involvement. Specific organ involvement was defined as the presence of infection signs in any specific anatomic site except hematologic involvement. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte-ratio (PLR) were evaluated statistically to predict complications and specific organ involvement of brucellosis. RESULTS: Complications occurred in 125 patients. We found that PLR and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were higher in complicated patients (P = 0.007, P < 0.001). The area under curve (AUC) for PLR was 0.622 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.538- 0.707) with a cutoff value of >119.6 in predicting complications in brucellosis. LMR and NLR were not significant in terms of predicting complications in brucellosis. We also evaluated only specific organ involvement as a complication due to frequent occurrence of hematologic abnormalities in brucellosis. ESR, mean platelet volume (MPV), NLR, PLR and LMR were significantly different in patients with specific organ involvement (P = 0.001, P = 0.011, P = 0.001, P = 0.013 and P = 0.040). The AUC values for NLR and LMR were 0.649 (95% CI 0.570-0.728) and 0.589 (95% Cl 0.507-0.671), respectively. CONCLUSION: These biomarkers are cost-effective, simple and broadly available parameters for predicting complications and specific organ involvement of brucellosis.

Chronic Hepatitis B and Leishmania Coinfection.

Visceral leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in many parts of world, and if untreated, it is a potentially life-threatening infectious disease. It is similar to chronic liver disease because of signs and symptoms such as fever, weight loss, hepatosplenomegaly, and pancytopenia. In this study, we present a case of visceral leishmaniasis, which is known to be a chronic hepatitis B infection, that was coincidentally diagnosed with liver biopsy. Visceral leishmaniasis should be considered as an infectious disease in the differential diagnosis of chronic liver diseases.

A Case of Healthcare Associated Pneumonia Caused by Chryseobacterium indologenes in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Chryseobacterium indologenes is nonmotile, oxidase, and indole positive Gram-negative aerobic bacilli which is widely found in plants, soil, foodstuffs, and water. It can colonize hospital environment due to ability to survive in chlorine-treated water supplies. Chryseobacteria can also colonize patients via contaminated medical devices such as respirators, intubation tubes, humidifiers, intravascular catheters, and prosthetic valves. Immune suppression, comorbidities, use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and extreme age are other important risk factors for Chryseobacterium infections. We report a case of an 82-year-old male admitted to our hospital with the complaint of altered mental status with history of trauma, and recent orthopedic and neurosurgery operations. He was transferred to neurosurgery intensive care unit due to respiratory failure. Urine culture yielded extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) (+). E. coli and C. indologenes were isolated from transtracheal aspirate. He was treated with ertapenem, and levofloxacin and discharged with full recovery.