Investigation of some changes and clonal relationship in enterococci isolates due to relocation of a hospital.

Objectives: To investigate the isolation rates, antimicrobial resistance rates, minimum inhibitory concentration values of antimicrobial agents, and clonal relationships of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faeciumdue to the relocation of a hospital to a newly constructed building. METHODS: The comparative, prospective study was conducted at adult general intensive care units of the Mus State Hospital, Mus, Turkey, in two phases; before the relocation from January 25 to December 1, 2014, and after the relocation from February 10 to May 24, 2015. Rectal swab samples were collected 72 hours post-hospitalisation. Identification of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faeciumisolates was determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and antimicrobial resistance with minimum inhibitory concentration values was detected with Vitek 2 system. The clonal relatedness among the strains was investigated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 69 patients, 37(53.62%) were related to pre-relocation phase; 20(54.1%) females and 17(45.9%) males with mean age 62.81±21.71 years. There were 32(46.37%) patients in the post-relocation phase; 13(40.6%) females and 19(59.4%) males with mean age 62.69±21.35 years (p>0.05). Of the 84 enterococci strains isolated, 51(60.7%) were Enterococcus faecium; 28(55%) before relocation and 23(45%) after relocation (p=0.77). The remaining 33(39.3%) isolates were Enterococcus faecalis; 16(48.5%) before relocation and 17(51.5%) after relocation (p=0.73). Multiple strains were located in 7(18.9%) patients before relocation and in 7(21.9%) after relocation. In 1(3.1%) patient after relocation, 2(8.7%) Enterococcus faecium isolates with different resistance and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns were detected. There were no significant differences between the isolation and antibiotic resistance rates before and after relocation (p>0.05), and a clonal relation between the isolates was not detected (p>0.05). Decreased minimum inhibitory concentration values were noted for some antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Clonal relationship between the isolates and change in the rates of isolation and antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium was not detected due to relocation. Minimum inhibitory concentration values could be used to reveal relocation-related changes in isolates obtained from patients hospitalised in intensive care units.

A study of health literacy and social media use of the students on vaccine preferences during COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey.

Background: It is unknown if health-care literacy and social media use of the students affect vaccine preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: The aim of the present research was to detect whether health-care literacy and social media use of the students affect vaccine preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The universe of the sample consisted of the students of a university in Mus Alparslan University. The sample of the research included students whose last digit of the school number is an odd number. Four hundred and twenty students participated into the study. The data of the study were collected through the "Sociodemographic Characteristics Questionnaire," "Health Literacy Scale (HLS)," and "Social Media Usage Scale (SMUS)." Results: The total score average of the students on the "HLS" was 42.74 ± 13.85 and the "SMUS" was 21.30 ± 7.38. It was determined that those who have preferred the "Sinovac" vaccine had higher score averages on the "Information Understanding Subdimension" and "HLS" than those who have preferred the Türkovac vaccine. Furthermore, it was determined that the score average of "Continuity Subdimension," "Competency Subdimension" and "Social Media Use Scale" were higher, and these differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: It was detected that the health literacy (HL) levels of the students were lower and they do not use social media competently. On the other hand, it was determined that social media use and HL affect the vaccine preferences.

Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Biological Activity of Novel Cyclohexane-1,3-dione Ligands and Their Metal Complexes.

Some new Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes [Cu(L1)(OAc)2]∙H2O, [Cu(L1)(NO3)H2O]∙NO3∙3.5H2O, [Zn(L1)(NO3)2]∙4.5H2O, [Zn(L1)(OAc)2(H2O)2]∙3H2O, [Cu2(L2)(OAc)4]∙2H2O∙2DMF, [Cu(L2)2]∙2NO3∙1.5DMF∙H2O, [Zn(L2)2(NO3)2]∙DMF and [Zn2(L2)(OAc)4(H2O)4]∙5H2O; L1 = 2-[2-(2-methoxyphenyl)hydrazono]cyclohexane-1,3-dione and L2 = 2-[2-(3-nitrophenyl)hydrazono]cyclohexane-1,3-dione were synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H-NMR,13C-NMR and ultraviolet (UV-Vis.) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, mass spectrometry and thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA). The synthesized ligands and their complexes were tested for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, and Salmonella typhimurium CCM 583. Some of complexes showed medium-level antibacterial activity against the test bacteria compared with ampicillin.

Characterization of Klebsiella isolates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and determination of antimicrobial resistance with VITEK 2 advanced expert system (AES).

BACKGROUND/AIM: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the performance of the VITEK mass spectrometry (MS) (bioMérieux, France) system for the identification of Klebsiella spp. isolated from different sources. Moreover, while assessing the ability of the VITEK 2 automated expert system (AES) to recognize antimicrobial resistance patterns, the researchers have extended the study to compare VITEK 2 with the routine antimicrobial susceptibility testing method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study tested 51 Klebsiella spp. isolates that were isolated from environmental examples and clinical examples. Results of conventional methods and the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS were compared. Then, any differing results were compared against a reference 16S rRNA gene sequence, and when indicated, a recA sequencing analysis was done. RESULTS: VITEK MS correctly identified 100% of the Klebsiella spp. isolates. There were two K. oxytoca isolates incorrectly identified to the species level with conventional methods according to the 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. In addition, a VITEK 2 AST-N261 card was used for the detection of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL). Using the VITEK 2 AES, ESBL positivity was found at the rate of 16.3% whereas this rate was 4.08% using the disk diffusion method. CONCLUSION: MALDI-TOF MS is a rapid and accurate method for the identification of Klebsiella spp. Moreover, the bioMérieux AES provides a useful laboratory tool for the interpretation of susceptibility results.

Detection of putative virulence genes in Aeromonas isolates from humans and animals.

INTRODUCTION: Aeromonas are food- and water-borne bacteria that are considered to be zoonotic human pathogens. This study aimed to investigate the presence of genes associated with virulence in human and animal Aeromonas isolates and the potential role of animal isolates with regards to human Aeromonas infections. METHODOLOGY: The presence of aerA, hlyA, alt, ast, laf, ascF-G, stx1 and stx2 putative virulence genes in 40 human and animal Aeromonas isolates (16 human and 24 animal isolates) were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DNA fragments of expected sizes were purified and sequenced. BLAST in the NCBI was used to verify any amplified products. RESULTS: PCR screening showed that hlyA, alt, and laf genes were determined at ratios of 6.25%, 50%, and 6.25%, respectively, in human isolates. The ratios of hlyA, alt, ascF-G, laf, stx2, and stx1 genes in animal isolates were 58.3%, 20.83%, 33.3%, 20.83%, 8.33%, and 4.17%, respectively. Neither aerA nor ast genes were detected in any isolates. Any one of eight putative virulence genes was not detected in seven human and eight animal isolates in the study. CONCLUSIONS: The current study is the first to investigate the presence of the virulence gene in gull Aeromonas isolates. The manifestation of the presence of the virulence gene and gene combinations was considerable, especially in fish and gull isolates when compared with clinical human isolates. The current study demonstrates the potential importance of fish and gulls in terms of human Aeromonas infections.

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in asymptomatic food workers.

OBJECTIVE: Cryptosporidium spp. is obligatory intracellular parasite and causes intestinal infection. In intestine infections in the form of sporadic and epidemics, food and accordingly workers in food sector may play a role as the source of infection. In this study, it is aimed to reveal the existence of asymptomatic cryptosporidiosis. METHODS: In the study, stool samples of 393 workers -employed at various branches of food sector in the region of Van- are used. In order to detect Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, Modified Ziehl Neelsen (MZN) Staining was used. RESULTS: In this study, asymptomatic cryptosporidiosis has been detected in 5 (1.27%) of 393 workers. CONCLUSION: Epidemiological findings indicate that food workers can be source of cryptosporidiosis outbreak. Thus, searching for the existence of asymptomatic cryptosporidiosis food workers -which epidemiologically has potential significance- and taking the required measures in case of its determination are significant in respect of public health.

Antimicrobial susceptibilities of Brucella isolates from various clinical specimens.

PURPOSE: Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease and still constitutes a major public health problem. In the study we claimed to identify Brucella species from clinical samples of patients with active brucellosis from Van region of Eastern Anatolia and to determine in vitro antimicrobial susceptibilities of these strains to commonly used anti-Brucella agents and a possible new alternative tigecycline. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 56 Brucella isolates were enrolled the study and the identification of the isolates were based on conventional methods. In vitro activities of antimicrobials were evaluated by the E test method. RESULTS: All isolates were identified as B. melitensis. MIC(90) values of doxycycline, streptomycin, rifampin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and tigecycline were 0.064 mg/L, 1 mg/L, 2 mg/L, 0.125 mg/L and 0.094 mg/L, respectively. Tigecycline had low MIC(50) and MIC(90) values against all B. melitensis strains; the highest MIC observed was 0.25 µg/mL. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that tigecycline can be a therapeutic alternative option for the treatment of brucellosis.

[Investigation of Cryptosporidium sp. in workers of the Van municipality slaughterhouse and in slaughtered animals]. / Van Belediye Mezbahasinda Calisan Isçilerde ve Kesimi Yapilan Hayvanlarda Cryptosporidium sp.'nin Arastirilmasi.

This study was carried out in order to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. in slaughtered animals and workers of the Van municipality slaughterhouse in Van. Animals slaughtered at different times and workers who had been working in different departments of the slaughter house were included in the study for three months. A total of 309 fecal specimens from animals including 167 sheep, 56 goats and 86 cattle and 87 fecal specimens from workers were examined for Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts. In slaughtered animals, the modified acid-fast staining method was used to determine the oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp. The fecal samples of slaughter workers were examined by using RIDA (R) Quick Cryptosporidium Strip Test (R-Biopharm, Germany) and the modified acid-fast staining method. Fecal samples found to be positive by stripe test were also confirmed with the ELISA method (R-Biopharm, Germany). Oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp. were found in fecal specimens of 22 sheep (13.17%), 6 goats (10.71%) and 7 cattle (8.13%). Intestinal parasites were observed in 34 fecal specimens of workers (39.08%). Cryptosporidium sp., Hymenolepis nana, Chilomastix mesnili, Endolimax nana, Iodamoeba bütschlii were found in the specimen of one worker (1.14%), Entamoeba coli in 4 workers (4.59%), Blastocystis hominis (9.19%) in 8 workers, and Giardia intestinalis (19.54%) in 17 workers.

[Prevalence of intestinal parasites among workers in food sector in Van region]. / Van yöresinde gida sektörü çalisanlarinda bagirsak parazitlerinin yayginligi

Stool and cellophane tape specimens were taken for parasitological examination from 739 people who work in food sector and applied to the public health lab of the Van Health Administration for porter examination. Parasites were determined at 131 people (17.71%) of 739 worker whom samples were investigated. Ninety-five people had one, 30 people had two, 5 people had three and one person had four parasite species. Parasites determined in the study were 19.08% helminthes and 80.91% protozoon. In this study, 1.21% Ascaris lumbricoides, 0.81% Enterobius vermicularis, 0.67% Hymenolepis nana, 0.40% Trichuris trichiura, 0.27% Taenia saginata, 4.87% Blastocystis hominis, 3.24% Entamoeba coli, 2.84% Giardia intestinalis, 2.02% Iodamoeba bütschlii, 0.67% Endolimax nana, 0.27% Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar, 0.27% Chilomastix mesnili, 0.13% Entamoeba hartmanni were found.