Changes in hepatitis C virus genotype distribution in chronic hepatitis C infection patients.

PURPOSE: Identification of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes is very important in the selection of antiviral treatment, dose adjustment of antiviral agents, determining the treatment duration and following-up of treatment response. We aimed to determine the distribution pattern of HCV genotypes in chronic hepatitis C infection (CHC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have included 106 CHC patients who were positive in the anti-HCV and HCV-RNA tests performed in our hospital during the 16-month period. Anti-HCV assays were performed on device using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay, while HCV-RNA tests and HCV genotyping assays were performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Of the 106 cases; genotype 1b was detected in 67.0%, genotype 3 was detected in 16.0%, genotype 1a was detected in 14.2% and genotype 2 was detected in 2.8% patients. Genotypes 4, 5 and 6 were not detected in our study group. There were no statistically significant differences between the gender and age groups according to the HCV genotype distribution. The genotype 3 detection rate (16%) was the highest rate among the studies compared with the other studies in our country. CONCLUSIONS: Events that cause social changes such as war and immigration and intense commercial and touristic activities affect and alter the HCV genotype distribution in HCV-infected patients. For this reason, further multicentre studies are required reflecting all the regions in order to determine the genotype distribution in HCV-infected patients at regular intervals.

Genital region cleansing wipes: Effects on urine culture contamination.

INTRODUCTION: Urine culture is the gold standard test for revealing the microbial agent causing urinary tract infection (UTI). Culture results are affected by sampling techniques; improper sampling leads to contamination of urine and thus contamination of the culture with urogenital flora. We aimed to evaluate the effect of urogenital cleansing, performed with chlorhexidine-containing genital region cleansing wipes (GRCW) on contamination rates. METHODOLOGY: A total of 2,665 patients with UTI-related complaints and with urine culture requests from various outpatient clinics were enrolled in the study. Of the patients, 1,609 in the experimental group used GRCW before sampling, while 1,046 in the control group did not use any wipes. RESULTS: The contamination rate in the experimental group patients was 7.7%, while it was 15.8% in the control group. Contamination rates were significantly higher in the control group than in the experimental group for both women and men. Contamination rates for children and adults were also significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study, conducted in a large population, showed that the use of chlorhexidine-containing cleansing wipes significantly reduced urine culture contamination rates in both genders, in both child and adult age groups. Using GRCW, collection of urine after urogenital area cleansing will decrease the contamination problem.

Distribution of Parasites Detected in Stool Samples of Patients Admitted to Our Parasitology Laboratory during a Three-Year Period between 2012 and 2014.

OBJECTIVE: Parasitic diseases are among the major public health issues worldwide. A number of tests are available for diagnosis, but the sentivity and specifity of these tests are assumed to be insufficient. Nevertheless, the most common diagnostic method is microscopic examination. In this study, we aimed to introduce the distribution of parasites detected in stool samples of patients admitted to our laboratory on the basis of parameters such as, age, and gender during a 3-year period between 2012 and 2014. METHODS: In total, 6757 stool samples were included in the study. After macroscopic examination, wet mounts of all samples were examined under a light microscope using ×100 and ×400 magnification lenses. Wet mounts were prepared with physiological saline and Lugol's iodine. RESULTS: Parasites were detected in 3.7% (252) of the samples, while no parasites were detected in 96.3% (6505) of the samples. The distribution of intestinal parasites was as follows: Blastocystis hominis (63.5%), Giardia intestinalis (26.2%), Taenia sp. (4.8%), Enterobius vermicularis (2.4%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (1.6%), and Hymenolepis nana (1.6%). CONCLUSION: When the burden of intestinal parasites on public health is considered, they are still a major health issue in Turkey. The frequency of parasitic diseases can be reduced by the education of individuals and implementation of effective diagnostic methods, treatments, and preventive measures.

Comparison of the Elecsys HBsAg II Assay and the Architect Assay for Quantification of hepatitis B surface antigen in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a valuable tool in hepatitis B virus (HBV) disease diagnosis and management for evaluating the effectiveness of antiviral therapy. The aim of the current research was to compare the performances of the Elecsys HBsAg II and Abbott Architect HBsAg assays in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Between May 2014 and December 2014, 72 CHBs were tested using Abbott Architect HBsAg QT and Roche Elecsys HBsAg II assay. After transformation to log (10) IU/mL, the results of the two assays were compared using the interclass correlation test, the Pearson correlation test and Bland-Altman analyses. We also analyzed all the parameters in on-treatment patients and naive patients with Pearson correlation test. There was a significant overall correlation between the Elecsys and Architect assays. We also analyzed all the parameters in naive and on-treatment patients. There was a significantly good correlation between the two assays in untreated patients and on-treatment patients. In this study, there was a significant correlation between the results of the Elecsys HBsAg II and Abbott Architect HBsAg assays in the overall and naive/on-treatment CHB patients. Additionally, we found that mean HBsAg levels resulting from the Architect assay were higher than those obtained by Elecsys assay.

First report of macroscopic biofilm formation caused by Candida albicans on silver hydrogel-coated urinary catheters.

We report macroscopic biofilms on silver hydrogel-coated urinary catheters in 2 patients from 2 different intensive care units. The catheters were removed on observation of a white, jelly layer on the catheters, respectively, 9 and 21 days after insertion. Yeast cells and pseudohyphal structures were observed with microscopy. Both isolates were identified as Candida albicans. To our knowledge, these are the first cases demonstrating the formation of macroscopic biofilm layers on silver nitrate-coated catheters in the literature.

[Evaluation of the Cystic Eccinococcosis Cases Diagnosed in Dr. Lütfi Kirdar Kartal Education and Research Hospital Pathology Laboratory Between 2007 and 2013]. / 2007-2013 Yillari Arasinda Dr. Lütfi Kirdar Kartal Egitim Arastirma Hastanesi Patoloji Laboratuvarinda Tani Alan Kistik Ekinokokkozis Olgularinin Degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was a retrospective evaluation of 299 cases that were histopathologically diagnosed as cystic echinococcosis (CE) in the pathology laboratory of our hospital in a seven years period. METHODS: All specimens sent to the laboratory were examined microscopically following macroscopic and hematoxylin eosin (H-E) staining. 299 cases were reviewed according to age, gender and organ affected by the cyst, more than one specimen of the same organ was evaluated once. RESULTS: Of the 299 cases, 44.5% (133) were male whereas 55.5% (166) of them were female. Additionally, %5 (15) of the cases were between 0-15 ages, %31.8 (95) of them were between 16-30 ages, %29.4 (88) of them were between 31-45 ages, % 24.4 (73) of them were between 46-60 ages and %9.4 (28) of them were older than 61. Cysts were mostly localized in liver, lungs and peritoneal cavity, %71.9 (215), %11.4 (34) and %4.7 (14) respectively. CONCLUSION: Demographic features of our cases were mostly in line with the previous literature. Because of the presence of atypical localized cases, during pathologic evaluation of all surgical cystic specimens, elements of this parasite should be searched and evaluated carefully.

[Serological Investigation of Toxoplasma gondii on Pregnant Women and Toxoplasmosis Suspected Patients Between 2012-2014 Years on a Tertiary Training Hospital]. / Üçüncü Basamak Bir Egitim Hastanesinde 2012-2014 Yillari Arasinda Gebelerde ve Toksoplazmosis Süpheli Hastalarda Toxoplasma gondii'nin Serolojik Olarak Arastirilmasi.

OBJECTIVE: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease which is still an important health issue in both developing and developed countries. We aimed to evaluate Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) seropositivity on toxoplasmosis suspected patients and pregnant women, retrospectively. METHODS: Blood samples taken from toxoplasmosis suspected patients (n=1296) and pregnant women (1737) on our tertiary training hospital between 2012-2014 years. Anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM seropositivity analyzed with chemiluminescent microparticle immunological assay (CMIA) method. Also IgG avidity index were evaluated on patients who had both antibodies. RESULTS: Of 1269 toxoplasmosis suspected patients, 37% (n=479) had only T. gondii IgG positive while 1.9% (n=25) had both IgG and IgM antibodies. Of 1737 pregnant women, 24.2% (n=421) had only T. gondii IgG positive while 0.7% (n=13) of women were found positive for both antibodies. None of the total 3033 patients were seropositive for sole IgG antibody. Avidity tests were applied to the double positive patients and low avidity were detected on only one person from each group. CONCLUSION: Nationwide, high throughput, systemic seroprevalance studies is needed in order to take precautions for the public health to protect sensitive groups and pregnant women especially because of congenital toxoplasmosis risk.

Recurrent toxocariasis due to chronic urticaria and successful treatment with prolonged albendazole therapy.

Toxocariasis is a worldwide human helminthiasis, especially seen in temperate and tropical climate regions around the world. The diagnosis of this disease is performed on the basis of clinical symptoms and laboratory findings. Albendazole is one of the treatment choices for toxocariasis, with a currently recommended regimen of 10 mg/kg/day in two doses (400 mg twice daily) for 5 days. However, there is no precise consensus about the duration of the treatment. In this article, we report a case of toxocariasis; the patient visited our infectious disease polyclinic with complaints of long-term itching and urticarial skin lesions that were resistant to routine treatment and that recurred. Then, recurrent disease was resolved and skin lesions were diminished after prolonged albendazole therapy.