The clinical features, treatment and prognosis of neutropenic fever and Coronavirus disease 2019 results of the multicentre teos study.

This multicentre (22 centres in Turkey) retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of patients with neutropenic fever and SARS-CoV-2 positivity. Study period was 15 March 2020-15 August 2021. A total of 170 cases (58 female, aged 59 ± 15.5 years) that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study. One-month mortality rate (OMM) was 44.8%. The logistic regression analysis showed the following significant variables for the mentioned dependent variables: (i) achieving PCR negativity: receiving a maximum of 5 days of favipiravir (p = 0.005, OR 5.166, 95% CI 1.639-16.280); (ii) need for ICU: receiving glycopeptide therapy at any time during the COVID-19/FEN episode (p = 0.001, OR 6.566, 95% CI 2.137-20.172), the need for mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001, OR 62.042, 95% CI 9.528-404.011); (iii) need for mechanical ventilation: failure to recover from neutropenia (p < 0.001, OR 17.869, 95% CI 3.592-88.907), receiving tocilizumab therapy (p = 0.028, OR 32.227, 95% CI 1.469-707.053), septic shock (p = 0.001, OR 15.4 96% CI 3.164-75.897), and the need for ICU (p < 0.001, OR 91.818, 95% CI 15.360-548.873), (iv) OMM: [mechanical ventilation (p = 0.001, OR 19.041, 95% CI 3.229-112.286) and septic shock (p = 0.010, OR 5.589,95% CI 1.509-20.700)]. Although it includes a relatively limited number of patients, our findings suggest that COVID-19 and FEN are associated with significant mortality and morbidity.

Efficacy and Reliability of T-Cell-Depleted Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplantation in Hematologic Disorders: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: A promising recent strategy for haploidentical transplantation is the depletion of T lymphocytes based on the selective elimination of T cells by manipulation, which enables a very low incidence of nonrelapse mortality and graft-vs-host disease. It is more expensive than conventional unmanipulated methods and requires dedicated transplant centers and sufficient stem cell processing facilities. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the relapse, survival, and clinical data of the patients and to analyze the outcomes of the technique. METHODS: The study included 56 adult patients who underwent haploidentical stem cell transplantation via αß T-cell depletion. RESULTS: The median age of the patients at the time of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was 41.5 years (range, 20-70 years); 22 patients (39.3%) were women. After the transplantation, half of the patients (50.0%) needed immunosuppressive drugs, and 17.9% of the patients experienced a post-transplant relapse. The mortality rate was 55.4%, and nonrelapse mortality was 25.0%. The 100-day mortality rate was 19.6%. The median overall days was 1101 days (142-3813 days), whereas the median progression-free overall was 302.5 days (11-2479 days). Being older (age >40), having hypertension, having acute liver graft-vs-host disease, and having systemic fungal infection were found as risk factors that significantly increased mortality (with 3.5-, 2.8-, 3.7-, and 2.7-fold increases, respectively). CONCLUSION: To conclude, T-cell-depleted hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an effective and reliable technique that has the potential to decrease morbidity and improve relapse-free survival, especially for young patients requiring haploidentical donor transplantation for hematologic malignancy.

Diagnostic Efficacy of Aspergillus Galactomannan Lateral Flow Assay in Patients with Hematological Malignancies: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: A rapid and reliable diagnostic test is needed to reduce mortality through early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in patients with hematological malignancies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) Aspergillus galactomannan lateral flow assay (GM-LFA) in IA diagnosis and determine the correlation of GM-LFA with GM enzyme immunoassay (GM-EIA) in patients with hematological malignancies. METHODS: In this prospective multicenter study, we used serum and BAL fluid samples from patients with hematological malignancies and suspected IA and performed GM-LFA and GM-EIA. According to the EORTC/MSGERC criteria, patients were grouped as proven (n = 6), probable (n = 22), possible IA (n = 55), or no IA (n = 88). The performance of serum GM-LFA at 0.5 optical density index (ODI) and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Spearman's correlation analysis and kappa statistics were performed to determine the agreement between the tests. RESULTS: GM-LFA showed an AUC of 0.832 in proven/probable IA (sensitivity [SEN], specificity [SPE], negative predictive value [NPV], and diagnostic accuracy were 75%, 100%, 92.6%, and 93.9%, respectively, at a 0.5 ODI) versus that in no IA. A moderate positive correlation was noted between the GM-LFA and GM-EIA scores (p = 0.01). The observed agreement between the tests at 0.5 ODI was almost perfect (p < 0.001). After excluding patients who received mold-active antifungal prophylaxis or treatment, the SEN, SPE, NPV, and diagnostic accuracy for proven/probable IA were 76.2%, 100%, 93.3%, and 94.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serum GM-LFA demonstrated high discriminatory power and good diagnostic performance for IA in patients with hematological malignancies.

Safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for multi-drug-resistant acute and late-acute graft-versus-host disease following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Graft versus host disease (GvHD) remains a significant risk for mortality and morbidity following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A growing literature supports successful applications of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) for the treatment of steroid-refractory acute GvHD (aGvHD). However, there is limited knowledge about the effects of MSC treatment on late-acute GvHD (late aGvHD). In this article, we present our multicenter study on the safety and efficacy of MSC therapy for patients with steroid-refractory late aGvHD in comparison to those with aGvHD. The outcome measures include non-relapse mortality (NRM) and survival probability over a 2-year follow-up. The study includes a total of 76 patients with grades III-IV aGvHD (n = 46) or late aGvHD (n = 30), who had been treated with at least two lines of steroid-containing immunosuppressive therapy. Patients received weekly adipose or umbilical cord-derived MSC infusions at a dose of median 1.55 (ranging from 0.84 to 2.56) × 106/kg in the aGvHD group, and 1.64 (ranging from 0.85 to 2.58) × 106/kg in the late aGvHD group. This was an add-on treatment to ongoing conventional pharmaceutical management. In the aGvHD group, 23 patients received one or two infusions, 20 patients had 3-4, and three had ≥ 5. Likewise, in the late aGvHD group, 20 patients received one or two infusions, nine patients had 3-4, and one had ≥ 5. MSC was safe without acute or late adverse effects in 76 patients receiving over 190 infusions. In aGvHD group, 10.9% of the patients had a complete response (CR), 23.9% had a partial response (PR), and 65.2% had no response (NR). On the other hand, in the late aGvHD group, 23.3% of the patients had CR, 36.7% had PR, and the remaining 40% had NR. These findings were statistically significant (p = 0.031). Also, at the 2-year follow-up, the cumulative incidence of NRM was significantly lower in patients with late aGvHD than in patients with aGvHD at 40% (95% CI, 25-62%) versus 71% (95% CI, 59-86%), respectively (p = 0.032). In addition, the probability of survival at 2 years was significantly higher in patients with late aGvHD than in the aGvHD group at 59% (95% CI, 37-74%) versus 28% (95% CI, 13-40%), respectively (p = 0.002). To our knowledge, our study is the first to compare the safety and efficacy of MSC infusion(s) for the treatment of steroid-resistant late aGVHD and aGVHD. There were no infusion-related adverse effects in either group. The response rate to MSC therapy was significantly higher in the late aGvHD group than in the aGvHD group. In addition, at the 2-year follow-up, the survival and NRM rates were more favorable in patients with late aGVHD than in those with aGVHD. Thus, the results are encouraging and warrant further studies to optimize MSC-based treatment for late aGVHD.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Beam and Team Conditioning Regimens for Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Lymphoma Patients.

BACKGROUND: Conditioning regimens with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) are the mainstays of treatment in lymphoma patients. Although the most frequently used conditioning regimen is the BEAM regimen (Carmustine, Etoposide, Cytarabine, and Melphalan), and alternatives are also used in certain circumstances. The TEAM regimen (carmustine is substituted by the alkylating agent thiotepa) is one of these alternatives; however, data regarding the comparisons of efficacy and safety profiles of these 2 regimens is scarce. This study compared the outcomes of patients who received conditioning regimens with BEAM and TEAM and underwent an ASCT. METHODS: This study was conducted as a retrospective assessment of 294 patient outcomes in terms of efficacy and safety. Adult patients with lymphoma diagnosis who received BEAM or TEAM conditioning regimens and underwent an ASCT between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2019 were included in the analyses. RESULTS: A total of 294 patients (median age at ASCT: 50 years, males: 60.5%, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: 35%) were included. Eighty patients (27.2%) received the TEAM regimen, and 214 (72.8%) received the BEAM regimen. Regarding safety profiles, the thrombocyte engraftment time was significantly higher in the TEAM group (P = .003) and fever of unknown etiology was significantly higher in the BEAM group (P = .042). Also, nausea was more in the TEAM group (P = .031). The complete remission rate was 57.5% and 70.3% in the TEAM and BEAM regimens, respectively. The overall mortality rate was 37.3% and not significantly different between the groups (43% and 35% in the TEAM and BEAM groups, P = .22) over a similar median follow-up of 1667 days (P = .28). The 3-year survival rate was 66% and 67% and the 5-year survival rate was 52% and 58% in the TEAM and BEAM regimens, respectively, without significant difference. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the few studies in the literature that compared the TEAM and BEAM as conditioning regimens for ASCT in lymphoma patients. The 2 regimens may provide similar overall survival outcomes and have a comparable safety profile. Although the BEAM regimen may be associated with longer progression-free survival times, the difference may be covered by the similar survival after ASCT.

Investigation of typhlitis in bone marrow transplant patients in a stem cell transplant unit.

Typhlitis is a special type of enterocolitis that specifically develops in immunosuppressive patients with hematological malignancies. Typhlitis is a common consideration after bone marrow transplantation due to high-dose chemotherapy that is used in conditioning regimens those contain high-dose cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents. Although there are several studies about typhlitis during chemotherapy or in leukemia patients, there is not enough data evaluating its relationship between stem cell transplant in adults. Therefore, the current study aimed to analyze the possible causes that may lead to the development of typhlitis in hematopoietic stem cell recipient patients. This retrospective study included 210 adult patients who underwent bone marrow transplantation between January 2017 and December 2019. Pediatric patients (patients younger than 18 years of age) were excluded. Patients' data were evaluated to determine their effects on typhlitis and the mortality risk of the patients with typhlitis. The analysis of the variables was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).Variables were analyzed at a 95% confidence level and a P value <0.05 was considered significant. Typhlitis developed in 23 (10.9%) transplant patients. Male sex, length of hospital stay, presence of febrile neutropenia, antibiotic and antifungal use, need for switching antibiotics, duration of neutropenia, diarrhea and antibiotic use in days were risk factors for development of typhlitis. It was observed that 100-days mortality was higher in typhlitis group reaching to a statistical significance (P < .05). In multiple logistic regression analysis, presence of mucositis and additional source of infection were determined as independent risk factors for the development of typhlitis in bone marrow transplant patients. This study provides valuable information for bone marrow transplant patients through an analysis of risk factors for the development of typhlitis. According to our results, mucositis and additional bacterial infections were found as risk factors for typhlitis therefore it would be beneficial for clinicians to consider these factors in patient follow-up. However, due to the retrospective nature of our study, prospective studies are needed to investigate risk factors and optimum treatment methods for typhlitis.

Prolonged viral positivity induced recurrent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia in patients receiving anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody treatment: Case reports.

INTRODUCTION: The outbreak of novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is the most important current health problem. The number of patients is increasing worldwide. Pneumonia is the most life-threatening complication of the disease. Prolonged viral shedding in hematological patients with COVID-19 has been demonstrated; however, data on COVID-19 patients receiving anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy are limited. Accordingly, focusing on humoral immunity, herein, we present 4 COVID-19 patients who were on anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody treatment and had prolonged pneumonia. PATIENT CONCERNS: Two of 4 patients were on rituximab and the other 2 were on obinutuzumab therapy. DIAGNOSIS: The polymerase chain reaction test results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were positive for all 4 patients and their COVID pneumonia lasted for >50 days. INTERVENTIONS: Although all patients were treated with an adequate amount of convalescent plasma, prolonged polymerase chain reaction positivity and prolonged pneumonia were possibly due to the lack of ability of the immune system to initiate its antibody response. OUTCOMES: Despite the administration of standard therapies, recurrent pneumonia observed in the present case series of non-neutropenic patients, in whom primary malignancies were under control. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that further investigations should be performed to understand the underlying pathophysiology.

Severe Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction Treated with Ruxolitinib and Plasma Exchange.

INTRODUCTION: Acute hemolytic transfusion reaction is a rare but extremely mortal condition. Even small quantities of ABO-incompatible erythrocytes, as much as 50 mL, can lead to fatality. Since there is no successful standard therapy, preventive measures are very important. In this case report, we presented a 29-year-old woman who was transfused with 2 units of AB Rh-positive instead of 0 Rh-positive red blood cells following a cesarean section. As far as we know, this is the first patient in the literature for whom ruxolitinib was used as a part of therapy. CASE REPORT: The patient was referred to our center 22 h after the ABO-mismatched transfusion. On admission, she had severe hemolysis, acute renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Massive plasma exchange, hemodialysis, and pulse steroid therapy were commenced. The patient was refractory to first-line therapies. She was intubated on day 2 due to hypoxia, respiratory failure and changes in consciousness. Ruxolitinib, 2 × 10 mg/day, was started on day 3. The patient's clinical status improved on day 6. Ruxolitinib was withdrawn on day 15, and the patient was discharged without any complications or sequels on day 26. CONCLUSION: Ruxolitinib may be life-saving in patients with ABO-incompatible transfusion reaction which follows a severe and catastrophic course.

Current status of HIV/AIDS-syphilis co-infections: a retrospective multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: Treponema pallidum and HIV are transmitted frequently through sexual contact, these agents with epidemiological similarities co-infect the same host. The current number of HIV-infected cases in Turkey is increasing. For this reason, we aimed to reveal the characteristics of syphilis in HIV/AIDS cases. METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal cohort study was performed, patients were followed up at 24 clinics in 16 cities from all seven regions of Turkey between January 2010 to April 2018. We examined the socio-demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters and neurosyphilis association in HIV/AIDS-syphilis co-infected cases. RESULTS: Among 3,641 patients with HIV-1 infection, 291 (8%) patients were diagnosed with syphilis co-infection. Most patients were older than 25 years (92%), 96% were males, 74% were working, 23% unemployed, and 3% were students. The three highest prevalence of syphilis were in Black Sea (10.3%), Mediterranean (8.4%) and Marmara Regions (7.4%). As for sexual orientation, 46% were heterosexuals, 42% men who have sex with men (MSM), and no data available for 12%. Patients with the number of CD4+ ≤ 350 mm3 reached 46%, 17% of the patients received antiretroviral therapy and neurosyphilis association reached 9%. CONCLUSION: Although HIV/AIDS-syphilis co-infection status appeared high in heterosexuals, MSM had a moderate level increase in cases. Our results suggested syphilis co-infection in HIV/AIDS cases should be integral part of monitoring in a national sexual transmitted diseases surveillance system. However, our data may provide base for HIV/syphilis prevention and treatment efforts in the future.

Secondary infections after cytotoxic chemotherapy in patient with hematological malignancies.

INTRODUCTION: This study was initiated to investigate the risk factors of secondary infections in febrile neutropenic patients following chemotherapy, and to evaluate the clinical, microbiological, and mortality outcomes of these infections. METHODOLOGY: An evaluation was done on all patients with hematological malignancy who developed a febrile neutropenic episode (FNE) after cytotoxic chemotherapy in the Department of Hematology, Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, between January 2007 and December 2008. RESULTS: A total of 294 primary FNEs that responded to the initial empirical or targeted treatment were included in the study, and secondary infections developed after 72 (24.5%) of 294 primary FNEs. Risk factors for secondary infections were determined as acute leukemia as the underlying disease, salvage chemotherapy for refractory/relapse diseases, prolonged neutropenia (10 days and over), Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASSC) score < 21, and fungal infection during the primary episode. The mortality rate of patients who developed secondary infections was significantly higher compared to patients without secondary infections (27.8% and 5.4%, respectively; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The development of secondary infections in patients with hematological malignancy was not very rare. Greater concern should be shown for these infections to increase patient survival rates.

Recommendations for Risk Categorization and Prophylaxis of Invasive Fungal Diseases in Hematological Malignancies: A Critical Review of Evidence and Expert Opinion (TEO-4).

This is the last of a series of articles on invasive fungal infections prepared by opinion leaders in Turkey. The aim of these articles is to guide clinicians in managing invasive fungal diseases in hematological malignancies and stem cell transplantation based on the available best evidence in this field. The previous articles summarized the diagnosis and treatment of invasive fungal disease and this article aims to explain the risk categorization and guide the antifungal prophylaxis in invasive fungal disease.

[Clinical evaluation of forty-four patients with necrotizing fasciitis]. / Nekrotizan fasiit tanisiyla izlenen 44 olgunun klinik degerlendirmesi.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but life-threatening soft-tissue infection primarily involving the superficial fascia and subcutaneous tissue. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 44 patients with necrotizing fasciitis between 2004 and 2008 in Akdeniz University Hospital, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology and other departments. The aim of this study was to determine the causative agents of the necrotizing fasciitis, and the localization, predisposing factors, and comorbid conditions. RESULTS: We found that diabetes mellitus, trauma and surgery were the most important predisposing factors. Moreover, the lower extremity and perianal region were the most frequently involved sites. Polymicrobial agents were the most frequent and the mortality was found as 25%. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, necrotizing fasciitis cases followed in our hospital were evaluated in this study.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of students from a medicine faculty, dentistry faculty, and medical technology Vocational Training School toward HIV/AIDS.

OBJECTIVES: With increasing numbers of HIV/AIDS patients, physicians, dentists, and nurses taking care of these patients should have sufficient knowledge of the disease, and their attitude and behaviour should be proper. In our study, we aimed to examine the level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS among students from a medicine faculty, dentistry faculty, and medical technology vocational training school, to investigate attitudes and behaviour, and differences between first- and last-year students (if any) and to determine students' perception of the importance of this disease for our country and our world. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This descriptive study comprised first-year and last-year students of Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University Medical Technology Vocational Training School (MTVTS), and Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Dentistry. A questionnaire was administered to a total of 357 students. RESULTS: Lack of the relevant education is obvious among all three occupational groups in our study. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of HIV/AIDS as a public health problem all over the world should be emphasized more, and awareness of all humanity should be augmented.

Aspergillus alliaceus and Aspergillus flavus co-infection in an acute myeloid leukemia patient.

We report a case of a pulmonary infection caused by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus alliaceus in an acute myeloid leukemia patient. These isolates were identified using traditional and sequencing-based molecular methods.

Hepatobiliary fascioliasis: sonographic and CT findings in 87 patients during the initial phase and long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to describe the initial and long-term imaging findings in hepatobiliary fascioliasis. CONCLUSION: Most patients with fascioliasis have typical hepatobiliary imaging findings. It is important to know that residual fibrotic or necrotic foci may remain for years after cure. Long-term complications are rare in fascioliasis, and malignancy or cirrhosis related to the disease has not been observed.

The effects of recurrent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection on pulmonary parenchyma and vasculature in rats fed on a cholesterol-rich diet.

It has been demonstrated that both hypercholesterolemia and infectious agents are contributing factors in atherosclerosis but their combined effect on the pulmonary vascular bed is not known. To answer this question, the authors tried to demonstrate the effects of recurrent infection on pulmonary parenchyma and vascular system in cholesterol-fed rats. Sixty-six rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Groups I (control), II (cholesterol-rich diet), III (recurrent pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection), IV (cholesterol-rich diet + recurrent infection). After 6 months serum cholesterol levels didn't increase in any of the groups. Central pulmonary artery wall thickness was increased in group IV (P < .0001). Although not significant, peripheral pulmonary artery wall thickness was increased in group IV. In rats fed on a cholesterol-rich diet, recurrent infection caused a significant increase in atherosclerosis, although serum cholesterol levels didn't increase. Infection and cholesterol-rich diet have a synergistic effect on atherosclerosis in the pulmonary vascular system in rats even in the absence of hypercholesterolemia.

Cytomegalovirus antigenemia and outcomes of patients undergoing allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation: effects of long-term high-dose acyclovir prophylaxis and preemptive ganciclovir treatment.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In order to investigate the relationships between antigenemia, high-dose acyclovir (HDACV) prophylaxis, preemptive ganciclovir (GCV) therapy, and outcomes, we analyzed the records of 105 patients, including both pediatric and adult populations, who underwent allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) and who were at risk for CMV reactivation and disease (both recipient and donor seropositive). All received HDACV until neutrophil engraftment, but prophylaxis was continued till post-transplant day 180 only in pediatric patients in conjunction with weekly CMV pp65 antigenemia monitoring. Antigenemia-guided preemptive strategy with GCV was used for all patients. CMV antigenemia developed in 45 patients (42.9%) and CMV disease in 13 (12.4%). The frequencies for antigenemia were 31.3 and 63.2% in pediatric and adult groups (P = 0.002). All CMV diseases were in the adult group (P<0.001). Age at transplantation, underlying disease, long-term HDACV prophylaxis and acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) were all found to be a significant risk factors for antigenemia. All of these factors other than aGVHD and conditioning regimen were also the significant risk factors for CMV disease. However, when we analyzed the pediatric and adult patients separately, dropping "long-term HDACV prophylaxis," none of these parameters were significant risk factors for CMV disease. In conclusion, we hypothesize that long-term HDACV prophylaxis in the GCV era results in a low incidence of CMV reactivation and disease in patients undergoing PBSCT.

Device-associated nosocomial infection rates in Turkish medical-surgical intensive care units.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence of device-associated nosocomial infections in medical-surgical intensive care units (MS ICUs) in a university hospital in Turkey and compare it with National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system rates. DESIGN: Prospective surveillance study during a period of 27 months. Device utilization ratios and device-associated infection rates were calculated using US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and NNIS definitions. SETTING: Two separate MS ICUs at Akdeniz University Hospital, Antalya, Turkey. PATIENTS: All patients were included who presented with no signs and symptoms of infection within the first 48 hours after admission. RESULTS: Data on 1,985 patients with a total of 16,892 patient-days were analyzed. The mean overall infection rate per 100 patients was 29.1 infections, and the mean infection rate per 1,000 patient-days was 34.2 infections. The rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was 20.76 infections per 1,000 ventilator-days, the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection was 13.63 infections per 1,000 urinary catheter-days, and the rate of catheter-associated bloodstream infection was 9.69 infections per 1,000 central line-days. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Pseudomonas species among patients with ventilator-associated pneumonias (35.8% of cases), Candida species among patients with catheter-associated urinary tract infections (37.1% of cases), and coagulase-negative staphylococci among patients with catheter-associated bloodstream infections (20.0% of cases). CONCLUSION: We found both higher device-associated infection rates and higher device utilization ratios in our MS ICUs than those reported by the NNIS system. To reduce the rate of infection, implementation of infection control practices and comprehensive education are required, and an appropriate nationwide nosocomial infection and control system is needed in Turkey.

Characteristics and analysis of risk factors for mortality in infective endocarditis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to establish the etiology of and risk factors for infective endocarditis (IE) and determine the prognostic factors for adverse outcome during hospital admission in a Turkish population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2002 and January 2004, the clinical and laboratory features of 112 consecutive adult patients (>18 years) with diagnosis of IE who were referred to the infectious diseases clinics/departments of 17 teaching hospitals in Turkey were evaluated. Cases of IE were defined according to the modified Duke Criteria. Mortality was defined as death occurring within 30 days or during hospital stay period. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to predict the factors related to fatal outcome. RESULTS: A total of 112 consecutive patients presented with 101 definite and 11 probable IE episodes were defined according to the modified Duke Criteria. The mean age was 45.2+/-19.9. Fifty percent of the patients were male. Ninety (60.4%) of the 112 patients had risk factors for IE and 48 (42.9%) of them had >or=2 risk factors. On the other hand, 49.1% of patients had cardiac risk factors. Blood cultures were positive in 94 (83.9%) cases. Staphylococci were the most common agents (50.0%), followed by streptococci (28.7%) and enterococci (16.0%). Native cardiac valves were detected in 93 (83%) of the episodes of suspected IE. Valvular involvement was present in 103 (92%) patients; the mitral valve, alone or in combination with other valves, was affected in 70 (62.5%) of the patients. Echocardiography detected vegetations in 105 patients (93.8%). The mortality rate was 28.6%. Three factors were independently associated with mortality: haemodialysis OR: 14.5 (95% CI: 1.5-138.2), mobile vegetation OR: 4.8 (95% CI: 1.5-15.4) and mental alteration OR: 4.1 (95% CI: 1.1-15.6). CONCLUSION: Mortality is still high in IE. Our data indicate that patients with altered mental status, mobile vegetation, or on haemodialysis had poorer prognosis.

Seroepidemiology of fascioliasis in the Antalya region and uselessness of eosinophil count as a surrogate marker and portable ultrasonography for epidemiological surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Fascioliasis is a great tropical disease all over the world so we tried to investigate the incidence of fascioliasis in the Antalya region of Turkey and also to find an answer to the question if initial ultrasonographic examination (US) and eosinophil count is a predictive sign in diagnosis of fascioliasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 597 adult persons were included. All cases were examined for eosinophilia and antibodies against Fasciola hepatica by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 344 of them were examined by portable US. RESULTS: ELISA was positive in 18 (3%) of 597 persons. This rate is appropriate for the definition of mesoendemic region for human fascioliasis. Among seropositive people only 2 (11.11%) cases had eosinophilia (p =0.3). US findings were not related to fascioliasis. CONCLUSIONS: Future epidemiologic studies are required in order to find the real situation of fascioliasis in Turkey as in the world and initial US and eosinophil count is not useful predictive method for fascioliasis prevalence.