Evaluation of soluble CD200 levels in type 2 diabetic foot and nephropathic patients: association with disease activity.

BACKGROUND: CD200 (OX-2) is a novel immune-effective molecule, existing in a cell membrane-bound form, as well as in a soluble form in serum (s OX-2), which acts to regulate inflammatory and acquired immune responses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We planned this study to evaluate the sOX-2 levels of type 2 diabetic foot (group B), and compare it with that of healthy controls (group A). The patient group had the following values: DM period: 27.9±10.3 year [mean ±SD], HbA1c: 9.52±2.44% [mean ±SD]. RESULTS: Blood samples for sCD200 measurement were always taken in the morning between 8 and 10 A.M.. The results were reported as means of duplicate measurements. Concentrations of sOX-2 in the serum samples were quantified using an ELISA kit. Serum hs-CRP levels were measured using an hs-CRP assay kit. The sOX-2 level in group B was 173.8±3.1 and in group A was 70.52±1.2 [p<0.0001). In subgroup analysis of T2DM-DFI patients, we noticed that sOX-2 levels were higher in WGS (Wagner grading system) I and II patients than in WGS III and IV patients. The HbA1c, BUN, creatinine, hs-CRP levels, and sedimentation rates were higher in the patient group (p<0.0001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.005, and p<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that there are vascular, immunologic, and neurologic components in DFI, whereas autoimmune diseases and inflammatory skin disorders have only an immunologic component. This is possibly evidence of a pro-inflammatory effect seen in DFI as a vascular complication.

[Two cases of acute hepatitis associated with Q fever]. / Q Atesi ile Iliskili Iki Akut Hepatit Olgusu.

Q fever which is caused by Coxiella burnetii, is a worldwide zoonosis. Many species of wild and domestic mammals, birds, and arthropods, are reservoirs of C.burnetii in nature, however farm animals are the most frequent sources of human infection. The most frequent way of transmission is by inhalation of contaminated aerosols. The clinical presentation of Q fever is polymorphic and nonspecific. Q fever may present as acute or chronic disease. In acute cases, the most common clinical syndromes are selflimited febrile illness, granulomatous hepatitis, and pneumonia, but it can also be asymptomatic. Fever with hepatitis associated with Q fever has rarely been described in the literature. Herein we report two cases of C.burnetii hepatitis presented with jaundice. In May 2011, two male cases, who inhabited in Malkara village of Tekirdag province (located at Trace region of Turkey), were admitted to the hospital with the complaints of persistent high grade fever, chills and sweats, icterus, disseminated myalgia and headache. Physical examination revealed fever, icterus and the patient appeared to be mildly ill but had no localizing signs of infection. Radiological findings of the patients were in normal limits. Laboratory findings revealed leukocytosis, increased hepatic and cholestatic enzyme levels, and moderate hyperbilirubinemia- mainly direct bilirubin, whereas serum C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were found normal. Blood and urine cultures of the patients yielded no bacterial growth. Serological markers for acute viral hepatitis, citomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus infections, brucellosis, salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis were found negative. Acute Q fever diagnosis of the cases were based on the positive results obtained by C.burnetii Phase II IgM and IgG ELISA (Vircell SL, Spain) test, and the serological diagnosis were confirmed by Phase I and II immunofluorescence (Vircell SL, Spain) method. Both cases were treated with doxycycline for 14 days and became afebrile within four days. These cases were presented to emphasize that C.burnetii infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with fever and elevated serum transaminase levels, irrespective of the presence of abdominal pain and exposure to potentially infected animals.

A rare case of seronegative neurobrucellosis.

Neurobrucellosis is one of the complications of brucellosis. We report a rare case of a 17-year-old girl with seronegative neurobrucellosis and depression and diplopia. Results of agglutination tests for Brucella both in serum and CSF were negative. Diagnosis was made only by positive culture of Brucella mellitensis with inoculation of the patient's cerebrospinal fluid in a BACTEC 9050 System. The patient was successfully treated using ceftriaxone, doxycycline and rifampicin therapy for six months.

[A human rabies case with antemortem diagnosis]. / Yasarken tani konulan bir insan kuduz olgusu.

Rabies, which is an acute, progressive, fatal zoonotic infectious disease, is almost always caused by the bite of rabid animals containing rabies virus in their saliva. Since there is no established specific therapy for rabies, preventive and prophylactic measures are of critical importance. In this report a case of human rabies diagnosed antemortem, was presented. A 29 year old man was admitted to Harran University Hospital (in Sanliurfa province, located at southeastern Anatolia) emergency service with symptoms of high fever, general weakness, paresthesia of the right arm, hypersalivation and dysphagia. The patient with poor socioeconomical status was living in a rural area and his anamnesis revealed a history of dog bite about five months ago. It was learned that he refused vaccination against rabies after the bite event, despite the warnings of his relatives. Shortly after admission, the patient's neurological status severly deteriorated; he became increasingly agitated. Upon the development of progressive respiratory failure, the patient underwent ventilatory support and heavily sedated with presumptive diagnosis of rabies. A nuchal skin biopsy, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva and corneal smear were sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Etlik Central Veterinary Control and Research Institute Rabies Diagnosis Laboratory in Ankara. The corneal smear was positive for rabies virus antigen revealed by direct fluorescent antibody test and saliva sample was also positive for rabies virus RNA by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay. Thus, on the third day of the admission the diagnosis was confirmed and on day 11, the patient was deceased due to rabies encephalitis. This case report emphasizes the importance of public education particularly in low socio-economic and socio-cultural areas, about rabies transmission and preventive and prophylactic measures that should be taken after animal bite.

Tuberculous sacro-ileitis: two cases and radiological findings.

Infective sacro-ileitis is due to common bacteria, 25% being tuberculosis and 10% brucellosis. Slow progression characterizes joint tuberculosis, an uncommon variant of this disease. The onset is usually insidious, and early diagnosis requires a high index of clinical suspicion. We report two cases with tuberculous sacro-ileitis which initially mimicked brucellosis infiltration. Diagnosis of tuberculosis of the sacroiliac joint was established by fine-needle aspiration of joint and radiological imaging methods such as computerized tomography, magnetic resonance and three-phase bone scan. The current diagnosis and treatment of this condition is discussed based on these cases and a literature review.