Evaluation of tularaemia courses: a multicentre study from Turkey.

In this multicentre study, which is the largest case series ever reported, we aimed to describe the features of tularaemia to provide detailed information. We retrospectively included 1034 patients from 41 medical centres. Before the definite diagnosis of tularaemia, tonsillitis (n = 653, 63%) and/or pharyngitis (n = 146, 14%) were the most frequent preliminary diagnoses. The most frequent clinical presentations were oropharyngeal (n = 832, 85.3%), glandular (n = 136, 13.1%) and oculoglandular (n = 105, 10.1%) forms. In 987 patients (95.5%), the lymph nodes were reported to be enlarged, most frequently at the cervical chain jugular (n = 599, 58%), submandibular (n = 401, 39%), and periauricular (n = 55, 5%). Ultrasound imaging showed hyperechoic and hypoechoic patterns (59% and 25%, respectively). Granulomatous inflammation was the most frequent histological finding (56%). The patients were previously given antibiotics for 1176 episodes, mostly with ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitors (n = 793, 76%). Antituberculosis medications were provided in seven (2%) cases. The patients were given rational antibiotics for tularaemia after the start of symptoms, with a mean of 26.8 ± 37.5 days. Treatment failure was considered to have occurred in 495 patients (48%). The most frequent reasons for failure were the production of suppuration in the lymph nodes after the start of treatment (n = 426, 86.1%), the formation of new lymphadenomegalies under treatment (n = 146, 29.5%), and persisting complaints despite 2 weeks of treatment (n = 77, 15.6%). Fine-needle aspiration was performed in 521 patients (50%) as the most frequent drainage method. In conclusion, tularaemia is a long-lasting but curable disease in this part of the world. However, the treatment strategy still needs optimization.

Association between tuberculosis and atopy: role of the CD14-159C/T polymorphism.

BACKGROUND: The development of allergic hypersensitivity depends on both genetic and environmental factors. Different amounts of microbial products could affect patients with atopy and different genotypes. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the role of varying degrees of exposure to infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis) in atopic patients and analyze the association with genetic factors. METHODS: We performed CD14-159C/T genotyping in atopic patients (n=118) and healthy individuals (n=62) and recorded the following variables: rural lifestyle, exposure to persons with tuberculosis, bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination, tuberculin skin test (TST), skin prick test, and phenotypes of atopy. Blood samples were analyzed for soluble-CD14 (sCD14), interferon (IFN) y, total immunoglobulin (Ig) E, and eosinophil levels. A score was used to identify the likelihood of exposure to tuberculosis. RESULTS: Almost all the study participants had had a BCG vaccination, and half had a positive TST result. No differences were observed between atopic patients with high/low tuberculosis scores and CD14 genotypes in terms of atopic phenotypes, allergen sensitization, and levels of total IgE, sCD14, and IFN-y. However, the frequency of asthma was higher in atopic patients with a high tuberculosis score and was not associated with CD14 genotypes. Eosinophil counts in blood were higher in atopic patients with a high tuberculosis score and CC+CT genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the C allele of the CD14-159C/T polymorphism has a marked effect on eosinophil levels in atopic patients with increased exposure to tuberculosis. In addition, the degree of exposure to tuberculosis in atopic patients may modify the development of asthma.

Brucellar spondylodiscitis: a case report.

Brucellosis is a common zoonosis which still remains as a major health problem in certain parts of the world. Osteoarticular involvement is the most frequent complication of brucellosis, in which the diagnosis of brucellar spondylodiscitis is often difficult since the clinical presentation may be obscured by many other conditions. Herein, we reported an uncommon case of spondylodiscitis due to brucella in an elderly male who had diabetes mellitus and degenerative spinal disease as underlying conditions. The diagnosis was established by using magnetic resonance imaging after the brucella-agglutination test was found to be positive. The diagnosis was also confirmed by positive blood culture. A high degree of suspicion in the diagnosis of brucellar spondylitis is essential to reduce the delay for the treatment. Thus, it should be essentially included in the differential diagnosis of longstanding back pain particularly in regions where brucellosis is endemic. Screening serologic tests for brucella should be used more widely in cases with low index of suspicion, especially in endemic areas.

An unusually extensive case of cutaneous anthrax in a patient with type II diabetes mellitus.

Naturally acquired anthrax infection remains an important public-health problem in developing countries. Turkey is one of the countries in which the zoonotic form of anthrax may still be encountered. The most frequent portal of entry for anthrax spores is the skin. Although cutaneous anthrax is usually self-limiting, complications may arise in untreated cases. Underlying systemic disorders such as diabetes mellitus may confound the clinical picture and lead to atypical presentations. We present an unusually extensive case of cutaneous anthrax in a patient with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus.

Doxycycline-induced staining of permanent adult dentition.

BACKGROUND: Doxycycline is the most effective antibiotic for managing brucellosis. Although it is relatively free from side effects, complications involving the skin, nails and teeth may rarely be encountered. METHODS: Four patients with brucellosis developed yellow-brown discolouration of teeth following a 30-45 day course of doxycycline therapy during summer at a dose of 200mg/day. RESULTS: All four patients were diagnosed as having doxycycline-induced staining of the permanent dentition. In all cases, the staining completely resolved and the teeth recovered their original colour following abrasive dental cleaning. CONCLUSIONS: These observations indicate that the incidence of staining of the permanent dentition, as a complication of doxycycline, may be much higher than the literature indicates, especially if treatment is administered during summer months. Fortunately, this complication is reversible and does not require termination of doxycycline therapy. Complete resolution following abrasive cleaning may suggest that an extrinsic mechanism within the dental milieu may be involved in its pathogenesis. Strict avoidance of sunlight exposure during high-dose, long-term doxycycline therapy might prevent the development of this complication.

Serum soluble CD30 levels in Behçet's disease.

Behçet's disease is associated with the inflammatory response. Several reports indicate the presence of primarily CD4+ T cells of the Th1 subtype in the inflammation process of the disease. Serum soluble CD30 (sCD30) is reported to be released from CD4+ Th2 type cells and has been suggested to be a marker of Th2 activity. In this study, serum sCD30 levels were measured in active and inactive patients with Behçet's disease, healthy controls and a group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, typical Th1 disorder using enzyme immunoassay kit. Mean sCD30 value of 54 active patients were found significantly higher than in those of 17 inactive patients (p = 0.027), 20 healthy controls (p = 0.040) and 25 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between increased sCD30 levels and clinical activity index in active patients with Behçet's disease. High serum levels of sCD30 may reflect the activation of CD4+ T cells or a subset of them in active BD patients. In addition to serum sCD30 levels, measurements of the Th2 cytokines may be a helpful tool for the evaluation of Th2 activity in Behçet's disease.

[Comparison of latex agglutination and coagglutination methods for the determination of bacterial antigens in cerebrospinal fluid]. / Beyin omurilik sivisindaki bakteriyel antijenlerin belirlenmesinde, lateks aglütinasyon ve koaglütinasyon yöntemlerinin karsilastirilmasi.

The latex agglutination and coagglutination tests were used to demonstrate specific bacterial antigens in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with bacterial meningitis. Latex agglutination was more sensitive than coagglutination. It detected 90% (18/20) of culture positive CSF specimens, whereas coagglutination detected 60% (12/20). Antigens were also detected by latex agglutination in seven of seven additional cerebrospinal fluid specimens after 32-48 hours of antimicrobial therapy, but four of seven by coagglutination.

[Determination of bacterial antigens by latex agglutination tests in cultured cerebrospinal fluid specimens from bacterial meningitis]. / Bakteriyel menenjitli olgularin beyin omurilik sivisi örneklerinde, lateks aglütinasyon yöntemi ile bakteriyel antijenlerin belirlenmesi.

Between December 1988 and February 1991, the latex agglutination test was evaluated for its ability to detect the antigens of N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae in the samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 57 patients with bacterial meningitis. Totally antigens were detected in 34 of 42 (80.9%) patients with bacterial meningitis proven by culture. Latex agglutination was positive in 60% of CSFs for N. meningitidis, 88.2% of CSFs for S. pneumoniae and 100% of CSFs for H. influenzae. Antigens were detected in 7 of 9 (77.8%) patients with no bacterial organisms grown on CSF culture but seen on microscopy after Gram staining. No antigens were identified in CSFs of 4 patients with culture and gram stain negative. 32-48 hours after the treatment started, the CSF samples were obtained again from 11 patients and antigens were detected in 9 of them.