[A Marginal Case of Malaria: An Interesting Malaria Story of Cameroon Origin]. / Marjinal Bir Sitma Olgusu: Kamerun Orijinli Ilginç Bir Sitma Öyküsü.

Malaria is a serious, contagious infection caused by single-celled parasites. About 200 species of Plasmodium have been described that can cause infection in vertebrates. Five different species of Plasmodium are known to cause infection in humans to date. Infection with more than one type of pathogen is called coinfection. This type of infections can be caused by different species of the same genus, as well as by different species. Malaria coinfections are mostly caused by the combination of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum. In this study, a case of malaria admitted to the hospital and diagnosed was presented. Thin smear blood preparations were prepared from the peripheral blood of a 54 year-old Republic of Türkiye citizen male patient who applied to the emergency department with fever and chills. The preparations were stained with Giemsa and examined under a microscope with a x 100 objective, and trophozoite and gametocyte forms belonging to Plasmodium genus were determined. As a result of probe-based quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRt-PCR) study with primers specific to Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium knowlesi for definitive species identification, co-infection of P.vivax, P.falciparum, P.ovale and P.knowlesi was detected in the patient. In addition, it was proved that our patient was infected with four different species by conventional PCR study in which five species were studied and then by DNA sequence analysis. On the fourth day of artemether-lumefantrine treatment, the patient's fever response was observed and the trophozoite forms disappeared from the third day in the daily peripheral smear follow-up. Since P.vivax and P.ovale species were also detected after species determination by molecular methods, primaquine 1 x 30 mg tablet was added to the existing drugs for the treatment of hypnozoite forms of the parasite. In recent years, there has been an increase in malaria imported cases, especially after visits to African countries. Such rare cases of malaria coinfection may be encountered during visits to geographies located at the intersection of endemic regions. According to the data of the World Health Organization, maximum attention should be paid to the prevention and prophylaxis protocols from vectors, especially in travels to countries with the highest mortality and morbidity. In co-infection cases similar to our patient, for tertian malaria and tertiary ovale malaria, hypnozoid therapy should not be overlooked. When the insecticide-resistant vectors and drug-resistant Plasmodium strains encountered in recent years are evaluated as a whole, there is a need to develop more effective strategies in the fight against malaria. In addition to microscopic examination, which is accepted as the gold standard, we believe that evaluating molecular studies together in diagnosis is extremely important for the treatment process when hypnozoite periods are considered.

[Domestic Malaria Cases in Kayseri Province]. / Kayseri Ilinde Görülen Yerli Sitma Olgulari.

Malaria continues to be a global public health problem considering the number of cases and death rate worldwide. There were no domestic cases reported from our country in the World Health Organization 2021 malaria report. All the 200-250 annual cases reported from our country have a history of travel to the endemic region. In this report, three malaria cases caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in Kayseri province without a history of travel to the endemic region were presented. The first case was an 18-year-old male patient with no known chronic disease. He admitted to the hospital with the complaint of high fever reaching 40°C, which continued for two days, increased with chills and decreased with sweating. Physical examination revealed hepatosplenomegaly and laboratory results revealed thrombocytopenia. Species identification was made by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Rt-PCR) method in the patient with ring-shaped trophozoites in the peripheral smear. Artemether-lumefantrine and primaquine treatments were given to the patient with mixed parasitemia of P.falciparum and P.vivax. One and two days after the admission, the second and third cases also admitted with similar complaints. Mixed parasitemia was observed in all three patients who did not have a history of traveling abroad. After the antiparasitic treatment, the patients improved clinically and laboratory, and no recurrent parasitemia was observed. With the occurrence of these cases, efforts to combat vectors were initiated throughout the province. In conclusion, the presence of anopheles mosquitoes and imported cases still poses a risk for domestic malaria cases. In patients who do not have a history of traveling abroad, malaria should be considered in the clinical preliminary diagnosis and species identification should be made by methods such as Rt-PCR in order to give appropriate treatments.

Retrospective Determination of the Prevelense of Anti-Echinococcus granulosus Antibodies in Cystic Echinococcosis Pre-diagnosed Patients at Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine

Objective: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic disease that has been known for years in helminth diseases and it is important as human and animal health problem in many parts of the world and in our country due to economic losses. In this study, it was aimed to retrospectively evaluate the distribution of anti-E. granulosus-IgG antibodies in patients with pre-diagnosis of CE that referred to parasitology laboratory between January 2013-December 2018. Methods: Commercial kit was used for indirect hemaglutination (IHA), indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and Western blot (WB) methods using sera from patient samples was applied according to the kit proposal. In addition, patient materials for CAM, CSF and blood for which polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/QPCR tests were requested were examined. Results: Sera of the patients who were tested with at least one of the IHA, IFAT and WB methods or a combination of these methods, and 443 cases out of 2.283 cases were found to be E. granulosus seropositive. It was determined that 369 (62.03%) of 443 positive patients were female and 330 (37.97%) were male patients. Among these patients, 87 patients whose IFAT and/or IHA tests were negative were found to have positive results with the WB method. IFAT or IHA test results of 13 patients with negative WB tests were found to be positive. Four patients were identified with both tests positive but WB test results negative. In addition, 36 of 72 patients who underwent PCR/QPCR tests were found to be positive. Conclusion: As a result of a six-year retrospective screening, 22% of the cases were found to be positive, and it was concluded that the prevalence of CE is high and the use of a single test may be insufficient in the diagnosis of CE, therefore, test combinations will increase the sensitivity and reliability in reaching the correct diagnosis.

The rapid effect of pulsed dye laser on demodex density of facial skin.

BACKGROUND: Recently, treatment with acaricides, which is aimed at reducing excessive proliferation of demodex mites, has gained popularity due to its providing a significant improvement in the symptoms of diseases, such as rosacea, seborrhoeic dermatitis, and perioral dermatitis. The effect of IPL on demodex mites was reported in skin biopsy specimens in three patients; however, to the best of our knowledge, no study exists to date, which evaluates the effect of pulsed dye laser (PDL) on demodex density (Dd) in larger patient group. We aim here in to observe the Dd before and after PDL therapy with two different skin biopsy techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients diagnosed with rosacea were included in the study who received PDL treatment. Dds which were measured by using both the SSSB (standardized skin surface biopsy) and CTM (cellophane tape method) techniques before and after 3 weeks of PDL therapy were evaluated. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The Dd of patients before PDL treatment was 13.0 (interquartile range (IQR): 5.0-28.0) and after 3 weeks of PDL treatment it was 6.0 (IQR: 3.0-12.0) with SSSB. After PDL treatment, the Dd was significantly lower than pretreatment the Dd (p = 0.002). The present study shows that PDL significantly reduced Dd in facial skin with one session.

Case Report: Lupoid cutaneous leishmaniasis mimicking verruca plana.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an infectious disease caused by various species of leishmania protozoan parasites. Lupoid CL is a rare form of CL that has a stunning similarity to other granulomatous cutaneous conditions of infectious or inflammatory origin. Verruca plana, also known as a "flat wart", is a benign proliferation of the skin resulting from infection with human papilloma virus (HPV). Herein, we presented a case of lupoid CL mimicking verruca plana on the face.

[Investigation of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies among foreign students in a high school]. / Yabanci uyruklu lise ögrencilerinde anti-Toxoplasma gondii antikorlarinin arastirilmasi.

OBJECTIVE: Toxoplasmosis is a major health problem in both developed and developing countries. Infection is transmitted to humans by consumption of raw or undercooked meat containing tissue cysts and by ingesting foods contaminated with oocysts from the feces of infected cats and felidae. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the incidence of T. gondii antibodies in 347 high school students from 28 different countries studying in Kayseri city. METHODS: These students had ages ranging between 15 and 21 (average: 17.52 ± 1.36). Serum samples were researched by IFAT for T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. RESULTS: 81 (23.3%) students were found to be seropositive for IgG, and 6 (1.72%) of students were positive for both IgG and IgM. There was no IgM seropositivity in IgG negative serum specimens. IgG avidity test was also done for 87 subjects who were found to be seropositive for anti-T. gondii IgG. The results indicated that 8 (9.2%) patients have equivocal range avidity and 79 (90.8%) patients have high avidity. CONCLUSION: As a result, this disease, which is important in children and adolescents, can lead to severe disease staes. Therefore, in various regions, especially in the pediatric age group, sero-prevalence tests and necessary measures are needed in high sero-prevalent areas.

[The investigation of intestinal parasites in foreign high school students]. / Yabanci uyruklu lise ögrencilerinde intestinal parazitlerin arastirilmasi

Intestinal parasites are important health problem especially in undeveloped or underdeveloped countries with low socio-economic status,. In this study, stool and cellophane tape samples were analyzed for intestinal parasites in 192 foreign students who were came from 28 different countries and attending a high school with the age of 15 to 21 (age mean: 17.92 ± 1.30) in Kayseri. At least one or more intestinal parasite species were found in 73 (38 %) of them. The distribution of parasites which were detected in stool samples as follow; Blastocystis hominis; 63 (32.8%); Giardia intestinalis, 13 (6.7 %); Endolimax nana, 8 (4.1%); Entamoeba coli, 7 (3.6%); Iodamoeba butschlii, 1 (0.52%). There was no any parasite in cellophane tape samples.

[Investigation of anti-Toxocara canis IgG antibodies in patients presenting at The Erciyes University Medical Faculty, Department of Parasitology.]. / Erciyes Universitesi Tip Fakültesi Parazitoloji Anabilim Dali'na Müracaat Edenlerde Anti-Toxocara canis IgG Antikorlarinin Arastirilmasi.

Human Toxocara canis infections are seen all over the world, especially in temperate and tropical climate regions. Dogs are known to be reservoir hosts in transmission of the disease. Because puppies are infected both transplacentally and by breast milk, they add huge amounts of eggs daily to the environment with their stools for months. It is known that the human is not a natural host of T. canis and larvae do not mature in the human body. However, after getting into the human they migrate through visceral tissues and act like a foreign body in the places where they come to rest. In this study, anti-T. canis IgG antibodies were investigated by ELISA in 61 (54.6%) males and 51 (45.5%) females making a total of 112 patients aged between 1 and 68 years (average:18.54+/-24.5) presenting at our laboratory from different services of our hospital. Anti T. canis IgG antibodies were found to be positive in 24 (21.4%) patients.

[The molecular mechanisms of erythrocyte invasion of Plasmodium spp. as a model organism of apicomplexan protozoa]. / Apicomplexan protozoonlara model olarak Plasmodium spp.'nin eritrosit invazyonunun moleküler temelleri.

Apicomplexan protozoa are a phylum of parazites that includes medically and agriculturally important pathogens. They are named for their cell apex which contains a number of organelles (rhoptri, micronemes, conoid, apical polar ring, dense granules and apicoplast), important for their invasion and development within host cells. Among important apicomplexan parasites that affect human health directly or indirectly are Plasmodium spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporodium, Eimeria, Babesia, and Theileria. Apicomplexan parasites move and actively enter host cells by substrate-dependent gliding motility. In these parasites, gliding motility and host cell invasion are driven by an actomyosin-based system (Glydeosome). A gliding motor machinery is embeded between the plasma membrane and inner membrane complex (IMC), a unique double membrane layer. A unique actomyosin motor powers both host cell invasion and locomotion of apicomplexan invasive stage. The cytoplasmic motor, a transmembrane bridge, and surface ligants essential for cell invasion are conserved among the main apicomplexan pathogens. In this review, erythrocytet invasion of Plasmodial merozit, which is a model organism of apicomplexan parasites, has been reviewed in detail.

[The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among prisoners in the Kayseri closed prison]. / Kayseri Kapali Cezaevi Mahkumlarinda Toxoplasma gondii Seroprevalansi.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii and can be found in humans, domestic animals and wild animals almost everywhere around the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among the 628 prisoners in the Kayseri Closed Prison. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were investigated in the serum specimens with the IFA method. Two hundred and thirty six (37.58%) prisoners were anti-T. gondii IgG seropositive and 11 (1.75%) were both IgG and IgM seropositive. There was no IgM seropositivity in IgG negative serum specimens.

[Three diarrheal cases caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis in Kayseri]. / Kayseri'de Cyclospora cayetanensis Kaynakli Uç Ishal Olgusu.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a coccidian parasite that may be the agent of persistent and prolonged diarrhea. In this study, the etiologic agent of diarrhea in 18, 26 and 34 year-old immunocompetent female patients complaining of diarrhea was investigated. Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts were observed in stool specimens taken from the patients and stained by the Kinyoun's acid-fast stain method. In this study, an attempt has been made to shown the importance of Cyclospora cayetanensis, which is a cause of prolonged diarrhea mainly in immunosuppressed patients and is generally presented in case reports in our country.

Peritonitis associated with Strongyloides stercoralis in a patient undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

A 67-year-old male continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patient presented with abdominal pain and pruritus. Strongyloides stercoralis larvae were seen on dialysate sediment and stool microscopic examination. Albendazole was given and improved the symptoms in 4 days. There was no episode of relapsing peritonitis after the therapy. This is the first report of S. stercoralis peritonitis in patients on CAPD. Strongyloides should be considered as a probable peritoneal pathogen in CAPD patients.

[Distribution of intestinal parasites in patients presenting at the parasitology laboratory of the medical school of Erciyes University between the years of 2005 and 2008]. / 2005-2008 Yillari Arasinda Erciyes Universitesi Tip Fakültesi Parazitoloji Laboratuari'na Basvuran Hastalarda Bagirsak Parazitlerinin Dagilimi.

In this study carried out from January 2005-June 2008, a total of 28,911 stool samples were examined using native-Lugol and flotation/sedimentation methods and 7,164 cellophane tape preparations were examined directly. Intestinal parasites were found in 6,975 (24.13%). Of the patients, 52.90% were female and 47.10%, male. Blastocystis hominis, 5,701 (19.72%); Entamoeba coli, 910 (3.15%); Giardia intestinalis, 568 (1.96%); Endolimax nana, 363 (1.26%); Entamoeba hartmann i, 357 (1.23%); Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, 253 (0.87%); Chilomastix mesnilii, 92 (0.32%); Enterobius vermicularis, 58 (0.20%); Iodamoeba butschlii; 40 (0.14%); Taenia sp., 35 (0.12%); Ascaris lumbricoides, 34 (0.12%); and Hymenolepis nana, 17 (0.06%) were found to be the most common parasites.

[Schistosoma haematobium infection in a Ghanaian patient residing for a period in Turkey]. / Bir Süredir Türkiye'de Yasayan Ganali Bir Hastada Schistosoma haematobium Enfeksiyonu.

Schistosoma haematobium is one of the important causes of haematuria in some parts of the world. We present a 16-year-old Ghanaian male who applied to our hospital with haematuria. Schistosoma haematobium eggs were found in his urine sediment. The epidemiological and clinical significance of S. haematobium has been discussed in detail because S. haematobium cases are rarely seen and are generally imported in Turkey.

[Evaluation of intestinal parasites in a period of four years in the coprology laboratory of a training hospital]. / Bir egitim hastanesi koproloji laboratuvarinda geçen dört yillik dönemde saptanan bagirsak parazitlerinin degerlendirilmesi.

Parasitological examination of stool samples of 9867 individuals, submitted from both inpatient and outpatient departments to the Microbiology Department of an 800-bed Training Hospital between 1.1.2003 and 31.12.2006, revealed that 582 individuals (5.9%) were infected with intestinal parasites. Different diagnostic methods were employed in two different periods, and Blastocystis hominis, Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar were found to be the most common parasites, respectively. Patients were predominantly male (67% (n=336) male vs. 33% (n=165) female) and aged between 15-25 years (36%). In addition, 14% (81/582) patients had multiple parasitoses. Despite being labor-intensive, parasitological examination of stool samples with necessary staining methods by experienced staff will surely help determine both the diagnosis and exact prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Turkey.

[Investigation of intestinal parasites in residents of the Kayseri Karpuzsekisi basin]. / Kayseri-Karpuzsekisi havzasinda yasayanlarda bagirsak parazitlerinin arastirilmasi

In this study, we collected stool and cellophane tape samples from residents in four villages located in the Kayseri-Karpuzsekisi basin in order to investigate the distribution of intestinal parasites. A total of 240 samples collected from Hanyeri (40), Sariküklü (20), Dokuzpinar (80) and Karpuzsekisi (120) were investigated. The parasites detected were as follows: Blastocystis hominis, 82 (34.16%); Enterobius vermicularis, 37 (15.41%); Entamoeba coli 26, (10.83%); Entamoeba hartmanni, 10 (4.16%); Giardia intestinalis, 7 (2.91%); Endolimax nana, 5 (2.08%); Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar, 4 (1.66%); and Taenia saginata, 1 (0.41%).

[Isospora belli infection in a patient with a renal transplant]. / Renal transplantli bir hastada Isospora belli enfeksiyonu.

Isospora belli infection is frequent in immunosuppressed patients and can cause wasting diarrhea. We present the first isosporiosis case in a renal transplant recipient from Turkey. The 25-year old male patient who had had a renal transplantation due to renal failure and had received immunosuppressive therapy presented at the hospital complaining of weakness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea that had lasted for 15 days. Isospora belli oocysts were detected in stool samples by direct microscopy, modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining methods and autofluorescence technique. Oocysts in the stool samples were also sporulated in 2.5% potassium dichromate and the sporulated oocysts were seen microscopically. The patient was treated with co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim 160 mg, sulphamethoxazole 800 mg) every 12 hours for seven days, with elimination of the symptoms at this time. After this, Isospora belli oocysts were no longer seen in stool samples.

Cystic echinococcosis in Central Anatolia, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by infection with a larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus is a serious public health problem in Turkey. Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease; dogs and livestock are important hosts in transmission. The aim of this study is to evaluate the rate of CE in Kayseri Rural Area, Central Anatolia, Turkey. METHODS: At the present study, we planned to evaluate the rate of CE in Kayseri rural area in Central Anatolia between 2000 and 2002. We investigated 2,242 subjects using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect fluorescence antibody (IFA), and we examined the seropositivity by using Western blotting (WB). RESULTS: The seropositivity rate was 2.7% by ELISA and IFA. We retested seropositive serum samples and 200 seronegative sera by WB. Seropositive serum samples were studied using abdominal ultrasound and chest x-ray to confirmed the presence of hydatid cyst and we found 10 (0.5%) different localized cysts. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that Kayseri rural area has a high endemicity of human CE.

Cutaneous lupoid leishmaniasis: a case report.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a disease transmitted by the sandfly. During the course of the disease, all classical stages of the development of leishmaniasis from small erythematous papules to nodules to ulcerative lesions can be seen. We report a case of lupoid leishmaniasis (LL) treated with daily intramuscular injections of meglumine antimoniate for 20 days with marked improvement of clinical features.