Investigation of Metallo Beta Lactamases and Oxacilinases in Carbapenem Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Strains Isolated from Inpatients.

BACKGROUND: Resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics is widespread among Acinetobacter strains. Plasmid-mediated metallo beta lactamases (MBL) are responsible for carbapenem resistance, as are oxacillinases (OXA). In recent years, MBL producing carbapenem-resistant strains have been reported in the world and in Turkey in increasing rates. In our country, besides the OXA 51-like enzyme which is inherent in A. baumannii strains, OXA 58-like and OXA 23-like carbapenemases producing strains have also been widely detected. In addition, Verona Imipenemase (VIM) and (IMP)-type MBL have been reported in some centers. AIMS: The aim of our study was to investigate the presence of carbapenemases in Acinetobacter strains isolated from hospitalized patients in Edirne. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 52 imipenem-resistant A. baumannii strains isolated between January and March 2013 were investigated. The presence of MBL was described phenotypically by the combined disk diffusion test (CDDT), double disk synergy test (DDST), MBL E-test (only performed in 28 strains) and modified Hodge test. blaIMP, blaVIM, blaGIM, blaSIM, blaSPM genes and blaOXA-23, blaOXA-51, blaOXA-40, blaOXA-58 genes were investigated by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The blaNDM-1 gene was determined by PCR. RESULTS: By modified Hodge test, 50 strains (96%) were found to be MBL positive. Positivity of MBL was 21% by both CDDT (0.1 M EDTA) and DDST. Twenty-four of 28 strains (85.7%) were positive by MBL E-test. OXA 23-like and OXA 51-like carbapenemases were detected in all strains, but OXA 58-like and OXA 40-like carbapenemases-producing A. baumannii were not detected. Also, MBL genes were not detected by genotypic methods. CONCLUSION: Only OXA 23-like carbapenemase was responsible for carbapenem resistance in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter strains in Edirne. The MBL-producing Acinetobacter strain is not yet a problem in our hospital. MBL resistance was found by phenotyping tests, which must be confirmed by genotypic methods; multiplex PCR tests can be easily used for screening MBL.

HBV, HCV and HIV seroprevalence among blood donors in Istanbul, Turkey: how effective are the changes in the national blood transfusion policies?

The national blood transfusion policies have been changed significantly in recent years in Turkey. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV in blood donors at the Red Crescent Center in Istanbul and to evaluate the effect of changes in the national blood transfusion policies on the prevalence of these infections. The screening results of 72695 blood donations at the Red Crescent Center in Istanbul between January and December 2007 were evaluated retrospectively. HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV-1/2 were screened by microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) method. Samples found to be positive for anti-HIV 1/2 and anti-HCV were confirmed by Inno-Lia HCV Ab III and Inno-Lia HIV I/II Score, respectively. The seropositivity rates for HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV-1/2 were determined as 1.76%, 0.07%, and 0.008%, respectively. Compared to the previously published data from Red Crescent Centers in Turkey, it was found that HBV and HCV seroprevalances decreased and HIV seroprevalance increased in recent years. In conclusion, we believe that the drop in HBV and HCV prevalence rates are likely multifactorial and may have resulted from more diligent donor questioning upon screening, a higher level of public awareness on viral hepatitis as well as the expansion of HBV vaccination coverage in Turkey. Another factor to contribute to the decreased prevalence of HCV stems from the use of more sensitive confirmation testing on all reactive results, thereby eliminating a fair amount of false positive cases. Despite similar transmission routes, the increase in HIV prevalence in contrast to HBV and HCV may be linked to the increase in AIDS cases in Turkey in recent years.

HBV, HCV and HIV seroprevalence among blood donors in Istanbul, Turkey: how effective are the changes in the national blood transfusion policies?

The national blood transfusion policies have been changed significantly in recent years in Turkey. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV in blood donors at the Red Crescent Center in Istanbul and to evaluate the effect of changes in the national blood transfusion policies on the prevalence of these infections. The screening results of 72695 blood donations at the Red Crescent Center in Istanbul between January and December 2007 were evaluated retrospectively. HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV-1/2 were screened by microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) method. Samples found to be positive for anti-HIV 1/2 and anti-HCV were confirmed by Inno-Lia HCV Ab III and Inno-Lia HIV I/II Score, respectively. The seropositivity rates for HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV-1/2 were determined as 1.76 percent, 0.07 percent, and 0.008 percent, respectively. Compared to the previously published data from Red Crescent Centers in Turkey, it was found that HBV and HCV seroprevalances decreased and HIV seroprevalance increased in recent years. In conclusion, we believe that the drop in HBV and HCV prevalence rates are likely multifactorial and may have resulted from more diligent donor questioning upon screening, a higher level of public awareness on viral hepatitis as well as the expansion of HBV vaccination coverage in Turkey. Another factor to contribute to the decreased prevalence of HCV stems from the use of more sensitive confirmation testing on all reactive results, thereby eliminating a fair amount of false positive cases. Despite similar transmission routes, the increase in HIV prevalence in contrast to HBV and HCV may be linked to the increase in AIDS cases in Turkey in recent years.

The significance of repeat testing in Turkish blood donors screened with HBV, HCV and HIV immunoassays and the importance of S/CO ratios in the interpretation of HCV/HIV screening test results and as a determinant for further confirmatory testing.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the intra-assay correlations amongst initial reactive and repeat screening results used in enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV in blood donors. This study evaluated the value of using the power of the signal to cut-off (S/CO) ratio index for confirming anti-HCV/HIV reactive screening results, thereby touching upon the utility of S/CO indices in determining whether further confirmatory testing was necessary. Screening test results of the 72,695 blood donors were evaluated over a 1-year period. Correlation analysis among each initial test and retests was done by Pearson r test. Appropriate S/CO values to determine the need of the confirmation testing was investigated by ROC analyses. EIA intra-assay correlations were of statistical significance and were determined as follows: 0.948 for anti-HCV, 0.827 for anti-HIV and 0.948 for HBsAg. The threshold S/CO ratio values which predicted more than 95% of the confirmation test result were 3.8 for HCV and 5.6 for HIV. We were able to demonstrate a strong level of intra-assay correlation amongst EIAs, thereby eliminating the need for repetition of the screening test. Hence, we suggest that repeat screening should only be limited to HBV and HIV tests with low EIA S/CO ratios. Thus, using the power of the S/CO ratio in determining the need for HCV confirmation testing can be a cost-effective measure, especially if the S/CO value is >or=3.8.

[Case report: Löffler's syndrome due to Ascaris lumbricoides mimicking acute bacterial community--acquired pneumonia]. / Olgu sunumu: akut bakteriyel toplum kökenli pnömoni klinigini taklit eden Ascaris lumbricoides'e bagli bir Löffler's sendromu.

In this study we present a patient with Loeffler's syndrome caused by Ascaris lumbricoides who presented with the clinical findings of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Our patient, who was twenty-five years old, and who had had symptoms such as coughing, expectorating, dyspnea and fever for approximately ten days, was hospitalized. We auscultated polyphonic rhonchuses at the both hemithoraxes. A chest X-ray revealed bilateral lower zone patch consolidation. Acute bacterial community acquired pneumonia (CAP) was diagnosed due to these findings and empirical antibiotic treatment was begun. Repeated sputum Gram stains were negative, and both sputum and blood cultures were sterile. A sputum smear was negative for acid-fast bacilli. The patient's fever and respiratory complaint did not respond to the empirical antibiotics therapy. During the course of advanced investigations, we measured peripheric eosinophilia, and high levels of total Eo and total IgE, and observed Ascaris lumbricoides eggs during stool examination. The patient was given a diagnosis of Loeffler's syndrome. Thereupon the patient was treated successfully with one dose of albendazol 400 mg. In conclusion, we suggest that Loeffler's syndrome must be considered early in the differential diagnosis for CAP when peripheric eosinophilia is seen in patients if they live in an endemic area for parasitic disease.

[A case of brucellosis complicated with endocarditis, pyelonephritis, sacroileitis and thyroiditis]. / Endokardit, piyelonefrit, sakroileit ve tiroidit komplikasyonlari gelisen bir bruselloz olgusu.

Brucellosis which is a endemic in Turkey, is a systemic infection which can affect any organ or system in the body. Since signs and symptoms of brucellosis resemble many other diseases, misdiagnosis and related increase in morbidity rate, are common. In this report, a case of brucellosis complicated with endocarditis, pyelonephritis, sacroileitis and thyroiditis, was presented. The case was a 32-years-old female patient in whom the diagnosis of brucellosis was delayed by 12 months since it was not taken into consideration during the clinical follow-up of the patient in various clinical centers. The patient was admitted to our center with the complaints of fever, headache, back pain, night sweats, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, dysuria and polyuria. The patient had a history of consumption of raw milk and dairy products. Positive Brucella tube agglutination test (1/1280) and isolation of Brucella spp. in blood cultures led to the diagnosis of brucellosis. Sacroileitis was diagnosed upon pain on right hip joint movements, pain and restriction at the same joint in FABER test. The detection of vegetation during echocardiography, cardiac murmur during physical examination and the determination of increased ESR and CRP levels led to the diagnosis of endocarditis. Abdominal ultrasonography and urinalysis results (hematuria, proteinuria and pyuria) revealed pyelonephritis and increased free T3 and T4, decreased TSH and positive anti-thyroid autoantibodies (anti-TG, anti-TPO) revealed thyroiditis. Treatment was started with combination of rifampisin (1 x 600 mg/day) and doxycycline (2 x 100 mg/day). After the diagnosis of endocarditis, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (3 x 960 mg/day) and streptomycin (1 x 1 g/day) were added to the treatment. Valve replacement surgery was planned, however, the patient didn't accept surgical intervention and antimicrobial treatment continued with streptomycin for 21 days and other antibiotics for six months. The patient exhibited significant improvement after the medical treatment. Although sacroileitis is a frequent complication of brucellosis, endocarditis, thyroiditis and pyelonephritis are among the rare complications. In cases of brucellosis with multiorgan involvement including endocarditis, successful results may be achieved by aggressive antimicrobial treatment. In endemic areas, brucellosis should always be taken into consideration in patients with fever of unknown origin and multisystem involvement.

[Epidemiological features of Candida infections detected in intensive care units and risk factors affecting mortality]. / Yogun bakim ünitelerinde saptanan Candida enfeksiyonlarinin epidemiyolojik özellikleri ve mortaliteye etki eden risk faktörleri.

The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological features of nosocomial Candida infections in intensive care units and to detect the risk factors which increase the mortality rate. A total of 940 patients hospitalized in ICUs of Gulhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Istanbul, between January 01 and December 31, 2006 were prospectively enrolled into this study. Candida spp. were isolated from various clinical specimens (blood, urine, respiratory tract, wound) in 48 patients. Of these patients, 50% were male and 50% were female, and the mean age was 63.66 +/- 22.72 (age range: 8-92) years. The mean duration of hospital stay was 36.25 +/- 44.51 (min: 1, max: 90) days. Thirty five Candida infection attacks were observed in 29 of 48 patients. C. albicans was isolated in 18 infections and non-albicans Candida spp. in 17 infections. Nosocomial infection rate due to Candida spp. was 3.22 per 1000 patient-days. The most common Candida infections were bloodstream (42.9%) and urinary tract infections (37.1%). At the time of diagnosis, 89.6% of patients were being hospitalized for more than ten days and 69% of the patients were using three or more wide spectrum antibiotics. Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases were the most frequently detected co-morbid diseases. The overall mortality rate was 55.2%. Predictors of adverse outcome were diabetes mellitus (p= 0.016), need for mechanical ventilation (p= 0.010) and infection with non-albicans Candida spp. (p= 0.002). In conclusion, Candida infections in the intensive care patients are associated with high mortality. Mortality due to Candida infections could be reduced by defining the risk factors and starting preemptive antifungal treatment to patients who are under risk.

The sixteen-year trend of syphilis in Turkey: data from blood donors.

This study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence and trends of antibodies to syphilis among Turkish blood donors (BDs) at the 22 National Blood Transfusion Service, Kizilay, between 1989 and 2004. Among the 6,240,130 BDs, a reactive result was obtained with the rapid plasma reagin test for 6864 donors (0.11%). A serious increasing trend was observed between 1989 and 1992 (41/100.000 versus 92/100.000 cases, P = 0.003, CI 95, 33-107), in 1998, the rates were observed to have increased approximately 4.01 times compared with that of 1989 (41/100,000 versus 168/000,000, P = 0.001, CI 95, 28-183). After 2002, syphilis seropositivity showed a marked decreasing trend (P = 0.002, CI 95, 36-118). However, as this survey shows, the rate of seropositive donors for syphilis has been greatly reduced but it is believed that a more thorough management strategy is necessary in order to cause a further reduction in Turkey.

[Strongyloidiosis and Loeffler's syndrome detected in a patient who used a short term steroid treatment]. / Kisa Süreli Steroid Kullanan Bir Hastada Saptanan Strongyloidoz ve Loeffler Sendrom Tablosu.

Strongyloidiosis is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas but is a rarely reported parasitic infestation in Turkey. Disseminated strongyloidiosis may develop in patients with immunodeficiencies. We report a case of Strongyloides stercoralis infection and Loeffler's syndrome that developed in a patient who had received systemic prednisolone. The patient was a 20 year-old man, born in Hatay, Turkey. The patient presented at our department complaining of abdominal pain and leg pain. After he was admitted for further examination; headache, sore throat and cough developed. The differential-leukocytic count was characterized by 14% eosinophils. When a stool examination was performed, Strongyloides stercoralis larvae were observed. The patient was treated successfully with albendazole. His symptoms improved and Strongyloides stercoralis was not detected in subsequent follow-up examinations thereafter.

The spectrum of diseases causing fever of unknown origin in Turkey: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this trial was to determine the spectrum of diseases with fever of unknown origin (FUO) in Turkey. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study of 154 patients with FUO in twelve Turkish tertiary-care hospitals was conducted. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 42+/-17 years (range 17-75). Fifty-three (34.4%) had infectious diseases (ID), 47 (30.5%) had non-infectious inflammatory diseases (NIID), 22 (14.3%) had malignant diseases (MD), and eight (5.2%) had miscellaneous diseases (Mi). In 24 (15.6%) of the cases, the reason for high fever could not be determined despite intensive efforts. The most common ID etiologies were tuberculosis (13.6%) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection (3.2%). Adult Still's disease was the most common NIID (13.6%) and hematological malignancy was the most common MD (7.8%). In patients with NIID, the mean duration of reaching a definite diagnosis (37+/-23 days) was significantly longer compared to the patients with ID (25+/-12 days) (p=0.007). In patients with MD, the mean duration of fever (51+/-35 days) was longer compared to patients with ID (37+/-38 days) (p=0.052). CONCLUSIONS: Although infection remains the most common cause of FUO, with the highest percentage for tuberculosis, non-infectious etiologies seem to have increased when compared with previous studies.

Phagocytic activity of neutrophils improves over the course of therapy of diabetic foot infections.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in phagocytic activity of neutrophils of type 2 diabetic patients with foot infections over short treatment courses. The potential utility of the phagocytic index in determining the efficacy of treatment modalities and it's relationship with metabolic control parameters were evaluated. METHODS: The phagocytic activity of neutrophils was determined in blood samples of 38 type 2 diabetic patients with foot infections (14 women and 24 men). Mean age and mean duration of diabetes were 66.3+/-9.4 and 19.1+/-11.2 (yrs), respectively. All patients received standard treatment (intensive insulin therapy, antibiotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and surgical debridement). Phagocytic activity of neutrophils was determined by a standard method. Phagocytic activity of neutrophils, acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein) and glycosylated haemoglobin was determined before therapy and two weeks later. RESULTS: The phagocytic index before and after therapy were 47.7+/-11.4 and 62.5+/-15.6, respectively (p<0.05). There was a significant correlation between phagocytic index and both CRP and HbA1c (r=0.52, p<0.05 and r=-0.41, p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Derangement of carbohydrate metabolism may underlie the impairment of bactericidal activity of neutrophils of poorly controlled diabetic patients. These data reveal that phagocytic activity improves during short-course standard therapy and might enable monitoring of efficacy of treatment modalities in diabetic patients with foot infections.

Leptospirosis in Istanbul, Turkey: a wide spectrum in clinical course and complications.

Patients with high fever and multiorgan involvement were investigated for the determination of frequency, clinical course and complications of leptospirosis in Istanbul. Leptospirosis was determined in 22 cases among the 35 hospitalized patients that were pre-diagnosed as leptospirosis according to 'Probable Leptospirosis Diagnosis and Follow-up' form. Among the leptospirosis cases 19 were male and 16 were military staff. Mean age was 35.6 y. Dark field examination (DFE), latex agglutination test (LAG), ELISA IgM, leptospirosis culture (LC) and microscopic agglutination test (MAT) were performed to confirm the diagnoses. The most frequent initial symptoms and findings were fever, fatigue, headache, nausea-vomiting and increased muscle sensitivity. Jaundice was noted only in 2 cases. A 74-y-old female patient died after the recurrence of the disease with severe rhabdomyolysis and pulmonary failure. Sagittal sinus thrombosis, perimyocarditis and chronic renal failure were major complications in another 3 patients. ELISA IgM, LC, DFE, LAG and MAT tests were positive in 68, 72, 82, 100 and 100% of the patients, respectively. As a conclusion, diagnosis of leptospirosis is usually overlooked. Clinical awareness, use of probable leptospirosis diagnosis forms and the application of different laboratory methods in the diagnosis of suspected cases may offer the chance to diagnose the leptospirosis accurately.

Cerebral venous thrombosis as a complication of leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is an acute infectious disease caused by a spirochete of the leptospira gender and it is characterized by severe vasculitis. It is not common for leptospirosis to present as a primary neurological disease. On the other hand, no study has been reported on the progression of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in patients with leptospirosis so far. This is the first case reported which shows CVT as a complication after the leptospirosis infection. An acutely developed leptospirosis and post-infectious CVT in a 21-year-old soldier is described here.

Tuberculous meningitis with multiple intracranial tuberculomas mimicking neurocysticercosis clinical and radiological findings.

Central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis (TB), the most dangerous form of TB, remains a public health problem, particularly in developing countries. In the differential diagnosis of intracranial tuberculomas (ICTs), images on radiological findings should be differentiated from other causes of space-occupying lesions. These lesions include malignant diseases such as glioma or lymphoma, pyogenic abscess, toxoplasmosis, neurocysticercosis (NC), sarcoidosis, hydatidosis and late syphilitic involvement of CNS. We present a case with multiple ICTs mimicking NC with similar clinical and imaging manifestations in a young immunocompetent patient. The diagnosis was based on brain magnetic resonance imaging findings. The definitive diagnosis was confirmed mycobacteriologically in cerebrospinal fluid and sputum specimens. Adequate response to anti-TB chemotherapy was achieved while multiple ICTs in the brain disappeared slowly. In the absence of appropriate therapy, these pathologies might be fatal; the possibilities of differential diagnosis would be of great clinical importance, particularly because of the different treatment protocols required for the NC and ICTs.

Comparison of silver-coated dressing (Acticoat), chlorhexidine acetate 0.5% (Bactigrass), and silver sulfadiazine 1% (Silverdin) for topical antibacterial effect in Pseudomonas aeruginosa-contaminated, full-skin thickness burn wounds in rats.

Acticoat (Smith and Nephew, Istanbul, Turkey), chlorhexidine acetate 0.5%, and silver sulfadiazine 1% were compared to assess the antibacterial effect of their application on experimental burn wounds in contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in rats. All treatment modalities were effective against P. aeruginosa because there were significant differences between treatment groups and control groups. The mean eschar concentrations did not differ significantly between Acticoat and chlorhexidine acetate groups, but there were significant differences between the silver sulfadiazine group and the other treatment groups, indicating that silver sulfadiazine significantly eliminated P. aeruginosa more effectively in the tissues than did the other two agents. All treatment modalities were sufficient to prevent the P. aeruginosa from invading to the muscle and from causing systemic infection. In conclusion, silver sulfadiazine is the most effective agent in the treatment of the P. aeruginosa-contaminated burn wounds; Acticoat can be considered as a treatment choice because of its peculiar ability of limiting the frequency of replacing wound dressings.

A case of recurrent subcutaneous emphysema as a complication of endotracheal intubation.

We describe a case of subcutaneous cervicofacial emphysema in a 21-year-old man who had undergone endotracheal intubation while under general anesthesia 2 months earlier. The emphysema had arisen on the right side of the face and neck and extended to the right shoulder and the cubital fossa. The patient was hospitalized and treated with parenteral antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen. On hospital day 10, he had improved sufficiently to warrant discharge on the next day. Two months later, the patient presented at a follow-up visit with a recurrence, and he was readmitted. By hospital day 28, his condition had improved and he was scheduled for discharge. However; he experienced another recurrence just before he was to leave the hospital. The circumstances of this second recurrence led us to suspect that the patient was able to produce these signs and symptoms on his own. He was referred for psychiatric evaluation, and findings were negative. He was then sent to the Ear Nose, and Throat Service, where we confirmed that his subcutaneous emphysema could be brought on by Valsalva's maneuver. We performed suspension laryngoscopy and detected two orifices of fistular tracts next to the right vallecula and three at the root of the epiglottis. We repaired the injured mucosa and the orifices of the fistulae with absorbable sutures and cauterized the area. The swelling resolved completely within 4 days, and findings on a radiographic examination of the chest and neck 1 week later were normal. The patient was then lost to follow-up. The presence of air in the retropharyngeal and cervical subcutaneous spaces of the neck and shoulder without pneumomediastinum is an uncommon complication of endotracheal intubation. We discuss the clinical and radiographic findings associated with this complication, and we review diagnostic considerations and management.