Determination of potential allergenic fungal flora and its clinical reflection in suburban elementary schools in Izmir.

In this research, in order to determine mean fungus counts, indoor and outdoor air samples were taken in five elementary school buildings located in the city center of Seferihisar, Izmir (45 km from Izmir) within a 1-year period between March and April 2004, and between January and February 2005 representing similar climatic characteristics. Five samples, three from three classes where 5-8, 10-12, and 12-15 age group students attended, one from the corridors, and one from outside the buildings in all the schools, were taken for each period. Within the period of the study, in indoor and outdoor air samples, 7,122 microfungus colonies were counted. Sixty-four species were identified that belong to 17 genera as a result of the identification of isolates obtained. Skin prick tests were applied to 55 out of a total of 117 teachers by the clinicians. According to these test results, 24 teachers were sensitive to at least one agent. Results revealed that, in terms of mold counts, the difference between the schools and the difference between the times (periods) were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Demographic, clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic, and cytological features of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis: results of a university hospital of 769 patients in Turkey.

We investigated the demographic and clinical features of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis who had been diagnosed and treated in Ege University, the main referral center in the Aegean region of Turkey. Medical records of patients who had been followed in the endocrinology clinic of Ege University were retrospectively evaluated. Patients who had been diagnosed as having any thyroid disorder were determined. Patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis were selected among those patients. Seven hundred and sixty-nine patients fulfilled diagnostic criteria for Hashimoto's thyroiditis (725 females, 44 males; mean age 41.76 ± 12.49 years). 62.7% of patients were between 30 and 50 years of age. 53.3% of females and 63.6% of males had diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland. TSH level was above 4.0 IU/l in 25.6% of females and 27.4% of males. Anti-tyroglobulin antibody was positive in 92% of females and 93.2 % of males. Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody was positive in 98.4 % of females (713 patients) and 100% of males. Thyroid ultrasonography demonstrated single nodule in 52.2% and multiple nodules in 11.3% of female patients; and single nodule 32% and multiple nodules in 20% of male patients. Fine-needle aspirations of the nodules were performed in 207 patients, and none of those biopsies was diagnosed as malignant. Women with suspicious biopsis were operated. After surgery, we found that, 2% (n = 4) of patients with FNAC diagnosis of suspicious biopsies were papillary carcinoma and the other patients (3% (n = 6)) were lymphocytic thyroiditis. Age and sex distribution and laboratory findings of our patients were comparable to the previous reports. Nodule formation was the most common ultrasonographic finding in our patients, probably due to pseudonodularity. We found four women patients with thyroid cancer in our population.

Psoriasiform contact dermatitis due to propolis in a beekeeper.

BACKGROUND: More than 250 cases of allergic contact dermatitis due to propolis have been described. A few of these occurred in beekeepers. OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of psoriasiform dermatitis caused by propolis in a beekeeper who thought that his lesions were related to honeybee stings. METHODS: A 45-year-old beekeeper experienced hand dermatitis for the past 5 years. He believed that the lesions occurred and worsened when he was stung by honeybees. He was prescribed topical corticosteroids several times, but because he was stung frequently, the drugs never helped control the lesions. In the past few years, he frequently had contact with propolis during honey collection, but he denied the role of propolis because he was wearing gloves while handling the beehives. For diagnostic evaluation, skin biopsy, skin prick tests (SPTs), identification of specific IgE antibodies, and atopic patch tests were performed. RESULTS: Skin biopsy showed psoriasiform contact dermatitis. Results of SPTs to honeybee and serum specific IgE for Apis mellifera remained negative. Results of the atopic patch test performed using A mellifera SPT material were also negative in the first 20 minutes and on the second and third days. However, propolis showed a positive erythematopapular reaction on day 2. The patient never again worked as a beekeeper, and neither did he, as far as he knew, use any medical or cosmetic products that contained propolis. His hand lesions improved almost completely. CONCLUSION: Dermatitis due to propolis should never be disregarded in beekeepers, and every effort should be put forth to make a correct diagnosis and to convince the patients of the cause.