Microorganism diversity and contamination risk in mosque rosaries and carpets.

BACKGROUND: Inevitably, the floors of mosques are contaminated with microorganisms, and the risk of pathogen transmission is probably high between the many visitors, but the issue has been infrequently studied. OBJECTIVES: Investigate microorganism variety and risk of contamination on commonly used carpets and rosaries (prayer beads). DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTINGS: Mosques. METHODS: This study was carried out in three different cities of Turkey in 2023, focusing on mosques located around hospitals. Forty mosques were included in the study and from each mosque 10 samples were collected from various parts of carpets and rosaries. The number of positive culture isolates were identified. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diversity and distribution of microorganisms isolated from mosque carpets and rosaries; methicillin-resistance rates in Staphylococci. SAMPLE SIZE: 400 samples. RESULTS: Growth was observed in 368 (92%) of 400 samples examined. The microorganisms isolated in the highest number were methicillin-susceptible coagulase negative Staphylococci (MSCoNS) (59.8%), Microcooccus (41%) and diphtheroids (31.3%). The rates of total growth (P=.001), including diphtheroids (P=.018), methicillin-resistant coagulase negative Staphylococci (P=.001), Bacillus spp. (P=.036) and Aspergillus spp. (P=.002) rates were significantly higher in the rosary samples than carpet samples. At mosques in Tokat, a province center, 4 samples were positive for Acinetobacter baumannii, two samples were positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and one sample for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and these were isolated from rosaries. 0.3% of Staphylococcus isolates were MRSA. CONCLUSION: As there is a high risk of contamination of carpets and prayer beads on the mosque floor with human flora, the use of appropriate hygiene practices is necessary. We also found some emerging bacteria in addition to the normal human flora. LIMITATIONS: Our study was conducted in three provinces. Further studies might cover a wider geography.

The Role of Ischemia-modified Albumin and Ischemia-Modified Albumin to Albumin Ratios in Patients with Alopecia Areata.

INTRODUCTION: OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and IMA/albumin levels in patients with AA. METHODS: The present prospective crossectional study includes patients ≥18 who were admitted to the Dermatology and Venerology Department of Hitit University Hospital between April 1, 2021, and September 30, 2021. 70 patients participated in the study (n=34 for the study group and n=36 for the control group). Demographic features, clinical characteristics, IMA, and IMA/albumin levels were compared between the groups. The study group was divided into subgroups based on the number of patches, disease duration, and the number of disease attacks. IMA and IMA/albumin levels were compared between each subgroup. RESULTS: The study and control groups were similar with regard to demographic features and clinical characteristics. Significant differences were observed between the mean IMA and IMA/albumin ratio (p=0.004 and 0.012, respectively). The study subgroups were comparable in the number of patches, disease duration, and number of disease attacks. CONCLUSION: Although oxidative stress is an important component in the etiology of AA, IMA and IMA/albumin may not be useful in the prediction of disease severity in patients with AA.

Pathogens in ticks collected in Israel: II. Bacteria and protozoa found in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and Rhipicephalus turanicus.

Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and Rhipicephalus turanicus are very prevalent in Israel and are known to be vectors of human and animal diseases. The aim of this study was to identify the pathogens found in questing ticks and such parasitizing domestic and wild animals. Ticks were collected from 16 localities in Israel with the flagging technique and by examining dogs, hedgehogs, a badger and a tortoise. Bacterial and protozoal pathogens were analyzed by PCR and sequencing. Overall, 374 R. sanguineus s.l. specimens were collected, out of which 142 by flagging and 132 from six dogs. Rickettsia africae, Rickettsia massiliae, Rickettsia conorii subsp. israelensis, and Anaplasma sp. were identified in ticks collected by flagging, Rickettsia aeschlimannii was found only in specimens collected from dogs, while Ehrlichia sp., Coxiella burnetii, Hepatozoon canis and Leishmania infantum were recorded in ticks collected by flagging and from dogs. Out of 226 specimens of R. turanicus, 124 were collected by flagging, while additional 33 from eight dogs, 64 from seven southern white-breasted hedgehogs (Erinaceus concolor), two from a European badger (Meles meles) and one from a Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca). Out of 65 R. sanguineus s.l. pools 17 (26.2%) had pathogens, while seven of them were positive for one pathogen, and 10 for two pathogens. In 43 R. turanicus pools, R. aeschlimannii R. africae, Rickettsia barbariae, R. massiliae, Anaplasma sp., Ehrlichia sp. and C. burnetii, as well as Babesia microti, B. vogeli, Hepatozoon felis, and L. infantum was detected, while Listeria monocytogenes, Bartonella sp. and Toxoplasma gondii were negative in all R. sanguineus s.l. and R. turanicus pools examined. In conclusion, Babesia microti is reported for the first time in Israel, R. africae, R. aeschlimannii, C. burnetii and L. infantum are reported for the first time in R. sanguineus s.l. and R. turanicus, while H. felis is reported for the first time from R. turanicus in the country.

Ischemia-modified albumin as a possible marker of oxidative stress in patients with telogen effluvium

Abstract Background Telogen effluvium is the most common form of non-scarring alopecia characterized by diffuse hair loss. Ischemia-modified albumin is a marker of oxidative stress and inflammation. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the levels of ischemia-modified albumin of telogen effluvium patients with healthy controls. Methods Ninety-one patients diagnosed with telogen effluvium and 35 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Serum ischemia-modified albumin level was determined by a fast-colorimetric method, and albumin cobalt binding test. The results were evaluated statistically. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the serum albumin values of patient and control groups (p = 0.739). Serum ischemia-modified albumin values were significantly higher in the patients with telogen effluvium than healthy controls (p < 0.001). Study limitations Body mass index values of the patient and control groups could not be calculated. Conclusions To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first clinical study to investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of telogen effluvium using ischemia-modified albumin as a biomarker. Based on the results of the present study, it can be considered that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of telogen effluvium. There is a need for further studies to support the results of this study, to demonstrate the possible effects of oxidative stress, and to investigate the other oxidative stress markers in the pathogenesis of telogen effluvium.

Ischemia-modified albumin as a possible marker of oxidative stress in patients with telogen effluvium.

BACKGROUND: Telogen effluvium is the most common form of non-scarring alopecia characterized by diffuse hair loss. Ischemia-modified albumin is a marker of oxidative stress and inflammation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the levels of ischemia-modified albumin of telogen effluvium patients with healthy controls. METHODS: Ninety-one patients diagnosed with telogen effluvium and 35 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Serum ischemia-modified albumin level was determined by a fast-colorimetric method, and albumin cobalt binding test. The results were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the serum albumin values of patient and control groups (p=0.739). Serum ischemia-modified albumin values were significantly higher in the patients with telogen effluvium than healthy controls (p<0.001). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Body mass index values of the patient and control groups could not be calculated. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first clinical study to investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of telogen effluvium using ischemia-modified albumin as a biomarker. Based on the results of the present study, it can be considered that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of telogen effluvium. There is a need for further studies to support the results of this study, to demonstrate the possible effects of oxidative stress, and to investigate the other oxidative stress markers in the pathogenesis of telogen effluvium.

In vitro bactericidal effect of Ho:YAG laser and pneumatic lithotripsy on ureteral stones colonized with Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis.

The endoscopic treatment of urolithiasis has a high success rate and the complications decreased after the development of lithotripsy techniques. The aim of this study is to investigate the in vitro bactericidal effect of laser and pneumatic lithotripsy on urinary stones colonized with Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. A total of 40 natural calcium oxalate stones, which were obtained from the patients' urinary systems with rigid ureteroscopy were used in the study. Surfaces of the stones were colonized with E. coli and E. faecalis strains. The fragmentation of the stones was performed using holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser (Ho:YAG laser) and pneumatic lithotripters in vitro in Eppendorf tubes filled with liquid. After fragmentation, samples taken from Eppendorf tubes were inoculated on blood and EMB agar. The number of colonies was evaluated after 18-24-hour incubation period. The laser lithotripsy technique reduced the number of colonies by 100% and had bactericidal effect on E. coli and E. faecalis. Pneumatic lithotripsy technique had no bactericidal effect on these strains (0%). In the fifth minute of laser irradiation, the average temperature in the Eppendorf tube was 51-55 °C, and the average temperature in the tenth minute was 54-60 °C. The temperatures did not change in the fifth and tenth minutes with the pneumatic lithotripsy procedure. The present study revealed the bactericidal effect of Ho:YAG laser on E. coli and E. faecalis in vitro. Increased ambient temperature during Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy is thought to play a role in the bactericidal effect. But the question of whether an ideal lithotripter efficiently inactivates or destroys bacteria has still not been answered in urology practice. This preliminary study showed the bactericidal effect of Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy, but further studies are needed to investigate the bactericidal effect of Ho:YAG laser in vivo.

[Bladder stone secondary to prolene suture after gynecologic surgery].

Bladder stones are usually seen among patients with bladder outlet obstruction, especially in men over the age of 50 years. There are several risk factors for bladder stones, including urinary tract infections, abnormal urinary tract system anatomy, and presence of foreign bodies. In addition, migrating intrauterine contraceptive devices through the wall of the urinary bladder and foreign bodies such as surgical sutures may act as a nidus for developing stone formation. Here in, we report a case of bladder stone associated with surgical non-absorbable suture, used for gynecologic surgery 4 years ago, and treated endoscopically. The aim of this paper was to know gynecological association and the management of bladder stones. The patients who had a history of pelvic surgery previously and present with lower urinary tract symptoms such as dysuria, voiding difficulties, weak micturition and hematuria should be evaluated for the foreign body-associated disorders.

Dermatophytes isolated from the mosques in Tokat, Turkey.

Dermatophytes are a group of fungi that invade keratinized tissues such as the skin, hair and nails. The aim of this study was to investigate the existence of the potential causative agents of dermatophytosis in the mosque area in Tokat, Turkey. Thirty mosques were included in the study. A total of two hundred samples were collected from various parts of carpets and slippers in the mosques. Positive cultures were obtained in 144 samples (113 from carpets, 31 from slippers). Among the species isolated, Epidermophyton floccosum (n = 114) (79.2 %) was the most frequent, followed by Trichophyton mentographytes (n = 13) (9 %), Trichophyton tonsurans (n = 9) (6.3 %), Trichophyton rubrum (n = 5) (3.5 %), and Trichophyton verrucosum (n = 3) (2 %). Contamination of carpets and slippers with dermatophytes may act as a reservoir for transmission of these fungi. Educational health programs, appropriate treatment, and management of disease may provide to control of the spread of fungal organisms.